Yuki Kawamura - Love Forever
On the shores of Ibiza, people have gathered for years to listen to chillout music and watch the sun set over the water. And for a long time, the music was selected by the legendary Spanish DJ Jose Padilla. Lit by the orange sunset, his presence behind the decks at Cafe Del Mar and Cafe Mambo is a timeless image and a much sought after memory. But just as the light fades, so does life, and he sadly passed away much too early in 2020.
This is where Yuki Kawamura’s latest album “Love Forever” begins.
Known as a DJ in her own right, Kawamura has traveled the world to play Balearic music in similar venues in Bali and Thailand, and she even established her own warm-up bar in the heart of Shibuya’s famed Dogenzaka. And like many others, she made a trip to Ibiza, forging a friendship with kindred spirit Padilla.
As a tribute to her mentor, as well as her own father who also passed away around the same time, she wrote the opening song “RIP Sunset” originally in 2021 after a long hiatus as a producer. It might be something you could play at a Cafe Del Mar anywhere in the world, but in this track you can feel the weight of emotion, the sense of sorrow, but also joy from the excited movement of the violin. This sets the tone for the whole album, and differentiates it from your typical compilation mix of chillout tunes. “Love Forever” was born from a desire to express something, to create something lasting, and to make people feel the eternal love and energy that is so sorely lacking from the world these days.
This is followed by Kawamura’s own take on Padilla’s famous song “Adios Ayer”. A straight cover would usually pale in comparison to the original, but knowing how much this means to Kawamura elevates this version to equal status in a kind of divine symmetry. “Adios Ayer” itself is a heartbreaking song about realizing it's time to say goodbye and move on. While the original was sung by a man (Steve Bennet), Kawamura’s version is sung from a woman’s perspective by Naz, and it acts as an emotional echo in response. The image of “sunset in your eyes” now applies to the memory of Padilla himself, and it’s incredibly moving.
It wouldn’t be a proper Balearic set without a few left turns. With its lively drumming, exotic sounds, and playful bass, “Ra” has been popular around the local clubs in Japan. That’s because collaborators George Kano (drums) and Watusi (bass) know a thing or two about dance music. Coupled with sound effects and Kawamura’s shrieking vocals, it generates immense energy. Meanwhile, “Magic (feat. COLOR FILTER)” is a real mystery, with Kawamura’s words translated into English. Putting forward somewhat random combinations, you could be anywhere in the world in such kinds of situations, asking the same kinds of questions. “What have you accepted?” “Do you remember the way to return?” Throughout our lives, on our travels, we get so caught up in the moment, and if you freeze the frame, feelings of doubt, being aware of a much larger universe, hit you should you take the time to reflect.
The album’s back half settles into introspection and true chillout, but Kawamura’s worldview remains in the center. “Koko” speaks of a holy place, influenced by her travels to Bali and experience of Nyepi (a Hindu day of silence), but it also describes our existence. We live in laughter, meditation, all kinds of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure (the Japanese concept of 喜怒哀楽). “This is where we are now.” It’s a reminder to be aware of where you are and all the experiences that make up your life, both past and future. On the other side, “Sacred Places” is about the world beyond ours. It alludes to people no longer with us. Kawamura expresses a desire to see the sunset with them, and that she is waiting for the real dawn with them. When we die, will we be reunited in a sacred place? Our passing is inevitable, but she hopes to awaken together with her loved ones.
This repetition of sunset and dawn throughout the album echoes the life of a DJ, reflecting the passage of time. The cycle is constant, and it’s easy to take for granted that the sun will set and rise again tomorrow, but Kawamura is aware that there are no guarantees. This is what drove her to create something that will hopefully outlast her own career and life. Expertly paced and imbued with eternal love, “Love Forever” is a beautiful album that goes beyond standard chillout, and an admirable legacy that will hopefully live on as intended.
Tokyo ON also recommends: T-Groove & George Kano Experience - Lady Champagne, TAMTAM - Where They Dwell