REVIEW

Debut EP from dream pop duo iVy, formed by fuki (Gt/Vo) and pupu (Key/Vo).

I first discovered iVy toward the end of 2023 after they happened to follow me on Twitter. Curious, I checked out their newly released track “Classroom”, and was instantly drawn in by its hazy, dreamlike atmosphere—soft and floaty, yet tinged with a subtle melancholy.

I finally caught them live the following March at “Yume no Tsuzuki,” a self-produced event co-hosted with Pinky Pop. The concept was charmingly immersive: a lounge decorated around themes of girlhood, lined with sweets and small goods, while live performances took place upstairs. It felt perfectly at home in Nakano’s subcultural landscape. The next month, at a Waseda Records–hosted event featuring acts like Uchū Nekoko, Healthcare and medical, and Moon In June, iVy confidently held their own in front of a much larger audience. After their set, I distinctly remember hearing people around me say, “That band just now was really good”—a moment that left a lasting impression.

During that show’s MC, they announced an EP would arrive in summer, which made the wait all the more exciting. At the time, their music was only available on SoundCloud and YouTube, so the long-awaited streaming release on July 10, 2024 was cause for celebration—I downloaded it the moment the clock struck midnight. That bit of personal backstory aside, let’s talk about the music itself.

Musically, iVy blend dream pop and alternative rock, scattering glittering sounds throughout their songs to evoke a world filled with childlike imagination and light. But beneath that sparkle lies a faint shadow: the sense of loss after waking from a pleasant dream, or the unease that seeps in when you glimpse the hidden truth behind a happy fairy tale. That tension is where their charm truly shines.

#1 “Hello phila!” is a perfect example. At first listen, it feels like pure, sun-soaked dream pop, overflowing with shimmering guitars. Dig deeper, though, and the lyrics reveal a self-critical, almost damp darkness. The brightness slowly transforms into a stinging sensation, like sunburn, the more you sit with it.‍

#2 “Classroom” is a live staple and clear killer tune, capturing the frustration of being unable to become “someone” through a melancholic melody. The waltz-like turn in the outro is irresistibly dramatic.‍

#4 “kirakirakiller” leans into poppier territory, recalling Letting Up Despite Great Faults or later-era Supercar. The playful, sparkling keyboard lines practically force your heart to dance. Even the title slyly slips in a bit of poison beneath the shine—a great touch. Pay close attention to the lyrics here; the witty phrasing is exceptional. Lines like “We defeated the bunny granny, so it’s over!” or “Costume mass disposal day” are wildly imaginative, yet somehow fit the melody perfectly. It’s nothing short of impressive.

With its hand-drawn characters, charming visuals, and off-kilter pop sensibility, iVy feels primed for a TikTok breakout. In fact, their name has already been popping up more and more frequently on my timeline, even before this EP’s release. It’s the kind of rise that feels oddly personal to witness.

They’re set to play a Shibuya QUATTRO show on August 7 alongside Otome Kaiga, Khaki, and downt—an appearance that will almost certainly bring them even more attention. At this pace, a wider breakout feels inevitable. So yes, iVy, please start using TikTok. The timing couldn’t be better.

On July 20, they also released “Yūei Program / Bokura no Omajinal” via Solitude Solutions, adding six Side B tracks to Yūei Program. Available on cassette or MiniDisc (with download code), this release has me especially curious about the Side B version of “Classroom (Outside the Classroom)”. I may have no choice but to pick it up.

Finally, a note on the artwork: the handwritten message reads,

even if the moon is chipped it's just beautiful
your whirlpool is shining
sleep tight
sleep tight

A quietly comforting sentiment—and a fitting one for iVy’s world.