On June 9, 2025, You Yokoyama, the beloved SUPER EIGHT member, unleashed his one-year limited solo project, ROCK TO YOU, a raw, soul-baring collection that’s as much a personal manifesto as it is a musical milestone.
With its electrifying lead track, “ロックスター” (ROCK STAR). This isn’t just a song—it’s a declaration, a raw and honest outpouring of a man chasing his version of “rock” with unfiltered passion.
At its core, “ロックスター” is Yokoyama’s love letter to the dreams we all harbor—the ones we chase, stumble over, and keep reaching for, no matter how far they seem.
The lyrics, penned by Yokoyama himself, open with a confession: “I want to rock, but I can’t quite do it, so I keep yearning for it.” It’s a sentiment that hits home for anyone who’s ever felt they’re not quite “there” yet, but refuse to stop trying.
The track’s driving beat and soaring melody, composed and arranged by Peach, amplify that yearning with a hopeful edge that pulses through every note. It’s an anthem for those who want to continue on, no matter what.
The music video, released on May 10, 2025, captures this spirit vividly. It’s not a spectacle—it’s a celebration of authenticity, music’s raw joy, and pride. Yokoyama’s “rock” isn’t about leather jackets or screaming crowds—it’s about the quiet rebellion of staying true to yourself, of finding your place on stage not by conquering it, but by owning your voice in its rawest form.
“ロックスター” feels less like a claim to greatness and more like a vulnerable wish. It’s not the sound of someone who’s made it—it’s the sound of someone still climbing, still learning, still daring to show up. That’s what makes it resonate. It reminds us that courage isn’t born from certainty, but from choosing to try anyway.
The song pulses with a quiet urgency—the kind that only comes from someone still mid-transformation.
That transformation is what resonates. It’s not the image of a rockstar that inspires—it’s the journey of someone who never saw himself as one, trying anyway.
There’s something deeply moving in watching someone who once stood in the background now step forward, guitar in hand, to sing not because he believes he’s the best—but because his voice has something honest to say. Watching him stand at the mic, visibly nervous yet resolute, you can feel the weight of years in the industry, the self-doubt turned into fuel. The result is more than performance. It’s presence.
And that meaning is contagious. Watching him sing is like watching a friend finally believe in themselves. It reminds us that bravery doesn’t come from confidence, but from care—caring enough to try. In his music, in his effort, in his gentle stubbornness to move forward, fans don’t just see a performer. They see possibility.
And in that presence, fans see themselves. Because “ロックスター” isn’t about being a star—it’s about aspiring to be one, even when you’re unsure. Especially then. It’s the imperfect, open-hearted striving that makes it unforgettable.
It isn’t about having what’s already arrived—it’s about daring to begin. And that beginning, with all its emotion and imperfection, is where the magic truly lies.
ROCK TO YOU, released on June 9, 2025, is more than an album—it’s Yokoyama’s “武者修行” (musha shugyo), a year-long warrior’s pilgrimage to hone his craft. The album features 11 tracks: eight new songs, three re-arranged SUPER EIGHT classics, and a bonus cover, all tied together by a spirit of introspection and gritty sincerity.
Each track on ROCK TO YOU feels like a chapter in that journey—some revisiting old ties, others forging bold new ground. Whether shaped by long-time collaborators or born from heartfelt reunions, the songs reflect not just where Yokoyama has been, but where he’s bravely choosing to go. Let’s step into some of them, sharing the voices and moments that shaped his path.
cHocoレート (cHocoreeto)
Lyrics: You Yokoyama, Music: Shota Yasuda, Arrangement: Shogo Onishi
This re-arranged SUPER EIGHT favorite carries a bittersweet energy. Beneath its playful veneer is a deep nostalgia—a nod to younger days, to simpler joys. Yasuda Shota’s original melody finds new muscle here, thanks to Shogo Onishi’s arrangement, but it’s the emotional subtext in Yokoyama’s delivery that hits hardest. It’s not just a rework—it’s a reckoning with the past, touched with warmth and growth.
Kicyu
Lyrics: You Yokoyama, Music: Shota Yasuda, Arrangement: Peach
With “Kicyu,” we get a second reinterpretation of Yasuda’s work—this time with more bite. The track retains its signature cheekiness, but the added layers of guitar and deeper vocal tone give it a lived-in maturity. Yokoyama isn’t just performing this track—he’s inhabiting it. You hear the years between the lines.
繋がる (Tsunagaru)
Lyrics: You Yokoyama, Music: Shibuya Subaru, Arrangement: Kenji Fujii
In a deeply personal reflection, Shibutani shared that shortly after releasing his song “人間讃歌” in 2024, he received an unexpected call from Yokoyama. It had been years since they last connected, but over dinner, they spoke about music, life, and Yokoyama’s new solo project—this very project. Shibutani could sense Yokoyama’s sincerity and determination—a feeling he described as “a familiar fire.” When Yokoyama later sent him the lyrics for “繋がる,” Shibutani felt moved to respond in the only way that felt right: he composed the melody almost instinctively, driven by a wave of memory and emotion. For him, this song is a gift from music itself—something that reconnected them after years apart.
So, in the heart of ROCK TO YOU lies “繋がる,” a track that feels like a warm embrace across time and distance. This collaboration with former bandmate Shibutani Subaru is more than a reunion—it’s a quiet, powerful affirmation of enduring bonds. Composed by Shibutani, arranged by Kenji Fujii, and written by Yokoyama, the song is layered with nostalgia, unspoken understanding, and a deep mutual respect.
“繋がる,” meaning “to be connected,” lives up to its name in every note. It’s a song that speaks to those invisible threads that persist over time—between people, memories, dreams. The track feels like a private conversation made public, a musical letter passed between friends who never lost their rhythm. The call-and-response structure and harmonies echo that bond, like two paths merging again with grace and gravity.
Musically, it balances intimacy and grandeur. Shibutani’s signature melodic sensibility anchors the composition with a quiet confidence, while Yokoyama’s lyrics bare a vulnerability that feels earned. Fujii’s arrangement allows the emotional charge to simmer and swell, building toward a chorus that feels both cathartic and restrained. You don’t just hear it—you feel it, like a pulse steadying after a long separation.
“繋がる” doesn’t demand attention; it invites reflection. And in doing so, it becomes one of the album’s most treasured moments—not just for what it says, but for what it dares to feel.
神様のバカヤロー (Kamisama no Bakayaro)
Lyrics: Ken Kojima, Music/Arrangement: Peach/Shogo Onishi
This cover of Ae! group’s “神様のバカヤロー” is more than a musical homage—it’s a heartfelt thank-you letter disguised as rock. Originally performed in a stage show directed by Yokoyama himself, the song holds deep emotional value for both the mentor and his juniors. With lyrics by Kojima Ken and music by Sano Masaya, members of Ae! group, it was born from frustration, passion, and the urgent drive to shout back at the world—and now finds new voice in Yokoyama’s interpretation.
What makes this track extraordinary isn’t just the performance, but the process behind it. Before recording, Yokoyama personally reached out to each Ae! group member for permission, a gesture that speaks volumes about his character. Their responses, full of admiration and gratitude, reflect a deep mutual respect. For them, it’s more than just a song being covered—it’s their story being honored by the person who helped them tell it in the first place.
Yokoyama’s version doesn’t smooth out the song’s rough edges—it amplifies them. There’s a visceral energy in his delivery, a raw intensity that feels like he’s carrying the weight of six young voices and his own belief in them. The track roars with rebellion but hums with care, capturing the contradiction of someone who leads by stepping aside, who gives his spotlight to others and somehow shines brighter for it.
It’s fitting that this is the album’s only cover. It’s not an outlier—it’s a culmination. “神様のバカヤロー” closes out the record not with finality, but with defiant, grateful fire. It’s a reminder of how Yokoyama continues to build something bigger than himself—one note, one call, one connection at a time.As the only cover on the album, this Ae! group anthem carries immense weight. Yokoyama doesn’t just sing it—he channels it. His history with the group, his role as mentor and senior, and his understanding of the song’s roots all converge here. It’s playful, yes—but also reverent, raw, and reflective. You can feel the respect behind every note. It’s a gift, both to the group and to the fans who’ve watched the story unfold.
From the blazing honesty of “ロックスター” to the quiet glow of “ポインセチア,” ROCK TO YOU is a deeply personal journey through Yokoyama’s heart. It’s akin to a hug for the soul and a battle cry for dreamers. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being real. It’s about showing up, flaws and all, and still daring to say, “This is me.”
ROCK TO YOU doesn’t just ask listeners to witness Yokoyama’s growth—it invites them to find their own courage in it. It’s a reminder that the path to becoming never really ends. And that’s where the beauty lies.
If you want to see another side of Yokoyama—the one full of mischief, warmth, and unfiltered Kansai chaos—don’t miss the special videos where he joins his beloved juniors for an unforgettable round of Werewolf tag. It’s pure joy: age, status, and seniority melt away into shared laughter, confusion, and some very suspicious accusations.
These moments of joy show us that connection goes beyond music—it’s also in play. And yes, the videos come with English subtitles (subbed by the Dumpling Box team), so fans worldwide can enjoy every shout, scheme, and surprise twist! Joy knows no boundaries, but maybe hierarchy still tries to catch up. Either way, it’s Kansai love at its dumbest finest—and funniest.