NIKO RUBIO KICKS OFF NEW ERA WITH HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED SINGLE, “TOKYO”
Acclaimed Mexican/Salvadoran-American singer-songwriter Niko Rubio kicks off her next era with today’s premiere of her highly-anticipated new single, “tokyo” via Atlantic Records. Produced by Austin Ward (UMI, Erick The Architect) and longtime collaborator Lester Mendez (Shakira, Jewel, Nelly Furtado, Enrique Iglesias) and co-written by Olivia Bond, the kaleidoscopic track has proven an immediate internet sensation through a series of teasers, generating over 5M views across Instagram and TikTok, thousands of user-generated videos, and tens of thousands of new social media followers. Garnering acclaim from artists and fans alike, the song sees Rubio explore a sound that integrates sonic elements from her previous EPs, weaving trip-hop, reggae, pop, and soul genres. The song is joined by an official music video, which was also directed by Bond, streaming now on YouTube HERE.
“‘tokyo’ is a song about tripping,” shares Niko Rubio. “I really wanted to make a sexy dreamy debut album, and ‘tokyo’ is my dreamy psychedelic intro to my trip hop // reggae album, and I’m super happy people really seem to get it, and I’m so excited!!”
“tokyo” follows the recent arrival of “Fade Into You (Live From Honeysuckle Records),” a sultry live rendition of the Mazzy Star classic. The deeply personal version – which Rubio performed nightly on her debut headline tour earlier this spring – marked her first new music since this spring’s release of her critically acclaimed EP, Sunday Girl. The six-song project instantly affirmed the Los Angeles, CA-based artist as one of 2026’s most exciting new stars thanks to hits including “Pink Starburst,” “Five Star” and the irresistible title track, “Sunday Girl,” the latter of which was met with praise from outlets including HOLA! and Rolling Stone (which touted it among its “Songs You Need To Know” playlist).
Rubio, who recently graced the front page of the New York Times’ Style section and was hailed as “SoCal’s First Exciting New Pop Star Since Gwen Stefani,” celebrated the arrival of Sunday Girl with her first-ever headline run, The Sunday Girl Tour, which saw sold-out stops at iconic venues, including New York City’s Mercury Lounge and Los Angeles, CA’s The Echo. During her Los Angeles hometown show, she was joined onstage by singer-songwriter Cuco for a live take on their collaborative fan favorite, “Sirena,” as well as by Incubus co-founder/guitarist Mike Einziger, who accompanied her for a once-in-a-lifetime rendition of Incubus’ iconic indie classic, “Drive.” Additionally, Rubio took the stage at Los Angeles’ historic Hollywood Bowl to join her friend Zuri Marley for a “Reggae Night XXIV” performance of their hit collaboration, “Ring Ring.”
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