晴々 (Hare Bare)

Release date: July 31, 2026

Genre: J-pop

Label: Sony Music Label

Ryokuoushoku Shakai released their new single “晴々 (Hare Bare)” on July 31, 2026. The song was written as the official broadcast theme for Fuji TV’s coverage of the 2026 Asian Volleyball Championships. The title harebare can describe a clear sky or a bright and refreshed state of mind. It reflects the song’s purpose: encouraging athletes to clear away fear and uncertainty before stepping into an important moment.

The creative process began in July 2025, when the band visited Japanese national team training camps, observed practices and matches, and interviewed the players. They later worked some of the emotions and language from those conversations into the lyrics. It was also the first time Ryokuoushoku Shakai had built a song through this kind of interview-based process.

The lyrics repeatedly use physical images associated with volleyball, including height, arms, pain, adrenaline, and the sound of the crowd clapping. These details capture both the strain placed on the body and the uncertainty that comes with pursuing a difficult goal. Even when the body is already sore and under pressure, the song continues to reach upward.

Musically, the track maintains a strong sense of upward motion throughout. I especially love the tight, energetic drum fills, even though the sharp guitar riff can sometimes overshadow them. The small sample of players’ shoes squeaking against the court floor is also a nice detail, making the production feel closely connected to the song’s volleyball theme.

Nagaya’s bright and expansive voice gives the track the scale expected from a major tournament anthem, while Kobayashi’s vocal lines move around hers and create a lively dual-vocal dynamic. Together, their voices make the song feel as though a whole group of people is moving toward the same goal.