Celebrating their third year since their debut, INI, who will soon be performing at Kyocera Dome Osaka, will release their 2nd album on February 14th. Koto Nishi and Shogo Tajima, who wrote the lyrics for the songs on the album, including the title song, talked about the appeal of the album on behalf of the group.
MICHIYO YANAGIHARA
What kind of album did ELLE 2ND ALBUM “MATCH UP” turn out to be?
Tajima Until now, I think the content has been about facing oneself and trying to get to know each other’s tastes and the other person, like in “TAG ME”, but I think this album is the one that finally matches MINI. Masu. I feel like I created the song together with MINI (INI’s fan name).
West There are four versions of this album, and I think each one has songs with different characteristics, such as fragility and strength. It’s full of cool songs with a relaxed feel, and to put it simply, it’s a cool album (lol).
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I put the feeling that we, who used to be nobodies, can now go as far as we want with our friends (Nishi)
ELLE Nishi-san wrote the lyrics for the title song “LEGIT” independently. What was the starting point for the lyrics?
West “LEGIT” means real, but in this song it’s used to convey the feeling of being cool, or like “we’re cool!”
Tajima It’s an impactful song, and I think it’s a highlight on the album. He has a confident worldview, but he also has some interesting parts (lol). As Kouto said, it’s not “us”, it’s “us”! It’s kind of like that. I thought it was cool and fashionable that the lyrics included the words “My Gold Chain” and “Designer jeans.”
West When I wrote “My Gold Chain,” I was wondering who would play the part, but (Hsu) Fung-fan sang it in a cool manner. The lyrics around “body and buddy” convey the feeling that when we went to the audition we were nothing, but now we can go as far as we want with our bodies together with our friends.
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TajimaIt was difficult to record my part because it was a rough English rap, but that’s how I felt when singing.
WestAlso, conceptually, the word “Chemistry” is very important to me. If we have a chemical reaction and “MATCH”, then we can do amazing things together, right? Like.The members, the MINI people who are listening… there’s a lot of “Chemistry” in there.
MICHIYO YANAGIHARA
For me, who often writes straight lyrics, it was a challenge to write lyrics with meaning (Tajima)
ELLETajima-san and Daimu Takatsuka are in charge of the Japanese lyrics for “Dirty Shoes Swag.” Please tell us about the thoughts you put into the lyrics.
TajimaThrough the lyrics of this song, I wanted to convey the message, “Let’s take care of ourselves.” The phrase “Dirty Shoes” suggests that dirty shoes are proof of your life, so aren’t they better than new shoes? I put this thought into it. My favorite lyric is the part that says, “Dirty Shoes Swag, reconnecting our feelings.”
WestI thought it was nice that the shoelaces were hooked to the “retie” part.
TajimaI thought that if I tied the laces of my shoes, I would feel better and my feelings would return to normal. I often write straightforward lyrics, so it was a challenge for me to add meaning to the lyrics like this. I was happy to hear that he especially liked Fengbon out of all the members.
MICHIYO YANAGIHARA
ELLEThere are songs from a wide range of genres, but which one is your favorite?
TajimaMy favorite song is “TELEVISION”. “MORE” has the same solid and strong feel as before, but I think the other songs have a slightly new, just-right groove and coolness. There are songs like “FANFARE” and “HANA_Hana”…I think everyone who listens to it will have their own favorites, so I’d like to hear them. Some MINIs may be surprised because the release span from 5TH SINGLE was so short, but we have worked hard to prepare, so please look forward to it.
WestI got the impression that “T-shirt” had interesting lyrics that I wouldn’t have been able to write myself. But if I had to choose one favorite song, it would have to be “LEGIT.”
TajimaIf I had to choose the best, it would be “LEGIT”!
WestI didn’t feel any pressure, but I was very happy to be able to write the lyrics for the title song for the first time.
MICHIYO YANAGIHARA
ELLE Two years have passed since your debut, how do you feel you have grown?
TajimaUp until now, I had been doing everything by feeling, including dance, but now I can clearly understand, “Oh, this is what it’s all about.” That may be growth, but on the other hand, it can also lead to being too conscious and getting stuck. In such cases, try doing it without thinking too much, and then try doing it consciously next time. I feel that by repeating this, I am expanding my range.
WestI can’t proudly say that I’ve grown. But if I had to say one thing, I had a hard time writing the lyrics during the audition, but I participated in writing the lyrics for “SPECTRA” and was allowed to write the full lyrics for “DROP.” I think it’s connected.
TajimaIt’s amazing how it goes step by step.
WestSomeday, we would like to decide on a concept ourselves and create a song or album together from a blank slate.
MICHIYO YANAGIHARA
ELLEWhich member do you think has changed the most since their debut?
WestI don’t think everyone has changed. Especially (Ozaki) Takumi hasn’t changed at all.
TajimaTakumi is truly unwavering. I think the reason I’m so stable, including mentally, is because I’m able to turn everything that happens into something positive. I think Takumi has learned this because he has worked hard.
WestBut it seems like everyone feels like they’ve changed in some way.
TajimaIf you’ve been together for a long time, you’ll get used to it and it’s hard to understand, but I’m sure everyone is cool. Comparing the photo from when she debuted and now, it’s definitely different! (laughs)
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ELLELast year, the two of you and Rito Ikezaki attended the Emporio Armani show in Milan.
WestIt was my first time going to Europe. I didn’t have a flexible schedule, but I was happy just being able to walk around the city.
TajimaThe cityscape was amazing. The gelato was really delicious, and everyone in town was fashionable.
WestI’ve always been interested in it, so I’d like to go to Europe again. Next time I would like to go to Paris or London.
TajimaI would like to live there someday (lol).
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Touring is definitely the most fun!
ELLEI think I gained a lot from the experience of the arena tour “READY TO POP”.
WestThis time, I was learning the choreography for 7 or 8 new songs and doing various things at the same time, so I was able to train both mentally and physically.
TajimaWhen I was practicing for the tour, I was shouting during the songs to motivate myself (lol). There was a time when we were all trying to get our opinions together to make it a good concert, and we were getting too serious, but once the tour started, I realized that the best thing to do was to have fun.
WestTouring is definitely the most fun.
MICHIYO YANAGIHARA
ELLE Please also show your enthusiasm for the Kyocera Dome Osaka stage, which will be your first solo dome performance.
TajimaI went to see JO1’s dome performance, and the balloon performance was impressive and really good. After the concert, I went out to eat with the members, and at first we were talking about the stage, but then the conversation turned to “Who’s your favorite?” (laughs) My favorite is Takumi (Kawanishi) because he has a good presentation and his rapping is cool. Also, since the dome is so spacious, I realized that unless we created a more lively feel, it wouldn’t be conveyed to the audience.
WestI think it would be great to be able to do things that can only be done in a large venue like the dome, and to be able to create powerful performances.
Photo MICHIYO YANAGIHARA Styling YOKO IRIE/SIGNO Hair & Makeup Hiroshi Takatoku,Itatsu(MASTER LIGHTS) Interview &Text MIKA HOSOYA
Mr. Nishi Jacket ¥412,500 (estimated price), Tops (reference product), Pants (reference product) / All Celine Homme by Hedi Slimane (celine japan）
Mr. Tajima Jacket ¥847,000 (estimated price), tops (reference product), pants (reference product) / all Celine Homme by Hedi Slimane (celine japan）
Contact/celine japan tel.03-5414-1401
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Two members of INI take on the popular series “Chemistry Game” on ELLE official YouTube! How MATCH are the two people’s answers to questions that clearly indicate their values and preferences, such as “If I would choose a younger brother, Yudai Sano or Kyosuke Fujimaki” or “If I would choose a lover, someone with the same hobbies or a different person,” etc. Will you upload it? Please check it out.
Videographer YOSHIHIRO ONO Video Editor YUMI KONDO Graphic Design MARIN KANII
© LAPONE Entertainment
2ND ALBUM『MATCH UP』
Contains 12 songs in total, including “FANFARE” from 4TH SINGLE “DROP That”, “HANA_Hana” from 5TH SINGLE “TAG ME”, and new songs.
PROFILE
INI
A global boy group formed in June 2021 after the audition program “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SEASON 2”. The 11 members are Rihito Ikezaki, Takumi Ozaki, Seiya Kimura, Taketaka Goto, Yudai Sano, Fengfan Hsu, Daimu Takatsuka, Shogo Tajima, Koto Nishi, Kyosuke Fujimaki, and Jin Matsuda. Debuted with “A” on November 3 of the same year. “2023 INI 2ND ARENA LIVE TOUR” touring 7 cities nationwide [READY TO POP!]” is currently being held. Additional performances will be held at Kyocera Dome Osaka on February 24th and 25th.
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