LUI FRONTiC AKABANE JAPAN  "Wonder Loop"

By: Hideo Miyamoto
 

Spurred by their major debut, LUI FRONTiC AKABANE JAPAN has strengthened the bond among the members as a band. The story of the three has just begun!

Because of the background of Pour Lui, the vocalist of strong character, being a former member of BiS (an idol group disbanded in 2014), LUI FRONTiC AKABANE JAPAN seemed to lack clear direction. However, they have finally started to show their growth as a band. Their second single “Wonder Loop” will be the crucial turning point for their music career. Just like “Rip Me,” their major debut single, “Wonder Loop” was composed by member (guitarist), Tempest Takeuchi. ‘What’s so special about that?’ – Do not think that way. When they were an indie band, their songs were chosen over competition.

“Since we made the major debut, the songs made by the members are being given priority. Before that, Matsukuma-san (Kenta Matsukuma; producer/composer/lyricist/music arranger) also wrote songs for us, agehasprings was the producer, and there were competitions each time to decide which songs we were going to play. But Universal Music said, ‘We prefer the style in which the band member writes the songs for the band.’”  (Pour Lui)

“We’re more motivated now. After all those twists and turns, now I know that my songs are definitely better than songs written by someone we’ve never met. I know what Pour Lui is good at. I’m confident about it.” (Tempest Takeuchi)

LUI FRONTiC 赤羽JAPAN ワンダーループ ユニバーサル(2015)

From the intro, they’re more than ready – the guitar, bass, and drums play together creating tricky riffs, and sprinting feelings hits top gear. Though this is a catchy rock number with a danceable 16-beat rhythm, just like “Rip Me,” “Wonder Loop” has a faster tempo and more aggressive guitar techniques.

“I was writing this song with live performances in mind, hoping to blow the audience away. I think “Rip Me” has a wide-open feeling, whereas this song is something more narrow and sharp.” (Takeuchi)

“It was already almost complete when I first listened to it, so I just played the bass part along the line. But I wanted to do something more challenging in terms of technique, so I added super-fast phrases into the first verse and interlude, with a smug smile.” (Ohara Just Begun; bassist)

The imbalance between the absolutely high-quality performance for the modern danceable rock numbers and Pour Lui’s extremely cute voice, turns out to be somehow well-balanced. Also, the lyrics are really good – in those lyrics, Pour Lui puts down her real feelings about those turbulent days from last year, under the theme of ‘the end and the beginning.’

“I wrote the lyrics thinking of the dissolution of BiS on the 8th of July last year. After BiS came to an end, I started working on this band full time, and other former members of BiS also started something new, so I thought this is perfect for the theme. ‘Wonder Loop’ is a coined word. I gave the title with the image that ‘The end and the beginning come after each other forever. That is what life is all about.’ When something ends, we miss a lot of things and memories linger. But when something new happens, you can get over the past. It’s always going to be this way.” (Pour Lui)

The B-side song “Damasaretaindayo (meaning I Wanna Be Fooled)” is also a music piece by the combination of Pour Lui and Takeuchi. They are making more and more original songs which they’re playing at their live shows. Now that they’re working really hard, aiming to become a hit maker, Takeuchi says, “Now is probably the most fun of times.” Pour Lui and Ohara nods to his words. Their goal is crystal-clear.

“As a band, we had been lost for a long time. But nowadays we enjoy performing at live shows more than ever. So I want people come to see our performance before underestimating us like ‘They’re a band with a former idol, huh?’ If they came, I’m sure we can give them a great time. I hope we can all reach new heights together!” (Pour Lui)