VOL.84 9th single“Timeless Sleep”

From music freak magazine Vol.84

GARNET CROW

New Maxi Single *Timeless Sleep* arrives November 21

GARNET CROW, known for creating a distinctive world through high-quality music, presents the new single *Timeless Sleep*. This mid-tempo song has a calm, delicate melody, is more lyrical than their previous work, and stimulates the imagination more strongly. Its flowing music is comfortable to hear, while AZUKI Nana’s lyrics contain sorrow, tenderness, and warmth. It has a remarkable charm that seems to carry you away from the noise of everyday life into another world without your noticing.

Miguel Sa Pessoa, who previously worked on “水のない晴れた海へ” from the first album, also participated in *Timeless Sleep -groove more "call sky" mix-*. This version feels fresh, with an even more distinct Western musical style. The other song, “whiteout,” combines philosophically tinged lyrics with retro rock and is full of forward motion. This release lets us feel the richness of their music even more clearly. The members discuss each song below.

Members’ track commentary

1. *Timeless Sleep*

Yuri Nakamura: This time I wanted to write a song that was more lyrical than before, and that led to this work. We gave a delicate melody beautiful sounds such as guitar phrases within a taut atmosphere full of clear tension, but when singing I deliberately kept the emotion direct and powerful, hoping it would touch everyone more deeply. I hope you enjoy the contrast between the voice and the accompaniment.

AZUKI Nana: Yes, this one took a long time to make.

Hirohito Furui: The finished version brings out the rock feeling fully. If I had to put it into words, I think you will feel warmth in the chill of winter. The musical scenery changes from section to section, giving the lyrics and Yuri Nakamura’s clear voice greater force and carrying the emotion further. The pizzicato strings in the chorus should make the melancholy more vivid.

Hitoshi Okamoto: The tear-jerking melody has been released completely. I think this song strengthens GARNET CROW’s distinctive qualities even further. It also suits the season very well.

2. *Timeless Sleep - groove more "call sky" mix -*

Yuri Nakamura: The sound in this version is clearer and more transparent. I love the feeling of rising toward the sky. The finished version is more delicate and more lyrical, and it is excellent.

AZUKI Nana: It is a fresh feeling again.

Hirohito Furui: In a word, it is healing music. We made full reference to Western music when producing it. Although it is the same song, the finished result is completely different, so listeners can choose which version to hear according to their mood. Being able to enjoy two pleasures from one song is one of its selling points.

Hitoshi Okamoto: This is another arrangement of the first song. Compared with the original, it is calmer and gentler, and the memorable synthesizer lead draws you into a unique atmosphere.

3. *whiteout*

Yuri Nakamura: This time I wanted the coupling song to feel more like a band, so I tried writing this. It emphasizes a sense of speed and forward drive that we had not shown in our previous work, and is a song that values momentum. Perhaps it is especially good to listen to while driving.

AZUKI Nana: You will lose track of which way is up and which way is down.

Hirohito Furui: Our recent singles have consistently been mid-tempo so that everyone can feel the lyrics and singing from the heart. The coupling song, however, should bring out speed and show another side of Yuri Nakamura. Straightforward rock, speed, and a retro feeling blend together to create a work that answers expectations and is essential listening for GARNET CROW fans.

Hitoshi Okamoto: It has a feeling we have not had before, and it is our first fast song in a while. It is full of the atmosphere of a beautiful era long ago.

Release information

GARNET CROW New Maxi Single *Timeless Sleep*
Released November 21 / GIZA studio
GZCA-2020 / ¥1,260 (tax included)

1. Timeless Sleep
2. Timeless Sleep 〜groove more "call sky" mix〜
3. whiteout
4. Timeless Sleep 〜instrumental〜

Member profiles

Yuri Nakamura / YURI NAKAMURA (vocals)

She says, “I cannot imagine a world without music.” She composes every GARNET CROW song. When asked what creation is, she answers, “Expressing the pure, honest things that rise from inside me, and overflowing emotion.” Her delicate melodies, combined with a distinctive, melancholy voice, sink deeply into the listener’s heart and leave a strange resonance.

AZUKI Nana (keyboards)

As a lyricist, she also supplies work to many artists. She says that when writing lyrics she is influenced by things around her—newspapers, magazines, paperback books, dictionaries, and so on—and that anything can become a reference. She naturally writes both subtle emotions from everyday life and inexpressible feelings deep in the heart. These lyrics surely come from her sensitive ability to turn even small things around her into inspiration.

Hirohito Furui / FURUI HIROHITO (keyboards)

In addition to GARNET CROW, he arranges for many artists. Asked what he is confident he can do as well as anyone, he answers “willpower.” His creed is “I will make my dreams come true.” When asked what he values most, he answers “love.” The delicate, warm, positive sound found throughout his work surely comes from these qualities.

Hitoshi Okamoto / HITOSHI OKAMOTO (guitar)

He is already active in the music world as a session musician and has played guitar since middle school. His favorite saying is “If you do it, you can do it; if you do not, nothing will happen,” which also reveals his hardworking, serious attitude. He does not say much and has a distinctive character and worldview; his guitar tone adds a unique color to GARNET CROW’s songs.