Dear reader, Today, I would like to invite you to embark on a journey to rediscover and reignite the magic that resides within us all. In a world that sometimes feels void of enchantment and wonder, it is essential to remind ourselves of the immeasurable power and beauty that lies within our hearts and minds. Often, as we grow older, the realities and responsibilities of life can overshadow the innate sense of awe and curiosity we possessed as children. The everyday pressures and routines can make it seemingly impossible to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. However, it is precisely during these moments that we need to take a step back, breathe, and remember the enchantment that once flowed effortlessly through our veins. The magic that we seek is not found in the realm of fairy tales or the illusions of a magician's hat.
The magic that we seek is not found in the realm of fairy tales or the illusions of a magician's hat. It is buried deep within us, waiting to be awakened. It is the sparkle in our eyes when we witness an act of kindness, the warmth in our hearts when we experience a deep connection with someone, and the indescribable joy that comes from pursuing our passions.
Jun Takahashi on His Greatest Music Obsessions and His New Playlist for Vogue
On any given morning in Tokyo, you’re likely to find Undercover’s Jun Takahashi making the commute from his home in the city to his atelier near the ocean by car. Over the many years that Takahashi has followed this route, he’s figured out—give or take a few minutes for traffic—how long that journey takes: one hour and 20 minutes, to be precise. Just as carefully considered is what Takahashi has cued up to keep his mind whirring throughout his daily travels: a playlist of carefully-curated songs ready to get him in a particular mood, which, within Takahashi’s eclectic sonic universe, could mean any number of things.
“I think it is the same direction as my work [in fashion],” Takahashi says, describing it as a “mix of elements from various things.” On one playlist, a track from Miles Davis’s influential experimental jazz record On the Corner rubs shoulders with a number by Johnny Rotten’s post-punk project Public Image Ltd. or an electro-meets-ragga deep cut by Modeselektor and Paul St. Hilaire. Others feature Björk alongside Philip Glass, or The Smiths alongside Billie Eilish, or London up-and-comers Jockstrap next to The Slits. Many feature pioneers of Japanese music, from the innovative electropop of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Yellow Magic Orchestra to the psychedelic rock of The Mops.
Takahashi’s selections span genres and decades and continents, but they’re united by one thing: his insatiable creative curiosity. “I get references from music journalists or vinyl buyers I trust,” he says of how he has built his encyclopedic knowledge of alternative music. “I still go to vinyl stores too.”
It’s no wonder, really, that music should form such a fundamental part of Takahashi’s daily routine. From the beginning of his career (and indeed, long before his first forays into the world or style) his work has been informed as much by musicians as it has the currents of fashion. An anecdote Takahashi often brings up is the pivotal moment when he discovered the Sex Pistols; intrigued by the record sleeve for Never Mind the Bollocks, he borrowed it from a friend at middle school, eventually going on to form his own Sex Pistols tribute act. (There are even clips of Takahashi in a 1980s Tokyo dive bar singing “God Save the Queen” with Johnny Rotten-orange hair floating around on YouTube.)
It was partly through this underground scene in Harajuku, where Takahashi still maintains a store and office, that he first began to build the fashion community when he launched Undercover in 1990, and his influential store Nowhere with Nigo in 1993. “I have been into music since I was a kid,” he says. “The power that music possesses gives a boost to my clothing design—I want to make clothes that move people's minds with mysterious power, like music.”
Head-spinningly varied, yet united by an irreverence and a willingness to experiment, the spirit of the music that inspires Takahashi has fed its way into a number of his most beloved collections, from his spring 2015 menswear offering that paid homage to the baroque punk of Television’s magnum opus Marquee Moon and its followup Adventure, to his various collaborations with Thom Yorke on everything from red carpet looks to runway soundtracks. Still, a more comprehensive understanding of the music that makes Takahashi tick had—until he began quietly sharing his Spotify playlists, anyway—eluded us. “I first started the playlists for myself, but I made it public because I wanted people to know my music taste,” Takahashi says.
The playlists, which are all titled Kosmik Musik, and feature artwork lifted from paintings by everyone from Caravaggio to Francis Bacon, are approached with the same meticulous care as Takahashi’s designs. “Every single ‘Kosmik Musik’—there are up to 88, as of now—has a theme, and the first song for every playlist is a kind of introductory part for the rest of its playlist,” says Takahashi. “I always put as many genres as possible into a playlist to make flows, ups, and downs. For example, after playing some dark rock songs, I can put cheerful oldies or jazz songs with beautiful melodies.” Equally important to Takahashi is to use the platform to introduce his international following to some of his favorite Japanese artists. “People worldwide listen to Kosmik Musik, so I take this chance to introduce great Japanese songs that aren't famous,” he adds.
For Vogue, Takahashi has put together a brand-new playlist—technically number 93 in his “Kosmik Musik” series, if you’re counting—that is as omnivorous when it comes to musical genres as you might expect. Beginning with a Bach sonata, before some psychedelic electronica courtesy of underground act Golden Bug, it moves through everything from Lou Reed’s “Coney Island Baby” to Ella Fitzgerald to a Japanese cover of “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” “The vibe for this playlist is 喜怒哀楽 [ki-do-ai-raku], a Japanese four-character phrase roughly meaning ‘the range of human emotions,’” Takahashi explains. “Individually, the characters represent happiness, anger, sorrow or pity, and pleasure.”
On any given morning in Tokyo, you’re likely to find Undercover’s Jun Takahashi making the commute from his home in the city to his atelier near the ocean by car. Over the many years that Takahashi has followed this route, he’s figured out—give or take a few minutes for traffic—how long that journey takes: one hour and 20 minutes, to be precise. Just as carefully considered is what Takahashi has cued up to keep his mind whirring throughout his daily travels: a playlist of carefully-curated songs ready to get him in a particular mood, which, within Takahashi’s eclectic sonic universe, could mean any number of things.
Bringing back the magic does not mean escaping from reality; it means embracing the world with a renewed sense of wonder. It means finding joy in the little things and appreciating the breathtaking beauty that surrounds us. It means embracing our imagination and allowing it to unlock doors to infinite possibilities. To bring back the magic, we must learn to slow down and savor the present moment. We must learn to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, to find joy in the simplest of things. We must nurture our creativity, allowing it to flourish and take us to unimaginable places. We must rekindle the flame of curiosity within us, never ceasing to ask questions and explore the world around us. In this journey, we may encounter skeptics and naysayers who dismiss the idea of magic as mere whimsy or nonsense. However, the beauty of magic lies in its ability to transcend skepticism and touch the hearts of even the most hardened souls. It is a force that knows no boundaries and has the power to heal, inspire, and unite. So, my dear reader, I urge you to embrace this call to bring back the magic. Let us embark on this journey together, each step infused with wonder and excitement. Let us open our hearts and minds to the miracles that await us, and let the magic within us shine brightly for all to see. With love and enchantment, [Your Name].
Reviews for "From Mundane to Magical: Transforming Your Life Through Perception Shifts."
1. Jane Doe - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Bring Back the Magic", but I was left disappointed. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, and the plot felt predictable and cliché. The writing style was also underwhelming, with repetitive phrases and a lack of descriptive language. Overall, I found the book to be lackluster and failed to deliver the magic it promised.
2. John Smith - 1 star
"Bring Back the Magic" was a complete letdown for me. The story was slow-paced and the pacing felt off, with unnecessary scenes dragging on while important plot points were rushed. The characters were forgettable and their motivations were unclear. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me feeling disconnected from the supposed magical elements of the story. I expected so much more from this book and ended up feeling frustrated by the lack of substance.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars
I found "Bring Back the Magic" to be a disjointed read. The writing style was choppy and lacked flow, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the character development was weak. Additionally, the plot had potential but ultimately fell flat with predictable twists and a lack of originality. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
4. Michael Adams - 1 star
I couldn't bring myself to finish "Bring Back the Magic". The writing was unimaginative and lacked a certain spark. The characters were uninteresting, and their actions seemed contrived and unrealistic. The plot felt like a jumbled mess, with no clear direction or purpose. I found myself bored and disengaged, and ultimately gave up on the book. It's a shame, as I had high hopes for it based on the premise.