Sketch is the debut studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Lilas Ikuta. It was released on March 8, 2023, through Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The album was described as her diary and wings flying freely. Commercially, Sketch peaked at number four on the Oricon Albums Chart and number two on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums.
On January 17, 2023, on the same day as the single "Tanpopo" release, Ikuta announced her debut studio album, titled Sketch, set to be released on March 8. The CD came in two editions—limited and standard.[1] The album's cover artworks—photographed by Toshio Ohno—for each edition and track list were revealed on February 1, including singles released since 2020, and her performance at Japanese edition of MTV Unplugged in November 2022.[2] Ikuta described Sketch's lyrics as her diary from her heart and melodies as wings that allow feelings to fly freely.[3]
To promoted Sketch, Ikuta performed "Sparkle" at Music Station on February 17, 2023,[4] "Jump" at Love Music on March 5,[5] "Lens" at CDTV Live! Live! on March 6,[6] "Answer" and "Tanpopo" at Songs+Plus on March 8.[7] She also gave an interview for the April 2023 issue of Ciao.[8] Four track's music videos were premiered during the album promotion—"Tanpopo" on February 7,[9] "Circle" on March 8,[10] "Answer" on March 25,[11] and "Midnight Talk" on July 5.[12] The singer embarked on her first One Man Tour: Sketch from July 6 to 11 in three cities: Nagoya, Osaka, and Yokohama.[13]
Sketch debuted at number four on the Oricon Albums Chart for the issue dated March 20, 2023, selling 17,750 CD copies,[14] and topped the Digital Albums Chart with 2,583 units.[15] It resulted in the album peaked at number three on the Combined Chart.[16] For Billboard Japan, Sketch entered the Hot Albums dated March 15 at number two, behind NMB48's NMB13.[17] It earned 18,125 physical units, peaked at number four on the Top Albums Sales;[18] and 2,116 downloads, landed at number one on the Download Albums.[19]
