PSYCHIC FEVER Find Strength in Their Differences on New Album ‘DIFFERENT’: Interview
Billboard Japan had the opportunity to interview the septet in London on the occasion of the release of their second album.
Since their debut four years ago, the Japanese band Psychic Fever has toured both domestically and internationally. In the run-up to their second album, DIFFERENT, released on July 10, the seven-member group shared insights on how their individual strengths have contributed to the creation of their latest work and the importance of embracing differences.
During an interview in London, the band members reflected on how their interpretation of "different" evolved over the years. Ryoga noted that they wanted DIFFERENT to encapsulate the changes they experienced during those four years, including the varied ways they played in numerous cities across 15 countries. Jimmy recalled that shortly after their debut, they embarked on a six-month training stint in Thailand, which highlighted the unique qualities of each band member and reinforced the idea of celebrating individuality.
Jimmy explained that while working on DIFFERENT, they drew inspiration from genres they were familiar with, such as hip-hop and R&B, with a nod to African-American music and Afrobeat, given the band's Nigerian roots. Jimmy pointed out that the album focused on honing in on those foundational elements, resulting in a fresh and cohesive sound.
The band members discussed how various members of the group shine through in different parts of the album. RYUSHIN highlighted that WEESA and KOKORO typically dominated the chorus sections, but on "Into You," Ren took center stage, blending J-pop elements with a strong PSYCHIC feel. REN added that experimenting with Afrobeat on this album revealed a unique PSYCHIC essence, while all songs on the album maintained a distinct PSYCHIC vibe.
WEESA emphasized writing lyrics that felt authentic, balancing Japanese and English while ensuring the lyrics remained catchy. Jimmy pointed out that the lyrics on DIFFERENT resonate with a wide range of listeners, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers. Tsurugi shared a memorable experience where the band's song "Just Like Dat feat. JP THE WAVY" received enthusiastic Japanese singing by US audiences, demonstrating music's borderless power and the joy of learning another language through music.
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