Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd. The release of the first cover album in 11 years has been decided! The new album “COVERS” will be released on January 21st, the debut day.

[Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd.] Release of first covers album in 11 years has been announced! New album “COVERS” released on debut day, January 21st ​
Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd. Press release: October 29, 2025 To Members of the Press The release of the band’s first covers album in 11 years has been announced! New album “COVERS” released on debut day, January 21st
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Singer-songwriter Hideaki Tokunaga has announced that he will release his latest covers album, “COVERS,” on January 21, 2026, the day of his debut, to commemorate his 40th anniversary. This album, following on from his smash-hit “VOCALIST” series, beloved by fans for many years, delivers Tokunaga’s signature “power of song,” marking his first covers album in 11 years since “VOCALIST 6.” The album features new interpretations of timeless classics, delivered with his unique, delicate, and profound vocals. Hideaki Tokunaga’s cover album series “VOCALIST,” launched in 2005, ushered in a new cover culture in the Japanese music scene with its innovative concept of “men covering women’s songs.” Recreating classic songs by female artists such as Miyuki Nakajima, Yumi Matsutoya, and Hikaru Utada with Tokunaga’s delicate vocals, the series has achieved astounding sales of over 6 million copies. This “COVERS” album inherits the spirit of the “VOCALIST” series, but features a more free and open selection of songs. It includes not only classic songs by female artists, but also many representative songs by male artists. Tokunaga Hideaki has selected classic songs that he “want to share now,” such as Stardust Revue’s “Yume Densetsu,” THE YELLOW MONKEY’s “JAM,” Inoue Yosui’s “Kaerenai Futari,” and Tamaki Koji’s “Melody,” and his pure singing of “memorable masterpieces” transcending gender boundaries shows his growing talent as a musician. As a result, “COVERS” is not just a covers album, but has a new presence as a work of “song inheritance” and “rediscovery” that transcends genre and gender. In addition, to commemorate the release of “COVERS,” a limited number of original bonus items will be given away to customers who purchase the album at participating stores nationwide. Smartphone stands, tin badges, magnets, stickers, and clear files featuring “COVERS” visuals will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis, so please check the website for more details. It’s been exactly 40 years since the release of their debut song, “Rainy Blue.” We hope you’ll look forward to the new sound that has been created as they build on this journey. ■Comment from Hideaki Tokunaga This time, regardless of gender, Songs I’ve loved since before my debut I’ve worked with my staff to select songs I want to share with everyone now. I’m so happy to be able to release this covers album. I recorded these songs with love. Everyone, please listen. ◆Regular edition (CD only) ¥3,850 (tax included) COCB-42611
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/19470/4581/19470-4581-256777430d6f1999be05660f06146ae0-1654×1654.jpg [CD Track List] 1. Dream Legend 2. “Strawberry White Paper” Again 3. Tears aren’t just for decoration. 4. Two People Who Can’t Go Home. 5. Atonement. 6. JAM. 7. Melody 8. Look Up at the Stars at Night 9. An Afternoon Gazing at the Sea 10. Story ◆First limited edition A (CD Blu-ray) ¥7,150 (tax included) COZB-2302～3
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/19470/4581/19470-4581-9ac0ca118646726331b7a0d4d9f5de4d-1654×1654.jpg [Blu-ray Contents] Includes the latest music video “Yume Densetsu” and the COVERS original video “HIDEAKI TOKUNAGA COVERS SPECIAL SESSION” (approx. 20 minutes). ◆First limited edition B (CD 2CD) ¥7,150 (tax included) COCB-42612~4
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/19470/4581/19470-4581-2d463c959cada68eba41676b88d36398-1902×1619.jpg [First Press Limited Edition B 2CD Contents] Live Album (2-CD Set): “Concert Tour 2024 ALL BEST 3” (Complete Edition, approx. 97 minutes) The long-awaited CD release of the 2024 tour live performance. 19 songs in total (September 14, 2024, Kanagawa Prefectural Hall, Main Hall) Track List 1. Flower ~balada~ 2. You and me 3. I LOVE YOU 4. Letting Time Go 5. The Other Side of Goodbye 6. A Good Day to Leave 7. Taking You 8. At the End of Eternity 9. Rainy Blue 10. Final Excuse 11. Continuation of the Dream 12. ROUGH DIAMOND 13. Passion 14. Wednesday Moon 15. Farewell Blues 16. Season of Love 17. Hymn of Love 18. Broken Radio 19. Just Like That Day Again ◆Vinyl Record (LP) ¥5,500 (tax included) COJA-9574
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/19470/4581/19470-4581-76e648dc4c83dd08fc4dade6569d3f8e-1654×1654.jpg 【SIDE A】 1. Dream Legend 2. “Strawberry White Paper” Again 3. Tears Are Not Just for Decoration 4. Two people who can’t go home 5. Tsugunai 【SIDE B】 1. JAM 2. Melody 3. Look Up at the Stars in the Night Sky 4.An afternoon watching the sea 5.Story
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/19470/4581/19470-4581-3237e3ba50890de63005cb30fff25a1b-720×878.jpg 【Profile】
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/19470/4581/19470-4581-51d233028cad241f6332bf3dff4fc5a7-1300×867.jpg Real name: Tokunaga Hideaki *The character “toku” is written in the old style, and the character “ei” has a space between the grass radicals. Date of Birth: February 27, 1961 Birthplace: Born in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture / Lived in Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture (middle and high school years) Blood Type: A She debuted on January 21, 1986, with the single “Rainy Blue” and the album “Girl.” Her fourth single, “Shining…,” released in 1987, became a huge hit. She continued to release hit songs, including “Kaze no Eolia,” “Saigo no Iiwake,” “Yume wo Shinjite,” and “Kokowarekake no Radio.” She also appeared in television dramas and films. In 2005, Tokunaga released the album “VOCALIST,” produced to celebrate her 20th anniversary. The album was based on the concept of covering hit songs by female artists. Tokunaga fully embraced her role as a vocalist, exploring the beauty of the words she sings. The album, brimming with charm, was a long-running hit, weaving together her melancholy, tender, and delicate voice. It paved a new path for her to follow. Thus, “VOCALIST” became a popular series, and by 2015, it had grown to six titles, creating an original brand that redefined the “cover album” genre. To date, they have released 54 singles and 18 original albums, and are actively touring. Hideaki Tokunaga Official Website: https://www.tokunagaandtonys.com/jp/ Nippon Columbia Hideaki Tokunaga Special Site: https://columbia.jp/tokunagahideaki/ Hideaki Tokunaga Official Social Media YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@tokunaga-official X:
https://x.com/tokunaga_staff Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hideaki_tokunaga_official/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tokunagaandtonys For more information about this release