Maps of Music

The Book 3 (2023)

Where the lyrics of The Book 3 take you, and where it was really made.

Ayase wrote and produced all ten tracks alone, yet several songs' lyrics were adapted from stories by other writers.

Place unknown

Do you know where this album was recorded, or where its cover was shot? Tell us and we will add it to the map.

The Book 3: third Japanese-language EP and sixth EP overall by Japanese duo Yoasobi
Released 4 October 2023 through Sony Music Entertainment Japan
Ten tracks in electropop and synth-pop, all written and produced by Ayase
Continues the "reading CD" concept of the earlier records
Collects all singles from 2022 to September 2023 plus three new tracks
Released one year and ten months after The Book 2 (2021)

The Book and The Book 2 (2021) used the reading CD concept with a binder package; both peaked at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart
The Hajimete no project (2022) with four Naoki Prize-winning novelists; its four songs appear on this EP
2023 singles included Shukufuku (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury) and Idol (Oshi no Ko)
Yūsha, the opening theme for Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, was announced on the same day as the EP
Announced on 1 September 2023 with track list and album cover; pre-orders offered only as a limited-edition binder package

Japanese musical duo formed in 2019 by songwriter and producer Ayase and vocalist Ikura.
Slogan "novel into music"; songs are based on fictional stories, later also on books, letters, plays, and social media posts.
Debut single "Yoru ni Kakeru" topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for six non-consecutive weeks and was the first non-CD single to top the 2020 year-end chart.
The name comes from the Japanese word yoasobi (nightlife); Ayase came up with it.

Ayase: songwriter, producer, keyboards, synthesizer, sampler; previously vocalist of rock band Davinci (2012–2018).
Ikura: vocals; previously active as a street and small-venue guitarist and YouTube cover artist.

Four Japanese EPs (The Book, The Book 2, The Book 3, The Book For) explore the "reading CD" theme; The Book 3 and others peaked in the top ten on the Oricon Albums Chart.
"Idol" from Oshi no Ko stayed 22 non-consecutive weeks at number one on the Japan Hot 100, the longest-running number one in its history.
Released English-language EP series E-Side; collaborated with four Naoki Prize winners on the short story collection Hajimete no.
Music is described as a blend of J-pop and Vocaloid music, with fast pace and complex structure.
Received many awards, including Japan Gold Disc Awards, MTV Video Music Awards Japan, and Music Awards Japan.

Mie Sugiura of Rockin'On Japan praised the EP as a collection of short stories expressed through delicate music
Writing for Real Sound, Z11 described the EP as a collection of high-quality short stories
Financial Times critic Ludovic Hunter-Tilney rated the EP three out of five stars and highlighted its earwormy aspect
Teen Vogue included the EP in its list of the 15 best non-English albums of 2023

Oricon Albums Chart: debut at number two, selling 71,556 copies in the first week, behind only Mr. Children's Miss You
Billboard Japan Hot Albums: number two
Digital Albums Chart: number one, Yoasobi's fourth album to top it
RIAJ gold certification for physical shipments over 100,000 units in November 2023
Finalist Award (Red) at the 16th CD Shop Awards

Pre-orders started on the announcement day and were offered only as a limited-edition binder package.
Yūsha was first announced through an anime promotional video on the same day as the EP, and released as a single on 29 September 2023.
Shukufuku and Idol each have a short interlude placed before them on the album, titled Awakening and Worship.
Sony Music Germany and Black Screen Records released the EP on vinyl outside Japan on 26 July 2024.
A Japanese vinyl edition followed on 23 October 2024, with different cover artwork illustrated by Qingyi.