Echoes (record label)

Lore & Background

Echoes was launched on September 12, 2024, by Sony Music Entertainment Japan, which announced the first three signees—duo Yoasobi, musical project Maisondes, and rock band Aooo—alongside handling the music platform Mecre. It was founded by Taichi Hirose, Shuya Yamamoto, Yohei Yashiro, and Mitsuki Hirabayashi, SMEJ staff who worked with Yoasobi, Maisondes, Asmi, and Tatsuya Kitani; the latter two joined the label later. Other acts such as illustrator and animator Ai Nina, character Puppet Sunsun, and YouTuber and writer Uketsu also joined.

Yohei Yashiro served as representative of Echoes until March 31, 2025, when SMEJ transferred him to Music Ray'n and appointed Manabu Tsujino, CEO of SMEJ's A&M Business Group, as representative from April 1, 2025. Since 2025, Echoes has organized Echoes Baa, a stage at the Central Music & Entertainment Festival held annually at the Red Brick Park Special Venue, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, Yokohama. The inaugural edition took place between April 5 and 6, 2025, featuring in-house artists and outside acts, along with DJ sets, workshops, gachapon, a pop-up store called Echoes Maaket, and an amusement park. Echoes also distributes records from outside artists, including Orangestar's single 'Petals' / 'Flower Raft', Sweet Steady's single 'Kowa Kawaii', and Haruomi Hosono's album Yours Sincerely (2026).

Reader's Guide

Echoes represents a notable development in the Japanese music industry by merging the functions of a record label and a talent agency, a structure uncommon among Japanese record labels. Founded in 2024 by Sony Music Entertainment Japan, it quickly attracted prominent artists such as Yoasobi, Maisondes, and Aooo, and expanded to include diverse talents like illustrator Ai Nina and YouTuber Uketsu. The label's emphasis on discovering artists who resonate with its philosophy and its goal to 'reverberate, respond, and grow beyond all boundaries' reflects a strategic effort to foster cross-disciplinary creativity. Its annual event Echoes Baa, part of the Central Music & Entertainment Festival in Yokohama, further extends its influence by showcasing both in-house and external acts alongside non-musical activities. By also distributing records from outside artists, Echoes positions itself as a platform for broader musical expression. Its leadership transition in 2025, with Manabu Tsujino taking over from Yohei Yashiro, indicates ongoing corporate alignment within Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Echoes' significance lies in its hybrid model and its role in nurturing new talent across music, illustration, and digital content.

Did You Know?

• Echoes was founded on September 12, 2024, by four Sony Music Entertainment Japan staff members: Taichi Hirose, Shuya Yamamoto, Yohei Yashiro, and Mitsuki Hirabayashi.
• The label's first three signees were Yoasobi, Maisondes, and Aooo.
• Echoes organizes Echoes Baa, a stage at the Central Music & Entertainment Festival held at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, with its first edition on April 5–6, 2025.
• Echoes distributes records from outside artists, including Haruomi Hosono's album Yours Sincerely (2026).