Wa To Yo (stylized 和WA TOと 洋YO) ("Japanese and Western") is the eleventh studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter AI. It was released on June 7, 2017 through EMI Records Japan. It consists of two discs, the "Wa" disc featuring tracks recorded in Japanese while the "Yo" disc featuring tracks recorded in English. The album features guest appearances and collaborations from KODO, Jinmenusagi, Himekami, Jamaican musician Junior Reid, American singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger, and American singer-songwriter Chris Brown. Wa To Yo is primarily a J-pop, R&B, soul and hip hop album.
Background
After the release of Moriagaro in 2013, AI was engaged to Hiro, the leader and vocalist of the rock band Kaikigesshoku. The pair had been dating for 10 years, and wed in January 2014.[3] In August 2015, AI gave birth to her first child.[4]
The album was first teased on AI's YouTube channel on April 20, 2017.[5][6]
Development
Wanting to "convey the goodness of Japan" to the rest of the world and "the goodness of the overseas to Japanese people", AI collaborated with several producers, artists and songwriters from both Japan and the west.[7] The album combines traditional Japanese instruments with modern J-pop and western genres.[7]
