Kenshi Yonezu Discusses ‘LOST CORNER’ Album & Cherishing Irreplaceable Things

Kenshi Yonezu recently dropped his highly anticipated new album, LOST CORNER. The J-pop artist’s latest project is a tour de force that arrives four years after his previous album, STRAY SHEEP. This collection is packed with 20 tracks, including ten high-profile tie-ins such as “Chikyugi – Spinning Globe,” which serves as the theme song for Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film, The Boy and the Heron.

Writer Ryutaro Kuroda spoke with the 33-year-old singer-songwriter about his new release. Yonezu shared insights into the concept and intent behind keywords like “Garakuta” (“Junk”), and its connection to the title track. He described his current headspace after releasing the album as “bright,” suggesting that this positive outlook symbolizes the album’s overall style.

Yonezu expressed his feelings about his first album in four years by stating he feels brighter than usual. Although he wished he could have spent more time on certain aspects, he maintains a healthy approach and doesn’t let those minor regrets bother him.

Asked about how he managed to cohesively assemble an album with so many tie-in songs, Yonezu said he worried the album would be dominated by existing singles. To resolve this, he simply increased the number of tracks, bringing the total to 20. Though he originally intended more than half of the songs to be new, he acknowledges falling short of this goal.

Yonezu began working on most of the new songs this year, with about three tracks written last year. Initially, he planned to release the album last year, but wasn’t in the right mindset. His motivation for music had dropped dramatically, primarily due to his involvement with The Boy and the Heron and his long-standing admiration for Miyazaki’s work.

He revealed that such a monumental project made him feel as if his life had reached a pinnacle. Consequently, he struggled to produce new material, leading to a year-long postponement of the album.

Eventually, Yonezu found his way back to music by focusing on what he could control and letting go of things beyond his influence. He shared that, from an outside perspective, his career might appear full of happiness, thanks to opportunities like the Ghibli tie-in, Shin Ultraman, Final Fantasy XVI, and Chainsaw Man. However, he also experienced a sense of urgency, fearing he might “snap” and never recover.

Yonezu arranged all of the new songs himself except for “Garakuta – JUNK.” He described the process of taking full control as highly enjoyable. This hands-on approach reminded him of his earlier works from the diorama era, indicating a return to his roots.

While many of the new songs have an electronic vibe, “Garakuta – JUNK” stands out with its band sound. Yonezu originally wrote it as the theme for the movie LAST MILE. The initial demo was a subdued track with an icy feel, but the film’s producers wanted something gentler and warmer. The final song emerged from this redefined vision.

Yonezu also incorporated personal experiences into the lyrics. A friend who was mentally overwhelmed inspired him significantly. Reflecting on their conversation, he thought about how being “broken” might not be so bad after all, a perspective that deeply influenced the song’s creation.

The album’s final track, “LOST CORNER,” has a notably light tone. Yonezu aimed for a ceremonious and euphoric ending. He wanted to begin the album with a song insisting someone “disappear” and conclude with a song about “not disappearing.”

Yonezu often reads about people suffering from depression, understanding that some feel their lives aren’t worth living. He believes it’s crucial to grasp that it’s okay to exist even if one isn’t deemed productive. This theme of acceptance is embedded in LOST CORNER.

He elaborated on the emotional and thematic underpinnings of the album, noting the importance of maintaining things that can’t be taken away irrespective of external validation. In today’s social media-driven world, he emphasized the necessity of having an inviolable personal space.

Yonezu also announced a major world tour, with two stops each in Asia, Europe, and the U.S. starting in March next year. He fondly remembers previous performances in China and Taiwan and looks forward to visiting these places again. However, he remains uncertain about what to expect from his European and U.S. tours and is cautiously optimistic.

Source: Billboard Japan