Japanese indie band indigo la End link up with Korean-American rapper pH-1 in latest rap/jazz-fusion single, “Love.”
The track signals a “sonic evolution” for the Japanese band, whose music has been defined more with guitar-driven arrangements. “Love” is also their first overseas collaboration. In a press statement, lead singer Enon Kawatani shared that they had to rewrite the song from scratch and change the lyrics and melody to make sure the vocals and instrumentals “blend together.”
For pH-1, the project has been a long time coming. “I’ve always wanted to work with a Japanese band,” he said. The single also reminded him of Japanese jazz fusion bands T-Square and Casiopea, which he grew up listening to.
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Lyrically, the rapper said that he wrote his verse in Korean, Japanese, and English in hopes that the song reaches as many people as possible. Thematically, he also wanted to explore love beyond the context of romantic relationships. “I wanted to write a message about love—not just between a man and a woman but between people that come from various cultural backgrounds and speak different languages.”
The Japanese band most recently put out their latest album, Yakouhimitsu, via Warner Music Japan.
Watch the Takuto Shimpo and Oroshi-directed music video:
