Aili & Orson target screen addiction and digital overload on new single "Keitai"

“Keitai” (Japanese for mobile phone) zeroes in on a ubiquitous modern reality: the smartphone is everywhere. It lives in our palms, our pockets, and on top of our tables. We take it with us to the toilet like a best friend, leave it on our nightstands, and let it constantly interrupt human interaction. More often than not, we check our screens in the middle of a conversation, gazing blindly without any particular goal, acting as if whatever is happening on our screen is more important than the person right in front of us. We’ve outsourced the way we think and interact with people to companies whose profits depend on our endless scrolling habits.

Born out of a broader fatigue with the pressure to stay relevant and keep producing in a hyper-stimulated world, “Keitai” reflects on how modern life pulls us apart, causing us to lose sight of genuine connection. Yet, true to Aili & Orson’s signature style, they transform this social critique into an infectious, kinetic groove with tongue-in-cheek charm.

Musically, the track serves as vibrant bridge merging European leftfield electronics with retro Japanese City Pop nostalgia. Warm orchestral synths and quirky drum machines, reminiscent of nineties video game soundtracks, blend seamlessly with Aili’s melancholic yet energetic vocals, blurring language barriers and turning the track into an addictive, layered pop tune.

"Keitai" is out today via Eskimo Recordings.

The release is accompanied by an avant-garde music video exploring digital overstimulation and mass consumption. Set in a surreal, dystopian sushi restaurant, smartphones are fried in pans, earbuds are chopped as ingredients, and glowing screens are served on the counter.

While brainwashed customers are consumed by their devices, Aili & Orson drift through an abstract, psychedelic digital stream, completely surrendering to the musical flow.

Tour dates

• 10.12.26 — NYOKOBOP, Paris (FR)
• 13.02.27 — Footprints Festival, Utrecht (NL)
• 26.02.27 — Mezz (Pier 15 Skate Park), Breda (NL)
• 28.02.27 — Simplon, Groningen (NL)
• 01.03.27 — Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)
• 10.03.27 — Ancienne Belgique, Brussels (BE)

About Aili & Orson

Aili & Orson are a Belgian-Japanese electro-pop duo consisting of Aili Maruyama and Orson Wouters. Forged in the Belgian alternative club scene and rooted in the nuances of Japanese culture, the duo seamlessly bridges two distinct worlds, creating a colourful sonic universe where language barriers dissolve into infectious energy. Their debut track "Dansu" spent 8 weeks at the top of Radio 1's VOX list in Belgium, and the EP caught the attention of Tokyo-based creative label TOKA, who released a special edition in Japan.

Building on this success, 2024 brought the release of Aili & Orson’s first album Nandakke?. A genre-trampling sonic riot, the debut album went straight to #1 on KCRW’s Top 30 Album Chart in the US, whilst its singles picked up heavy daytime rotation on KEXP, BBC Radio 6 Music, and Nova France. Out of the studio, the band’s energetic live performances wowed audiences across Europe, Mexico, and Japan, before they were invited to join L'Impératrice on tour, packing out iconic rooms like L’Olympia in Paris, Melkweg in Amsterdam, and the Roundhouse in London. Aili & Orson are now ready to open the next chapter of their story with their second album, set for release in early 2027.