[translation] TV Life 24 Oct - Sakurai Sho's 「Japonism 」Track Commentary
Scan Credit
TV Life included Sakurai's thoughts on each track of the Japonism album. I had been wanting to translate this for a while now, but the words are pretty hard to read on the scan so that threw me off. Sorry for any inaccuracies that may arise from that. There are also some links to jisho throughout on cultural notes or things I'm not really sure of - so you can decide what he means for yourself lol.
1. Sakura
Since it was the first time singing a theme song for an drama Arashi didn't appear in (Ouroboros~), it's kind of a special song. I really like the lyrics of the chorus.
2. Kokoro no Sora
Hotei-san x Arashi, and it has the sounds of Japanese musical instruments midsong, isn't it certainly the lead song of this album? I also want you to definitely watch the PV.
3. Kimi he no Omoi
The chorus is really impressive, it's a really beautiful song. It's a love song sung about people who were once separated and were brought together again.
4. Don't you love me? (Matsumoto Solo)
In any case, it's a cool song, isn't it? When I first heard it too, I thought 'How cool'.
5. miyabi-night
The lyrics have Japan-like words in it, I guess I get the impression it's a song with lovely words.
6. Mikadzuki
For this, we talked about wanting a "Tanabata" love song on the album, this song was made for that.
7. Bolero!
This song, kind of, really, is for us to get hyped up with everyone, so to say. It really feels like a party tune.
8. Mr. FUNK (Aiba Solo)
It seems it's the sequel to "Disco Star" (Aiba solo song recorded for "The Digitalian"). I wonder what kind of performance it'll be this year.
9. Akatsuki (Ohno Solo)
It's hard to explain in words, but in terms of impressions, I think it's a song that has that "Ohno Satoshi's solo!" feeling. It sure is "Ohno style".
10. Aozora no Shita, Kimi no Tonari
The other day at "ARASHI BLAST in Miyagi", singing it under the clear sky outdoors, I thought once again that it's a great song. Single songs really do stand out, huh.
11. Rolling days (Sakurai Solo)
I wanted it to have a different feeling to my solos so far. Since the worldview of the song was so tight, I finished writing the rap lyrics in about 30 minutes.
12. In·The·Room
I like the word "rouge" (that appears in the lyrics). Isn't it kind of Showa-ish? It's a cool song with a sense of nostalgia in the air.
13. Masquerade
We asked Funayama Matoki, who was responsible for the arrangement of Shonentai-san's "Kamen Butoukai" to also do the arrangement for this song. It's certainly has "The·Kayoukyoku" feeling. [TN: Kamen Butoukai means masquerade.]
14. MUSIC (Ninomiya Solo)
I kind of feel like it's been a while since Nino's done something like this. It's a cute song, isn't it. I think, in a lot of ways, he's aiming for something... (laughs)
15. Tsutaetai Koto
A greeting song with the theme of "Thank you". I'd said I've always wanted to have a greeting song like this.
16. Japonesque
This is also a song in line with the concept of the album this time. I think it's a song where you can somehow feel Japan and nostalgia.
1. 【Yoitoko Edition】 Nihon Yoitoko Makafushigi 2015
Wanting to do a song like this, we were looking for one but couldn't find it... Then, this was it after all, and we were able to cover Shonentai-san's song.
1. 【Regular Edition】Bokura ga Tsunaideiku
This is a reaaally good song. It feels like it'd play in the ending of a film. I want them to make a film with this song... with MatsuJun (laughs).
2. the Deep End
It's a dance song, isn't it. It seems like a song that'd go on an Arashi album, a cool song, so to say. That's the image it has, I guess.
3. Make a wish
My overall impression is that it's a sparkling song. Certainly a bright song with a simple approach.
4. Furusato
Because it was in a mysterious state in that though we had sung it at "Kouhaku Uta Gassen", it hadn't become a CD (laughs). We could finally give it a form and present it to you.
Please don't repost the whole thing anywhere. If you quote, please credit 'ihsarafes' or tag me on twitter @mottofreaky :D
[My rambling]
Sakurai, please decide if you want Matsujun or Aiba in the movie with Bokura ga Tsunaideiku. Or both. Both would be good. I love that he said "すげーいい曲" for this because it's one of my favourites from the album. And it's so true how he says it'd be fitting for a movie. Same with Kimi he no Omoi~ ♥♥
I thought Mikadzuki sounded kind of Christmassy but well... I don't know much about Tanabata - but I think Mikadzuki is regardless for some kind of festive occasion :D