In recent years, one-man bands—artists who handle everything from playing all the instruments to producing the music on their own—have become increasingly common, but Gareth Donkin stands out as a truly exceptional talent even in this saturated scene. With soulful, sophisticated songs reminiscent of Prince and Stevie Wonder, as well as performance videos and covers on social media that have garnered significant attention, he made his big breakthrough with his 2023 debut album, *Welcome Home*. On this album, his sound has evolved into something even more lavish and rich, thanks to horn sections and arrangements influenced by Quincy Jones and Earth, Wind & Fire. While the slow jam “Where Did We Go?” featuring Kiefer and the collaboration with Howard Lawrence, “Running Away,” are certainly worth noting, I was particularly blown away by tracks like “Imagine” (sample_1) and “Half Shuffle” (sample_2), with their beautiful chord progressions and harmonies. It’s an album brimming with love, dotted with irresistible homages to late-80s modern soul. Please listen to the full tracklist. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)