Pop, R&B, and chill electronic-influenced Japanese artist MIREI returns with a lush animated video for new jazz-laced single “1998” out now via Cool Japan Music.

Named after MIREI’s birth year, the track explores her feelings about being stuck between two generations. Split between Millennials and Gen-Zers, she struggles to find which one is most relatable to her and where she belongs. She asks on the chorus, “am I young, or am I old?” The lyrics are filled with juxtapositions of the two age groups, the lyrics mention the shift from handmade mixtapes to Spotify’s algorithmically generated playlists, hand-rolled car windows to self-driving cars, watching celebrity tabloid relationships to swiping left on dating apps. It’ll have you in your feels as MIREI goes down memory lane and reflects on how things have changed over the years.

On the track, MIREI says, “While looking back at the culture I grew up with, I reflected on who I am and where I belong… Britney Spears with Justin Timberlake in the all denim outfit still brings me back to my sweet childhood memories, and makes me feel like I’m a ’90s Baby. But on the other hand, I love Olivia Rodrigo, and I am so hooked on TikTok, so I feel like I’m much younger. I feel like my birth year, 1998, is a limbo year in between it all.” 

Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?

So I’ve been singing since I was in 2nd grade and by the time I was 15 years it turned into my career. I’m only 23 but I’ve already sung in Japanese and toured all over the country, I enjoyed it a lot! However, growing up as a woman in Tokyo, and after witnessing what the music and entertainment industry here was really like, I started to see that not everything was as it seemed. There’s a huge issue with how society, in Japan, treats women or the way people idolize and dehumanize me as a singer. In contrast, I’ve seen how American society, especially the Zillennial generations, have spoken up about these issues and used the power of the internet and pop-culture from music to entertainment to ignite historical movements like BLM, Me Too, and Time’s up, etc. As an artist who speaks both English and Japanese, I knew I had to tell these stories from our country and share the message worldwide. The only way to do that is by singing and recording in English, and so that’s how my international solo project as MIREI launched.

Tell us about “1998” and how it came about?

“1998” is the year I was born. Nowadays we’re starting to hear and see the phrase Gen Z everywhere, right? Before that, it was always about Millennials this and Millennials that. This song is about all the Zillennials who are stuck in the middle of these two generations. I’m now 23 years old with several years in the music industry so I’m not young anymore but I’m not old enough either, you know what I mean? I’m stuck in between so many things whether it’s the generation I feel connected to or how my personality is or how I should act or be. I’ve seen the evolution of technology from iPhones to Super Smash to Tamagatchi. Honestly, I’m kind of tired of this feeling of being in between. So I wrote this song while in the quarantine, stuck in my house when all I could do was listen to the songs that I grew up with like Britney Spears and TLC. It was written almost like a diary entry. I wasn’t originally going to release this but after realizing there are probably so many other people like me out there, feeling lost in the middle, I knew I had to share it.

What is the favorite song you wrote and why?

“Let Me Be” was so fun to write. I was in the middle of ending my relationship with my boyfriend at the time, and told him let’s have a little distance between us, then flew to the states. I didn’t tell anyone about it at the time, but the true inspiration behind it was actually based on this exact relationship. I felt like he had this idea of me that was unrealistic, a vision of me being innocent and obedient, like a lot of Japanese women are expected to be. So it was satisfying to say “I’m so fucking done” on this track and to him in real life. The song is ultimately about not letting anyone else define you, protecting your space and energy, and I’m really proud of how it turned out.

Who are your all time musical icons?

Rihanna! She has been my icon since I was just three years old. I grew up listening to her songs from the early days like “SOS” and “Pon De Replay.” The first song I danced on the stage was also her song “Let Me.” Then when I started to study English, I often translated her songs and lyrics, so she has been my English teacher. I’ve missed her songs, just like many of us, and I’m still waiting for her album! I was also just blown away by her Savage x Fenty Fashion Show. The way she is inclusive and all about diversity in shapes and colors – it was amazing! And the little performance she did at the show was also super awesome. She’s not only my all time musical icon but my one and only idol forever!

What are some things you do to keep your inspiration alive?

Read books, watch movies and anime, and talk about them with my friends and family, and talk about life in general. I feel inspired when I can peek into someone’s point of view. It could be novels and dramas and I love discussing our takeaways and perspective on the book or movie. When you ask people “Hey did you watch the movie? How was it?” you’ll get totally different answers from everyone. Every time I’m impressed at how we feel different even though we just watched the same thing. When I discuss those points of view and differences with the people who I really trust, those moments are the most inspirational time of my life. 

What is your favorite way to decompress?

Actually I’m still looking for it. I was having pretty heavy anxiety during the pandemic to be honest, but now I’m working on it. However, music obviously helped me get out of my darkness by letting me feel, think, and talk freely. Now I’m planning to go on a trip all by myself, leaving my phone and computer, just a notebook and a voice recorder. I need to detox from Tokyo.

Who are you binge listening to these days?

Dua Lipa and Doja Cat. I’m addicted to their latest albums! When I listen to music I always wanna be super confident. I put on earphones, listen to them, walk in platform shoes, and it feels so nice just getting in the zone! I  hope my songs are somebody’s tool to be confident too.

Favorite movie or TV show?

For TV show, I would say Friends. Phoebe is my role model, and I know this is an unpopular opinion but I just love Ross the best in the series. I love being weird and he’s confidently weird. And for anime, I would say Naruto and Neon Genesis Evangelion. They both taught me the courage to fight with love in this world. Sister Act both 1 and 2 are my favorite movies. They taught me how precious music is.

Who inspires your style and aesthetics?

When I was young I wasn’t so interested in fashion so I just wore whatever was comfortable to me. However, the Japanese model Kiko Mizuhara changed my mind. Her style is so unique and crazy, but cute at the same time – I love her style so much. Right now I’m all about ‘90s to ‘00s Y2K inspired fashion. I looked back at both Japanese and American icons such as Namie Amuro and Aaliyah, and am trying to mix up their style with what’s modern for the 2021 MIREI edition.

What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of thus far and why?

I’m always super happy to see my fans face to face, so it would be the concerts that I did that felt like the biggest moments or achievements. I was so happy and proud of myself when I was finally able to do my solo concert in Tokyo, just 5 years into my career. It was sold out and I couldn’t believe it. 

What do you think is the best way to make it as an artist nowadays?

Be original. Art is a way to express ourselves and I want something unique and weird from artists. You don’t have to walk the same path as others to make a name for yourself. So don’t be shy at every chance and don’t act like you’re ordinary, because people who decided to be artists are never ordinary. Don’t you think so? Right now we’re much closer to our fans because of social media so definitely use that to your advantage. It’s what helped me go international. Show your uniqueness and most authentic self to your fans and connect with them directly. I’m saying this to myself too, because I’m still pretty scared to show myself but I really want to.

What would you change in the music and entertainment industry, especially after this past year?

I wanna change the idea that women, especially Japanese women, are innocent, obedient, and easily controlled. Since I sing about women’s rights and the patriarchy in my English language debut album, my listeners share their stories with me through social media. It makes me happy to talk to women who have overcome tough situations but also breaks my heart to see that not all have found their independence or confidence to be who they are, especially women in Japan still. I do feel the world is changing, even if it’s little by little, we just gotta keep going. However, we still have a long way to go in Japan and there are many secrets about our industry that have yet to unravel.