Top musical actress Nozomi Futo has revealed the cover photo and track list for her first major album, “A Place for Smiles,” to be released on August 28, 2024. As the title suggests, “10 songs to help you stand in the ring with a smile,” the artwork features Nozomi Futo’s boxing gloves, evoking his strength. All songs on the album are produced by Takebe Satoshi, and in addition to “Breath,” a song provided by Angela Aki, released in March this year, the album will also include “Michishirube,” a new song by GRe4N BOYZ, who changed their name from GReeeeN this year, and will compile 10 J-POP songs, including cover songs.
Currently, the Tokyo performance of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” in which she stars, is running. Following a fan club members-only event at Zepp in Tokyo and Osaka in August, Nozomi Futo has been busy with other activities, such as announcing a CD release event in Tokyo on her birthday, October 19th. With her full-fledged singing career now underway, the full-length official interview in which she talks about the feelings she put into her album is now available on a special website. Don’t miss this commentary, which will surely raise the expectations of music fans eagerly awaiting the CD release.
Official Interview with Fuuto Nozomi
“Hopefully, it will become a part of your life.”
-First of all, can you tell us your thoughts about your first album?
Even while I was in the Takarazuka Revue, fans had been asking me to release a cover album, and I thought of it as just a vague dream I wanted to make come true in the future. It’s thanks to all the people who sent me messages and gave me the push I needed that it’s come true so sooner than I thought it would. I’m really grateful and very happy.
–You’ve been working with Takebe Satoshi, who produced the concert, since your solo concert “Look at Me” in 2022.
My first encounter with him was when he served as the music director for “Look at Me.” When we worked together there, I learned a lot from his stoicism and dedication to music, which is completely different from the world of musicals. He also made me feel that even if the genres are different, there is no difference in music, so I think it was a very natural progression to ask him to work on my first album.
How did you choose the songs to cover?
I had my own preference, but I also sang a few of the songs that were submitted by everyone, including Takebe-san and the staff around me, and had Takebe-san listen to them. From there, I took into consideration the theme of the album and my vocal quality, and selected the songs.
–Please tell us about the meaning behind the title “A Place of Smiles” and the theme of the album.
I wanted this album to be one that would accompany the listeners in their own lives. Life isn’t all about moving forward, there are times when you can’t get back up unless you really fall into a deep depression. So, rather than songs that encourage and give you a strong push on the back, I chose songs that you can listen to when you suddenly come to a halt in your life and that make you feel like it’s okay. I hope this album will help you take a breather.
–The photo on the album cover, showing you wearing boxing gloves and striking a fighting pose, is very striking.
That’s right. I don’t just want to be there for them in a gentle and caring way, but sometimes I want to fight on their behalf (laughs).
–What was the recording like?
At first, the impression of the original singer was left in my mind, so I ended up just following that singer’s style. But Takebe-san gave me advice that I should sing more emotionally, more like myself, and with various words he gradually loosened up the tension that had been entangled within me. Takebe-san added various arrangements to the recorded song, and the process of the song becoming more and more dramatic each time felt like magic to me, and was a very enjoyable experience.
–Can you tell us about each song?
(The following is the special website) (Text: Risa Mochizuki)
Fuuto Nozomi’s first album “A Place of Smiles”
Release date: Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Special website https://nozomi210.ponycanyon.co.jp/
Contents
(CD)
01. Michishirube
02.Breath
03. Will it be sunny tomorrow?
04. Doors of Life
05. The Beginning of Ballad
06. Moonlight
07. Countryside
08. The Dark Room
09. Birth
10.Breath (smile version)
(Blu-ray & DVD)
Breath -Music Video-
Breath -Music Video Making-
Michishirube -Music Video-
Michishirube -Music Video Making-
Michishirube -Recording Scene-
A Place of Smiles -Jacket Shooting-
Normal Edition
CD only *Includes bonus: Event participation ticket (first production only)
PCCA.06314 3,960 yen (tax included)
⇒Regular Edition: Pre-order here
Deluxe Edition
“A Place for Smiles” deluxe packaging
CD + Blu-ray + Perfect Ring (32P photo book) + acrylic stand (boxer version)
BRCA.00148 10,800 yen (tax included)
CD + DVD + Perfect Ring (32P photo book) + Acrylic stand (second version)
BRCA.00149 10,300 yen (tax included)
The deluxe edition is a limited edition product. It will be sold exclusively at the Nozomi FUTO Official Store and Pony Canyon Shopping Club, so please reserve and purchase it early. As it is a limited edition product, sales may end before the release date once the planned number is reached. (It will not be sold at CD shops nationwide.)
Deluxe Edition: Fan club members can pre-order and purchase here
Blu-ray / Acrylic stand (boxer version)
https://axelstore.jp/nozomi210/detail.php?goods_id=4830
DVD / Acrylic stand (second version)
https://axelstore.jp/nozomi210/detail.php?goods_id=4829
Application period: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at noon to Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Deluxe Edition: For those who are not fan club members, please pre-order here
Blu-ray / Acrylic stand (boxer version)
DVD / Acrylic stand (second version)
Reception period: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at noon – sales will end once the planned number is reached
Pre-order Bonuses
Original bonuses for each store selling the regular edition
・Amazon: Mega Jacket
・Rakuten Books: A4 clear file
・Seven Net Shopping: Acrylic key chain
Exclusive bonus for deluxe edition fan club members
・Postcard set (set of 3)
[CD release event date decided]
Date and time: Saturday, October 19, 2024 Scheduled to start at 14:00
Location: Event Hall in Tokyo
If you bring the “Event Participation Ticket” enclosed in the first production run of the regular edition to the venue, you can participate in the “Smile Special Event” where you will receive a printed autographed other jacket card from Nozomi FUTO. It is scheduled to start at 14:00 on Saturday, October 19, 2024 in Tokyo. Details of the opening time and how to participate will be announced at a later date. There are no plans to sell the CD at the venue on the day, so please reserve and purchase the CD early at CD shops or EC sites nationwide.
Date of premium event for fan club members only announced
Date and time: Saturday, October 19, 2024 Scheduled to start at 11:00
Location: Event Hall in Tokyo
Among fan club members who have reserved or purchased the deluxe edition at the Nozomi FUTO official store, 400 people will be selected by lottery to be invited to a premium autograph session to celebrate the CD release. It is scheduled to start at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 19, 2024 in Tokyo. Details of the meeting time and how to participate will be sent in the winning email. Regardless of the number of purchases (applications), the lottery results will be sent to one email per person on Friday, August 30, 2024.
An application form for the premium autograph session will be sent by email to fan club members who reserve or purchase the deluxe edition at the Nozomi Fuuto Official Store by 23:59 on Sunday, July 21, 2024. The deluxe edition is a limited edition product, so sales will end as soon as the planned number is reached, so please reserve or purchase the CD as soon as possible.
Musical appearance
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical”
Tokyo: June 20th (Thursday) to August 7th (Wednesday), 2024 Imperial Theater
Osaka: September 14th (Sat) to September 28th (Sat), 2024 Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall
https://www.tohostage.com/moulinmusical_japan
Musical related products
Fuuto Nozomi stars in the musical “Isabeau”
Blu-ray & DVD released on Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Live/Event
“Fuutalk Special nozomeets! 2024” for “nozomist” members only
Tokyo: August 9, 2024 (Friday) Zepp DiverCity
Osaka: August 11, 2024 (Sunday, National Holiday) Zepp Osaka Bayside
Part 1: Doors open 13:00 / Show starts 14:00 Part 2: Doors open 17:00 / Show starts 18:00
Billboard Live presents Piano Duo Session #6 Fuuto Nozomi x Satoshi Takebe[SOLD OUT]
Friday, August 16, 2024 Part 1: Doors open 15:30 / Show starts 16:30 Part 2: Doors open 18:30 / Show starts 19:30
Venue: Billboard Live TOKYO (Tokyo Midtown Garden Terrace 4F, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Regular Programs
Personality of NHK FM’s “Futo Nozomi’s Sound Imagine” (every Sunday at 9pm)
https://www.nhk.jp/p/nozomi-sound/rs/MV9NX987XX
Artist Information
Nozomi Futo Official Site
Fuuto Nozomi Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nozomifuto_official
Fuuto Nozomi X (STAFF INFO)
