If Only I Loved You

Tokyo-based five-piece hip-hop band Yokai Village steps into a new sonic direction with their latest single, "If Only I Loved You" - a soulful blend of R&B and pop that leans more on smooth vocals than their usual rap-driven sound.

At its core, the song reflects on a past relationship that could have worked if only he had truly loved her. But as the lyrics unfold, the narrator realizes that maybe he did love her - he just kept making excuses not to admit it. The emotional push and pull between regret and denial is laid bare through soft melodies and confessional lyrics.

From the opening lines in front of a mirror to the echoing chorus built around the repeated If only I loved you, the track captures the aching weight of what was never said. The vulnerability is raw and personal, carried by a vocal performance that's both delicate and powerful.

The second half of the track takes a more poetic turn, utilizing imagery such as black holes, gravity, and the expanding universe to explore themes of emotional dependence and the elusive nature of love. Despite the philosophical leanings, the lyrics remain grounded in personal experience, one that feels universally human.

What is love? Why couldn't I say it when it mattered?

With If Only I Loved You, Yokai Village invites listeners to sit with these questions and feel every unspoken word.