Let's go back to 1998, The latest from Mirei
Pop, R&B, and chill electronic-influenced Japanese artist MIREI return with a lush video for new jazz-laced single “1998” out now via Cool Japan Music.
Named after MIREI’s birth year, the track explores her feelings about being stuck between two generations. Split between Millennials and Gen-Zers, she struggles to find which one is most relatable to her and where she belongs. She asks on the chorus, “am I young, or am I old?” The lyrics are filled with juxtapositions of the two age groups, the lyrics mention the shift from handmade mixtapes to Spotify’s algorithmically generated playlists, hand-rolled car windows to self-driving cars, watching celebrity tabloid relationships to swiping left on dating apps. It'll have you in your feels as MIREI goes down memory lane and reflects on how things have changed over the years.
On the track, MIREI says, “While looking back at the culture I grew up with, I reflected on who I am and where I belong… Britney Spears with Justin Timberlake in the all denim outfit still brings me back to my sweet childhood memories and makes me feel like I'm a '90s Baby. But on the other hand, I love Olivia Rodrigo, and I am so hooked on TikTok, so I feel like I’m much younger. I feel like my birth year, 1998, is a limbo year in between it all.”
The sound of “1998” is an entrancing, lowkey vaporwave groove. Produced and co-written with DJ Shiftee (a two-time DMC World Champion) and Zak Leever (a classically trained musician who’s earned support from industry heavyweights like Diplo), the sonics mirror the lyrics with stark contrasts. The gentle vibraphone chords are like a soft lullaby against moving drums like a distant club beat. You’ll hear phone chimes from her current life, but also a VCR or tape player rewinding as a warm and familiar sound from her childhood. This soundscape is jazzy and nostalgic but very much of the present, as MIREI pulls inspiration from current pop and R&B. With MIREI in Tokyo, Zak in SoCal, and Shiftee in Brooklyn, NY, the track was recorded via remote sessions, made possible with internet applications like Zoom and Audio Movers.
The corresponding visual mines at our sentimental sensibilities with aesthetic similarities to the classic “Take On Me” music video from a-ha. In a minimal setting with several ever-changing animated styles, MIREI sings of simpler times when she was just playing Super Smash Bros. and on her Tamagotchi.
About MIREI:
Stemming from her experiences living in both Japan and the United States, MIREI’s music is a melting pot of worldwide musical genres. The rising artist uniquely blends elements of pop, J-pop, R&B, electronic and house to create a global sound which has attracted the attention of listeners all over the world by-way-of social media. Through her music, MIREI often speaks up on issues in the Asian music scene that are often swept under the rug, or unrecognized overseas, as well as cultural topics and social issues—making her an idiosyncratic talent and voice of this generation, both musically and lyrically. Teen Vogue says, “MIREI tackles modern-day Japan, shining a light on issues like depression, sexual harassment, and the cultural pressures of conformity that are affecting the country’s youth...”
MIREI’s English-language debut album Take Me Away finds her collaborating with Queens-based rapper Dai Burger (a dancer-turned-singer who’s toured with rappers like Lil Mama), Jersey club king DJ Sliink, as well as producer/songwriters DJ Shiftee and Zak Leever—a direct reflection of the diverse global effort and impact on the project. With the power of the internet, MIREI’s courageous messages were heard and embraced beyond borders as her streams skyrocketed to over 11 million total across all platforms. Additionally, she has released “In The Night Time” (inspired by her love for Daft Punk and Chill House music) the cover of “No Ordinary Love” by Sade (with proceeds going to the NAACP, a non-profit organization which MIREI aligns with not only in their actions regarding Asian Americans responding to COVID-19 but also their #WeAreDoneDying campaign).
Not only showcasing her fearless honesty, Take Me Away endlessly reveals the tremendous musical passion that MIREI has pursued for almost her entire life. “When I was really young, like three-years-old, my parents used to bring me to karaoke and sing all night long,” she recalls. In kindergarten she began taking dance lessons, which immediately sparked a fascination with pop divas like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears. Soon enough, MIREI added singing to her repertoire and with the help of Garage Band began making music on her own when she was just 12-years-old. By age 13, MIREI had caught the attention of a major record label, her first step toward global stardom. While spending her eighth-grade year in New York City, she performed in the prestigious choir Gospel For Teens, and took home the top prize at the legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo.
Since releasing music in English internationally in 2019, MIREI has garnered positive critical praise from the likes of ATWOOD, CelebMix, Earmilk, Girls Are Awesome, HollywoodLife, Ladygunn, PopMatters, PopularTV, Spindle, Teen Vogue, The 405, among others.
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