[Ranma Matsuri]

Oh, there were subjects you wanted to write about that much. Was it because you thought that to be truthful is the true part of your music?
I’ve always been the kind of person who gets into trouble because I’m too honest. I’m talking about as far as my lifestyle, and the things I say. As far as my songs go, with singles there’s always constraints, so I think for the past few years I’ve felt unfulfilled in that way. Like, I have to release them in the same cycle, a really cheerful song for summer, a ballad for winter... I’ve wanted to change that for a while, but since it’s not just my problem, I haven’t been able to really do it. But I really wanted to just do what I wanted to on this album. Because if I don’t feel anything when I listen to a song, my listeners aren’t going to feel anything either. I thought that if I made this album for myself, all songs that I felt something from, my listeners would have to feel something too. I really believe that.

I think every major artist feels that way at some point at another. It is a business afterall, so you have to do what is guaranteed to sell. My Story isn't my favorite album but I can tell each time I listen to it that she put a lot more thought and care in it than she's done with any of her other albums. Shame, she's so powerful but is still victim to the pop cycle. I hope she gets the chance to do another My Story again someday. Maybe once she breaks her record, she'll be able to break out her mold again.