Zutto Mayonaka de ii Noni. (Japanese: ずっと真夜中でいいのに。, lit.'I wish it was midnight all the time.'), shortened and stylized as ZUTOMAYO, is a Japanese rock group that debuted in 2018. Secretive by nature, the group has never released a full member list, crediting different people for arrangements and music video production each time. The only member reoccurring in all of the group's output is the vocalist and songwriter, an unidentified woman referred to as "ACA-Ne" (ACAね, Akane[2]).[3]
Despite the little information released, the group is commercially successful. Their three EPs have reached 8th, 1st, and 2nd on the Oricon Albums Chart, respectively. The group was also invited to perform at the 2019 Fuji Rock Festival a year after their debut.[4]
Style
In terms of visual style, ZUTOMAYO is secretive in nature, and emphasizes this in their live performances; aside from the vocalist ACA-Ne, it is unclear how many people are in the group, ACA-Ne has never revealed her face, and the group have performed behind a translucent screen during concerts, such as at the 2019 Fuji Rock Festival. Many[like whom?] have pointed to this secrecy regarding its members being a contributing factor towards its popularity.[5][6] In more recent performances[example needed], however, other members of the band have been less secretive, choosing to show their faces.
In terms of musical style, ZUTOMAYO typically produces rock music, often featuring intricate, funk-inspired basslines. ACA-Ne's voice has been described[by whom?] as "energetic", "expressive", and "delicate".[6][7]
History
The group debuted with the release of their first song, "Byōshin wo Kamu" (秒針を噛む), via YouTube on June 4, 2018. The song became an immediate hit, garnering 200,000 views within the first week.[3][8] Additionally, after being released on streaming platforms on August 30, the song became the most streamed song in Japan that week.[9] Following the song's release, ZUTOMAYO held their first concert at Daikanyama Loop in Tokyo. Attendees were handed opaque glasses and reported that the entire venue was dark for the concert's duration.[8] The group would continue to conceal their identities in future concerts.
ZUTOMAYO released two more singles digitally before releasing their first EP, Tadashii Itsuwari Kara no Kishō (正しい偽りからの起床), on November 14 through EMI Records. The EP reached 8th on the Oricon Albums Chart and was nominated in the 19th CD Shop Awards.[10][11] On June 5, 2019, a second EP was released titled Ima wa Ima de Chikai wa Emi de (今は今で誓いは笑みで), which topped the Oricon chart.[12] The group's first full-length album, Hisohiso Banashi (潜潜話), was released on October 30 of the same year.[13] The song "Darken" was used in the live-action film The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, and "Hypersomnia" is also featured in the film.[14] The group released Gusare (ぐされ) on February 10, 2021, featuring songs "One's Mind", "Can't Be Right", "STUDY ME", "Hunch Gray", "Have a", "Engine Oil", "Darken", "Milabo", "Loneliness", "Crop", "Hypersomnia", "Fastening", and "Inner Heart".
In October 2022, ZUTOMAYO provided the second ending theme, "Time Left" (残機), for the anime Chainsaw Man.[15] In October 2024, they provided the ending theme "TAIDADA" for the anime Dandadan.[16]
Discography
As of October 2024, ZUTOMAYO has released five EPs and three full-length albums. Some songs contained in these albums were released digitally before the album's release.[17]
