POKÉMON 25: THE RED EP – FEATURING SONGS BY VINCE STAPLES, CYN AND MABEL – OUT TODAY
Three new artists have joined Pokémon’s 25th-anniversary. Vince Staples, Cyn and ZHU. Staples and Cyn contribute exclusive new songs to Pokémon 25: The Red EP, which was released today. The EP also features Mabel’s song “Take It Home,” which was unveiled last month. View Pokémon 25: The Red EP visualizers on YouTube HERE.
Reflecting the longstanding tradition of dual releases for the core Pokémon video game series, with each featuring nuanced differences from the other, and paying homage to the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue video games, Pokémon 25: The Blue EP will follow later this month. It will feature remixes of The Red EP songs by GRAMMY-nominated recording artist ZHU, who is fresh off the release of his third album, DREAMLAND 2021, and a sold-out, six-night stand at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
The songs from The Red EP will appear on the upcoming P25 Music compilation album, which will be released this autumn by Capitol Records as part of a massive, yearlong music campaign from The Pokémon Company International in partnership with Universal Music Group. ZHU’s remixes will be included on the digital edition of the album. Vince Staples, Cyn and ZHU take their places alongside fellow P25 artists Katy Perry, Post Malone, J Balvin, and Mabel.
On the atmospheric, melodic “Got ‘Em,” Vince Staples faces life’s challenges head-on, drawing inspiration from iconic Pokémon characters Mew and Raichu. Staples recently released his self-titled, fourth album out now via Blacksmith Recordings/Motown Records. Garnering positive reviews from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NPR Music and NME among others, the LP debuted as the No. 1 Current Rap Album and landed at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 Chart week of release. Staples is also currently working on bringing his dramedy, The Vince Staples Show, to Netflix.
“I’ve always been a fan of Pokémon, so it was particularly special to be asked to take part in this 25th-anniversary celebration,” said Vince Staples. “I’m excited for people to hear ‘Got ‘Em,’ and hope the song resonates with fans, especially those who grew up with Pokémon like I did.”
Cyn – who is signed to Katy Perry’s Unsub Records and recently contributed two songs to the soundtrack for the Oscar-winning film Promising Young Woman – offers up “Wonderful,” a shimmering song that celebrates friendship and the joy of being alive.
Cyn shares, “I am so excited to release one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written, ‘Wonderful,’ in celebration of 25 years of Pokémon! This song is special to me because I feel it comments on growing pains while also emphasizing a destination of grace and a beautiful journey to it— eggs hatch when they want to or in other words, when they are ready. When I wrote this song, my newborn baby son was in the room— I can hear the influence of becoming a new mother in the music, it will always ring special for me.”
“The Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue video games introduced the world to Pokémon 25 years ago and we wanted to recognize that important part of the franchise in our 25th-anniversary celebrations within the P25 Music campaign,” said Colin Palmer, vice president of marketing, The Pokémon Company International. “Pokémon fans will appreciate the nod to the first Pokémon video games with these EPs, while music fans will enjoy new songs and remixes from exciting artists on these dual collections.”
The Red EP kicks off with “Take It Home,” an original song from BRIT Award recipient Mabel. PAPER Magazine noted, “to say it’s a bop would be a complete understatement…‘Take It Home’ is packed with bright and buoyant beats.” The official video, People Magazine observed, “finds the star chasing Jigglypuff into a Wonderland-style dreamworld full of colorful ensembles and pop star choreography.”
Fans can keep up with the latest news for P25 Music and more celebrations across the franchise on Pokémon’s 25th-anniversary website at Pokemon.com/25. Pokémon 25: The Blue EP can be pre-saved at https://CapitolRecords.lnk.to/saveP25PR/.
Pokémon and music fans are invited to join the conversation online with @Pokemon and #Pokemon25.
Pokémon 25: The Red EP Tracklist
1. Mabel – Take It Home
2. Cyn – Wonderful
3. Vince Staples – Got ‘Em
Vince Staples Photo Credit: Tyree Harris
Cyn Photo Credit: Jerry Maestas
ZHU Photo Credit: Joey Vitalari