ESPERANTO

*ESPERANTO* is the long-awaited full album arriving two years after the previous release, *33*. Its creation was deeply inspired by the "division caused by language barriers" that Klara encountered while traveling across Europe from 2024 to 2025, as well as his efforts to overcome them. The album represents a sharp yet beautiful answer reached at the end of that two-year journey. It is only fitting that the work is titled *ESPERANTO*-named after the constructed international auxiliary language created with the hope of transcending language barriers.

The album opens with "Platinum Echoes," featuring a chorus that resonates like a gentle prayer. For this track-produced in Nice, France-and "The Beautiful Night"-produced in London, UK-Klara took on the challenge of writing lyrics entirely in English for the first time. "The Beautiful Night," in particular, blends crunchy guitar strumming with organ and strings, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a UK rock anthem.

Tracks like "Bouin-boushoku" (Bingeing and Overeating) and "Patron" showcase his signature cynical and comic style while breaking new ground by weaving alternative music elements and disco beats into a rock and synth-based sound. After the languid, drifting feel of "Yakan Hikou" (Night Flight)-evoking a slow drift across a dark ocean at night-the album's mood shifts dramatically with "en." Featuring a dazzling, mysterious sound reminiscent of a religious ritual, this track loops the "en" sound-found in words like *en-en* (endless), *shin-en* (abyss), and *eien* (eternity)-like an incantation; it stands as the album's dark, emotional core.

The closing title track, "Esperanto," goes beyond English lyrics to incorporate the constructed language Esperanto itself. It portrays a desperate prayer-a wish that will not fade even after a century-as the artist frantically seeks a "bridge" to connect a lonely world. A sound characterized by a sweeping, melancholic grandeur-culminating in the soaring line, "That is why we always plead for peace"-elevates the album to breathtaking heights.

For this release, Klara once again handled the songwriting, mixing, and mastering entirely on his own. The arrangements stand out for their vivid clarity, placing a strong emphasis on chordal textures, while the tracklist features a greater number of major-key songs than ever before. Enhanced by the emotive guitar work of supporting guitarist NoRiTaKa, the album emerges as a work that opens itself up brilliantly to the world.