Styrism and KSR Corp. Launch 'CIRQL', a Collective Connecting the Music Scenes of Japan and Asia to Create New Experiences Based on Music Culture.
Styrism Inc. and KSR Corp. have teamed up to launch 'CIRQL', a new collective connecting the Japanese and Asian music scenes. As its first release, rising artist SANDEI, featuring VivaOla, will drop a new single 'D-1' on May 22. The organization aims to expand across Asia with hubs in Tokyo and Bangkok.
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- 📰 Published: May 22, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 22, 2026 at 12:31
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Styrism Inc. and KSR Corp. have teamed up to launch a new collective, CIRQL, connecting the music scenes of Japan and Asia.
As the first release from CIRQL, Tokyo-based hip-hop soul artist SANDEI, who has been gaining domestic and international attention, will release his third new single 'D-1' featuring VivaOla on May 22.
This track was born from a session with singer-songwriter/producer VivaOla, producer A.G.O, and beatboxer/singer YAMORI. It is an alternative R&B song where a refreshing indie-style arrangement intertwines with a heavy boom-bap beat, creating an intersection of comfort and intense passion. The lyrics convey SANDEI's strong determination to push forward with resolve, never forgetting the impulse of 'Day 1' when he first started running towards his dreams.
Comment from SANDEI
'In this song, I looked back on D-1 (Day 1) when I first started chasing my dreams, and put into it a message to keep moving forward with determination without forgetting that initial impulse. We have VivaOla participating as a guest feature.
In the first verse, it is written from a perspective as if he is speaking to his 'past self before chasing dreams (SANDEI),' so I would be happy if listeners kept that in mind while listening.
Also, around the time I started music, VivaOla was active in a collective called Solgasa, and the 'me' back then was heavily influenced by them. Including the fact that we were able to create a piece together this time, it has become a very special song for me.'
Comment from VivaOla
'Precisely because it was a song born casually from a session with everyone, there is a nice relaxed feeling to the whole track, and singing over it was a lot of fun. Perhaps because I played the guitar for the first time in a while, it was a song that made me reflect on my original intentions. I would be happy if everyone could catch something from this song as well.'
■ SANDEI Profile
A singer-songwriter with roots in Jazz, Soul, and R&B, wielding a multifaceted sound influenced by hip-hop during his study abroad in Melbourne. During his previous stage name 'sangdei' era, his song 'Moonshine' surpassed 1 million streams on Spotify. After changing to his current name in 2025, he was selected as a 'Next Generation Creative Talent Expected to Succeed Overseas' by CEIPA in 2026, marking him as a rising star from Asia looking towards the world.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandei_tokyo/
X: https://x.com/SANDEIofficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sandei_tokyo
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SANDEI.official
■ VivaOla Profile
A Tokyo-based R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. He captivates audiences with his sophisticated soundscape, lyrics weaving English and Japanese, and his one-of-a-kind singing voice. He has begun to draw attention as an artist representing Asia, performing at numerous international festivals, led by SXSW in the US, as well as festivals in Taiwan, Singapore, and The Great Escape in the UK.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viva0la/
X: https://x.com/viva0la
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKPH3GxEmbU_hhK4kCVcUg
■ A.G.O Profile
A beatmaker hailing from Niigata and based in Tokyo. Following his previous work, the highly acclaimed beatmaker AGO, whose arranged track Ayumu Imazu's 'Obsessed' won the Planning Prize at the 66th Japan Record Awards, is once again in charge of sound production. He leads the Japanese music scene with groovy productions that fuse live instrumentation with cutting-edge sound.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agosoundtokyo/
X: https://x.com/agosoundtokyo
【What is CIRQL?】
'CIRQL' goes beyond being just a music label; it is an 'Asia direct-connection collective' that supports cross-border collaborations and next-generation artists. With Tokyo and Bangkok as hubs, it aims to build a cross-Asian 'circulating premium IP.'
The concept includes 'Circulate,' 'C
As the first release from CIRQL, Tokyo-based hip-hop soul artist SANDEI, who has been gaining domestic and international attention, will release his third new single 'D-1' featuring VivaOla on May 22.
This track was born from a session with singer-songwriter/producer VivaOla, producer A.G.O, and beatboxer/singer YAMORI. It is an alternative R&B song where a refreshing indie-style arrangement intertwines with a heavy boom-bap beat, creating an intersection of comfort and intense passion. The lyrics convey SANDEI's strong determination to push forward with resolve, never forgetting the impulse of 'Day 1' when he first started running towards his dreams.
Comment from SANDEI
'In this song, I looked back on D-1 (Day 1) when I first started chasing my dreams, and put into it a message to keep moving forward with determination without forgetting that initial impulse. We have VivaOla participating as a guest feature.
In the first verse, it is written from a perspective as if he is speaking to his 'past self before chasing dreams (SANDEI),' so I would be happy if listeners kept that in mind while listening.
Also, around the time I started music, VivaOla was active in a collective called Solgasa, and the 'me' back then was heavily influenced by them. Including the fact that we were able to create a piece together this time, it has become a very special song for me.'
Comment from VivaOla
'Precisely because it was a song born casually from a session with everyone, there is a nice relaxed feeling to the whole track, and singing over it was a lot of fun. Perhaps because I played the guitar for the first time in a while, it was a song that made me reflect on my original intentions. I would be happy if everyone could catch something from this song as well.'
■ SANDEI Profile
A singer-songwriter with roots in Jazz, Soul, and R&B, wielding a multifaceted sound influenced by hip-hop during his study abroad in Melbourne. During his previous stage name 'sangdei' era, his song 'Moonshine' surpassed 1 million streams on Spotify. After changing to his current name in 2025, he was selected as a 'Next Generation Creative Talent Expected to Succeed Overseas' by CEIPA in 2026, marking him as a rising star from Asia looking towards the world.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandei_tokyo/
X: https://x.com/SANDEIofficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sandei_tokyo
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SANDEI.official
■ VivaOla Profile
A Tokyo-based R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. He captivates audiences with his sophisticated soundscape, lyrics weaving English and Japanese, and his one-of-a-kind singing voice. He has begun to draw attention as an artist representing Asia, performing at numerous international festivals, led by SXSW in the US, as well as festivals in Taiwan, Singapore, and The Great Escape in the UK.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viva0la/
X: https://x.com/viva0la
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKPH3GxEmbU_hhK4kCVcUg
■ A.G.O Profile
A beatmaker hailing from Niigata and based in Tokyo. Following his previous work, the highly acclaimed beatmaker AGO, whose arranged track Ayumu Imazu's 'Obsessed' won the Planning Prize at the 66th Japan Record Awards, is once again in charge of sound production. He leads the Japanese music scene with groovy productions that fuse live instrumentation with cutting-edge sound.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agosoundtokyo/
X: https://x.com/agosoundtokyo
【What is CIRQL?】
'CIRQL' goes beyond being just a music label; it is an 'Asia direct-connection collective' that supports cross-border collaborations and next-generation artists. With Tokyo and Bangkok as hubs, it aims to build a cross-Asian 'circulating premium IP.'
The concept includes 'Circulate,' 'C
FAQ
What is CIRQL (Circle)?
It is a 'Direct-Connect Collective' established jointly by Styrism Co., Ltd. and KSR Co., Ltd. to bridge the music scenes of Japan and Asia, with hubs in Tokyo and Bangkok.
Who is the artist for CIRQL's first release?
It is the third single 'D-1' by artist SANDEI, based in Tokyo, featuring VivaOla as a guest.
Who is involved in the production of SANDEI's track 'D-1'?
Singer-songwriter and producer VivaOla, beatmaker A.G.O., and beatboxer-singer YAMORI are involved in the production.
Who is SANDEI?
SANDEI is a singer-songwriter with roots in jazz and R&B. During the era of their former name 'sangdei,' their tracks surpassed 1 million plays on Spotify. In 2026, they were also selected as one of CEIPA's 'Next-Generation Creative Talents Expected to Excel Overseas'.
What is CIRQL aiming to achieve?
CIRQL aims to go beyond being just a music label and support the next generation of artists across borders, aiming to build a 'circular premium IP' spanning Asia.