When I heard the first song "VIOLET" singing, "I'm worried about the fate, I'll say goodbye to myself," I was surprised.The surprise continues until the 1th song "Tone Ride Dance" that decorates the last.What's more, not in one direction, but in all directions, betraying and surpassing expectations for each song.
Kyoko's new album "VIOLET" after BARBEE BOYS's first "full-scale restart with sound source" (end of 1992-January 2018) since its dissolution in 2020. For the first time in eight and a half years, Kyoko and her staff first asked Koichi Tabo to produce one song.That is the digital single "One Flame, Two Hearts" released on June 1, 8.
He made his debut with Superfly in 2007, produced a number of hit songs, and since leaving Superfly in 2013, he has worked with a number of artists such as chay, Daichi Miura, Takuya Kimura and Leo Ieiri. Was born in 1982. It is said that it was when he was a high school student that he learned of Kyoko's existence through past footage of BARBEE BOYS and Fukumi.
"Since I started digging into Japanese rock, I'm a pioneer of Japanese female rock singers. I was also working with female vocalists. I was very happy to hear from you." Taho says.However, there seems to be a gap at the beginning between the music of Koichi Tabo that Kyoko & staff expected and the music that Koichi Tabo is currently making.
"I've been away from rock music for a while. For example, I've been doing things like collating Daichi Miura's songs with hip-hop track makers, these 3-4. Year. Rock had the premise that he had done it with Superfly. At the same time, it was very big and decisive that he was influenced by the transition of the overseas music scene. However, I went to see the Grammy Award in 2017. Isn't it the place where the stage of the most amazing fierce people overseas is unfolding? I have to go. "
So, apart from what I've been doing, I moved to the office and collaborated with track makers and rappers to make it, and then I shook it off ... and so on.I think Kyoko was expecting a more rock-like image that I made with Superfly.So I think I was surprised at first. "(Taho)
That's why Tabo produced the song for this work by collaborating with track makers and musicians who worked hard with him or wanted to work once.The same is true of the lyricist, and not only is he the first to work with Kyoko, but there are also people who are new to Tabo.It is also unique that Kenta Hamano, who is now known as an actor, wrote the lyrics for "Dance on the tone", rather than being one such person = Zainichi Funk.
As a result, the tracks that are freely blended with R & B, hip-hop, electro, and rock, and the melody and lyrics that appear on the tracks that are "not sontaku in Japanese" can be moved to sing it. Kyoko's vocals that have stepped out of the range are also ── In other words, it is a fresh work that you can meet "Kyoko that you have never heard before" at every point.At the same time, it is a collection of songs full of breadth and depth that will not only surprise her fans, but will also reach listeners who did not know Kyoko before.
"When I listened to Kyoko's past solos again, I had the impression of grunge-like, tingling rock. At first, I thought that if I produced it, that wouldn't be the case. Kyoko's When I listened to the history, including Barbie, I thought that I liked it the most because of the glossy voice. I wish Kyoko could bring it out.
The image flashed in that direction, and I made "One Flame, Two Hearts".It was a bit of a bet, but I thought that if I missed the target, I wouldn't be able to get rid of it.Then the reaction was very good, and I received the words, "Why don't you make an album together?"So, from that point on, I continued to write songs with the image of voice. "Electro is good", I didn't think of it in advance of sound, but first of all, "voice" (Tabo)
There are usually no examples of artists with a career and position like Kyoko trying new things from the ground up like this work.You don't want to do such a difficult thing anymore, or even if you want to do it, you won't be able to keep up with your body and soul.I think it was a trial that couldn't be done without a great deal of determination and determination.I think I'll listen to these 10 songs, but according to him, that wasn't the case.
"First, when I heard some producers' demo tracks of the songs, Mr. Tabo was really cool. I thought,'Well, are you making this kind of music?' So, I forgot to sing and thought, "This is good because it's cool!" I always think that my favorite song, cool song, and the song I can sing are different. However, it's a very good song, so I jumped at it. So, when I actually sang it, it was really difficult to make a little tune, and I said, "Wow, I'm done!".
But as a new attempt for me, try it first.So, after the second song, I thought that I should have Mr. Tabo make a song that I can sing, so I started.But after that, "Wow, it's gone! ] One after another (laughs).Every time I think, "Why did you say I'm going to do it?", But the power of the song exceeds that. "Wow, I want to sing! I think.When I thought that I was able to make such a wonderful song ... I didn't have the R & B-like feeling of "Why Boy" at all.At first, "No, no, no, no! I thought, "... But I want to sing because it's a good song."
That's why I didn't start with such a high aspiration, but as a result, I went into the Tabo world more and more. "(Kyoko)
"At the very end of the recording, when Kyoko made a good expression like" I did it! ", I was a little relieved. I was glad that I also believed in it. Not only was it new music for Kyoko, but it was also new music for me. At first, I thought I was proposing it, but before I knew it, I kept opening new doors. I did it. "(Taho)
"I don't listen to my album so much, but this time I'm listening to it a lot. My voice I've never heard, my singing style I've never done ... There are times when I feel like I'm singing. That's why I think it's fresh and I can listen to it myself. I don't think there is a sense of accomplishment. That's why I really want you to listen to it. "
Kyoko gave the title "VIOLET" to this work, which was a big turning point for both of them. It is said that the beginning came up with the word "SWEET VIOLET" to use in the fourth song "the days ~ How about happiness ~". I felt the image of a requiem in "the days", and it seems that it came from the fact that "in Europe, there used to be a custom of surrounding dead people with violet flowers and seeing them off", but as a result, it is different. It was used in the first song "VIOLET".And that became the title of the album.
"Purple, I've never worn it before. From Barbie's point of view, the basics are black, then white, red, etc. Also, when I look at the jacket after being solo, there is also blue. But I've never used Violet, and I thought, "Oh, it's a new color for me." It's new to do with Mr. Taho, and "How about an album title?" Isn't it? "
After that, I learned that it's my personal color, violet.When I worked with illustrator Umakake Bakumiko the other day, I asked, "Kyoko-san's color, personal color diagnosis.Even purple. "What is it !?" (laughs) "(Kyoko)
(Text Shinji Hyogo)