Singer EVAN has released a new cover video of "灰色と青（+菅田将暉）" ("Haiiro to Ao," or "Gray and Blue"), the beloved 2017 collaboration between Kenshi Yonezu and actor-singer Masaki Suda. Posted to his official YouTube channel, the performance has captured attention for its delicate, lyrical interpretation and its vintage-filmed visuals shot against Tokyo's urban backdrop. We've gathered everything that makes this cover worth your time—from the vocal approach EVAN took to the story behind the original song.
The Quick Version
- EVAN released a cover video of Kenshi Yonezu and Masaki Suda's "灰色と青（+菅田将暉）" on his official YouTube channel
- The performance begins restrained and builds to powerful high notes, filmed with a vintage aesthetic across Tokyo streets
- The original song was released digitally on October 11, 2017, ahead of Yonezu's album BOOTLEG, which followed on November 1, 2017
- Yonezu's original music video surpassed 100 million views by March 9, 2019, and later crossed 200 million views by January 23, 2021
- Fans from Korea and internationally have praised EVAN's emotional delivery and subtle vocal expression
What EVAN Brings to "Haiiro to Ao"
EVAN's interpretation of "灰色と青（+菅田将暉）" takes a noticeably different path from Yonezu and Suda's original duet. Where the 2017 version carried the conversational intimacy of two voices trading lines, EVAN's solo rendition leans into a more introspective, lyrical quality. The cover opens with restrained, almost whispered phrasing, allowing the song's melancholy to settle in before gradually building toward the chorus and the song's signature high notes in the later verses.
The video itself mirrors this emotional arc. Shot with what appears to be vintage film or a carefully processed digital treatment, the visuals follow EVAN through various Tokyo streetscapes—quiet alleyways, pedestrian crossings, and urban corners that feel both contemporary and timeless. This aesthetic choice reinforces the song's central theme: the blend of gray (routine, solitude) and blue (longing, hope) that colors everyday life in a big city.
For those unfamiliar with EVAN's work, this cover offers a strong introduction to his vocal style. His control in the quieter passages and his ability to project emotion without oversinging have been highlighted by listeners, particularly those who appreciate nuanced, singer-songwriter-style interpretations of popular material.
The Story Behind the Original Song
Understanding why "灰色と青（+菅田将暉）" resonates so deeply helps explain why EVAN—and many others—have chosen to cover it. Kenshi Yonezu released the song digitally on October 11, 2017, as a pre-release single from his album BOOTLEG, which arrived on November 1, 2017. The collaboration with Masaki Suda, who was already known as an actor but increasingly recognized as a singer, gave the track a unique two-voice dynamic that felt both conversational and cinematic.
The original music video, directed by Kento Yamada, was first screened at a BOOTLEG album preview event on October 10, 2017, and uploaded to YouTube shortly thereafter. The video's moody, lo-fi visuals and Tokyo setting became iconic in their own right, contributing to the song's enduring popularity. By March 9, 2019, the video had crossed 100 million views on YouTube, and by January 23, 2021, it had surpassed 200 million—a testament to the song's staying power in Japanese pop culture and beyond.
Lyrically, "灰色と青" explores the tension between monotony and meaning, routine and connection. The title itself—gray and blue—represents the mixture of everyday mundanity (gray) and fleeting emotional color (blue) that many of us experience, especially in the context of urban life and uncertain relationships. It's this universality, paired with Yonezu's melodic craft and Suda's earnest delivery, that has made the song a favorite for covers across languages and styles.
Why This Song Has Become a Cover Favorite
EVAN's version joins a long list of interpretations by other artists, both in Japan and internationally. The song's structure—gentle verses that open up into soaring choruses—gives vocalists room to showcase both restraint and power. Its emotional accessibility means that listeners don't need to understand Japanese to feel the weight of what's being expressed, which has helped the song travel well beyond its original audience.
We've seen covers from solo singers, duos, and even full bands, each finding something different in the material. Some emphasize the conversational back-and-forth of the original duet; others, like EVAN, treat it as a solo meditation. The song's melodic simplicity—built around clean chord progressions and a memorable hook—makes it approachable for musicians while still leaving space for individual interpretation.
For EVAN, the choice to film in Tokyo's streets rather than in a studio or a more stylized set suggests an intent to ground the song in the same urban landscape that inspired the original. It's a subtle but meaningful nod to the song's themes, and it reinforces the feeling that "灰色と青" isn't just a pop ballad—it's a small portrait of city life and the people navigating it.
What People Are Saying
"The way EVAN starts so quietly and then just opens up in the chorus—it gave me chills. You can really hear every word, every breath. That's what this song needed."
— Fan comment, shared widely on social media
"I love that he kept the Tokyo setting. It feels like he really understood what Yonezu and Suda were going for in the original. The visuals and the voice just fit."
— International listener reaction
"EVAN's vocal tone is so delicate but never weak. He's not trying to do too much, and that restraint is what makes it hit harder. Beautiful cover."
— Korean fan, praising the emotional delivery
"I've heard so many versions of this song, but this one feels personal in a way that's hard to describe. Like he's singing it to himself, not performing it. That's rare."
— Viewer comment
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch EVAN's cover of "Haiiro to Ao"?
The cover video is available on EVAN's official YouTube channel. The exact publication date hasn't been confirmed in all reports, but it was shared widely on social media and covered by multiple outlets in early August 2026.
Who originally sang "Haiiro to Ao"?
The song was originally performed by Kenshi Yonezu with guest vocals by Masaki Suda. It was released digitally on October 11, 2017, and later included on Yonezu's album BOOTLEG, which came out on November 1, 2017.
What does "Haiiro to Ao" mean in English?
"灰色と青" translates to "Gray and Blue." The title reflects the song's lyrical theme of blending everyday monotony (gray) with moments of emotional color and longing (blue), particularly in the context of urban life and relationships.
Has EVAN released other cover songs?
While this cover has drawn significant attention, details about EVAN's full catalog of covers or original work aren't fully outlined in current reports. His official YouTube channel is the best place to explore his other releases.
Why is this song so popular for covers?
The song's emotional depth, melodic accessibility, and universal themes make it a favorite among vocalists. Its structure—quiet verses building to powerful choruses—gives singers room to showcase both control and expressiveness, and its message resonates across languages and cultures.
Why This Cover Matters
EVAN's take on "灰色と青（+菅田将暉）" reminds us why certain songs continue to inspire new interpretations years after their release. By pairing a delicate, lyrical vocal approach with vintage-toned visuals shot in Tokyo, EVAN has created a version that honors the original while carving out its own emotional space. Whether you're a longtime fan of Kenshi Yonezu and Masaki Suda's collaboration or discovering the song for the first time through this cover, there's something worth lingering over in EVAN's restrained, heartfelt delivery.
For those who've been following the song's journey—from its 2017 release to its hundreds of millions of views—this cover offers a fresh reason to revisit a track that has already proven its staying power. And for newcomers, it's an accessible entry point into a song that captures something true about the blend of routine and longing that shapes so much of modern life.
