Billboard Japan’s “Function of the Month” series highlights outstanding artists and makes an impact. The spotlight for the month is Lisa, who is approaching her 14th anniversary of her debut.
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In January, she released her new song “Reawaker (The Wandering of the Street Children)” Solo Season 2 – From ShadowThis will also be aired in January. In this song, she joins Stray Kids’ guest singer Felix, who has gained global popularity outside of her local South Korea. The song was written and arranged by renowned producer Hiroyuki Sawano Attack Titan and Mobile Server Gundam UC.
With the increasing popularity of anime, the popularity of anime has caused a global wave, and “Reawaker (Reawaker) (Feo of the wandering kid Felix)” once again ranked No. 1 in the “Global Japandext.japatin” ranking, which ranked most popular in Japanese music outside of Japan. This makes it dominant in Week 7.
On March 5, Lisa released a CD single with “Reawaker (Stray’s Feat. Felixof Stray Kids)” as the title track. Billboard Japan caught up with her to discuss the version and the new areas she explored in three singles.
Your new song “Reawaker” Solo Season 2 – From Shadow. What do you think when they first contacted you?
That was before Season 1 started airing, so I first read Manhattan (Korean Comics). Then the show begins, in short, just as the anime depicts all sorts of things, such as the character’s personality and its strengths, even deeper.
When you read Manhwa, which part of it attracted you?
The protagonist Shun Mizushino is not a hunter because it is fun. He had more sense of despair, and this feeling was the work he was going to do. He was initially a weak hunter, and he faced various struggles before re-promoting and pursuing a new destiny. It depicts a completely different world than you usually see in Japan.
Is there any part that resonates with you?
Yes, actually. He became stronger due to scars. This feeling, due to the difficult situation, he had to keep moving forward. I feel like in music, I’m trying to achieve that determination.
The song was written and arranged by Hiroyuki Sawano, and Felix of the Wandering Children played a guest vocal. Stray Kids’ first Japanese EP includes “Social Path (Function Lisa)” for your performance. What led to the idea of this collaboration?
I always have the idea of working with them again, but I don’t have any specific opportunities. Hiroyuki is also responsible for the theme song and soundtrack for Season 1, so I want to be on the baton for Season 2 without damaging the aesthetics Hiroyuki creates.
What about Felix?
For Season 1, Hiroyuki teamed up with Tomorrow X (Sawanohiroyuki[nZk]: Tomorrow X Together “Level”), the anime is based on Korean comics, and the wandering kids used to invite me to work with them, so I thought if I had time to give back the invitation, it might be that. My upper register vocals and Felix’s deep bass vocals create excellent contrast, giving the song the right flavor.
What do you think of Hiroyuki as a music producer?
When I first worked with him (sawanohiroyuki)[nZk]:Lisa), he uses real instruments to create black rocks with heavy sounds. Now, seven years later, I feel like he’s starting to use dance music and digital sounds in music and it feels natural. He has evolved a lot. At the same time, he carefully tailored the musical spirit. In a sense, he is actually shaping these works.
Therefore, he is a creator with his own iconic voice. “Reawaker (Reawaker) (Reawaker) (Feo for Street Kids Felix) also combines heavy bass with a danceable rhythm, so it’s the look of Lisa’s songs.
Rock is an important part of Hiroyuki music. Not only did he have to inject digital elements, but he could also create dance music, which could only come from someone with a rock spirit in his heart. I think Hiroyuki is good at developing music in this direction.
As far as I know, Locke is also an important part of your own roots. You can also add additional elements through the musical approach taken by the new single. What prompts you to move in this direction?
Of course, trends are part of it, but speaking for myself, I love rock. I love the sound of rock and I am confident in the rock music I have created over the past 13 years. In a sense, I created the “ultimate” rock, so I don’t want to find out beyond the rock, but I want to apply this rock spirit to create something different. This budding ambition is an important factor in adopting this new approach.
What new experiences and discoveries have you made in the cooperation process?
I rediscovered the ability to mix with male voices. Most importantly, Felix is more of a rapper than a singer, and this is the first time I’ve had this collaboration on songs I’ve released under my own name. But I found that even rap, you can feel this rock vibe, and you can make a song that really matches the anime itself.
I think when you record the recording, you envision the vocal part of Felix. Do you use a different approach than usual and do you have any special areas of care?
I have to take care of something in particular, but I am usually a solo singer, so it’s reassuring to have another singer next to me perform with me.
You also released a music video in Korea, right?
Felix is really beautiful. He is like an angel. He is like this adorable little kid when the camera doesn’t roll. He is cheerful and friendly, and very considerate to others. He also respected me and called me “Lisa Sempai”. But his voice was deep, so when he started singing, his impression completely changed. I think part of his appeal is in this gap.
This song is excellent in the charts. As of March 27, it ranked the “Global Japanese Songs Excluding Japan” list for four weeks in a row. What is the overseas response?
When overseas reactions start from scratch, solo First announce. I myself have performed overseas many times and the kids at Hiroyuki and Stray are very active so it feels like we’ve really arrived in the rest of the world.
I want to ask you about information about B-side information. The second song, “Red Zone,” is also considered to be Tomoko Ida and Tsugumi. Tomoko Ida performs on Tainy’s debut album dataNominated for Best Músicaurbana Album at the 66th Grammy Awards. What led to your cooperation with her?
One thing I want to explore is the power of women. When I met Tomoko, I was looking for someone who could help me. Tsugumi is also one of the artists in Soulhead, so when I make a sound it feels like those artists I walked through before conveying this passion.
I know you’ve been in bands, mostly in small concert venues. I’m sure this was a scene that was mainly a man at the time. How did you adapt to it?
As early as an hour, I found that femininity was somewhat oppressive. I prefer hidden cool and sexy women like Avril Lavigne. But when I finally accepted that I was a woman, I found it interesting to express the power that women have, even if I didn’t try to show it. The more I show, the stronger these feelings become. That was one of the things I talked to Tomoko.
How did you make this song, including the rap part, part of the artist?
Whenever I face a new challenge, I stop focusing on putting myself there instead of going there to soak in new influences. For example, when I started my personal career, I made my debut in mini sales (Letter to you) I did it with Vocaloid Maker. I have my own core essence, and I try to put this essence into this music. This process shapes new aspects of me. Looking back at it, this is something I’ve been going through since I spent on the girl’s dead monster, and that’s the “Red Area”.
So, this is not to say that you are taking a new character completely, but rather the sound that makes sound in a world that is not the usual one.
Yes, but as a singer, no matter what I sing, it’s always my own voice, it always becomes Lisa’s song, so I’m confident about it. I believe in my voice, so when I sing, I feel like I jumping in naked.
These three songs, including other B-end “Witchcraft”, are very challenging and I feel like this single song will find the audience who will discover a new Lisa. 2025 is also the 14th anniversary of your personal debut, and I heard you think this year’s theme is “patchwork.”
This is its 14th anniversary, which means next year will be the 15th anniversary. It’s a big moment, so as it approaches, I plan to meet more new people this year and face more new challenges to sew them together.
–Takuto Ueda’s interview appears on a Japanese billboard for the first time
