Sequence 01
| Sequence 01 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | May 5, 2025 |
| Recorded | 2023–2025 |
| Genre | J-pop, hyperpop |
| Label |
|
| Producer | |
| Singles from Sequence 01 | |
| |
Sequence 01 (stylized in all caps) is the upcoming debut studio album by Japanese girl group F5ve, set for release on May 5, 2025, through LDH and Three Six Zero. Under executive production from BloodPop, the album features additional work by A.G. Cook and Hudson Mohawke, and a guest appearance from American singer Kesha.
It is preceded by the singles "Lettuce", "Underground", "UFO" and "Magic Clock".
Background and recording
[edit]F5ve, composed of the members Sayaka, Kaede, Miyuu, Ruri and Rui, originally made their debut in 2022 under the name SG5 ("Sailor Guardians 5"), taking direct inspiration from the manga franchise Sailor Moon.[1] Their formation was a collaboration between LDH Japan and Three Six Zero, with BloodPop brought on as executive producer. Their first and only single as this iteration, "Firetruck", was released in February 2023 and emphasized a "girl crush" concept; it was met with lukewarm reception.[2]
By 2024, the group underwent a change in creative direction and re-emerged as F5ve, with subsequent releases taking on a hyperpop influence and ceasing their association to the manga.[2][3]
In October 2024, the group revealed to Gay Times that their debut album was in production.[4] Sequence 01 was announced on February 26, 2025, through the group's social media accounts.[5]
Sequence 01 marked the first time that Sayaka, Kaede, and Miyuu recorded vocals for a project, who previously held dancer-only roles in their former group, Happiness. Rui shared that it was the first time that they were able to decide their own singing parts, and Kaede found the recording process with Bloodpop to be a "fresh" experience, "different from how Japanese people create music".[6] Their creative team took heavy note of the group's music preferences, with the members sharing playlists for song ideas and giving their input on arrangements.[7]
Artwork
[edit]The cover photograph was taken by Charlotte Rutherford, who also directed several music videos for the group during the Sequence 01 album cycle.[8] F5ve is seen examining the contents of a cardboard filing box. The creative direction was handled by Crystalline Structures, while the F5ve logo was designed by Timothy Luke.[9]
Composition
[edit]Sequence 01 is conceptualized as a "sequence of dreams", harking back to the group's introduction as "inter-dimensional dream agents". The album explores a range of genres as a result, with each song reflecting its underlying "dream".[10]
According to Variety, the album is described as blending dance, rock, funk and hyperpop elements in a "high-energy collision of sonic worlds".[11] The group sings in both Japanese and English. F5ve made it a point to deliver a distinct Japanese identity through their music, with Kaede adding:
"This might be something culturally embedded in Japanese people, but I think we aren't as confident in representing our culture and aren't aware of how much people overseas are interested in it. [Some artists] might think that whenever they do something for overseas fans, the content has to be catered to them [...] I think [following trends] ends up diluting the Japanese cultural aspect. [We are] transmitting Japanese culture as it is [and] I think it has hit audiences that have always been interested in [that]."[12]
Japanese singer-songwriter Emyli is credited on several of the album's tracks. "Underground" was singled out by Rolling Stone Japan writer Minori for its nod to Heisei era sensibilities in its fusion of Eurobeat and hyperpop.[7] Anime, a common interest between the group and Bloodpop, was also a source of musical inspiration.[6]
Track listing
[edit]Track listing adapted from Apple Music.[13]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Initiate Sequence 01" | |||
| 2. | "Underground" |
|
| 2:21 |
| 3. | "Magic Clock" |
|
| 2:13 |
| 4. | "UFO" |
|
| 2:39 |
| 5. | "Firetruck" |
|
| 2:23 |
| 6. | "Lettuce" |
|
| 2:08 |
| 7. | "Sugar Free Venom" (feat. Kesha) | |||
| 8. | "Television" | |||
| 9. | "Bow Chika Wow Wow" | |||
| 10. | "Jump" | |||
| 11. | "Riajo (Real Girl)" (リア女) |
References
[edit]- ^ Chan, Tim (June 28, 2022). "Moon Prism Power Turn Up: Meet the IRL Japanese Girl Group Based Off 'Sailor Moon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ a b Yoo, Young-jae (April 14, 2025). "신인 걸그룹, 故 구하라 사진으로 마케팅…논란 확산". TV Reporter (in Korean). Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ St. Michel, Patrick (May 6, 2024). "Make Believe Melodies For May 6, 2024". Make Believe Mailer. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ Robledo, Jordan (2024-10-01). "'We want to be iconic': Introducing the dynamic J-pop group f5ve". Gay Times. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
- ^ @f5ve_official (February 26, 2025). "initiate SEQUENCE 01 05.05.2025 💿 http://f5veofficial.com" (Tweet). Retrieved May 1, 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Assis, Tássia (March 6, 2025). "F5ve, the charismatic quintet shaking up J-pop". Dazed. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b "f5veが語る、東京発の異次元サウンドを支える姿勢「ありのままでいることの素晴らしさ」". Rolling Stone Japan (in Japanese). October 30, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ Rutherford, Charlotte [@charlie__chops] (March 16, 2025). "@f5ve_official 💘 @is_rui_official @im_sayaka_official @kaede_ @immiyuu_official @ruri_kawamoto_official" – via Instagram.
- ^ "f5ve logo metal keychain". F5VE official store. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
- ^ "BloodPop®「日本の音楽にはポテンシャルがある」 東京発グループ、f5veのプロデュースに情熱を注ぐ理由". Real Sound｜リアルサウンド (in Japanese). 2024-08-24. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (March 5, 2025). "Japanese Girl Group F5ve Sets Debut Album 'Sequence 01' for May Release". Variety. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ Yeo, Gladys (October 17, 2024). "f5ve talk new single 'UFO' and showcasing Japanese subcultures: "It's going to spark a revolution"". NME. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ Sequence 01 by F5ve on Apple Music, May 5, 2025, retrieved May 1, 2025