Released in early 2018. Roughly less than two years in the making.
When I started my own creative process, I had a goal of five albums.
A friend asked me, "Why five albums? I said, "I don't know, but five albums! (laughs).
(laughs) At the time, I just imagined that I would have the energy to make at least five pieces.
At the time, I thought I had the energy to make at least five pieces, but I don't think I was that emotional during the process (laughs), and I think I was just going through the motions.
Of course, I didn't finish with only five pieces, and I bought a new instrument after the fifth piece.
It seems that the original plan changes quite often (laughs).

01 DELIGHT

This is a song in the key of A, which is low.
The bass and guitar are both tuned down one note, so it is no longer clear what the sound is.
I guess amateurs shouldn't handle the separation of low notes (laughs).
At first I tried it in the normal key of A, but "Wrong! It's too light! The heavy character in me rejected it. The heavy character in me rejected it.
Looking back, I think it would have been better to leave it as it was, but I couldn't help thinking that way at the time (laughs).
(laughs) Listening to it now, I can't help but feel that the drums are stubbornly trying to escape from the "norm," and as a result, they are disturbing the place.
Well, it's noisy, isn't it?

02 Imaginationist

I don't consciously write songs in odd time signatures, but I am aware of it because I use software to register the time signature.
In the case of this song, the "initial impulse" that sounded in my head happened to be in 7 beats.
When I started working on the song, I decided to write it in 7-beats.
Of course, it is possible to change the time signature in the middle of the song, but then I would have to "consciously" remove the seven-beat binding.
In this case, the idea of "daring to remove the 7 beats" comes to mind, which is somewhat disgusting.
In short, I don't know what I'm trying to say, but I'm saying that odd time signatures are difficult in that sense (laughs).
Incidentally, the chorus-like part is a remnant (don't call it a remnant) of a song I used to write when I was young. Resurrected from the grave (laughs).
The chord progression and 7 beats of the guitar solo in the middle part is still one of my favorite developments.
It's just a major 7th, isn't it?
Shut up! It doesn't matter what it is... (laughs).

03 New Conception 

The beat is "straight". The development is also normal.
In that sense, it's a song that doesn't match the title at all (laughs).
It may have been a new concept for my POP axis (what kind of axis is that?).
I don't remember why I came up with this title, but it was probably the middle part, "Pseudo Tango.
I think this part was longer and the song ended up in a tango style.
As a result, I had to go back to the original, but the remains remained in the title.
That's what I think (laughs).

04 Escapism 

This song made me wish that all the instruments were a little better.
Or rather, it's a song that made me realize how bad I've become at drumming (laughs).
When I was playing it, I was like, "It's a piece of cake in one take," but I had a hard time editing it (laughs).
I think this one is more like "New Conception" as a song.
By the way, I like this song more now than when I was working on it. I like it more now than when I was working on it, like the fact that it doesn't end on a bright note (laughs).

05 Breeze From Forest River

It's been a while since I've had a guest.
When I went to Ehime Prefecture to visit, we met for the first time in a long time, had a lot of fun, and then we exchanged data.
Originally I was going to do everything by myself.
While we were talking, I got the idea that I wanted to take some snapshots, so I asked him and he agreed.

I'm sure it won't make any difference in reality, but I feel that musical instruments are a way to show the human capacity.
In that sense, I may have lost some of my superficial skills compared to the days when I was a melter.
But I like the current sound better, with a lowered center of gravity and a more relaxed attitude.
By the way, I still haven't paid my fee yet (laughs).
I'll go pay for it when I have time again (laughs).

06 Gallop 

This is the second song that made me realize how bad I've become at drumming (lol).
There were a lot of situations where I couldn't even play a certain number of notes in a bar.
I'd like to hear this song played by people who are good at playing instruments (laughs).
The other thing is the mix, which could have been done better.
If I had to rework this album, this would be the first song I would rework (lol).

07 Family

I think I came up with the main theme in the evening at an amusement park, or on my way home.
In that sense, the title is too ordinary, but I didn't say "family" (laughs).
(laughs) When I decide on a title, I do some research.
But the theme itself was created all at once, so it still has a natural feel to it, and it's probably POP in a good way.
The guitar solo is also one of the best in the album.
That's the true meaning of the title (lol).

08 Simple Prayer 

A beautiful woman praying in a large space.
I think the first image I had in my mind was a game idea like that.
That's why the pipe organ. The idea was too simple (laughs).
Oh, it matches the title.
Also, in the chord progression of the guitar solo, I can see her praying to get back to the original landing point even if she misses it in the middle.
Oh, this also matches the title (laughs).
After all, the name does speak for itself (laughs).

09 The Last One 

The drum solo at the end? The last drum solo is a bit of a sideshow, but the whole song is serious.
I remember that the main part was the most difficult to write, because it was written in the order of A melody to B melody.
I remember that the main part was the most difficult part to write.
If you ask me if I still need it now, I can't answer. I can't answer that question (laughs).
But the middle part of the song is the best part of the album. It's very typical, I guess.
If I were to introduce this song to a stranger for 30 seconds, I would tell them to listen to this part.
I'm sure that the person who is listening to it will say "huh" (laughs).
Next time, next time (laughs).

10 LIFE 

The original song is from a long time ago.
It was an experiment to see what would happen if I arranged it in the style I like now.
Whether it went well or not is for everyone to decide.
However, since the song is based on the melody of a song, the development of the song may be gentle and easy to get used to.
It's an old song, but I remembered the fragments for a long time.
The middle part of the song was... well, it was a bit forced, I guess.
The middle part of the song was a bit forced.
Oh, this also matches the title (laughs).

It's like a concept album if the title and the song match so well (laughs).
Thank you very much for listening.
It would be my pleasure if it could be the background music for your scenes.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)