Singer Thelma Aoyama, famous for the hit song "Soba ni Iru ne" (I'll be close to you), has released a new album, "Highschool Gal," on Universal Music.
On the album she reflects a renewed confidence, having freed herself from the pressures that accompanied the success of her first major hit.
One of the songs on the album, "Sekai no Chushin -- We are the world," is influenced by the para-para dance craze that was popular in the 1990s. The music video for the song, featuring Aoyama accompanied by a gang of girls in flamboyant retro outfits dancing in various Shibuya scenes, is attracting hundreds of thousands of views on a popular video-sharing website.
Aoyama, who often appears on TV talk shows, has been seeing a rising number of fans much younger than her at her concerts in recent years.
"Songs that can universally make everyone get up and dance" is what characterized the para-para and Eurobeat dance music genres, according to Aoyama.
"I also like EDM [electronic dance music], but I wanted to add a bit of a nostalgic flavor [to the song]," she said. The inclusion of retro slang, such as "choberigu" (super very good), in the lyrics adds to the song's appeal.
The songs on the album cover a wide range of themes: On "Onigiri," she expresses her respect for rice balls, food familiar to all Japanese people, over a hip-hop beat, while on "Best Friend" she expresses sincere gratitude through her lyrics.
It was shortly after she debuted that her ballad "Soba ni Iru ne" became a huge hit.
"I started to conform to the image of 'the ballad singing Thelma Aoyama,'" she said.
The character that comes across on TV variety shows -- sharp-tongued and quick to express honest feelings -- has appealed to some viewers, bringing about a turning point in her musical career.
"When I reveal my true personality, it entertains people. I wonder why I was so afraid of expressing myself in the past," she said.
Her basic principle is to make people happy rather than to sing great songs.
"I'm neither the best singer nor the best dancer in the world, but I'm confident about making people smile. It would be nice if people think 'Thelma's doing something crazy!'" she said.
Thelma Aoyama will perform at Mynavi Blitz Akasaka in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on Sept. 1. Visit www.tbs.co.jp/blitz/ for more information.
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