Erika Ikuta will release her second EP, "Bitter Candy", on CD on March 5. This will be her first EP release in about a year since "Capriccioso" in April 2024.

"Bitter Candy" is a work that closely accompanies the listener’s daily life, showcasing Ikuta's versatile and down-to-earth expressive abilities. The title, "Bitter Candy", combines two opposing words and reflects her thoughts: "In life, there are not only happy and joyful moments, but also times when we have to face painful or difficult realities. If we could look at or taste that bitterness in a slightly more pop way, that would be ideal."

The track list includes songs like "Joudeki" and "Mushi", both written and composed by Ikuta herself, as well as previously released tracks like "Mont Blanc" and "Kakurenbo". "Joudeki" is a jazzy and glamorous song that inspires listeners to keep moving forward despite the tension between their ideal self and the dissatisfaction with their current state. Meanwhile, "Mushi" is a song that captures the frustration caused by misunderstandings with someone, featuring a catchy pop melody and a gentle vocal performance.

Other tracks on the EP will be announced at a later date. Along with the release information, new artist photos and the EP's cover art have been revealed, featuring Ikuta dressed in a candy-wrapper-like outfit.

The EP will be available in three versions: Limited Edition A, Limited Edition B, and Regular Edition. Limited Edition A will come with a Blu-ray of Ikuta’s performance at the Billboard Live Yokohama concert on January 7, while Limited Edition B will include a Blu-ray of the final performance of her "Capriccioso" tour at the Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Hall in September of the previous year.

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Limited Edition A:

Limited Edition B:

Regular Edition:

Track List:

CD

・Joudeki
・Mushi
・Tasogare Magic Hour
・Mont Blanc
・Kakurenbo
Others

Blu-ray

Limited Edition A

・Specially edited live footage of "Erika Ikuta Premium Billboard Live 2025" held at Billboard Live Yokohama on Tuesday, January 7, 2025
・Making footage of "bitter candy" jacket cover shoot

Limited Edition B

・Specially edited live footage of "Erika Ikuta Tour 2024 'Capriccioso' FINAL", held at Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Hall on Friday, September 20, 2024