Japanese girl group F5ve (pronounced “fi-vee”) has revealed that their debut album, Sequence 01, will be released on May 5 via LDH Records/Three Six Zero Recordings. The announcement comes alongside the release of their new single and music video for “Magic Clock,” as well as the launch of their first merchandise line and pre-orders for the physical album.
The 11-track album is executive produced by Grammy-nominated producer BloodPop (known for his work with Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber). Additional production credits include A.G. Cook (Charli XCX, Utada Hikaru) and Hudson Mohawke. Sequence 01 merges a variety of genres, including dance, rock, funk, and hyperpop, with metallic snares and subcultural influences. According to the label, the album is a “high-energy collision of sonic worlds.”
The album will feature previously released singles like “UFO,” “Underground,” and the group’s debut track, “Lettuce.”
F5ve is made up of J-pop veterans Sayaka, Kaede, Miyuu, Ruri (formerly of Happiness and E-Girls), and Rui (from iScream). The group has garnered international attention, with praise from artists such as Rosalía, A.G. Cook, and Grimes. F5ve describes themselves as “inter-dimensional dream agents from Tokyo” on a mission “to infiltrate the subconscious mind to eradicate self-doubt and bad vibes.” Unlike traditional J-pop’s sweet image, the group embraces darker, more mature themes such as love and womanhood.
The video for their new single, “Magic Clock,” was directed by Crystalline Structures Studio (IVE). In the video, the group appears in a clock shop run by Tsurugi of Psychic Fever, where the members experience a surreal time loop, shifting through different ages.
“This song lets you time-travel through exciting memories of the past and future, or to precious moments spent with your loved ones,” explained member Rui about the track.
The album Sequence 01 promises to provide “authentic Japanese pop” and an inside look at Japan beyond the surface. The album is set to be released on May 5, a date chosen symbolically for its connection to the number five.
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