Lovesick
By Gelzone Unsas
「コイワズライ」(Koiwazurai) is a lovely song by the talented Japanese singer Aimer, who is noted for her mesmerizing voice and emotive performances. As one of my favorite music video arrangements that I’ve created, I specifically focused on visual details and I am pleased with how it turned out.
As an admirer of her work, I recently arranged her work for the second time (previous cover 「Ref: rain」), attempting to convey the essence of Aimer’s artistry.
About the Song
Personally, I think the studio recorded version of this song is the best. For instance, when it comes to songs that have an upbeat tempo but depressing lyrics, 「コイワズライ」 really stands out as an excellent example. It’s fascinating how the contrast creates such a powerful effect. Sometimes, sad lyrics with slow and gloomy music can feel a bit cliché or overdone. But, when you take a really bouncy, happy song and infuse it with heartbreak and loss, it creates an interesting juxtaposition that adds new depth to the lyrics. It’s a unique way of presenting the message and can make for a truly captivating listening experience.
About the Arrangement
One technique I utilized was adjusting the shutter speed to create string oscillations on the guitar to add a unique and visually interesting element. To create string oscillations on a guitar in a music video, I adjusted the shutter speed of the camera to capture the movement of the strings. A higher shutter speed can freeze the movement of the strings, while a lower shutter speed can blur the movement and create a visually interesting effect.
Additionally, I also played around with the color grading to give it a more Japanese-style look, which further enhances the overall aesthetic of the video. In general, the Japanese-style color grading I’m looking for often involves muted, earthy tones and a desaturated color palette. So I tried adding film grain and other textures to give it a more vintage feel.