[Video Review] A gentle singing voice that unknots the heart: "Sokoninaru Light Music Club" Aqua Timez "Niji"

This is sudden, but I love a band called Sokoninaru.
I love the thickness and variety of their sound, which you wouldn't expect from a 3-piece band, their almost obsessive attention to detail, and their powerful, undulating, distorted bass.

I found out about them about two years ago and became a fan, and since my second son doesn't need me to put him to sleep anymore, I was thinking it's about time I go to a live show...
Right after I thought that, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
I still only listen to them on YouTube and CDs, but I'm a fan nonetheless.

Sokoninaru official
http://sokoninaru.com/

YouTube account
https://www.youtube.com/c/sokoninaru_jpn/

"Sokoninaru" has a series on YouTube titled "Sokoninaru Light Music Club" where they upload cover videos of songs from various eras.
The effort put into these cover videos is amazing, and I always watch them as soon as they are uploaded.
The song selection is also irresistible. They really know how to push all the right buttons for those of us born in the late Showa to early Heisei eras.

A cover video was uploaded the other day, and that song really touched me.
It's Aqua Timez's "Niji" (Rainbow).

Maybe I should have linked to the original song, but I liked the Sokoninaru cover better, so I'm posting this one instead.
(It's faithful to the original, so even those who don't like hard music can listen with peace of mind.)
The fragile way guitarist/vocalist Shigehiro Suzuki sings, combined with the softly overlapping chorus, resonated so gently that I couldn't help but tear up.


It's been a really long time since I cried while listening to music.
My heart trembled and was unknotted.
I'm frustrated that I don't have the vocabulary to express this feeling.

I didn't particularly like or dislike the song when "Niji" was released (lol), so when I looked at the lyrics again, wondering if it was always this good, I felt like it was gently snuggling up to me, and I teared up again.

It's okay, if you look up, already
It's okay, look, a seven-colored bridge
When you've finished shedding your tears, it arches across the sky
Hey, you can see it, right? Far off in the distance
I can see it too, the same one as you
The two skies are now becoming one
Finally, we can smile under the same sky

Like one of the turning seasons
When you're sad, just stay sad
Don't rush to be happy
It's okay, because I'm here
It's okay, I'm not going anywhere
When it's time to start running, I'll be with you

Music is wonderful.
Songs and singing can unknot the heart in an instant.

It's really a shame not to be able to hear live music at festivals and concerts.
I hope a world comes soon where we can enjoy entertainment in our own way without worrying about anyone else.

And when I looked up Aqua Timez's "Niji," it turned out to be a song from 2008.
Was it that long ago?!
In my mid-30s, I feel like 10 years ago is easily "recent."
I'm a little shocked by how fast time flies. lol