Megumi Wata "BLINDMAN"
Interviewed and written by：Kei Kashii
Whether I’m even allowed to lump them all together, I’m not sure, but ever since artists such as Izumi Makura (Japanese hip hop MC) or DAOKO (rapper/vocalist) won public attention, there has been this one certain type of group that’s stepping up its presence as 'alternative' pop acts within the ‘good (quality) music listeners’ who simply can’t seem to be satisfied only by the so-called ‘existing mainstream’ music. The said ‘lump’ consists of the likes ranging from the trio Suiyoubi no Campanella to new-wave idol group You’ll Melt More! or to home-recording girl Lovely Summer-chan. Post-internet era values or the new nerdy/subcultural feels since the communization of second dimension culture, or even the all-in smartie girls’ culture that includes everything from idols to Harajuku, are not serving as substitutes as much as these artists themselves may anticipate, and can be considered rather to have already established themselves into something ‘mainstream’. And regardless of where the intentions of the artists themselves lie, this artist, Megumi Wata too can be regarded as one of the phenomenal acts in such ‘mainstream’ neighborhood who has been taking the stage from the moment she emerged into the scene.
Her first appearance in the scene was the song “Sainandawa (meaning So Misfortunate)” that was uploaded on YouTube in the summer of 2014 under the support of Tokyo Recordings. This [Tokyo Recordings] is a newly-launched label organized by a group of Heisei-era born creators led by OBKR from indie R&B unit N.O.R.K. and producer/musician Shinta Sakamoto. From back then already, she was well-talked about by quick-eared media, and leaving aside the stereotyped description as singing ‘cynical and satirical lyrics’, Wata gradually finds herself with wider recognition, unleashing her arty and cute charms that enraptures the hearts of those who like the likes, with the artistic talent running free from wiliness. The release of the album “Sainandawa” also acted as a catalyst. Though she attains fabulous credit of guest-appearing on the song “Gold Digger” by indie synth-pop band ORLAND, this newly released EP “BLINDMAN” is the very first nationwide-available piece of work that listeners can enjoy her singing.
The mini-album is a piece of narrative nature that includes intros and interludes. Though it lines up 7 tracks, because of it being such, there are actually only 4 songs on it. Her previous album “Sainandawa” mixed cynical numbers with excellent songs such as “Gohan” or “Mother” that appeared to have been the reflection of the artist herself, but this latest mini-album comes out as if showcasing one solid story built around a fixed concept laid on floaty fairy-tale-ish sounds. The title track with her quirky toppling narrative, “Run! Run! Run!” that materializes the pleasure of singing in a catchy manner, or the big-scaled atmospheric “Invisibleman” are all produced and composed by Sakamoto and (lyrics) written by OBKR that hit incredibly high standard. The EP is sure to appeal to those ‘out of the field’, not limited to a fixed domain of listeners. Keep your eyes out for more of her exciting activities to come.
