Sunday, June 26, 2011

kanon x kanon - Koi no Dotei (Love's Journey)

CD Regular



CD Limited



1) Koi no Dotei (Love's Journey)
2) Ren'ai no Susume (Love Memory Device)
3) Koi no Doutei TV SIZE (Limited Edition Bonus Track)
4) Koi no Doutei madmaid 17's DT Bassline remix
5) Koi no Doutei Instrumental



Koi no Dotei (Love's Journey) is kanon x kanon's 2nd single & it was released last week on 15th June .

The duo's 2nd single served as the opening theme no. for the anime 30-sai no Hoken Taiiku .

kanon x kanon's debut single Calendula Requiem was released last year on 17th Nov & the A-side was used as the 2nd opening theme song for the anime Shiki .

Honestly , I was very surprised when kanon x kanon decided to release another single because I frankly thought Calendula Requiem would be a 1 off thing .

With that said , I had quite a shock when I 1st listened to Koi no Dotei because it sounded like nothing the duo if not Kanon Wakeshima would do , simply because it's very if not extremely pop .

After I got that somewhat rude shock outta the way , I actually find Koi no Dotei pretty fun to listen to but it's definitely not something I expect Kanon Wakeshima to do in solo mode but at least I'm still able to detect a little bit of cello influences in Koi no Dotei , not much but it's better than none .

There're 2 B-sides found in the single , the 1st one is something called Ren'ai no Susume (Love Memory Device) .

Unlike Koi no Dotei , I really adore Ren'ai no Susume on 1st listen as there're traces of what the duo left their music mark on in Calendula Requiem .

Ren'ai no Susume is definitely something that's on familiar music grounds for kanon x kanon / Kanon Wakeshima & the cello prominence is much more stronger here which's great .

The madmaid 17's DT Bassline remix of Koi no Dotei is the 2nd B-side & this's quite a strange remix which sounds nothing like the original .

This remix gets pretty random at times & I can barely hear any lyrics going on in Koi no Doutei madmaid 17's DT Bassline remix . I don't know if this's a good or bad thing but I suppose given the somewhat uniqueness music influences that kanon x kanon brings , it should be a good thing ?

kanon x kanon brought an unique/refreshing music concept when this dynamic duo made their music presence felt last year with Calendula Requiem & now this year , they more or less managed to repeat the same thing with regards to Koi no Dotei .

I'm interested to see if they will release another single if not an album , especially since I'm a fan of what Kanon Wakeshima does in her solo discography but regardless of which , I look forward to see what else kanon x kanon will have in store .

If not , I wouldn't mind something new from Kanon Wakeshima , especially since it has been close to a year since she released her 2nd album Shoujo Jikake no Libretto ~LOLITAWORK LIBRETTO~ .


Saturday, June 25, 2011

CD Review :: Aoyama Thelma - WILL

CD Regular



CD Limited



1) Fighting Soldier
2) Zutto. (Much.)
3) WITHOUT U Feat 4Minute
4) LET'S PARTY !
5) Hitori ni Shinaide (Do Not Be Alone)
6) GOODBYE
7) CRAZY CRAZY LOVE
8) STRONGER THAN EVER
9) I'm All Yours
10) 23
11) Fallen Angel
12) ONE LOVE , ONE HEART , ONE DESTINY Feat SUPER CRISS's FIRE BALL
13) Uso Demo Ii Kara (I Wish I Could Lie)
14) WILL
15) Zutto. (Much.) (Wedding Acoustic Ver) (Limited Edition Track)
16) WITHOUT U Feat 4Minute (English Ver.) (Limited Edition Track)


WILL is Aoyama Thelma's 3rd album & it was released on 15th June & this comes about
about 2 years since the release of previous album Emotions .

3 singles & 1 B-side are included in WILL . Aoyama's 9th single Kaeru Basho (The Place We'll Return To) is excluded from the tracklist .

Inclusive of 2 bonus tracks which're only available in the CD limited pressing of WILL , Aoyama presents 9 new album tracks in her latest album offering .

Fighting Soldier is the 1st track that kick things off & I like this no. which's packed full of punch .

It's not full blown upbeat but this's something good to start WILL in the right music direction .

The next 3 songs are singles that Aoyama has already before she released WILL .

Zutto. (Much.) is Aoyama's 12th single & this's her 1st wedding song that she released . Aoyama wrote Zutto. for her close friend Kinoshita Yukina's wedding .

The lyrics for Zutto. were rewritten 5 times & Aoyama worked on the song for three months in order to give Kinoshita the perfect wedding gift on her wedding .

I still feel Zutto. is 1 of her most sincere songs to date since something like this , is priceless & it was very thoughtful of Aoyama to decide to give such an intangible gift to her close friend .

Aoyama could have given a physically gift but making a song like Zutto. & dedicating to Kinoshita , now that's something $ cannot buy at all .

WITHOUT U Feat 4Minute is Aoyama's 13th single & this's the most recent release prior to the release of WILL while LET'S PARTY ! is the 1st A-side of her 11th single LET'S PARTY ! / 23 .

I think it's quite fitting to slot both WITHOUT U & LET'S PARTY ! together side by side & they play a good contrast , since WITHOUT U is a slow mid tempo ballad while LET'S PARTY is upbeat .

The next 5 songs are album tracks , starting with Hitori ni Shinaide (Do Not Be Alone) which's actually a pretty nice mid tempo R&B track that flows well after LET's PARTY .

With a song title like GOODBYE , I frankly was expecting another ballad but I was surprised when I found out it's actually quite an upbeat no. that has some pretty nice guitar riffs that complimented things .

Likewise for CRAZY CRAZY LOVE , Aoyama takes on a more guitar pop feeling with this song & I wouldn't deny that I find this really catchy & a bit different from what Aoyama usually does .

Let alone the song's catchy & it does stuck in my head after a few listens with regards to CRAZY CRAZY LOVE .

I also like the next album track STRONGER THAN EVER as well & I find STRONGER THAN EVER very inspiring & enpowering & I consider this as 1 of my fave tracks in WILL .

After STRONGER THAN EVER , in comes another new song titled I'm All Yours . Just like the previous album tracks , it has quite a heavy guitar backing attached to the song .

I would prefer I'm All Yours to be a bit longer as I feel it's somewhat a bit short & for it to end adruptly , I didn't see that coming but I wouldn't deny that I'm All Yours is another good track that Aoyama delivered .

23 is the 2nd A-side of Aoyama's 11th single LET'S PARTY ! / 23 & I remembered when this single was released , I wrote that I preferred 23 a lot more than LET'S PARTY ! & up to now , my opinions towards 23 has not changed .

Fallen Angel is found as the 1st B-side track in Aoyama's 13th single WITHOUT U in which the other B-side my sweetest sin is not included in WILL .

I really like both B-sides that're found in WITHOUT U but nonetheless , I was happy to see Fallen Angel making the cut in WILL because I actually like this song slightly a bit more than my sweetest sin .

Also , Fallen Angel plays such a good contast against the ballad WITHOUT U which's nice .

The next 3 songs are the last few album tracks in WILL .

ONE LOVE , ONE HEART , ONE DESTINY is the only collaboration song found in the album & for this , it features the vocals of SUPER CRISS's FIRE BALL .

I really enjoy listening to ONE LOVE , ONE HEART , ONE DESTINY & I feel FIRE BALL & Aoyama's vocals go very well together hand in hand . Also I realised that ONE LOVE , ONE HEART , ONE DESTINY has quite a very distinct sound as compared to the other albums tracks found in WILL .

In general , I like Aoyama's collaborations that she has done with other artistes & ONE LOVE , ONE HEART , ONE DESTINY is no exception & lyrically , it has a very positive feeling attached to it which I like .

Uso Demo Ii Kara (I Wish I Could Lie) is a ballad & for this , it's a very simple & under-stated no. that has the backing of a piano .

What I like about Uso Demo Ii Kara is that the song allows Aoyama's vocals to do most of the work here & she doesn't need any fanciful autotune or other special music effects to make a song good in her favour .

The last album track concidentally shares the same title as the album , WILL . Just like the other album tracks , WILL has this very positive great sounding vibes & lyrically , it's very encouraging & inspirational .

WILL is quite similiar to GOODBYE & I'm All Yours since all the songs employ a much heavier acoustic guitar backing & the R&B emphasis is not as strong as the other album tracks found in the album .

The last 2 songs are found as bonus tracks which're included in the CD only limited pressing of WILL .

The Wedding Acoustic Ver of Aoyama's Zutto. is as suggested , a very pretty acoustic version of the original take of Zutto. . I don't really have issues with acoustic songs because I really like them as it showcase a different music side of an artiste .

In this case , be it whether it's the original or wedding acoustic versions of Zutto. , I like both of them equally since in recent times , Zutto. has become 1 of my fave Aoyama's singles .

The English Ver. of Aoyama's 13th single WITHOUT U was originally found as the 1st track in LOVE STORY EP , which was released on 6th May as a special Asian Album release .

Aoyama's fluent in English so it's not surprising that she did a good job singing WITHOUT U in full English which's the only difference between this version & the original take , language wise .

Korean girlgroup 4Minute is featured in both takes of the song & they also sang/rap in English in here as well .

After close to 21 months since the release of her 2nd album Emotions , Aoyama Thelma bounced back with this really enjoyable solid follow up in the form of WILL .

Frankly , I was surprised at the quality of the album tracks found in her latest album because I thought she wasn't able to top things up after what she did with Emotions which was fantastic to boot but she managed to pull a few surprises here & there in WILL .

It's unfortunate that in recent times , her selling power has diminished a great deal especially since she was at the top of her music selling peak when she 1st debuted in the scene some 4 years ago but regardless of which , this's something secondary & I'm still glad that despite what has happened to her , she still solidered on & continues to make great music .

WILL is evident in this case and Aoyama has come of age & maturity in releasing such an enjoyable R&B album to listen to .

Definitely an album worth checking out for in 2011 .



Friday, June 17, 2011

KinKi Kids - Time

CD



CD + DVD




Time is KinKi Kids's 31st single & it was released 2 days ago on 15th June & this's the duo's 1st release to get released in a CD + DVD edition .

KinKi Kids's latest single offering was selected to be used as the image song for the game Dynasty Warriors 7 & it has been described as an epic mid-tempo number featuring a blend of electronic & strings-produced sounds .

I was stoked when I saw the writing/composing credits for Time because U-Key zone is in charge of things & he's the same person who has produced works for Kuroki Meisa .

Naturally or not , Time is extremely different from KinKi Kids's past works , which gives raise to this unique & refreshing track .

Time is obviously very different as compared to their last single Family ~Hitotsu ni Narukoto~ (~The Thing That Becomes One~) but I have to say it's a bold risky music move that paid off very well .

The B-side tracks are all only found in the CD only pressing of the single .

Both Haiiro no Hana (Grey Flower) & Kimi to Boku no Uta (You And Me Song) are ballads which play a good contrast against the experimental Time .

Haiiro no Hana is slightly more depressing sounding but something about Kimi to Boku no Uta gives off nothing but positive affirmation & Kimi to Boku no Uta can be seen/heard like the distinct cousin of Family ~Hitotsu ni Narukoto~ .

After being in the business for close to 14 years , KinKi Kids prove why they still have a long staying power in the Johnny's talent agency & I am satisfied with what they have brought to the music table in the form of Time .

I haven't heard many of their songs that have this experimental music route but hopefully their future releases will be more of such things as I appericate it whenever an artiste take risks & experiment with their music , be it whether the final result is good or bad .

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

CD Review :: Ken Hirai - JAPANESE SINGER

CD



CD + DVD A ; DVD material contains footages taken from Ken's Ken Hirai 15th Anniversary Special!! Vol.4 concert which was held at Kyocera Dome Osaka



CD + DVD B ; DVD material contains music videos of the 5 singles included in the album



1) Sing Forever
2) Itoshiki Hibi yo (Oh Endearing Days)
3) CANDY
4) Onegai (Please) Jury☆
5) Boku wa Kimi ni Koi wo Suru (I Fall In Love With You)
6) Sayonara (Goodbye) ・My Love
7) R&B
8) Girls 3x
9) Aishiteru (I Love You)
10) BLIND
11) Miss Summertime
12) Yume no Mukou de (The Other Side Of Dreams)
13) Anata to (With You)


JAPANESE SINGER is Ken Hirai's 8th album & it was released on 8th June .

Ken's last album release was 2008's FAKIN POP & in JAPANESE SINGER , it contains 5 singles & 8 new songs .

On the jacket cover , Ken is holding a red ball . According to him , it expresses the symbol of many important things , such as Japan , Earth , the heart .

The 1st 3 songs in the tracklist are singles that Ken has already released prior to JAPANESE SINGER .

Sing Forever is Ken's 32nd single & it was released as a celebration of his 15th anniversary as an artist last year .

I think it's nice to kick things off with Sing Forever as this's a song that I'm still not bored with up to now , with it being a simple straightforward soulful track .

Itoshiki Hibi yo (Beautiful Days) is Ken's 34th single & it was used as the theme song for the 2nd season of the TBS drama JIN .

This's Ken's latest single release before he released JAPANESE SINGER & I can't help but feel so in awe when Ken belts out such a power ballad as I still feel ballads is his forte after being in the business for so long .

CANDY is Ken's 30th single & out of the 5 singles that made the cut in the album , this has to be my least fave .

Even though CANDY was released close to 2 years back , there's just something about CANDY I don't like even up to now , as it feels as though Ken is not comfortable in trying such a bold daring style .

Onegai (Please) Jury☆ is the 1st new song & this's some groovy stuff Ken has come up with ! I feel this's probably 1 of my fave album tracks as it's just a very catchy memorable tune & I definitely like it on 1st listen .

Also , what I like about Onegai Jury☆ is that it's 1 of those songs that puts people in a very dancey happy mood too & I definitely can see this song being played in a swinging bar .

Boku wa Kimi ni Koi wo Suru (I Fall In Love With You) is Ken's 31st single & it was used as the theme song for the movie Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu starring Inoue Mao .

Out of the 5 singles included in JAPANESE SINGER , Boku wa Kimi ni Koi wo Suru is Ken's most successful single , in terms of sales & charting power & it's easy to see why so .

Boku wa Kimi ni Koi wo Suru is an enduring ballad & the lyrical content is really touching/emotional . It's not as heartfelt/depressing unlike Itoshiki Hibi yo but still this does nicely for Ken & it also fits the movie theme concept for Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu very well .

Sayonara (Goodbye) ・My Love is the 2nd album track & this's quite a good mid tempo tune .

The prominent issue going on for Sayonara ・My Love is the melody which's a simple fuss free soulful tune & Ken's vocals easily transforms an understated song into something memorable .

R&B & Girls 3x are the next 2 album tracks . These 2 songs frankly are somewhat the odd ones out in JAPANESE SINGER due to the fact that they're pretty experimental if not randomly slotted/allocated in the tracklist .

I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing . On 1 hand , I give Ken credit for doing something different from what he usually does but long time fans of him probably will give both songs a thumbs down for being too different & they might prefer him to stick to what he does best .

Aishiteru (I Love You) is Ken's 33rd single & it was used as the theme song for the film Ghost Mou Ichido Dakishimetai , which is a Japanese remake of the 1990 American film Ghost .

This is the last single included in the album & there's just something haunting/charming about Aishiteru . It's not as emotional driven as Itoshiki Hibi yo but still this's something I don't mind to listen to .

The last 4 songs are the last 4 album tracks before JAPANESE SINGER wraps up .

BLIND is quite an interesting song . I wasn't sure what to expect but it's somewhat quite memorable & catchy with such a lush piano driven melody to boot .

Miss Summertime follows after BLIND & I feel Miss Summertime is 1 of my fave tracks in JAPANESE SINGER as it's a hot track .

Not as heavy upfront upbeat as CANDY & fake star but still , there's something about Miss Summertime that I like & I even can detect a little bit of Carribean sounds in here which's cool .

The final 2 songs on JAPANESE SINGER are ballads .

Yume no Mukou de (The Other Side Of The Dream) is the only album track that gets a music video & it was used as the theme song for the movie Hoshi Mamoru Inu which starred Nishida Toshiyuki .

I find Yume no Mukou de a sweet sincere mid tempo R&B ballad . It's not as depressing sounding as Ken's other ballads but in Yume no Mukou de , it feels quite uplifting & inspiring & I can understand why it gets a music video as it deserves so .

Anata to (With You) is the last song in the album & just like Yume no Mukou de , it's a ballad .

Except in this case , Anata to takes on a more fuss free back to basics route in the sense that it's simply just Ken being backed up musically with a simple under-stated piano melody .

I didn't like Anata to at 1st but I appericate the simplicity state Ken gives in here , which I feel it's nice to conclude JAPANESE SINGER with such a music style .

After being in the business for close to 16 years , Ken Hirai is still 1 of the most respected & dedicated R&B male solo artistes in the JPop world & I guess it's evident in JAPANESE SINGER .

Ken takes his time to release a new album each time it happens since his last album FAKIN' POP was released 3 years back .

To me , I feel JAPANESE SINGER is much more musicially versatile since there were less album tracks available in FAKIN' POP . Some of the tracks in JAPANESE SINGER are pretty experimental but I have to give credit to Ken for trying his best to stay true to himself as much as possible in this cutting throat fickle minded music world .

I've been a fan of Ken's music for close to 5 years now & I'm glad he's still around in making/releasing simple old school R&B soulful tunes which's what he does best at the end of the day .

Saturday, June 11, 2011

BENI - Suki Dakara. (I Like.)



1) Suki Dakara. (I Like.)
2) One In A Million
3) Suki Dakara. (I Like.) (Instrumental)
4) One In A Million (Instrumental)



Suki Dakara. (I Like.) is BENI's 11th single & it was released a few days ago on 8th June .

This's BENI's 1st release for 2011 & it has been described as a new chapter for BENI in that Suki Dakara. is much more pop than her usual works .

Suki Dakara. tells the story of a love that one simply can't give up , despite how much one gets hurt in the process .

Well I really like Suki Dakara. on 1st listen . It's definitely a bit different from what BENI used to do & after a somewhat music slump period she had a while back ago , it's great that she has bounced back with this rather strong memorable R&B mid tempo ballad .

The B-side One In A Million is also another fine sounding R&B track & in here , it sounds a bit like Sign's Gon' luv u .

Not that I'm complaining since I really like Gon' luv u but what I like about One In A Million is that it's able to contrast Suki Dakara. pretty well .

BENI returns back to the music scene with her 1st release for the year with this pretty solid comeback , Suki Dakara. . I frankly feel she's really talented & offers something different from other R&B artistes in the market & something like Suki Dakara. is evident .

Memorable songs with soulful distinct vocals , it doesn't get any better for BENI than this .



Friday, June 10, 2011

Kanjani∞ - 365 Nichi Kazoku (Days Family)

CD



CD + DVD




365 Nichi Kazoku (Days Family) is Kanjani∞'s 18th single & it was released a few days ago on 8th June .

The last of 3 back to back months single releases , 365 Nichi Kazoku is currently being used to promote the drama Umareru , starring Okura Tadayoshi .

Like the group's previous single My Home , 365 Nichi Kazoku is an ode to family . Unlike My Home , 365 Nichi Kazoku takes on a much more sombre serious tone , something that's absent in My Home .

365 Nichi Kazoku is notably much longer than the group's previous single too . Still , this shouldn't stop listeners to enjoy 365 Nichi Kazoku & I really like it when an artiste experiments & showcase different music sides of themself .

Kanjani∞ is known for their crazy over the top songs but something like 365 Nichi Kazoku is great to showcase this serious sombre side of the band .

There're 3 B-sides in total that're found in the single . The 1st one is something called Train in the rain .

Train in the rain is 1 fine B-side . I love it the moment I listened to it & the song plays such a great contrast against the somewhat moody sounding A-side .

It's 1 of those songs that will put anyone in a good mood , with Train in the rain having a rather energetic sounding pop/rock sound attached to it .

The next 2 B-sides are only included in the CD pressing of the single .

9 Gōsha 2 Ban A Seki (9 A Second Car Seat) is sung by Subaru Shibutani & Ryo Nishikido . Both of them cowrote & coarranged the song together while Ryo composed the tune .

After 2 duo B-sides that're found in My Home , in comes 9 Gōsha 2 Ban A Seki & it's another B-side that I really enjoy .

In fact , prior to getting the chance to hear 9 Gōsha 2 Ban A Seki , I was already excited because Subaru & Ryo are unofficially considered to be the 2 main lead vocalists in Kanjani∞ & with Subaru having possibly 1 of the best voices in the group , his vocals pretty much shine a great deal in here .

Both of them compliment each other very well in 9 Gōsha 2 Ban A Seki , which's such a nice inspirational mid tempo tune & I also appericate the personal input that both guys incorporated in 9 Gōsha 2 Ban A Seki too

Eightopop !!!!!!! is the last B-side & in here , everyone in Kanjani∞ sang the song together .

Wow , on 1st listen , I can't help but realised that Eightopop !!!!!!! sounds exactly the same as Shota Yasuda's solo TOPOP , which's found in the disc 2 of the group's 4th Album 8UPPERS (Pacchi Uppers) .

In fact when I compare & listen to both TOPOP & Eightopop !!!!!!! , they sound pretty much sound the same , from the melody & also the way that the songs were delivered as well .

I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing but Eightopop !!!!!!! is such a fun song which's pretty much perfect to conclude things in 365 Nichi Kazoku .

Eightopop !!!!!!! is not as crazy over the top as the group's other songs in their discography but this does nicely .

Kanjani∞'s 3 months back to back single release finally ended with 365 Nichi Kazoku . I must say for the 3 singles that were released from April to this month , each of them are top notch & there's something for everyone to enjoy .

I feel that Kanjani∞ is 1 of the most under-rated if not talented Johnny's in the talent agency & I think it's great that with this 3 months back to back single release project , it allows them to showcase the many different music sides of themselves & it's good to see that they have paid their dues to get to where they're at now .

Saturday, June 04, 2011

B'z - Don't Wanna Lie

Cover for both CD & CD + DVD's editions



1) Don't Wanna Lie
2) Homebound


Don't Wanna Lie is B'z's 49th single & it was released a few days ago on 1st June .

The duo's latest release comes in less than 2 months + after the release of Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo (Goodbye , The Days Of Wounds) .

Don't Wanna Lie serves as the theme song for the new Detective Conan movie Detective Conan : Quarter of Silence & the A-side is an upbeat medium-tempo tune .

Compared to Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo , Don't Wanna Lie takes on a more cheery upbeat mood which's such a refreshing change after B'z delivered quite a lot of angst for Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo .

As a result , Don't Wanna Lie is 1 of those songs that makes a person feel good about 1 self & it's also classic B'z at the end of the day with lead singer Koshi's soulful distinct voice & guitarist Tak's guitar showmanship .

The B-side Homebound serves as the ending theme song for TBS's nationwide television series NEWS 23X & it's described to be a grand ballad number .

Homebound plays a very nice contrast against Don't Wanna Lie . It's not as emotionally sounding as MAGIC's PRAY but still , Homebound is some good stuff that I enjoy listening to , if I want to unwind after a long day .

B'z shows no signs of slowing down at the rate they're releasing material after a year hiatus they took to pursue their own projects & both Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo & Don't Wanna Lie are evident proofs that they still have the power to stay relevant & at the top of their game after being in the business for so long .

It reminds to be seen what will their next move but I do hope they will release another new single since their next release will be their 50th single release in total so hopefully they will do something great & go all out with it !


Thursday, June 02, 2011

YUI - HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~'s B-sides




The following songs serve as B-sides in YUI's 19th single HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ which was released yesterday on 1st June :

- YOU
- It's My Life ~YUI Acoustic Version~

HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ was selected to be used as the opening theme song for the movie Paradise Kiss .

YUI is a huge fan of Yazawa Ai's Paradise Kiss manga . She commented , "The melody came to my mind easily . They are songs that are full of hope"

While HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ is used as the opening no. , in the case for the 1st B-side YOU , it's being used as the ending theme song for Paradise Kiss .

YOU is a very nice song & compliments/contrasts HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ . To me , I feel YOU sounds like a mixture/combination of YUI's past songs such as Tomorrow's way , Please Stay With Me & most recently Your Heaven .

I like all the 3 songs that I singled out & I feel YUI combined certain elements from these 3 songs which give rise to YOU which's very calming & soulful .

The ~YUI Acoustic Version~ of It's My Life is the 2nd B-side & like all of YUI's past B-sides , she always has the tendency to acoustic-fy past single releases & this time round , It's My Life got the treatment & not Your Heaven .

I was a bit scared off by It's My Life as it's something different coming from YUI but the acoustic version works well . I always like such simple under-stated touches that YUI brings to the acoustic takes of her songs & in this case , It's My Life ~YUI Acoustic Version~ is no exception .

YUI has been on a music roll lately after releasing her 2nd single release of 2011 , HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ & it doesn't seem she will be slowing down anytime soon .

There're rumours going on she will release her 20th single on 10th Aug . If so , I sure hope it's true & maybe YUI might be planning to do something special , since after all a 20th single release is kind of a momentum occasion but for now , it looks like HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ will not be leaving my mp3player anytime soon .




Blog Personnel









Karen Pang

# 10th Jan

# #1 BREAKERZ fan in Singapore since 2008 debut single ♥

# My music blog consists of JPop/Rock singles & albums reviews that I put my heart , efforts & soul into writing them as I'm disgusted with the way that JPop/Rock music is being treated/written/reviewed in Singapore so to the local media (yes you TEENS , Teenage Magazine & The Strait Times) , screw you all . I basically can write better JPop/Rock reviews , period

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Upcoming New JPop/JRock Releases

# L'Arc-en-Ciel's 30th L'Anniversary LIVE DVD + Blu-ray , 270324 , Wed

# Saito Kazuyoshi's KAZUYOSHI SAITO 30th Anniversary Live 1993-2023 30 DVD + Blu-ray , 270324 , Wed

# B'z's B’z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2023 -STARS- DVD + Blu-ray , 030424 , Wed

# Ichi no Mori Daigo's debut solo single Ichi no Mori Daigo Desu / Modotte Okure , 100424 , Wed

# Koda Kumi's 19th album UNICORN , 170424 , Wed

# GRANRODEO's guitarist's e-ZUKA debut solo album LET’S GET STARTED , 240424 , Wed

# Hilcrhyme's BEST 15 2009-2013 -The Beginning & Flying- , 290524

# GRANRODEO's vocalist's KISHOW debut solo album title tbc , July 2024

# BREAKERZ's 8th album title tbc , July 2024

# GRANRODEO's 35th single title tbc , Sept 2024





Album Reviews


# SPYAIR - Orange EP

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - PULL UP!

# NEWS - NEWS EXPO

# Shota Shimizu - Insomnia

# ayaka - Funtale

# NEWS - Ongaku -2nd Movement- EP

# KAT-TUN - Fantasia

# ayumi hamasaki - Remember you

# Hilcrhyme - SELFISH

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - FILMUSIC!

# NEWS - Ongaku

# B'z - Highway X

# Mika Nakashima - I

# KAT-TUN - Honey

# SID - Umibe

# flumpool - A Spring Breath

# GRANRODEO - Question

# Koda Kumi - heart

# ayaka - LOVE CIRCLE

# Aoyama Thelma - Scorpion Moon

# Hilcrhyme - FRONTIER

# V6 - STEP

# BREAKERZ - WITH YOU

# Shota Shimizu - HOPE

# Domoto Koichi - PLAYFUL

# Ken Hirai - Anata ni Narita Katta

# SPYAIR - UNITE

# GRANRODEO - Bokutachi no Gunzo EP

# YUI - NATURAL EP

# Fukuyama Masaharu - AKIRA

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - Fab! -Music speaks.-

# Koda Kumi - angeL + monsteR [MY NAME IS...] EPs

# ARASHI - This is ARASHI

# Shota Shimizu - period EP

# JASMINE - S EP

# Beni Daniels - MADE IN LOVE EP

# Mika Nakashima - JOKER

# BENI - Y/our Song EP

# Hilcrhyme - THE MC

# JASMINE - M EP

# AKi - Collapsed Land

# Kis-My-Ft2 - To-y2

# flumpool - Real

# FLOWER FLOWER - Target

# NEWS - STORY

# Koda Kumi - re(CORD)

# JASMINE - JASMINE2.0 EP

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - PARADE

# Kanon Wakeshima - odd sting & intrigue EP

# SID - Shonin Yokkyu

# KAT-TUN - IGNITE

# B'z - NEW LOVE

# GRANRODEO - FAB LOVE

# Kis-My-Ft2 - FREE HUGS!

# Matsushita Yuya - BLACK NEVERLAND

# NEWS - WORLDISTA

# Hilcrhyme - Hilcrhyme

# Yamashita Tomohisa - UNLEASHED

# BENI - CINEMATIC

# ayaka - 30 y/o

# GRANRODEO - M・S COWBOY no Gyakushuu EP

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - SENSE or LOVE

# Koda Kumi - DNA

# Shota Shimizu - WHITE

# SID - Ichiban Sukina Basho EP

# Aoyama Thelma - HIGHSCHOOL GAL

# ayumi hamasaki - TROUBLE EP

# Hilcrhyme - One Man EP

# Kis-My-Ft2 - Yummy!!

# NEWS - EPCOTIA

# FLOWER FLOWER - Spotlight

# Koda Kumi - AND

# B'z - DINOSAUR

# ARASHI - 「untitled」

# BREAKERZ - X

# Aoyama Thelmas - 10TH DIARY

# SPYAIR - KINGDOM

# SID - NOMAD

# V6 - The ONES

# Shota Shimizu - FLY

# Ken Hirai - Utabaka Dake ni.

# Acid Black Cherry - Acid BLOOD Cherry

# Kis-My-Ft2 - MUSIC COLOSSEUM

# Mika Nakashima - TOUGH

# NEWS - NEVERLAND

# Koda Kumi - W FACE ~inside~ & W FACE ~outside~

# GRANRODEO - Karma to Labyrinth

# GRANRODEO - Pierrot Dancin'

# Hilcrhyme - SIDE BY SIDE

# Kanon Wakeshima - luminescence Q.E.D

# ARASHI - Are You Happy?

# Mao from SID - Maison de M EP

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - DEAR.

# Ken Hirai - THE STILL LIFE

# BENI - Shiki Uta summer

# Kis-My-Ft2 - I SCREAM

# ayumi hamasaki - M(A)DE IN JAPAN

# MUSCLE ATTACK - HERCULES ROAD

# Aoyama Thelma - PINK TEARS EP

# Shota Shimizu - PROUD

# flumpool - EGG

# NEWS - QUARTETTO

# AKi - EPHEMERAL EP

# BENI - Undress

# SPYAIR - 4

# ARASHI - Japonism

# Aoyama Thelma - GRAY SMOKE EP

# ayumi hamasaki - sixxxxxx EP

# BREAKERZ - 0-ZERO-

# Domoto Koichi - Spiral

# Kis-My-Ft2 - KIS-MY-WORLD

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - JUMPing CAR

# Namie Amuro - _genic

# ayaka - Rainbow Road

# THE TURTLES JAPAN - ELECTRONIC HUMANITY

# ayumi hamasaki - A ONE

# Hilcrhyme - REVIVAL

# MUSCLE ATTACK - ATTACK

# Koda Kumi - WALK OF MY LIFE

# B'z - EPIC DAY

# Acid Black Cherry - L

# Kanon Wakeshima - Tsukinami

# NEWS - White

# FLOWER FLOWER - Shiki EP

# AKi - ARISE

# FLOWER FLOWER - Mi

# ARASHI - THE DIGITALIAN

# Anna Tsuchiya - LUCIFER EP

# Yamashita Tomohisa - YOU

# Aoyama Thelma - Lonely Angel

# Yamashita Tomohisa - Asobi EP

# Kis-My-Ft2 - Kis-My-Journey

# ayumi hamasaki - Colours

# KAT-TUN - come Here

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - smart

# Fukuyama Masaharu - HUMAN

# Miliyah Kato x Shota Shimizu - THE BEST

# JASMINE - Welcome to Jas Vegas

# SID - OUTSIDER

# Shota Shimizu - ENCORE

# Hilcrhyme - FIVE ZERO ONE

# DAIGO - DAIGOLD

# Koda Kumi - Bon Voyage

# Tegomass - Tegomass no Seishun

# MUSCLE ATTACK - MUSCLE

# KAT-TUN - Kusabi -kusabi- EP

# ARASHI - LOVE

# Yamashita Tomohisa - A NUDE

# Matsushita Yuya - #musicoverdose

# JASMINE - Complexxx

# SPYAIR - MILLION

# BENI - Red

# ON/OFF - DICE EP

# NEWS - NEWS

# Namie Amuro - FEEL

# AKIHIDE - Amber

# Kis-My-Ft2 - Good Ikuze !

# girl next door - Life of Sound

# V6 - Oh ! My ! Goodness !

# ayumi hamasaki - LOVE again

# Mika Nakashima - REAL

# flumpool - experience

# ayumi hamasaki - again EP

# Hilcrhyme - LIKE A NOVEL

# ayumi hamasaki - LOVE EP

# ARASHI - Popcorn

# Domoto Koichi - Gravity

# SPYAIR - Just Do It

# SID - M&W

# Yamashita Tomohisa - Ero

# Namie Amuro - Uncontrolled

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - JUMP WORLD

# Kis-My-Ft2 - Kis-My-1st

# Acid Black Cherry - 『2012』

# Shota Shimizu - Naturally

# ayumi hamasaki - Party Queen

# Matsushita Yuya - 2U

# KAT-TUN - CHAIN

# Kuroki Meisa - UNLOCKED

# L'Arc~en~Ciel - BUTTERFLY

# ayaka - The beginning

# Koda Kumi - JAPONESQUE

# Kuriyama Chiaki - CIRCUS Deluxe Edition

# girl next door - Agaruneku !

# Hilcrhyme - RISING

# ON/OFF - Legend Of Twins II -Zoku Futago Densetsu-

# BENI - Fortune

# YUI - HOW CRAZY YOUR LOVE

# Saito Kazuyoshi - 45 STONES

# Tegomass - Tegomass no Mahou

# SPYAIR - Rockin' the World

# BREAKERZ - GO

# ayumi hamasaki - FIVE EP

# B'z - C'mon

# School Food Punishment - Prog-Roid

# ARASHI - Beautiful World

# Aoyama Thelma - WILL

# Ken Hirai - JAPANESE SINGER

# GIRL NEXT DOOR - Destination

# Tackey & Tsubasa - TRIP & TREASURE EP

# Shota Shimizu - COLORS

# Koda Kumi - Dejavu

# SID - dead stock

# flumpool - Fantasia of Life Stripe

# Yamashita Tomohisa - SUPERGOOD , SUPERBAD

# Kuroki Meisa - MAGAZINE

# ayumi hamasaki - Love songs

# BENI - Jewel

# Hilcrhyme - MESSAGE

# Saito Kazuyoshi - ARE YOU READY ?

# Mika Nakashima - STAR

# Kanjani∞ - 8UPPERS (Pacchi Uppers)

# GLAY - GLAY

# Anna Tsuchiya - RULE

# NEWS - LIVE

# JASMINE - GOLD

# Domoto Koichi - BPM

# Aoyama Thelma - LOVE ! 2

# Hilcrhyme - Recital

# ARASHI - Boku no Miteiru Fukei

# Kanon Wakeshima - Shoujo Shikake no Libretto ~LOLITAWORK LIBRETTO~

# YUI - HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - JUMP NO.1

# KAT-TUN - NO MORE PAIИ

# BENI - Lovebox

# Matsushita Yuya - I AM ME

# Acid Black Cherry - Q.E.D.

# Acid Black Cherry - BLACK LIST

# school food punishment - amp-reflection

# Tegomass - Tegomass no Ai EP

# BREAKERZ - B.R.Z ACOUSTIC EP

# ayumi hamasaki - Rock'n'Roll Circus

# V6 - READY ?

# DAIGO☆STARDUST - HELLO CRAZY GENTLEMAN

# DAIGO☆STARDUST - The space toy

# Shota Shimizu - Journey

# Koda Kumi - UNIVERSE

# NEVER LAND - Beautiful Days EP

# abingdon boys school - ABINGDON ROAD

# BENI - Bitter & Sweet

# GIRL NEXT DOOR - NEXT FUTURE

# LANDS - Olympos EP

# flumpool - What's flumpool !?

# Kuroki Meisa - ATTITUDE EP

# Yusuke - Ano .. Konnan Dekimashita Kedo.

# KinKi Kids - J album

# Namie Amuro - PAST < FUTURE

# BREAKERZ - FIGHTERZ

# alan - my life

# LOVE - LOVE.IT EP

# B'z - MAGIC

# Dew - PRESENT

# Saito Kazuyoshi - Tsuki ga Noboreba

# Aoyama Thelma - Emotions

# SID - hikari

# Kobukuro - CALLING

# Domoto Koichi - mirror

# Tegomass - Tegomass no Uta

# ON / OFF - Legend Of Twins I -Futago Densetsu-

# Fukuyama Masaharu - Zankyou

# Kanon Wakeshima - Shinshoku Dolce

# GReeeeN - Shio , Koshou -SALT & PEPPER-

# flumpool - Unreal EP

# Yuna Ito - DREAM

# Kanjani∞ - PUZZLE

# KAT-TUN - Break the Records -by you & for you-

# Kuroki Meisa - hellcat EP

# Kanjani∞ - KJ2 Zukkoke Daidassou

# ayumi hamasaki - NEXT LEVEL

# Utada Hikaru - DEEP RIVER

# Utada - This Is The One

# Kanjani∞ - KJ1 F·T·O

# ARASHI - Dream"A"Live

# Kanjani∞ - Kansha ni Eight EP

# alan - Voice of EARTH

# Aoyama Thelma - LOVE !

# Koda Kumi - TRICK

# Aoyama Thelma - DIARY

# YUI - I LOVED YESTERDAY

# YUI - CAN'T BUY MY LOVE

# BREAKERZ - BREAKERZ

# GIRL NEXT DOOR - GIRL NEXT DOOR

# GReeeeN - A , Domo. Ohisashiburi Desu

# YUI - FROM ME TO YOU

# GReeeeN - A , Domo. Hajimemashite

# BREAKERZ - CRASH & BUILD

# ai otsuka - LOVE LETTER

# Mika Nakashima - VOICE

# BREAKERZ - BIG BANG !

# NEWS - color

# Anna Tsuchiya - NUDY SHOW !

# Soundtrack Of High School Musical 3 : Senior Year

# L'Arc~en~Ciel - KISS

# BREAKERZ - Ao no Mirai EP

# ai otsuka - LOVE PUNCH

# ai otsuka - LOVE COOK

# ai otsuka - LOVE JAM

# KAT-TUN - cartoon KAT-TUN II You

# OLIVIA - Trinka Trinka EP

# NEWS - touch

# NEWS - pacific

# ARASHI - Iza , Now

# ARASHI - One

# NANA Triple Billing

# OLIVIA - The Cloudy Dreamer EP

# Anna Tsuchiya - strip me ?

# ARASHI - ARASHIC

# KAT-TUN - Best of KAT-TUN

# Anna Tsuchiya - Taste My Beat EP

# ARASHI - Time

# Electrico - We Satellites

# ayaka - Sing to the Sky

# ayaka - First Message

# KAT-TUN - KAT-TUN III -QUEEN OF PIRATES-

# Koda Kumi - BEST ~BOUNCE & LOVERS~

# Jesse McCartney - Departure

# The Veronicas - Hook Me Up

# Ken Hirai - LIFE is ...

# Ashlee Simpson - Bittersweet World

# Ken Hirai - gaining through losing

# Yuna Ito - HEART

# Utada Hikaru - HEART STATION

# Ken Hirai - FAKIN' POP

#
Yuna Ito - WISH

# Ken Hirai - SENTIMENTALovers

# Koda Kumi - Kingdom

# ayumi hamasaki - GUILTY

# ai otsuka - LOVE PiECE

# abingdon boys school - abingdon boys school

# ayumi hamasaki - I am ...

# ayumi hamasaki - RAINBOW

# The Great Spy Experiment - Flower Show Riots

# Koda Kumi - BEST ~second session~

# The Click Five - Modern Minds And Pastimes

# Soundtrack Of High School Musical 2

# Koda Kumi - Black Cherry

# Namie Amuro - PLAY

# Maroon 5 - It Wouldn't Be Soon Before Long

# ayumi hamasaki - Memorial address EP

# NANA starring Mika Nakashima - THE END

# Mika Nakashima - YES

# Jamie Michael - People Watching

# ayumi hamasaki - A BEST 2 -BLACK- & A BEST 2 -WHITE-

# ayumi hamasaki - (miss)understood

# ayumi hamasaki - Duty & MY STORY

# Muse - Blackholes And Relevations

# Utada Hikaru - ULTRA BLUE

# ayumi hamasaki - Secret

# Utada - Exodus

# Vanessa Hudgens - V

# The Veronicas - The Secret Life Of The Veronicas

# Jesse McCartney - Right Where You Want Me

# Maksim - Electrik

# McFly - Motion In The Ocean


Other Posts Worth Checking Out


# Fave Songs Of 2010

# Fave Singles Releases Of 2010

# Fave Albums Releases Of 2010

# Fave Songs Of 2009

# Fave Singles Releases Of 2009

# Fave Albums Releases For 2009

# The Best Music Releases For The 1st 1/2 Of 2009

# Fave New Acts Of 2008

# Fave Songs Of 2008

# Fave Singles Of 2008

# Fave Albums Of 2008

# The 1st Song I Heard From My Future JPop Acts

# The Best & The Worst Music Releases For The 1st 1/2 Of 2008

# Fave Albums Of 2007

# The Click Five - The Band Behind The Band Documentary

# 987 Control Songlist Set

# Hot Review Of Maksim's Electrik

# Lu Yong Find My Shoes Journey

# Eric Dill Of The Click Five Got Punk'd !


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Credits

designer - Chronicles

imageeditor - adobephotoshop

music - radioblogclub

image - fortminorwebsite