MAREWREW / Motto Ite, Hissori Ne. (LP)

MAREWREW's 1st Album "Motto Ite, Hissoi ne." is revived with new mixing and mastering.
This masterpiece, which conveys traditional Ainu songs to the present day, is being released on vinyl for the first time with a completely new jacket design.

Marewrew, which officially began with the release of their first work "MAREWREW" in 2010, has been attracting considerable attention globally, with a best-of album and a remix album released by the German label "Pingipung" in recent years. Now, their first album "Motto Ite, Hissoi ne.", released in 2012, is being released on vinyl. Of the 20 songs on the CD version, 17 songs are included, including 8 newly mixed tracks. The cover art features Ainu embroidery created by Mayunkiki's grandmother, combined with new embroidery of the title and artist name by Rekpo, embodying the bond with their predecessors. The artwork is also noteworthy, with Utowa, the daughter of OKI and Rekpo who joined Marewrew in 2025, providing the illustrations for the inner sleeve.

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Four voices connect the past, present, and future of the Ainu. The singing voice of Marewrew (butterfly) resonates across time and space.

Marewrew is a female vocal group that carries on the Ainu traditional songs, "Upopo," in the present day. Since the Ainu did not leave written musical scores, primarily passing down their traditions orally, the songs they sing are based on those passed down by elders, or old archival recordings they themselves unearthed and found in museums. While admiring the Upopo of their predecessors, they don't merely imitate but pursue "songs that only they can sing now" – a constantly evolving Upopo. And by accumulating these, it is Marewrew's theme to naturally draw closer to the songs of their predecessors. Producer OKI also states, "What's important in Ainu culture is 'individual style.' It's crucial that traditions evolve and are revitalized by incorporating Marewrew's style while quoting tradition." Their attitude, such as singing Ukouku (round singing) with the audience at live performances, saying "It's more fun to sing together," and innocently sharing "Our root music is so wonderful!", is also a great charm that opens the door to tradition.
The album "Motto Ite, Hissoi ne.", released in 2012 and now being released on vinyl, is a fresh work brimming with Marewrew's initial impulses. Member Rekpo recalls that her own singing on this work, recorded 14 years ago, "has completely different phrasing now for the same song." In Ainu Upopo, one's own unique phrasing is important. Old songs, current songs, future songs. She says there is meaning in leaving recordings of the songs of each moment and enjoying the changes. This work is also a valuable piece that allows one to appreciate the groove of the four voices that could only have been born at that time, as it was recorded before Rim Rim's departure in 2020.
OKI remixed and remastered 8 new songs for this album, driven by the desire to create a work that would be remembered for hundreds of years. Compared to the CD version, there is an increased sense of depth and presence, and particularly in the Ukouku parts where voices spiral around each other, the three-dimensional vortex of voices is eerily captivating. Although I thought I had listened to the CD version many times since its release, listening to it again now, I am amazed by the rich musicality of the original Ainu traditional songs, including their unique rhythms and puzzle-like song melody structures. I am also impressed by OKI's playful arrangements, which he says are "my role to mess around with extra things," such as the edgy bass phrases and elegant tonkori in "KAPIW UPOPO," and the dance tune "KANE REN REN" which builds with programmed beats and a catchy melody. I want to celebrate this music, which has not faded but rather shined brighter after 14 years.
Marewrew's form of tradition resonates with the songs of their ancestors and carves out a future in their own style. The unique deep sound of analog will reveal its essence and undoubtedly show us an even more profound world of Upopo.

Text by Tokie Okabe

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Artist：MAREWREW
Title：Motto Ite, Hissoi ne.
Label：Chikar Studio / TUFF BEATS
Format：LP
CatNo.：TBV-0107
Barcode：4580187161702
Price：4,800 yen + tax
Release Date：March 4, 2026 (Wednesday)

■Tracklist：
Side A
1. HONKAYA CIPO
2. HEREKAN HO 
3. ASIPET UN CASI
4. KAPIW UPOPO
5. UEKAP
6. CIPE RIKIP PAR YAN
7. EMUS KANE
8. RERA SUY

Side B
1. UMAOI
2. HUMPE YAN NA
3. PON HEKACI HECIRI
4. KANE REN REN
5. YAYKATEKARA
6. TACURO
7. SARANPE
8. CIPO SANKE UPOPO
9. HUMPE PAWA