If I'm not mistaken, singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze（藤井風）wasn't included on the 2023 Kohaku Utagassen lineup so it's nice to see him back for 2024 for his third appearance on the New Year's Eve special. Strangely enough, he had released the single "Hana" (Flowers) last October but either he simply didn't get invited or he declined the invitation for last year.
Well, for those who have always wanted a cheerful spin on the fragility and transience of life itself, "Hana" is the perfect song. I've always loved a groovy piano pop tune and "Hana" fulfills that, and so I'm reminded of acts such as Blue Peppers when I hear this one. Although I realize that it's been over a year since its release, I wouldn't mind seeing Fujii Kaze tackling this one on the Kohaku. It reached No. 6 on Oricon.
"Hana" was also used as the theme song for the Fall 2023 Fuji-TV drama "Ichiban Suki na Hana"（いちばんすきな花...My Beloved Flower）.
Love his music. I'd love to see your write-up for a song he released earlier this year called "Michi Teyu Ku (Overflowing)."
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