Take it Easy (in Takagarasudai)

Tooru Kobayashi is a unique singer-songwriter who pursues a distinct style of singing while playing the acoustic bass, traveling all over Japan in his self-made mobile house (kei truck house). In 2026, he is taking on an unprecedented challenge: the "30 Continuous Singles Release Project." To decorate the memorable 10th milestone of this project, he has re-recorded "Take it Easy," a masterpiece from his early days that has been long loved and has cheered up many people at live venues and on the streets across the country.

The most notable feature of this work is the "completely outdoor recording," which broke out of the studio walls to package the atmosphere of great nature just as it was. The stage for the recording was "Takagarasudai," the highest peak of Ondo-no-Seto Park located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture. From this location, which sits over 200 meters above sea level, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the calm Seto Inland Sea and the beautiful islands floating upon it.

Under the endless blue sky, on an observatory where a pleasant sea breeze blows through, the equipment was set up and the recording was done in a single live take. Hearing the deep, heavy bass of his acoustic bass and the quiet breath of the Seto Inland nature through his headphones, Tooru Kobayashi released his singing voice into the vast space. It carries an overwhelming sense of freedom and a stretching quality that could never be expressed in a studio recording, spreading out as far as the eye can see. This ultimate organic sound was achieved precisely because he is an artist who keeps traveling.

The lyrics of "Take it Easy" contain a gentle yet powerful message that softly stays close to everyone living in the modern world.
"Wash away the overflowing thoughts with tears and keep going / If the two of us become light-hearted, take it easy."
In our daily lives, we sometimes unknowingly carry too much baggage, get hurt, and come to a standstill. However, Tooru Kobayashi sings to us, "If you hide your wounds with a smile, they will heal back to normal." It is okay not to be perfect, and it is okay to take a detour. After shedding tears, you just need to lighten your load and start walking again wherever your heart guides you.

"Because we were surely born to be happy."
When this straightforward line is delivered along with the piercing blue sky of Takagarasudai and the warm tone of the acoustic bass, the doubts in the listener's heart will softly fade away, and a small courage to face tomorrow will well up.

The jacket photo features a real still shot capturing the exact moment of his performance on the Takagarasudai observatory. It directly reflects the lifestyle of the artist "Tooru Kobayashi," who weaves music while traveling around various places in his self-made mobile house and meeting the local atmosphere and people, presenting a scenery of a free journey.

"Take it Easy (in Takagarasudai)" was played with all his soul amidst the superb view of Hiroshima encountered during his journey.
Why not relax your shoulders, feel the wind, and step out on a new musical journey with him?