Wolf (Wolf Howl Harmony album)
| Wolf | |
|---|---|
| Studio album by Wolf Howl Harmony | |
| Released | March 12, 2025 |
| Recorded | 2024–2025 |
| Studio | Various studios in Tokyo |
| Genre | J-pop, R&B, dance-pop |
| Length | 34:36 |
| Label | LDH Japan |
| Producer | T. Kura, Chaki Zulu, JAY'ED, others |
Wolf is the first studio album by Japanese boy group Wolf Howl Harmony, released on March 12, 2025, through LDH Japan. It contains eleven tracks, including previously released songs.[1] The album was issued in eleven formats, featuring a standard, a live video, a music video, and multiple member-produced editions.[2] On the Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales chart dated March 19, 2025, it ranked fourth with estimated sales of 43,204 copies.[3]
Background and release
The album’s release was announced on September 8, 2024, along with details for an accompanying release event.[4] Its physical formats included the “Live ver.” and “MV ver.” editions containing live and music video footage, as well as “Member Produce ver.” with member-specific covers, and a standard CD edition, totaling eleven versions.[5]
Prior to release, the newly recorded track “Letters” was distributed as a surprise pre-release single.[6] The album’s lead track “Bakuon” was first performed on March 7, 2025, at the live event ”Onew’s Spring Song,” with its music video uploaded the same day as the album launch.[7]
Production
The album title Wolf represents the group’s identity as artists delivering “classical yet innovative, Tokyo-rooted avant-garde music.” While the concept of using each letter of “W.O.L.F.” with individual meanings was considered, the members opted for the simpler title to symbolize their current expression and future aspirations.[8]
Member Suzuki described the project as “a work we can confidently present as the definitive sound of Wolf Howl Harmony.”[9] The track sequencing was developed collaboratively, balancing older material with new recordings.[10] Member Ghee noted that the final arrangement, ending with “You & I,” created a cohesive narrative and refreshed the group’s familiar songs.[8]
Song details
The album includes newly recorded tracks “Letters” and “Bakuon,” alongside previously released songs.
“Letters” is a reflective song revisiting the group’s journey and featuring lyrics by all members, while “Bakuon” incorporates baile funk elements, channeling their forward-looking energy. [8]
According to Tokyo Headline, the album “combines songs the group has cherished over time with tracks signaling the next phase of Wolf Howl Harmony.”[9]
Track listing
| # | Title | Lyrics | Composition | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Letters" | Ryoji, Suzuki, Ghee, Hiroto, Fuki | Erik Lidbom, Adam Jonsson, Masaki Tomiyama | 3:23 |
| 2 | "Frozen Butterfly" | Yves & Adams | T. Kura, Chaki Zulu, JAY'ED | 3:03 |
| 3 | "Bakuon" | Kenya Fujita, Chaki Zulu, T. Kura | Chaki Zulu, T. Kura, Kenya Fujita | 2:31 |
| 4 | "Sweet Rain" | T. Kura, Chaki Zulu, JAY'ED, June, Yves & Adams | T. Kura, Chaki Zulu, JAY'ED, June, Yves & Adams | 3:00 |
| 5 | "Sugar Honey" | Yves & Adams | T. Kura, Chaki Zulu, Satoru Kurihara (Jazzin’ Park) | 3:25 |
| 6 | "Love Triangle" | Yves & Adams | T. Kura, Chaki Zulu, Satoru Kurihara (Jazzin’ Park) | 3:27 |
| 7 | "Pierce" | Yves & Adams | T. Kura, Chaki Zulu | 3:18 |
| 8 | "Rollin’ Stones" | Yves & Adams | T. Kura, Chaki Zulu | 2:18 |
| 9 | "Pink Flash Lights" | Yves & Adams | T. Kura, Chaki Zulu, JAY'ED | 2:31 |
| 10 | "Love Red" | Shokichi, Ambass | Fast Lane | 3:07 |
| 11 | "You & I" | Yves & Adams | T. Kura, Chaki Zulu, JAY'ED | 3:33 |
Commercial performance
Wolf debuted at number four on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart dated March 24, 2025. [11] It also ranked fourth on the Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales chart (March 19, 2025), selling approximately 43,204 copies in its first week.[3]
References
- ^ "WOLF HOWL HARMONY、1stAL『WOLF』発売決定". ototoy.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ "【情報更新】WOLF HOWL HARMONY 1st Album『WOLF』2025/3/12(水)Release!! | NEWS". EXILE TRIBE mobile (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ a b "Billboard JAPAN". www.billboard-japan.com. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ "【WOLF HOWL HARMONY】1st Album『WOLF』リリース決定！ LIVE盤ではLIVE映像を初収録！MEMBER PRODUCE盤の豪華パッケージも発売！ | ニュース". エイベックス・ポータル. 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ Inc, Natasha. "WOLF HOWL HARMONYが愛を込めた1stアルバムリリース（コメントあり）". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-16.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "【WOLF HOWL HARMONY】初のメンバー作詞参加のバラード曲「Letters」が2月7日にサプライズ配信リリース! | ニュース". エイベックス・ポータル. 2025-02-07. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ "1st ALBUM『WOLF』のリード曲「BAKUON -爆音-」の収録が決定！ - NEWS | WOLF HOWL HARMONY". 1st ALBUM『WOLF』のリード曲「BAKUON -爆音-」の収録が決定！ - NEWS | WOLF HOWL HARMONY (in Japanese). 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ a b c "WOLF HOWL HARMONY『WOLF』インタビュー――決して順風満帆ではなかった一匹狼のような4人の軌跡 | USENの音楽情報サイト「encore（アンコール）」". e.usen.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ a b 紫野, 酒井 (2025-03-17). "WOLF HOWL HARMONY「時代を動かしたい！」ファーストアルバム『WOLF』をリリース | TOKYO HEADLINE" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ "WOLF HOWL HARMONYがグループについて再認識したこと「楽しいだけじゃなくて辛いことも乗り越えられる4人でよかった」". ぴあ (in Japanese). 2025-03-18. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ "2025年03月10日～2025年03月16日 オリコン週間 アルバムランキング". オリコンニュース（ORICON NEWS） (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-16.