Taisei Fukumoto’s first full-length album angel wing, scheduled for release on May 27, 2026. Rather than presenting a fixed image or a tightly defined sound, the album leans into that in-between space—where direction is still being tested, and possibilities are still open.
The project will be released in three formats—a deluxe edition, an MV edition, and a standard edition—immediately signaling that this is not just a musical release, but a structured rollout. The early reservation window, which opened on April 1, further reinforces that positioning. It places angel wing firmly within a model where the album functions as both a body of work and a fan engagement platform. And to Taisei, being connected with his fans is one of his biggest priorities as an artist.
Across its 16 tracks, angel wing brings together previously released songs and new material that move across different tones and styles. There is a noticeable lack of urgency to narrow things down. Instead of forcing cohesion, the album seems more interested in mapping out range. For a first album, that’s a deliberate choice. Where many debuts aim to establish a clear, singular identity, angel wing suggests that Taisei is approaching this stage as a process rather than a conclusion.
That perspective becomes clearer when looking at how his recent releases fit together. Older tracks sit alongside newer additions, creating a lineup that shifts between bright pop structures, softer melodic moments, and more stylized production. On their own, these songs can feel like separate directions. Within the context of the album, however, they begin to read as part of a broader exploration—less about inconsistency, and more about testing what fits.
“君がサビ ” (Kimi ga Sabi) in particular offers a useful entry point into that mindset. The phrase—“you are the chorus”—reframes the listener as the emotional center of the song. In pop structure, the chorus is the most memorable and most repeated section; to position someone as the chorus is to frame them as essential.
That perspective extends beyond a single track. Taisei has spoken about the song’s accessibility—its memorability, its ease to sing along to—as a deliberate strength, and even chose to elevate it from a potential coupling track to a pre-release single based on that conviction. It reflects a wider approach in how he presents his work: not as something to be passively received, but something designed to be shared, repeated, and returned to.
There’s a consistent emphasis on connection, on the idea that the music is not complete on its own but becomes something fuller in interaction with the audience.
Even the album title carries that same sense of grounding. “Angel wing” refers to the natural silver streak in Taisei’s hair, a feature he has had since childhood but only became conscious of after entering the industry, when it was pointed out to him and later embraced by fans as his “angel wing.” What could have remained a minor physical detail—something others suggested he change—has instead been reframed as a defining charm point.
That reframing matters. Rather than treating difference as something to correct, Taisei positions it as something to build from. In interviews and recent livestreams, he has described angel wing not simply as a title, but as something he wants to represent his life and trajectory—an album that carries not only songs, but the process behind them. If singles function as isolated statements, then this album is intended as narrative: a collection that documents how those pieces come together.
With that in mind, the title does more than label the project. It signals ownership—of individuality, of story, and of the decision to present those elements as they are, rather than smoothing them into a single, fixed image.
That balance between presentation and personality extends into the physical release. The deluxe edition is packaged as a three-sided special box and is priced at ¥7,500 (tax included). It includes a 24-page Photo & Lyric book, a 2L-size photo card, and a trading card, alongside a newly filmed bonus feature documenting a spontaneous hot spring trip to Atami with a close friend. Presented in a deliberately private tone, the footage leans into access rather than performance, aligning with the project’s broader framing of showing multiple sides rather than a single polished image.
Available only on the NEW EVIDENCE store: https://newevidence-store.jp/
The release is structured around multiple formats that each extend the project in different ways. Alongside the deluxe edition, the MV edition (¥5,800, tax included) is distributed through various retail partners, with availability expanding over time. Like the deluxe version, it offers an early reservation bonus (until April 22, 23:59) in the form of a version-specific lenticular card.
The MV edition contains 15 tracks, slightly streamlined compared to the luxury version, and is paired with video-focused bonus content. Its Blu-ray/DVD includes making-of footage for “君がサビ” and “angel wing,” as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the “ECHO” dance practice. The included 16-page mini Photo & Lyric book and trading card continue the format’s role as a hybrid between music release and collectible object.
The standard edition (¥3,500, tax included) completes the release structure, offering a more accessible entry point while maintaining the same core framework. Distributed across multiple retailers, it also includes an early reservation bonus (until April 22, 23:59) with a version-specific lenticular card.
Across all versions, the inclusion of serial-numbered application tickets for various events and bonuses reinforces a consistent approach: angel wing is not positioned as a standalone product, but as part of a broader ecosystem of access, content, and fan participation.
A nationwide tour under the same title turns angel wing into more than a static release, giving the material space to evolve in a live setting almost immediately. It’s not just about presenting the songs—it’s about establishing presence, testing how they translate, and building a direct relationship with the audience.
What ultimately defines angel wing is not a single sound or concept, but the decision to remain open. It doesn’t attempt to finalize Taisei Fukumoto as an artist. Instead, it captures a moment where multiple directions are still being explored, where identity is still in motion, and where the process itself becomes part of the narrative.
Tracklist Overview
angel wing is released across three configurations, with slight variations in track count depending on edition.
Full Tracklist
- ラビュラビュ
- すっぴんLOVE
- マシュマロ
- Loose fit
- I wanna meet U
- ベルガモット
- angel wing
- だって
- ダメダメラブストーリー
- 恋の上昇気流
- ECHO
- Sneakers
- エゴイスティック・ハロウィン (MV Edition & Deluxe Edition)
- Phenomenon (MV Edition & Deluxe Edition)
- ぴょんちぇのうた (Deluxe Edition exclusive)
- 君がサビ
Taisei Fukumoto Official Links
For overseas fans, get your copies of angel wing on CDJapan: Regular Edition / MV Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)
More Taisei on Dumpling Box
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