Japanese Music for the Soul: Kenshi Yonezu

Hello and welcome to this week’s article, Japanese Music for the Soul: Kenshi Yonezu. As the title so cleverly suggests, this week we learn about famous Japanese artist, Kenshi Yonezu, and a short list of my recommended music. 

Kenshi Yonezu is a musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and illustrator born in 1991, Tokushima, Japan. He is also known as 「Hachi,」 a stage name he uses to release Vocaloid music on a video sharing website. He first debuted under his real name in 2012, releasing music with his own voice. 

Ever since he was a child, Yonezu found it difficult to communicate with others, especially his father. In 2011, he was diagnosed with high-functional autism. However, he has a rare talent for music and is often referred to as a musical prodigy. Although he didn’t graduate from a well-known university, he can play multiple instruments and has a gift for composing. His first albums were completed entirely on his own, including writing the lyrics, composing and recording the music, editing, designing, and even illustrating his own album cover. In his Vocaloid songs, he also arranged, programmed, mixed, and performed all the instruments. 

Ever since his debut in 2012, Yonezu’s popularity grew rapidly. His first album, Diorama, became the biggest release on the label to date. Further albums including Yankee, Bremen, Bootleg, and Stray Sheep also received numerous awards both in Japan and worldwide. He has also composed and produced many songs for other artists. He doesn’t often perform live, but he does hold online live performances on Ustream. 

And finally, some of my personal favourites!

In fifth place, 「まちがいさがし」 (Machigaisagashi). The title refers a game played where two almost-identical pictures are compared and the player must find the small mistakes or differences in the pictures. This song is a combination of his natural voice and electrically produced music. The song is generally quiet but also rises at the chorus. The lyrics describe a love story, where he thinks of himself like the mistake in the pictures, but he’s glad he is, or he never would have met her. 

Fourth, 「Flamingo.」 This funky song is catchy, fun, and sure to pop into your head just when you’re trying to remember something important for a test. There isn’t much to say. He describes the girl as a flamingo, bright, red, and dancing amongst a dreary and cold world. Yeah, this song is really just here because it’s so catchy.

Third, 「打ち上げ花火」 (Uchiage Hanabi). Another theme song to a Japanese movie, this song is calm, relaxing, and definitely one of Yonezu’s lighter songs. The melody is sweet and happy, like a warm summer day. The lyrics describe the desire to hold on to youth and the memories of the past, of an exploding firework that never falls, and the summer that never ends.

Coming in second, 「LOSER.」 The fast beat and drums just make you want to tap your foot and bob your head. Or maybe that’s just me. This song is very reflective ofYonezu himself and his autism. He has previously mentioned that his autism did affect his life, causing him to feel unable to communicate with others and having had trouble understanding them and ultimately feeling like a loser. The song describes a person going from despondent and dejected to believing in themselves and a better tomorrow. 

In first place, 「Lemon.」 One of his most well-known songs, 「Lemon」 is the theme song for a Japanese TV show, Unnatural, and was awarded numerous awards. It follows the large idea of the show, death, a common theme in Kenshi Yonezu’s music. In the process of creating this song, his grandfather actually passed away, which had a large impact on his final piece. Though it does have a somber theme, the song is not depressing or dark. It has a gentle, sad melody that leaves you thinking. And come on, that album cover is amazing. 

And there you have it, Japanese music for the soul! Even if you don’t understand Japanese (like me), I still really recommend you to search up Kenshi Yonezu and listen to some of his songs. Who knows, maybe you』ll uncover a hidden love you had for Japanese music you never knew you had before?

DMN Writer,

Annie