Tokyo-born singer-songwriter Reira Ushio has quickly become one of Japan’s most interesting new voices. She is known for not only crystal-clear vocals but also for articulated lyrics. As a teenager, she first stepped into music simply to confront her fear of performing, joining her school band almost by accident, but that small step gradually revealed something bigger: a genuine passion for writing and creating songs of her own. By sixteen, she was already composing and writing lyrics, and that early talent for storytelling has since created a sound that is simply sublime.

Now, the rising artist returns with her second EP, HB2U, released on February 25, following last week’s pre-release single déjà vu. Where her earlier work often combines imagined or external narratives, this new project turns personal. HB2U depicts her own experiences, times when she was in doubt, when she was reflecting on things, and her own resilience, revealing a more vulnerable side of Ushio than ever before.

The EP also gathers several songs already familiar to fans. My Thief appeared in the Japanese romance drama Today, I Fell in Love – Graduation Arc 2025, while Harenohini was the ending theme for the anime The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity, introducing her voice to a growing international audience. At the heart of the record sits déjà vu, a groovy mid-tempo song carried by her distinctive tone and lyrics that describe hesitation and self-examination.

With warm melodies and her natural voice, HB2U feels personal and close. Each song shares a part of Reira Ushio’s life, making the EP more irresistible to one’s ear. It shows her growth and her courage to be open, turning her own experiences into something listeners can feel too.

Streaming Link: https://erj.lnk.to/HB2U

Featured image courtesy of Vegas PR Group

TRACK LIST

M1. Re:birthday
M2. pink
M3. Bandaid my teen
M4. déjà vu
M5. Harenohini 　※ ED to TV Anime The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
M6. Hinoyojin
M7. About you for me
M8. My Thief ※ Featured song to Japanese romance drama series Today, I Fell in Love: Graduation Arc 2025
M9. Earring
M10. Nakitturanihachi

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. As we continue to grow, we aim to deepen our coverage of Asian music while remaining committed to exploring and celebrating creativity across the global arts landscape.}