Interview with TOKYO GIRLS' STYLE

In August, girl group TOKYO GIRLS' STYLE released their sixth album Nocturnal. Their first full original album in about seven years, it was created around the theme "night, a time to think of someone". The release highlights the group's diverse sound, including songs that draw inspiration from a wide variety of genres, such as disco, funk and EDM. It also reflects the members' growth, as after 12 years performing together they are able to convey both bright and refreshing "girlishness" and a more adult charm through their singing and dancing.

Shortly after Nocturnal's release, JaME was able to ask the members of TOKYO GIRLS' STYLE about the stories behind some of the songs, their growth as performers and whether fans can look forward to seeing them live overseas again sometime in the future.

Congratulations on the release on your new album! It’s been a while since we last interviewed you. How would you describe TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE to any readers unfamiliar with your work?

Mei Shoji: We are a dance and vocal group of four that continues to explore various music genres to evolve and change rapidly, just like Tokyo.

What do you think sets TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE apart from other groups?

Mei Shoji: I think our songs are different from those of other groups in that many of them are about forbidden, unfruitful or lost loves.

How do you feel now that you’ve been able to release another album after a seven-year gap?

Mei Shoji: I am so happy to be able to deliver this album to everyone finally who has been waiting for it for the past seven years, and to be able to share in the form of an album what we have cultivated over those years!

Is there something about this album that is different from your previous works?

Miyu Yamabe: I believe that with the previous album, you could enjoy the process of our growth as we were still innocent in high school and had not yet found our own way of singing. As this is our first album in seven years, it is filled with the charms of our grown-up selves, and we feel confident in singing each song the way we want. I think that makes this album different.


Which tracks on Nocturnal do you recommend the most? Which ones are you most eager to perform in front of fans?

Miyu Yamabe: I would say the lead song Viva La Koigokoro. Since it is the lead song of this album, I believe it is filled with the best of what we are today. Just by listening to this song, I can confidently say that it represents what the current TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE is all about and that we sing great songs like this one. So, if I am asked which song I would recommend most, I would say Viva La Koigokoro.

In April, you uploaded some emotional videos for the song Dear mama. Could you please explain a bit about the concept and feelings behind this song and the videos for it?

Miyu Yamabe: It is a song we created based on the letters we wrote to our mothers. Since I live with my parents, I don't often feel lonely, but I feel grateful to them every time I sing this song. The other members have moved to Tokyo, and I was able to learn that they all had come to Tokyo with such feelings. I didn't know them before, so it was also a wonderful opportunity for me to know the other members’ feelings. I would be happy if you also think of your parents when you listen to this song.


The songs Strawberry Float and Boku wa usotsuki are said to be connected. Could you explain a bit about the story behind these tracks?

Miyu Yamabe: Strawberry Float is from a girl’s point of view, and Boku wa usotsuki is from a boy's. If you listen to Strawberry Float alone, you may think that the man is terrible, but if you listen to the answer song Boku wa usotsuki you will learn how he feels, that he is also in a lot of pain. With these two songs, you might find it heartbreaking to think that both of them are in so much pain just because they cannot communicate well. Also, to me, it is interesting to see how the songs depict the feelings of the girl and boy well, with her looking for new love and him not being able to get over her.


It was mentioned that one of the album’s themes is how you’ve all grown from “small stars” (reflected in the group’s asterisk symbol) into adults over the past 12 years as TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE. Was there a particular moment in each of your personal or professional lives when you suddenly realized you had become an adult?

Yuri Nakae: Now I can go anywhere by myself. I used to be nervous about going out to eat, taking a short trip or visiting a new place by myself, but now I am fine! As an adult, I am more active than before. Whenever an idea occurs to me, I feel like going out even alone.

You’ve been able to host online autograph sessions for this album release. What makes these unique compared to in-person events? What was the experience of holding this type of event like?

Yuri Nakae: Especially since the pandemic started, I feel sad to have fewer opportunities to meet our fans in other prefectures, with fewer face-to-face events. However, though we are apart, we can call them by name online. Also, our autograph sessions are live streamed, and I feel like they are close when reading their comments.

TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE is often not seen as a typical idol group. Do you consider yourselves to be idols? Why or why not?

Yuri Nakae: Well, we may be idols for some people or artists for others, but we would like the people who watch our performance to decide by themselves. What I hope is that the existence of TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE will cheer everyone up and encourage them to do their best.

At the beginning of August you appeared at Tokyo Idol Festival. Do you have any special memories or feelings about performing at this event?

Yuri Nakae: We had the privilege of performing at TIF since its first year, when we didn't have many songs of our own and sang cover songs. So, this event is deeply memorable for us. It feels like we have grown up together to become adults! Also, I get a lot of inspiration from it, and most of all, I feel summer cannot start without TIF!

You perform songs in a wide variety of styles. What genres of music do you enjoy listening to the most, and why?

Hitomi Arai: I really like our song Onnaji kimochi It is one of the songs filled with happiness, making even those who have never seen our performance want to dance. In terms of genres, I like Japanese pop music since I have been listening to and singing Japanese music in Japan for a long time!


What are your plans for the future? Can fans hope to see you perform overseas again sometime?

Hitomi Arai: While we have a solo concert every month and join various events, we hope to perform at bigger venues someday. Of course, we would love to perform overseas as well. We will make it happen again sometime in the future!

Do you have a message for the fans who have been supporting you from overseas?

Hitomi Arai: Thank you all who always support us and those who have come to know us for the first time! We may be far apart from you at the moment, but you can feel close to us through our music at any time, which can be listened to and watched from different places with various tools! After you listen to our songs a lot, let’s make the best memories when we finally see each other at the live concert!

JaME would like to thank TOKYO GIRLS' STYLE and avex for this interview opportunity.

Links to download and stream TOKYO GIRLS' STYLE's latest album Nocturnal on various music platforms are available here.

The music video for Corner Cut Memories, a song featured on Nocturnal, can be viewed below.