Since her debut in 1998, singer-songwriter aiko has been a mainstay in the Japanese music scene, beloved for her unique, gentle voice and lyrics that delicately capture the nuances of love. Her blend of pop, rock, and folk has earned her a massive fanbase and cemented her status as the soundtrack to many people's youth.
But now, her song "skirt," featured as the opening theme for the new CygamesPictures original anime Apocalypse Hotel, is sparking a whole new wave of conversation online for a very different reason.
Interestingly, "skirt" was originally released on her August 2023 album "Zanshin Zansho" and didn't cause much of a stir back then. It wasn't until it was paired with the stunning opening animation for Apocalypse Hotel that fans really started talking.
Netizens are describing the track's musical arrangement as something that "gives you goosebumps but is totally addictive," with others calling it "aggressively composed" and "so weird but so good." One comment summed up the general sentiment: "aiko is so daring. Is this kind of sound even supposed to work theoretically?"
As for that "weird feeling" in the song's arrangement, some musically inclined fans have theories. "The melody in the B-section seems intentionally shifted by a quarter to a half tone, and it's especially strong in the main verse," one user noted. "This kind of off-key approach feels a bit like the slightly gritty vibe you get in the Blues."
The discussion eventually drew in musician Naruyoshi Kikuchi, who offered a detailed analysis. He explained that the key to the song is its use of "polytonality." It's not just a simple pitch correction; aiko's vocal key is intentionally designed to be a semitone off from the accompaniment, creating a sonic tension that sounds "off" or "weird."
He compared the technique to concepts rooted in blues music, calling it a kind of "theoretically sound weirdness." He even mentioned that the technique is remarkably similar to an experimental track from his own music studio that pitted an F-minor accompaniment against an E-minor melody. Kikuchi added that this kind of composition might signal a shift away from the traditional "twelve-tone equal temperament" system, ushering in a new era where "more atypical pitches and tonalities can be incorporated" into music.
Kikuchi also emphasized that the song's role as an anime theme was crucial to its viral success. "The anime's synchronization of music and visuals is exceptionally well-done and beautiful," he said. "That context allows the song's experimental nature to be more widely accepted. This is the essence of 'Japan Cool.'"
He recalled performing music from Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt in New York to an audience of 2,000 Gundam cosplayers, a moment that deeply moved him and highlighted the powerful synergy between music and anime.
After the song blew up online, aiko herself posted, saying she was incredibly happy and grateful to see so many people discussing "skirt" and that she was so glad she created it.
Why not give the song a listen and experience that "weird feeling" for yourself? It might hit even harder when paired with the anime's opening sequence. While musical taste is subjective, it's impressive to see an artist as established as aiko still pushing boundaries and creating fresh sounds this far into her career.
via： togetter