Hailing from Japan, 21-year-old electronic pop / R&B songstress MIREI stepped out with her international English-language debut and music video for “Take Me Away.” The new single was the first of many to come off her forthcoming extended play of the same title in which she collaborated with producer/songwriters Zak Leever (a classically trained musician who’s earned support from industry heavyweights like Diplo) and DJ Shiftee (a two-time DMC World Champion). CelebMix called it “a catchy electro-fused pop song” while also admiring her ability to incorporate “a positive message of encouragement.” Earlier this month, she dropped the DJ Sliink Jersey Club remix along with the new video showing off her dance moves via Stage Right Secrets.
MIREI says: “In the artwork and in the video, I’m wearing a neon yellow outfit. It looks like The Bride from the movie Kill Bill and I’m just in love it. In the video I’m dancing with Misaki, who choreographed this with my ex-roommate. We were trying to represent light and shadow.”
DJ Sliink adds: “It was a great opportunity to work with Mirei on this one, she has a beautiful voice and plus she’s Japanese! I have a big fan base in Japan that loves the jersey club style. For me to remix a Japanese artist’s sound into jersey club made a lot of sense! I see big things for her in the future!”
Possessing full creative control over both her music and image – MIREI is ready to strip the layers and stand up for the unspoken, bringing awareness to issues that otherwise are taboo in Japan such as mental health, the pressures of living in a bustling city, and the objectification of women or their lifestyles (young students, popstars, Papakatsu women, etc.). Not only showcasing her fearless honesty, “Take Me Away” as well as the forthcoming EP endlessly reveal the tremendous musical passion that MIREI has pursued for almost her entire life. In kindergarten she began taking dance lessons, which immediately sparked a fascination with pop divas like Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Soon enough, MIREI added singing to her repertoire and with the help of Garage Band began making music on her own when she was just twelve years old. By age 13, MIREI had caught the attention of a major record label, her first step towards stardom. While spending her eighth-grade year in New York City, she performed in the prestigious choir Gospel For Teens, and took home the top prize at the legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo. After moving to Tokyo the following year, MIREI soon found success with several hit singles and album releases on her home turf.
For MIREI, the making of Take Me Away marks a thrilling new chapter in her growth as an artist – one that finds her facing the most difficult of emotions, then transforming those feelings into music that questions, challenges, and ultimately empowers. “I was so moved by the whole experience of making these songs,” says MIREI. “Sometimes it actually hurt to write them, but I think that’s a good thing. A lot of the time what we feel isn’t happy or perfect, but talking about it is what connects us. I hope that hearing these songs helps other people to feel more connected too.”
Take Me Away is set for release in early 2020 via The Orchard / Cool Japan Music. Visit her website at: https://mireinyc.com.
