Chart-topping three-piece Japanese boy group Number_i have released their new EP, REBON / BUGS LIFE / DIGITAL GIRL, available everywhere now via Atlantic Records - LISTEN HERE.
The EP features brand new single “DIGITAL GIRL,” which was released with an accompanying visualizer - watch HERE. Centered around themes of satirizing digital society while still believing in true love, the track began taking shape in Los Angeles during Number_i’s trip to the U.S. this past spring. Directed by U.S.-based music video director JMP, the visualizer showcases the artists performing in multiple VFX environments heavily inspired by digital trends in the Y2K era.
The new project finds Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi continuing to push their sound forward while exploring ideas around the digital world. The EP opens with “REBON,” a sequel to Number_i’s hit song “BON,” that reflects the trio’s determination, in their updated form, to take on the world as a global presence.
Also featured is “BUGS LIFE,” produced by the group’s own Yuta Jinguji and originally released in July. The song originated from an exploration of the question "What is digital?" and is currently making waves across various digital charts. The lyrical concept draws inspiration from the idea of a system error, often characterized as a "bug.” For the musical foundation, the group adopted a genre called “Phonk,” which is known for its intense and aggressive sound. By intentionally slowing down the typically fast BPM of Phonk, the song is structured to fully showcase Number_i’s core strength of dance and performance.
Already one of the most successful new groups in their native Japan, Number_i - comprised of Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi - exploded onto the music scene in 2024 with the release of their debut full-length No.I, which topped the Billboard Japan JP Albums chart and ranked #4 on Spotify’s Top Albums Debut Global chart. That same year saw their first-ever US performance at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival. 2025 saw them build on that success with their second full-length album No.II, also debuting at #1 in its first week of release, followed by a string of hit singles that ranked #1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. The group's name embodies the concepts of being "Only One" and "Love" (Ai / I), as well as their desire to "walk the path together with their supporters and fans."
The trio signed with Atlantic Records earlier this year after beginning work on new music during a trip to Los Angeles, marking the next phase of their continued global expansion.
