1. "Boogie Woogie Night of Love"
The theme song for the drama "Shinjuku Field Hospital." A seductive, dazzling electro-pop disco tune that mixes the mysterious neon lights of the downtown area with the reality of people living on the ground, a flood of money, desire, and information.
"Laying an octave on top of the vocals from the A-melody is a new approach for Southern All Stars. The lyrics sounded surprisingly low when placed over the demo melody, so we added a higher pitch." (Tanida)
2. "Say hello to Joan of Arc"
This is a simple, driven rock number with the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in mind. Powerful lyrics such as "sweat and tears" and "jump freely" are interwoven with references to Joan of Arc, the legendary girl who was a symbol of the Hundred Years' War between England and France.
"The recording of both the performance and the vocals was quick. I think this song was able to express what was inside Kuwata as it was, without any embellishment." (Tanida)
3. "Cherry Blossoms Fluttering"
This single was released without any prior notice on January 1, 2025, one year after the Noto Peninsula earthquake. It is a tapestry of songs in beautiful Japanese that weaves together hope for a forward-looking future while also paying tribute to the harsh realities and true feelings of those affected.
"It's rare for Southern All Stars to use a gut guitar to create rhythm. I think they wanted to create a slightly softer sound." (Tanida)
4. "Two people in a twilight city"
The song's meticulous arrangement encapsulates the love story and heartbreaking melody of Southern All Stars' enka style. The lyrics are carefully placed word by word for each note, leaving a lingering impression on the listener, as if following in the footsteps of lovers.
"It's a quiet song, but we paid particular attention to the rhythm. Kuwata and I thoroughly considered the timing of the small sounds, the tom sounds in the chorus, and other things," says Tanida.
5. "Bongiri Love Song"
This is the earliest release of the album tracks (July 2023). From there, songs were released for three consecutive months. The song places traditional Japanese seasonal events such as Obon and fireworks on the same level as southern beaches and summer festivals, connecting the summer scenery of the past and present.
"In order to include it on the album, we remixed it (from the digital version). Kuwata is someone who is always conscious of 'how it sounds now'" (Tanida)
6. "I'm sorry, Mom"
The lyrics can be interpreted as depicting the weak and anxious psychology of those involved in crimes such as bank transfer scams and special forces that anyone can get caught up in if they take one wrong step, and the song is a unique dance number with a sound that incorporates the latest trends in Western music. The lyrics are surprising, but the music was actually written first.
"The AI synthesized voice that appears at the end is also interesting. It's unusual, but it seems like it would look great live." (Tanida)
7. "Riding the Wind Time Machine"
This song features vocals by Hara Yuko. Lyrics incorporating the names of places and scenery of Shonan are a specialty of Southern All Stars. It's a miracle that the beauty of Hara's singing voice remains unchanged. Her airy voice subtly opens the door to the next season.
"When I write songs with Hara's vocals, I always try to make sure that her voice is heard clearly. I think that the impression of Southern All Stars is that Hara's voice is a big part of what supports Kuwata." (Tanida)
8. "The most terrifying monster in history"
This message song likens the abnormal weather and natural disasters that have struck the world in recent years to monsters. Rather than inciting fear or shouting loudly, it uses a calm, insightful humor to convey the emergency situation from which there is no escape, which is impressive.
"The lyrics are scary, but the vocals are very relaxed. The drums get wild in the second half. Kuwata-san is able to add ups and downs to every song." (Tanida)
9. "Dream Space Travel"
The lyrics feature David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Shohei Ohtani. These superstars teach us about transformation and the power of imagination. The depiction of an internal space journey is wonderful. Now, Southern All Stars teach us that it is the power of dreaming that allows us to move forward, shaking off the pain and boredom of reality.
"I think this is the key song on the album. I was particularly particular about the drum tone and the echo." (Tanida)
10. "Sing in the Sky of Japan"
This song is the second in a series of three consecutive singles released digitally in 2023. The lyrics, which are intentionally not limited in meaning, allow for overlapping with various stories, and the harbor-like melody naturally leads people to think of their own "hometowns."
"There was a request to make this song's sound parts a little more spacious than the original version, so we increased the stereo effect and added sounds," says Tanida.
11. "Sadness is Beyond the Boogie"
The album reconstructs a previously unreleased repertoire that was performed before their debut. The lyrics and the band-like performance are rugged and emotional, but all the elements of Southern are already present.
"I wanted to recreate the sound of the time of 'Atsui Mune Sawagi,' so I put a lot of effort into it. I recorded Kuwata's slide guitar using the sound from his home amp." (Tanida)
12. "Mitsuko and Kanji"
The song continues with a medley of "Kanashimi wa Boogie no Kanata ni" (Sadness is Beyond the Boogie), and here is the modern band sound of Southern All Stars. A fantasy story of the love between a famous wrestler and a famous actress? The love for professional wrestling and the kindness to cherish the days that will never return can be seen in every detail.
"We recorded it before 'Sadness is Beyond the Boogie', but Kuwata had the idea of making it into a medley from quite an early stage," says Tanida.
13. "Gift from God"
For Southern All Stars and Keisuke Kuwata, this homage to the pioneers of pop music, sprinkled with famous song titles and TV show names, is a life's work. This latest and greatest work is a moving musical anthem.
"At first, the lyrics said 'engineer' and I thought 'Yes!', but then I realized it had been replaced with 'souvenir' (laughs)" (Tanida)
14. "Relay ~Poem of the Forest"
The final installment of a trilogy slated for digital release in 2023. It focuses on the controversial redevelopment issues that are brewing in various places, including Meiji Jingu Gaien, a place Victor Studio has been familiar with for many years and located close to the studio, and calls for calm dialogue and reflection in society.
"Kuwata said he wanted a stoic sound, like 'John's Soul.' The song that closes a Southern All Stars album is important," says Tanida.
This is Southern All Stars' 16th original album. It's their first in 10 years since their previous album, "Budou," and it's a diverse album packed with all of their musical talents. It contains a total of 14 songs, including six digital singles released in 2023.
