CD Regular
CD Limited
CD + DVD
1) Boku no Kotoba de wa Nai Kore wa Bokutachi no Kotoba
2) Iwanakute mo Tsutawaru Are wa Sukoshi Uso da
3) Collide
4) Boku no Kotoba de wa Nai Kore wa Bokutachi no Kotoba (TV size)
Originally supposed to be released on 13th May , Boku no Kotoba de wa Nai Kore wa Bokutachi no Kotoba is the group's 1st single release of 2015 & their last single release was last June's Nanokame no Ketsui .
The A-side was picked to be used as the opening theme for the anime Arslan Senki . The staff of Arslan Senki also previously worked on the anime BLEACH , which UVERworld provided the opening theme for it during the time of their major debut . As such , Boku no Kotoba de wa Nai Kore wa Bokutachi no Kotoba is a special one for both the staff & band .
1 of the B-sides included in the single is titled Collide . For this track , it was used as the insert song for the movie Shinjuku Swan .
July 2015 marks the 10th anniversary of UVERWorld's major record label debut & they've began the celebration with the release of their latest single Boku no Kotoba de wa Nai Kore wa Bokutachi no Kotoba .
Aside from the really long song title , I wasn't sure what to expect from Boku no Kotoba de wa Nai Kore wa Bokutachi no Kotoba as the 1st few listens of it , I was a bit confused as it sounded really random .
But along the way , I slowly get the way the song goes . I don't know if Boku no Kotoba de wa Nai Kore wa Bokutachi no Kotoba was made to sound unconventional but if so , UVERworld did nailed this aspect right . It's an intriguing no. but 1 that does grow on me as each listen goes by .
On that note , an early happy 10th anniversary to UVERworld !
CD Regular
CD Limited
CD + DVD
1) WE GO
2) Hikari ~Acoustic Version~ (CD Regular Edition Track)
3) WE GO -TV Size Edit- (CD Regular Edition Track)
4) Ai × Ori (CD Limited Edition Track)
5) Byakuya no Tsuki (CD + DVD Track)
The last single the guys released was 2013's RUSTY HEARTS & WE GO is dubbed as their comeback single after the members embarked on solo careers in Spring 2013 .
Written & composed by vocalist DAIGO , WE GO was picked to be used as the opening theme for the anime Detective Conan .
The guys 1st debuted/played WE GO at their 1st countdown live BREAKERZ COUNTDOWN LIVE 2014-2015 & the fact that I attended it , I somewhat have a soft spot towards WE GO . I know a lot of fans dislike the song & likewise for Miss Mystery (which I cannot understand why) but I personally feel WE GO is a bit different from their previous single releases .
The strength of WE GO lies in the chorus & also the guitar solo prior to the end is my fave element of the song .
There're a total of 3 (technically 4) B-sides available in the single . The CD Regular edition includes Hikari ~Acoustic Version~ , which's an acoustic take of the guys' 6th single . Likewise for WE GO & the original/acoustic takes of Hikari , all 3 different renditions were written/composed by DAIGO .
Hikari is 1 of my most fave singles of the guys , let alone 1 of the songs that DAIGO wrote/composed extremely well due to the significant meaning behind the song . Sekai wa Odoru & Hikari were both really good grand sounding singles . The problem is that when you make an acoustic version of either 1 of them , things get dumbed down quite significantly .
As such , despite Hikari ~Acoustic Version~ being rather pleasant sounding , it's not 1 of my fave acoustic tracks of the guys .
The CD Regular edition also includes a TV Size Edit of WE GO which essentially is a version created specially to promote Detective Conan .
Ai × Ori is only available in the CD Limited edition . Lyrics wise , it was written by DAIGO & composed by guitarist AKIHIDE . The last B-side , Byakuya no Tsuki is only available in the CD + DVD edition of WE GO . Lyrics wise , it was written by DAIGO & composed by guitarist SHINPEI .
The guys previously said that the 3 B-sides that each of them composed were inspired by their solo projects experiences . I'm not so sure about Hikari ~Acoustic Version~ but I definitely can sense it when I listened to both Ai × Ori & Byakuya no Tsuki .
Ai × Ori definitely sounds like something AKIHIDE might sing himself in solo mode . The melody of the song is really nice as it started out quite subtle but the aggressive guitar riffs took things up a notch or 2 .
As for Byakuya no Tsuki , I thought it was going to be a ballad but I was surprised that it was quite emotionally charged . This song felt as though it belongs to MUSCLE ATTACK but in the process , SHINPEI took what he learnt in solo mode & the final result leaves with an unique sounding B-side .
After the announcement of pursuing solo careers in Spring 2013 , BREAKERZ are finally back with the release of their comeback single WE GO .
I've been a longtime fan of the guys & honestly when they announced on the last date of their BREAKERZ LIVE TOUR 2012 "BEST" -LIVE HOUSE COLLECTION- they were going solo , I was gutted as at that time it was uncertain how long their group hiatus will be .
At the same time , as much as I enjoy each of their solo material , I don't get that same feeling/excitement as compared to when the 3 of them come back together to release material .
WE GO itself is an overall enjoyable release & there were a few surprises with this single . For once , it has been almost 2 years 4 months since they last released RUSTY HEARTS & during the group's hiatus , each of the members experienced different things when they went solo .
I suppose for WE GO , the single contains traces of both the band & each of the members' solo experiences which's evident when comes to the B-sides . I thought it's really cool for them to implement what they learnt in solo mode & utilising their newfound knowledge into creating the tracks .
A slight downside is that the B-sides in return are not as mainstream sounding as their past B-sides but if they chose to replicate that , it will feel really meaningless .
That said , I'm just really glad that BREAKERZ are back & they're not holding back on anything as in July , they will release their 6th album in ushering their long awaited comeback .
Welcome back , guys you've been sorely missed ! (by me mainly)
CD
CD + DVD
1) Toaru Hajimari no Joukei ~Bookstore on the hill~
2) Kanki no Fiddle
3) MY HOME TOWN
4) Daisuki Datta
With regards to FOUR ROOMS , it's made with the concept , "The 4 songs will be flumpool's heart , in other words , engine from now on . " . flumpool gave the title "FOUR ROOMS" as it represents the "4 rooms" that make up the heart .
As the release title suggests , FOUR ROOMS contains a total of 4 tracks . 2 videos were made for Toaru Hajimari no Joukei ~Bookstore on the hill~ & Daisuki Datta .
Except for Daisuki Datta , the other 3 songs in FOUR ROOMS are described to have acoustic sounds . Promo wise , MY HOME TOWN was picked to be used as the image song for SKY ! / WAKUWAKU JAPAN 2015 J-League while Daisuki Datta is currently used as the theme song for Fuji TV's Mezamashi news programme .
For their 1st release in over a year , flumpool exposes the core of their music with their latest release FOUR ROOMS . Featuring 4 songs , FOUR ROOMS explores the 4 sections that make up the sound of the band .
FOUR ROOMS overall is an enjoyable release . Despite the fact that all 4 songs are mainly mid tempo no.s , each track managed to stand out from 1 another without compromising matters .
In addition , the 3 songs except for Daisuki Datta are not typical acoustic tracks as each song has slightly different music elements which distinguished each track in their own unique way .
All in all , FOUR ROOMS is 1 of those releases that's perfect to listen to if you plan to chill out & read a good book while listening to it .
CD
CD + DVD
Released 3 months+ since their previous single Sakura , Aozora no Shita, Kimi no Tonari was picked to be used as the theme song for the drama Youkoso , Wagaya e starring member Aiba Masaki & actress Sawajiri Erika .
The A-side is described as an upbeat pop number . Combining lyrics that give a real sense of how precious the connection between people is & a dramatic melody overflowing with positive energy , its music gives optimism to people living in this cooped-up modern society .
There're a total of 3 B-sides in the single . Available in the CD only edition are Kono Tenohira ni & Nando Datte .
Kono Tenohira ni is quite a catchy mid tempo track while Nando Datte is a rather aggressive no. that contrasts the A-side quite well .
Dandelion is only available in the CD + DVD edition of the single . This finger snapping driven no. is slightly less memorable than the Kono Tenohira ni & Nando Datte but after a while , it's actually quite a good track .
There's definitely no signs of ARASHI slowing down in releasing new material & Aozora no Shita, Kimi no Tonari is overall quite an enjoyable release .
Aozora no Shita, Kimi no Tonari itself feels like a throwback to some of their previous mid tempo singles such as Everything & Hatenai Sora in which I like both mentioned singles so it's fine .
And this time round , the B-sides are a bit more memorable & stronger as compared to what Sakura offered . It reminds to be seen what will be ARASHI's next move but it wouldn't surprise me if they will release another new single and/or album soon since they'll be touring in Sept as part of ARASHI BLAST in Miyagi .
CD
CD + DVD A
CD + DVD B
This's the group's 1st release of 2015 & the release of Timeless is to celebrate the group's 20th anniversary in the business .
The release date of Timeless coincides with the release of V6's debut album SINCE 1995 ~ FOREVER that was released 19 years ago on 8th May .
Timeless is described as a medium ballad & centres on the theme bonds . It was picked to be used as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama Keishicho Sosaikka 9gakari starring member Inohara Yoshihiko .
There're a total of 3 B-sides in the single :
- SPOT LIGHT
- BREAK OUT (CD Only Track)
- Road Show (CD Only Track)
SPOT LIGHT is described as a dance no. & a video was made for it . As for BREAK OUT , it was picked to be used as the opening theme for the anime Fairy Tail .
Timeless is just old school V6 & listening to it proves why they're still going on strong after 20 years . I frankly like it the moment I 1st heard it .
Even though Timeless is a ballad , V6 is still able to make the song enjoyable & well rather timeless sounding . If this song is not a testimony on the group's long lasting longevity , I don't know what else to say .
On that note , happy 20th anniversary V6 !
CD
CD + DVD
CD + DVD 1st press
The group's 1st single release of 2015 , both A-sides have promo tie in's . The 1st A-side Chau# which's described as a catchy party tune was picked to be used in the ads of Bourbon's Almond Caramel Popcorn which star the members themselves .
The 2nd A-side Wo I Need You is described as delivering a love message in an enthusiastic way . The song was picked to be used as the ending theme song for TV Tokyo's variety programme Little Tokyo . The members themselves appear on the show as regulars on alternate weeks .
Despite Chau# / Wo I Need You being a double A-side single , Wo I Need You did not get a video .
Between both A-sides , I slightly prefer Wo I Need You over Chau# as I'm not really a fan of the group's cutesy inspired songs . Wo I Need You is a bit more grown up sounding , unlike Chau# which's something their younger demographic fans might like but not me .
There're 2 B-sides found in Chau# / Wo I Need You in which each of them are sung by the sub units of the group .
Through which's a ballad is handled by the older sub unit Hey ! Say ! BEST while for KAZEKAORU which's an upbeat pop number , the younger sub unit Hey ! Say ! 7 were in charge of the song .
Frankly both B-sides are surprisingly quite good & at times I find myself listening to both tracks more than the 2 main A-sides of the single .
Hey! Say! JUMP kicks off 2015 with their 1st single release of the year , Chau# / Wo I Need You , making this their 4th double A-side single after 2008's Your Seed / Bouken Rider & last year's AinoArika / Aisureba Motto Happy Life + Weekender / Asu e no YELL .
The general feeling I get towards Chau# / Wo I Need You is that this's 1 of my least fave singles from the group as I feel it's actually the B-sides that're the main stars in the single & for me to say that , I think it's not a good sign .
Considering that everyone in Hey! Say! JUMP are now adults , it will be better for them to focus more on edgy grown up sounding tracks even though at times there's a reason on why they still will put out cutesy inspired no.s with a sizeable portion of their fanbase are teenagers .
Hopefully their next release will blow me away as their past 3 double A-side singles were quite good but not this time round for Chau# / Wo I Need You .
CD
CD + DVD
1) RIGHT LIGHT RISE
2) Mayday !
3) RIGHT LIGHT RISE (instrumental)
4) Mayday ! (instrumental)
Kanon's new single was released about 2 months+ after the release of her 3rd album Tsukinami .
Described as a light upbeat pop tune , RIGHT LIGHT RISE was picked to be used as the ending theme song for the anime Dungeon ni Deai o Motomeru no Wa Machigatte Irudarou Ka .
Visually , RIGHT LIGHT RISE is a feast for the ears as the covers are eye catching . Track wise , the A-side feels like a marching band cheer song which has a cheerful upbeat personality .
Mayday ! serves as the B-side in the single & unlike the A-side , as the song title suggests it's an aggressive Rock driven no. that contrasts RIGHT LIGHT RISE quite well .
After releasing her most commercially successful album to date , Kanon Wakeshima is not slowing things down & in comes her latest single offering RIGHT LIGHT RISE .
It was a surprise to see Kanon release something a new single so soon after Tsukinami especially in the past where her music releases were really slow if not sporadic .
As for RIGHT LIGHT RISE , it's overall a fun & rather enjoyable release even though a rather big down side is that there's an absence of cello for both tracks in the single which I'm a bit sad over it since Kanon's main music instrument is cello .
I'm not sure if this's done on purpose but Kanon's cello inspired works is something unique/distinct to her as up to now , I haven't come across any female solo cellist musicians .
In addition for a change it will be good for Kanon not to provide any songs for Animes because in the process she might get pigeonholed as her singles have been provided to be used for 1 Anime after another . For once I would like to see her venture/branch out of her comfort zone .
At the meantime at least I can take comfort in that I wouldn't need to worry whether or not Kanon will be musically active or not .
