End of the World, a.k.a. Sekai no Owari, are one of the biggest bands in Japan and are now going global with their music.
The group, composed of Nakajin, Fukase, Saori and DJ Love, debuted in 2005 and have had hits including four No. 1s on Billboard Japans Hot 100, as well as performing concert tours including two sell-out shows at Japans largest venue, Nissan Stadium, with 140,000 people in attendance.
Among their award tally is Best Album at the Japan Record Awards in 2012 and 2015, and Best Asian Artist-Japan at the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA).
Outside Japan, End of the World were the first Japanese artist to join the MTV World Stage with Carly Rae Jepsen.
They recently released the track Sleeping Beauty together with Korean hip-hop group Epik High. Today, a remix of Sleeping Beauty was released by UK producer Digital Farm Animals, who has produced hits for the likes of Noah Cyrus, Alan Walker, Louis Tomlinson, Bebe Rexha and Galantis.
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Last year, they came out with the single One More Night featuring a cameo from Joe Jonas outfit DNCE. End of the World also opened a concert of British band Clean Bandit and remixed their song Rockabye.
End of the World spoke to Metro.co.uk about going international and preparing for their first English album.
When asked why they decided to debut internationally with English songs instead of promoting Japanese songs, lead vocalist Fukase explained: Lyrics play an important role in our music but if you dont speak Japanese the song will not convey meaning.
For that reason we are writing in English so that it makes sense to more and more people.
Saori said End of the Worlds decision to pursue their career outside Japan was just a natural pursuit than an influence from someone else.
Wanting to deliver the music to as many people as possible is one of the most natural desires an artist can have, she added.
The band also discussed their experience working on Epik High on their track.
It was such a great time working with them. Weve known each other for about two years now, we would visit them when we are in Korea, and the same when they are in Japan, said Nakajin, the bands leader.
He added: [Theyre] really great friends and we respect them as an artist. It was such an exciting moment when we received their rap parts on our track. We are very happy and honoured to have had a chance to create something together.
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DJ Love named Clean Bandit and DNCE as foreign artists that they want to collaborate with in projects, and Saori said they are open to working with other K-pop artists in the future.
Weve really wanted to work with Epik High so it is too soon to think of other artists, but we would love to collaborate if we have an opportunity in the future, she said.
End of the World are currently preparing their first English album.
We are in production for an album as we speak and getting closer to finishing it. I hope we can share the news as soon as possible, said Fukase.
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