#noripi

— The 10th anniversary major debut Best album『UNIFY -10th Anniversary BEST-』has the title “UNIFY”, was this word been with VALSHE for a long time?

Yes. There’s also the word “Certify” in the lead song “UNIFY”, both are the keywords for the best album.

— Is “UNIFY” done in a way that it connects all the paths VALSHE has taken so far?

I wanted to create something that was the “peak” of what VALSHE has done in the last decade for fans when producing this best work. This is also the first work where I really wanted to be in the leading role, I want to show that VALSHE will be in the frontlines to prove its sound and worldview. So, instead of compiling works together and labeling it as “I’ve shown various songs, faces, and appearances”, I wanted to show the original VALSHE that was the core of this.

— You mentioned that you wanted to be the leading role for the first time, but how did you feel before that?

Of course, the songs I released so far are also under VALSHE, and since I was in the front, what I mentioned were just the emotional parts. For example: when 5th Anniversary 『DISPLAY -Now&Best-』was released, from the perspective of VALSHE, many staff were involved in the sound making, music video, and live performances. There were also the feelings of fans helping to move things forward. It was “VALSHE”, but it’s not VALSHE.

— Is it due to the fact that many people are involved in VALSHE’s work?

Yes. It was a bit rough, but I think that thanks to everyone during the 5th anniversary, I couldn’t think even at the slightest that “I came this far because of my hard work”. Now that I worked in the long run, I was able to admit to myself that “VALSHE did her best too” thus thought that 「UNIFY」 was an appropriate title.

— 2 new songs are included in the Best of 2-disc set, but I felt the title song “UNIFY” was uplifting and powerful. It has a loud element and a gospel taste, please give us an episode on when you wrote this song.

The song 「UNIFY」 has existed for about 2 years. Before the production of last year’s single 「SYM-BOLIC XXX」 started, I held a competition for songs suitable for VALSHE’s 100th song with the sound producer and doriko, who has been providing songs for work at that time.  However, when I listened to the song I made, I thought “It’s too heavy for a 100th song, and only my song has a strong anniversary sense” Thus, this song is kept.

— So it’s a song that was saved for the anniversary?

Yes. At the time, I was working on its arrangement, so the image did not change much. During its demo stage, I could see the majestic and profound sound of it, so I didn’t have to rebuild the song. And since I had 2 years, I had time to fine tune and brush up more, so I feel like I was finally able to release it at the right time. I think it’s a song where you can see VALSHE standing on a stage.

— Earlier you mentioned “Certify” was an important keyword, but what are you thoughts about that?

The word “Certify” is included not only in the title song but also the entire best album, as the work itself feels like a certificate. It’s the same for me, thought it’s not like “I have completed a 10-year course” to the fans who are receiving it, but more of “We made something and have gone beyond all sorts of activities, we did our best.” In that sense, it’s an important keyword.

— Then, tell us about the visual. There seems to be white-coloured costumes in the past, but they aren’t dressy-like.

Based on the fact that all of the VALSHE so far have been intergraded in this album, I consulted with people around me about the costume. “Black? Red? Gold?” Looking back on the discography, I thought it was very multicoloured, though I was also told that white can be dyed in any colour, but in response to the theme of the anniversary: “Why not try a wedding dress on VALSHE? VALSHE will wear it cool.” Thus, the costume this time has a wedding dress-like design from the waist down, the top is a napoleon jacket that was very VALSHE-like.

— The MV started with receiving the key ring, but are those the same keys that VALSHE, the guardian, had in the 5th anniversary best song “DISPLAY”?

Various VALSHE that appeared in the past MVs appeared in 「DISPLAY」, but at the start of 「UNIFY」, VALSHE of the previous single 『ACE of WING』 handed over the key. 「DISPLAY」 ends with the latest VALSHE in a cell, which indicated that 「DISPLAY」 is also an old record, meaning, the moment when the work is seen, it becomes a thing of the past. The key has been handed down for a long time, and 「UNIFY」 is made to clarify that VALSHE will continue after celebrating its 10th anniversary. For those who sees this for the first time at this moment, that element may appear ordinary, but for those who had supported me for a long time, the choreography, situation and shooting methods of the past songs are included, if you follow VALSHE, I think there are many points to be noticed. The English sentences that appeared in the second half are also meaningful, it’s a content that you can understand by reading what you expressed in 「UNIFY」, so I hope fans who are good at English can translate and spread it (laughs)

— It seems that VALSHE always has a mystery every time

That’s right. Though not limited to MVs, I wanted to make this best album more meaningful to the people who have supported me so far. And by extension, I also want people who are new to VALSHE to know what VALSHE has done consistently for 10 years.

— Disc 1 also includes the self-cover 『Myself -DECADE-』,the title of the lead song in the debut mini album 『storyteller』, and the approach that has strengthen the rock-style is impressive.  Disc 1 is mainly made up of songs from 2015 to the present, and while incorporating digital sounds, the use of live sounds are increasing, and I can feel the transition of VALSHE, where the rock-style has become stronger.

『Jitsuroku Kumonoito』(2015) and 『RIOT』(2017) are both turning points, and from that point on, there are more opportunities to make sounds with the band. From 「RIOT」, I became more involved in composing, so I personally think that Disc 1 is chapter 2 and Disc 2 is chapter 1. There were rock songs in the early days, but I wonder if the ratio of digital and live sound mixes has changed. Every time I think about the distribution of digital and rock, I did some trial and error and thought “I wonder if this is far apart?”. If you try to arrange the songs in the best way like this, the amount of ingredients will be different. Disc 1’s loud music, gets heavier by one-shot and one-shot, my ears felt busier in compared to Disc 2. I think that the sound of 「UNIFY」 controls that.

— What does VALSHE feel now when listening to the songs on Disc 2 in the first 5 years?

When it was newly mastered in the studio, the sound of joy was better, but when I listened to Disc 2 now, I often remember the people who were working together at the time, the events at the time, and things other than music.

— There were various milestones, such as the songs from the time where VALSHE has not revealed her face, and 「Butterfly Core」 (2013) being set as the theme song for the anime 『Detective Conan』

That’s right. However, Disc 2 has the basis of the sound that leads to the sound composition of Disc 1 at this time, so this is the one that was the starting point. I’m glad that I felt that it was in a single line after all when I managed it this way.

— Disc 2 also includes 「Butterfly on your Right Shoulder -2020-」 which is a new recording of the cover song 「Butterfly on your Right Shoulder」 posted on niconico douga by VALSHE before her debut. The new song 「Filament」　which concludes the end, was composed by Noripi and the lyrics were written by doriko, I was impressed by the sound as if it was congratulating VALSHE on the 10th anniversary.

I wanted to make the new song 「Filament」 for the 11th year, but I didn’t want to write this myself. This time, I was able to get involved with 「Butterfly on your Right Shoulder」, so I asked Noripi but told him that I would like him to write freely using the image of VALSHE. The lyrics have an affinity with 「UNIFY」, so I asked doriko, who can be said to be the only witness of VALSHE.

— is it because he has been involved in activities for 10 years?

That’s right. He is also a member of Team VALSHE, and he has seen various events, including private ones, from the standpoint of a third party. I asked him, “Become a witness, write down the VALSHE you’ve seen.” The keyword “Certify” sometimes appears in 「UNIFY」, so I thought that a witness was necessary for this Best album.

— The lyrics “Let’s turn all the directed smiles and tears into power” reminds me of VALSHE, who has overcome various things, and “Let’s continue on for 100 years from now while thinking about Memento Mori” I also felt VALSHE’s attitude

I was frankly impressed when I read the lyrics for the first time. The title 「Filament」 is also an honour, I was told by doriko that “VALSHE is not an LED”, filament means the core of an incandescent light bulb, it looks like it shines on its own (laughs). He told me that VALSHE is not an LED that keeps the same amount of light with a single switch, but it shines as much as you pour heat into it, I was happy.

— 「Filament」’s position is the bridge to the future?

Yes. That’s why I put it at the end of Disc 2.

— The concept live ＜VALSHE CONCEPT LIVE 2020 「VVV -VALSHE VS VALSHE-」＞will be held at TSUTAYA-O-EAST on December 18th, but will the cards that announce activities on the special site will continue to gradually release in the future?