Capitol surprise drops ‘Pokémon 25: The Red EP’

Vince Staples, Cyn and Mabel join Pokémon’s 25th anniversary celebration

Capitol Records surprise drops Pokémon 25: The Red EP, which features Vince Staples, Cyn and ZHU added to the brand’s 25th anniversary celebration. ZHU will remix the tracks for Pokémon 25: The Blue EP, due later this month. The two EPs reflect 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.

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,” 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. 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,” Staples shares. “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 and a remake of Sixpence None the Richer’s global hit “Kiss Me” for He’s All That – offers up “Wonderful,” a shimmering song that celebrates friendship and the joy of being alive.

“I am so excited to release one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written, ‘Wonderful,’ in celebration of 25 years of Pokémon!” Cyn states. “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,” adds 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.

  1. Mabel – Take It Home
  2. Cyn – Wonderful
  3. Vince Staples – Got ‘Em

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com