{"id":718871,"date":"2026-03-25T21:45:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T18:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/this-is-how-underscoress-album-cover-of-u-was-made\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T21:45:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T18:45:12","slug":"this-is-how-underscoress-album-cover-of-u-was-made","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/this-is-how-underscoress-album-cover-of-u-was-made\/","title":{"rendered":"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of U was made"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3bb953859b3\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3bb953859b3\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/this-is-how-underscoress-album-cover-of-u-was-made\/#Inside_the_process_of_the_musicians_cover_with_Japanese_illustrator_Ochiai_Shohei\" >Inside the process of the musician\u2019s cover with Japanese illustrator Ochiai Shohei.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"deck\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Inside_the_process_of_the_musicians_cover_with_Japanese_illustrator_Ochiai_Shohei\"><\/span>Inside the process of the musician\u2019s cover with Japanese illustrator Ochiai Shohei.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"content_blocks\">\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278958\" class=\"content_block breaker triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left image\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1440,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/U_album_cover_-_Ochiai_Shohei_q513re\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/U_album_cover_-_Ochiai_Shohei_q513re\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/U_album_cover_-_Ochiai_Shohei_q513re\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/U_album_cover_-_Ochiai_Shohei_q513re\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/U_album_cover_-_Ochiai_Shohei_q513re\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/U_album_cover_-_Ochiai_Shohei_q513re\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/U_album_cover_-_Ochiai_Shohei_q513re\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/U_album_cover_-_Ochiai_Shohei_q513re\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/U_album_cover_-_Ochiai_Shohei_q513re\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/U_album_cover_-_Ochiai_Shohei_q513re\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/U_album_cover_-_Ochiai_Shohei_q513re\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"100vw\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"img_caption\"><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"credit\"><\/p>\n<p>      Courtesy of Ochiai Shohei<\/p>\n<p>  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278950\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            Who would\u2019ve thought that a mall in San Francisco would become a cultural landmark in the world of hyperpop?\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            For April Harper Grey, better known as underscores, Stonestown Galleria wasn&#8217;t just a backdrop for her third album, <i>U<\/i> \u2014 it was its North Star. While writing the record, Grey wandered its corridors, recording voice memos on escalators and drafting lyrics outside high-end storefronts. It became a second home, a window-shopping haven where the line between everyday life and a dream blurred and helped create her most confident work to date. The instinct to transform ordinary spaces into something otherworldly defines Grey\u2019s rise within the hyperpop scene. Over the past few years, she\u2019s built a devoted community around her music while collaborating with the likes of Oklou, Yves, Ninajirachi, and umru.\n          <\/p>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: left;\">\n<\/div>\n<p>\n            To <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ropriately capture her imagined version of the mall, Grey reached out to Japanese illustrator <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_new\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ochiaishohei\/\">Ochiai Shohei<\/a>. Shohei, who\u2019s worked with Pharrell Williams\u2019 JOOPITER and brands like New Era and Tamagotchi, reimagines household goods and childhood toys through a nostalgic lens in his drawings. Before the release of <i>U<\/i>, the pair had already collaborated on the single artworks for \u201cMusic,\u201d \u201cDo It,\u201d and \u201cTell Me (U Want It),\u201d creating a complete visual universe.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            Ahead, Grey and Shohei talk through their collaboration and discuss chance introductions, romanticizing mall architecture, and the meticulous chaos behind the world of <i>U<\/i>.\n          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278959\" class=\"content_block breaker triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left image\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1440,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000854_jpiav6\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000854_jpiav6\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000854_jpiav6\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000854_jpiav6\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000854_jpiav6\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000854_jpiav6\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000854_jpiav6\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000854_jpiav6\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000854_jpiav6\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000854_jpiav6\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000854_jpiav6\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"100vw\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"img_caption\"><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"credit\"><\/p>\n<p>      Courtesy of Ochiai Shohei<\/p>\n<p>  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content_block paragraph triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: left;\">\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278951\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            <b>The FADER: Do you remember your first introduction to each other\u2019s work? Was there anything that made you think, &#8220;I need to work with this person&#8221;?<\/b>\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            April Harper Grey (underscores): I discovered Shohei\u2019s work while I was making my album <i>Wallsocket<\/i>! I was im<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>tely captivated by his art style \u2013 it&#8217;s totally idiosyncratic, unlike anything I\u2019d really seen from other artists. Actually, I think it was his illustration of GarageBand For Mac that I was initially obsessed with.\n          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278961\" class=\"content_block paragraph image triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1440,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/Garageband_for_Mac_-_Shohei_Ochiai_fn1llx\/ochiai-shohei-s-drawing-of-garageband-for-mac.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/Garageband_for_Mac_-_Shohei_Ochiai_fn1llx\/ochiai-shohei-s-drawing-of-garageband-for-mac.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/Garageband_for_Mac_-_Shohei_Ochiai_fn1llx\/ochiai-shohei-s-drawing-of-garageband-for-mac.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/Garageband_for_Mac_-_Shohei_Ochiai_fn1llx\/ochiai-shohei-s-drawing-of-garageband-for-mac.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/Garageband_for_Mac_-_Shohei_Ochiai_fn1llx\/ochiai-shohei-s-drawing-of-garageband-for-mac.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/Garageband_for_Mac_-_Shohei_Ochiai_fn1llx\/ochiai-shohei-s-drawing-of-garageband-for-mac.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/Garageband_for_Mac_-_Shohei_Ochiai_fn1llx\/ochiai-shohei-s-drawing-of-garageband-for-mac.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/Garageband_for_Mac_-_Shohei_Ochiai_fn1llx\/ochiai-shohei-s-drawing-of-garageband-for-mac.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/Garageband_for_Mac_-_Shohei_Ochiai_fn1llx\/ochiai-shohei-s-drawing-of-garageband-for-mac.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/Garageband_for_Mac_-_Shohei_Ochiai_fn1llx\/ochiai-shohei-s-drawing-of-garageband-for-mac.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/Garageband_for_Mac_-_Shohei_Ochiai_fn1llx\/ochiai-shohei-s-drawing-of-garageband-for-mac.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 640px\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"img_caption\"><\/p>\n<p>    <span class=\"caption\"><br \/>\n      Ochiai Shohei&#8217;s drawing of GarageBand For Mac.<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"credit\"><br \/>\n      \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>      Courtesy of Ochiai Shohei<\/p>\n<p>  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278960\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            Ochiai Shohei: I first heard about underscores through Kei from the Japanese band YONAWO. He told me, &#8220;There\u2019s this really great artist you need to check out,&#8221; and that was my introduction. When it comes to collaboration, I only want to work with people I genuinely find cool. With underscores, it wasn&#8217;t just the music; it was April\u2019s whole presence, attitude, and vibe. It felt incredibly compelling, and I instinctively knew I wanted to take the opportunity to work together.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            <b>How did you both connect for <i>U<\/i>? What were those early conversations like?<br \/><\/b><br \/>Grey: If memory serves, I think we actually reached out to Shohei to do something for <i>Wallsocket<\/i>, but we weren\u2019t able to make it work! Looking back, I think it may have been a blessing in disguise, actually. <i>Wallsocket<\/i> felt more like a \u201cpainting\u201d album to me \u2013 colors mixing and blurrier lines. <i>U<\/i>, my most recent album, fits Shohei\u2019s art style a lot more.\n          <\/p>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: left;\">\n<\/div>\n<p>\n            Shohei: At first, I initially received a work request from underscores\u2019 manager, but I had to decline it because of my schedule and because the motif was something I\u2019d never attempted before. But I really wanted to create artwork for underscores, so I ended up DMing her directly on Instagram to apologize for declining. I told her, &#8220;Let\u2019s definitely work together someday.&#8221; She replied the same day, and from there, we just started talking occasionally. Eventually, that led to the offer to create the cover for the single \u201cMusic.\u201d\n          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278962\" class=\"content_block paragraph image triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1440,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000856_0_h9hn0s\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000856_0_h9hn0s\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000856_0_h9hn0s\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000856_0_h9hn0s\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000856_0_h9hn0s\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000856_0_h9hn0s\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000856_0_h9hn0s\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000856_0_h9hn0s\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000856_0_h9hn0s\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000856_0_h9hn0s\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000856_0_h9hn0s\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 640px\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"img_caption\"><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"credit\"><\/p>\n<p>      Courtesy of Ochiai Shohei<\/p>\n<p>  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278952\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            <b>Was there a specific moment &#8211; an image, a lyric, or a conversation &#8211; where you both realized what kind of world the album cover should exist in visually?<\/b>\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            Grey: I think of <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> and modern architecture very romantically and I have since I was a child. Shohei\u2019s illustrations of these kinds of technology and architecture feel very romantic to me, almost like drawing something you really love based on a cherished memory of it. I think the waviness of the lines and vibrance of the colors almost give his illustrations an air of childlike wonder. I was exploring this kind of world with <i>U<\/i>, so I thought it made sense to reach out when we were releasing the first single, &#8220;Music!&#8221; It\u2019s been a joy to work with him \u2013 I look at the album on streaming and get really giddy looking at the cover art. I really appreciate his patience working on the <i>U<\/i> cover as well. We went back and forth and I had a lot of notes, haha.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            Shohei: For the two singles (\u201cMusic\u201d and \u201cDO IT\u201d), underscores would propose a motif, and I was given complete freedom to create the artwork. Both were approved in one go! But for the album\u2019s mall setting, the process was much more granular. Since the shops were fictional, we had these deep, detailed conversations. We weren&#8217;t just sharing a vague vision; we were refining specific elements together \u2013 the color of the pillars, the shape of the headphone logo, the exact shade of the floor and the sky. We went through multiple revisions until we were fully satisfied. It felt less like sharing a concept and more like building a physical structure together: underscores was the designer, and I was the on-site director.\n          <\/p>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: left;\">\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278953\" class=\"content_block breaker triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left pull_quote\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"pull_quote\"><p>underscores was the designer, and I was the on-site director. \u2014Ochiai Shohei<\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278964\" class=\"content_block diptych triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper half_gutter_right gutter_btm\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_760,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/793271D3-E395-4BF1-B3BB-9B6F8FA99B30_emg6ei\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/793271D3-E395-4BF1-B3BB-9B6F8FA99B30_emg6ei\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/793271D3-E395-4BF1-B3BB-9B6F8FA99B30_emg6ei\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/793271D3-E395-4BF1-B3BB-9B6F8FA99B30_emg6ei\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/793271D3-E395-4BF1-B3BB-9B6F8FA99B30_emg6ei\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/793271D3-E395-4BF1-B3BB-9B6F8FA99B30_emg6ei\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/793271D3-E395-4BF1-B3BB-9B6F8FA99B30_emg6ei\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/793271D3-E395-4BF1-B3BB-9B6F8FA99B30_emg6ei\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/793271D3-E395-4BF1-B3BB-9B6F8FA99B30_emg6ei\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/793271D3-E395-4BF1-B3BB-9B6F8FA99B30_emg6ei\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/793271D3-E395-4BF1-B3BB-9B6F8FA99B30_emg6ei\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"media_wrapper half_gutter_left\" style=\"\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_760,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/B798FDD2-D0AC-4A98-8F3D-5EA91086435F_rf8hwa\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/B798FDD2-D0AC-4A98-8F3D-5EA91086435F_rf8hwa\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/B798FDD2-D0AC-4A98-8F3D-5EA91086435F_rf8hwa\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/B798FDD2-D0AC-4A98-8F3D-5EA91086435F_rf8hwa\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/B798FDD2-D0AC-4A98-8F3D-5EA91086435F_rf8hwa\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/B798FDD2-D0AC-4A98-8F3D-5EA91086435F_rf8hwa\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/B798FDD2-D0AC-4A98-8F3D-5EA91086435F_rf8hwa\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/B798FDD2-D0AC-4A98-8F3D-5EA91086435F_rf8hwa\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/B798FDD2-D0AC-4A98-8F3D-5EA91086435F_rf8hwa\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/B798FDD2-D0AC-4A98-8F3D-5EA91086435F_rf8hwa\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/B798FDD2-D0AC-4A98-8F3D-5EA91086435F_rf8hwa\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278963\" class=\"content_block diptych triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper half_gutter_right gutter_btm\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_760,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5AA41F83-9F7B-4604-91E3-BFD27D9A4E83_n75vpn\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5AA41F83-9F7B-4604-91E3-BFD27D9A4E83_n75vpn\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5AA41F83-9F7B-4604-91E3-BFD27D9A4E83_n75vpn\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5AA41F83-9F7B-4604-91E3-BFD27D9A4E83_n75vpn\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5AA41F83-9F7B-4604-91E3-BFD27D9A4E83_n75vpn\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5AA41F83-9F7B-4604-91E3-BFD27D9A4E83_n75vpn\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5AA41F83-9F7B-4604-91E3-BFD27D9A4E83_n75vpn\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5AA41F83-9F7B-4604-91E3-BFD27D9A4E83_n75vpn\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5AA41F83-9F7B-4604-91E3-BFD27D9A4E83_n75vpn\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5AA41F83-9F7B-4604-91E3-BFD27D9A4E83_n75vpn\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5AA41F83-9F7B-4604-91E3-BFD27D9A4E83_n75vpn\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"img_caption\"><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"credit\"><\/p>\n<p>      Courtesy of Ochiai Shohei<\/p>\n<p>  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"media_wrapper half_gutter_left\" style=\"\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_760,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5BD4D1B5-D4C4-4B70-972F-74F9FEF910D1_kvztqr\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5BD4D1B5-D4C4-4B70-972F-74F9FEF910D1_kvztqr\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5BD4D1B5-D4C4-4B70-972F-74F9FEF910D1_kvztqr\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5BD4D1B5-D4C4-4B70-972F-74F9FEF910D1_kvztqr\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5BD4D1B5-D4C4-4B70-972F-74F9FEF910D1_kvztqr\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5BD4D1B5-D4C4-4B70-972F-74F9FEF910D1_kvztqr\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5BD4D1B5-D4C4-4B70-972F-74F9FEF910D1_kvztqr\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5BD4D1B5-D4C4-4B70-972F-74F9FEF910D1_kvztqr\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5BD4D1B5-D4C4-4B70-972F-74F9FEF910D1_kvztqr\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5BD4D1B5-D4C4-4B70-972F-74F9FEF910D1_kvztqr\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/5BD4D1B5-D4C4-4B70-972F-74F9FEF910D1_kvztqr\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278954\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            <b>How did you land on the shopping mall for the cover, and what did that space represent for you both?<br \/><\/b><br \/>Grey: I really like to tether all my albums to a real-life locations. It\u2019ll be nice years later to look at a map with all of the different albums, and I like giving the fans someplace to make a pilgrimage to. For fishmonger, it was the smiley water tower in Longport, New Jersey. For <i>Wallsocket<\/i>, it was a horseshoe statue we fabricated in Ann Arbor. For<i> U<\/i>, because some of the album\u2019s themes were city life, homesickness, and luxury, it felt right that this be my San Francisco album. It\u2019s the city I was born and raised in.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            I had gone to the Stonestown Galleria all my life. In high school, I had a ritual where I would walk from my house to the mall while listening to a specific album. It was very sacred to me. I started to become obsessed with the idea of the third album\u2019s location being Stonestown Galleria. Shohei\u2019s elaborate illustrations of the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_new\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CiDERaoLCXm\/?img_index=1\">LUMINE EST shopping mall in Shinjuku<\/a> and a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_new\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DWL_ho9kvq4\/\">Denny\u2019s in Shibuya <\/a>were the primary influences. Until the piece was done, I actually had his LUMINE EST illustration as the temporary cover art on the private link, haha!\n          <\/p>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: left;\">\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278965\" class=\"content_block paragraph image triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1440,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/6D4A57F1-7140-4F9D-943D-224381CE87A7_hmwj8c\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/6D4A57F1-7140-4F9D-943D-224381CE87A7_hmwj8c\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/6D4A57F1-7140-4F9D-943D-224381CE87A7_hmwj8c\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/6D4A57F1-7140-4F9D-943D-224381CE87A7_hmwj8c\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/6D4A57F1-7140-4F9D-943D-224381CE87A7_hmwj8c\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/6D4A57F1-7140-4F9D-943D-224381CE87A7_hmwj8c\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/6D4A57F1-7140-4F9D-943D-224381CE87A7_hmwj8c\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/6D4A57F1-7140-4F9D-943D-224381CE87A7_hmwj8c\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/6D4A57F1-7140-4F9D-943D-224381CE87A7_hmwj8c\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/6D4A57F1-7140-4F9D-943D-224381CE87A7_hmwj8c\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/6D4A57F1-7140-4F9D-943D-224381CE87A7_hmwj8c\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 640px\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278966\" class=\"content_block paragraph image triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1440,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/7C11D667-FFCB-421A-939A-6BE300BCBFF5_pzgebi\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/7C11D667-FFCB-421A-939A-6BE300BCBFF5_pzgebi\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/7C11D667-FFCB-421A-939A-6BE300BCBFF5_pzgebi\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/7C11D667-FFCB-421A-939A-6BE300BCBFF5_pzgebi\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/7C11D667-FFCB-421A-939A-6BE300BCBFF5_pzgebi\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/7C11D667-FFCB-421A-939A-6BE300BCBFF5_pzgebi\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/7C11D667-FFCB-421A-939A-6BE300BCBFF5_pzgebi\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/7C11D667-FFCB-421A-939A-6BE300BCBFF5_pzgebi\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/7C11D667-FFCB-421A-939A-6BE300BCBFF5_pzgebi\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/7C11D667-FFCB-421A-939A-6BE300BCBFF5_pzgebi\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/7C11D667-FFCB-421A-939A-6BE300BCBFF5_pzgebi\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"100vw\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278967\" class=\"content_block paragraph image triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1440,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000860_0_c5zj06\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000860_0_c5zj06\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000860_0_c5zj06\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000860_0_c5zj06\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000860_0_c5zj06\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000860_0_c5zj06\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000860_0_c5zj06\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000860_0_c5zj06\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000860_0_c5zj06\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000860_0_c5zj06\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/S__27000860_0_c5zj06\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"100vw\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278955\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            Shohei: Inside the mall, I incorporated elements inspired by the track titles, as well as spaces like my favorite toy store and DVD shop. I wanted the piece to convey a sense of appeal I feel in underscores\u2019 music \u2013 something that feels contemporary, yet also connected to the everyday moments and experiences we\u2019ve all passed through in our lives. That quality of being somehow nostalgic while also feeling futuristic is, to me, a charm that also runs through all the product design.\n          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content_block paragraph triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: left;\">\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278956\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            <b>Is there a small detail in the album cover that people might miss if they don&#8217;t look closely?<br \/><\/b><br \/>Grey: I really love the guys working behind the counter at the sandwich place.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            Shohei: One detail I personally like is the yellow headphones near the bottom center, which also became the cover for \u201cMusic.\u201d When the artwork was released, some fans noticed it, which made me really happy!\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            <b>The single covers focus on specific objects: a plane, a security camera, headphones. How did you decide what item represented each song?<br \/><\/b><br \/>Grey: All the single cover artworks were items I felt represented the themes of the album as a whole! I loved the idea of having secondary illustrations that were part of the album packaging as well. This album in many ways is a push and pull between minimalism and maximalism, so having minimalist single covers and a maximalist album cover conveyed that well visually, I think.\n          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278968\" class=\"content_block diptych triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper half_gutter_right gutter_btm\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_760,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/do_it_w8ykca\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/do_it_w8ykca\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/do_it_w8ykca\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/do_it_w8ykca\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/do_it_w8ykca\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/do_it_w8ykca\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/do_it_w8ykca\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/do_it_w8ykca\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/do_it_w8ykca\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/do_it_w8ykca\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/do_it_w8ykca\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"img_caption\"><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"credit\"><\/p>\n<p>      Ochiai Shohei<\/p>\n<p>  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"media_wrapper half_gutter_left\" style=\"\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_760,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/music_r8xqhp\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/music_r8xqhp\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/music_r8xqhp\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/music_r8xqhp\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/music_r8xqhp\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/music_r8xqhp\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/music_r8xqhp\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/music_r8xqhp\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/music_r8xqhp\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/music_r8xqhp\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/music_r8xqhp\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw\" alt=\"This is how underscores\u2019s album cover of &lt;i&gt;U&lt;\/i&gt; was made\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"img_caption\"><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"credit\"><\/p>\n<p>      Ochiai Shohei<\/p>\n<p>  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-278957\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            <b>If someone steps into the world of this album through the artwork, what\u2019s the feeling you hope they notice?<br \/><\/b><br \/>Shohei: I want to create works that evoke a sense of warmth. I read an interview with underscores where she said the same thing, and I was very happy. I hope this artwork can bring even a little bit of warmth to those who see it. I hope it offers a sense of satisfaction to people who are no longer fulfilled by more conventional approaches. Through this album, I hope it enriches people\u2019s lives.\n          <\/p>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: left;\">\n<\/div>\n<p>\n            Grey: I think a lot of other people find romanticism in unconventional places and objects. I\u2019d hope those people can find a similar warmth in Ochiai\u2019s artwork for this project.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            \n          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"author\">\n    <span><br \/>\n      By <span class=\"credit_name\">Amelia Garrett<\/span><br \/>\n  <\/span><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Social Media category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thefader.com\/2026\/03\/25\/underscores-u-album-cover-illustrator-process-interview\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inside the process of the musician\u2019s cover with Japanese illustrator Ochiai Shohei. Courtesy of Ochiai Shohei Who would\u2019ve thought that a mall in San Francisco would become a cultural landmark in the world of hyperpop? For April Harper Grey, better known as underscores, Stonestown Galleria wasn&#8217;t just a backdrop for her third album, U \u2014&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":718872,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/c_limit,w_1024\/c_crop,h_1469,w_3000,x_0,y_-31,f_auto,q_auto:eco\/MixCollage-25-Mar-2026-12-02-PM-4676_khz5r9\/MixCollage-25-Mar-2026-12-02-PM-4676_khz5r9.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[28101,87514,120980],"class_list":["post-718871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-social-mediaa","tag-pop","tag-electronic","tag-underscores"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/718871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=718871"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/718871\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/718872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=718871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=718871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=718871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}