NND (mostly Gen 2.5!) translations

noodle/Kim | long translation dump of @kimchi_noodles on Twitter (please ask permission first before using my translations!) https://kimchinoodles.carrd.co/

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] uki3/ewe ft. Hatsune Miku - taikou (arazome) train

The reading of 退紅 in the Japanese title “退紅トレイン” can be read as either “taikou” meaning light red, or “arazome” meaning light crimson dye. “Taikou” is the agreed-upon reading by listeners, however.

Listen to the song on Youtube here.

Romaji and English lyrics under the cut!

Romaji

kiteki ga natte kodomo ni natte ochitsuki no nai yokogao miteta doko ka ni itte shimaou kashira ukiashidatsu tori ARISUTOTERESU

mukuwarenakatta shashin sutete hachiban-gai no kyuukou ni notte nureta kippu  akairo MAFURAA shuutakugai ni SHUGAA SHUGAA HIRUTON

KARUTO jiten o nagamete sugosu amattarui nioi no HANII CHUROSU kaban ni hatta ringo no SHIIRU tsumetaku natta hana no saki yureru yureru kemuri agete kimi o sagasu  kisha wa hashira

fukusuibon ni hakamairi nagareru namida basho de ocha shimasen koto kurukuru mawaru sharin o oikakete tsugi no eki made hitonemuri desho?

kimi ga naku natte iku NEONBIIMU de terashite kimi ga naku natte iku nido to modoru koto wa nai

Kyouto ni itte odango tabete ushiro ni tatte dakishimetakute doko ka de atte inakatta ka na etsuran kinshi MARIAAJU

toori sugite iku SHUGAA HIRUTON yande irassharu  nani o ossharu shinrigaku nara SUTEREOMOODO itsu no ma ni yara shibarare soudou

fukusuibon ni hakamairi Nakameguro wa mada mada HAIKARA desu koto kurakura shichau anata o oikakete tsugi no eki made hitoyasumi desho?

kimi ga naku natte iku NEONBIIMU de terashite kimi ga naku natte iku nido to modoru koto wa nai

oto o tatete hashiru kisha wa samishii machi o oite yuku desho kimi no hoo ga  nagai kami ga benihana no aka ni somaru made somaru made

fukusuibon ni hakamairi nagareru namida basho de ocha shimasen koto kurukuru mawaru sharin o oikakete tsugi no eki made hitonemuri desho?

fukusuibon ni hakamairi nagareru namida fuita anata wa doko na no kurukuru mawaru ashita o oikakete tsugi no eki made hitonemuri desho?

kimi ga naku natte iku NEONBIIMU de terashite boku o ushinatte iku nido to modoru koto wa nai

English

The steam whistle blows, making me feel as excited as a child I looked at everyone else’s profiles, all looking uneasy Shall we go somewhere? Birds becoming restless, Aristotles

Throwing away the photos that never paid off Hopping on an express train on 8th Avenue A soaking wet ticket, a red muffler To the residential district we go, Sugar Sugar Hilton

Killing off time looking at a cult manual Smelling the sickly sweet smell of honey churros An apple sticker on a bag The tip of my nose has gone cold

Rattling, rattling, smoke comes out The steam train runs on, searching for you

*Visiting a grave after what’s gone is gone Would you like to have some tea here, where my tears fall? Chasing after spinning train wheels A nap is in order until the next station, right?

You’re fading away Shined on by a neon beam You’re fading away Never to return again

Going to Kyoto, a dango in my mouth Wanting to hug you from behind Haven’t we met before? A marriage with prohibited access

Sugar Hilton passing I’m getting depressed - What are you saying? In psychological terms, I’m in stereo mode A turmoil tied up unawares

*Visiting a grave after what’s gone is gone **Nakameguro is still full of aesthetics as ever Chasing after you while you’re in a daze We can take a break until the next station, right?

You’re fading away Shined on by a neon beam You’re fading away Never to return again

The noisy stream train Shall be leaving this lonely town Until your cheeks, your long hair Are dyed in safflower red In safflower red

*Visiting a grave after what’s gone is gone Would you like to have some tea here, where my tears fall? Chasing after spinning train wheels A nap is in order until the next station, right?

*Visiting a grave after what’s gone is gone You’ve wiped my tears away but where have you gone? Chasing after the spinning wheels of tomorrow A nap is in order until the next station, right?

You’re fading away Shined on by a neon beam I’m losing myself Never to return again

Translation notes:

*Fukusuibon ni hakamairi / Visiting a grave after what’s gone is gone - The line comes from “Fukusuibon ni kaerazu” which is the Japanese equivalent of the English expression “No use crying over spilt milk.” “Bon” here can also refer to the Obon Festival, which is held every summer for families to visit the graves of their departed loved ones. Combined, the message of this line could be “What is done cannot be undone; the dead can never be brought back to life, so all you can do is visit their grave.”

**Nakameguro is a residential district in Tokyo known for stylish cafés and stores, and especially its cherry blossom trees that form a tunnel over a river.

There are a lot of theories about what the song is really about, but one theory suggests that the narrator of the song is reviewing their whole life through a train before they pass away, presumably experiencing loss themselves beforehand since they seem to be looking for someone throughout the song.

The reason why “taikou” is the most preferred reading of the title is because it is also the reading of the word 退行 “taikou”, which means “to regress to one’s infantile state of mind.” This is coherent with the “kodomo ni natte” part in the first line (which literally means “to become a child”), suggesting that they start the journey viewing their life from their childhood to old age in the last few lines, “I’m losing myself / Never to return again.”

I read the notes from the comments in atwiki to figure out the meaning of the song, by the way!

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] Niku Chomoranma - Suki ni Natte yo (Fall in Love with Me)

Vocals by Niku Chomoranma (Meychan, Kony, Gero). Song by HoneyWorks

Listen to the song from on Youtube here.

REMINDER: Please ask me for permission first before reposting these translations to other sites or translating into other languages. My DMs here or on Twitter are always open.

Honestly this is another occurrence of me translating something on a whim before finding out that there’s already an English fan translation of it. To be fair, I did search if a translation has already been done before working on it, but nothing showed up until after I translated it and found a translation on Twitter. So if you find this, then hurray I guess.

Romaji and English lyrics under the cut.

Legend:

Gero’s lines are in green text

Meychan’s lines are in orange text

Kony’s lines are in red text

Lines that everyone sang together are in black text

Romaji

motto suki ni natte yo miteru dake ja nakute sa kimi no kouhyouka hoshikute APIIRU mo taiatari

saa egao ni naru DEETO iya na koto datte wasurechau kaeremasen! kaeshimasen!! taikutsu nante arienai

kimi ga yasero to iu nara yasemasu SUTORESU kara no tate ni narimasu waraimono ni datte natte yaru sa sasureba motto boku no toriko

kokuhaku matteru ze? aa mada ka naa?

motto suki ni natte yo miteru dake ja nakute sa kimi no kouhyouka hoshikute APIIRU mo taiatari

otoko migake tanren mokuhyou wa chomoranma!? dare ka no saikai de mo kimi no naka de yuushou

terechau kedo kiite hoshii kokoro komete utau kara todoku you ni hibiku you ni yorokonda kao mitai na

kimi ga tabero to iu nara tabemasu fuku mo nugisute sarake dashimasu waraimono ni datte natte yaru sa HAATO wa tunku to shintenkai

junbi wa dekiteru ze are? mada ka na

motto aite ni shite yo sukima jikan ja nakute sa boku wa teihyouka sou na no? APIIRU ga tarinai no?

ai no dokusen keiyaku mokuhyou wa ORINPIKKU!? dare ka no saikai de mo kimi no naka de yuushou

wasurenaide misutenaide kirawanaide namida dechau

kimi to mitai keshiki sugu soko ni aru kara kami-sama ni chikaimasu egao tayashimasen

kimi ga shine to iu nara... shinemasen!! kimi o tanoshimasenakya nande okubyou da to iwaretatte ii sa itsuka kizuku sa kono miryoku

PROPOOZU sarechau!? Haa, sunda ze!

motto suki ni natte yo miteru dake ja nakute sa kimi no kouhyouka hoshikute hoshisugite aa mou!

otoko migake tanren mokuhyou wa chomoranma!? dare ka no saikai de mo kimi no naka de yuushou

English

Fall deeper in love with me Looking won’t get you anywhere I want you to give me your thumbs up So I gotta go all out on my appeal, too

Let’s go on a date that’ll make you smile We’ll forget everything, even the unpleasant things Can’t go home! Won’t let you go home!! There’s no way we’ll ever get bored

If you tell me to get into shape, then I will I can be your shield against all of your stress I’ll even let myself become a laughing stock for you If that’s the case, then you’ll fall further into my trap

I’m waiting for your confession Man, how much longer?

Fall deeper in love with me Looking won’t get you anywhere I want you to give me your thumbs up So I gotta go all out on my appeal, too

We’re training to become real men Our goal will be Mt. Everest(!?) Even if I’m in somebody’s last place At least I’ll be number one in your heart

It’s embarrassing, but please listen For I’ll be singing my heart out To get my feelings through; to resonate with you I want to see you become happy

If you tell me to eat something, then I’ll eat it I’ll even fling my clothes off and expose myself I’ll even let myself become a laughing stock for you Entering a new development into your heart with a “thump!”

I’m ready when you are Huh? Not yet?

Be with me more Let’s be together outside of our spare time Am I gonna get a thumbs down? Could I possibly be lacking in appeal?

Let’s sign an exclusive contract for your love We’re aiming for the Olympics(!?) Even if I’m in somebody’s last place At least I’ll be number one in your heart

Don’t forget me Don’t leave me alone Don’t come to hate me Or else my tears will fall

The view I want to see with you Is just around the corner I’ll swear upon god That I won’t let your smile disappear

If you tell me to go to hell... I refuse! ‘Cause it’s my duty to entertain you instead Let’em call me a coward or whatever they want I’m sure they’ll finally notice my charm one day

Is this a proposal!? Huh, then it’s settled!

Fall deeper in love with me Looking won’t get you anywhere I want you to give me your thumbs up I want it so bad, aww man!

We’re training to become real men Our goal will be Mt. Everest(!?) Even if I’m in somebody’s last place At least I’ll be number one in your heart

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] Guiano & Yuuki Miyake - S.O.S.

Listen to the song from the album Love & Music -DISC2- on Spotify here.

REMINDER: Please ask me for permission first before reposting these translations to other sites or translating into other languages. My DMs here or on Twitter are always open.

I translated this song in March along with Hallelujah (from the same album), and I was gonna post it when I found out that someone already translated it. I found the file on my Google Drive again six months later and went “why not post this,” so here we are. I didn’t edit anything since March, just so you know.

Romaji and English lyrics under the cut.

Romaji:

boku to onaji gurai no kodomo ga jun o nigitte nerai o sadame hito no atama o uchinuite iru boku to onaji you ni karera ni mo taisetsu na hito ga kitto ite sono hito o omotte hikigane o hiite iru

ai shite iru hito no tame boku wa hito o koroseru darou ka ai shite iru hito no tame boku wa GITAA o suterareru no ka

boku ga konna koto o kangaeteru aida ni datte sa bakudan wa kare no hito no katachi o ubatte iru ochikobore no boku ga nounou to iki o shiteru no ni bakudan wa karera no mirai o kowashiteku

ai shite iru hito ga itara boku wa hito o koroseru darou ka ai shite iru hito ga itara boku wa GITAA o suterareru no ka

zenjinrui o kimi no tame bakudan de korosu hi ga itsuka kuru no kamo shirenai boku to onaji you ni hito o ai shiteru dare ka no atama o neratte hikigane o hikeru darou ka kao o mite hikigane o hikeru darou ka kimi o mamoru tame ni hikigane o hikeru darou ka kimi o mamoru tame ni hito o koroseru darou ka

ai shite iru hito no tame boku wa hito o koroseru darou ka ai shite iru hito no tame boku wa GITAA o suterareru no ka

English:

I saw a child about my age hold a gun and aim at someone’s head, Shooting their brains out I can imagine that they have someone they cherish like I do And that they pulled the trigger for their sake

If it’s for the sake of someone I love, Will I be able to kill a person? If it’s for the sake of someone I love, Will I be able to give up my guitar?

Even while I spent my time pondering about these things, A bomb already blew away what’s left of him Even though a lowlife like me continues to live carelessly, Bombs continue to destroy what’s left of their future

If I ever had someone I love, Will I be able to kill a person? If I ever had someone I love, Will I be able to give up my guitar?

Someday, all for your sake, I might eventually kill all of mankind with a bomb I wonder if I could pull the trigger at someone else’s head Knowing that they have someone they love like I do Will I be able to pull the trigger on their head while looking at their face? If it’s to protect you, will I be able to pull the trigger? If it’s to protect you, will I be able to kill someone?

If it’s for the sake of someone I love, Will I be able to kill a person? If it’s for the sake of someone I love, Will I be able to give up my guitar?

[kimchi-noodles]

Hi! I would like to repost your lyrics for Fukakouryoku by Vaundy in Letras com. It's a brazilian website for latin american lyric searchers like me. I will credit you as the author of course :D May I?

aaaa sorry i didn't see this sooner but yeah, sure! :) Thank you for coming all the way to ask.

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] MI8k - CUPID POWER - Enter

Listen to the song on Spotify here.

REMINDER: Please ask me for permission first before reposting these translations to other sites or translating into other languages. My DMs here or on Twitter are always open.

Romaji and English lyrics under the cut.

Romaji:

aa wasurete ite yokatta omoi dashitakunai yo aa kiri suteta kyuushuu kikan kanjiru koto mo naku doko e iku tte minna mou shitterukimi ya tousantachi wa kaette konai kara sagasu dake

koko wa kitto omoide no namikimichi da hai to nari mau sakura mo ima boku no naka dake me ni mienai hoshi o kowashita batsu da

kirei ni jundo mashita kumorizora mo tatta ichiyoru de moto ni modoru nante yume mite tada sagasu anata o

aa nani mo nai kouhai shita eiga no naka mitai ni aa shinu mae ni ichido de mo misete hoshikatta kibou o

dare mo shiranai mienai ai wa ima doushitenda akumu nante maiban miru yo doushite sa sensou nanka shite kareta mirai ni omoi o hasete iru yo

nozonde inai katachi de ashita ga kitatte  tashikamerareru bokura no ashi de dou ka mada owaranaide yo yume o hiroi hiroi sekai e

dare ka TAIMUMASHIN de bokura o sukutte saigen nai hametsu mo ima wasuretai yo sametara jigoku de mo ikiteru

aa chikyuu yo sukui you no nai bokura ningen o kowashite

matte inaide kawari no asu wo kaki atsumete ima sora e tobashite kare agaru chihyou ni wa omoi dake nokoshite iku

sora wa kitto minna de boku o matteru aetara mazu nani kara hanasou ka takaburu mune osae nemuru yo

English:

Ah, it’s a good thing I forgot I didn’t want the memories to come back The cut off organs that absorb and digest Without feeling anything Where will you go, they ask Everyone already knows You and dad and the others Aren’t coming back So all I can do is search

I must be going through an avenue of memories Turning to ashes, the cherry blossoms that once danced now remain only within me This is what I get For destroying the stars that I couldn’t see

Dreaming that even the clouded sky that had started to clear up Will go back To how it was overnight, I will only search and search for you

Ah, it’s empty Just like the inside of a decaying film Ah, I wish you could have shown me hope At least once Before you died

What ever happened To the love that had gone unknown and unseen? I get nightmares every night But why? After all that warfare, I still think fondly Of our rotten future

Even if A tomorrow that we didn’t wish for came I hope it doesn’t end just yet Because of our footsteps that are the only things we’re sure of Picking up dreams, And bringing them to the vast world

Can someone please save us With a time machine? I still want to forget all of this endless ruin Once we wake up, we’ll still be living in hell

Ah, dear world Bring forth destruction upon us humans Who have gone beyond salvation

Make haste And scrape up what’s left of tomorrow And throw it to the skies right now Leaving only my emotions to die On the rotting surface of the earth

I’m sure everyone awaits For my arrival in the skies What should we talk about when we meet again? I’ll suppress these bursting emotions of mine and go to bed.

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] Guiano & KANZAKI IORI - ハレルヤ (Hallelujah)

Listen to the song from the album Love & Music -DISC2- on Spotify here.

REMINDER: Please ask me for permission first before reposting these translations to other sites or translating into other languages. My DMs here or on Twitter are always open.

Let me know if there are any mistakes! :)

Romaji and English lyrics under the cut.

Romaji:

panya ni yotte kara kaerou hakusen no ue dake o arukou sukoshi suwatte hoshi miyou kinou no koto wa mou wasureyou

katachi no nai mono nante me ni utsuranai mono nande shinjiru riyuu mo nai na kanashimu riyuu nante nai na sore de mo mada dokka kitai shite shimau no wa tadashii koto nandeshou ka

utsumuitatte donmai uta o utatte oorai ashita wa kitto motto HARERUYA

“machigai darake no jinsei ga uso naraba zenbu yokatta” to ka “koukai darake no mainichi ga umi ni oborete shimaeba ii” da to ka nageku dake no joujaku na kotoba de owarasetaku wa nakatta machigai nante nakatta koukai nante nakatta

shinitaku nattara nani o shiranai furi de ikireba ii? shakai ya mibun ga jibun o tasukete kureru wake de wa nai kara meirou na jibun de yokatta happou bijin de yokatta

utsumuitatte donmai uta o utatte oorai ashita wa kitto motto HARERUYA

kanashindatte ii sa kurushindatte ii sa ochikondatte ii sa samishiku natte mo ii sa tadashiku nakute mo ii sa namida wa nagareru mon sa sono itami subete wa kimi ga kimi de aru shoumei da kara

utsumuitatte donmai uta o utatte oorai ashita wa kitto motto HARERUYA utsumuitatte donmai uta o utatte oorai ashita wa kitto motto HARERUYA

ashita wa kitto motto HARERUYA

English:

Let’s go home after stopping by the bakery Let’s walk while stepping only on the white lines Let’s sit down for a bit to look at the stars Let’s just forget everything about yesterday

Things without shape or form Are things that we’ll never see anyway So there’s no reason to believe in them There’s no reason to be sad about them Regardless, if we still expect something somewhere, Would that be the right thing to do?

Don’t worry about hanging your head down Sing a song and it’ll be all right I’m sure tomorrow will bring us a louder “hallelujah”

Thoughts like “If a life full of mistakes Turns out to be a lie, that would be nice” Or “Let these days full of regrets Drown deep into the sea” I didn’t want to end these thoughts with empty words of mourning I did not commit any mistakes I did not have any regrets

If I want to die, What should I pretend to not know in order to live? There’s no way that society or your social status Can be of help to us We’re lucky to have been our cheerful selves We’re lucky to have been loved by everyone

Don’t worry about hanging your head down Sing a song and it’ll be all right I’m sure tomorrow will bring us a louder “hallelujah”

It’s okay to be sad It’s okay to suffer It’s okay to be depressed It’s okay to feel lonely It’s okay to be wrong Tears will flow anyway And all of that pain Is proof of what makes you “you.”

Don’t worry about hanging your head down Sing a song and it’ll be all right I’m sure tomorrow will bring us a louder “hallelujah” Don’t worry about hanging your head down Sing a song and it’ll be all right I’m sure tomorrow will bring us a louder “hallelujah”

I’m sure tomorrow will bring us a louder “hallelujah.”

Translation notes:

There is a pun in the last line of the chorus, (I’m sure tomorrow will bring us a louder “hallelujah.”). The word “hallelujah” ハレルヤ is pronounced as “hareruya” in Japanese, and hareru 晴れる means ‘to be sunny,’ so the line can also be interpreted as ‘I’m sure tomorrow will bring us a brighter day.’

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] Vaundy - 融解sink (yuukaisink / fusionsink)

Watch the music video here.

REMINDER: Please ask me for permission first before reposting these translations to other sites or translating into other languages. My DMs here or on Twitter are always open.

I know. I just answered a CC going on about how I won’t be translating songs any time soon, and yet here we are LOL. I’ve been listening to this song non-stop since it was released, and the Japanese here is easier than his other songs that I haven’t translated (it’s hard to translate rap, guys T_T), so I just,, did this thing on a whim y’know.

Let me know if you find any mistakes!

Romaji and English lyrics under the cut.

Romaji:

furatto sa  nani ka  toorisugita you na furatto sa  boku ga  soto o mita toki tanin no  fukou ya  fuan ni  tachidomatte koufuku to  ando o  suitotte ikite iru

hora hora toumei da hora hora senmei da hora hora shinkai ni  toketeku sink

kanashimi ga kieru kono yume no naka de ima mo  aa  sagashite utatte iru nda kanashimi ga fueru kono hibi no naka de ima mo  aa  sagashite utatte iru nda

pushutto sa  aketa  JUUSU no kan no you na pushutto sa  kokoro no  ki ga nukete iku tanin no  fukou ya  fuan ni  ayakatte koufuku to  ando o  teikyou shite iru

hora hora toumei da hora hora senmei da hora hora shinkai ni  toketeku sink

kanashimi ga kieru kono yume no naka de ima mo  aa  sagashite utatte iru nda kanashimi ga fueru kono hibi no naka de ima mo  aa  sagashite utatte iru nda

yuraida yuraida  yuraida mizu no naka fukai na fukai na  iki o shite iru yuraida yuraida  yuraida mizu no naka fukai na fukai na  shizundeku

kanashimi ga kieru kono yume no naka de ima mo  aa  sagashite utatte iru nda kanashimi ga fueru kono hibi no naka de ima mo  aa  sagashite utatte iru nda

English:

As if something passed by aimlessly When I looked outside just as aimlessly Standing idly at the misfortune and unease of others, I’ve been living off their happiness and solace

Look, look, it’s transparent Look, look, it’s crystal clear Look, look, I’ll melt into the deep sea to sink

Inside these dreams where sadness disappears, Until now, ah, I’m still singing as I cast around Living in these days where sadness grows, Until now, ah, I’m still singing as I cast around

Like an opened soda can losing its fizz My heart hisses as it starts to feel spent Sharing in the misfortune and unease of others, I’m providing them with happiness and solace

Look, look, it’s transparent Look, look, it’s crystal clear Look, look, I’ll melt into the deep sea to sink

Inside these dreams where sadness disappears, Until now, ah, I’m still singing as I cast around Living in these days where sadness grows, Until now, ah, I’m still singing as I cast around

Under trembling, trembling, trembling waters *Struggling, struggling, I keep on breathing Under trembling, trembling, trembling waters *Going deeper and deeper, I’m about to drown

Inside these dreams where sadness disappears, Until now, ah, I’m still singing as I cast around Living in these days where sadness grows, Until now, ah, I’m still singing as I cast around

Translation notes:

*Some lyrics sites say that the line goes like “深いな 深いな” while others say “不快な 不快な“ (it varies depending on which site I look at). I went with whichever I thought was a better match with the context of the line, but if you guys know where to find official lyrics, please let me know. Thank you!

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] YUUKI MIYAKE - NEW MONKEYS

lyrics/music/arrangement: YUUKI MIYAKE sound: 三宅金物店TOKYO BASE

Listen to the song on Youtube here.

Romaji and English lyrics under the cut!

Romaji:

Hontou no kimochi wa doko ni atte Dare ka ni iu to ka, toki no nagare to ka Mou, iroiro tanin goto Tori koboshite kita shiawase no ikutsu mo ni Bokura wa ima shoujun o awasete iku no da

KISU de tsunagatte mitai Ai shi atte ugokashite mitai no wa Bokura no tokei Itsuka kono shunkan mo furuku natte wasurerareru kedo Shigeki teki nara

Mou iya na hito de itaku nakute “Yasashiku narou” Sou omoeba omou hodo, kidzukeba tsumetaku natte “Jibun igai wa minna baka” Sou omoetara raku darou kedo Omaera wa itsumo soba ni ite yasashikatta

KISU de tsunagatte itai Shibaru mono ga nani mo nai sugata de Asa o mukaetai Itsuka kono shunkan ga furuku natte wasurete shimau koto o Osorete inai

IDENTITY o sutero Tamago no kara o yaburi metamayaki ni nare Kusatte suterareru kurai nara Umaku ryouri sarete yarou Kokoro kogashite ike Dare ka no ichibu ni natte made kurai heya de

Yokubou ni mamirete mo Sore de ii no sa Bokura wa SAIKORO o futte susunderu Da kara sa

KISU de tsunagatte iyou Ai shi atte yurushi atte itai no wa Shouki ga iya da kara Itsuka hitori ni natte samishikutte wakaranaku natte mo Mou modoranai

Zutto tsunagatte itai

Itsuka kono shunkan ga furuku natte Wasurerareru koto o osorete wa ikenai

English:

Where one’s true feelings lie, Whom to express it to, or even how time flows Man, so many problems that aren’t mine to worry about The numerous pieces of happiness that I’ve lost It’s time we take aim and take them back.

I want to try being connected with a kiss It’s our ticking clocks that want us to keep going And give each other love Someday this moment might get old and be forgotten But if it had a punch, then...

I didn’t want to become someone I detest anymore “So let’s be nice“ The more I tell myself that, the more I realized I’ve grown cold “I’m surrounded by fools“ Things could have been easier if I thought that instead But you lot have always stayed by my side and were gentle to me.

I want to stay connected with a kiss I want to face tomorrow While nothing is there to restrain me Someday this moment will get old and be forgotten And the thought of it doesn’t scare me

Throw away your identity Let your egg shell crack and get fried into a sunny side up If I can stand rotting and being thrown away to the trash Then I’ll let myself get cooked Burn my heart black I’ll remain in this dark room until I’ve become a part of somebody

Even if I’m covered in desires That’s fine with me Since we’re moving forward As we roll the dice So then...

Let’s stay connected with a kiss The reason I wanted to keep giving each other love and forgiveness is because sanity isn’t my thing Even if I become all alone that nothing begins to make sense There’s no going back

I want to stay connected forever

Someday this moment will get old and be forgotten And the thought of it shouldn’t scare us.

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] Wolpis Kater - Wolpis-sha no Teikyou de Ookurishimashita. - Track 8: 無花果 (Ichijiku)

Music and lyrics by 164.

Huge thanks to @poppochan28 for proofing!

REMINDER: Please ask me for permission first before reposting these translations to other sites or translating into other languages. My DMs here or on Twitter are always open.

Here’s the other translation of a song from Wolpis Kater’s album that I was talking about. I translated Strip Mind earlier so click here if you want to check that out!

Note: The title 無花果 (ichijiku) means “fig tree” in English. Although the kanji literally means “flowerless fruit” since the plant was believed to bear fruit without blooming flowers, the flowers actually bloom inside the fruits. From the context of the song, the hidden flowers could be a metaphor for a “love that’s never shown” (suggested by @poppochan28). 

Romaji and English lyrics under the cut.

Romaji:

akarasama ni iyasou na kao o shinai you ni suru kimi no me o miru sou ka, boku ga kizu tsukanai you ni yasashii uso o tsuite iru no ka itsu mo sou da   hitei no koe wa koutei nanka yori ookikute nanda, tada sore dake no koto da tte kidzuitari, wasuretari, toboketari shite iru

bokura wa douse aiirenai ikimono sonna joutouku o narabe tatete wa aiso warai shite iru

arifureta kotoba de kakushita hontou no imi o kuchi ni sureba jijitsu ni naru tte dare ga itta kudaranai hanashi de nigoshita bokura no mirai mo oto o tatezu ni tada kuzurete yuku

tada shizuka ni bin no soko de shizunderu tsubomi no you na mono sou ka, boku ni kidzukarenai you ni kotoba o hitori nomikonda no ka kitto kore wa ibitsu no koe ja todokanai jibun ga munashikute nanda, tada sore dake no koto da tte warattari, azaketari shite gomakashite iru

hikutsu na kanjou o hakanaku oshi koroshite waraenai JOOKU o narabe tatete wa shiran kao o shite iru

itaike na yume o nage suteta hontou no jibun o akirametara soko de owari tte dare ga itta tsumaranai namida o nagashita kimi to iu imi o nani mo shirazu ni tada tatazunde iru

susumu koto o kobandatte boku wa, boku wa, boku wa mada baka mitai ni tada shinjiteru no sa 

arifureta kotoba de kakushita hontou no imi o kuchi ni sureba jijitsu ni naru tte dare ga itta kudaranai hanashi de nigoshita bokura no mirai mo oto o tatezu ni tada kuzureta

itaike na yume o nage suteta hontou no jibun o akirametara soko de owari tte dare ga itta tsumaranai namida o nagashita kimi to iu imi o nani mo shirazu ni tada tatazunde iru

English:

I look into your eyes as you try not to look so obviously displeased I see, you must be telling me a white lie to keep me from getting hurt That's how it's always been, with your voice of denial being louder than that of confirmation Saying "What, that’s just how it is," We keep on noticing, forgetting, acting as though we know nothing

We are incompatible living beings after all Lining up such clichés one after the other, we’re forcing polite smiles

The true meaning hidden by ordinary words Who said that it will become reality if you say it out loud? Our future that got clouded the more we talked about insignificant things Will also crumble into pieces without making a sound

Just like a flower bud that had silently sunken to the bottom of a vase I see, you must have swallowed your own words to keep me from noticing You must feel empty for not being able to express yourself with a distorted voice Saying "What, that’s just how it is," We laugh and ridicule, brushing it off with mockery

Crushing our own menial feelings in vain Telling unfunny jokes one after the other, we feign ignorance

Your true self who threw away innocent dreams Who said that it'll be over for you if you give up on it? Completely unaware of the implication of you who had cried worthless tears, I only stood still 

Even if we refuse to move forward I’ll still, I’ll still, I’ll still be believing in you like the fool I am

The true meaning hidden by mundane words Who said it would become reality if you say it out loud? Our future that got clouded the more we talked about trivial things Also crumbled into pieces without making a sound

Your true self who had thrown away innocent dreams Who said that it'll be over for you if you give up on it? Completely unaware of the implication of you who had cried worthless tears, I only stood still

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] Wolpis Kater - Wolpis-sha no Teikyou de Ookurishimashita. - Track 5: STRIP MIND

Original song by MI8k (previously known as napoliemon).

REMINDER: Please ask me for permission first before reposting these translations to other sites or translating into other languages. My DMs here or on Twitter are always open.

This is another one of those random songs from utaite albums that I translated on a whim lol. I’m uploading another translation from the same album later, too.

(note: MI8k also made a self-cover version on his collaboration album with Meychan and it’s great! The arrangement is also different.)

As usual, Romaji and English lyrics under the cut!

Romaji:

yaritai koto dake yatte daiji na hana o karashita yokubari no seika da hareru mune mo naku tada yaritai koto dake yatte nani ga nokoru no tte dare ka ga iiteta kedo boku wa kiicha inakatta

tekitou na kimi no yosou atatte shimaisou de ima sara boku wa dou shiyou mo nai kako o iiwake ni otona no hensou o shiteta seijou na handan de ima ichi ikete nai inaka o nuke nakenashi no kurou o kakete iru

ibara no michi o aruite itanda bokura ga chirashiteru hibana ni takatte kunna ase mo namida mo HAATO mo suuji dake ga ikiru imi ni natte kurerunda

yowamushi o wa ni mazari ACE NUMBER se otte hokorashige ni katatte munashisa ga komi agete

sekai o mite, miwatashite mikudashite, miagete waratte, naite, nayande subete boku ga eranderu

tekitou na uranai ga nakami nai boku no noshikakatte kita oshi tsubusarete sono manma boku ni totte kawatte shimatta seikaku na suki to kirai mazatte nigotte kakurenbo shiteru yasashii nuno de koshite mitsukeyou

kono manma zutto yurete itanda hon no sukoshi no sa shirokuro tsukerenai yo iinda boku to iu norimono o soujuu suru no wa hoka naranu boku hitori da kara

English:

By doing only the things I wanted to do, I let a precious flower rot My selfish desires are to blame Without my chest swelling, I Simply did only the things I wanted to do, “What will remain after that?” Somebody once asked me that, but I wasn’t listening

Those half-assed predictions you told me Might actually end up coming true So I used my hopeless past as an excuse after all this time To disguise myself as a grown up Coming to a typical decision, I somehow break away from the unpopular countryside Betting on barely any hardships at all

I was walking on a road of thorns Don’t you dare leech on the sparks that we’ve scattered around Sweat, tears, and even hearts; only numbers Can give our lives a purpose

Joining a circle of cowards, Taking upon the role of their ace Boasting about my achievements, The emptiness starts to well up

To look at the world or watch over it, To look down or look up, To laugh, cry, or worry It’s all up to me

A lazy premonition Started to lean towards the void that I’ve become Crushing me to a pulp, It took over me just like that The correct set of likes and dislikes Blended, got clouded, and are playing games of hide and seek Filtering them through soft cloth, we’ll find the answers

I’ve been shaking like this the whole time Just the slightest bit of difference Won’t erase the gray between black and white This is enough, For the only one who sits behind the wheel and control me as a vessel Is none other than myself

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] nqrse - NEGATIVE - Track 2: Emerald City -Rewind Arrange-

Original song by TOKOTOKO / Nishizawa-san P

Special thanks to @poppochan28 for proofing as usual!

REMINDER: Please ask me for permission first before reposting these translations to other sites or translating into other languages. My DMs here or on Twitter are always open.

I’m not translating everything in NEGATIVE; I just translated this one on a whim when I was listening to all of the tracks I have on my folders ^ ^; Nadine does translate more nqrse’s songs and collabs (and I help her out sometimes) so check her out if you want more of him!

Romaji and English lyrics after the cut!

Romaji:

ukabarenai kinou goto kiri hanashite ikou dou nattatte ii yo  kyou mo bimyou datta asu to onaji yo iya ni narisou na ki ga shita   otona ni naritaku wa nakatta hazu no boku ga hakusen ni tori nokoshita   yume o

shoutengai doori no mou hitori no boku o nosete ikou   touhikou shibashi me o tojiyou   kono mama asa ga kite mo samenai yume o misete yo

nani yori daiji na koto mo   daiji na mono mo sute sareba raku ni naru nara sou da   itsumo doori no hazu datta kyou wa yaburi sutete kuru yo odokeyou   sore mo dekinaku natteru kimi ni wa   dare mo kare mo akichau no sa

iki o shinakucha oboresou na hi ga tsuzuiteru to shite mo tachidomatte kimi ga inai ka nante sagashichaunda yo omoi omoi no uta ni natte sou da, kimi no matsu machi e aitakute   IMEEJI   shite iru

naitatte kawaranai jibun ga iru kara koso kimi ga itooshiku natte   motto hoshiku naru da kara bokura wa oginai au you ni   deattanda misokonatta hazu no boku no sonzai shoumei nante iranakatta

itsu ka kiita mahou tsukai wa kitto kono machi ni inai na boku ni totte daiji na mono zenbu koko ni attanda namae o yonde wasure kakete ita boku no na o yonde aitakute   IMEEJI   shite iru

Shinagawa no eki no saishuu ni tobi komu sayonara, boku wa mou dete iku yo

iki o shinakucha oboresou na hi ga tsuzuiteru to shite mo tachidomatte kimi ga inai ka nante sagashichaunda yo omoi omoi no uta ni natte sou da, kimi no matsu machi e aitakute   IMEEJI   shite iru

namae o yonde wasure kakete ita boku no na o yonde aitakute   IMEEJI   shite iru

English:

Let's just cut loose from all the disappointing yesterdays  I don't care what happens; today was boring and tomorrow will be the same I think I'm about to be fed up. I didn't want to grow up, So I left my dreams behind the white line

Let the other me in the shopping district join the ride to nowhere Let's close our eyes for a moment Show me a dream that won’t end even when morning comes

If abandoning all of the things and belongings I treasure will bring me peace That's right, I'll break away from this day that was meant to go on like usual Let's fool around; if you can't do something as simple as that anymore, everyone—even he—would get tired

I need to breathe Even if this day where I feel like I'll drown goes on I'll still stop to search for you, wondering if you’re there Forming a song that follows my heart Towards the town where you await Missing you, I imagine things

It’s precisely because you'll stay the same even if you cry, That I've grown fond of you, that I end up wanting more That's why we met, so we could fill in each other's gaps I didn't need this proof of my existence that should have gone overlooked

The wizard I heard of a long time ago is definitely not in this town All of the things I cherish were right here all along Call my name Call my name that you've started to forget Missing you, I imagine things

I jump onto the last train in Shinagawa Station Farewell, I'll be on my way now

I need to breathe Even if this day where I feel like I'll drown goes on  I'll still stop to search for you, wondering if you’re there  Forming a song that follows my heart  Towards the town where you await  Missing you, I imagine things

Call my name  Call my name that you've started to forget  Missing you, I imagine things

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] Vaundy - strobo - Track 7: soramimi

“Soramimi” means “feigned deafness” in English.

Listen to his album “strobo” here. Also watch the music video here.

strobo track 6: Fukakouryoku translation here.

REMINDER: Please ask me for permission first before reposting these translations to other sites or translating into other languages. My DMs here or on Twitter are always open.

Warning: This song contains questionable themes that are sexual in nature, and may not be appropriate for minors.

Romaji and English lyrics under the cut!

Romaji:

kyou mo yukai da ne kanaetai souzou ni fusaida me daitai sonna mon rifujin ga okimari no sekai da mon de, maa ii ka na kono gurai ga choudo ii ka na tte jibun ni mo mawari no hito ni mo barenai you ni te o nuite

kyou mo yukai da ne sasaetai to kimi ni tsutaeta hi daitai sonna mon furareru kurai ga boku rashii da mon de,  maa ii kara sono eroi karada o kashite kure dare mo shiranai MIDNIGHT keitai koshi no TAG FIGHT

sanzan da na koukai wa nai kedo sententeki da kabin na kono shoudou chinkaitou da boku wa ki ni shinai kedo ippatsu utta kono BEAT o narashite yo saa

Distance This Dance? Distance This Dance?

kyou mo yukai da ne demo nani mo ka mo ga fukai da ne daitai sonna mon jikoman tachi ga odoru sekai da mon de, maa ii ka na kono kurai ga choudo ii ka na tte Jibun ni mo mawari no hito ni mo barenai you ni ri o futte

kyou mo yukai da ne sasatta kareki ni sosoida hi daitai konna mon seken wa yurushicha kureyasen yo aa, maa ii kara sonna koto wa dou de mo ii kara tte? dai enjou dai enjou dai enjou dai enjou dai enjou

sanzan da na koukai wa nai kedo sententeki da kabin na kono shoudou chinkaitou da boku wa ki ni shinai kedo ippatsu utta kono BEAT o narashite yo saa

Distance This Dance? Distance This Dance?

English:

Today’s another cheerful day I covered my eyes from the imaginations I wished were real Things are often like that ‘Cause we’re in a world where absurdity is the norm So? Well, whatever I guess this much is just right In order not let everyone including yourself find out Cut the corners

Today’s another cheerful day The day I told you I wanted to lend you my strength Things are often like that Getting dumped like that is part of my character So? Well, never mind that Let me borrow your sexy body already A midnight that nobody knows about A *tag fight transmitted through phones

What a mess. But I have no regrets This oversensitive urge of mine is innate That’s an odd answer, not that I'm complaining Let this one-hit beat rock Now

Distance This Dance? Distance This Dance?

Today’s another cheerful day But everything else is unsettling Things are often like that Since we're in a world where self-satisfaction dances So? Well, whatever I guess this much is just right In order not let everyone including yourself find out Show me your cards

Today’s another cheerful day A fire set ablaze in a pricked withered tree Things are often like this **Society ain't ever gonna forgive you Aah, well, never mind that Did you just say it doesn’t matter to you? ***Up on flames, up on flames, up on flames, up on flames, up on flames!

What a mess. But I have no regrets This oversensitive urge of mine is innate That’s an odd answer, not that I'm complaining Let this one-hit beat rock Now

Distance This Dance? Distance This Dance?

Translation Notes (mostly from stuff I’ve read from the YouTube comments under the music video):

*tag fight - A tag fight means a 2v2 fight, and it is implied in the song that it means a couple cheating on each other with another, and neither of them know of the other’s affair.

**Society ain't ever gonna forgive you - Apparently this quote was a meme from a long time ago when a TV news program covered a obscene incident against a girl working in a maid café in Akihabara. One of the passers-by who was interviewed said something among the lines of “Maids are like the idols of Akiba, so whoever dares to do that, society ain’t ever gonna forgive you”

***Up on flames - The word “enjou” literally means ‘to be in flames’ in English, but in internet slang, it also means to be involved in a scandal.

[kimchi-noodles]

[Interview] Meychan on his latest activities + Bright Sign, Laplace, and Suiteki

【Interview】Meychan gives a message from his dream “place”

Original article from BARKS Interview by Yamada Kuniko Meychan’s official website Translation by noodle

After releasing his first album in three years entitled “daimeywaku” in March 2020, Meychan has also been releasing digital singles with songs he wrote by himself since June, and he continues to make his charm and skills as an utaite set off. Including his activities with the 3-person Youtuber unit “Niku Chomoranma” that began last year, this man has gained attention, taking pride in his rising popularity and fame. On his first appearance in BARKS, Meychan talked to us in unique and polite words, from stories related to his journey into music and music production, to his motto in life.

Full interview after the cut! note: I’ve also translated his previous interview with music natalie about his album “daimeywaku,” if any of you are interested!

Unlike reality, nothing is in the way

──You’ve been doing activities as an utaite and recently as a YouTuber in “Niku Chomoranma,” a 3-person unit with fellow popular utaites Gero-san and KONY-san. Meychan has a great number of followers, but how would you answer if someone asks you what your occupation is?

Meychan: Occupation…!? If a complete stranger asks me that, then I’ll answer with “gardener” (laughs).

──Gardener (laughs)!?

Meychan: It's too complicated, isn't it? Having to explain to them what an “utaite” is difficult, and calling myself a “YouTuber” is a bit embarrassing (laughs). Being both would already take about 5 hours of explaining, so I would just answer “I’m a gardener” (laughs).

──Are there other variations aside from “gardener”?

Meychan: “Fingerprint fortune teller”. Also some others like “I work once a week at a pachinko machine factory in Kawasaki” (laughs).

──The fact that people might heedlessly believe that is scary (laughs). Meychan may have become extremely popular nowadays as an utaite and as a Youtuber, but when did you start getting a grasp of your fame, or of the feeling that you’ve been recognized by the world?

Meychan: I think it was separated into two instances. The first one was when I was invited to an utaite compilation live show called XYZ. The next one was a year after Niku Chomoranma started. There have been moments since the year started when the recognition from people who know me as a YouTuber and those who know me as an utaite would gradually get even, so I really feel that there.

──If we’re talking about the beginning of this year, was that around the release of Meychan’s album “daimeywaku”?

Meychan: Right. That was my first album in three years as well, so it was a good opportunity for me to express myself as an utaite again.

──”daimeywaku” which was released 3 years after your last album was certainly a good one. All of the songs were fantastic.

Meychan: Thank you. I was finally able to make an album that defines me. I asked for my favorite composers to write songs for me, but this time I have also written three songs myself.

──This also came as a surprise, but one of the tracks was also a collaboration with the famous BRADIO.

Meychan: Yes. I’ve always loved funky style music like theirs so I often listened to them, so when I was making the album, I took a risk and asked (the recording company) if I could [ask for a collaboration], and for some reason I was able do it (laughs).

──I was also surprised that you didn’t just have them write a song for you, but you were also able to sing and even perform with them on stage. When it comes to collaborations or offers to creators like them, did you already have a concrete image or idea of what you wanted to do with them?

Meychan: I basically had a vision that I’ll be singing to some extent, and this might sound  a bit cheeky, but I would ask artists thinking that if I had them write a song for me then it would make the album much better. During those times, I think your feelings of respect have to be the most important thing to keep in mind.

──Personally, this album gave me the impression that compared to your previous album, it’s not just Meychan’s expressiveness and your vocal ability that has improved, but your love for music has also deepened.

Meychan: I’ve always loved singing, but I was not thinking too much into it when I first started making utattemitas, like it was just an extension of my hobby. But during the period between the previous album and this album, the moments where I’ve sung as part of my job and not as a hobby have increased. I think I had a huge change in perspective because of that. Since then, my feelings for music have also grown more and more. Because of that, I think this album has an entirely different meaning to me.

──But the title “daimeywaku” (lit. ‘Total Nuisance’) certainly has an impact. On the contrary, I can also feel the love there.

Meychan: I thought of the title first [before anything else]. I thought maybe I should be a nuisance to various people (laughs). It was a concept about me hoping that I could send requests to people I like, ask favors from the staff, and involve different people as I make the album.

──I see. Your interesting choice of words is also one thing, but considering the people and the things that have influenced you, what kind of roots does your current self have?

Meychan: My favorite artists would be Tokyo Jihen and Sheena Ringo-san and the like. (t/n: Sheena Ringo was the vocalist of Tokyo Jihen before its disbandment.) She has a charming way of choosing words and is always full of ideas. I think I was also influenced by her in that aspect. I got hooked into them after they disbanded, but I also got into different artists after that, and that was how I became what I am now.

──Have you always been close to music since childhood?

Meychan: My mother loves music and often listens to them. She wasn’t exactly a pro, but for some reason she also went through vocal training, so she was definitely familiar with singing. During that time, I also got into NicoNico Douga and learned about the world of utattemita, and eventually tried doing it myself. That was about 10 years ago.

──Was there a trigger that led you to try [making utattemitas]?

Meychan: Rather than singing, I yearned for that “place.” Utaites have been special since that time; they’re pros in reality but they seem like amateurs, so it feels like they stand closer to us. Rather than thinking that they’re amazing even if they’re amateurs, it’s more like they’ve become the heroes of NicoNico Douga, so I felt amazed, jealous, and I thought it must be nice to become like that. But I haven’t decided on trying it out then. One time, I read Gero-san’s interview article, and there was a quote saying “To those who are interested, go buy a cable and a mic right now!”. So I thought I of buying them for now, and then I bought them with money I got during New Year and that was the start of it (laughs). A cheap mic from an electronics store.

──The fact that it was from your New Year’s money was cute (laughs).

Meychan: I liked getting 500 yen coins every New Year’s for some reason. My New Year’s money always consisted of 500 yen coins back then, and I was the type who would buy small things with them until they’re gone, but that time, I think it was the first time I gathered all of my New Year’s money for a mic.

──It’s amazing how the person who inspired you to start is now on the same YouTuber unit as you. Although you’re both enjoying the dark side while actually crossdressing and all (laughs).

Meychan: Really! It’s an honor (laughs).

──I do think that the fact that you can collaborate with people flat out like that is one of the great things about the internet. I think the both of you could properly face each other while thinking of ways to create interesting things.

Meychan: That’s right. In that aspect, you can say that it’s a great environment for creators to quickly grow. Unlike reality, nothing is in the way.

──It seems like you’ve been doing internet activities at a very good environment. Even with that, does Meychan have things you want to improve or change?

Meychan: Personally, I’m the type who’s always had an inferiority complex. I’ve always wanted to write songs, so I started learning the guitar and the piano and studied music theory seriously years ago. But in the end, there are people who could write amazing songs even without learning the theory. You can see countless of them. Precisely because everything is on the internet. It could be possibly greed, but I wouldn’t become satisfied with myself at all, so I want to improve my vocal skills as well as my skills in composing music and writing lyrics. That’s why I have nothing but points of improvement.

──So you mean that your feeling of inferiority is your fuel.

Meychan: That’s right, it’s my source of energy. I’m always aiming for something better.

──I would like to ask about the specifics of how you write songs. How do you usually produce your songs?

Meychan: I would usually write a song on my own at home, and then pass it to the person who would be doing the musical arrangement. I’m not that skilled yet, but I at least know which direction to take when composing.

──Now that you’ve arranged an environment for you to make music at home and that you’ve also made a lot of friends, it looks like your life of making music has become very fortunate.

Meychan: Yes, I think I’m more fortunate than anybody. I might get a divine punishment any time soon (laughs), but I’ve been riding the momentum too well that it’s terrifying. I’ve got great staff, great friends, and I’ve been able to sing in a great environment, so I’ve become scared. My seniors are especially so good to me that I feel like something bad is going to happen after all this.

──You should demonstrate your fingerprint fortune telling talents then (laughs)!

Meychan: Ah! (Looks at his own fingers) I can’t see anything other than “You’ll go viral after this” (laughs).

──That’s great (laughs). But recognizing that you’re on a good momentum despite your inferiority complex… It feels strange, doesn’t it?

Meychan: That’s why I definitely slipped through all this too well, I think (laughs)? Not because I’m sure that I’m able to become like this because of my own self, but it’s more like I’m here out of sheer luck… at least that’s what I think. It’s a miracle that there are a lot of people who listen to me and support me.

──Your feelings of gratitude also oozes through live shows, right? Your performances are incredibly confident that I wouldn’t believe that you have an inferiority complex.

Meychan: I’m a person who wants to stand out in the first place, so I do love standing in front of people. But I do have a huge stage fright, and I’m the type of person who wouldn’t be able to produce the best results in the real thing. I would overthink about what could happen if I made a mistake, and I think I was worse at being on live shows before I stood on stage in XYZ. But my seniors also helped me there, and eventually I was able to make an environment for myself where I could enjoy singing [on stage], and then I became able to sing confidently.

──The confidence and reassurance from the audience who accepts your singing must also be pushing you forward.

Meychan: At first, I was scared of the audience. I didn’t realize that they were paying to come to the live because they want to. I really think that it was unfortunate that I didn’t realize how grateful I would be by that.

──But now...

Meychan: Regardless of whether I’m being watched by thousands of people or not, I can now stand on stage with a peace of mind. No, I’m kidding (laughs).

──I think more than half of that was genuine (laughs).

Meychan: (laughs). Of course the nerves are still there, but I think I’ve become able to stand on stage without losing sight of myself.

──By the way, do you choose the way you perform and your song choice based on your own ideas?

Meychan: Yes. I think it’s important to see yourself as part of the audience, so I would always put in songs thinking that the audience would love it if I sing it, or add surprises for them to look out for and such.

──In that case, since the three songs you’ve released online since June can now be added to your live show setlist, you can create a new scenery once again.

Meychan: Right. Whenever I close my eyes, I can imagine singing these songs in a live show, so I want to show it off soon.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

──Then, I would like to ask about those three songs. You immediately started streaming these songs without a break from the album release, but were you planning that right from the start?

Meychan: No, I wasn’t. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, everything was cancelled. I got too much time myself, so while thinking of what I should do, my mind went like “Just write songs!”

──When you were writing “Bright Sign” which was released in June, was that affected by the pandemic?

Meychan: Opportunities to talk to my high school friends and all increased. We were all asking each other things like “Are you okay?” or “What are you up to?”. While listening to them talk, in the end, I can feel that everyone is lonely because they can’t go outside. I would often say that I should have at least two “best friends” in my lifetime, but when I thought about it, I don’t have anybody at all. However, if you force it, you should definitely have a lot of people you can consider as “friends.” For some reason, people don’t see that so they would say “I don’t have any friends,” and I think that’s extremely sad, so I wrote this song to tell them “You’re not alone.”

──There may be a feeling of keeping others as mere acquaintances, or rather a feeling of not wanting to step into a relationship called “friendship.”

Meychan: Probably. The other person would think that you are definitely friends, and yet you’re on guard for some reason, and it’s like you’re building a wall around yourself.

──And where does Meychan’s standpoint lie in that situation?

Meychan: I’m a person who loves his friends a lot, and I’m usually the one who steps up to ask them “What are you doing?” like I am doing recently. On the contrary, if someone does that to me, that really makes me happy. I think these feelings are extremely important, so I also included the phrase “A happy ecology”. Just like its symbol, I think it would be nice for everything to go around.

(t/n: He means this ecology symbol: ♻️)

──It seemed like a song that expresses those feelings straightforwardly. And the music video has an animation that gives you a nostalgic taste.

Meychan: I really like vibes that resemble the 80’s or the 90’s. It was hard putting that image into words, but I was able to have them make it just like how I imagined it, so I really liked it.

──Meanwhile, “Laplace” which was released in August, the listeners are being penetrated by that feeling of running away as if cutting a swathe through everything.

Meychan: I wrote this song filled with a cherished feeling of being able to keep on running without being bound or without giving in to anything. Sometimes I myself would feel annoyed walking on a tightrope, so I would think that I must keep exerting effort to move on. I think that the future is always uncertain, so it became a song that wants to say that each and every one of us should be able to cut through conflicts on our own.

──How far into Meychan’s future can you imagine?

Meychan: I’m really just a person who focuses on what’s happening right now and works hard on that (laughs). Like there’s nothing fully decided even until the next month.

──So you’re saying that you move forward by quickly judging the best decision at that time. So if you’re having difficulty making a certain decision, is there something that pushes your back?

Meychan: My motto is actually “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.

(t/n: The literal translation of the phrase in Japanese is “What doesn’t kill you is only a scratch”.)

──That’s a famous saying.

Meychan: I don’t exactly know who said that first, but this phrase had an impact on me. I agree with it. Each one of us has a beginning and an end. We’re all the same, right? No matter how rich one gets, they’ll still die, and no matter how poor they get they’ll still die in the end. If so, I think it’s definitely better to keep on working hard towards your best self. Because if something doesn’t kill you, it’ll only make you stronger (laughs).

──Next time, please write a song about that idea (laughs).

Meychan: (laughs)

──“suiteki” which was released in September was different from the aggressive type [that “Laplace”’s music had], and I think this is a masterpiece that tugs at your heart. After that bittersweet feeling as if my heart was being squeezed, it also made me feel like falling in love is really nice.

Meychan: Thank you very much. This time, I wrote it with a young maiden in love as the protagonist. It was difficult writing lyrics and thinking about things from a woman’s perspective, but my mind was broadened. Thinking about things that are outside my perspective made my mind broaden, in many ways.

──By the way, how many percent do you think you understand women?

Meychan: Zero. I really don’t know (laughs).

──So your way of thinking for writing lyrics and your actual understanding is different (laughs). Why did you think of writing a song from a woman’s perspective in the first place?

Meychan: This is only based on the people around me, but I noticed that there are a lot of women whose feelings aren’t rewarded. For example, she would like someone, but the other person wouldn’t look her way. It’s not like a bad ending in a movie, but she’s not rewarded with anything, so I thought of wanting to write a song about that. I thought of an image of snow melting into drops of water (t/n: suiteki means ‘drop of water’) after not being rewarded. It became a pretty sad song, though.

──But as I finished listening to it, I think I felt a faint warmth somewhere in the song.

Meychan: Perhaps that’s because there’s a feeling of embracing the girl. It’s hard to put it into words.

──It might have been an image brought by the chord progression. Did you write the song starting from the instrumental?

Meychan: I always start with the chord progression when composing a song. And then, after completing the accompaniment, I would throw in the melody and add the lyrics.

──The difficulty of writing from a female standpoint is also one thing, but your knowledge and experience as a songwriter will most likely grow further from here on out.

Meychan: That may be the case. Rather than writing for the sake of it, I’m getting more and more ideas one after the other, like if I do this then it will sound better, or I should have done it like this to have gotten a better result. I hope I can treasure and further express what I’m learning from now on. I haven’t decided on what’s coming up next in particular, but for now I would like to keep on releasing more and more songs.

──And if that happens, you must also want to hold a live show soon, right?

Meychan: I want to meet my fans again once the pandemic ends, and I want to hold a nationwide tour as well. But first, I want to do a live show.

──<Meychan World Tour 7 “DAIMEYWAKU”> was postponed and is planned to be held this December, but what do you think about holding a real “world tour”? Whenever I check your social media, I also find a lot of responses from overseas fans.

Meychan: Well, I wonder (laughs). But it’s true that I’ve been getting comments and such from all around the world, so I do want to go and express my gratitude to them.

──Even in a overseas live show, I hope you can sing with a proper live band. Performing with a band is much more intense, isn’t it?

Meychan: Thank you. I also think that singing with the instrumental is also good, but when I’m singing with a band, a group is born. The live show that will be done that day will be the only one of its kind. I love that idea a lot. I think that you won’t always be in good shape each day and that there’s going to be bad days as well, but I would feel like [the performance] will still be unique to that day only. That’s why I want to keep on doing live shows with a band.

[kimchi-noodles]

[Interview] Ivudot on his first album, “Nuance” (from music natalie)

Original article from music natalie Ivudot’s official website Interview by Hata Rie Translation by noodle

Ivudot has released his first album, “Nuance.”

Ivudot, who wants to continue uploading song covers mainly on video sharing websites, got the opportunity to start writing original songs with the first original song he uploaded in August 2019, “Yokun,” and now he has completed his first album, “Nuance,” which was produced with all-original songs. In this interview marking his first appearance in Music Natalie, we asked about the production of Ivudot’s album “Nuance” that comes with various interpretations, while also talking about his musical background.

Full interview after the cut! Note that I skipped translating couple of the questions in this interview since they were already in Skream!’s interview, which I have already translated here.

Even with a job, he pursues a journey towards music

──When did Ivudot-san become interested in music?

When I was a grade schooler, my parents bought me a CD for the first time. It was a country rock music album. From then on I started listening to different kinds of bands, and I also formed a band in high school.

──After graduating high school, what happened to that band?

We disbanded when we were seniors in high school, and I ended up quitting everything related to music some time after that. Not just the band, but also my activities on the internet. For 2 years, I went on with my life as a so-called normal college student. Then, on the spring of my 3rd year in high school, I started thinking, “Maybe I should do something since it’s been a while,” and that was uploading songs. That was the start of Ivudot working on music.

──When did you start wanting to become serious with music?

That was relatively recent. Maybe around summer last year. I graduated college and got a job, and for a while I just normally did that. While working in a company, I had  an argument with myself whether I wanted to take music seriously, or just do it as a hobby. It was last year when I thought, “I want to make music after all.” That’s why I quit music, and now I’m fully dedicated to my activities as Ivudot.

Videos are out of one’s hands once released

──Looking back at Ivudot-san’s video uploads, it looks like your uploading pace increased from January 2018. Did something happen during that time?

That was the moment I finished job hunting in my 3rd year of college. Basically when I got more time, I thought of raising my singing pace a bit.

──After that, your uploading pace also didn’t drop even when you had a job.

Singing became a custom for me. I have always liked singing and uploading videos on the internet in the first place, so I thought that I shouldn’t break the pace if I can, and that’s how I continued until now.

──I think the video that most likely became Ivudot-san’s turning point was “flos,” which was uploaded in March 2018.

Now that “flos” has more than 9,000,000 views it’s often said to be the cover that defines me, but when it was uploaded, it didn’t gain a lot of attention at first.

──Did something happen that made “flos” gain more attention?

I wonder. I don’t know about it myself (laughs). I never really paid attention to how many views my videos get after uploading them. Right after uploading, I already have this sense that this video is now out of my hands once I uploaded it. Like there’s nothing I can do but stand by. I just think “If this gains a lot of views then I’m happy,” so I don’t even have a grasp of exactly why “flos” became popular.

──Even so, didn’t the song become important to you?

That’s true. Since there are a lot of people who knew about me because of “flos.” I’m very grateful to R Sound Design who made all of these wonderful encounters happen.

Right answers aren’t required when it comes to expressing yourself

──In August last year, your first original song “Yokun” was uploaded. You composed and wrote the lyrics yourself, but has Ivudot-san been writing songs in the first place?

“Yokun” was the very first song I’ve ever written. I didn’t particularly think that making covers is good or bad, but I’ve been thinking of wanting to write an original song for a while before then.

──Did you compose it with the guitar?

That’s right. I bought an acoustic guitar in Amazon. It was actually a guitar worth 3,000 yen made for beginners, and I didn’t even know how to play it really well, but I just enjoyed playing with it. I’ve been playing the acoustic guitar since high school, so I was able to compose songs there naturally.

──You’ve never uploaded videos of you singing with your guitar even though you’ve been playing it for a long time, though.

I play it because I like it, but it’s not like I’m good at it (laughs). I was only playing it for fun, so I didn’t really want to show it to anyone, and I wasn’t planning on using it as one of my assets.

(t/n: After this, Ivudot is asked about haruno arranging both Yokun and Ruirui, about how Ivudot writes his songs, and also about the title, “Nuance.” His answers were essentially the same with what he had already said in Skream!’s interview.)

An album that’s like a toy box

──Upon making your first album, what kind of songs were you planning to include in it?

Basically, I thought of filling it with songs from different genres. I didn’t think about how the flow would be like from the first song to the last, so I didn’t have a definite strategy. Instead, I wanted it to become an album that people can enjoy no matter which song they start with. It’s like an “album that’s like a toy box” that contains all of the things that I like.

──The fact that there’s no technicality to it can also be felt from the variety of creators you’ve collaborated with.

That’s right. Of course, I called out to creators that I personally like, but I wasn’t thinking about whether they’ve helped me a lot several times, or what kind of background they come from; I simply called out to people who I think would open new doors for me. I gave each creator a broad theme to work on with each order.

──What kind of themes were they?

With Sori Sawada-san and his “Akairo to Mizuiro”, I asked him for something about heartbreak or long distance relationships. For koresawa-san’s “Yappari,” I asked her to ”not to try to adjust the song for me, but to write a song that’s especially like koresawa-san, or especially like a woman’s.” I had them write songs with different themes, but I realize now that none of these songs had that “pop” or “positive” feel to them. I did know that, but then I thought “Ah, I guess this is just how I am” (laughs).

──It was refreshing to see that you didn’t just send orders to vocalo-P’s, but also singer-songwriters like koresawa-san.

It simply became this way when I consulted artists that I like. I wanted to challenge myself with new things since it was a rare occasion for me to be making an album, but it looks like I made something that had fences in it even though I didn’t intend to. It’s not just koresawa-san; I also asked maeshima soshi-san who’s in the hiphop music scene to write a song for me, so each song really has its own uniqueness to them, so it feels like I’ve actually made my own toy box.

──I would also like to ask about “Suisou” which was composed by R Sound Design who also wrote “flos.” Since it was an original song tagging “flos,” the song that was treated as Ivudot-san’s best cover, weren’t you pressured upon singing this song?

I think that the fans’ expectations are different, so I think there was a considerable amount of pressure. The song “Suisou” itself was written with “flos” in mind, so it could resemble “flos” but only as a counterfeit. I think people would like it the more they listen to it.

Making something despite being unrefined

──Since you’re likening the album to a toy box, then syudou-san’s “Chakka” must be a stimulant, right?

I’ve always been good friends with syudou-san, so when I sent him an order for a song I just threw a “Just write something baddish” at him. I didn’t think he would come with a song that had such an impactful quality. You can feel syudou-san’s temperament in it, so it was shocking.

──In “Chakka,” you were clearly growling as you sang, and that left me quite the impression.

I didn’t want to settle with only one style of my own, so I intended to do different techniques in singing. As I was composing and recording several songs, I would tend to get prejudiced about myself, see. If we’re talking about songs that I wrote myself, after writing my first song “Yokun,” I also wrote “Eni,” which is also in the album. While writing that song, I fell into an illusion that my creativity was narrowing down. Because of that, I intentionally switched into including an essence that I didn’t have, and so I completed songs like “Yahan no Ame” and “Akatokitsuyu.” Looking back into it, I think I’ve already gotten a variety of songs in this album and I’m already more than satisfied, and I also want to challenge myself with songs with genres that I’ve never written before.

──I see. Before this interview, I thought you had a clearer sense of what kind of music you liked.

Of course I have my own preferences when it comes to music, but I can listen to any genre. I want to write and sing different kinds of songs, anyway. I especially tried making this album without thinking “If I go for this song then I’ll gain popularity” or “Let’s include something that’s trending” at all. Since it’s my first album, I wanted to aim to make something that I wanted to make. It might have turned out t be unrefined, but I wanted to make it a comprehensive album from the artist named Ivudot from 2020.

I tried making my own minions since I’m a Demon King

──Even with the album artwork, you can also “imagine different things.”

That’s right. Depending on which angle you’re looking at, you can interpret it as facing towards the right, or facing forward. Depending on the person, it could be something else aside from a face. I tried adding an optical illusion-like feel to it. I made the logo myself, too. The art should be the center of the cover, so I wanted to avoid making the text stand out too much, so I decided on spelling it in katakana after choosing between using hiragana, katakana, or the alphabet.

──I will be changing the topic a bit, but did you release your own manga on Twitter?

I asked an illustrator to do the art on that manga, but I created all of the characters and the story by myself. I was once called a “demon king” by the people around me. I think it’s because I’m so strong that I would manipulate people around me (laughs).

──There’s a demon king and his minions in the manga.

Since I’m going to be called a demon king, I thought I should make minions. The protagonists in that manga are actually those minions. I thought that maybe if I create these characters and make a manga out of them then it might be interesting. I uploaded them on Twitter as a short series. Even though it was through manga, being able to put these minions to action the way I wanted them to gave me a different sense of achievement from writing songs.

The “Castle in the Air” that became a phantom

──You were planning to hold your first oneman live show “Kuuchuu Roukaku (lit. ‘Castle in the Air’) “ in March this year. It was cancelled due to the issuance of a state of emergency, but were you positive about holding a live show from the very start?

That’s right. I’ve told the people who have supported me, “I’ll definitely do a oneman live show” a long time ago, and I’ve also become determined that I would finally make this live show happen, so I had a positive outlook towards it and we also prepared for it to be flawless.

──That was “Kuuchuu Roukaku,” wasn’t it?

Yes. I wouldn’t come to a decision before that. It was around May last year when I finally set my heart for it, and I did different kinds of preparations for a oneman in March, but......

──The live show was cancelled.

The phrase “castle in the air” means “something that isn’t real, or something that exists in one’s fantasies,” and I really wanted the audience to experience that in a live show, but in the end it was cancelled, and it ended up becoming a fantasy just like what the phrase originally meant. There were also fans who tweeted, “It really became a castle in the air” and that made me laugh a bit.

The core of his activities is music

──After releasing your first album, do you have a vision of what you want to do next?

I’ve completed the album, but I'm still writing songs. I already have new songs that didn’t make it into this album. Aside from that, I also want to do more and more interesting things, even if they’re not in the form of a CD. It might be a live show, or something in the form of a livestream.

──Do you have a definite goal in mind?

I don’t exactly have those feelings of “wanting to stand on a big stage” or anything like that, but my goal would be to be able to continue what I’ve been doing. Those are my personal thoughts, but I hope I that those categories like being a “vocalist” or an “utaite” would disappear. I also don’t like deciding on anything and judging things, so being decided on like “You’re an utaite so you have to _____” or “You’re an artist so _____” makes me feel uncomfortable. If I want to do a live show then I’ll do it, and it’s not like I’ll quit my internet activities anyway, but if I find something new that seems interesting then I might try it.

──Despite having a lot of things you want to do, is music still the center of those things?

That’s right. I do want to try out various things, but I still enjoy working on music the most. Whenever I have free time, I would most often think “I want to sing” or “I want to play with instruments.” I think the fact that the core of my activities will be music won’t ever change just yet.

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] Meychan - 水滴 (Suiteki / drop of water)

Link to the MV here!

Produced by: Moriya Yuri Mix: FUKUI TAKUMI Illustration: yoru Movie: Matcha Guitar: Shimizu “Carlos” Yuuto Drums: Yuuki Leon Bass: Kobayashi Naoki

Meychan's comment from natalie.mu: “It’s my first time writing a song depicting a woman’s perspective. “Myself included, people have so many ‘regrets’ throughout their lives that are impossible to count, but we hope to be able to compensate for them one by one, “So I wrote a song to depict a lonely girl in such a situation. “I wrote the song right up to the details so please listen to the song with all ears!”

REMINDER: Please ask me for permission first before reposting these translations to other sites or translating into other languages. My DMs here or on Twitter are always open. 

Romaji and English lyrics after the cut!

Romaji:

kogoeta hitomi ni yume o kubete kono isshun dake watashi o terashite yo

kodou ga hajimatte kara anata no ai o shitte karada ga toke dashite shimawanu you ni shita o muite kao o kakushita

onegai! mada yume kara samenaide semaru hikari ga mabushikute

watashi mayotte shimatta no anata o mitsukeru suki ni koko de matte itara yokatta mushiro kono mama me o tojite shimatte

ano hi no hanashi o kiita unomi ni shite irarenai yo

mou watashi no subete watasu kara sono RANPU ni hi o tomoshite

I’ll give you everything that I have So light the lamp

sugi satte shimatta toki mo ame de nagaseta no nara soshite keppaku na kono mi o sono ooki na te de yasashiku tsutsunde watashi o mite

fureta yuki ga tokete kiete iku nante hakanai no darou

subete wakatte shimatta no anata o mitsukeru koto wa yue ni watashi wa yuki da dou ka kono mama, anata no taion de

English:

Throwing a dream to the fire for my numbing eyes to see Bathe me in its light only for this moment

Ever since my heart started beating I came to know of your love But to keep myself from melting away I looked down and hid myself

Please! Don’t wake me up from this dream just yet I’m being blinded by the light closing in

I ended up losing my way in an attempt to find you I should have stayed and waited here Or kept my eyes closed like this instead

I heard what you said that day But I couldn’t swallow your words

I’ll give you everything that I have already So light that lamp

If the rain could wash away even the time that had gone by Then gently embrace my innocent self with those wide arms of yours Look at me...

The snow melts and disappears with one's touch Oh, what a transient thing, don't you think?

I finally understood everything when it came to finding you I realized that I was snow all along Please, let me stay in your warmth like this

[kimchi-noodles]

[Interview] Ivudot on his first album, “Nuance” (from Skream!)

“Because in music, there is no right answer to what listeners find to be the answer on their own” A mysterious singer-songwriter releases his first album

Original article from Skream! Ivudot’s official website Interview by Hata Rie Translation by noodle

He started his music career from making “utattemita” videos that were spun by his transparent sounding vocals. Last year, after releasing songs entitled “Yokun (Lingering Scent)” and “Ruirui,” which he composed and wrote the lyrics for on his own for the first time, this new generation creator, Ivudot, has become the hot topic, and now he is releasing his first full album “Nuance” on July 15. The album, which also includes original songs from various creators like R Sound Design, syudou, 100kaiOuto, Sori Sawada, koresawa, and maeshima soshi, consists of songs from diverse genres from rock to acoustic. This article contains Ivudot’s very first interview. I would like everyone to feel this still mysterious singer-songwriter’s pure impulse in music, as shown in this article telling the story of the reasons he started making music, to doing it alongside work for a while, to entrusting his dreams onto music on his journey towards this album.

Full interview after the cut! update: I’ve also translated music natalie’s interview here.

－Ivudot-san originally gained attention from your “utattemita” videos, but what was your reason for uploading them?

I don’t remember the exact reason. The first time I uploaded a video was back in my 2nd year of middle school, but rather than wanting to upload an “utattemita,” I only wanted to try stuff like live broadcasting back then. You could say I planned on entered for the sake of experiencing one aspect of it.

－Did you like listening to music back then?

I did. I was influenced by my uncle who was in a band, so I also entered a band when I was a freshman in high school.

－Did you do the vocals in that band?

I was on bass and vocals. It’s not like I was good at bass though; I just got a bass from my bassist uncle. I only wanted to try being on vocals.

－What kind of band was it?

It was a rock band. It wasn’t the light music club either. Basically we just formed a band with some friends. We disbanded pretty quickly, and I started working alone after that.

－So even though you quit being in a band, you were able to continue working alone.

Yeah, it was fun. I didn’t have to care about other people’s reactions, either. I simply did things because I wanted to. Uploading videos naturally became a hobby. And then, when I was in my 3rd year of high school, I formed a group with *6 people. It was a group where all of us sang together.

(t/n: He’s talking about Bomberman!)

－Did you also make covers with them?

That’s right. But when I became a college student, I ended up quitting all of my activities involving music, including my activities with them. I totally quit for two years, but after those two years... I think I was 21 years old? I started going into music again in my 3rd year in college and then I was able to continue until now.

－I see. You said you did covers with a rock band when you were a student, but what other genres of music had an influence on you? When I listened to your album, I felt like it featured more tracks with a beautiful and fleeting feel to them.

Hmm... Normally I would listen to any genre. It wasn’t exactly on purpose that the tracks in this album have a vague feel to it, but it just became like that naturally.

－So in this album, did Ivudot-san aim for sounds that suited your voice? Like to emphasize the transparent quality of your vocals?

I actually don’t fully understand what kind of voice I have. At first, in middle school, I actually hated my own voice. I was so young so I haven’t fully developed it yet anyway. If you look through my [old] videos and listen, you’ll notice that my voice is different, right? It was actually a shock to me (laughs). Recently, I’ve been told by the people around me, “You should cherish your voice more,” so I’ve grown to like my own voice, but rather than saying I intended it to be that way, I think it’s better to say that it became that way on its own.

－You’ve originally started your career by making “utattemita”’s but when you started music again, were you also planning on releasing original songs?

That’s right. When I reopened [my utaite activities], it wasn’t originally part of the premise, but rather than wanting to try writing original songs, I just felt curious like “Can I do it on my own, too?” so I started it. Since I was playing the guitar in high school...

－Hm, weren’t you playing bass?

Ah, I quickly quit playing bass. I felt like it wasn’t my style (laughs). I got an acoustic guitar and started playing. Ever since then I continued playing the acoustic guitar, and shallowly thought “Maybe I can write [a song] with this?” and then started writing songs from scratch with that.

－Last year, you released your two first original songs “Yokun” and “Ruirui”, but did you write other songs before that?

No, “Yokun” was the first song I’ve ever written. It took me a year. I wrote it without a thorough understanding of anything about writing songs, so it became as long as 8 minutes.

－That’s pretty long for a pop song (laughs).

Right? I didn’t notice it until my friend told me “That’s too long” (laughs).

－How do you write songs?

In the beginning I could only write the lyrics. But right now I’m trying out different ways of writing songs, so I can pretty much start from anything (whether it’s from lyrics or from the instrumentals). In this album, “Yokun” and “Ruirui,” as well as the final track “Eni,” were written starting from the lyrics. I started with the instrumental in “Yahan no Ame.” Whenever I write a song starting from the lyrics, I end up not being able to bring out everything I’ve gathered.

－Ah, because you have so many things you want to say?

That’s right. It would end up becoming 8 minutes long. I would have to scrape off and then add some parts, and then add the melody with the guitar.

－How were you able to ask haruno-san to do the arrangement for ”Yokun”?

He’s a friend of mine. There was a spot sale for original works in Winter Comiket, and I had once released an album with a friend there. Half of the tracks were covers and half were original songs. During that time I asked haruno and one other vocalo-P to write the original songs. We got along from there. We have the same interests when it comes to music. So when I asked him a favor for this, he willingly gave me the OK. I felt that if I would make my own album then haruno had to be in it.

－haruno-san specializes in delicate-sounding chill pop, right? I think that his success has become a cutting edge in the internet music scene, but for Ivudot-san, do you keep the trends in that music scene in mind?

That’s right. Personally, I think that the number of notes used in music today has decreased. It's become simple. Hip Hop became popular a couple years back, right? For me, I prefer those kinds of mellow hip hop, like songs with poetry in them. In this album, maeshima soshi who had written the track entitled “forever” is also an amazing hip hop artist. I love that sort of vibe now.

－There were a lot of rock songs on the internet leaning on the fierce side of music until the first half of the 2010’s, so I think they left an impact for pushing a unique culture forward. But nowadays it has started to lean more into what’s also trending in the general music scene, hasn’t it?

True, even the vocaloid music scene has influences from R&B from around the 90’s... Ah, but I also can’t write lyrics in the rock genre (laughs).

－What do you mean?

I can’t write songs with straightforward rage like “I’LL WORK HARD!” My parents have told me this before: “You can’t write anything but sad songs, can you?” (laughs), so it seems my roots aren’t based on passion. I think it’s based more on the insidious and dark parts in me.

－So rather than digging up your heated enthusiasm, it’s more like you’re digging up from feelings that are hidden inside you.

Yeah, that’s exactly what it’s like.

－Have you ever tried writing rock songs in the past?

I have, but... it was a mess (laughs).

－(laughs) But you’ve also sung rock songs like “Chakka” really well.

If it’s singing them, that’s fine.

－Right. Going back to the topic of writing songs, you’ve also released “Ruirui” after “Yokun.” I was surprised that you shook off introspective themes here after writing a bittersweet love song, but how did you think of writing such a song?

I think “Ruirui” shows something that everybody goes through. Feelings you get when you’re young like “I hate this kind of life” or “This isn’t me.”

－There is a phrase about searching for your “true self” in the lyrics, right?

I thought of writing this kind of song while I can. Since if I get older, my way of thinking would have already changed. I wanted to write thoughts that only my 23-year-old self would have. It was also exactly at the time I quit my job, so it was a period when I was thinking “What will I do with my life from now on?”, so it was at the right timing for me.

－True enough, I think the part of the lyrics that goes "I’ve gotten good at polite smiles／I wonder why／I don’t know the real answer／But it’s probably not wrong" was a wall that you bump against in your early 20’s.

I personally hate it when others decide things for me. Saying that you should be like this because you’re male, or because you’re female, or you should act like this because you’re 23 years old, aren’t things like those vague? I hate being labeled like that. I wanted to express that you can live however you want, so I sung it that way in this song.

－Are there times when you get ideas as you try to write?

Ah... I wasn’t planning on feeling troubled on my own like that, but I felt like I really had such worries in my heart. I felt refreshed after writing this song. Normally you would go to work after getting out of college, right? And then there’s possibly a predetermined destination of getting promoted after that, but I thought, maybe it’s okay not to be limited to that. I think I was able to digest those feelings with this song.

－Good thing you wrote the song, huh.

Yeah, I think so, too. I’m thinking of listening to it again when I’m 30 years old (laughs).

－By the way, did “Ruirui” come right after “Yokun”?

No, it was around the 4th or 5th song after it.

－Was it a song that was written during the process of making the album?

That’s right.

－What were you generally aiming for in this album?

This also applies to what I said beforehand, but I was thinking that it’s wrong to decide that music should be a certain way. I think I’ve had enough of people saying things like this isn’t allowed because it’s a cover, or that hip hop is no good. “Nuance” is a commonly used word, but it can mean “subtle differences in shade or sound” or “unexpected intentions of a speaker.” It’s often used in art. I wanted the people who would listen to the album to think “This song means this” or “This song and this other song were done in this flow, isn’t it,” so I decided on “Nuance” as the title.

－So you want the listeners to accept their own “nuances,” so to speak.

That’s right. Because I think there are no definitive answers when it comes to music.

－When you listen to music on your own, do you prefer music where you think you have a grasp but can’t, rather than music with a clear answer prepared for you?

I probably do. On the contrary, being told “Please look at it this way” makes it less interesting. Because you won’t be able to see it in any other way but that. I think that being told “Please look at it however you like” feels like I’m not being denied, and I like how it feels liberating.

－There are a lot of musicians participating in this album as songwriters, but do you give out specific requests with regards to the contents of the album?

It depends on the person. For example, I get along really well with syudou-san who wrote “Chakka,” and we’re also drinking buddies. So he already understands my internal thoughts, so I left everything to him. I asked him a song request like ”It’s all up to you.”

－What about “Suisou”? It was an original song written by R Sound Design who also wrote the song that became Ivudot’s most well-known cover “flos,” and I felt like there were parts in “Suisou” that were similar to “flos.”

I certainly wanted it to feel like “flos.” Like the feeling of drifting in the water. However, I didn’t want it to become “flos 2.” I wanted to express something under that broad theme, but I let him do whatever he wanted to with it. If you think about it that way, everything in this album was made that way. 100kaiOuto’s “Tsuzuku Ao” was the same. It’s also connected to what I said earlier, but saying “Do it like this” would be the same thing as “Look at it this way”, so I felt that they would lose their agency as writers that way. I would only decide on the theme like “I want it to be a song about heartbreak,” and then I’ll let them complete the song from there.

－Was “Akairo to Mizuiro” the song with that heartbreak theme?

Yeah, I actually decided the theme in detail for this song. Stuff like being left by someone because of a long distance relationship. However, “Akairo to Mizuiro” isn’t a song about heartbreak. Wait... I guess it still falls under heartbreak, but in reality they aren’t separated. This also applies to me, but whenever I hear out a friend’s concerns about love, it’s not uncommon to feel like “I might break up with this person already.” But I wanted to have a song about the fleeting feeling of not wanting to say that to your partner. At that time, I was looking at all of the couples breaking up around me when I got a job and thought “This is it!”. I guess there are times when you would design a song based on others’ relationships (laughs).

－I think that’s something that any singer-songwriter would relate to (laughs).

Hahaha (laughs), that’s right.

－While each creator has a lineup of original songs that show their individuality, I would also like to ask about “Yahan no Ame” and “Eni,” both of which Ivudot-san also arranged. In particular, “Yahan no Ame” is full of emotions coming from Ivudot-san’s core of expression.

I wrote “Yahan no Ame” after the song after “Yokun.” It’s the first original song I also did the arrangement for, but I was already thinking “Let’s work on everything in this song on my own” ever since I started working on it. I didn’t know what was right and wrong then, so I did the arrangement with trial and error the whole time.

－Within its beautiful stereo image, there was also a stinging feeling of frustration or loneliness being expressed. Did you have that image in your mind from the beginning?

I did. This might only be me, but for example, whenever I head home at 11 or 12 o’clock after work, there aren't any people or cars around, but only lights. Don’t you sometimes feel like you’re alone in the world in times like that? I quite like that feeling. I wanted to write a song for that self who is in his own world.

－It also felt like they were searching for something, or desperately fighting for something in their own world.

I’m the type who can’t talk to others about my own worries. I think that the answer is supposed to be within me, so it ends up becoming my solution for everything. I think it’s the same feeling as walking alone at night. That’s why the melody of “Yahan no Ame” is influenced by pop, but the lyrics are dark.

－I see. From what we’ve talked about earlier, Ivudot-san had once quit music and then returned, right? When I wondered why, I figured that like this song, maybe it was because you wanted to express things you couldn’t put into words.

Maybe that’s it. Personally, I’m bad at writing. But I can write lyrics. I’m bad at writing about serious things in social media or in letters, so I would end up messing around. Although I can say things straightforwardly.

－Is it because there’s a possibility of being misunderstood in writing?

No, I just think things will get too cheesy. I think it depends on the person. How should I say it...

－Maybe it’s because the moment you put it into words, you’ll end up giving a name to those unnamed emotions within yourself? Like you would prefer things to be vague?

Yeah. For example, in order to tell someone “I love you,” you’ll end up explaining like “Because of this and that, I think of it this way, so I love you,” so it feels like you’re keeping up an appearance, as if you’re lying. But in lyrics, there are parts that are deceiving. Since it’s combined with sound, I think it has something it wants to tell you.

－So the best way of expressing Ivudot-san’s feelings is music.

Yes, that’s what I think.

－The final track in the album, “Eni,” is a song consisting of only acoustics and guitar, but did you think of not including other instruments in there?

I initially wrote the song with the guitar, but I liked the vibe of the song not having many notes so there’s that feeling of making a sound one at a time (laughs). The theme of “Eni” is about a strong woman. “Yokun” is a song that’s completely about being dumped, but “Eni” is a song about someone dumping her boyfriend out of your own accord but regretting it later on. I wanted to express that she’s spitting out her feelings to her boyfriend as if she’s singing in front of him. If I include other instruments and arrange it differently, I think the atmosphere would change.

－This is also about “Eni,” but there are a lot of songs in this album that use themes about feelings toward someone from the past, or about memories that you don’t want to forget, aren’t there? Is there a particular reason for that?

I think that these are my own deep-rooted feelings. The most memorable ones. Since I think that anybody who’s in a breakup with anybody else would feel like “I don’t want this.” Rather than writing songs while aiming for something, it feels more like I’m frankly letting out whatever I was thinking at the moment.

－I see. Since this is also the first album that includes songs you’ve written the music and lyrics for along with the arrangement, how do you plan on making your content after this?

Let’s see... I’m hoping that I can keep on making music forever (laughs).

－A lot of people say that continuing music is the hardest part.

Right, it is hard. I’ve been told several times by friends, “It’s amazing how you can keep your motivation that long.” But I’ve never thought the same thing about myself. I wasn’t planning on showing off that I’m motivated, and I wasn’t planning on working hard either. It’s just that the fact that I’m doing music because I want to is strong, so I also hope that I can keep it up from now on too.

－I heard that you were also involved in making the artwork for the album, but do you also plan on being a musician while also being a designer?

I guess I’ve ended up involving myself with everything around me now. But in this album I asked an illustrator to make the album cover while I made the logo myself. It’s more of being able to execute what I was aiming for, rather than saying that I’ve been more successful working that way.

－Maybe you’re the type who won’t feel satisfied unless you do everything on your own, huh (laughs)?

It’s not hard. At that stage when I’m writing songs, I also imagine how I would want to show it, so if I can then I would think that it’s better to do it myself. That’s why, I want to enjoy being a musician, and also being a designer. It’s not that I want to go on like that, but I feel like it’s naturally going to become like that anyway. Just become what I’m gonna become.

[kimchi-noodles]

[Lyrics] yama - Downtown

Music and lyrics: Kujira (WhaleDontSleep) Vocals: yama Illust: tomowaka MIX and Mastering: saburou, Sankaku Zuwari

Watch the music video on Youtube here.

Romaji and English lyrics after the cut!

Romaji:

Omamagoto wa taihen deshita Yoru no machi ni HAITACCHI shite Akarasama ni uso tsuiten na “Ara, ojouzu” jouzu (lol)

Kikazatteta no wa dame deshita Kubi hata kokoro mo ikimashita Anta no sei de kuruimashita Kono saki dou sunda? Nee

Yukusue wa ibitsu na katachi o shita Akuma no mure ga Sabi tsuita me no oku to yodonde nigotta Anta no mirai o koko de Hikizuri dasunda sonde Kaibutsu ni kuwarechimaeba ii

Okubyoumono wa ne hairimashita NEON ga mado kara sashimashita Tawakete mita no ga warukatta “Ah~ Mou dame...”

Kidzukeba kaihatsu no eki deshita Tameiki nemuke to hakimashita Watashi no sei de kuruimashita Kono saki dou sunda, nee

Berobero ni yopparatte Nani da nan da ka mou wakannaku natte Ijou seiron nan de mo koi Mou nani shita tte nani shita tte Akui dake no shokutaku ni wa Abikyoukan yori mo tsuki sasaru you na Shisen no saki  Mune no oku Mou nani shita tte nani shita tte

Yukusue wa ibitsu na katachi o shita Akuma no mure ga Sabi tsuita me no oku to yodonde nigotta Anta no mirai o koko de Hikizuri dasunda sonde

Yokubou to ka ai to ka nan de mo ii to ka Gochagocha urusee na Usupperai kotoba narabete hitatteru dake koko de Sayonara shiyou ka  Kimi to Ano machi e to

English:

Playing house was hard High-fiving with the town at night You’re blatantly lying, huh “Oh my, you’re skilled” You’re skilled (lol)

Playing dress up didn’t work My neck, shoulders, and heart have also gone away It’s your fault I lost my mind Whatcha gonna do after this? Hey

My fate has taken up a distorted shape The crowd of demons Stagnated and blurred along with the depths of their rust covered eyes I’ll drag out Your future right here and then I don’t care if I get devoured by monsters because of it

The coward has fallen asleep Neon lights shot out from the window It was my bad for trying to play the fool “Ah~ I can’t do this anymore...”

I realize I was on the station waiting for the first train I sighed my sleepiness away It’s my fault I lost my mind Whatcha gonna do after this, hey

Getting dead drunk I’ve lost my sense of which is which Bring it on even with your anomalous theories Whatever I do now, whatever I do, For this dining table filled with nothing but malice As if piercing me even harder than a pandemonium Beyond my line of sight, deep within my chest Whatever I do now, whatever I do

My fate has taken up a distorted shape The crowd of demons Stagnated and blurred along with the depths of their rust covered eyes I’ll drag out Your future right here and then

Settling for desires or love or whatever It’s goddamn annoying You’re just drowning yourself in shallow words you’ve put together Shall I say goodbye right here? To you And head towards that town