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{{Short description|Japanese musician and Vocaloid producer}}
{{distinguish|Iowa}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Iyowa
| origin            = Japan
| native_name       = いよわ
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|2000|9|23}}
| years_active      = {{start date|2018}}–present
| genre             = {{hlist|[[J-pop]]|[[Electronic music|electronic]]|[[indie rock]]|[[psychedelic pop]]}}
| occupation        = Songwriter, record producer, illustrator
| instrument        = {{hlist|[[Vocaloid]]|keyboard}}<ref name="soundmain interview">{{Cite web |date=2024-02-05 |title=いよわ インタビュー アバンギャルドでポップな新世代クリエイターが語る、「作り続ける」ためのマインドセット（Soundmain連載）｜入江陽 |url=https://note.com/irieyoo/n/nc34a236a101c |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=note（ノート） |language=ja}}</ref>
| label             = [[Believe Music|Igusuri Records]]
| current_member_of = Studio Gohan
| website           =
}}
'''Iyowa''' ({{langx|ja|いよわ}}) is a Japanese musician, [[Vocaloid]] producer, songwriter and illustrator. He is best known for his 2021 single "[[Kyu-Kurarin]]" (stylized as "kyu kurarin"), which has been viewed 50 million times on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-19 |title=きゅうくらりん / いよわ feat.可不（Kyu-kurarin / Iyowa feat.Kafu） - YouTube |website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b1IexhKPz4 |access-date=2024-07-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119185517/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b1IexhKPz4 |archive-date=2024-01-19 }}</ref> His artist name allegedly came about from having a weak stomach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=いよわ |url=https://www.tunecore.co.jp/artists/iyowa |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=TuneCore Japan |language=ja}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
== Career ==
Iyowa began composing music in elementary school using the [[Nintendo DS]] software ''[[Jam with the Band]]''. He became interested in Vocaloid music when he was in junior high school, when he discovered Jin's song ''Children Record''.<ref name="niconiconews">{{Cite web |title=新進気鋭のボカロP・ちいたな＆いよわとVOCALOIDとの出会い、クリエイター奨励プログラムの説明etc… 「週刊ニコニコインフォ 第18号』レポート！ |url=https://news.nicovideo.jp/watch/nw8411197 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=ニコニコニュース |language=ja}}</ref>
In 2018, Iyowa debuted as a Vocaloid producer, submitting his music to [[Niconico|Nico Nico Douga]].<ref>{{cite tweet |number=963708727344865280 |user=igusuri_please |title=ボカロ曲を初投稿しました！！！！！ |author=いよわ |date=14 February 2018 |access-date=17 July 2024 |link=https://twitter.com/igusuri_please/status/963708727344865280}}</ref>
Iyowa released his debut album ''Sleeping Pink Noise'' in November 2019.<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1195286048315604993|user=igusuri_please |title=11/17日のボーマス43のおしながきです！1stAlbumとコンピを持っていきます |author=いよわ |date=15 November 2019 |access-date=17 July 2024 |link=https://twitter.com/igusuri_please/status/1195286048315604993}}</ref> The album was initially released only on CD, but later released on streaming formats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=いよわ、「ねむるピンクノイズ」を配信開始｜THE MAGAZINE |url=https://magazine.tunecore.co.jp/newrelease/42522/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=THE MAGAZINE |language=ja}}</ref>
On June 8, 2020, Iyowa released "Clover Knight" as his debut single on his own label, Igusuri Records.<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1269932489448931328 |user=igusuri_please |title=2曲の各種ダウンロード販売・ストリーミング配信を開始いたしました！ |author=いよわ |date=8 June 2020 |access-date=17 July 2024 |link=https://twitter.com/igusuri_please/status/1269932489448931328}}</ref>
On September 4, 2021, Iyowa released "[[Kyu-Kurarin]]". This song's music video gained 100,000 views on Nico Nico Douga one week after its release, and 10 million views on [[YouTube]] by June 19, 2022.<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1538431392970842112 |user=igusuri_please |title=きゅうくらりんYouTube1000万再生ありがとうございます！ |author=いよわ |date=19 June 2022 |access-date=17 July 2024 |link=https://twitter.com/igusuri_please/status/1538431392970842112}}</ref> This song reached number one on the [[Billboard Japan|Niconico Vocaloid Songs Top 20]]. It is the longest charting song on the chart, and is still charting as of July, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ニコニコ VOCALOID SONGS TOP20 {{!}} Charts |url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=niconico&year=2024&month=06&day=10 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Billboard JAPAN |language=ja}}</ref> It has lyrics that allude to [[Depression (mood)|depression]] and [[suicide]], and many users have discussed the meaning of the lyrics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=いよわfeat.可不「きゅうくらりん」の歌詞の意味を考察！複雑な恋心を徹底解剖！ {{!}} 歌詞検索サイト【UtaTen】ふりがな付 |url=https://utaten.com/specialArticle/index/8032 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=UtaTen |language=ja}}</ref> It was a single from ''Watashi no Heritage'' released in December of the same year. This album debuted at number 50 on the [[Billboard Japan Hot Albums]], and became his first entry on the chart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billboard Japan Hot Albums {{!}} Charts |url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2022&month=01&day=03 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Billboard JAPAN |language=ja}}</ref>
On October 22, 2022, Iyowa released a song titled "Heat Abnormal" featuring vocal synth character Adachi Rei, which was number one in [[Dwango (company)|the VOCALOID Collection 2022 Autumn]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-18 |title=ボカロP・いよわの『熱異常』が超いいから聞いてみて！ ボカコレ2022秋TOP100優勝作品が「ほんと鳥肌立っちゃう」「間違いなく伝説」と絶賛 |url=https://originalnews.nico/393312 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=ニコニコニュース オリジナル |language=ja}}</ref>
On December 7 2022, Iyowa's song "Leave You on the Back of the Earth" featuring [[CeVIO|RIME]] became the number one single on ''Billboard Japan'''s newly instituted Niconico Vocaloid Songs Top 20 singles chart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=【ビルボード】“ニコニコ VOCALOID SONGS TOP20” 記念すべき第1週目首位はいよわ「地球の裏」、れるりり／ジミーサムPが続く {{!}} Daily News |url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/119708/2 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Billboard JAPAN |language=ja}}</ref> Six months later, "The Peachy Key" reached number one, making Iyowa the artist with the most number one songs on the chart.<ref name="billboardjapanchart">{{Cite web |title=いよわ {{!}} Artist |url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/artists/detail/968283 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Billboard JAPAN |language=ja}}</ref>
In January 2023, Iyowa was featured on the song "Droplet" from Japanese [[Voice acting in Japan|voice actress]] and singer [[Mai Fuchigami]]'s EP ''Mai Create''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-25 |title=声優・渕上舞、ボカロPとコラボしたミニアルバム「MAI CREATE」リリース 「Chig Hug meets DECO*27」MVのプレミア公開や記念グッズ販売も {{!}} Musicman |url=https://www.musicman.co.jp/artist/529664 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=音楽業界総合情報サイト {{!}} Musicman |language=ja}}</ref> That year, he produced "Zanshi", a song from another voice actress and singer [[Saori Hayami]]'s third studio album, ''Shiro to Hanataba''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-24 |title=早見沙織、引き算のクリエイティブで立ち返った創作の原点 Tomggg、いよわ、清 竜人、諭吉佳作/menらとの制作秘話を語る |url=https://realsound.jp/2023/05/post-1334144.html |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Real Sound｜リアルサウンド |language=ja}}</ref>
On 27 February 2024, Iyowa released the single "Journey's Prequels, Journey's Traces" featuring virtual singer [[Hatsune Miku]]. The song is from "[[Project Voltage|Pokemon feat. Hatsune Miku Project VOLTAGE 18 Types/Songs]]", a collaborative project between the Japanese media franchise [[Pokémon]] and Hatsune Miku.<ref>{{Cite web |title=【ポケモン×初音ミク】2月27日はポケモンデー！ポケミク新曲を公開♪ {{!}} アニメージュプラス - アニメ・声優・特撮・漫画のニュース発信！ |url=https://animageplus.jp/articles/detail/57277 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=animageplus.jp |language=ja}}</ref>
Iyowa released his third album, ''Films, Sunny Spots, Graduations'' on 26 June 2024. It reached number nine on both [[Oricon Albums Chart]] and Japan Hot Albums, becoming his first top 10 hit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=映画、陽だまり、卒業式 {{!}} いよわ |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/876284/products/1509849/1/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=ORICON NEWS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Billboard Japan Hot Albums {{!}} Charts |url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2024&month=07&day=08 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Billboard JAPAN |language=ja}}</ref>
== Artistry ==
Iyowa's songs are known for using a lot of [[Consonance and dissonance|dissonance]] and are often described as emotionally charged.<ref>{{Cite web |last=編集部 |first=RAG MUSIC |date=2024-04-17 |title=いよわの魅力に迫る！独特な音楽性と多彩な才能に注目【楽曲一覧】 |url=https://www.studiorag.com/media/vocaloid-artist/iyowa-songs |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=RAG Vocaloid |language=ja}}</ref> The abrupt jumps in scale and the abundance of dissonance led to his early career to be described as "that sounds like it was written at random, but it is a song and it is mutant".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-08 |title=ボカロ曲の流行の変遷と「ボカロっぽさ」についての考察（7）柊キライ、Kanariaら2020年の活躍と今後のシーンに寄せて |url=https://realsound.jp/2020/11/post-650648.html |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Real Sound｜リアルサウンド |language=ja}}</ref> In 2022, he described his musical style as "Strong characteristic and strange music".<ref name ="qetic interview">{{Cite web |date=2022-01-17 |title=TOOBOE × いよわ｜インターネット新世代プロデューサーが語る新しいボカロシーン |url=https://qetic.jp/interview/tooboe-iyowa-220117/421986/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Qetic |language=ja}}</ref>
Vocaloid music videos are generally commissioned from a different person than the composer, but Iyowa produces all of his own music videos and his songs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-13 |title=MV制作の依頼メールを送られる際に、あらかじめ伝えて欲しい事[ボカロ系・歌みた系など]｜無印かげひと |url=https://note.com/kagehito_muji/n/ne70f45742531 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=note（ノート） |language=ja}}</ref><ref name="soundmain interview" /> He attributed this to the reason: "I was afraid to have a music video produced by someone I had never met before."<ref name ="qetic interview"/> The girls in his music video are called "Iyowa girls", and he said he is very happy to see their fan art.<ref name="niconiconews" />
=== Inspiration ===
Iyowa has cited [[Harumaki Gohan]], Nuyuri, and [[Enon Kawatani]] of [[Gesu no Kiwami Otome]] as major musical influences.<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1079359664976842752 |user=igusuri_please |title=ゲスの極み乙女。（川谷絵音さん）はめっちゃ影響受けてます あと、はるまきごはんさんだったりぬゆりさんの影響もめちゃくちゃでかいです |author=いよわ |date=30 December 2018 |access-date=17 July 2024 |link=https://twitter.com/igusuri_please/status/1079359664976842752}}</ref> In particular, Kawatani is a strong influence on Iyowa, and many of Iyowa's songs are influenced by his works.<ref name="soundmain interview" /> He has also stated that he is influenced by Jin's [[Kagerou Project]], a mixed-media project.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-15 |title=ボカロシーンに広がる「音声合成ソフトウェアの多様化」から生まれた新たな"創作論" いよわ×RED 対談 |url=https://realsound.jp/tech/2023/03/post-1279359.html |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Real Sound｜リアルサウンド テック |language=ja}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Iyowa is a college student as of 2022. After he graduates, he plans to continue working as a producer while working another job.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ボカロPを長く続けるために必要なこと シーンに対する期待と危機感 |url=https://premium.kai-you.net/article/479 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=KAI-YOU Premium |language=ja}}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Studio albums ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of studio albums
! rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width:8em;" | Title
! rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width:18em;" | Details
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;" | [[Billboard Japan Hot Albums|JPN<br>Hot]]<br /><ref name ="billboardjapanchart"/>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;" | [[Oricon Albums Chart|JPN]]<br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=いよわのプロフィール |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/876284/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=ORICON NEWS}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''Sleeping Pink Noise''
|
* Release date: November 17, 2019
* Label: Self-released
* Format: [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Music download|digital download]], [[Music streaming|streaming]]
| — || —
|-
! scope="row" | ''Watashi no Heritage''
|
* Release date: December 22, 2021
* Label: Igusuri Records
* Format: CD, digital download, streaming
| 50 || —
|-
! scope="row" | ''Films, Sunny Spots, Graduations''
|
* Released: June 26, 2024
* Label: Igusuri Records
* Format: CD, digital download, streaming
| 9 || 9
|-
| colspan="4" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes releases that did not chart
|}
=== Extended plays ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:8em;" | Title
! scope="col" style="width:18em;" | Details
|-
! scope="row" | ''Dreamy Climax''
|
* Release date: June 24, 2019
* Label: Self-released
* Format: CD
|}
=== Singles ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Album
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
|-
! scope="row"| "Clover Knight"
| rowspan="5"| 2020
| rowspan="9"| ''Watashi no Heritage''
|-
! scope="row"| "Potpourri-san"
|-
! scope="row"| "Golden Number"
|-
! scope="row"| "Goodbye Jackpot"
|-
! scope="row"| "Living Millennium"
|-
! scope="row"| "OVER!"
| rowspan="5"| 2021
|-
! scope="row"| "Almost Ended"
|-
! scope="row"| "Adipocere"
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Kyu-Kurarin]]"
|-
! scope="row"| "We Are Special"
| {{Non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row"| "Pajamy"
| rowspan="5"| 2022
| ''Films, Sunny Spots, Graduations''
|-
! scope="row"| "Phenomenon"
| rowspan="2" {{Non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row"| "AKUMA!"
|-
! scope="row"| "Primary"
| rowspan="11" | ''Films, Sunny Spots, Graduations''
|-
! scope="row"| "Heat Abnormal"<br/>{{small|(featuring Adachi Rei)}}
|-
! scope="row"| "Take You to an Alien"<br/>{{small|(featuring [[CeVIO|SEKAI]])}}
| rowspan="6"| 2023
|-
! scope="row"| "Till Your Tear Goes"
|-
! scope="row"| "Leave You on the Back of the Earth"<br/>{{small|(featuring [[CeVIO|RIME]])}}
|-
! scope="row"| "Dandelion"
|-
! scope="row"| "Actress"
|-
! scope="row"| "KLY"
|-
! scope="row"| "BABEL"
| rowspan="6"| 2024
|-
! scope="row"| "The Peachy Key"
|-
! scope="row"| "Dreaming Scales"
|-
! scope="row"| "Journey's Prequels, Journey's Traces"<br/>{{small|(featuring [[Hatsune Miku]])}}
| ''Pokémon feat. Hatsune Miku Project Voltage<br/>18 Types/Songs Collection''
|-
! scope="row"| "Firefly"<br/>{{small|(with [[Nilfruits]])}}
| ''Mwlánd''
|-
! scope="row"| "Write Over Me"
| {{TBA}}
|}
=== Guest appearances ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Track
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Artist(s)
! scope="col"| Album
|-
! scope="row"| "Astraea's Disappointment"
| 2020
| Guchiry
| ''Mugenhouyou''
|-
! scope="row"| "Octagon"
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| Titana
| ''Dual Nature / Impure''
|-
! scope="row"| "Before monochrome"
| suisoh
| ''Metropolis''
|-
! scope="row"| "Cloudsurf"
| rowspan="2" | 2023
| Yuigot
| ''Guidebook''
|-
! scope="row"| "Droplet"
| [[Mai Fuchigami]]
| ''Mai Create''
|}
=== Production discography ===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:24em;"| Track(s)
! scope="col" style="width:1em;"| Year
! scope="col"| Credit
! scope="col"| Artist(s)
! scope="col"| Album
|-
! scope="row"| "Pinedrop"
| 2021
| Songwriter
| [[Sangatsu no Phantasia]]
| ''101 / Yakou''
|-
! scope="row"| "Orangescale"
| rowspan="8" | 2022
| Songwriter, producer
| Yuka Nagase
| ''A Look Front''
|-
! scope="row"| "Jiai wa Shitatari"
| Producer
| SEE
| ''Camisole''
|-
! scope="row"| "Super Rare"
| Songwriter, producer
| PMarusama
| ''Love Holic''
|-
! scope="row"| "Battle at the Big Bridge"
| Producer
|  [[Nobuo Uematsu]]
| ''Electronica Tunes -FINAL FANTASY Series-''
|-
! scope="row"| "Supesharoze"
| Songwriter, producer
| Zonko
| {{Non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row"| "Hello My Treat"
| Songwriter, producer
| MKLNtic
| ''Happy Life''
|-
! scope="row"| "My Wonder"
| Songwriter, producer
| Sangatsu no Phantasia
| ''Golden Ray -Kaitai Shinsyou-''
|-
! scope="row"| "Melon Soda Float"
| Songwriter, producer
| SoundOrion
| ''SOUND OF BES2''
|-
! scope="row"| "Wadachi no Hana"
| rowspan="6" | 2023
| Songwriter, producer
| [[Minori Suzuki]]
| ''Fruitful Spring''
|-
! scope="row"| "Parallel Searchlight"
| Songwriter, producer
| Sana Natori
| ''NATORI SANA MUSIC COLLECTION Vol.3''
|-
! scope="row"| "Zanshi"
| Songwriter, producer
| [[Saori Hayami]]
| ''Shiro to Hanataba''
|-
! scope="row"| "Honno Kansou"
| Songwriter, producer
| Yuka Nagase
| ''Launchvox''
|-
! scope="row"| "High Heels"
| Songwriter, producer
| Sou
| ''Sense of Wonder''
|}
=== Remixes ===
'''2019'''
* Manika – "To Azalea" (Iyowa Remix)
'''2020'''
* Kairiki Bear – "Darling Dance" (Iyowa Remix)
'''2021'''
* Hiiragi Magnetite – "Marshall Maximizer" (Iyowa Remix)
* [[Kaf (singer)|Kaf]] - "Me Logic" (Iyowa Remix)
'''2022'''
* [[Haruka Kudō (voice actress)|Haruka Kudo]] - "GROOVY MUSIC TAPE" (Iyowa Remix)
* [[Deco*27]] – "Animal" (Iyowa Remix)
* Manika - "I'm the only one left behind in March" (Iyowa Remix)
* BCNO - "Capotasto" (Iyowa Remix)
'''2023'''
* Mikitop – "Ghost Girl" (Iyowa Remix)
'''2024'''
* [[Inabakumori]] – "Relay Outer" (Iyowa Remix)
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Vocaloid musicians}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Iyowa}}
[[Category:2000 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Vocaloid musicians]]
[[Category:Japanese illustrators]]
[[Category:Japanese musicians]]