Contributing Writer
Female electronica artist SHIMA has unveiled her imaginative debut album Welcome To SHIMAJIMA out now via Young Art Records.
A deeply conceptual project, Welcome To SHIMAJIMA unfolds across ten tracks that serve as entry points into SHIMA’s fictional island, a place that is simultaneously ancient and modern, familiar and uncharted. Through this world-building, SHIMA transforms her personal reflections and cross-cultural inspirations into an expansive soundscape, weaving together indie electronica, trap, house, and techno.
The world of Welcome To SHIMAJIMA includes previous singles ‘THE MYTH OF KAMIKAZE (神風の神話)’, ‘Maitake’, ‘EIYAA’, ‘INVISIBLE’ ‘KARMA’, ‘AWA’, and ‘1807’, which each highlight SHIMA’s fascination with folklore, mythology, and cultural storytelling. ‘Maitake’ draws inspiration from a centuries-old folktale about dancing mushrooms, while ‘1807’ reimagines a traditional fishing song into a contemporary rhythm structure, and ‘THE MYTH OF KAMIKAZE’ reflects on Japanese history and its echoes in modern society. Elsewhere, songs like ‘Sunset’ capture SHIMA’s more intimate side, inspired by a moment of stillness that reframed her relationship with happiness.
The album also features new works that deepen the project’s thematic arc. Opener ‘Tour Guide’ reflects SHIMA’s early years navigating life in Tokyo, sampling the nightlife energy of Shibuya as a metaphor for fleeting connections. Closing track ‘Shiawase’ embodies the Japanese concept of profound gratitude and fulfillment, layering chants from a traditional dance festival over lush production to end the journey on a note of peace and celebration. These additions bookend the record, framing Welcome To SHIMAJIMA as both a personal and cultural odyssey.
“Shima (島） is the Japanese word for island. When used in a compound word, the pronunciation of shima becomes jima. So “Shima Island” would be written as “shima shima” (島島), but pronounced Shimajima (島島) I decided to name this album Welcome to SHIMAJIMA, as an invitation into the world that I’ve created. SHIMAJIMA is a fictional island that doesn’t exist in any specific location or time period. As a result of being inspired by many cultures from across the world and many time periods throughout history, SHIMAJIMA is a place that feels both foreign, yet familiar. Fresh, yet nostalgic. Undiscovered, yet developed.” – SHIMA
Born to an American father and a Japanese mother and raised in Tokyo, SHIMA is a former J-Pop girl group singer turned electronic solo artist. Her career began at age 14 when she signed to a major Japanese label, and her musical aspirations have since followed her around the globe. Journeying stateside at 18, SHIMA studied Music & Computer Engineering at the University of Miami, furthering her skills as a producer and engineer. A truly innovative blend of modern electronic dance music with elements of traditional Japanese folk music and culture, this meticulously crafted concept album is a showcase of high-level musicianship, razor-sharp vision, and contagious passion of an artist set free. Now based in LA, 2025 has seen SHIMA soar to new heights with performances at Miami Music Week, Coachella DoLaB, and Electric Forest in the lead up to Welcome To SHIMAJIMA. SHIMA will celebrate the album release on September 26 with a listening event at Haus Plant in Los Angeles. RSVP here.
Stream SHIMA’s wondrous debut album Welcome To SHIMAJIMA available now on all platforms.