Japanese pop singer Taichi Mukai launched a prolific solo career in 2013, after spending a year as the vocalist for the Tokyo funk band Modio. • Mukai released his first song, “Kimi ni Kiss shite,” in 2013. With electric piano, wah-wah guitar accents, and a low-key groove, the song has an R&B feel. • After posting a string of tracks online, Mukai released his first EP, Pool, in 2016. His debut LP, Blue, came out the following year and made the Billboard Japan album chart. • Mukai’s second LP, 2018’s Pure, slipped into the Top 30 of the Billboard Japan album chart. • Along with making his own music, Mukai has collaborated on tracks with acts including Monster Rion, YonYon, and the hip-hop collective M-flo.