游彩 (Yusai) is a band created by guitarists Luy and 慶 (Yoshi), bassist 大蛇 (Orochi) and drummer 沙久 (Saku), who used to play together with vocalist 唄 (Riku) in ジン (ZIN).
Unfortunately 唄 (Riku) decided to step down from his position of vocalist last minute before a live performance, resulting in Luy taking over as a replacement vocalist for that show, as well as the remainder of that tour. A decision that was so well received by the four remaining members that they released one final single, titled “焔ノトモシビ (Honoo no Tomoshibi)”, with Luy providing the vocals for this song as well.
While the members were happy with Luy as their new vocalist, they did express that they didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of continuing under the name ジン (ZIN), so instead they announced their disbandment, but followed up immediately with the announcement of their new project: 游彩 (Yusai). Additionally, Luy changed his name to 雨音 類 (Amane Rui) to mark “official” change in his musical career.
The group also announced their first single, “アイラク偽心 (Airaku Gishin)”, which is exactly what we’re going to look at today.
“Let’s always protect each other”
游彩 (Yusai)’s first promotional photos already revealed that the group was going to continue in the direction they were headed with ジン (ZIN), at least visually. While their last release as ジン (ZIN) was a ballad-like song it already revealed the diversity of 雨音 類 (Amane Rui) as a vocalist, and “アイラク偽心 (Airaku Gishin)” only adds points to his scoreboard as an entertainer and performer.
The song itself was composed by 慶 (Yoshi), while the words were added by 雨音 類 (Amane Rui). His performance might not suggest the contents of the lyrics though, as “焔ノトモシビ (Honoo no Tomoshibi)” already displayed the poetic style 雨音 類 (Amane Rui) delivers his words in, but “アイラク偽心 (Airaku Gishin)” paints a clear image of mental struggle that isn’t understood by others while closing off the heart for any emotions from others around them.
The influence of the depressing lyrics do not return in the music video in the slightest however, since the music video focuses more on the location of shooting, in this case a traditional temple, and the visual performance of the members themselves to deliver a stunning visual matching the outfits of the members more than the words themselves.
However, 雨音 類 (Amane Rui) delivers his words in a very convincing way that show passion more than anything described in his lyrics.
The single continues with “色暮 (Iro Kure)“, which is also a collaboration between 雨音 類 (Amane Rui) and 慶 (Yoshi), and a continuation of the negative emotions the title song already painted for us, but this time the metaphor of painting actually returns into the lyrics through the use of colored pencils and colors being used to illustrate the emotions of the character telling their story through these lyrics. The Kanji used for the song’s title roughly translate to “color” and “evening”, “twilight” or “dusk”, and it might be very lively imagination, but the inclusion of these Kanji do add to the illusion of this story being told in the later hours of the day to somewhat hide the sad content of the words.
Closing off the single is “地団駄序曲 (Jidanda Jokyoku)“, and also the conclusion of the collaboration between the vocalist and guitarist. Easily the most aggressive song on the single, and only found on the regular edition in favor of the MV on the limited edition, the musical style of the single is changed entirely to match the “hostile” (the word is a bit too powerful for the description, however) lyrics performed by 雨音 類 (Amane Rui).
Adding to the depressing stories of the first two songs, “地団駄序曲 (Jidanda Jokyoku)” serves as a follow-up to the confession of negative thoughts by it’s predecessors. The world works in a strange way, and can be very difficult to understand, as the storyteller in these lyrics clearly express. The instrumentals back up these words with a more “aggressive” sound, concluding the depressing story told by “アイラク偽心 (Airaku Gishin)” as a single.
Conclusion
As a whole, “アイラク偽心 (Airaku Gishin)” touches on a difficult and rather depressing topic, namely mental health. Some references are more direct than others, and it’s not very surprising that this topic was chosen by a group that had to deal with it quite a bit in the recent years as ジン (ZIN), and it begs the question of this still being the case for the members now they are just with the four of them in 游彩 (Yusai).
雨音 類 (Amane Rui) has proven his worth as a vocalist yet again with this single that is no longer connected to the style or concept of the previous group, and even though the lyrics paint a dark picture the single itself serves as a lovely musical piece that both connects to their “roots” as ジン (ZIN), but also serves as an amazing new start for 游彩 (Yusai). If the depressing lyrics are here to stay is to be seen, but we can only hope that the future for 游彩 (Yusai) is as bright as their outfits for this first release.
Release information
Did this review spark your interest into getting your own copy of this release? In that case we’ve listed some information below to get you started:
01. アイラク偽心 (Airaku Gishin) 02. 色暮 (Iro Kure) DVD 01. アイラク偽心 (Airaku Nise Kokoro) |
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01. アイラク偽心 (Airaku Gishin) 02. 色暮 (Iro Kure) 03. 地団駄序曲 (Jidanda Jokyoku) |
Artist: 游彩 (Yusai)
Release: アイラク偽心 (Airaku Gishin) (single)
Release date: March 1, 2017
CD number: NSRC-0013A (limited edition) / NSRC-0013B (regular edition)
Follow 游彩 (Yusai)
雪 (Yuki) is the owner and driving force behind Arlequin.
She originally started the project in 2009 as a photographer under the name of Arlequin Photography, but developed an interest in journalism and translation ever since. Because of these interests interviews and reviews were added to the project, until it eventually hit the limits as a "photographer" in 2021, and Arlequin Magazine was added to the mix.
雪 (Yuki) is a native Dutch speaker with a graphic design degree, which means she is also the main person behind Arlequin Creations.
After all these years she is still the main person who does interviews the interviews and live photos that you see on Arlequin, but also a large chunk of the reviews and behind-the-scenes work and communication goes through her.
She speaks Dutch and English on a native level, but also understands Japanese and German.