Junichi Toki 2nd full album “JUMBLE!!” release commemorative interview | Isekai2nd

　

A rearranged version of “Another Birthday” that skillfully incorporates the taste of Toki’s favorite music.

──Amidst the new songs and 4th single “SCIENCE” (ending song for “Monthly Moso Science”), please tell us why you decided to rearrange and record “Another Birthday”, which is the title song of the mini-album and the opening song for “The Seventh Loop: The Villainous Daughter Enjoys the Life of a Free-spirited Bride in a Former Enemy Country (Lupu Nana)”.

Toki:This was suggested to me by the producer, and my honest impression at the time was, “Can we do it?” When I create a tie-up song, I place great importance on the atmosphere of the work, and for this song, the worldview of “Lupu Nana'' was reminiscent of medieval Europe, so the song is quite mellow, featuring strings and other classical music. So I was skeptical whether it would be possible to rearrange it.

　

　

–If it's an upper-class song, you can do it acoustically, but I was surprised because the original version of “Another Birthday” was already complete, and I thought it would be particularly difficult to rearrange it.

Toki:My team sometimes rearranges existing songs, but I feel like this song is the most 180-degree change in atmosphere from the original so far.

Mr. Yutaro Fujishiro, who rearranged it this time, is the bandmaster who has always played the guitar at my live shows, so I think he is probably the one who knows best what kind of songs and arrangements I like, and where and what kind of sound should be used to make me happy. So, I was surprised that they rearranged it so well, and even though the original was so classical, I never expected it to be reborn as a modern pop song. If it weren't for Mr. Fujishiro, who has great technique and musical outlook, and knows me very well, I don't think we could have come up with such a wonderful arrangement, and I wanted to know what mido and Yuya Hirosawa, who composed the original music, thought about it.

──If you listen to this rearrangement, you can understand Toki-san's musical tastes, so it's like killing two birds with one stone.

Toki:The musical taste that I like and Mr. Fujishiro's view of music mixed well, resulting in a different version of “Another Birthday.” I would like to hear your thoughts as soon as possible.

──What are your impressions after listening to the first album?

Toki:I felt like I was watching a drama even though I didn't intend to. Keeping the momentum of the flashy and lively “Bun Kai Sensation'', the second song “Custom Maid Life'' and the third song “Toy Frame'' continued to be upper-tier songs, followed by the chill song “Kuratsuru Rhythm.'' The next song, “SCIENCE'', has a tingly feel, “Azalea'' has a slightly bewitching feel, “Strangers in the Night'' deepens the night, and “Brightness of Hope'' welcomes the morning, and so on. It would be nice if the chill songs “Kibo Kosou'', “Night Stranger'', and “Zurumaru Rhythm'' were grouped together, but I think it's interesting that they are intentionally spread out.

During the filming of the interview, they played songs from the album, and even I was like, “!?” the moment I heard the song change from “Toy Frame” to “Zuryu Rhythm” (lol). It was a sudden change, but it entered my body without any discomfort. After enjoying a variety of songs, they will conclude with a song that is similar to the ending credits, “Time is Jewel,'' written by RUCCA.

To be honest, while recording, I was singing while thinking, “Is it okay for it to be this messy?” They sang songs with such different vibes each time that my body was shocked and I was worried that I might catch a cold (lol).

But when I decided on the order of the songs and listened to them as part of an album, I felt very comfortable listening to them. I felt as refreshed as I had finished watching a movie.

──It's amazing that you landed firmly in the end.

Toki:The songs were too disjointed, but I think it was a miraculous balance, as everyone on the team stuck to their guns until the end, and even though they struggled, they arrived at the correct answer. I couldn't help but congratulate myself and thought, “Out of these 10 songs, it has the best rhythm.” (LOL) The flow of the first song, “Bun Kai Sensation'', “Order Maid Life'', “Toy Frame'', and then “Zuru Rhythm'' comes after that, and even though there are ups and downs in emotions and emotions, I thought it was good that there were points of relief everywhere. Not only the melody but also the singing style was different, and even though it was an album of songs, I enjoyed it as if I was listening to a soundtrack.

　

I want the live venue to be a fun-filled space and time like “JUMBLE!!”

──There are three types: first limited edition, regular edition, and deluxe edition. Please tell us the concept behind each jacket.

Toki:I don't know either (lol). It's packed with songs from a variety of genres, so I think the jacket shows a variety of me. It was fun taking pictures in various places and compositing them as I was told.

After that, we asked the staff to choose the facial expressions they thought would be good, and then we decided what would go well with the JUMBLE!! jacket, and this is how we ended up with the jacket. So I only found out about this jacket after the fact (lol). However, the jacket is one that makes sense to me, and each booklet also includes photos, so please find your favorite one and enjoy it.

──This summer's hectic days have continued, from your appearance on “Hareza Day” to your first fan club event in October, “Shunichi Toki Lunch & Dinner Show ~ Spécialité ~” on December 7th, release events on January 10th and 11th, and live performances on February 28th and March 14th.

Toki:I myself am surprised. I never thought I would do so many different things (lol). Of course, I am filled with gratitude every time to the staff who help me with various things and to everyone who comes. Every time I perform at an event or live, I want everyone to remember at least one thing that was fun, so I want everyone who is looking forward to it to be able to wait with peace of mind. Every opportunity to meet everyone will be the best time and the best show.

──When Toki-san turned the toy box upside down, a lot of “fun” things were scattered about.

Toki:I want everyone to find a treasure chest filled with “fun.” I have too much fun, so I have to make sure I don't trip or get hurt (lol).

──It seems a little early, but what kind of stages do you think your solo live shows in February and March will be?

Toki:(At the time of interview) The fan club event is coming up soon, and nothing has been decided, not even the dinner show in December, so I'm feeling like my head is going to explode right now, so I'll take some time to think about it once the fan club event is over (lol).

──Towels are a must-have item, especially at live concerts, because you have a “boom times sensation.”

Toki:I'm sure he'll throw the towel around. But the set list is limited. If we were to sing 20 songs, we currently have about 40 songs, so we can only sing a few songs from “JUMBLE!!”. So it's a question of which song to choose. I think it would be fun to sing “Bun Kai Sensation”…I want to sing it too! If possible, I would like to sing all the songs from “JUMBLE!!'', but the producers and staff members probably have their own ideas about which songs to sing, and I feel like “Bun Kai Sensation'' and “Yoro no Stranger'' shouldn't be together.

However, I don't think it's right to announce that we're going to sing “Bun Kai Sensation” here, and if possible, I'd like everyone who comes to the concert to stay excited until the show starts. But if you attend a live performance, you'll probably sweat a lot, so I think it's a good idea to have a towel handy (lol).

──This album is full of songs that make me excited when I imagine how they would perform live.

Toki:I'm also really looking forward to hearing what the staff will do, and it's one of my favorite moments every time we perform live. In my past live shows, there was a performance that turned the hourglass upside down, and I was often surprised, thinking, “Did something like this happen in the back while I was singing?!''

I think everyone will do their best to make the live show enjoyable for the audience, so if I can add what I want to do and make it even more fun, I think everyone will be able to enjoy it as well. I want everyone and I to create a space and time filled with fun at the live venue, just like “JUMBLE!!”.