jo passed – Ico
Jo Hirabayashi wrote “Ico” during the pandemic as an ode to his 15-year-old Siberian long-haired cat. The track opens his upcoming album “Away,” set for January 23, 2026 via Youth Riot Records. Over a groovy bass line and guitars, Hirabayashi chronicles the simple, stress-free rhythm of the cat’s daily life while weaving in references to cognitive behavioural therapy and Kierkegaard’s “The Lily of the Field and the Bird of the Air.”
“Away” took eight years to complete after his 2018 Sub Pop debut “Their Prime.” Hirabayashi spent much of that time supporting other artists through composition, production, and filmmaking. He wrote, rewrote, scrapped, and reworked the album’s songs, even taking a full year away from listening to it. The record centres on mental health recovery, ego death, and loss, all approached with a lighthearted touch.
He shot the video guerrilla-style in March 2024, featuring choreography by Shion Skye Carter, costume design by Sarah Baxter, camerawork by Aya Garcia, and a sign by Téa Mei. The album features contributions from Mei on vocals, Mac Lawrie and Justin Devries on drums, Meredith Bates on strings, and Andromeda Monk on woodwinds and sax.
Jo Passed hits the road this fall with US and Canadian dates, including Toronto’s The Dance Cave on November 8 and Brooklyn’s Alphaville on November 13.
