In Cyberpunk 2077’s new expansion “Phantom Liberty,” they will introduce a new radio station “Growl FM.” Musics that will be used in the station were selected from 8,000 songs submitted. One of them was created by a Japanese virtual music group “NoWorld.”
Many people may not be familiar with the term “virtual music group.” However, if you look into NoWorld’s past works and activities, you will find that they have a quite unique and eye-catching story. They have appeared on the official event of China’s major video platform “BiliBili” twice, and have provided music to VTubers belonging to “Nijisanji” one of the largest VTuber agency.
We had the opportunity to talk to the members of NoWorld. So this will be an interview about the behind-the-scenes making of their new song “Do or Die,” and who they really are and what their usual activities are.
No World is a virtual music group with three members. NoiR, a VTuber who writes lyrics, composes, and is the main vocalist. Haizumi, who does management, directs worldbuilding of their works, and creates videos. Yassun, who handles audio arrangement and engineering.
By speaking with them, we learned that they are a group full of pure enthusiasm. For instance, in the limited time, they threw out a song that was for Cyberpunk 2077 competition and made another one from scratch. And the fact that all three of them mutually respect each other’s wishes.
What we also want to notice is the true reality of a “virtual artist.” Like why they started working on BiliBili (which they have earned 120,000 registered users for their channel), how they were influenced by Hiroyuki Sawano, and how they have shown off their true potential in Cyberpunk 2077’s competition.
Interviewed and written by Ritsuko.
Translated by Chizuru Nanten.
日本語版はこちら：『サイパン2077』のために作った曲を“ボツ”にして速攻で再制作。8000曲から勝ち抜いたバーチャル音楽ユニット「NoWorld」に話を聴いたらガッツとユニークな経歴が凄かった
Scrapped a song completely and started over again. Through their diligent and self-disciplined production, the new song “Do or Die” was selected from among 8,000 tracks.
—Thank you for your time today. First off, tell us about the song “Do or Die”. How would you introduce it?
NoiR:
To match the world of Cyberpunk 2077, I composed the music with a style with references to US pop style as in electronic dance music or club music, and wrote the lyrics expressing the various ambitions, speculations, and desires that fill the Night City.
“Do or Die” is a song that expresses the people of the Night City. And the title comes from how the protagonist V is repeatedly forced to choose to live or die in the Night City, a town in close proximity to death.
—Due to the competition specifications, I believe you had to create it within a limited period of time. Did you face any difficulties?
NoiR:
The production process started from researching Cyberpunk 2077, watching Haizumi play it for a long time, and listening to the included soundtracks.
Then I made one song, but Mr. Haizumi rejected it. So I completely rewrote it from scratch and completed “Do or Die.”
—What made you decide to redo it even though the production period was limited?
Yassun:
The first song we created was inspired by anime songs. So it was a song with the style of Japanese music or anime song.
As a result, it sounded too much like an anime song, and when I compared it to the Cyberpunk 2077’s soundtrack, it felt strange. It didn’t fit in. So, even though it was quite close to the deadline, I decided to start over to make a track that fits the atmosphere of the game.
NoiR:
While keeping the fundamental atmosphere and feel of NoWorld, we have incorporated things we have not used in the past works, especially in the chorus part.
—Where did you hear about the Cyberpunk 2077’s #GrowlFM music contest, and what made you decide to apply for it?
NoiR:
One of our goals as NoWorld is to have our songs be used as theme songs for animes or games. To achieve this, we not only work as an artist, but also actively participate in public recruitments and competitions as a creator.
While doing so, Mr. Haizumi found Cyberpunk 2077’s contest, and when I heard of it I was like “I have no choice but to participate!” And so I did.
—The songs were selected from 8,000 tracks, how did you feel when you were selected?
NoiR:
The email announcing the selection was entirely in English, and unfortunately we didn’t have any members who could read English, so we couldn’t tell if we had been selected or not, haha. So, we all checked the email together carefully like the domain of the email address etc. and finally realized that we had been selected.
—I can relate to that. If I got an email written entirely in English, I would probably be confused for a moment or so too lol.
Yassun:
I was surprised when I received the email saying that our song had been selected from 8,000 submissions and asked, “Really!?” lol. Of course, at the same time I feel very honored that NoWorld’s “Do or Die” was chosen from such a huge selection of songs.
Growl （グラウル）FMミュージックコンテスト入賞者の皆さん、おめでとうございます！ 🥳
— CD PROJEKT RED Japan (@CDPRJP) January 31, 2023
こちらの素晴らしい14曲を『サイバーパンク2077』「仮初めの自由」内に登場する89.7 Growl （グラウル）FMラジオ局の楽曲として採用させていただくことになりました。お届けできる日が楽しみです！ #GrowlFM pic.twitter.com/39o5h6bXZU
—NoWorld is a virtual music group, and many of your songs deal with the dark side of society. Looking from that perspective I felt that it fits very well with Cyberpunk 2077.
NoiR:
That is a point I am grateful you noticed.
Haizumi:
After deciding to participate in this competition, I played “Cyberpunk 2077” for a long time. Elements such as the “soul leaving the body” in the game are common to NoWorld and were one of the reasons for my participation in the competition.
I took the lead in playing the game among the members. And when I started playing, I personally got hooked and immersed myself in the game so much that even after the competition was over, I played laps on a different life path.
The character I especially love is Jackie Wells, and I was gripped by the side jobs associated with Jackie too.
—He’s V’s partner and a fascinating character who, from the very beginning, conveys to the player the charm and thrill of “Night City.”
Haizumi:
I have personally become a fan of the game, regardless of the competition haha. After “Cyberpunk 2077,” I have also enjoyed CDPR’s “The Witcher” series.
So as a fan, I am purely hyped for the official release of “Phantom Liberty.”
—How did you feel when you actually heard “Do or Die” in “Phantom Liberty”?
Haizumi:
I listened to it while driving around in the game, and I was impressed like “Wow, they really used our song!” But at the same time, I still can’t believe it yet. So when the game is officially released, I’m going to walk around Dogtown and look for it playing in the streets.
NoiR:
I too feel so strange and unrealistic to be interviewed in this way and to have NoWorld’s music included in a game.
After it is officially launched and when the users react to it, I think we would finally be able to realize that it is true. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of feedback we will get.
—Because you have done so much research on “Cyberpunk 2077” before making the music, it is likely to further enhance the world of the work.
Yassun:
I created it as a cool song that brings out the player’s exuberance and makes them feel like “I can do it!” I want to listen to it while fighting in “Phantom Liberty.”
