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CD + DVD A
CD + DVD B
1) CHANGE !!
2) Shinpaishou na Kanojo
3) SUPER JOY 2014 (CD Only Track)
DAIGO's debut album DAIGOLD was released on 5th March . In CHANGE !! / Shinpaishou na Kanojo , all songs in the single were written & composed by DAIGO .
The 1st A-side CHANGE !! is a punk rock tune & it was picked to be used as the theme song for the live action version of Cardfight!! Vanguard the movie starring DAIGO himself .
Cardfight!! Vanguard the movie(s) have an anime & a live action versions in which both movies opened in Japanese cinemas on 13th Sept . In addition , CHANGE !! was also used as the official image song for Cardfight Vanguard!! . Song wise , CHANGE !! was arranged by BREAKERZ's guitarist SHINPEI .
In a recent interview , DAIGO mentioned that he actually wrote/composed CHANGE !! 2 years ago but at that time , he felt the song was not suitable for BREAKERZ to release it as a single .
Also , when DAIGO received the commission to provide the theme song for the live action version of Cardfight!! Vanguard the movie , he felt that CHANGE !! was suitable to be used to promote it & subsequently , the lyrics felt into place .
The 2nd A-side Shinpaishou na Kanojo is described as something that resembles J-pop from the 90's . Promo wise , Shinpaishou na Kanojo was picked to be used as the ending theme song for TBS's Hiruobi for this month .
CHANGE !! is a punk rock inspired number while Shinpaishou na Kanojo is a really cute pop song that contrasts things very well . Lyrically , Shinpaishou na Kanojo is an affectionate romance track which's charming .
SUPER JOY 2014 is only available in the CD only edition of the single & this is a newly recorded updated version of SUPER JOY which was originally released as DAIGO☆STARDUST's 6th single .
The original take of SUPER JOY was 1st released way back on 22nd Sept 2005 & it was the final single DAIGO☆STARDUST released in his discography .
I was ecstatic when I found out DAIGO chose to re-record SUPER JOY as this's 1 of my fave singles that he used to release when he was DAIGO☆STARDUST but what really surprised me was upon hearing SUPER JOY 2014 .
Both the original & re-recorded versions of the song sound completely different . SUPER JOY is a straight up no nonsense rock song while SUPER JOY 2014 has been transformed into a piano driven ballad .
I never would have thought DAIGO could have re-worked SUPER JOY into a ballad but the end result is just fantastic .
3rd time's the charm for DAIGO & once again with regards to the release of his latest single offering CHANGE !! / Shinpaishou na Kanojo , it's proof on why he deserves to have my respect/support after such a long time in BREAKERZ's fandom .
The release pattern for DAIGO's solo singles is quite similar to BREAKERZ but frankly , it's something I do not mind because all the while I always have loved the guys releasing double A-side singles as they generally have executed/nailed the main aspects well & the same thing goes for CHANGE !! / Shinpaishou na Kanojo which's pretty much an all rounder single that has something for everyone to enjoy .
It's hard to believe BREAKERZ have been on hiatus for almost 1 1/2 years now but I do hope that in 2015 , the guys will eventually reunite for good . If not , I will still continue to support each of their solo endeavours as much as I can . Until then , CHANGE !! / Shinpaishou na Kanojo is highly worth checking out .
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CD Limited
CD + DVD A
CD + DVD B
The group's 3rd album smart was released on 18th June . Weekender / Asu e no YELL is their 3rd double A-side single release & it's their 2nd back to back double A-side after AinoArika / Aisureba Motto Happy Life .
Videos were made for both Weekender & Asu e no YELL .
Weekender was picked to be used as the theme song for the drama Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo N(neo) starring members Yamada Ryosuke & Arioka Daiki while Asu e no YELL was used as the theme song for the drama Suikyu Yankees. starring members Nakajima Yuto & Takaki Yuya .
Both A-sides are equally good but given a choice , I prefer Weekender as it has a lot more character/attitude + I also enjoy the rapping portions of the song as well . And frankly , I don't mind the guys to rap as they sounds quite natural in doing so , especially when comes to Daiki + Hikaru .
Not that Asu e no YELL is bad though . Somehow , I can visualise this song to be used during their concerts as a form of a pep rally kind of number .
There're a total of 4 B-sides available in the single . Through the night & Rainbow Candy Girl are found in the CD only regular edition of Weekender / Asu e no YELL .
Between both B-sides , I prefer Through the night as it's more grown up sounding . That should have been included in smart as I thought it's quite a strong album worthy number . As for Rainbow Candy Girl , it's a cute song but it's not something I will consider as a fave B-side of Hey ! Say ! JUMP .
On the other hand , 2 B-sides are found in the CD only limited edition of Weekender / Asu e no YELL in which both songs are sung by the 2 sub units of the group .
Tada Mae e is sung by the younger sub unit Hey ! Say ! 7 while Suit Days was delivered by the older sub unit Hey ! Say ! BEST .
Oddly when I 1st heard Tada Mae e , I thought this was something that Tegomass could have sung themselves as it's quite their style but still it's a nice surprise for them to sing this rather mature sounding no. .
As for Suit Days , it's a fun peppy number that suits Hey ! Say ! BEST quite well . At least it doesn't sound cheesy so this's something I don't mind .
This summer , Hey ! Say ! JUMP delivers 2 drama theme songs with their latest double A-side single in the form of Weekender / Asu e no YELL .
It was quite a surprise for them to release another new single rather fast after they release their 3rd album smart , let alone for them to release 2 singles that're back to back double A-sides .
Still , Weekender / Asu e no YELL is quite a solid release overall & I said it before + I will say it again in that it has been really nice to have seen Hey ! Say ! JUMP mature & progress (be it musically & then some) as they put out each new release .
2014 has been quite a fruitful year for them & I don't know if they will release another new single before the year concludes but I will welcome it with open arms should that happens .
Til then , Weekender / Asu e no YELL is something worth checking out .
New songs indicated in bold :
1) SO FEVER
2) Cutie Honey
3) Butterly
4) Kimi Omoi
5) you
6) Koishikute
7) NEVER GIVE IT UP
Released last month on 20th Aug , FEVER KODA KUMI LEGEND LIVE was distributed during the release event of the campaign & only 400 copies were made that're not for sale .
FEVER KODA KUMI LEGEND LIVE includes 7 songs in which 3 of them are new tracks & videos were made to accompany the new material . At the moment , it's not known if the new material will be re-released separately as a future new Koda release or will they just be exclusively available in FEVER KODA KUMI LEGEND LIVE itself .
SO FEVER is the 1st new track of 3 songs + the video for the song has a sexual theme . Song wise , it bears quite a lot of music similarities to Koda's past exotic sounding tracks such as Shake It Up , Candy & JUICY .
As for the 2nd new song titled Kimi Omoi , the video is romance driven coupled with a Winter theme . It's not Winter yet but this mid tempo ballad track kinds of pick up from where Koda's last Winter inspired song Koishikute left behind .
Last but definitely not least , NEVER GIVE IT UP is the last new track available in the mini album + the video employs a comical theme . The song is fun & as the title suggests , NEVER GIVE IT UP is also quite empowering too .
I honestly don't know if this batch of new Koda Kumi songs will be re-released as her new single and/or be included in her next album but I really enjoyed each of the new tracks as they offer something for everyone to enjoy .
And each of the new songs have their own distinct unique identity which showcases how Koda is quite musically versatile when she tackled each different music genre rather seamlessly .
Cover of Aki
Cover of Natsu
Both songs were used to promote the movie Little Forest : Summer & Autumn that was released on the same day as both digital singles . The story is based on Daisuke Igarashi's manga Little Forest + last month's was the 1 of 2 movie releases with Little Forest : Winter & Spring set to be released next year on 14th Feb .
To fit the movie's seasonal concepts , FLOWER FLOWER was commissioned to write 4 songs for each chapter under the themes Summer , Autumn , Winter & Spring .
Aki & Natsu contrast each other quite well in that Aki is a very chilled out Autumn inspired no. while on the other hand , Natsu is a bit more mid tempo but the Summer influences could be still felt in the song .
I think it's interesting FLOWER FLOWER chose to undertake this project & I suppose this allows them to showcase the different types of style going on for the 4 songs .
On that note , the other 2 songs the band has contributed for Little Forest : Winter & Spring ie. Fuyu & Haru will be released digitally next year on Feb 14th , on the same day when the 2nd movie gets released .
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CD + DVD A
CD + DVD B
The group's last single release was Kimi ga Omoidasu Boku wa Kimi wo Aishiteiru Darou ka which was released a year ago .
The A-side was composed by DOHZI-T & it's described as a sentimental ballad song . Promo wise , it was picked to be used as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama Keishicho Sousa Ikka 9-gakari which member Inohara Yoshihiko made an appearance .
Namida no Ato ga Kieru Koro has a total of 3 B-sides in which all of them will not be reviewed . The titles of the B-sides are as follows :
- BEAT OF LIFE ; used as the ending theme song to V6's regular show Amazipang
- GOOD LIFE (CD Only Track)
- Bokutachi no Ashita (CD Only Track)
I like what DOHZI-T does , be it for himself or for other artistes so I know that V6 are in goods hands when comes to Namida no Ato ga Kieru Koro .
Namida no Ato ga Kieru Koro is a rather depressing ballad but V6 managed to make it not sounding like an over dramatic number . And DOHZI-T personal touches can be felt quite a lot in Namida no Ato ga Kieru Koro .
I would like to see V6 do a non ballad number for their next single release since they've already released 2 back to back ballads + it's not as though they do not sound good when comes to doing upbeat numbers .
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The duo's latest single offering comes in about 5 months + since the release of their previous single Boku no Soba ni wa Hoshi ga Aru / Viva Viva More .
Dakinatsu have 2 B-sides Seishun no Saki no Kibou & Kimishidai (CD Only Track) in which both songs will not be reviewed .
For their 2nd single of 2014 , Tackey & Tsubasa delivers a sultry dance number with Dakinatsu . Featuring a fast big bang-style arrangement & sexy lyrics , Dakinatsu is guaranteed to heat up the Summer .
Imai Tsubasa told fans , "Get hot with Dakinatsu this Summer !"
The duo's last Summer inspired single release was 2006's Ho! Summer & this time round for Dakinatsu , they really stepped up a notch or 2 as Dakinatsu is a fast paced upbeat Summer inspired song & the covers for the single already speak for themselves on what to expect for this infectious catchy no. .
On that note , Tackey & Tsubasa will be releasing a new album real soon & go on tour as well . At the moment , specific dates have not been announced but Takizawa Hideaki (Tackey) said it will take place at least by Winter .
CD Regular
CD Limited + Photobook
CD + DVD
1) ENAMEL
2) Kagee
3) Monochrome no Kiss (Live from『 SID 10th Anniversary TOUR 2013』)
CD Anime Version
Tracklist for CD only limited Anime version
1) ENAMEL
2) Kagee
3) Monochrome no Kiss (Live from『 SID 10th Anniversary TOUR 2013』)
4) ENAMEL -Anime Ver.-
5) Monochrome no Kiss -Anime Ver.-
SID's 4th album OUTSIDER was released this year on 12th March . All songs in ENAMEL were written by lead singer/vocalist Mao .
ENAMEL was released in 4 editions in which the CD Anime version has a different tracklist from the other 3 editions . The single also contains a live recording of their major label debut single Monochrome no Kiss that was recorded from SID 10th Anniversary TOUR 2013 in which for this , the live take will not be reviewed .
For Monochrome no Kiss , it was composed by guitarist Shinji .
The A-side ENAMEL was picked to be used as the opening theme no. for the anime Kuroshitsuji Book of Circus that premiered in July . ENAMEL was composed by bassist Aki .
The anime Kuroshitsuji aired its 1st season from October 2008 to March 2009 , then its 2nd season from July to September 2010 . It's a popular anime series that's based on an original manga by Toboso Yana . This time round , the circus volume arc is adapted into an anime .
SID's major debut single Monochrome no Kiss was used as the opening theme for the anime's 1st season , making this their 2nd time collaborating with the series .
Vocalist Mao commented , "We aimed to produce a song that would fit Kuroshitsuji ! SID would like to rise in unison with the Kuroshitsuji anime ." He expressed the band's confidence in ENAMEL , "We're hoping fans will enjoy the worldview of ENAMEL too . We made ENAMEL even more suitable for Kuroshitsuji . We definitely want to liven up Kuroshitsuji by becoming a part of it ."
Kagee serves as the B-side in ENAMEL & just like the A-side , this song was also composed by Aki .
This probably has to be 1 of the coolest B-sides coming from SID as Kagee is really unique/haunting . I wasn't sure what to expect prior to hearing Kagee but I love the way the song's momentum build up slowly until it intensifies which compliments/contrasts ENAMEL quite well .
There's no stopping SID in bringing out the music goods & fans whom 1st got into them due to Monochrome no Kiss will definitely not be disappointed in the band's latest single offering ENAMEL .
I can't think of any other groups aside from SID that deserves to sing/contribute to the Kuroshitsuji anime series . Monochrome no Kiss was a great major debut single for them & this time round it's no exception for ENAMEL .
With 2014 wrapping up real soon , it reminds to be seen whether will SID release a Winter theme inspired single before 2015 swings by but I'm sure should that happen , it's something I will not be missing out on , at all .