Spotify playlist for Misaki Tanaka to sing at home.

The music distribution service "Music for the World," which offers a wealth of more than 60 million songs, is an attractive service.Spotify." One of the most attractive features of "Spotify" is the variety of playlists, which are not limited to simply enjoying music. Some are created by users themselves, while others are officially created by Spotify, allowing users to enjoy encountering new music.

And a new feature introduced in November 2019 is Singalong. You can now enjoy karaoke anytime, anywhere by adjusting, for example, lowering only the vocal volume from a song while displaying the lyrics on your phone's screen.

In this issue, we explore the appeal of such singalong functions with Misaki Tanaka, a snacker and illustrator known for her unrivaled love of singing.

PROFILE

Asiatic jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum)

illustrator

Graduated from Nihon University College of Art. . A freelance illustrator who divides her time between Kumamoto and Tokyo, working from two bases. . He is popular for his illustrations for magazines, advertisements, and goods. . One of her hobbies is karaoke and going out for snacks.

How to use the singalong function

. 1) Find a song you like. . ②Tap the lyrics at the bottom and the lyrics will appear on the full screen. . ③ Tap the microphone button in the lower left corner. When the color changes, it is a signal to start the singalong mode! ④If you still can't remember the song, try changing the vocal volume from the ... button on the bottom right.

I want to repeat my favorite songs over and over again.

Do you use "Spotify" on a regular basis?

Yes, you use it on a regular basis. The most common situations in which I use it are when I am working or traveling. I often listen with earphones, but when I use it at home, I often play it on speakers.

What do you find attractive about "Spotify" when you use it?

I like the fact that you recommend songs that I don't know. I know I shouldn't be picky, but I rely on them. . "Spotify" is the reason I check out the lyrics, and I often wonder what kind of jacket it's in.

. Also, I really like the playlists, podcasts, and the ability to listen to the radio. I can go back and listen to "Arco & Peace's All Night Nippon 0" and I also have a show called "Midnight Chime" that I update every Monday.

Spotify has both free and premium memberships, right? Right now...Premium Plan for IndividualsI heard that you can do the first 3 months free for the first time , but what do you think is the appeal of going premium?

. i like to listen to my favorite songs over and over again. With a free membership, it is random, but with a premium, I can repeat the same songs all the time and listen to them in the same order.

. This time, we asked you to create a playlist with songs that support the sing-along feature that was created at the end of last year. You like karaoke, don't you?

I love it . I am always in the camp of going to karaoke, and I often go with friends as often as that is a club activity. I also like to go to snack bars, and for a while, I was training myself to go to snack bars alone in order to strengthen my heart (laughs). (Laughs.) From there, I learned from others and fell in love with Showa-era songs. Compared to karaoke, a snack bar is more like a place for presentation.

Do you feel the same way about the playlists you created?

This is a playlist of songs I would like to sing at karaoke. Some songs are supported by the singalong function and some are not, and it would be great if more songs were supported... This is a good playlist for me (laughs).

Overall, many of the songs are sad. From songs of pure feelings, to mistakes, to a summer of love, to tears, to recovery, I think the playlist is like the ups and downs of a person's life.

How did you plan the order of the songs?

I wanted to start with a song that everyone knows, followed by a melancholy song, but with a redeeming feel at the end. I put the ending-like "No No Boy" at the end. There are two summer songs in the album, but I feel like they are for people who don't like summer.

Are there any songs in this playlist that you are particularly attached to or that you feel comfortable singing?

It's "Blue" by Machiko Watanabe. This is my favorite song. Machiko Watanabe is famous for her song "The Day the Seagull Flew Away," and when I sing "Blue," people who love Machiko Watanabe really like it. It is a song that is pleasant to sing and is popular even in a snack bar. It's very popular at snack bars, too.

How did you feel when you actually sang with the sing-along function?

It's amazing how only the vocal sound goes down. When I tried it out myself, I was surprised to find that I sang louder than I thought I would. I was surprised to find that even when I sang normally, the sound was even louder when I had my earphones plugged into my phone.

. I don't think we usually look at the lyrics when we listen to music. However, when singing karaoke, there are many times when I follow the lyrics on the screen and realize how good the song is. . I think this feature will allow us to have that kind of experience.

Why don't you take this opportunity to try the Premium Plan for 3 months for free and enjoy listening to the playlist of songs you want to sing at Tanaka-san's home in the same order and without any advertisements?

• Photo_Haruka Shinzawa