A New Start

"A New Start" is the first original song by Nanashi Mumei. First previewed during her debut stream on 23rd August, 2021, the song was digitally released on 17th January, 2022 with the music video's premiere releasing later that same day.

2021

 * Aug. 23 Song previewed during debut stream.
 * Dec. 14 Song release ETA announced for January 2022.

2022

 * Jan. 10 Preview trailer release date.
 * Jan. 16 Song preview (from debut) sung twice during karaoke stream.
 * Jan. 17 Single and music video release date.
 * Jan. 18 Instrumental release date in piapro, and full song sung three times during after party stream.
 * Jan. 29 Music video reached 1 million views.
 * Apr. 03 Music video reached 2 million views.
 * Aug. 27 Music video reached 3 million views.

Lyrics
Lyrics are taken from the official music video. Original =  [Verse 1] Ages ago, like pages of fairy tales Every pain, self-contained, written by memory 古ぼけた約束じゃあなく 明日の為の記憶さ

[Pre-Chorus] 争うことに疲れたのなら There’s gotta be more Still unexplored, so follow—

[Chorus] まだ知らないトビラを開けて 美しい世界を見に行こう この瞬間さえ過去になる 歩き続ける限り Nothing strange about straying, if you’re true to who you are When one story has ended, 'round the bend’s a whole new start With this map in my hand, wanderlust inside my heart Seeking still that out-of-reach Great Beyond! 新しい地図は真っ白でも 目の前には A new start

[Verse 2] Ages ago, like pages of story books Flip, re-write, days and nights, endless monotony 繰り返しの毎日から 抜け出すための一歩目さ

[Pre-Chorus] 何も変わらない退屈を捨て There’s gotta be more Waiting in store, I’ll find it—

[Chorus] 怖いことも託さなるし 汚れてしまうかもしれないけど 何もないままで枯れるより 傷ついてたいから All my loneliest days are self-reflection filled and warm Not too far and away, the next direction’s taking form Even if it's been done, though I don't remember when Let it feel like the first time again 終わらない旅に出かけよう 探してるのは A new start

[Pre-Chorus] 誰かじゃなくて自分のために These are the sands, On which it began, so long ago

[Chorus] まだ知らないトビラを開けて 美しい世界を見に行こう この瞬間さえ過去になる 歩き続ける限り Nothing strange about straying, if you’re true to who you are ​When one story has ended, 'round the bend’s a whole new start With this map in my hand, wanderlust inside my heart Seeking still that out-of-reach Great Beyond! 新しい地図は彩られ その手の中に A new start English with romaji =  [Verse 1] Ages ago, like pages of fairy tales Every pain, self-contained, written by memory Furuboketa yakusoku janaku Asu no tame no kioku sa

[Pre-Chorus] Arasou koto ni tsukareta no nara There’s gotta be more Still unexplored, so follow—

[Chorus] Mada shiranai tobira o akete Utsukushii sekai o mi ni ikou Kono shunkan sae kako ni naru Arukitsuzukeru kagiri Nothing strange about straying, if you’re true to who you are When one story has ended, 'round the bend’s a whole new start With this map in my hand, wanderlust inside my heart Seeking still that out-of-reach Great Beyond! Atarashii chizu wa masshiro demo Me no mae ni wa A new start

[Verse 2] Ages ago, like pages of story books Flip, re-write, days and nights, endless monotony Kurikaeshi no mainichi kara Nukedasu tame no ippo me sa

[Pre-Chorus] Nani mo kawaranai taikutsu o sute There’s gotta be more Waiting in store, I’ll find it—

[Chorus] Kowai koto mo takusan aru shi Yogoreteshimau kamo shirenai kedo Nani mo nai mama de kareru yori Kizutsuiteitai kara All my loneliest days are self-reflection filled and warm Not too far and away, the next direction’s taking form Even if it's been done, though I don't remember when Let it feel like the first time again Owaranai tabi ni dekakeyou Sagashiteru no wa A new start

[Pre-Chorus] Dareka janakute jibun no tameni These are the sands, On which it began, so long ago

[Chorus] Mada shiranai tobira o akete Utsukushii sekai o mi ni ikou Kono shunkan sae kako ni naru Arukitsuzukeru kagiri Nothing strange about straying, if you’re true to who you are ​When one story has ended, 'round the bend’s a whole new start With this map in my hand, wanderlust inside my heart Seeking still that out-of-reach Great Beyond! Atarashii chizu wa irodorare Sono te no naka ni A new start English translation =  [Verse 1] Ages ago, like pages of fairy tales Every pain, self-contained, written by memory Not old, faded promises They're memories for tomorrow

[Pre-Chorus] If you're tired of all the fighting There’s gotta be more Still unexplored, so follow—

[Chorus] Open the door into the unknown We'll go out and see this beautiful world Even this moment will become the past So long as we keep walking on Nothing strange about straying, if you’re true to who you are When one story has ended, 'round the bend’s a whole new start With this map in my hand, wanderlust inside my heart Seeking still that out-of-reach Great Beyond! If your new map is just a blank, white sheet Before you is a new start

[Verse 2] Ages ago, like pages of story books Flip, re-write, days and nights, endless monotony Every day was always the same I'm taking the first step to escape

[Pre-Chorus] ​I'm done with the boring old everyday There’s gotta be more Waiting in store, I’ll find it—

[Chorus] There are lots of scary things out there I might even end up dirty and disheveled But I don't want to grow old without doing anything I'd rather get myself hurt All my loneliest days are self-reflection filled and warm Not too far and away, the next direction’s taking form Even if it's been done, though I don't remember when Let it feel like the first time again Let's go out on a never-ending journey Searching for a new start

[Pre-Chorus] Not for anyone but myself These are the sands, On which it began, so long ago

[Chorus] Open the door into the unknown We'll go out and see this beautiful world Even this moment will become the past So long as we keep walking on Nothing strange about straying, if you’re true to who you are ​When one story has ended, 'round the bend’s a whole new start With this map in my hand, wanderlust inside my heart Seeking still that out-of-reach Great Beyond! Your new map will be filled with color And in your hand will be a new start

Trivia

 * Originally planned to release around debut, a large reason for the delayed release was Mumei's self-consciousness regarding her own vocal contributions. These feelings persisted until the song's premiere and beyond; with her muting the video during the song's premiere.
 * When the song was being developed, Mumei was given a choice between numerous melodies that would form the basis of the song. She finally settled upon the melody that she thought was catchiest.
 * All vocals for the song were recorded in a closet for sound cancellation purposes, but she was often frustrated by the presence of background noise (from neighbours) when she was able to find opportunities to record.
 * The song's lyrics were originally entirely in Japanese and despite a general unease singing in Japanese, Mumei decided that a 50/50 split of Japanese to English would be both appropriate and comfortable enough for her. After struggling to translate half of the song and make the English lyrics adequately "flow" by herself, she approached Mori Calliope for help. Mumei was surprised when Calli not only ended up writing all of the English lyrics but also, entirely of her own volition, further created a vocal guide to assist Mumei in singing the lyrics.
 * The original Japanese lyrics were written based on a paragraph-long brief created by Mumei which explained what she envisaged the song being about.
 * The scope of the project was broadened to further include a music video after Mumei was unexpectedly satisfied with how her final recorded vocals sounded.
 * She was inspired to commission Ehre for the music video after watching the music video of Interact Fantasia by hololive 3rd Generation (Hololive Fantasy).
 * Artists who worked on the song were afforded liberal artistic freedom so that Mumei could visually see their thoughts and impressions upon hearing the song for the first time.
 * Mumei initially struggled when singing the song live because many vocal lines heard in the single were recorded independently of one another. As a result, when it came to performing the song through continuously, she was unfamiliar with the most appropriate times in which she should be taking breaths between lines.
 * She is not aware of how much money went into the creation of the song.