FRIENDSHIP.

Qnel

Qnel is the solo project of Tokyo-based singer-songwriter, producer, and guitarist Kensuke Takahashi.
After working as a guitarist for LUCKY TAPES, he launched Qnel in earnest through track making and production work. Drawing on the delicate sense of groove he developed as a guitarist, along with cinematic depictions of everyday life, Qnel creates a sound where soul, R&B, and city pop blend with urban stillness and nostalgia.
He released his debut album Siesta in 2023.
“Highway feat. Kengo Kamanaka (DENIMS)” was selected as the weather theme song for Nippon TV’s NNN Straight News, while “Hadaka no Oh! Summer feat. Isono-kun (YONA YONA WEEKENDERS)” was featured on the cover of Spotify’s Soul Music Japan, drawing attention through collaborations that cross genre and scene.
As a guitarist, he has also participated in recordings and live performances for artists including Superfly, NOA, Ayumu Imazu, and Tokimeki Records.
The name Qnel comes from the Japanese phrase “kuu, neru” (“eat, sleep”), reflecting the idea that music, too, should be something that quietly stays close to everyday life.

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