LiSA says performing “ReawakeR” with Stray Kids’ Felix was “reassuring”

Risa Oribe, or more commonly referred to by her stage name Lisa or LiSA, is a Japanese singer and songwriter. Her journey with music began as early as 2015. However, she began making a name for herself in the Japanese music industry in 2010, after pursuing her solo career after the band "Chucky" disbanded. LiSA's songs have been used and featured in different anime such as Angel Beats!, Sword Art Online, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and Fate/Zero.

Her most recent music release includes a collaboration with Stray Kids' member, Felix. They worked together on ReawakeR, which was released in January this year. The song is already used as an opening theme song for the anime, Solo Leveling Season 2 – Arise from the Shadow.

During an interview with Billboard Japan, LiSA was asked if she had a different approach while recording ReawakeR, since Felix was collaborating with her. To this, LiSA replied:

"It wasn’t so much that I paid special care to something in particular, but I’m usually a solo singer, so having another vocalist by my side to perform together with me was very reassuring."

More details about LiSA's new song ReawakeR and working with Felix from Stray Kids

ReawakeR was written and arranged by Japanese composer Hiroyuki SAWANO. He is not only a composer but he is also a lyricist, an arranger, a pianist, and a music producer. Some of his most prominent works include the soundtrack for Attack on Titan, Kill la Kill, and Aldnoah.Zero, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, and more.

Currently, ReawakeR is standing in the No. 1 spot on the Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart. This is also the seventh week the song has been dominating the Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart.

This is not the first time LiSA has worked with Stray Kids. Back in 2023, the boy band featured the Rising Hope singer in one of their debut Japanese EPs titled Social Path. When asked about what led to the collaboration, she answered:

"I always had the idea of working with the two (Hiroyuki Sawano and Felix of Stray Kids) of them again, but I didn’t have any specific timing in mind."

She elaborated when the interviewer asked about Felix:

"Stray Kids had invited me to work with them in the past, so I thought if there was ever a time to return the invitation, this just might be it. My upper register vocals and Felix’s deep bass vocals created a wonderful contrast that gave the song just the right flavor," the singer explained.

Billboard JAPAN also asked the Crossing Field singer about her experiences working with Felix during the collaboration. She said:

"I rediscovered how well it works to have a male voice mixed in. On top of that, Felix is more of a rapper than a singer, and this was my first time doing this kind of collaboration on a song I put out under my own name. But I discovered that even with rap, you can feel that rock vibe, and that you can make a song that really matches the anime itself."

Oribe had more to say when they asked her about the music video for ReawakeR. The K-pop singer/songwriter described:

"Felix is really beautiful in it. He’s like an angel. When the cameras weren’t rolling, he was like this cute young kid. He’s cheerful and friendly, and very considerate of others. He was also very respectful, calling me "LiSA sempai." But he has a deep voice, so when he starts singing, the impression he makes totally changes. I think part of his appeal is in that gap," she concludes.

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As seen from her recent success, LiSA continues to dominate the Japanese music industry with her work. Through her blend of rock, anime themes, and cross-genre collaborations, she proves her continuous evolution as an artist and her willingness to explore new creative paths.

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