Review and Lyrics: Kayo - Mitsuami Heroine

As a huge Polysics fan, there was no way I was going to miss out on the solo album of the band's iconic keyboard player Kayo. Luckily it was actually rather easy to track down, and is still available.

Simply put, Mitsuami Heroine is, on the one hand, far from what one might expect from the robotic, nearly emotionless woman behind the screaming synths of one of the world's most spastic and energetic new-wave bands. On the other hand, it is exactly what you might expect from a very talented woman who wants to break free, at least a little, from that very image.

Before I begin this odyssey, I'd like to thank yuri_nikko of j_music_lyrics for the lyric translation. Without it, this would be a much less interesting review. With the help of the translation I was able to dig up a wealth of details pointing to the origins of some of these songs. She also did the translation for Supercar's Highvision album. Thank you yuri_nikko!

What treasures did I find? Well, you'll just have to continue on to find out. HINT: It has a lot to do with Yellow Magic Orchestra!



Kayo
『三つ編みヒロイン』
『mitsuami hiroin』 {Braided Heroine}
Produced by Hayashi Hiroyuki

1. Mitsuami Hiroin 2. Natsu Nandesu 3. Bokutachi no Jikan 4. Midori Poppu de 5. Saraba Shiberia Tetsudou

1. 『mitsuami hiroin』 {Braided Heroine}



The first thing I noticed, way back in 2004 when I first devoured the liner notes, was that there were a lot more people involved in the production of Mitsuami Heroine than just Kayo. First off, her band-mate and fellow Polysics founder Hayashi Hiroyuki had a very large role in the overall production, along with some songwriting. As much as I love Polysics, he thankfully manages to keep the band's sound out of this album...for the most part.

Also involved, both directly and indirectly, is Haruomi Hosono, a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra, one of the most influential electro pop bands to come out of Japan. Hosono wrote the title and lead track for Mitsuami Heroine, along with another popular songwriter Takashi Matsumoto. Matsumoto worked with both YMO and Hosono in the past. He also is responsible for the lyrics to three of the five songs on Mitsuami Heroine.

From a fan's point of view, it's almost hard to believe how totally awesome this is. Two major figures of Japanese electro rock, coming together to compose a new song for the next generation. The real kicker is that "Mitsuami Heroine" is a very laid back song, once again not something you may expect knowing Kayo's main gig. It's simple and reserved, nothing showy or too artificial.

The song seems to be a fatherly note of advice from Matsumoto to Kayo, telling her that even if she becomes nervous and falls (the allusion here is to being in a band), that it can't be helped. It just happens sometimes, even to the best of us. She will just keep going. She is the braid-haired heroine. (Note, the "The earphones on your walkman sang of 'glass apples'" line is probably a reference to Seiko Matsuda's 1983 single of the same name. Is that internet Matlockery or what?)

2. 『natsu nandesu』 {Because It's Summer}

Original version by Happy End



Next up is a cover of "Natsu Nandesu," written in the early 1970s by Haruomi Hosono's band before YMO, Happy End. Again the lyrics were originally composed by Takashi Matsumoto.

As you can see in the video above, the original is a straight-up folk song. It floats along like a rolling stream full of hazy '70 nostalgia. Very little is changed in Kayo's version. Hiro adds a toy-box drum loop suitable for any lazy tropical location, and his signature clean-channel electric guitar replaces the acoustic guitars of the original. Aside from that, it's a perfect copy, with Kayo's far superior vocal performance (though a bit flat at times) adding a much needed dose of sublime emotion.

3. 『bokutachi no jikan』 {Our Time}

"Bokutachi no Jikan" is the first (and only) song written entirely by Kayo. This time it's performed by instrumental jazz experimental freak-out rockers Natsumen. After the first two mellow opening tracks, this is a welcome upbeat song. Once again, Natsumen defies expectation by playing things straight and close to the vest. Full of walking basslines, funky guitars and a soothing horn section (even a kazoo!) "Bokutachi no Jikan" is a fun, easy listening surprise totally devoid of electronics. Much like the lyrics, the music is all about innocent joy and happiness, which is, after-all, the main theme behind the album.

4. 『Midori Poppu de』 {With Green Pop}

If everything up to now was a smack to the face of our expectations, than "Midori Poppu de" is a kiss to make it all better. Written entirely by Hiro, it's a song taken straight out of the Polysics lexicon. Extremely, well, poppy and totally electrified, it's very much like their other Kayo fronted songs, i.e. "Baby BIAS" or "Miss Donuts." It's fast, simple and to the point and full of the usual crazy, almost nonsensical lyrics one would expect from Hiro. It could easily be (or perhaps at one time was) a B-side to any regular Polysics single.

5. 『saraba shiberia tetsudou』 {Goodbye Siberian Railroad}

Original Version


Once again we have another all electro, synth-pop song, once again in the Polysics style. "Saraba Shiberia Tetsudou" is another cover song, this time from another popular '70 era producer Ootaki Eiichi, with lyrics, once again, from Takashi Matsumoto.

Much like "Natsu Nadesu," very little has been changed on Kayo's version of "Saraba Shiberia Tetsudou." It's already an excellent song, so why break it? Hiro has simply updated the sounds and production and let Kayo deliver an absolutely stunning vocal performance. I'm not saying Kayo is a bad singer, far from it, but her voice on this song is perfect. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a little support from a Simpson's-esque voice enhancer. Seriously though, this song it easily the star of the show for any synth-pop fan. 100% electro-bliss.

I have to admit, this simple little five song, obscure solo EP from a member of a Japanese new-wave band most people have never heard of (but that's changing fast now, isn't it?) came with an education I never expected. It almost outweighs the musical content itself. It shows that there is much more going on here, not only with Kayo, but with Polysics as a whole. They aren't springing out of nowhere and flailing around without purpose. Not at all. They are Japanese electro-rock anthropologists. Historians with cyclops eyes and Technicolor jump-suits. There is a rich history that they are tapping into. It's all just waiting, willing us to reach in and be subsumed by its wonders and mysteries.

--------------

LYRICS

Kayo

『三つ編みヒロイン』
『mitsuami hiroin』 {Braided Heroine}
作詞: 松本 隆 | 作曲 & 編曲: 細野晴臣
{Lyrics by Matsumoto Takashi | Composition & Arrangement by Hosono Haruomi}
[Translation by yuri_nikko/j_music_lyrics]

西瓜畑の細い道
入道雲にご挨拶
ブレーキの鳴る自転車で
入り江に降りる急な坂

suika hatake hosoi michi
nyuudougumo ni goaisatasu
bureeki no naru jitensha de
irie ni oriru kyuu na saka

A narrow watermelon field
greeted by summer clouds
With the sound of my bike breaks
I fell in a cove off a sudden drop

ソフトクリーム抜けた指
カレ氏ない歴１年か
ウォークマンのイアフォンが
「ガラスの林檎」歌ってた

sofutokuriimu nuketa yubi
kareshinaireki ichinen ka
wookuman no ieafon ga
"garasu ringo" utatteta

The ice cream fell from your hands
you hadn't had a boyfriend for a year
The earphones on your walkman
sang of "glass apples"

三つ編みヒロイン
岩をめざしクロールする
三つ編みヒロイン
ただの地味な紺の水着
空よりも海よりも深く青い日々
さざ波ピチャピチャ　光のあやとり

mitsuami hiroin
iwa wo mezashi kurooru suru
mitsuami hiroin
tada no jimi na kon no mizugi
sora yori mo umi yori mo fukaku aoi hibi
saza nami pichapicha hikari no ayatori

Braided heroine
You crawled aiming for the rocks
Braided heroine
dressed in a plain deep blue swimsuit
a blue more deep than the ordinary sky and sea
the rippling water splashes, strings of light

指が空中叩いてた
わたしピアノも上手いんだ
都会に行ってバンドでも
組んだら何か変わるかな

yubi ga kuuchuu tataiteta
watashi piano mo umainda
tokai ni itte bando demo
kundara nanika kawaru kana

My fingers beat in the air
my piano playing is much better
But when our band went to the city
altogether, somehow something was off

未来をキッて睨むのよ
怖がっててもしょうがない
怒った顔が綺麗って
言ってたカレは消えたけど

mirai wo kitte niramu no yo
kowagattetemo shouganai
okotta kao ga kirei tte
itteta kare ha kietakedo

Take care in the future
you can't help being nervous
He said my angry face was beautiful
but then the guy vanished

三つ編みヒロイン
雲の波をクロールする
三つ編みヒロイン
手を広げて離陸しよう
空よりも海よりも深く青い日々

mitsuami hiroin
kumo no nami wo kurooru suru
mitsuami hiroin
te wo hirogete ririku shiyou
sora yori mo umi yori mo fukaku aoi hibi

Braided heroine
You crawled on the waves of clouds
Braided heroine
Let's spread our arms and takeoff
into a blue more deep than the ordinary sky and sea

三つ編みヒロイン
岩をめざしクロールする
三つ編みヒロイン
ただの地味な紺の水着
空よりも海よりも深く青い日々
さざ波ピチャピチャ　光のあやとり

mitsuami hiroin
iwa wo mezashi kurooru suru
mitsuami hiroin
tada no jimi na kon no mizugi
sora yori mo umi yori mo fukaku aoi hibi
saza nami pichapicha hikari no ayatori

Braided heroine
You crawled aiming for the rocks
Braided heroine
dressed in a plain deep blue swimsuit
a blue more deep than the ordinary sky and sea
the rippling water splashes, strings of light

『夏なんです』
『natsu nandesu』 {Because It's Summer}
作詞: 松本 隆 | 作曲: 細野晴臣 | 編曲: HAYASHI
{Lyrics by Matsumoto Takashi | Composition by Hosono Haruomi | Arrangement by HAYASHI}
[Translation by yuri_nikko/j_music_lyrics]

田舎の白いで畦道
埃っぱい風が立ち止まる
地べたにぺタンとしゃがみこみ
奴らがビー玉はじいてる
ギンギンギラギラの
太陽なんです
ギンギンギラギラの
夏なんです

inaｋa no shiroi azemichi de
hokoroppai kaze ga tachidomaru
jibeta ni petan to shagamikomi
yatsura ga biidama hajiiteru
gin gin gira gira no
taiyou nandesu
gin gin gira gira no
natsu nandesu

On a path in a white rice field
the dusty winds stand still
Crouching, pentan* on the ground
they fling the marbles
silver silver glitter glitter
because of the sun
silver silver glitter glitter
because it's summer

鎮守の森はふかみどり
舞い降りてきた静けさ
古い茶屋の店先に
誰かさんとぶらさがる
ホーシーツクツクの
蝉の声です
ホーシーツクツクの
夏なんです

chinju no mori ha fukamidori
maioritekita shizukesa ga
furui chaya no miseseki ni
dareka santo burasagaru
hooshiitsukutsuku no
semi no koe desu
hooshiitsukutsuku no
natsu nandesu

Deep green leaves in the shrine grove
calmly they dance to the ground
At the old tea house store front
a certain someone hangs around
Intently they chirp
the cicada's voices
Intently they chirp
because it's summer

※日傘くるくる
ぼくはたいくつ
日傘くるくる
ぼくはたいくつ※

※higasa kuru kuru
boku ha taikutsu
higasa kuru kuru
boku ha taikutsu※

※Spinning my parasol
I'm so bored
Spinning my parasol
I'm so bored※

空模様の縫い目を辿って
石畳を駆け抜けると
夏は通り雨と一緒に
連れ立って行ってしまうのです
モンモンモコモコの
入道雲です
モンモンモコモコの
夏なんです

soramoyou no nuime wo tadotte
ishidatami wo kakenukeru to
natsu ha toori ame to isshouni
tsuredatte itteshimau no desu
monmon moko moko no
nyuudougumo desu
monmon moko moko no
natsu nandesu

Follow along the seams of the sky
and run through the stone paving
We'll go along together
in the summer showers
Worrying away, fluffy
are the columns of clouds
Worrying away, fluffy
because it's summer

(※くり返し)

*Pentanque is a French game played with metallic balls on dirt.

『僕たちの時間』
『bokutachi no jikan』 {Our Time}
作詞 &作曲: KAYO | 編曲: NATSUMEN
{Lyrics & Composition by: KAYO | Arrangement by NATSUMEN}
[Translation by yuri_nikko/j_music_lyrics]

窓に写る　憂鬱な顔
機嫌直して　夜空の下へ

mado ni utsuru yuuutsu na kao
kigen naoshite yozora no shita he

In the window reflects my sad face
Calm my mood under this night sky

誰のいない　僕たちだけの
時間過ぎてゆく　今だけは

dare mo inai bokutachi dake no
jikan sugite yuku ima dake ha

No one's around, it's just us
Time just passes by, now is all there is

窓の外の　小鳥たちも
目を覚して　歌ってる

mado no soto no kotori tachi mo
me wo samashite utatteru

Outside my window, even the little birds
they open their eyes and sing

優しい気持ちに慣れるのはやっぱり嬉しい

yasashii kimochi ni nareru no ha yappari ureshii

So gently, the feeling I feel is of course, happy

心の中の違う　あの子に
色んなモノを　見せてあげたい

kokoro no naka no chigau ano ko ni
ironna mono wo misete agetai

All the faults in my heart, to that kid
I want to show, all sorts of things

誰も知らない　僕達だけの
時間過ぎてゆく　今だけは

dare mo shiranai bokutachi dake no
jikan sugite yuku ima dake ha

Things no one else knows, just us
Time just passes by, now is all there is

楽しい気持ちになれるのはやっぱり嬉しい
優しい気持ちになれるのはやっぱり嬉しい
楽しい気持ちになれるのはやっぱり嬉しい
優しい気持ちになれるのはやっぱり嬉しい

tanoshii kimoshi ni nareru no ha yappari ureshii
yasashii kimichi ni nareru no ha yappari ureshii
tanoshii kimoshi ni nareru no ha yappari ureshii
yasashii kimichi ni nareru no ha yappari ureshii

So joyously, the feeling I feel of course is happy
So gently, the feeling I feel is of course, happy
So joyously, the feeling I feel of course is happy
So gently, the feeling I feel is of course, happy

大切なもの　無くさぬ様に
笑っていてほしい　君だけは　君だけは

taisetsu na mono nakusanu you ni
waratte ite hoshii kimi dake ha kimi dake ha

What's important, is that you never go away
I want you smiling always, just you, just you

『ミドリポップで』
『Midori Poppu de』 {With Green Pop}
作詞, 作曲, 編曲: ハヤシヒロユキ
{Lyrics, Composition & Arrangement by Hayashi Hiroyuki}
[Translation by yuri_nikko/j_music_lyrics]

キレイな光　そそいでみるなら
あなたどれくらい　育ってくれるの？
自分次第ね～　もう一歩
後は雰囲気もね～

kirei na hikari sosoide miru nara
anata dorekurai sodatte kureru no?
jibun jidai ne~ mouippo
ato ha funiki mo ne~

If you tried to let in some pretty light
how much would it help me grow?
It all depends on me~ Just one more step
After I'll get in the mood okay~

キレイな音に　かたむけてみるなら
あなたどれくらい　染まってくれるの？
気分次第ね～　もうイイヨ
後は気付いてね～

kirei na oto ni katamukete miru nara
anata dorekurai somatte kureru no?
kibun jidai ne~ mou ii yo
ato ha kidzuite ne~

If you let me listen to a pretty sound
how much would it seep into me?
It all depends on my mood~ That's all
After you'll realize, okay~

ミドリポップで　一番いいのはそばにおいでよ
ミドリポップで　一度いいからごらん下ください
ね～　おねがい　２人のポップ

midori poppu de ichiban ii no ha soba ni oide yo
midori poppu de ichido ii kara goran kudasai
ne~ onegai futari no poppu

With green pop, the best place to pop up is by your side
With green pop, please don't look at me just this one time
Hey~ please it's our own pop

安心感はもう足りない　うわべでしか笑ったりね　ホントひどいね

anshinkan ha mou tarinai uwabedeshika waratteri ne honto hidoi ne

A sense of security isn't enough, you're just laughing on the outside, that's really mean you know

ミドリポップで　一番いいのはそばに置いてよ
ミドリポップで　いつでもいいから話かけてね
一人ぼっちで　動かないカラだただ見つめてる
ミドリポップで　一度でいいからごらんください

midori poppu de ichiban ii no ha soba ni oite yo
midori poppu de itsude mo ii kara hanashi kakete ne
hitoribocchi de ugokanai karada tada mitsumeteru
midori poppu de ichido ii kara goran kudasai

With green pop, the best place to pop up is by your side
With green pop, you can always count on me to listen
Only you alone, I'll gaze at your unchanging figure
With green pop, please don't look at me just this one time

ね～　おねがい　ね～　おねがい
ね～　おねがい　ミドリのポップ
ミドリのポップ　ミドリのポップ

ne~ onegai ne~ onegai
ne~ onegai midori no poppu
midori no poppu midori no poppu

Hey~ please Hey~ please
Hey~ please green pop
Green pop, green pop

『さらばシベリア鉄道』
『saraba shiberia tetsudou』 {Goodbye Siberian Railroad}
作詞: 松本隆 | 作曲: 大滝詠一 編曲: HAYASHI
{Lyrics by Matsumoto Takashi | Composition by Ootaki Eiichi | Arrangement by HAYASHI}
[Translation by yuri_nikko/j_music_lyrics]


哀しみの裏側に何があるの？
涙さえも凍りつく白い氷原
誰でも心に冬を
かくしてると言うけど
あなた以上冷ややかな人はいない

kanashimi no uragawa ni nani ga aru no?
namida sae mo koori tsuku shiroi hyougen
dare demo kokoro ni fuyu wo
kakushiteru to iu kedo
anata ijou hiyayakana hito ha inai

What is there beyond this sadness?
My tears even freeze into a white snowfield
In anyone's heart
hides something called winter
On the other side, there are no cold-hearted people

君の手紙読み終えて切手を見た
スタンプにはロシア語の小さな文字
独りで決めたで別れを
責める言葉捜して
不意に北の空を追う

kimi no tegami yomi oete kitte wo mita
sutanpu ni ha roshia go no chiisana moji
hitori de kimeta de wakare wo
semeru kotoba sagashite
fui ni kita no sora wo ou

I finished reading your letter and saw the stamp
On it was written tiny Russian characters
You decided to say farewell
I searched for condeming words
suddenly chasing the Northern sky

伝えておくれ
十二月の旅人よ
いついついつまでも待っていると

tsutaete okure
juunigatsu no tabibito yo
itsuitsuitsu made mo matter iru to

Convey for me
December travellers
I'm always, always, always waiting

この線路の向こうには何があるの？
雪に迷うトナカイの哀しい瞳
答えを出さない人に
連いてゆくのに疲れて
行き先さえ無い明日に飛び乗ったの

kono senro no mukou ni ha nani ga aru no?
yuki ni mayou tonakai no kanashii hitomi
kotae wo dasanai hito ni
tsuite yuku no ni tsukarete
ikisaki sae nai asu ni tobinotta no

What lies at the end of this railroad track?
Lost in the snow are reindeer with sad eyes
To we who cannot answer you
lead us though we're wary
Prance upon an unknown tomorrow

僕は照れて愛という言葉が言えず
君は近視まなざしを読みとれない
疑うことを覚えて
人は生きてゆくなら
不意に愛の意味を知る

boku ha terete ai to iru kotoba ga iezu
kimi ha kinshin manazashi wo yomitorenai
utagau koto wo oboete
hito ha ikiteyuku nara
fui ni ai no imi wo shiru

I can't say those awkward words of love
My nearsighted eyes can't scrutinize you
I remembered my doubts
But as long as we're alive
we'll know the meaning of love

伝えておくれ
二十月の旅人よ
いついついつまでも待ってると

tsutaete okure
juunigatsu no tabibito yo
itsuitsuitsu made mo matteru to

Convey for me
December travellers
I'm always, always, always waiting