A report has arrived from singer-songwriter Yuga’s two-act concert “In Other Words,” held at Shibuya WWW X on June 21 with Yuta Orisaka (band) as guest.
Singer-songwriter Yuga’s concert “In Other Words” took place at Shibuya WWW X on June 21. The performers were Yuga with 魔法バンド and Yuta Orisaka (band). Their words and melodies intersected with rich, deep band ensembles to create a special evening.
A clear portrait of Orisaka’s present
Yuta Orisaka (band) appeared first. With senoo ricky on drums, 宮田あずみ on double bass and 山内弘太 on electric guitar, he opened with “春.” Its gentle, earnest melody carried the line 〈確かじゃないけど/春かもしれない〉. The contrast between a five-beat rhythm and leisurely, floating vocals was beautiful. Next came “スペル” in 6/8 time. Rising quietly and gradually building excitement, it offered a clear portrait of where Orisaka stands now.
“In a two-act show, encountering another voice makes you feel you have to do it a certain way. There is incredible singing, but I want to give it my all too! Being able to play with Yuga today feels like a reward, so I’ll put everything into performing.”
Following those words came new songs from the album “呪文,” which also contains “スペル.” “夜香木” evoked a fragrant night scene, while “凪,” centered on Orisaka’s guitar riff, developed an almost minimal-techno atmosphere in its second half. These songs conveyed the freedom with which his musical world is expanding.
Experiencing a colorful musical world
The set continued to reveal the colors of Orisaka’s music. “抱擁” traced a sparkling soundscape around a bossa-nova-like groove. In “針の穴,” distorted guitar and a sturdy beat resonated as he almost shouted 〈今私が歌うことは/針の穴を通すようなこと〉. “努努” intertwined a lively beat, effects-laden electric guitar and soulful vocals, inviting the audience to sway. “さびしさ,” with Orisaka on mandolin and dramatic singing within a folk setting, also left a strong impression.
He closed with “ハチス” from “呪文.” Its sound recalled 1970s new soul, while lyrics reflecting on the present era filled the room. The lines “きみのいる世界を『好き』ってぼくは思っているよ 昔とちがう風の中で” and “しいて何か望むなら 全ての子供を守ること” in particular must have stayed with everyone in the audience.
Yuga colors the room with understated elegance
Next came Yuga with 魔法バンド. Following 岡田拓郎 on guitar, 千葉広樹 on bass, 谷口雄 on keyboards and 神谷洵平 on drums, Yuga appeared and sang 〈雨に濡れた道を行けば〉 over electric piano, instantly giving the room an elegant tone. The opener was “June.” The audience began swaying to a band sound whose humidity perfectly suited the season. “夜になる” followed, blending minimal funk textures with a wistful melody. After introducing the members and greeting the crowd as Yuga with 魔法バンド, she moved to the newly released “Sunset.” Co-written with Okada, this chilled track connects folk and hip-hop. Its lyrics, capturing dusk and the wish 〈このままで いたいな いられたらな〉, also stood out.
“I was watching Yuta Orisaka from the back too. It felt like, thank you for being born on this planet. Please enjoy the show until the end.” Those words led into the blues-tinged midtempo “fifteen.” Then came the mirage-like fragility of “夏の窓,” the absence of “you” depicted within the ambient sound of “手紙,” and “WATER,” opening with a pleasantly wavering chorus before a gentle yet powerful melody flowed through.
Above all, Yuga’s singing deserves attention. Resonating with an ensemble that incorporates contemporary R&B, folk and soul, her voice naturally reflects subtle emotions and has grown deeper still.
Her physical expression, from her feel for rhythm to small gestures, also beautifully conveys each song’s world.
Unreleased songs were another major feature of the show. In “香り,” built around a simple guitar riff, the character of the singing slowly changed over time. “Don’t Remember Me” naturally blended reggae and soul. Both suggested new directions for her music.
The main set ended with “遠い朝,” where a fresh summer groove meets poignant emotion, and the acclaimed “魔法,” with its line 〈あの夜に消えた/あなたとの魔法〉.
The resonance of Yuga and Yuta Orisaka’s voices
Answering sustained applause, Yuga returned alone and invited Yuta Orisaka onstage. “In Other Words: I sing about the world in my words, and Orisaka depicts it in his. We sing in different words, but I felt that we live in the same world,” she said before they performed “灯火.” Yuga’s acoustic guitar and the sight of their voices joining seemed to symbolize everything wonderful about the concert.
Yuga releases the new album “Love Deluxe” on September 4, with the “Love Deluxe Tour 2024” also confirmed for Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. Watch for her next step forward, in both her music and her stagecraft.
SETLIST
Yuta Orisaka (band)
1.春
2.スペル
3.夜香木
4.凪
5.抱擁
6.針の穴
7.努努
8.さびしさ
9.ハチス
Yuga with 魔法バンド
1.June
2.夜になる
3.Sunset
4.fifteen
5.夏の窓
6.手紙
7.WATER
8.香り
9.Don’t Remember Me
10.遠い朝
11.魔法
Encore
1.灯火 (Yuga & Yuta Orisaka)
Release
Fourth album: “Love Deluxe”
Artist: Yuga
Release: September 4, 2024 (Wednesday)
CD only (PCCA-06315 / ¥3,300 including tax)
Ten tracks, including “遠い朝” and “Sunset”
ご予約： https://yuga.lnk.to/LoveDeluxe_CD
Shop-exclusive bonuses
Amazon.co.jp: oversized artwork print
Rakuten Books: acrylic keychain
Seven Net Shopping: acrylic carabiner
All Tower Records and TOWER mini stores and Tower Records Online: A5 clear folder (TOWER version)
HMV stores nationwide and HMV&BOOKS online: A5 clear folder (HMV version)
Pre-orders or purchases of Yuga’s “Love Deluxe” from the participating stores above receive a shop-exclusive bonus on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bonus artwork will be announced later.
Bonuses are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and end when supplies run out.
Some stores may not offer the bonuses; please check when ordering or purchasing.
When pre-ordering online, use the product listing with the bonus if you wish to receive it. Some online shops do not allow cancellation of pre-orders.
Available now
Digital single: “Sunset”
Artist: Yuga
Link: https://lnk.to/_Sunset
Yuga – Sunset (Official Visualize)
Director: Videotapemusic
Cinematographer: Tatsuhiko Nakahara
LIVE
「Love Deluxe Tour 2024」
September 17, 2024 (Tuesday): Music Club JANUS, Osaka
OPEN 18:00 / START 19:00
Inquiries: GREENS, 06-6882-1224
September 18, 2024 (Wednesday): Tokuzo, Nagoya
OPEN 18:00 / START 19:00
JAILHOUSE, 052-936-6041
September 20, 2024 (Friday): WWW X, Tokyo
OPEN 18:00 / START 19:00
SMASH, 03-3444-6751
Tickets
General: ¥5,800 (tax included)
Students: ¥3,500 (tax included)
Drink charge not included
Official presale
June 21 (Friday), 21:00–June 30 (Sunday), 23:59
URL：https://w.pia.jp/t/yuga-bandset/
More live dates
https://www.yugamusic.com/schedule
Artist
Yuga
Yuga began working as a singer-songwriter in 2011.
Her theme songs “めぐる” for the film “⻑いお別れ” and “灯火” for the TBS Friday drama “妻、小学生になる。” attracted responses around the world. She made the 2022 album “言葉のない夜に” with her close collaborators in 魔法バンド and toured with them, performing across Japan and at festivals including FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL.
Her work also spans narration and singing for television commercials, sonic logos and musicals.
As Yuga with 魔法バンド, she provided the theme song and score for the NHK drama “月食の夜は,” releasing its soundtrack digitally in March 2023.
She also works with 藤原さくら as the duo Jane Jade.
Official accounts
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/@yuga6733
Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/__y_u_g_a__/
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/yugabb
