FEATURE:
Spotlight
f5ve
__________
NOT to confuse people…
PHOTO CREDIT: Crystalline Structures Studio
when it comes to that name, this f5ve put the number five in the name. The boyband Five do not. Their worlds are very different. The one I am focusing on are a group (a girl group) shaking up the world of J-Pop. F5ve formed in 2022. The group consists of Sayaka, Kaede, Ruri, Miyuu, and Rui, with BloodPop serving as their executive producer. They released their astonishing debut album, SEQUENCE 01, on 5th May. Although I am not a fan of their name – it leaves them vulnerable if one of the members leave or they are depleted at any point -, though I am a fan of their music. We do not hear a lot of J-Pop in the U.K. Perhaps we hear more K-Pop. I think that a group like f5ve are here to stay and will fully infiltrate British music and radio. Certain stations will play them, though I feel like there will be new attention very soon. I am going to get to some 2025 features and interview soon. I will end with a review for SEQUENCE 01. I am going to start off with a 2024 introduction from Gay Times:
“If you’re looking for a new pop girl group to sink your teeth into, look no further – f5ve is the band for you. Made up of J-pop veterans Sayaka, Kaede, Miyuu, Ruri and Rui, the fierce fivesome first debuted in 2023 with their single ‘Firetruck.’ Earlier this year, the “inter-dimensional dream agents from Tokyo” underwent a transformation, switching their stage name from the Sailor Moon-inspired SG5 (Sailor Guardians 5) to f5ve (pronounced fi-vee). Since kicking off their new era, the talented group has honed their craft and released singles that rebuke self-doubt, explore the complexities of love, and embrace the power of womanhood. (They’ve since been co-signed by major artists such as Bloodpop, Rosalía, A.G. Cook and more.)
On 10 September, f5ve showcased another side of their artistry with the release of their Underground REMIXS EP. On the five-track genre-bending project, the ladies teamed up with TeddyLoid, DJ CHARI, STARKIDS, Doss, and art collective YAGI EXHIBITION, who brought to life dynamic reimaginings of the titular single. Amid their steady rise within the pop music sphere, GAY TIMES spoke to f5ve about their musical beginnings, their dedicated LGBTQIA+ fans within the hi-5 fandom, their goals as a new girl group on the scene, and more. Read the full interview below!
All of your songs so far have been a huge hit with fans. ‘Lettuce’ has over three million views on YouTube, which is major! What is like for you all to see this massive response right out of the gate?
KAEDE: I still can’t believe this happened and very happy to see the response in so many different languages. Every time I look into socials I was like, ‘Wow! There’s hi-5 in this country!?’
SAYAKA: I was a little worried because we had been silent for more than a year since our last work, but I was happy to see that so many people were waiting for us.
MIYUU: I didn’t expect this at all. The team is working very hard, but seeing so many people listening to f5ve’s music and reacting for us every time [we] release something is something we’ve never experienced before, even though we’ve been around for a long time, so we’re simply happy! Thank you always, my besties.
RURI: It’s still unbelievable! I really can’t believe that most of the comments are from overseas. It still feels like a dream.
RUI: I’m very happy and I believe that the music that BloodPop creates for f5ve is music that should reach many fans!
For those who are unfamiliar with you, can you tell us a little bit about how f5ve came to fruition?
SAYAKA: KAEDE, MIYUU, RURI and I are former E-girls members, and RUI, who is now in iScream, are joining forces with the Grammy-winning producer, BloodPop.
KAEDE: I think we are creating a new genre that is unique in the way f5ve can only express.
MIYUU: We are a group of five women based in Tokyo. Many call us “five”, but the correct pronunciation is “fi-vee”! Each of us is a multi-dimensional dream agent utilizing our arsenal of optimism, confidence, brilliance, and female empowerment. And I represent fantasy.
RURI: We debuted with ‘Firetruck’ under the name of SG5, and we were reborn as f5ve, followed by releases of ‘Lettuce’ and ‘Underground’. We will not be talking about the rebrand because… no.
RUI: f5ve is the woman of every girl’s dreams. f5ve brings you confidence.
The music industry is currently lacking in mainstream girl groups that are topping the charts on a similar level to Destiny’s Child, TLC, Spice Girls, Pussycat Dolls, and Little Mix. Do you hope to change that?
KAEDE: I don’t think there has ever been a Japanese girl group at the top of the international music industry, so I hope we can be the first group to do so. It’s a long road to get there, and it has been very challenging so far, but we work every day to be our best and represent Japan.
SAYAKA: I want to be a Japanese person on the world stage.
MIYUU: We are influenced by many popular and smaller artists from all over the world. I think many people are tired of the same thing being presented over and over with girl groups. Hopefully, we can bring something new, authentic and real.
RURI: The world is finally ready for us.
RUI: We don’t want to be limited by charts, categories or streaming. We want to create amazing art that stands the test of time. That is more important than anything else.
Historically, girl groups have always attracted a lot of fans within the LGBTQIA+ community. Have you noticed that support?
KAEDE: Of course, yes. There were a lot of comments [and phrases] that I didn’t understand at first, so I asked the team about it and they told me, ‘It’s used a lot by the LGBTQIA+ community.’ They’ve always supported us with a high level of enthusiasm, and I really appreciate that.
SAYAKA: I’m happy that so many people have commented, spread the word, and are constantly cheering us. I think gay people like us because we love being ourselves.
MIYUU: Every time we release, the LGBTQIA+ community acts and spreads the word. Not just about our music, but the existence of f5ve to more people. So, I think more and more people are getting to know f5ve. It’s all about you, besties. Thank you for your support.
RURI: Of course, I always feel the support and love of our fans! I’m encouraged by a lot of comments on socials. I learned words like “mother,” “diva,” and “ate.”
RUI: [The LGBTQIA+ community’s] support and love are truly encouraging. I’m also checking all the reactions on social media! Thank you so much.
And what do your LGBTQIA+ fans mean to you?
KAEDE: They are incredibly supportive, and it seems like they are most of our fans. Everyone is so welcoming and beautiful and unique. We will protect you.
SAYAKA: They are an important and encouraging presence for us. The community has so much energy, so we are very happy to receive their support and want to show our support in return.
RURI: We will not be here today [without the support of the LGBTQIA+ community], and I can’t imagine not having their support. You are an existence that must be with us; our dreams won’t come true without you. We will always be together.
RUI: Thank you for finding f5ve. Thank you for lots of love and rainbows! Love you all so much. “Mother!”.
There are some great recent interviews that were published around the release of SEQUENCE 01. When speaking with DAZED, f5ve talked about busting stereotypes and reaching a new global audience. For anyone reticent about exploring J-Pop or not used to it, I would say you can embrace them. You will not be disappointed at all! I have recently discovered them and it is clear that we need to celebrate this new wave of international girl groups. There is not the same strong wave that we had in the 1990s and early-2000s:
“Do you have any favorite tracks on the album?
Miyuu: My favorite song is ‘Jump’. The melody is very dreamy, I feel like I’m in a fantasy world listening to it, and [it reminds me that], when things get hard, your friends are always there for you. It makes me feel encouraged.
Rui: Mine is ‘Magic Clock’. When I listen to it, it makes me happy and reminds me of the members, bringing back fond memories. I feel my heart beating fast.
Sayaka: My favorite is ‘Sugar Free Venom’. It reminds me of Habushu, a traditional sake from Okinawa that has a [real] snake inside the bottle. When I listen to it, I feel empowered and strong.
Kaede: I love this song, too. Also, ‘Sugar Free Venom’ will have a big feature later this year...
Rui: I have a little hint. It reminds me of the 2020s music scene.
Kaede: [singing] ‘Don’t stop, make it pop, DJ, blow my speakers up…’ [laughs].
Alright, your PR told me not to mention who the featured artist is yet, but since you gave such a big hint, I’ll keep it that way. What are some new things you learned while making this album? Or new things that you discovered about yourselves?
Rui: We had a chance to decide on our own [singing] parts. It was the first time this happened to us, and we grew a lot from this experience. I also appreciate that the whole team and BloodPop helped us decide on these things.
Miyuu: During recording, keeping up with the speed of creating new songs every minute, every hour, every day was very challenging. But at the same time, the biggest takeaway for me was understanding both the strengths and weaknesses of my voice.
Kaede: It was my first time singing, and Sayaka and Miyuu as well. In our previous group [Happiness], we were performers, so we just had to focus on dancing. This time, all the experiences were fresh and challenging for us. I didn’t know about my strengths, for example, but during the recording, staff members and the girls complimented my airy voice. It made me realise a new side of myself.
Since you have been in the field for over a decade, what changes have you noticed in J-pop and its global perception?
Miyuu: So far, J-pop and K-pop have both been seen as ‘just Asian music’. So, J-pop didn't get much global recognition, especially since Japan has focused on the domestic market. With social media, it’s way easier to access music worldwide, and more people started noticing the difference between J-pop and K-pop. This culture has really changed how we discover and appreciate music.
Ruri: I didn’t know that international fans knew Japanese music, but now with f5ve, I know that many of them love Japanese culture and J-pop.
Kaede: We got so many comments in different languages, like English, Korean, Spanish, Chinese. Since social media has gotten way bigger, a lot of people from foreign countries have a chance to listen to our music now. Seeing international comments is refreshing to us.
You are already challenging a lot in J-pop by approaching themes like LGBTQ+ support and breaking beauty stereotypes. Do you think it’s important nowadays to focus on that?
Kaede: Of course! We have friends that come from the LGBTQ+ community, and we love them. We want to support them.
Rui: Yes, we want to take away any negative feelings related to them around the world.
How do you balance bringing humour to your songs while wanting to be taken seriously as a group?
Rui: I think everyone has their own image of f5ve, and we’re happy with that. Being ourselves and embracing each member’s unique personality is what makes f5ve special. Our social media is full of humor, so when we perform, it may look cool and confident, but offstage, we are very natural and always laughing. We play around with each other a lot.
When you look into the future, like ten years from now, what personal achievements or milestones would make you proud of yourselves?
Kaede: My ideal is to become a unique and one-of-a-kind artist. I want to keep going and stay [beside] my fans. I want to give positive energy to them.
Miyuu: I want to be someone who stays true to my expression, and to become my own biggest fan. Then, I want to show my fans that loving yourself is something wonderful.
Kaede: We want to go on tour and meet hi-5 [f5ve fans] all over the world, too. We want to be big pop stars. Hopefully”.
The group have some incredible dates ahead. They play New York on 27th June. There are two more interviews I want to bring in before ending with a review for SEQUENCE 01. I am going to bring in an interview with Billboard. F5ve reflected on the universal appeal of their genre-blending music and cheeky online presence. They have really great personalities and they have this incredible chemistry. I think that f5ve are going to be releasing many more albums and will tour in the U.K. soon enough:
“Are there other ways you feel like your on-stage personas differ from who you are in real life?
Kaede: I’m a totally different person. On stage, I have confidence and I can be more…slayish?
Miyuu: It’s kind of the same for me. Off stage, I’m not outgoing, and I can be pretty shy. But when I perform, it’s like “Look at me, look at me.” [Laughs]
One of f5ve’s goals is to “eradicate self-doubt,” but we all have moments of insecurity. How do you overcome that yourselves?
Rui: We have a lot of practice being on stage and shooting. f5ve is the best team, so I always trust the members, trust the staff and trust myself. And I can be natural, be positive.
Kaede: We compliment each other before we go on stage, always.
Miyuu: “You look so cute. You look so pretty. You look so gorgeous.”
Rui: “Beauty! Sexy!”
What compliment would you give to the person sitting next to you right now?
Kaede: Miyuu is our number one face expression queen.
Miyuu: Sayaka is one of the smallest members, but the way she performs and her aura make you feel otherwise.
Sayaka: Rui is a true idol. She has perfect expressions and is always on point on stage.
Rui: Ruri has… face card. Always beautiful. I’m also addicted to Ruri’s powerful voice. And she is so kind.
Ruri: Kaede is the sunshine of the group. She’s always talking to people, always communicating.
In the music video for “Magic Clock,” there were child dancers who played younger versions of you. Some of you have been in the entertainment industry since you were around their age, so did you have any advice for them?
Rui: They were so nervous during the music video shoot, so we were always by their side. [We told them,] “You are so cute, your dancing is so amazing. Please have confidence.” We gained power from them. I think that situation was my dream come true. I was so happy.
Why was it a dream come true?
Rui: I was a student at [Japanese entertainment training school] EXPG starting at a young age, and during that time, I looked up to E-girls and all the LDH groups.
Besides Kesha, who features on “Sugar-Free Venom,” which artists do you hope to collaborate with in the future?
Rui: I want to collaborate with Addison Rae someday. I love her music videos and her vibes. I’m a huge fan.
Sayaka: I want to collaborate with Tyla.
Miyuu: I love Doja Cat. [Her music embodies] woman empowerment, which is why it matches us.
Kaede: I want to collaborate with Justin Bieber. I’ve been a huge fan of his since I was a junior high school student. He was my first celebrity crush. [Laughs.] I love his voice, I love his music.
Ruri: Taylor Swift. I recently listened to The Tortured Poets Department, and that got me into her.
You also worked with producers like A. G. Cook and Count Baldor on SEQUENCE 01. Who would you love to have write or produce a song for f5ve in the future?
Rui: Of course, I want to create more music with BloodPop, but I want to collaborate with Zedd.
Kaede: I want to collaborate with ASOBISYSTEM in Japan. We saw ATARASHII GAKKO!’s show in LA, so I hope ASOBISYSTEM or Nakata Yasutaka creates our music with ATARASHII GAKKO!
The video for “Underground” had Dekotora trucks and Para Para. What other elements of Japanese culture do you want to share with the world?
Kaede: Natsumatsuri is a summer festival in Japan, and when I was a kid, I practiced and played traditional drums in the festival. So, one day, I want to show you my drum skills in our songs. I can surprise people abroad with that.
Rui: I want to wear a kimono or yukata in a music video or a live show.
The J-pop industry used to be pretty much exclusively interested in the Japanese market, but now we’re starting to see that open up. Why do you think that is?
Miyuu: Lately, I’ve been feeling that the international reception of J-pop is starting to shift. In the past, there weren’t many chances for people to get exposed to J-pop, so the Japanese music industry mainly focused on the domestic market, as you said. But I believe digital culture has played a huge role in introducing J-pop to a global audience.
How does f5ve plan to reach that audience?
Rui: Being natural and being ourselves. Just having fun with our music, loving our music. And each other.
Miyuu: Social media is a very important tool for us. It’s a space where we can really connect with our fans and make them feel close to us. We react to a lot of comments, responding to what fans are curious about. Some people say our account seems unofficial, in the best way. And there’s no other group that has done it like this before. I think that’s what makes people so interested in us.
Since you brought up social media, who is the most online in f5ve?
Miyuu: Rui’s always on her phone, taking selfies.
Kaede: During lunch, during dinner…
Rui: I love searching for TikTok trends.
What would everyone’s weapon be?
Rui: Noodle slasher! I eat noodles every day.
Kaede: My big voice.
Miyuu: Lipstick sword, because I love makeup.
Sayaka: Bomb. [Members laugh.] I always say something awkward in conversations and it’s like a bomb.
Ruri: My long hair, like a whip.
Is there a world tour in the works?
Kaede: There isn’t a date decided yet, but we’re planning.
Rui: Soon!
Kaede: Yes, coming soon”.
I am moving to a interview from NME. A group whose humour and creative chaos mixes with authenticity and inclusiveness, their creative and music vision is bold and original. I would encourage everyone to check out the amazing f5ve. The fact they are getting buzz in the U.K. means they will be with us pretty soon I am sure:
“In an era where pop success often hinges on being a perfectly timed meme, that unseriousness is its own kind of savvy. f5ve lean into it with flair, poking fun at themselves, hijacking viral trends, and singing lyrics with a bizarre bite. Take this one from debut single ‘Lettuce’: “You eat a lot of lettuce, but you’re toxic.” Or in ‘UFO’, where Japanese gacha games meet girl power: “She plays so good she’s an alien.” It’s offbeat, a little absurd and proof that humour hones rather than undercuts their edge.
“I just want people to enjoy it, especially in Japan,” Kaede says. “When you don’t fit into the usual standards, people see it as strange. It takes time to be accepted. But if we keep doing what we truly believe is good, people will relate. And that leads to recognition.”
There’s more than just punchlines beneath f5ve’s chaos. Their music blends irony with intensity: ‘Underground’, a breakneck, synth-heavy track about burnout, pulses like a Para Para club hit, a type of Japanese dance music popularised in the ’80s and ’90s – fast, flashy, and slightly frayed. It made NME’s list of the best songs of 2024; the group landed on the NME 100, our list of emerging artists to watch, just months later.
If f5ve’s music feels like it’s from another planet – glitchy textures, dream-pop swells, sharp electronic detours – that’s by design. Their debut album ‘Sequence 01’, which was released on Monday (May 5), was recorded between Tokyo and Los Angeles with their genre-bending executive producer BloodPop [Lady Gaga, Madonna]. Despite its futuristic sheen, the three-year process started with simple conversation.
“When we started recording, we talked a lot,” Kaede recalls. “We’d share the music we liked.” They cited artists like Taylor Swift, Tate McRae, YOASOBI, Perfume, Justin Bieber, and Hikaru Utada, the defining voice of contemporary J-pop. “From those conversations, BloodPop made our songs,” she adds. “He always included our ideas.” That openness shaped the project’s sound. “It wasn’t like he gave us a finished track,” Miyuu says. “We built it together.”
That collaborative spirit helped them create something immersive: an emotional isekai, or alternate dimension, where each track feels like a new episode of a TV show – or a door to a new world. “We talked about anime with BloodPop,” says Kaede, “and how it blends genres and tells different stories from one moment to the next.”
And so the album came together as a vivid, genre-blurring experience. There’s ‘Jump’, an effervescent, high-BPM track bursting with hope. “It’s really personal,” Kaede says. “The lyrics are about us, about our dream to become big artists.” Then there’s ‘UFO’, which fizzes with confidence. “That one gives me power,” says Rui. “The sound lifts me to another level.” And ‘Sugar Free Venom’, a jagged anthem featuring Kesha, sharpens their sound into something louder, glossier, and more unfiltered – pop with teeth.
The group describe the album as “dream time travel”, a phrase that gestures at both sonic nostalgia and emotional reinvention. For Miyuu, it’s empowering escapism: “The real world can feel negative. I struggle with confidence, and sometimes I don’t know what’s right. But through this dream world we created, I’m fulfilling my wish to be more confident in my choices.” She calls f5ve “interdimensional dream agents” helping listeners find their own missions. “Our visuals and music videos aren’t just for show,” she adds. “They’re portals – places where you can feel your own dream coming alive”.
I am going to end with a review for SEQUENCE 01. CLASH shared their thoughts on a debut that is camp, chaotic, irresistible and inter-dimensional. This might fly under the radar but it deserves a lot more focus. If you do not know about this incredible group then check them out now. Follow them on social media and listen to their album. They are going to be a huge act very soon. Their music is infectious and among the best out there. We do need to shine more of a spotlight on J-Pop:
“At first glance, f5ve feels like a high-concept J-pop fantasy: five women from Tokyo calling themselves “inter-dimensional dream agents” on a mission to destroy self-doubt and bad vibes.
But behind the glitter and otherworldly branding is serious finesse. Sayaka, Kaede, Miyuu and Ruri cut their teeth in E-girls and Happiness, two of Japan’s most iconic girl groups under LDH. Youngest member Rui brings fresh energy from her time in iScream and DELUXE COLORS!, rounding out a lineup with over a decade of combined experience.
Originally debuting as SG5 in 2022 with a Sailor Moon-inspired concept, the group rebranded as f5ve in 2024, embracing a more self-defined vision, and ‘SEQUENCE 01’ is their next bold statement.
Executive produced by BloodPop (Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber) with key contributions from A.G. Cook and Hudson Mohawke, the album blends J-pop and hyperpop – and the results are a chaotic, confident debut that’s genreless on purpose, glittering with subcultural references and full of emotional depth.
The album opens in-world. ‘initiate sequence 01’ is a brief ambient piece filled with footsteps – an invitation to step into f5ve’s realm. Then, we’re dropped into ‘Underground’ – a pounding hyperpop anthem and high-BPM chaos with emotional undercurrents: lyrics about collapsing from overwork, hiding tears, and longing to escape the pressures of daily life clash beautifully with the euphoric beat.
Co-produced by BloodPop and A.G. Cook, ‘Magic Clock’ mixes glitchy synths with a soft, retro core. The lyrics reflect on nights out, fleeting memories, and the quiet desire to rewind time – but it never gets overly sentimental. Instead, it uses repetition and crisp vocal delivery to mimic the ticking, looping feel of a clock itself. A strong contender for the position of best track in the album.
By contrast, ‘UFO’ is sharper and flashier. Built around a claw machine metaphor and arcade imagery, it’s about confidence, control, and knowing exactly what you’re doing. The chorus is made for looping (“She plays so good, she’s an alien”), and while the structure is the mainstream pop formula we are used to, the execution is tight.
‘Firetruck’ is the album’s most sonically aggressive moment, pulling influence from internet rap and noise-pop. The production is intentionally abrasive, filled with distorted textures, unpredictable drops, and chaotic vocal layering. Lyrically, it plays with heat and danger as metaphors for attraction, all while staying playful in tone. It’s bold and doesn’t aim for subtlety, which may divide listeners.
Luckily, the bounce returns immediately. ‘Lettuce’ is cheeky, light-hearted, and built around the iconic line: “You eat a lotta lettuce, but you’re toxic.” It’s deceptively smart, a goofy metaphor about a guy who looks clean but acts messy. The production is playful, full of cartoon bloops and whistles, and the vocal delivery is sharp.
‘Sugar Free Venom’ featuring Kesha is an instant standout. It’s trap-pop with claws: club-ready, chaotic, and proudly defiant. Kesha sounds right at home over the punchy beat, and the lyrics – about financial independence, fake friends, and kitchen renovations – are absurd in the best way.
Then there’s ‘Television’, a mid-tempo runway track with a cold, monotone delivery. “Look at me, not your television,” they sing, calling out distraction and emotional detachment. With metallic beats and a steady pulse, it’s one of the sleekest moments on the record.
‘Bow Chicka Wow Wow’ sounds like the theme song to a chaotic ’90s comedy series party scene. It’s glossy and theatrical, complete with thunder sound effects and whipped cream metaphors. But as over-the-top as it is, the song and its layered vocals never lose control.
‘Jump’ is cleaner and more earnest than the rest of the album. It’s J-pop at its dreamiest — all light harmonies, uplifting lyrics, and sparkly production. The verses paint whimsical images (a tower ten times taller than Tokyo Tower, partying with angels), and build an emotional grounding point after the glitchy, high-speed peaks.
Closing track ‘リア女 (Real Girl)’ wraps the album on a smart, layered note. It’s built around the idea of identity – being lost in a crowd, performing sameness, and trying to be seen for who you really are. The production is light and bouncy, but the lyrics are sharp, even when playful: “Find the real girl among a hundred dolls”.
8/10”.
I am going to leave things there. For those who are reading this and have never heard f5ve, go and check out interviews with them. Watch their music videos and listen to SEQUENCE 01. They are most definitely going to go a very long way! When it comes to the sensational f5ve, it is very clear that…
NOBODY can stop them.
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