Maaya Sakamoto is poised to release her new single Dakishimete in CD format on 3 April 2024, following its release on digital platforms. For those who may not be familiar with the song, it was the ending theme for the second season of the WOWOW original anime The Fire Hunter, which this month commenced broadcasting both in Japan, and internationally via CrunchyRoll.
The lyrics and composition of Dakishimete were handled by Senri Oe, a renowned singer-songwriter of the 80s and 90s who is currently active as a jazz pianist based in New York. This collaboration marks Sakamoto’s first encounter with Oe, with hopes that her vocals “lend a soothing quality to the song, making it a comforting accompaniment to the anime’s dynamic narrative and a source of solace for children facing difficult situations in reality”.
As a coupling track, the new song “Once upon a time” will also be included, featuring lyrics by Maaya Sakamoto and composition by singer-songwriter SIRA – the pair having worked on a number of previous works including un_mute and Hidden Notes. The arrangement, handled by Ryuki Yamamoto seeks to bring “a cool and jazzy style”.
The other coupling track is “Dakishimete -Live 2024 Ver.-,” recorded at the rescheduled Tokyo performance of Maaya Sakamoto LIVE TOUR 2023: Kioku no Toshokan on 2 January 2024. This version is a live rendition with acoustic arrangements featuring piano and double bass. The Blu-ray included with the Limited First Edition will feature 14 songs from the Tokyo live performance.
Title: Dakishimete
Artist: Maaya Sakamoto
Release Date: April 3, 2024
Product No./Price:
Limited First Edition (CD + Blu-ray) / VTZL-238 / ¥4,400 (inc. tax)
Regular Edition (CD): VTCL-35372 / ¥1,320 (inc. tax)
Tracks:
1. Dakishimete (ED theme of WOWOW original anime The Fire Hunter)
Lyrics & composition: Senri Oe; Arrangement: Shin Kono
2. Once upon a time
Lyrics: Maaya Sakamoto; Composition: SIRA; Arrangement: Ryuji Yamamoto
3. Dakishimete -Live 2024 Ver.-
And two karaoke tracks
Blu-Ray Contents
The blu-ray that comes with the Limited First Edition will include 14 songs from the Maaya Sakamoto LIVE TOUR 2023 performance at Tokyo Garden Theater on January 2, 2024. (18 tracks including introduction and MC segments)
1. Kioku no Toshokan〜Introduction
2. Naimononedari
3. Konna Hi ga Kuru Nante
4. MC1
5. discord
6. Time Traveler
7. Kuuchuu Teien
8. Taion
9. Ichidokiri de Ii
10. Kagami no Naka de
11. Anything you wanna be
12. MC2
13. Crosswalk
14. Traumerei
15. Private Sky
16. Magic Number
17. MC3
18. Sumire
