Haru Nemuri’s sound is almost impossible to pin down. The Japanese artist, who started making waves with her explosive full-length debut harutosyura in 2018, is known for her unique fusion of hip-hop, J-pop, metal, and electronic music that feels like spiralling through a dizzying head-rush of emotions. Her latest release following 2018’s Kick in the World EP is a mini-album titled LOVETHEISM, which starts off with the grandly cinematic ‘Fanfare’ before diving into the propulsive, vibrant pop-punk of ‘Trust Nothing But Love’, which showcases Nemuri’s signature sing-rap delivery. The track bursts with frenetic energy as Nemuri’s voice breaks into a piercing scream against double kick madness, an approach that carries onto the anthemic yet surprisingly catchy and lushly produced ‘Pink Unicorn’. The title track conjures a more hypnotic amalgamation of sounds that slows down the album’s pulse, while the unrelenting ‘Riot’ speeds it back up, this time with a splash of jaunty J-pop dynamism. The album might be just 25 minutes long, but it serves as proof that Nemuri is capable of expanding her sound while staying true to the singular approach that put her on the map in the first place.
We caught up with Haru Nemuri for this edition of our Artist Spotlight series, where we showcase up-and-coming artists and give them a chance to talk a bit about their music.
When did you first start making music?
When I was 16 years old, so I’ve been making music about for 10 years!
How have things changed since then?
I’ve met various musicians and people. I’d never imagined that I would live as a musician and my music would be listened to around the world!
Who are some of your biggest influences?
Shimura Masahiko(Fujifabric), Seiko Oomori, Shinsei kamattechan, Björk, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, etc…!
What are some of the ideas that went into ‘LOVETHEISM’?
I believe that to love someone/something means just to recognize that person/that thing as a being existing here. It’s my prayer.
What was the recording process like?
It’s like planting various flowers in the garden of eden! It included work such as connecting with a guitarist, a bassist, some arrangers and more people and I don’t like such work, but it proceeded without a hitch thanks to my staffs.
Was your approach in any different from recording ‘harutosyura’?
I could understand how to sing better than I’d done for ‘harutosyura’.
How was it like shooting the video for ‘Riot’?
I considered how I behaved as Haru Nemuri in the video and it’s so hard for me to do that. It’s like discipline!
Where do you see yourself going forward into the year?
I’ll go where those who need music to live are!
