VOL.88 Hitoshi Okamoto’s first solo album “a first fine day”

From music freak magazine Vol.88

Hitoshi Okamoto

First solo album *a first fine day* arrives March 20!

As GARNET CROW’s guitarist, Hitoshi Okamoto has already built a passionate, loyal following through his two solo singles, *First fine day* and *Sweet×2 Summer Rain*. Now his long-awaited first album has finally arrived.

This album shows a side of him different from the GARNET CROW guitarist: like a guitar-playing boy recording at home, Hitoshi Okamoto creates a natural, delicate, richly colored sound, with a faint sweetness in his voice. The album contains eight songs, including the first single “First fine day,” which unfolds a beautiful soundscape; “Res-no,” the first single’s coupling song, for which “cute” is exactly the right word; and the second single “Sweet×2 Summer Rain,” sweet with a hint of bitterness. The works are filled with his own distinctive melancholy. We asked him to write comments on each track.

Track commentary by Hitoshi Okamoto

1. “Interlude-click me”

This was the first time I wrote lyrics. Calling them lyrics is generous—they are really just some keywords. I experimented with the sound. A short phrase repeats many times, then leaves as if nothing had happened. That is all right too, I think.

2. “First fine day”

The lead song from my first solo single. Although it was released in autumn, I wrote it casually during the summer. I deliberately emphasized the rough texture of the sound.

3. “手遅れな再会”

I made this song from beginning to end with the feeling of making a remix. When it was finished, I thought, “Ah, this is a song that really sounds like me.” Almost all the sounds move between the left and right channels. It may feel uncomfortable on headphones.

4. “Res-no”

It was originally a much tenser, darker song. I changed the chords and added acoustic guitar, and it became what it is now. So to me, it is very typical guitar pop.

5. “Sweet x 2 Summer Rain”

The second single. It goes straight into the theme without an intro. It was released in summer, so perhaps you can feel that when you listen to it. I made this song by combining two different songs.

6. “STRAY BEAST”

It became this as I built it up. I really do like sounds that roar and rumble. That is right. I like British music, but I like American music too.

7. “翼”

I wanted to express a feeling that was melancholy, a little sluggish, and unable to get going. Do the chords have a slightly retro flavor? I realized after finishing it that this song is quite short too.

8. “First fine day GO!GO!remix”

I made this remix myself and tried all kinds of things for fun. I stretched, cut up, and reassembled samples of my own voice so that they sounded like different words, among other experiments.

Lyrics: AZUKI NANA (except track 1)
Music, arrangement, and lyrics for track 1: HITOSHI OKAMOTO

Release information

Hitoshi Okamoto’s first solo album *a first fine day*
Released March 20 / GIZA studio
GZCA-5012 / ¥1,890 (tax included)

Regular radio program

α-STATION *PASTIME PARADISE*
Every other Saturday, 21:00–22:00