Rock with alternative-guitar bite and emotionally overloaded circuitry drives iCO through ウツシヨ (Utsushiyo – “The Living World”), a five-track EP rooted firmly in the messy dimension where humans work, grieve, dream and occasionally challenge reality to a boss fight. The old Japanese term utsushiyo describes the present mortal world, traditionally contrasted with kakuriyo, the hidden realm of spirits—conveniently also the name of iCO’s forthcoming three-city tour. Metaphysical continuity level: unlocked.
Released on July 29, 2026, the duo’s sixth EP contains アサルトダンス (Asaruto Dansu), トロイメライヤ (Toroimereiya), ハナタバ (Hanataba), 幽幽 (Yūyū) and the title track. Yui Yoshikuni wrote and composed all five songs, while drummer Hirochika produced and arranged them, with Kentaro Takata on guitar and Hokuto Sugiyama on bass.
The closing title song transforms bereavement, guilt and unanswered words into a reason to remain alive and support others carrying similar darkness. In other words, ウツシヨ is not escapism—it is iCO planting an amplifier in the mortal realm and refusing to let grief mute the channel.
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