A Music Label Exploring Sleep and Music Through Emotion and Science

Music: Collaborations with musicians and artists.
Experience: Creating experiences related to sleep music.
Laboratory: Exploring the scientific connection between sleep and music.
Combining these three aspects to create a new cultural platform focused on sleep and music.

Issue

Bringing Sleep Music into Culture

The sleep market has rapidly grown, driven by technological advancements and increasing health awareness. Building on the DNA of past projects like "Sleep-inducing Playlists / sasayaki lullaby" and "ZZZN - LISTEN AND SLEEP - Live Events", a new platform was created to explore the untapped cultural value of sleep and music.

To mark the launch of the new label, an original album was released, and live events were held to celebrate the creation of sleep music as a new cultural movement.

Creation

Artist-Curated Sleep-Inspired EP

The first release from the new label, ZZZN EP Vol.1, features original tracks by multiple artists, including Chara, each exploring the theme of "sleep" as their creative inspiration.

Title: ZZZN EP Vol.1
Tracks: 6 songs
Distribution: Available on 55 music platforms across 185 countries

Tracklist:

sleep theme from ZZZN / ZZZN
あなたのいちぶになりたい (Anata no Ichibu ni Naritai)
Boy / Le Makeup
あなたのいちぶになりたい - Instrumental - (Anata no Ichibu ni Naritai - Instrumental) / Chara
Boy - Instrumental - / Le Makeup
あなたのいちぶになりたい - Yumi Iwaki Remix - (Anata no Ichibu ni Naritai - Yumi Iwaki Remix) / Chara

Label Launch Press Event & Sleep-Inspired Live Performance

On World Sleep Day (March 15, 2024), NTT East Japan, NTT DX Partners, and Konel came together through the Sleep Network Hub “ZAKONE” to announce the launch of the new label SLEEP SOUND LABEL ZZZN and the release of its first EP, ZZZN EP Vol.1.

During the press event, Chara, a featured artist on ZZZN EP Vol.1, performed a live set. A special guest talk session with Chara explored the creative possibilities between sleep and music.

The event featured mattresses, sofas, and blankets for attendees. Lighting synchronized with biological data collected via the Brain Sleep Coin sleep tracking device created an immersive, sleep-inducing experience.

A Website That Guides You to Sleep with Music

Serving as a hub for the label's projects and music archives, the website also acts as a platform for sleep music. To convey this concept, it incorporates atmospheric visuals and effects related to sleep.

The theme color is a soft blue, chosen for its calming effect on the mind and body. The label's logo gently drifts down from the top of the page after a certain period, creating the sensation of falling into slumber. Black speech bubbles partially cover the page, representing the blurred visuals often experienced when feeling drowsy.

Technology

Spatial Visuals Synchronized with Biometrics data

Using the "Brain Sleep Coin" sleep monitoring device, participants' biometrics (ambient temperature, body movement, posture) are tracked in real-time. A system was created where red lights in the event space slowly pulse in response to these data. The lights dim as participants approach a sleep-like state and turn off 10 minutes after falling asleep. These red lights are also synchronized with the music performance, integrating data into the overall experience.

Future

Expanding the Sleep Market through Music

Future plans include releasing new tracks from artists and producers, hosting sleep-themed music events for specific regions and companies, and conducting research to further explore music's potential.

Additionally, background music tailored to accommodation environments will be created and distributed, and immersive sound concept rooms will be designed.

We seek to further our efforts in addressing Japan's sleep challenges through industry collaboration.