30 years after his debut, what's next for Toyoda Michinori, who has released a new album and a best-of album?

After all, I have to sing a song that only I can sing.

At the end of last year, Paradise Garage/Toyoda Michinori successfully held their 30th anniversary concert "How does it feel?"

With lyrics that evoke someone's story and passionate melody lines, she has captivated many music fans. In her new album "sexy," she also sings about human drama.

"I sing songs that no one else sings, songs that only I can sing. I chose rock because I wanted to do something free, but in today's world, expression and ethics have become the same thing. Maybe I'm yearning for a rawness that stirs passion. And for things that aren't always right."

Between a strong desire for music and righteousness

"I don't often look back on myself, so releasing the tribute album was a good opportunity. It felt like my songs were being taken apart one by one. When people sang my melodies, I realized how great my songs were (laughs)."

Looking back on the album, which features many musicians he respects, Toyoda Michinori said, "It's been five years since he moved his base of operations from Tokyo to Osaka, and he says Osaka is a city where you can walk around at a leisurely pace."

"I think Osaka is a town of old men and women. When I see middle-aged and elderly people huddled together at the counter of an izakaya, I feel an indescribable sexiness. When I see people with that kind of texture, songs are born. I don't really have anything I want to say, I just match the melody to the scene or story."

Over the years of working as an artist, I have witnessed many changes in the nature of music.

"We live in an age where you can listen to anything, from The Beatles to Bob Dylan, through subscription services. But the sound remastered for subscription services is completely different from listening to it on a record. When I listen to records from the 50s and 60s, I think, 'This is the sound that changed the world.' Now that we can access music, video, and literature all in an instant, I want to feel like I'm reaching someone. Maybe I could call people to find out how to get a CD. I'd also like to make an album of terrible songs.

Rock music, which was once a symbol of freedom, has become stereotyped in both expression and sales methods, and has become something that is considered proper. Originally, rock music was made by people who couldn't even keep to time. Recently, a clear line has been drawn between what is right and what is not. Artists are expected to behave correctly as individuals, without exception, but if they follow that standard, they can only create so-so works. That's why I want to create works that allow me to confront human imagination with other people."