Lyric

otuyyuto Releases New Single "Friends"

Tokyo-based artist and producer otuyyuto will release his new single, "Friends," on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 12:00 AM JST, available on all major streaming platforms.
Entirely self-produced, "Friends" marks otuyyuto's first release since the arrival of his critically praised album DiSTRESSED JEANS, released in March 2026. The new single serves as both a heartfelt reflection and a closing chapter to the album's emotional journey.

Following the release of DiSTRESSED JEANS, otuyyuto received support from Japanese rap legend SEEDA, which led to an invitation to perform a song from the album at this year's POP YOURS Festival. He appeared on the TERMINAL 6 stage during the CONCRETE GREEN set alongside artists including Jellyy, Ludio, and more. The performance marked his first-ever festival appearance as an artist.

More than just a milestone performance, the experience became a deeply personal moment of reflection. Nearly one year after moving to Japan to pursue his dream of becoming a musician, otuyyuto found himself standing on one of the country's most significant stages. It was an opportunity to look back on the challenges, sacrifices, and moments of doubt that shaped his journey.

The moment carried even greater significance as his mother flew from Hawaii to witness his biggest performance to date. Surrounded by his mother, close friends, his girlfriend, and her family in the audience, otuyyuto experienced a profound realization of why he had continued pushing forward through the hardships. Friends captures that realization. The song explores gratitude, perseverance, and the importance of the people who remain by your side. It also serves as a deeply personal apology to the friends who continued supporting him, even during periods when he withdrew from others while focusing on his mental health. While that inward journey was necessary, the song acknowledges the unintended distance it created.

At its core, "Friends" is a tribute to the unwavering support of those who never stopped believing. It closes the chapter of DiSTRESSED JEANS while setting the stage for otuyyuto's next artistic era-one defined by even greater ambition, growth, and purpose.