There have been numerous theories around why Akina’s face on the cover art of Fixer is a “mirror image” using the left half of a previous photo for the Limited Edition and then the right half for the Normal Edition, but we believe we may have cracked the mystery.
Though this mystery may well be revealed in the next Faithway FC newsletter, we believe the concept of Fixer to be of a “kaleidoscope”.
The definition of it from Wikipaedia: Coined in 1817 by Scottish inventor Sir David Brewster,[1] “kaleidoscope” is derived from the Ancient Greek καλός (kalos), “beautiful, beauty”,[2] εἶδος (eidos), “that which is seen: form, shape”[3] and σκοπέω (skopeō), “to look to, to examine”,[4] hence “observation of beautiful forms.”
A kaleidoscope operates on the principle of multiple reflection, where several mirrors are placed at an angle to one another (usually 60°). Typically there are three rectangular mirrors set at 60° to each other so that they form an equilateral triangle. The 60° angle generates an infinite regular grid of duplicate images of the original, with each image having six possible angles and being a mirror image or not.
In the song “Lotus”, there are the words 万華鏡 in the lyrics, so the mirror image of the cover is reflective not only the multitude of beautiful songs but you will find certain musical styles slightly replicated with another one or two songs (English, Latin, Bollywood/Oriental or EDM) within the album. The placement of the photos within the sleeves and the video also support the idea of a kaleidoscope.
The final song “Re-birth” is the sole track which is alone in its musical style as it is Akina’s message to her fans and she sing-speaks (like she did in 忘れて… in the 夢’91 concert. This fits in with the inner image with her looking at us – awoken from a kaleidoscopic dream where she has been going around in dream circles, ready to be re-born. Our Queen is BACK>
I believe this supports the theory of why the mirror image of the covers is reflective of the concept of the album of a kaleidoscope.
If you have a differing opinion, we would love to hear it.
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Thanks for this amazing piece, James!! I love it! I am still trying to let every note, every phrase, every beat sink in. Overflowing with appreciation for this gorgeous album right now. Welcome back to VAMP. And welcome back Akina!!
Thanks for the encouragement. I will write my review of FIXER once I have the opportunity to fully experience it. 🙂