Kenshi Yonezu had a busy 2017 writing songs for hit anime shows and films, which pushed the singer-songwriter to try on a variety of musical styles to suit different outlets. Exploring outside of his comfort zone sparked creative innovation as much as it stirred conflict. As his tie-up releases inspired various iterations of himself, some critics thought his new music was straying away from his true core. Bootleg acts as Yonezu’s response, starting from its ironic title: Here are the so-called fabricated versions of your favorite artist, stylized according to trends. Bootleg works as a kind of collage, with Yonezu piecing together new materials gathered from working on his side ventures. Hip-hop enters the picture as he slips into a slick, glassy R&B beat on “Number Nine,” its nimble rhythm felt throughout. Rock numbers like “Loser” move with a jittered funk, while he loses himself in the groove of the disco-minded “Shunrai.” Amid the flashy pop, Yonezu reaches for the punk sounds of his earlier years: No song makes a louder statement here than “Sunanowakusei,” originally released under his Vocaloid producer alias Hachi. The styles on Bootleg might be different from track to track, but Yonezu’s sincere personality shines throughout. He presents himself in his songs as being personable, his lyrics addressing the second person as if to ensure his listeners are also relating to his pain. The animated music pushes him to be more forthcoming, and its extroverted energy elevates his impassioned choruses into rally cries: He doesn’t just move others to let loose—he corrals them to join him in the party. Bootleg finds Yonezu as his celebrity was growing and his interests becoming more diverse, yet the personality behind the music still seems within reach, like a close friend.