「レッド」は、パワーをくれる色、ロマンティックなハートの色、傷ついた心と身体の色、真っ赤な嘘の色、人生の様々なタイミングを彩る色。EP『RED』は、そんな人生のワンシーンを切り取って歌にしていくシリーズ。
“Red” is the color of power, the color of romantic hearts, the color of broken hearts and bodies, the color of blatant lies, and the color that appears at various times in our lives.
2022/08/05 Released.
#1 100 Times
#2 Cheers
#3 Where's the moonlight?
2023/04/17 Released.
#1 RED EYE BLUES
#2 Hey Taxi
#3 Stars
Episode 1は、YAMAHA「SYNCROOM」のPVで披露しているウクレレサウンドが心地良い爽やかなアコースティックナンバー「100 times」、名アレンジャーとしても知られる安部潤の切ないピアノから始まるバラード「Cheers」、古強者、角田順の情緒的なギターが際立つロックソング「Where’s the moonlight」の3曲で構成される。「100 times」のMVは、ITSUKAが自らハワイで撮影し、ワンオペで制作した映像作品。
Episode 1 consists of three songs: “100 Times,” a breezy acoustic number with cozy ukulele sounds featured in the promotional video for YAMAHA’s SYNCROOM; “Cheers,” a ballad that begins with a well-known arranger Jun Abe’s tender piano; and “Where’s the moonlight,” a rock song highlighted by legendary guitarist Jun Tsunoda’s emotional guitar. The music video for “100 Times” was shot by ITSUKA herself in Hawaii and edited by herself.
Episode 2は、兼ねてからライブで人気が高かった、レッドアイ推進員会のテーマソング「RED EYE BLUES」を収録。前作から引き続き、アレンジャーに安部潤、ギターに角田順の大御所コンビを迎えている。煌びやかなピアノと伸びやかなロックギターに彩られた極上ポップソング「Hey Taxi」、優しく切ないミドルバラード「STAR」は、Episode 1とはまた違う味わい深い楽曲に仕上がっている。
Episode 2 includes “RED EYE BLUES,” the theme song for the Red Eye Committee, which has been popular at live performances for a while. Following on from the previous release, the album features the same great musical talents of Jun Abe as arranger and Jun Sumida as guitarist. Listening to the excellent pop song “Hey Taxi” with its bright piano and relaxed rock guitar, and the gentle sad mid-ballad “STAR,” you can feel a different charm from the previous album.
YAMAHA「SYNCROOM」のPVで披露しているウクレレサウンドが心地良い爽やかなアコースティックナンバー。大切な家族や友人を亡くした時に空いた心の穴は、時間とともに小さくなんてならなかった。だから君といた思い出で、その穴を少しずつ埋めていくんだ。2022年3月に他界したレジェンド犬ジャンボに捧ぐ。この楽曲を彩る色は、無性の愛を表すピュアなハート色。MVは、ITSUKAが自らハワイで撮影し、ワンオペで制作した映像作品。
A breezy acoustic number with cozy ukulele sounds featured in the promotional video for YAMAHA's SYNCROOM. The hole in our hearts left by the loss of a loved family member or friend does not get any smaller as time goes by. So let's fill that hole little by little with memories, dedicated to Jumbo, the legendary dog who passed away in March 2022. The colors that color this song are pure heart colors, representing unconditional love. The music video for "100 Times" was shot by ITSUKA herself in Hawaii and produced by herself.
好きになった人が既に誰かのもの。その時に取る行動パターンはいくつかあるけれども、この主人公は、ワインとともに、気持ちを飲み込むことを選んだ。 名アレンジャーとしても知られる安部潤のピアノが、彼女のやるせない想いに優しく切なく共鳴する。この楽曲を彩る色は、ワインレッド。
The person you love already belongs to someone else. There are several patterns of action one can take at that moment, but this character chose to swallow her feelings along with the wine. The piano by Jun Abe, also known as a famous arranger, gently and sadly resonates with her painful feelings. The color that colors this song is wine red.
月明かりがなかったからそうなったのか。月明かりがあったら違ったのか。ルール破りを許さない世間に晒されたとしても、それは一瞬。でも、自分の気持ちに嘘をついたら、後悔は一生。古強者、角田順の情緒的なギターが際立つロックソング。この楽曲を彩る色は、情熱的な赤。
Was it so because there was no moonlight? Would it have been different if there had been moonlight?If you are criticized by a world that does not tolerate rule-breaking, it is only for a moment. But if you lie about your feelings, regret is a lifetime. A rock song highlighted by legendary guitarist Jun Tsunoda's emotional guitar. The color that colors this song is passionate red.
兼ねてからライブで人気が高かった「レッドアイ・ブルース」がついに音源化。ITSUKAが推進委員長を務める「レッドアイ推進委員会」のテーマソングであり、レッドアイを飲みながら聞きたい楽曲ナンバーワンと評されている。バーでほろ酔いでジャムセッションを行なっているかのような躍動感のあるライブサウンドに注目。
A song that has been popular at live performances for some time, is finally being released as the theme song for the "Red Eye Committee" of which ITSUKA is the chairperson, and has been described as the number one song to listen to while drinking red eye. The dynamic live sound of the song is like a jam session at a bar.
疲れやストレスが溜まっていて、どこか遠くに行きたいけど行けない時、この楽曲を聴いて少しでも肩の力を抜いてみよう。頑張っている人に向けたエナジーチャージソング。ITSUKAのレイドバックな歌とタンバリン、安部潤の煌びやかなピアノ、そして、角田順の伸びやかなロックギターが化学反応を起こした極上ポップソング。
When you are tired and stressed and want to go somewhere far away but can't, listen to this song and relax your mind a little. An energy-charged song for those who are working hard, this excellent pop song features a wonderful chemistry between ITSUKA's laid-back singing and tambourine, Jun Abe's sparkling piano, and Jun Sumida's smooth rock guitar.
優しく切ないミドルバラード「Stars」は、余命宣告を受けた友人、そして、その残りの人生を一つでも多くの笑顔で彩ろうとしている家族や友人に捧げる楽曲。あなたはどの星になるのだろう。
The tender and heartbreaking middle ballad "Stars” is dedicated to a friend who has been told only a short time to live, and to the family and friends who are trying to brighten the rest of his life with as many smiles as possible.Which star will you be?
SONGS
All songs written by ITSUKA
Vocal, Chorus, Ukulele, Tambourine by ITSUKA
Guitars by Jun Sumida
(Except RED EYE BLUES Acoustic Guitar played by ITSUKA)
Keyboards,Bass & Programming by Jun Abe
Arranged by Jun Abe & ITSUKA
Mixed & Mastered by Masakazu Kimura
Produced by ITSUKA
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographer: Mark R.
Camera: OM SYSTEM OM-1
Lens: M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 17mm F1.2 PRO / M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 45mm F1.2 PRO.2
Directed by ITSUKA & Mark R.
ALBUM JACKET
Designed & Edited by ITSUKA
