[INTERVIEW] JO1: Gets Candid About “ANIMAL,” “AAO,” & Answers Questions From Fans

[INTERVIEW] JO1: Gets Candid About “ANIMAL,” “AAO,” & Answers Questions From Fans

Since their debut in 2020, Japanese boy group JO1 have continued to build connections with JAM around the world. Their return to the U.S. for their North American tour, “ANIMAL”, alongside the release of their first English EP of the same name, marks another exciting milestone in their journey as they bring their music to an even wider international audience.

In an interview with Pop Base, JO1 open up about the creative process behind their English EP, “ANIMAL”, and their 11th single, “AAO”, sharing insights into their latest releases and the musical directions they explored. The members also reflect on their experiences performing in the U.S., share memorable stories from their time on tour, and answer questions from JAM!

POP BASE: Hello JO1! “ANIMAL” marks your first standalone North America tour. Congratulations! How does it feel to be back in the US performing in front of JAM? Are there any memories or special moments from this tour you want to take home to Japan?

SHO: I’m really grateful that we get to come back to the US and perform like this. I want to take the confidence we picked up overseas back to Japan and show everyone an even more powered up JO1.

POP BASE: You said recently that Japanese and American fans show their excitement differently, and that the difference inspires JO1. How have Japanese fans and overseas fans, especially American fans, each inspired the group?

SKY: I think a lot of Japanese fans feel some hesitation about expressing how they feel with their bodies. Singing or dancing feels embarrassing. American fans express it openly with their bodies, so they really lift the atmosphere of a show. I’d love a JO1 show to be a place where everyone sings and dances and lets their energy out.

POP BASE: JO1 members were closely involved in the creative process of “ANIMAL,” your first English EP.  How did the creative process differ from your experience contributing to your Japanese releases?

REN: There was a lot more of just trying things before thinking them through. Normally we put a lot of energy into the thinking part too, so working a different way felt fresh.

POP BASE: Junki, “PEKO PEKO” was written with JAM in mind and you’ve said you were part of making it. Was there something that sparked the song? And what did you want JAM to feel the first time they heard it?

JUNKI: It started from us talking about making a song for JAM, and the thought that we aren’t full without JAM, that we’re peko peko [hungry]. Back when we debuted and couldn’t see JAM because of the pandemic, I used to shout “JAM, where are you!” We turned that into something cuter, the idea of being hungry and going out looking for JAM. We put in lyrics that only JAM would really catch, so I hope they listen, remember all kinds of things, and feel warm.

POP BASE: What was it like taking part in the “ANIMAL” songwriting camp with Grammy winning producer Dem Jointz? Was there anything about the experience or his approach to making music that surprised or inspired you?

KEIGO: I thought, so geniuses like this really do exist. It reminded me that there are no rules in music. Watching Dem just do whatever he felt like was so much fun.

POP BASE: The 11th single “AAO” takes its title from the phrase ‘Against All Odds’. JO1 debuted in the middle of a pandemic when the world was shutting down and kept going anyway, and after six years the music is now reaching JAM all over the world. How do you personally relate to the idea of overcoming the odds? Looking back, were there moments you doubted you would really get here?

TAKUMI: I think I’ve doubted it the whole way. Off stage I still don’t have confidence. But when I’m on stage performing I do it believing I’m the best one out there. I want to keep doubting myself and keep asking what’s actually right.

POP BASE: Throughout your career, JO1 have recorded several songs for anime, with “IGNITE” from "AAO" becoming the opening theme for the new “Tokyo Revengers” arc. How is recording a song for an anime or another story based project different from recording a regular album track? Do you try to get into the story or understand how the characters feel when you sing?

SYOYA: I think every song has a story in it, so I try to get inside all of them. When I was writing lyrics I was really conscious of what the characters were feeling.

POP BASE: Let’s finish with a fun one. Give us two truths and one lie about something funny or unexpected that happened while you were preparing “AAO”, and let JAM guess which one is the lie.

RUKI:

1. “IGNITE” originally had no choreography and was made as a song we wouldn’t dance to.

2. For the song “Matcha” there was an idea that we should all drink matcha in it.

3. “AAO” was originally “BBQ”.

Answering Fan Questions

JAM: What’s the funniest story you have of each other recently?

JUNKI: Syoya is the biggest eater of the group, and we went out for meals together a lot on this North American tour. One time, we went for ramen at lunch, and while he was still eating it, he was already planning dinner, saying we should do steak. It was cute.

JAM: Ramen recommendations in Japan, especially soy sauce-based ones!

KEIGO: I’m not sure about soy sauce-based, but my recommendation is Gifu Tanmen. It’s in my hometown, so I always go when I’m back.

JAM: If you could design a dream concept or musical style for your next album, what would it look like?

SHO: This one leaned pretty hip hop, so next time I’d like to try something brighter.

JAM: What hobby or activity helps you stay grounded when the spotlight gets too busy?

SKY: On days off, I go out to look at plants, and in between work, I play a lot of games.

JAM: If JAM were a candy, what kind of candy would they be?

RUKI: JAM would be macarons. They look cute, and every one of them is a different color. Each JAM has their own charm, and they’re all cute.

JAM: Is there a musical style or genre that you’d like to challenge yourselves with?

REN: Genres are so diverse now that I think there are as many genres as there are people. I want to keep making music with Dem, and I’d like to work with other producers, too.

JAM: When going overseas, what is the must-buy item/souvenir to bring back home besides clothing/apparel?

TAKUMI: I started collecting snow globes from the cities we visited on this tour.

JAM: Now you have worked with Dem Jointz, are there other producers you want to work with next? Either Japanese or Western producers?

SYOYA: full8loom. They worked on a few JO1 songs back in the day, and there are so many great ones, so I’d love to be in the room with them.

JAM: There is an origami inclusion in the ANIMAL Member Solo Jacket ver., with each member assigned an animal. How were these animals chosen for each member? Were the members’ own preferences taken into consideration?

MAME: I picked the Shiba Inu. People tell me my face looks like one, and since the Shiba is a Japanese dog, I thought it would go well with origami.

JAM: Which song does each member consider the most underrated?

SHO: “Romance”

JUNKI: “Romance”

SYOYA: “Cross the line”

REN: “WHATCHA DOIN”. There’s a lot happening musically and in the performance; it’s a really fun one.

RUKI: “Tiger”. The song and the choreo are both cool, and I want more people to know it.

KEIGO: “ICY”. It has jersey club in it, so it feels really hip hop, which I love.

TAKUMI: “16”. I just love the song, and there’s a music video, so please watch it.

SKY: “Design”. The mood of the song is great. When we did the dome tour, I asked to perform “Design”, and they put it in the setlist.

MAME: “RUSH”. I think it already gets good reactions, but I love the choreography and the sound, and I want more people around the world to hear it.

POP BASE: Thank you for taking the time for Pop Base. Is there anything you’d like to say to our readers?

MAME: I want as many people as possible to hear JO1’s US EP “ANIMAL”, and we’ll keep working so we can perform in the US again.

— Javeria Yousuf

Subscribe to the newsletter to discover new releases through Pop Base weekly and to find out what songs we declare the best of the week.