Japanese ambient folk hero Ichiko Aoba has a new track out today, "Sayonara Penguin," that she says was inspired by one of her imaginary friends. It's her first new studio recording since last year's Luminescent Creatures LP, but the song has been a staple of her live shows for a while now, becoming a firm fan favorite for its playful warmth and charm.

Based on original concept by Aoba, the accompanying video is a collaboration with director Koichiro Tsujikawa of production company GLASSLOFT, puppet maker/animator Shuhei Harada of celebrated studio Dwarf, and CGI studio MARK. Aoba provides the voice of the penguin herself.

Watch the video and a KEXP live performance from 2025 below: