Love, Life, and Self-Worth: Yui Shetona’s Guide to Staying True to Yourself

How the Song “Massugu” Transformed My Music Career

According to the materials, the new song “Massugu” was actually completed about three years ago. Can you tell us about the process of how this song came to be at that time?

Shetona: This song was created during a music competition at Osaka University of Music, where I was studying at the time. As I mentioned in a previous interview, we often received assignments in class, such as “writing a song for an idol,” and had to create music based on those themes. For this particular competition, the keyword was “Pure Love Cider.” I thought to myself, “What a strange theme,” and that’s how the first version of the song came about [laughs].

How did you develop the concept from the theme “Pure Love Cider” into the lyrics?

Shetona: In a competition, there’s always pressure to approach the song from a different angle. While “Pure Love Cider” might naturally evoke images of a typical summer youth setting, I decided to go in the opposite direction with dance music. Influenced by Tom Misch, whom I admired at the time, I chose to focus on themes of “refreshing youth” and “adorable boldness.”

Being in a competition might have made it easier to come up with a unique idea.

Shetona: I believe so. I had a strong desire not to create something similar to what everyone else was doing. Originally, I entered university to make film music, so this competition was my first attempt at writing a vocal song. Receiving praise from my teachers for my voice gave me confidence, and sending that tape to my current agency opened the door for my career as an artist. Without this experience, I might never have developed an interest in vocal music, so it’s not an exaggeration to say that this song changed my musical journey.

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.

The Rarity of Authentic Self-Expression

In the song, it says, “Boy dreaming sweet pretty cute charming girlfriend / (Hah) it’s just a 幻想,” which translates to “the fantasy of a sweet, cute, and charming girlfriend.” Have you ever actually thought about this?

Shetona: I haven’t really thought about it, but I do occasionally face the opposite kind of fantasy being imposed on me. Even though I’m quiet and shy, people sometimes say things like, “You must be very outgoing,” or “You seem strong,” or “You must have a lot of romantic experience.” In any case, I think very few girls are truly open about who they are. So, there’s a bit of irony in this song directed at those kinds of external expectations.

I feel that there are quite a few men who act with contempt towards women who openly express their sexuality.

Shetona: Yes, that’s true. I’ve experienced situations where, when facing problems or observing my surroundings, I’ve heard comments like, “She wears too much makeup,” or “She only hangs out with guys.” Such judgments and assumptions can lead to isolation. This might be a common issue in both single-gender and co-ed schools, and perhaps in broader social settings for women.

By the way, do you ever feel that women depicted in works created by men, who embody the so-called “sweet, cute, and charming” ideal, reflect this kind of male fantasy?

Shetona: Yes, there is a sense of that desire for women to conform to certain ideals in male-dominated spaces. I really like the Sakurazaka46 idols, for instance, and many men have these expectations of them. I think there are idols who accept and even embrace these perceptions.

As you mentioned, idols often carry the weight of their fans’ fantasies. While there are increasing numbers of idols who resist this and stay true to themselves, those individuals often become targets of criticism.

Shetona: Yes, that’s true. Conversely, women, including myself, sometimes impose ideals on men, like preferring “handsome and tall” guys. In the end, it seems we all harbor fantasies about each other. I think it might be good to have songs that take a step further and express irony about these fantasies.

Avoid Defining Yourself Based on Others’ Observations

Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, meeting people through matching apps has become mainstream. According to a survey, one in four people who got married in the past year met through a matching app. It seems that such encounters might lead to idealistic or speculative expectations from both sides.

Shetona: However, even in encounters through schools or workplaces, people can have unrealistic expectations about each other. You don’t truly understand the differences in values until you start dating. On the other hand, matching apps present conditions from the beginning, which might be more realistic. You check specific criteria like height or income and if both parties agree, you start dating. The “method of meeting” may be different, but what happens after might not change that much.

I see a lot of people using matching apps around me, but I get the impression that they often break up quickly over minor issues.

Shetona: The increase in quick breakups might be because it’s now easy to find the next person. With the spread of matching apps, romantic relationships might feel lighter than before.

In that case, it seems like it’s becoming harder to keep loving one person for a long time.

Sitona: I think it depends on the person’s nature. Some people will love one person for their whole life, while others are always seeking new encounters. Ultimately, it varies from person to person. Also, nowadays, more women are independent and want to be “equal.” It’s hard to be friends with people who create hierarchies based on gender or age. There’s less need to force romantic or friendly relationships.

There are different types of independence, like “emotional independence” and “financial independence.” What kind of independence do you value?

Shetona: I value emotional independence. There might be situations where you have to rely on someone, but it feels a bit sad if you’re always the one relying on others and never being relied upon. I tend to be the type who wants to be relied upon, and I think an ideal relationship is one where both people rely on each other. However, relying too much can turn into dependence, so it’s important for both parties to cherish their own time. This applies to relationships with friends and family as well. Financial independence is certainly important, but I feel that emotional independence is the most crucial.

What do you think is necessary to achieve emotional independence?

Shetona: I think it’s important to have confidence in yourself… although, to be honest, I don’t have much confidence myself [laughs]. But if you get discouraged every time someone criticizes you, it can ruin your life. It might be difficult to achieve emotional independence unless you can think, “I am who I am,” no matter what anyone says.

For example, in a romantic relationship, if you’re anxious about not being told “I love you” or “You’re cute,” having self-confidence means you can think, “Aren’t you happy just being with me?” [laughs]. The same applies to friendships. If you have self-confidence, issues like “They never hang out with me” or “They don’t listen to me” might not bother you as much.

So, essentially, it’s about not leaving your self-worth to others.

Shetona: Yes. Ultimately, I believe that only you can truly evaluate yourself. In daily life, for instance, working hard on your studies after coming home or picking up litter on the street and disposing of it in the trash can—these efforts, which others may not see, contribute to your self-worth. I don’t want to be the kind of person who only determines their value based on being seen by others.