INDEX
Embracing Vulnerability: A Time for Openness
What inspired you to remake the song after three years?
Shetona: When I started my career as Shetona Yui, I had a strong image of producing sophisticated, somewhat enigmatic Western-style sounds. However, after releasing my previous album MUSEUM and the track “Coffee Time” from TINY LAND, I felt it was time to shift towards brighter, dance music-oriented, and more human-sounding songs. Previously, all my lyrics were in English, which might have made it unclear what I was singing about. This time, I felt it was important to express myself fully in Japanese, which was the main reason for tackling the remake.
The original version had a rawer sound, but this new version emphasizes dance music and house influences. While the lyrics, melody, and chord progression remain mostly unchanged, the arrangement and sound production have undergone significant changes.
Did you draw inspiration from any specific artists for this remake?
Shetona: I based the remake on Tom Misch and incorporated elements from artists I currently enjoy, such as DURDN, BREIMEN, HONNE, and South Korea’s OOHYO. I’ve been particularly influenced by DURDN, and their impact is quite evident in this new arrangement.
The title “Massugu (Straightforward)” carries various meanings in the lyrics, such as “living straightforwardly” and “straightforward love.” What does “straightforward” mean to you?
Shetona: The keyword “straightforward” immediately came to mind from the “pure love” in “Pure Love Soda.” I have a very “straightforward” personality myself. I’m not good at lying, and friends often see right through me, like when they say, “You want to go home now, don’t you?” or “It’s written all over your face” [laughs].
So, you’re quite candid [laughs].
Shetona: I tend to be very passionate about everything, not just in romance, but with my family, friends, and loved ones as well. I want to face them honestly, without betrayal or deceit. When I sing about “hating” or finding “straightforwardness” tough in this song, I imagined a character who embodies a somewhat manipulative female persona, who might feel that way.
So, you contrasted “straightforward” people with “manipulative” ones. What do you think about the term “manipulative”?
Shetona: Having attended an all-girls school through middle and high school, I was completely unfamiliar with mixed-gender environments. When I started university, I was surprised by how things were among co-ed students. That’s when I became really interested in the term “manipulative.”
For me, even when I need to reach something high, I bring my own chair and stand on it, and I carry my own amp and guitar. But very cute girls seem to know how to rely on others, and I sometimes envy that. I think this sparked the theme for this song.
When you mention “knowing how to rely on others,” do you mean something like being able to say, “This is too high for me to reach,” in front of men?
Shetona: Exactly. For instance, if I see someone saying, “I can’t open the door from inside because it’s too heavy,” and I’m thinking, “Wait, how did you get in then?” (laughs). I found such situations entertaining and amusing, so I wanted to focus on that aspect when creating the song.
