The lights on the street are yellowish and red, they're together like it's one beam instead of two. “Sea of Light” is the sound that Naoko Hiranuma weaves into the song before you even know what it's about.
She is upfront, with a close, accessible voice, and she's not trying to impress you. It just tells the story straight, and somehow makes it hit harder than if she'd made too much of it.
The song is about two people who are traveling from a quiet space into an urban area at night, and as the journey unfolds, the characters' memories begin to merge. I really enjoyed that the song doesn't impose sadness. It allows the image to be clear and lets one trust their feeling.
There is a part about the ocean, waiting for the right time to catch a wave, and patience and timing are something that can be heard throughout the whole song. It's not about surfing, of course. It's waiting for something good to come, and it's not always coming.
The song then changes. The fact that someone new enters the story when not everyone shares all their interests, that was a little like how real connection works. Not dramatic. Just a presence.
The song has gained momentum and gets the timing right when it reaches the city. Music also begins here, with more instruments, more energy behind the voice, but never loud or dramatic.
Then the tone changes. Time goes out of order, things go out of order, and the song simply lets that happen. It just lets that part feel emotional for a second before moving on again, and it felt authentic and natural.
The last thing I remember is that no matter what happens, you can always return to the same spot and get back on your feet. Naoko Hiranuma does not guarantee it's more comfortable going forward. Just the fact that someone gets back up again is what makes this one stick.
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