Novel / Timshel
- Novel (5:22)
- Timshel (4:55)
Now on Streaming
Extra
Novel (Remix)
Novel (Remix) is a reconstructed version of the original song. Like many of otom’s tracks, it took an unusually long time to mix and master, and this song was no exception. The track was made with the same sense of relief and enjoyment that comes after finishing this long process. The beginning of a song and this final stage are often the most fun part of creating music. It has been available exclusively on Bandcamp and SoundCloud since May 22, 2021.
Novel (Remix), from the Equal EP
Lyrics
Novel
緩やかにみるみる馴染む網を 場違いな気分隠して なんとなく眺めてる 合図は暗い 幾重にも連なる 零時の狭間を越え 変わらないその言葉と 変えられない言葉を 合図は暗い 捉える捉える どんな雑音でも捉えてみる日が 今はどんな雑音でも捉えてみる日が これはそうだ 微かな記録 また会えるその日まで バイバイ 合図は暗い 捉える捉える どんな雑音でも捉えてみる日が 今はどんな雑音でも捉えてみる日が 捉える捉える すれ違う瞬間を変えてゆく日が それがどんな風に変わるのかを見たい
Timshel
黒い砂漠 目に溢れた 場違いな期待ふっと払う あらゆる傷の正体 人間同士が 笑いながら踊る ひび割れた薄い氷の上で あらゆる傷の正体 能う 一度は胸に沁み入る血が 能う 一度は風をはらんでいた 能う 一度は夢に描いていた
Intro
“Novel / Timshel”, Released on May 16, 2021, is a double single by otom, built around the theme of “what we should choose”, with textures of shoegaze and developments inspired by math rock. It followed the previous release, What to Do Next / Disney Girls (released on December 20, 2020).
Note
Novel (originally titled Hi-Liter) was first created as a gift for the website of the late Tetsu Kawahara, the author of “名画座番外地「新宿昭和館」傷だらけの盛衰記” (Gentosha Outlaw Bunko). Kawahara and otom first met as colleagues at a theater in Asakusa, after Kawahara left Shinjuku Showakan. Later, when otom started his own web design company, Kawahara was the first client, and they worked together for a long time. During that period, otom also sent him many songs, including some that were not released. Kawahara also introduced otom to John Steinbeck at a time when he was deeply interested in Dostoevsky, which helped inspire the lyrics of Timshel and Grapes (2017). The original title, Hi-Liter, comes from Kawahara’s favorite cigarette, “hi-lite”. Timshel (originally titled Another Hi-Liter) was made during the production of the Hi-Liter EP, with the idea of doing something completely different while keeping the lyrics the same. At that time, otom referred to it internally as “The Jesus and Mary Chain” or “Cocteau Twins”, reflecting the strong influence of these inspirations. The layered vocal style used in the song is also a technique otom often used from this period onward. Starting around 2016, otom began a full reconstruction project for the songs, including rewriting the lyrics. After long sessions of mixing and mastering, the tracks were reborn into their current form.
1. Novel
“Novel” is a song about worry and inner conflict in today’s world. It has a slightly faster tempo and includes elements of shoegaze and math rock in a subtle way. Bouncy drums and layered vocals stand out, while the guitar and bass lines are built to mix well with them. Fugue-like phrases appear at key moments, and the song is arranged to have a smooth flow.
2. Timshel
“Timshel” is a middle-tempo song with a shoegaze and dream pop feel. It features floating guitars and several layers of vocals. These are built on loop-like drum patterns and freely moving bass lines. The title Timshel comes from John Steinbeck’s novel East of Eden (1952).
Background
“Novel / Timshel” is a double single that reconstructs tracks originally released on the EP Hi-Liter on November 15, 2007.
Outro
This is “Novel / Timshel”, a double single by otom built around the theme of “what we should choose”. Enjoy it.
“Novel / Timshel” is available on major streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, and high-quality versions can be purchased on Bandcamp.
