Retrospective



Retrospective is the fourth track on Takanashi Kiara's first album, Point of View. It was released on 29 August 2023.

Lyrics
Verse 1 Oh baby I'm looking at what remains I couldn't tell you the same I guess that's life

If you couldn't tell by now I'm hopelessly waiting Begging all night to breakthrough

Prechorus 1 Stuck in an endless loop I'll deny the truth Asking why

Chorus I can't redo The past and present calls me to truth And every part of my being doubts the best feeling So tell me what am I to you?

I can't renew The part of me I lost in the view Hooked up on all the Wavering eyes, Leaves me paralyzed Taking two steps back but I keep moving on

Verse 2 Concern is filling up your lies Once again, I'm all but broken I'll save me if I can Ah let it go, let it go, breathe again

If you couldn't tell by now I'm hopelessly wasting Away to the core inside

Prechorus 2 It keeps eating away At me everyday Asking why

Repeat chorus I can't redo The past and present calls me to truth And every part of my being doubts the best feeling So tell me what am I to you?

I can't renew The part of me I lost in the view Hooked up on all the Wavering eyes, Leaves me paralyzed Taking two steps back but I keep moving on

Post chorus And I tried to change me But my mind can't just erase me Anymore than I have already done (Ah~)

And looking back I'm ready To admit that it was all me Who destroyed everything I am (I am~)

Bridge Caught up in my demise (Caught up and I can't ignite) The doubt puts out my light

I can't be sure Of who I am or when I'm Alive

Ending chorus I can't redo The past and present calls me to truth And every part of my being doubts the best feeling So tell me what am I to you?

Ooh ~ Oh I'm ~ Turning back

Credits

 * Lyrics: monii
 * Composition: Kai Gojo, monii, Johnny R
 * Arranged: Kai Gojo
 * Vocal: Takanashi Kiara

Production and release
Retrospective was the fourth track on Takanashi Kiara's first album, Point of View. It was released digitally on 29 August 2023. Pre-orders for a physical CD release were available between 29 August 2023 and 2 October 2023, for delivery in November 2023. The album was announced at short notice during a HoloCure stream on 28 August 2023.

The song was originally intended to draw inspiration from American rock group Paramore, such as their title Decode. The original singing melody produced by Kai Gojo was completely different to the finished song. Kiara felt that it sounded too Japanese, and had monii and Johnny produce a singing melody better suited to English lyrics. The resulting song sounded more like Evanesence. Kiara found the octave change in the chorus difficult, and cheated by simply placing the line in the backing vocals.

Lyricist monii found the song emotionally difficult. According to notes, the song can be seen as the singer talking to themselves about their fears, regrets and self doubt, their inability to change the past, and their inability to seek reassurance from themselves due to not believing in themself.

Retrospective was only completed very shortly before the album's digital release, and Kiara regretted not having more time to spend on it. She described it as having had "a lot of, lets say, plastic surgery done, but it was so worth it. It paid off for sure." Fellow hololive Myth member Mori Calliope said it was her favorite track on the album.