festa mode -- Kanransha no Monologue ~ spring mix（観覧車のモノローグ）

 

The last time I was up in a Ferris wheel, it was the gigantic one in Minato Mirai 21 right by Yokohama Bay at night. Unfortunately, I wasn't good with heights (and I'm still not good now) and there was a gale blowing through the entire structure so I was fairly losing it. Fortunately, my bodily functions held...barely.

So, you can imagine that there is nothing romantic that courses through my body and soul when it comes to Ferris wheels. Of course though, that doesn't mean that some of you out there don't feel the same way I do. Perhaps you have those feelings of l'amour 😎as your capsule reaches the height of the ride. That's what "Kanransha no Monologue ~ spring mix" (Ferris Wheel Monologue) must be about. This was the coupling song for festa mode's third single "Play Back part III" released in March 1994.

Written by Rie Yamamoto（山本理恵）and composed by festa mode keyboardist Hitoshi Kudo（工藤仁志）, it's a mellow tune that brings in hints of 90s City Pop, Shibuya-kei and jazz although overall, I will consider it a really nice and steady pop song. The creaminess of "Kanransha no Monologue" is further enriched by the backing chorus harmonies. Moreover, I couldn't help but hear a bit of "Mayonaka no Door ~ Stay With Me"（真夜中のドアー）in the verses as well.

I first found out about festa mode several years ago in 2018 when I posted about their song "Kaze to Tabi Shiyou"（風と旅しよう）, so it's nice to bring them back once more. By the way, the original version of "Kanransha no Monologue" can also be found in the trio's first album "Festa Mode I" from September 1993. I should also give credit where credit is due...I discovered this song through a City Pop compilation by relatively new YouTuber City Pop Industries who came onto the platform back in January. Welcome aboard!