Hello music lovers! I'm Shu Hakamada, a Japanese singer-songwriter born on 1959. I suffered hearing loss in 2006 and was forced to give up my career as a professional musician in my mid-40s. Since then, I had been away from music for over 15 years, but in 2024 I returned with a new passion and a new album.

Music had been my inspiration and driving force since my teens. My musical journey has had its ups and downs, but now that I'm older, I'm amazed and grateful to find myself more filled with love and passion for music than ever before.

I created a new album entirely myself at home, playing, recording, and mixing everything. While it may not be professionally engineered, I poured my heart and soul into these songs. I'd be happy if people who listened to it could feel even a little more positive about life.

My musical rebirth is embodied in the album "Restart," which unfolds across diverse melodies and harmonies, ranging from upbeat and bright anthems to introspective ballads.

Themes of love, grief, and hope resonate through these songs, drawing inspiration from the works of legendary musicians like The Beatles, the raw energy of classic old-school rock and roll, the gems of exquisite melodies as epitomized by Motown, and my own life experiences.

After a long hiatus from composing and performing, I even struggled to pick up a guitar again at first. However, fueled by a renewed passion, I invested over a year's worth of effort into crafting "Restart."

This album features all-English lyrics (with 2 bonus Japanese versions) as I reach out to a global audience. Though English isn't my native language, I wrote 9 of the songs myself - a daunting but exhilarating challenge.

Creating 'Restart' was like rediscovering a part of myself I thought I'd lost. It's living proof that age is no barrier to pursuing new dreams. You know, we were all born to run - to chase our passions, overcome challenges, and reinvent ourselves at any stage of life. I'm thrilled and filled with joy as I continue to share this rekindled spirit of adventure with you all!

The new song 'Stay With Me' is a heartwarming love song that depicts the deep bond between a couple who have been together for many years. It tells the story of two people who have overcome life's joys and hardships together, from their dreams in their youth.

You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Other major platforms

Release Schedule:
Next single: "Restart"

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