Japanese rocker Hyde is set to release a new solo single called “ZIPANG” on Jan. 23, 2019.
The L’Arc-en-Ciel frontman officially relaunched his solo endeavors this year, and his collaborative single with X JAPAN leader Yoshiki, “Red Swan,” peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in October. Yoshiki will in turn be featured as the pianist on “ZIPANG,” which will be released coupled with a cover of Duran Duran‘s classic ballad “Ordinary World.”
As its title suggests, the theme of Hyde’s highly anticipated new single is his homeland. The majestic ballad illustrates how the country was viewed from the outside a long time ago and asks whether it still lives up to its often-idealized image, depicting the singer’s perception of his native country of Japan.
Hyde appeared as the featured guest at Yoshiki’s classically themed concert on Thursday (Nov. 15), and will headline his own orchestral concerts in Japan: Jan. 23-24 in Makuhari, Chiba, and Jan. 29-30 in Wakayama.