INDEX
Chorus Work on Yuma Abe’s Solo Album Hotel New Yuma
In addition to Nagisa, Sakura Fujiwara and Yuga also participated in the chorus of the song.
Abe: I wanted to try creating music with different people, and for me, the three voices I considered to be “great voices” were those of Nagisa, Sakura Fujiwara, and Yuka. It felt like a luxury to have all of them involved. That’s why, extending from that, I invited Nagisa to participate in my album as well.
Murakami: For the “Fuyugoe” recording, there were three of us doing the chorus, so the singing style was already somewhat decided before we entered the studio. For Abe’s album, though, I received directions throughout the recording, and I ended up using voices I wouldn’t usually use. There were several moments when I realized, “Oh, I can make this kind of sound too.” It felt like the focus wasn’t just on making it sound pretty but on the interesting quality of the sound itself. We even tried doing chorus parts similar to a call-and-response. I had a great time challenging myself with types of chorus I had never tried before.
“Hokeruna” is exactly like that, and Hotel New Yuma is filled with memorable sounds and choruses.
Abe: I believe this album is the one I’ve put the most effort into, and Nagisa’s voice was absolutely crucial to it. Her voice has this quality that reminds me of Brazilian music. In a lot of Brazilian tracks, you hear both male and female voices blending together, creating this sweet yet earthy vibe—there’s a certain rawness, a kind of laid-back charm, you know? (laughs) If Nagisa hadn’t contributed her vocals, the impression of where this hotel is located might have shifted when you listen to the album, so I’m really glad it turned out this way.
