Forever (Luna Sea song)

"Forever"
Single by Luna Sea
ReleasedMay 29, 2026
GenreRock
Length4:43
LabelAvex Trax
SongwriterLuna Sea
ProducerLuna Sea
Luna Sea singles chronology
"The Beyond"
(2020)		 "Forever"
(2026)

"Forever" is the twenty-second single by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released by Avex Trax on May 29, 2026. It is the band's first release of new material in six years and their first following the February 2026 death of Shinya, although his drums parts, which were recorded years earlier, are featured. It sold more than 10,500 copies and reached number four on both the Oricon Singles Chart and Billboard Japan's Top Singles Sales chart.

Overview

After announcing that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in September 2025, Luna Sea drummer Shinya died on February 17, 2026.[1][2] The band later announced that they would continue activities per his wishes.[3] On April 17, Luna Sea announced "Forever" via a YouTube video where each band member discussed the song and their future.[4] Vocalist Ryuichi estimated that bassist J had brought the song to the band five or ten years earlier, at which point Shinya helped create a demo tape.[5]

The song was mixed by Steve Lillywhite, who previously produced Luna Sea's album Cross and mixed their self-cover versions of the albums Mother and Style. Lillywhite said working on the track was emotional, as he was fully aware that it was Shinya's final performance with Luna Sea, and called it one of his favorite songs by the band that he has worked on.[6] The single's B-side, "Forever (Instrumental)", marks the first time Luna Sea included an instrumental version of one of their songs.

Release

"Forever" was released on May 29, 2026.[7] The cover art features a landscape image depicting a snow-covered inlet, illuminated by the morning sun, with five eagles flying through the sky, seemingly representing the five members of the band.[8] It is Luna Sea's first new material in six years, following "Make a Vow", and their first single since 2020's "The Beyond".

On the same day the single was released, Luna Sea played the song live for the first time in their hometown of Hadano, Kanagawa, at the Hadano City Cultural Hall.[9] It was the opening day of their sold-out Unending Journey -Forever- tour, which will see 33 shows in 22 cities, before ending on October 18.[10][11] Each venue played on the tour features an exclusive version of the "Forever" single with different cover art that is available exclusively to members of the band's fanclub.[7] An additional four-date leg of the tour, subtitled To Rise, will take place in December at World Memorial Hall and Ariake Arena.[11]

Reception

"Forever" debuted at number four on both the Oricon Singles Chart and Billboard Japan's Top Singles Sales chart, with 10,594 copies sold.[12][13] It peaked at number 78 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.[14]

Fumiaki Kurubayashi of Real Sound described "Forever" as having a "grand" feeling due to its strings and emotional vocals, and wrote that its beautiful melody conveys a determination to move forward after a period of sorrow, therefore signaling a new beginning for Luna Sea.[15] His colleague Hiroko Goto, called the song a "straightforward, classic rock ballad", but noted Lillywhite's mix gives it a grandeur that sets it apart from the other ballads in the band's catalogue. She described Ryuichi's vocals as riding smoothly over Shinya's drum rhythms, Inoran's guitar tones as delicately coloring the track, while Sugizo's guitar solo overflows with emotion, and noted that J's bass provides a solid core while his powerful backing vocals leave a strong impact.[16]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Luna Sea.

  1. "Forever" - 4:43
    Originally composed by J.
  2. "Forever (Instrumental)" - 4:43

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ "LUNA SEAの真矢、逝去". Barks (in Japanese). February 23, 2026. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Luna Sea Drummer Shinya Dies at 56; Powerful Drummer Behind 'Desire,' Other Hits". The Japan News. The Yomiuri Shimbun. February 23, 2026. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  3. ↑ "響きわたる「真矢ー!」の大コール LUNA SEA、真矢さんの思い胸に熱演【ライブレポート】". Oricon (in Japanese). March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  4. ↑ "LUNA SEA、約6年ぶりとなる新曲「FOREVER」リリース発表 東京ドーム公演での"約束"実現". Oricon (in Japanese). April 17, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  5. ↑ "真矢お別れの会で石黒彩、LUNA SEA、西川貴教、松岡充、土屋昌巳ら思い語る". Music Natalie (in Japanese). May 14, 2026. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  6. ↑ "LUNA SEA、新曲「FOREVER」のミックスはグラミー6冠の世界的音楽プロデューサー"スティーヴ・リリーホワイト"". Barks (in Japanese). May 11, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  7. 1 2 "BLUNA SEA、6年ぶりとなる新曲「FOREVER」を5月29日にリリース". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). April 17, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  8. ↑ "LUNA SEA、新曲「FOREVER」ジャケット公開。真矢のドラミングが重なるティザー映像も". Barks (in Japanese). May 9, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  9. ↑ "LUNA SEA、"地元"秦野で初の凱旋ライブ ツアー初日公演で6年ぶり新曲「FOREVER」も初披露". Oricon (in Japanese). May 29, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  10. ↑ "歩みを止めないLUNA SEA、新たなツアーで全国22都市へ". Music Natalie (in Japanese). March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  11. 1 2 "LUNA SEAが神奈川県秦野市に初凱旋！SLAVEと熱狂の宴、真矢の思いも連れて新たな旅へ". Music Natalie (in Japanese). June 5, 2026. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  12. ↑ オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2026年05月25日～2026年05月31日 [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking May 25, 2026 – May 31, 2026] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on June 3, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales│Charts│Billboard Japan". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot 100│Charts│Billboard Japan". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  15. ↑ "LUNA SEAは"歩みを止めない"　5羽の渡り鳥、新曲「FOREVER」に込められた決意を紐解く". Real Sound (in Japanese). May 28, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  16. ↑ "LUNA SEA、BUCK-TICK、hide with Spread Beaver、MALICE MIZER……仲間との別れの先に届けられた新曲". Real Sound (in Japanese). June 12, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
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