Maia Hirasawa is back with new music, and this time the different days of the menstrual cycle sit at the heart of it.
Her latest single, “I am a woman (day 24),” describes the darkest day of the cycle, when Hirasawa’s PMDD pushes her to hide under the covers and create nothing at all. On the coming album, every track carries an addition, a specific day, that explains its mood.
“I’ve been through a process over quite a few years, where I’ve really started to listen to myself, my body and my needs, what makes me feel good and what doesn’t,” she says. “And I’ve noticed there’s a big difference between the various days of the menstrual cycle.”
PMDD became the source of inspiration
Asked to talk about the first single and the meaning of day 24, Hirasawa explains that the song captured the whole album so clearly that it became a fitting through-line.
“I have severe PMDD and I’ve done everything to try to calm it down. But what helps most is acceptance of what is happening right now. That right now, it’s rubbish. And I wrote this song on day 24. It’s actually a day when I can’t create at all, but I managed to push out some kind of frustration then. I feel that a lot of people brush off PMS a bit, but for me it’s deadly serious. I get deeply depressed and it affects me both physically and mentally. I get pressure across my chest, I can’t breathe, I can’t gather my thoughts at all. For me it’s a big problem, and I feel frustrated that it hasn’t been taken seriously.”
Building life around the cycle
Hirasawa says she plans carefully around her symptoms. She marks her PMS days in the calendar so she avoids booking meetings or gigs during that window whenever possible. If an important job does land on one of those days, she prepares thoroughly because she knows exactly how it will feel.
“I make things easier for myself. If I only have studio time at home, I lie under the covers instead. I work hard on letting that be okay. It’s the best way for me to get through it, being soft and kind and not so hard on myself.”
The happiest song on the record
Not every day is heavy. Hirasawa notes that her songs tend toward the melancholic no matter which day they represent, but the album does hold one bright track called “We are lucky,” tied to day 8.
“That’s when a high starts, running up to day 11 or 12. It’s so fascinating, because then I can get more done than in the whole rest of the month. I have more zest for life, and more desire too. That’s also when you can plan things like a date with your husband.”
What comes next
Once the album is out, Hirasawa heads off on a larger tour in the autumn. She loves playing live and is looking forward to sharing her story on stage, especially given how clearly defined the album’s concept is.
“It’s going to be magical, I think.”
