藤井風さんが、「覚悟を決め」て「もしこれが人生最後のアルバムになったとしたら、てとこまで考えて」作り上げた、というサードアルバム”Prema”。
楽しみだった一方、不安もあった。
集大成、マスターピース、と括られると、またLAATの後のように無力感におしひしがれて抜け殻のようになりはしないかと。
さらに、完成からリリースまでが本人以外の事情で4か月も延びたことも、彼のメンタルに相当の負荷を与えたんじゃないかと。
”Prema”を聴いて、感動と同時にとても安心した。
それは、いい意味で完結じゃなかったから。
未来に向けた光をも感じさせてくれたから。
何より、急に増えたメディア露出で風さんが楽しそうにしているのを見れば、あー、ステップを上がったんだなってわかる。
Fujii Kaze created his third album, "Prema," with "determination" and "thinking even hard about what would happen if this were his last album."
I was looking forward to it, but also anxious.
If it were described as a culmination, a masterpiece, he might feel overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness and become an empty shell, like he did after LAAT.
Furthermore, the fact that the album was delayed by four months from completion to release due to circumstances beyond his control must have put a considerable strain on him mentally.
Listening to "Prema" was both moving and very reassuring.
And that's because it wasn't complete, in a good way.
It also gave me a sense of hope for the future.
More than anything, seeing KAZE enjoying his sudden increase in media appearances made me realize that, wow, he's taken a step up.
