INDEX
A New Credit Born from Unconstrained, Creative Thinking Leading to a Fresh Concept
The album includes songs you made in high school as well as more recent ones created as Kaika. I imagine you didn’t start out with a clear idea of “this is the kind of album I want to make,” but looking back, what kind of significance do you feel this album holds for you?
Kaika: You’re right, I think of it as more of a compilation album. The title “Umareta mae kara kimi wo shitteru” is a phrase from one of Kaika’s lyrics. Even though it’s a new identity, I’ve been singing about myself, who has always existed. So, it’s especially meaningful to me that “My Dear” and “Remember,” songs written as KAF, are included in this album.m before. In that sense, it means a lot to me that “My Dear” and “Remember” are on this album.
I struggled for a long time over whether to release these two songs under Kaika or KAF’s name. I worried that if I released them as Kaika, it might take away some of the good memories that KAF fans have. But “My Dear” is a song I wrote for the fans, and “Remember” is a song I wrote for Kanazaki Iori, who had been writing KAF’s original songs. Both songs came from my feelings, so in that sense, they’re just as much Kaika’s songs. Since I’ll continue to work on both projects, and they’re not completely separate, I decided to include them in this album as a way to express that.
A trailblazing virtual singer-songwriter of the new generation, Kaika made her debut on January 14, 2024, during KAF’s 4th ONE-MAN LIVE “Kaika” at the National Yoyogi Stadium First Gymnasium. Marking a pivotal evolution in KAF’s artistic journey, Kaika masterfully blends a wide array of musical genres with unique, dynamic expressions. She pours her raw, impulsive emotions into her songs, giving voice to the deep feelings that stir within her. Through her one-of-a-kind sensibility, she transforms everyday thoughts, emotions, and memories into vibrant soundscapes and lyrics. With every note, an indomitable, beautiful energy blooms—untouchable and pure.
It’s really important that these two songs are included. But at first, you were unsure about including songs you originally sang as KAF on a Kaika album.
Kaika: I was the one most concerned about that. After all, KAF is something we create as a team, so I felt like mixing my personal things into it might not be right.
I sometimes think about it… for example, if I accidentally walked out in front of the monitor during a KAF live show, everyone would probably just think, “This weirdo’s crashing the stage!” (laughs). That feeling used to be a bit of a complex for me, but with this album coming out, I’ve been able to sort through those feelings. I realized that it’s not about that—it’s not the essence. KAF and Kaika are connected through me, and I feel like this album allowed me to express that.
The credits for these two songs are listed as “KAIKA & KAF,” and I thought that was really beautiful.
Kaika: I didn’t want to split the credits in a way that would make people think one of them was a lie, so I’m glad I could define it this way. It’s been really freeing, and now it’s easier to work this way. I think it’s great not to be bound by fixed ideas like, “If it’s this name, it has to be this way,” and instead, I can choose whatever feels right for me.
