Ahead of the release of their much-anticipated debut album, Nandakke?, Belgian-Japanese duo Aili serve up a brand new single, Takoyaki. Named after the Japanese street food, Takoyaki continues Aili Maruyama & Orson Wouters' hot streak of irresistible songs, marrying new wave funk rhythms and sparkling electro-pop to Maruyama's distinctive vocals and surreal storytelling.
Like the rest of the new album Tako Yaki is sung in the unique version of Japanese that Maruyama and her father created to stay connected when she left Tokyo for Europe aged seven. But if you're wondering what it all means Maruyama is on hand to explain.
“On the Japanese side of my family, some family members have surprisingly large big toes," she confides. "We used to call these toes takoyaki after the Japanese dish because they resembled it!"
Oyayubi wa takoyaki! Toe or takoyaki! Seems obvious really, and if that's made you hungry then you're in luck as Tako Yaki also features a guest appearance from Aili's dad as he lists off his own takoyaki recipe which, for those who want to try this at home, you'll need octopus, flour, dashi, and an egg. Eet smakelijk!
Making their debut with the critically acclaimed Dansu EP, Maruyama and Wouters quickly established themselves as one of Belgium’s most exciting new acts. Following a series of ecstatically received shows across Europe and Japan, an appearance on the Belgian TV show Roomies and support from the likes of Rolling Stone and tastemakers radio stations like KEXP and KCRW in the US and Nova in France the band's debut album is due for release Februay 23rd, 2024 on Eskimo Recordings.