Slow and Then

Hailed as a Masterpiece: Kotobuki Hane Releases 7th Album "Slow and Then" A Genre-Defying Collection Elevating "Hobbies" to "Art"
Kotobuki Hane has released her highly anticipated 7th studio album, "Slow and Then." Hailed as her greatest work to date, this album features 12 genre-less tracks that sublimate her personal "hobbies" into pure "art."
As her first full album in some time, both the songwriter and Hane herself describe the process as "the most fun we've ever had making a record." It is a work of "100% personal taste," exploding with their shared musical preferences and playful spirit.
The album's standout feature is its overwhelming musical range.
It is colored by high-energy tracks such as "Kenran Kotobuki Neon Kagura," a festive tune fusing Enka and EDM with Hane's name woven into the lyrics, and "Magical Parade Scramble," which sparked a viral sensation on social media with just a 15-second pilot version released prior to the official announcement.
At the core of this work lies Hane's exceptional vocal prowess.
She proves her high potential with versatile expression across the board: showing off authentic rap skills with fast flows and hard rhymes on 90s-00s style Hip-Hop tracks, delivering genuine Reggae tunes, and singing Eurobeat-style songs drifting with sorrow.
In the customary cover section for her full albums, she includes KARASU's emotional masterpiece "Sudachi" and Passepied's ultra-high-pitched song "Tsukuri Bayashi." Both are satisfying covers that tell the story of her musical roots and niche tastes.
And a track that cannot be overlooked is "Blue Moon Crisis -West Non Fiction Ver.-", the album version of the single released on January 2nd. The original release garnered widespread praise and tears for the touching message embedded within it.
Featuring a different melody line from the original and emphasizing a poignant whisper voice, this version holds a special backstory: Hane actually sent part of this song to a "certain person" as a message of encouragement before the single's release, and that warm bond has already created a significant reaction among fans.
What is the meaning behind the subtitle "West Non Fiction"?
Believed to be directed at a "different person" than the single version, this message is sure to tighten the chests of listeners once again.
The jacket artwork features diagonally placed typography, a design that along with the album title pays deep respect and homage to The Beatles' last song, "Now and Then."
Unleashing the full force of her name, "Hane" (Feather) and "Oto" (Sound), this is truly an album of "ultimate personal taste." With tricks hidden in every track to keep listeners engaged, this 12-song collection is a masterpiece packed with aesthetics and playfulness, symbolizing the year 2026.