[AFTERGLOW], the artist's first full-length album in 15 years, marks her fourth full album overall-and her first as an independent artist. "Loving what I love, disliking what I dislike." Despite the passage of time during the long production process, the remnants of past experiences and influences continue to linger vividly like "afterglow" in her heart. As she sings in the third track "Yokan"-"Sometimes the best is high-end, primitive, and unbalanced"-the album blends old and new, R&B, Hip Hop, and Pop in perfect balance, creating a hybrid sound that encapsulates her loves and leaves behind a warm lingering resonance. Drawing from her unique perspective as a DJ-the starting point of her music career-the disco-infused "Nagai Nagai Aisaretai" personifies vinyl records and depicts the relationship between DJs and collectors as if describing a romantic affair. "Ikenai" explores the psychological phenomenon of the "forbidden fruit" (Caligula effect), set to a New Jack Swing beat. With a powerful horn section that leaves a lasting impression and a message echoing the phrase "people talk for 75 days," the mid-tempo track "Doushitemo" stands out with its heavy groove. All six of these tracks were produced by fellow Aomori native Goro Kumai. The lyrics of "Dawn Will Soon Come"-co-produced by Goro Kumai and SONOMI-were inspired by the deep, late-night hours at Shibuya's Club Bar Family, the venue where the two performed most often after moving to Tokyo. The track features mysterious chord progressions on the electric piano, reminiscent of classic soul, and is bound to resonate deeply with listeners. As a hidden theme, two tracks express affection toward those who have supported her live performances: "Kāten wo Shimetara" (literally "When the Curtains Close") sings of a tender, almost romantic love toward the audience. "Setsumei dekinai" reflects on the beauty and happiness of shared moments with loved ones-realizations born from the COVID-19 pandemic. Both songs were sound-produced by SONOMI herself. Influences of Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, Rap, and club culture are scattered throughout the album. With lyrics that delve into one-of-a-kind themes, melodies and choruses carefully crafted to emphasize the beauty of the Japanese language, the album offers a unique sonic world. All nine tracks are packed with artistry and emotion.