Twenty years into her genre-defying career, there’s still no one who sounds quite like Hiromi. Continuing her tradition of boundary-pushing innovation, she releases her 13th studio album, OUT THERE (Telarc), a bold new entry in her discography and her second collaboration with Sonicwonder—a blazing quartet featuring Hadrien Feraud on bass, Gene Coye on drums, and Adam O’Farrill on trumpet.
The follow-up to 2023’s Sonicwonderland, OUT THERE captures a thrilling evolution—deep chemistry forged through relentless touring and improvisational synergy. Hiromi's distinctive sound remains intact: a whirlwind of classic jazz-rock fusion, virtuosic classical flourishes, synth-heavy funk, acoustic jazz, and melodic pop sensibility, all sharpened through a new lens.
Two previews—“Balloon Pop”, an infectious throwback to ’80s-era Miles Davis, and the soul-inflected ballad “Pendulum”—offer just a taste. Now, fans can enjoy the video for the standout track “Yes! Ramen!!”, a genre-defying tribute to Hiromi’s favorite food. The video follows her through ramen shops in Japan, scoring each shift in setting with ska rhythms, disco energy, Sabbath-style riffs, and progressive jazz flair. It’s a sonic flavor bomb, and the whole band shares her ramen obsession—especially Coye and O’Farrill, who scout new bowls while on tour.
“For this song, I was scoring the film in my mind,” says Hiromi. “Each scene—a different restaurant, a different mood—deserved its own musical flavor. Ramen is pure inspiration, and I deeply respect the artistry behind it.”
Tonight marks the start of Hiromi’s U.S. tour, with stops at iconic venues in Chicago, Toronto, and a special album release performance at NYC’s Blue Note on Monday, April 7. The group’s live energy, honed by nearly two years of shows, promises unforgettable musical storytelling.
“On Sonicwonderland, I had the songs first and searched for musicians to bring them to life,” Hiromi explains. “Now, after playing together extensively, I write with this band’s unique energy and strength in mind.”
Each member brings virtuosity and character: French-born Feraud, often likened to Jaco Pastorius, brings electric fusion brilliance. Chicago native Coye combines gospel grounding with infectious groove. Brooklyn-born O’Farrill, heir to a Latin jazz dynasty, explores deep sonic experimentation using electronic effects—an avenue Hiromi actively encouraged.
Reflecting on her career, Hiromi invokes bass icon Anthony Jackson, who once told her: “A first-class musician can play anything.” With that ethos in mind, she pursued the boldest ideas for OUT THERE, allowing curiosity to guide her. “Curiosity is the fuel,” she says. “It pushes you to write more, feel more, and say more with sound.”
At the album’s core lies a four-part suite Hiromi urges fans to hear as a continuous journey. It begins with the breakneck “Takin’ Off”, glides into the groovy, ’70s-inspired “Strollin’”, swells with cinematic scope in “Orion”, and culminates in “The Quest”, a fusion of chopped-up rhythms, soaring synths, and fearless ambition. The suite is followed by the closer, “Balloon Pop”—as catchy as any Top 40 hit, and a reminder of Hiromi’s melodic genius. O’Farrill’s trumpet calls back to the hooky brilliance of late-era Miles Davis.
Hiromi’s resume continues to dazzle: a viral NPR Tiny Desk Concert (2M+ views), a historic performance at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, a 2024 Best Music Score win for Blue Giant, and a GRAMMY Award for her collaboration with Stanley Clarke. As The New Yorker once put it, her artistry remains nothing short of “dazzling.”
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