Wolfgang Label is proud to announce the release of singer-songwriter Hiroko Konishi’s new mini album, Harukano Shima, available on all major digital music platforms starting Friday, August 1, 2025. Commemorating the 80th summer since the end of World War II, the album features six original songs written, composed, performed, and recorded by Konishi herself. Combining her expressive voice—honed through her extensive career as a voice actress—with the gentle timbre of her flute, Harukano Shima offers a warm, analog soundscape that gently embraces the listener.
Hiroko Konishi “Harukano Shima”
A soul-stirring melody that sings of “life” within silence—Harukano Shima.
Harukano Shima evokes the live feel of 1960s–70s West Coast sound, blending nostalgia and freshness into a dreamlike sonic landscape. The ambient breath of the studio permeates each track, resonating deeply with the heart. Among them, the standout is Bridge of Miyuki, a piece set in Hiroshima. Without depicting the horrors of war directly—there are no explosions, rubble, or hatred—the song quietly immerses everything into silence. What remains is the gentle flow of a river and the glow of the evening sun.
Yet within that silence, “people” clearly breathe, and the evidence of life remains quietly engraved. The glimmering reflections on the water, the silhouettes at dusk, distant footsteps—all are not to mourn the past but gently ask us: “How will we live the time to come?” Bridge of Miyuki is a place where someone was seen off, where someone was long awaited but never returned. Even today, it gazes—softly, yet undeniably—at us who walk on pretending not to know.
The line “It’s not sadness—just a yearning gaze upon my hometown” is imbued with a deep human kindness that transcends criticism and hate. This song leaves a quiet hope in the hearts of those who listen, connecting the past and the future.
The title track Harushima – A Faraway Dream conjures an imaginary island inspired by Okinawa, singing the voices of “beautiful fairies” carried on the wind. Like a soul drifting on the sea breeze, the melody offers the listener a peaceful sense of liberation.
The album also includes SODA WATER, a psychedelic, 60s-style track portraying the story of a traveler; Echoes from the Bay and Sandy Road, which reflect upon distant memories of home; and 1975, a vibrant celebration of youthful passion. Together, these pieces evoke the summer memories of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Okinawa—inviting listeners to discover which summer stirs their heart.
Music that gently lights the heart
Hiroko Konishi’s music is free from forceful messages. Instead, it delivers genuine kindness, quietly conveyed through her voice, guitar, and flute. Subtle emotions that may break if spoken too much are expressed with quiet strength and clarity.
This summer, why not spend a quiet moment listening to Harukano Shima? Let the 80th summer since the war in Japan bring you a new story, gently echoing in your heart.
Album Details
Title: Harukano Shima
Track List:
1. Echoes from the Bay (New Version)
2. SODA WATER
3. Sandy Road (New Version)
4. 1975 (New Version)
5. Bridge of Miyuki
6. Harushima – A Faraway Dream
Price: TBD (Please refer to each platform)
Availability: iTunes Store and other major digital music distribution platforms
About Hiroko Konishi
Hiroko Konishi is a voice actress and singer-songwriter born October 26, 1975 in Kawagoe, Saitama, and raised in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa. She graduated from Sagami Women’s University Junior College and Chuo University Faculty of Law. Since her debut in 1994, she has starred in numerous anime and games, including NHK’s Ojarumaru, You’re Under Arrest, Dr. Slump, Super Radical Gag Family, Sexy Commando Gaiden, and Digimon Adventure. In the music field, she has released over 50 CDs with major labels. Recently, she has been active as a singer-songwriter, handling all aspects of her music production, including lyrics, composition, arrangement, performance, and recording.
