CittY "AKE NO MYOJYO"
Interview & Text by: Daisuke Sawada
Taking steps towards city pop is one of the modes seen in the Japanese indie scene, however, groups that fall under this category don't necessarily have something clear in common and their musicality is so different. Foursome band CittY tends to have a taste in line with [new music] artists like Yumi Matsutoya (Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and pianist) and Minako Yoshida (Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and producer). Their sound has a faint nostalgia, an absolute universality and above all, readily accessible melodies. "AKE NO MYOJYO" is the 3rd mini album for them. As with the previous 2 albums, it has 'summer' as its theme, featuring a variety of 6 tracks that express uplifting and sentimental feelings for the coming season.
"When we started the band, we only had a vague notion of 'wanting to create songs suitable for summer' and used to play surf music. Our music shifted over time to pops’ taste that we have loved since our childhood. Having a fresh listen to new music and city pop of those times makes me realize these songs have the power to reach a lot of people. We want to produce such widely loved songs." (Koishi Kishida)
Hiroshi Takano (Japanese musician and producer), a long-time hero of the members, participated in 2 songs on this album as a producer and a player. The track that leaves a particularly catchy impression is "Namiuchigiwano Cherry (meaning Cherry on the Shore)" created (according to Kishida) based on the concept of 'a song suit to be offered to Seiko Matsuda in the 80s.'
"I was asked to sing 'as if I were an 80s Japanese idol' (smiles). Kishida's lyrics do have a story, but priority is given more to the image, and impressive phrases are seen inserted randomly. That's what I pay careful attention to when singing." (Gumi)
Kishida steers the band's direction by writing and composing all songs. But he presents only rough ideas about arrangements and all the members work together to finish the songs.
"There was a time when we were given only vague notions of arrangements, but yet all of our proposals were rejected (laughs)." (Kentaro)
"Despite the concept of 'clarity' for "Heart Beat Journey", powerful drums went well with the image of the song. It was interesting the seemingly opposite approach worked well." (Wataru Mori)
While weaving together refined pops, the album intriguingly takes an aggressive twist on the last 2 tracks. "Urenai Bandmanto Tsukiatteru (meaning Dating a Struggling Bandsman)" is a folky number in which, Kishida says, "we see our own circumstances (laughs)." Meanwhile, "Watashiwo Disco-ni Tsuretette (meaning Take me to the Disco)" bursts with Eurobeat sound reminiscent of Kylie Minogue in her earlier days.
"This time we tried to show the contrasting extremes of our music, ending up giving into temptation, perhaps I should say (laughs). But as long as the melody and lyrics constitute the core of a song, it should be no problem to arrange this much." (Kishida)
The core of the sound consists of the ensemble by the four members, who incorporate a variety of ideas into it. CittY has a distinctive style of pursuing stylish pops while playing as a band, which apparently creates their charm in line with SUGAR BABE (classic Japanese band).
"When forming the band, I recruited members from the rock field. So, their new music or pop-tinged ideas for arrangements are regarded as 'innocuous suggestions' and rejected. I want ideas that reflect their personality and experiences gained so far." (Kishida)
