Ami Koda, who is active both in Japan and overseas, releases her first new song in 11 years, featuring Kei Koganemaru and Kazuya Oi

Ami Koda, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Tokyo and London, has launched a solo project. Her first new song in 11 years, “Grotesque,” was released on Wednesday, July 17th.

After 10 years of musical activity in Tokyo, Ami Koda moved to London and has performed as a live member in various European countries since 2019, including Marrakech, Morocco, Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. This work is a report of what Ami Koda has seen and learned in the world, and it is a suitable song to show her current location.

The English lyrics were written with a literary approach, referencing Ango Sakaguchi’s “Decadence Theory” and Junichiro Tanizaki’s novels, and the album was co-arranged, performed, and engineered by up-and-coming guitarist Satoshi Koganmaru (Zainichi Funk, Koenji Hyakkei, etc.), a long-time friend of his. The rhythm track was produced by Kazuya Oi (DATS, yahyel, etc.), who is currently active as a drummer and producer.

This work, which shows “identity as a Japanese person,” “personality that continues to impose expression,” and “originality of aesthetic sense,” became one answer to the worries of Ami Koda herself for many years. With the idea of ”aiming for a melody that is not bound by the concept of existing pop songs (especially J-POP),” it shows the value of “my own sanctuary that no one can invade.”

[Comment from Ami Koda]

Your own private sanctuary.
It’s okay if no one understands you,
You don’t have to share it with anyone.
There is nothing more beautiful than making up your mind in silence.

[Comment from Kazuya Oi]

I aimed to create a “religious music rhythm” that only extracts the concept. It’s okay to have faith that has nowhere to go, or intoxication that has no reason.

[Tab Zombie (SOIL&”PIMP”SESSIONS) Comment]

What is the real world we live in, or is it just a simulation of ourselves?
The Wide Universe
Beautiful Earth
The gruesome reality
The affairs of this world
I wonder what?
Are you creating it yourself?

[Comment from Satoshi Koganemaru]

The scattered ideas that arose during the production process naturally converged on one point, inspired by the word “grotesque.”
Please be prepared to listen and accept our grotesqueness!

[Comment from Daiki Matsuura (She Her Her Hers, saccharin)]

Was it the oxygen, the evil eye, and the blessings that Ami Koda encountered all over the world that revolutionized her senses?
A flash of light more horrifying than lightning passed through my mind. I don’t mind coming back, but I’m sure I won’t. See you later.

[Comment from Kazuya Takenouchi (IKILLU)]

I can hear the little bird singing
Splitting the Sky

【release information】

Ami Koda “Grotesque”
Release Date: 2024.07.17
Label: FRIENDSHIP.
Tracklist:
1. Grotesque