Japanese rock band HERE is moving into a new chapter with the announcement of their first mini album under a streamlined two-member lineup. "Matomojainirarenai" drops June 24 at live venues and through online sales, marking the group's first release since guitarist Toshihito Mitsuhashi departed after nearly two decades with the band.

Now operating as a duo of vocalist-guitarist Kaiki Ogata and guitarist Masayuki Takeda, HERE has stripped their sound down to its core. The new material emphasizes Ogata's vocals and Takeda's guitar work with minimal additional instrumentation, resulting in what the band describes as a raw, unfiltered rock sound.

The seven-track album includes the recently released single "Gacha Gacha," the 2024 track "I Don't Need to Be Charismatic," and a 2026 re-recorded arrangement of 2019's "Let's Go Meet a Rock Star." Other titles include "Good Business," "Laughably Straightforward," "Going My Way," and "Turned Bright Red."

The release coincides with Ogata's birthday celebration show at Tokyo's Club 251 on June 24, featuring performances from HERE alongside solo artist Kaiki Ogata + Gensho and Invisible Man's Deathbed.

Beyond the album, HERE has a packed touring schedule ahead. They're heading out on a split tour called "Reverse Crazy Zombie's Cross Counter 2026" with bands SaToMansion and toybee, hitting venues across Japan from June through September. The group is also lined up for an acoustic tour, "Harukichi, Yasunori, Jambori and HERE's Cozy Live," starting in July.

Active since 2008, HERE built their reputation around the theme of "glamorous pop & hard rock 'n' roll." With this new configuration, the band is embracing a more focused direction that lets their raw energy take center stage.