Ae! group has released the lyric video for their new song “Hello,” and serves as the lead track for their 1st album, ใD.N.Aใ, which will be released on the group’s anniversary, February 18, 2025.
This track captures both strength and vulnerability, featuring lyrics that resonate deeply because they are sung by the group in their current state. With a rich blend of strings and guitar sounds, the song showcases a new side of Ae! group, filled with expansion and resonance.
The lyric video uses footage from the album’s artwork shoot. It highlights the members’ cool expressions as they face the camera, as well as their softer moments captured between takes. It really highlights the connection between the bonds the group has between each other and the importance of just how far they’ve come.
Behind the cool and refined exterior we see through the jacket artwork and promotional photos lies the softer and more vulnerable side of Ae! group. Just like their fans, they are simply human too, striving to reach their dreams.
The 1st album ใD.N.Aใ includes a total of 13 tracks, including their debut single “ใAใBEGINNING,” their second single “Gotta Be,” and the familiar “Colorful Days”, which served as the theme song for the nationwide sweets delivery service “CAKE LINK”. Alongside these are newly created songs for this album. It is a work that encapsulates everything about the groupโs “present,” making it truly deserving of the title ใD.N.Aใโtheir origin.
The song, with its bright and uplifting melody, feels like a heartfelt declaration from Ae! group to their fansโa message rooted in gratitude, resilience, and hope. The track captures the essence of a journey shared between the group and their fans, where every step forward is a testament to the bonds theyโve nurtured over time.
With “Hello” following “ใAใBEGINNING” and “Gotta Be,” it feels like these songs are telling the story of the group’s history. With their 1st album, Ae! group is saying goodbye to the days when they could only dream, and theyโre moving forward toward the future beyond those dreams. It’s hopeful and bright, compared to the more gritty and rebellious debut single, and the more statement-driven second single.
“You don’t have to anticipate for the future because we’ll change the “now.””
It’s easy for people, especially within the music industry, to get caught up in thinking about the future and what they aspire to do that they lose sight of the present. This is why, at its core, โHelloโ embodies the idea of embracing the present moment. The lyrics reflect on the struggles and uncertainties of the past, but instead of dwelling on them, they radiate an unshakable determination to transform the โnowโ into something meaningful.
While dreaming and thinking about the future is important and needed as a driving force, there’s no future if you can’t catch the present.
“Hello” is refreshing and bright but still maintains the distinct vibe and style of Ae! group that fans have come to love and cherish. It’s still raw, authentic, and undeniably emotional, something that the group always have been excellent at bringing out in their craft.
Ae! group excels within the rock genre, especially with the raw and unique vocal intensity of Seiya and Yoshinori that the studio equipment fails to capture. The cleanness of a studio recording is great for the sake of listening, but in terms of performance and experience, the live vocals of the members of Ae! group exceed anything. There’s something incredibly special about hearing them sing live where a slight flaw turns into a new experience that stays with you as a precious memory.
Richard’s soothing vocals shine bright in this style, his vocals are stable and his vocal tone really brings out the emotional delivery. Masaya’s vocals bring out a softer edge to the song, much in contrast to the drums in the background. Kojiken brings a comforting resonance to the song with his vocals resounding at a deeper register. Yoshinori’s distinctive vocal color remains steadfast and like a rock in the stormy sea. As usual, Seiya shines the brightest, not only with his impressive vocal range but also with how he controls his voice to fit any genre and the way he lets his vocals speak for themselves. The last high note his lingers long after the music has faded.
The songโs arrangement, which thoughtfully showcases each memberโs vocal strengths, creates a sense of unity, as though their voices are supporting and lifting one another toward a brighter future, together with each other and their fans.
The band arrangement in the background brings out the rock and drive while the major chords keep the sound bright and hopeful, and it’s a song that hopefully will be performed live with their band arrangement, as the guitar solo break and overall chords would be perfect for Yoshinori.
For Ae! group, this song is more than just a track on their first albumโitโs a reflection of their journey. It tells the story of a group that didnโt rely on innate talent alone but instead pushed forward with grit, passion, and an unyielding desire to grow. Every note and lyric resonates with the experiences theyโve shared with their fans, from the early days of uncertainty to the milestones that have shaped them into the artists they are today.
The emotional weight of โHelloโ extends beyond the group itself. For many fans, the song feels deeply personal, almost like a conversation between the group and those who have supported them. It serves as a reminder of the strength found in connectionโhow the simple act of calling someoneโs name can become a lifeline, pulling them forward through difficult times.
For Ae! group especially this rings true, being one of the groups who had to crawl through the hard times during Corona. There were times when fans couldn’t call out to their favorites and show their unyielding support, but Ae! group made sure, just like now, that the “now” then was enough. Even without hearing fans’ voices, the love and support reached them.
The song feels like a reciprocal exchange of encouragement, where the groupโs resolve inspires their fans, and the unwavering support of fans fuels the groupโs determination.
Sometimes, a simple “Hello” can change the world for someone. That kind of interactionโinitiativeโcan be the catalyst for something bigger. Whether it’s greeting yourself and your past, greeting a fellow fan, waving “hello” to your favorite at a concert, or a stranger, a simple word like “hello” can change the world in an instant.
Through its hopeful tone and reflective lyrics, โHelloโ encapsulates the spirit of Ae! group: a collective that values perseverance and cherishes the moments that define their journey. It reminds listeners that even when the future feels uncertain, the present holds the power to shape whatโs to come. With this track, Ae! group not only celebrates their growth but also extends an invitation to their fans to continue walking this path together.
2024 brought us their fifth anniversary on February 18 that started the ball rolling, with them showcasing their 2024 remake of their inaugural stage play, โWe are called Ae! groupโ (ๅใAใ! groupใฃใฆ่จใใพใใญใ) from 2019.
On March 16, they announced during their fan meeting, โAa-toteki Fan Dai Kanshasai in Kyocera Dome Osaka ~ Minna Honma ni Arigatou~โ, their debut under Universal Music, followed by their long-awaited debut CD single release โใAใBEGINNINGโ on May 15.
Ae! group also embarked on their nationwide debut tour, Debut Tour The Worldโs Best AeLIVE, and their Netflix documentary series BORDERLESS started too, covering their journey to debut first, and is currently covering the behind-the-scenes from their debut tour.
Following the debut tour, the second single, โGotta Beโ came blazing in, resonating with fans worldwide as they outdid themselves.
Now, with the first album coming up, the best is yet to come, and the bonds that Ae! group have nurtured with each other and their fans continue to grow. What’s running through their veins is not just passion and dedication. It’s everything that Ae! group has done and will do. It’s their origin and their future, all summarized into what could be called their “now.”
The songโs release marks another pivotal moment in their story, showcasing not just how far theyโve come but also their unwavering commitment to keep moving forward. And in that, โHelloโ becomes more than just a song; it transforms into a shared anthem of hope, resilience, and the unbreakable connection between Ae! group and their fans worldwide.
As long as Ae! group doesn’t give up, we won’t either. Let’s say goodbye to those days of hoping, with you.
Don’t forget to follow Ae! group on all their official accounts to keep yourself updated with the recent news!
Photo assets ยฉ STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.