So there it is, I tried to make my version of the Oricon interview with YUI! I hope you will enjoy it~! :)
Original Source was taken from
Oricon
And translated by
Tokyohive
Enjoy~! :)
Interviewer: First of all, give us your thoughts on the album title.
YUI: It holds the meaning of ‘how much is your affection’. I used the
word ‘LOVE’ in the title, but I wanted it to mean a big ‘emotion’. Like
support or a guideline for life… In a broad sense, I think it turned
out to be an album that asks, ‘What are your emotions?‘ By using ‘LOVE’,
I felt that it was the best way to deliver these feelings in simplest
form.
Interviewer: What kinds of emotions were stirred when you wrote these songs?
YUI: When I made my debut, there was a time when I only sang for
myself. Now, I have the opportunity to meet many people, and by
remembering those peoples’ faces, all kinds of feelings surface. I write
songs while thinking, ‘I want them to smile’ or ‘I want them to do
their best tomorrow’.
Interviewer: Various emotions are expressed in your songs; it’s hard to believe that one woman wrote them.
YUI: Thank you. As one being, I have these feelings and emotions…
What I hate, I hate; and what I like, I like. I want to be able to
express them properly. I wanted to bring out that breadth and waves of
emotion. I usually write what I feel directly. I’m happy when people
tell me they can relate to those things. That is why I want to have a
communication where I can ask the listeners, “How do you feel?” So I
chose to put “Green a.live” at the end of the album, since it’s a song
that contains many questions. Although I sing calmly in the song, the
wave of emotion is so big.
Interviewer: It’s a song that was written after you visited the disaster-stricken areas right?
YUI: Yes. There are a lot of question marks, but it’s a song with
many factors. It was hard to put them into words because I wanted to
make it carefully. Also, when I finished the song, I was able to think,
“This is me right now”. There are a lot of emotions within me that I
haven’t unraveled yet. So I realized that I have to face it, instead of
putting an end to it.
Interviewer: Other than “Green a.live”, how did you figure out the order of songs?
YUI: With every work, I make the order of songs with variation… rock
songs then acoustic songs; like that, I make efforts to create ups and
downs so people won’t get tired of it. When I make a rock song, it’s
strange, but I want to make an acoustic song afterwards. This album has
many new attempts, but I worked hard to make it balanced. The song I
wrote while wanting to change the scene is “Good Night”. At first, it
was a song you could hum to but as I was making it, I became greedy. In
the end, I recorded it properly and added a chorus to it.
Interviewer: To be specific, what are ‘new attempts’?
YUI: For example, “Separation” has a funky rhythm, something I’ve
never tried before. I made it while imagining bits and pieces of rhythm
quickly being added into the song… Although I was told, “That’s not a
funk rhythm“, I feel I was able to bring out a groovy effect. Then, I
thought it would be fun to add painful lyrics, and started writing. I
wrote “Lock On” as the theme song for “Kaito Royale”, so I made the song
with the theme of ‘thrill’. Since the drama is set in a world of
treasure stealing, I wanted it to have a kind yet fun outlook on the
world. To make it even more thrilling, I changed the key during the
middle, but it was difficult. When I first received the offer to write
the theme song, there was no script, so I read the draft. I knew a
little about it through games and CMs, which helped me to create an
image of the drama.
Interviewer: The music video is also thrilling.
YUI: It was a fun experience to run around here and there. I was
exposed to many new things, such as dressing up as a casino dealer. It’s
fun to take a look into a world you don’t know. I had a real dealer
teach me the behavior, and was told that I couldn’t even smile. I
thought it would be impossible for me.
Interviewer: You challenged yourself to simple triple (three beats in each measure) in “Cooking”.
YUI: Ever since my debut, I always wanted to make a song with simple
triple. But back then, I couldn’t operate a computer that well, and I
wasn’t able to step record… Now, I’ve become accustomed to a computer so
I typed in the drums myself, then created the melody. It was by feel,
but I had fun. The song had a warm feel to it, so I think the kind
lyrics accompanies the song’s outlook. I felt that every girl has the
feeling of wanting to make food for the person they love, so I sang the
song while imagining I was near that person.
Interviewer: YUI-san’s tone of voice is gentle, so I felt that atmosphere.
YUI: Thank you. I’m usually gentle… I’m lying. “Get Back Home” sounds
like I mixed more sighs than usual. It could be a song to myself
saying, “You had a bad day, but let’s be thankful to the people around
you“.
Interviewer: What kind of message do you want to deliver through this album?
YUI: I challenged myself to all kinds of new things in the album, so
it would be nice if people who listen to it are able to think, “Let’s
try something new”. I want it to become a strength for people to move
forward. I continue to make music exactly like the days when I first
moved to Tokyo. The excitement when I listen to music has never changed.
As the sender, that is what I want to deliver. Tell them, “I’m doing it
so freely!” Freedom could be something you can do at ease at a limited
extent. It’s different from being able to do as I please, but I want to
become a person who can tell people that I’m doing it freely. Although
to be honest, I actually like doing as I please.
Interviewer: Your nationwide tour will start soon.
YUI: The album jacket was shot on Hikawa Maru (ocean liner) in
Yokohama, but it was also taken in the image of the tour. I want to
create a place where people can relax and enjoy.
Interviewer: In June, you held your first overseas live in Hong Kong,
and in September, you held a street live in Shanghai. Have your
thoughts on the live concerts upgraded?
YUI: The minute I stepped on stage in Hong Kong, my heart was about
to break by seeing the amount of people. However, during the street
live, I felt alive. Lives aren’t about ‘you against the audience’, but ,
‘you and I’. So I was able to sing while thinking, “I am singing to you
alone.“ I hope to sing again somewhere else. For this upcoming tour,
I’m going to places I haven’t gone before, so I’m looking forward to the
beautiful scenery and the delicious food. Also, meeting new people.
Picture source:
www.YUI-net.com
