iVy is ready to go bigger. The alternative pop duo of fuki and pupu are releasing a new double single, 'Futago no Laika / Septum,' on April 22, and it represents a notable shift in their production process.

Up until now, iVy has worked entirely from home studios. This time around, they've moved into a professional studio environment while keeping their DIY spirit intact. The result is music that balances their signature sound with expanded sonic scope.

The two tracks take different approaches. 'Futago no Laika' layers shoegaze-influenced noise with delicate vocal breaths and pupu's powerful shouts. 'Septum' takes things in another direction, weaving ethnic music influences into the arrangement while showcasing fuki's bouncy, rhythmic delivery.

The single brings in guest musicians Yuta Hoshi (drums, WOZNIAK) and Satoshi Tanaka (bass, yonawo) to flesh out the arrangements. Engineer Masashi Uramoto, who's worked on projects for Sakanaction, plenty, Daoko, and others, handled the production.

Thematically, iVy centers the new material around one question: how do we connect with others? It's a fitting theme for a project that sees them stepping outside their usual isolated setup and collaborating with musicians from outside their orbit.

For fans of iVy's previous work, this should feel like a natural progression rather than a complete overhaul. The band isn't abandoning what made them interesting—they're just adding more instruments and space to their palette. Whether you're already familiar with their previous releases or just discovering them, 'Futago no Laika / Septum' is worth checking out when it drops on streaming platforms next week.