"Senko (Flash)," singer/songwriter UA's first single in three years, further cements her status as one of J-pop's most enigmatic and original artists. Released July 24, "Senko" is a dark, moody piece that's half tone poem and half pop song. UA and co-producer Rei Harakami have created a sparse, ambient-ish soundscape for "Senko," which is a very uncommercial six minutes and seven seconds long.

You've got to give UA credit for being uncompromising and unconventional in making "Senko" her comeback single. I'd be surprised if it rose very high in the charts, though -- it's just too left-field. For example, to say that the lyrics to "Senko" are oblique would be an understatement. A few sample lines: "Like the thawing snow/The light that shines into my depths/Comes from beyond the single line that lies deep within your eyes."

UA's new album, "Dorobo (Thief)", is very much in the same vein as "Senko" -- low-key, almost in the chill-out mode, with hints of jazz here and there. Throughout the album, UA sounds very laid-back, verging on lethargic at times. A good album for late-night listening, "Dorobo" is out Sept. 19.