映画「君の名は。」が社会現象を巻き起こすなか、RADWIMPSの野田洋次郎によるソロ・プロジェクトの2作目が到着。ピアノやストリングスなどの生楽器と打ち込みの融合というillionならではの作風はそのままながら、特筆すべきはトラックメイキングの進化だろう。5lackが参加した“Hilight”が象徴しているように、多くの曲でヒップホップ的なサンプリング主体のアプローチが採り入れられていて、エレクトロニカ／IDM寄りの方向も受け継ぎつつ、よりドープでサイケデリックなビート・ミュージックの色合いを強めることで、確かな現代性を獲得している。一方、近年ハナレグミやAimerといったヴォーカリストとのコラボが続いた成果か、自身の歌唱も深みを増し、幻想的な“Water lily”では原田郁子のコーラスと美しく調和。エレクトロな“85”ではいつになくソウルフルで艶っぽい表情を見せる。「君の名は。」のユースフルな主題歌“前前前世”とはまた異なる、30代になった野田の等身大の魅力が堪能できる作品だと言えよう。
[English Translation]
As movie "Your Name (Kimi No Na Wa.)" is becoming the latest craze to hit Japan, Yojiro Noda from RADWIMPS, a Japanese rock band behind its theme tune, drops his second solo album, "P.Y.L," under his illion moniker. While a stylistic blend of programming and live instruments like piano and string remains illion's characteristic, what is noteworthy is his progress in productions. Like "Hilight," which features Japanese hip-hop track maker 5lack, most of the album take a sample-based hip-hop approach to combine it with influences from Electronica and IDM, highlighting stoned, psychedelic beats. The result is a definite, modern feel. Here, his vocals gain the depth probably because recent years have seen him working on a series of collaborations with Tokyo-born singer-songwriter Hanaregumi and vocalist Aimer. On the otherworldly "Water Lily," Noda beautifully harmonises with a chorus part played by Ikuko Harada, a vocalist from pop band Clammbon. An electro tune, "85," he demonstrates an ever soulful, alluring expression. Showing another side to "Zen Zen Zense (meaning Past Past Past Life)," the youthful theme tune for "Your Name", this is an album that reveals 30-year-old Noda's real self and indulges in his charm
