INDEX
Personal introspection and its connection to the end of the world: Seiichi Nagai’s unique perspective in joining TESTSET.
Before we dive into the new release, I’d like to revisit the first album. That work reflects a perspective on modern society, where the lines between reality and unreality blur, intensifying the sense of chaos. I sensed a similar atmosphere in the lyrics of “Stranger,” written by Seiichi Nagai, especially with the line “Feel like dystopia, no more escape.” What were the inspirations behind the lyrics of that song?
Nagai: I grew up in Shibuya, and the lyrics of that song are based on my personal experience of not being able to return home anymore. The station has changed too much, and I can’t even get out at the usual west exit. I used to be able to return easily, but suddenly, I couldn’t anymore.
Now, even the escalator that takes you up from the Hanzomon Line is always packed with people. Despite having renovated the station, I wonder why it’s become so inconvenient. The atmosphere that now dominates the streets of Shibuya, the types of people—it’s all different from what I once knew. In that sense, it’s a “Stranger” experience. I definitely feel a sense of dystopia.
Of course, there was also the pandemic, and I think the first album had a mood of “Where is society going from here?”
Nagai: I think LEO is good at using metaphors like that, and it’s something he’s been doing since his solo work. It’s not exactly straightforwardly punkish; it might seem like he’s complimenting something, but it’s actually a heavy critique, full of irony. I think all four members of TESTSET are like that. Especially Marin, who might have the most biting attitude [laughs].
Even with “Stranger,” the original inspiration was a personal experience, but it ended up reflecting the mood of society and the times.
Nagai: Personally, I tend to write lyrics about my own, sometimes naïve, experiences. I like the concept of connecting my own introspection or small personal worries with the end of the world or a global crisis. It’s a concept that really appeals to me.
The new song “Yume No Ato” is also very personal in content, but I think there are many people who have lost something over the past few years, so I believe it resonates with those people’s feelings. “Stranger” is similar in that, even if you’re not living in Shibuya or a city, many people experience situations where they feel lost or confused, where they don’t know which way to turn.
How were the four tracks on EP2 TSTST selected?
LEO： These tracks were part of the early stages of sessions for the second album. Some were completely new creations, while others were unfinished demos from before the first album that we finally shaped into something.
Musically, the four tracks are quite diverse, but they all carry the spirit of TESTSET, the soul of the four of us. I think that’s really been reflected well, especially after a year of consistently performing live. Also, since it’s an EP, we wanted to experiment a bit and show a different side of ourselves.
