Popbase interviews JO1

JO1s · 2026-10-20T20:09:33+00:00

Some highlights Some fan questions: Animal out now AAO out 11/18

Some highlights

POP BASE: Hello JO1! "ANIMAL" marks your first standalone North America tour. Congratulations! How does it feel to be back in the US performing in front of JAM? Are there any memories or special moments from this tour you want to take home to Japan?
SHO: I'm really grateful that we get to come back to the US and perform like this. I want to take the confidence we picked up overseas back to Japan and show everyone an even more powered up JO1.
POP BASE: The 11th single "AAO" takes its title from the phrase 'Against All Odds'. JO1 debuted in the middle of a pandemic when the world was shutting down and kept going anyway, and after six years the music is now reaching JAM all over the world. How do you personally relate to the idea of overcoming the odds? Looking back, were there moments you doubted you would really get here?
TAKUMI: I think I've doubted it the whole way. Off stage I still don't have confidence. But when I'm on stage performing I do it believing I'm the best one out there. I want to keep doubting myself and keep asking what's actually right.
POP BASE: Throughout your career, JO1 have recorded several songs for anime, with "IGNITE" from "AAO" becoming the opening theme for the new "Tokyo Revengers" arc. How is recording a song for an anime or another story based project different from recording a regular album track? Do you try to get into the story or understand how the characters feel when you sing?
SYOYA: I think every song has a story in it, so I try to get inside all of them. When I was writing lyrics I was really conscious of what the characters were feeling.

Some fan questions:

JAM: Is there a musical style or genre that you'd like to challenge yourselves with?
REN: Genres are so diverse now that I think there are as many genres as there are people. I want to keep making music with Dem, and I'd like to work with other producers, too.
JAM: Now you have worked with Dem Jointz, are there other producers you want to work with next? Either Japanese or Western producers?
SYOYA: full8loom. They worked on a few JO1 songs back in the day, and there are so many great ones, so I'd love to be in the room with them.
JAM: Which song does each member consider the most underrated?
SHO: "Romance"
JUNKI: "Romance"
SYOYA: "Cross the line"
REN: "WHATCHA DOIN". There's a lot happening musically and in the performance; it's a really fun one.
RUKI: "Tiger". The song and the choreo are both cool, and I want more people to know it.
KEIGO: "ICY". It has jersey club in it, so it feels really hip hop, which I love.
TAKUMI: "16". I just love the song, and there's a music video, so please watch it.
SKY: "Design". The mood of the song is great. When we did the dome tour, I asked to perform "Design", and they put it in the setlist.
MAME: "RUSH". I think it already gets good reactions, but I love the choreography and the sound, and I want more people around the world to hear it.