tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74191408870478221372024-03-13T14:49:46.473+08:00J-Pop KAMPAI!A blog set up by a loser-ish media student to publish his take on the latest happenings in the world of J-Pop. I wouldn't count on this site to be a place for first-hand news. I will, however, post up music reviews, CD packaging pictures and other good shit! Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-29338764219267326802016-05-22T00:17:00.004+08:002016-05-22T00:17:48.594+08:00J-Pop KAMPAI! – Now on Instagram <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p63CPHeoEkA/V0CJSGcqcCI/AAAAAAAAIUY/devF0IZo7us62MaNOQyatqzY2ViQhJ2_QCCo/s600/nowoninstagram.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I am now on Instagram!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">@jpopkampai</span></b></div>
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As you guys may or may not know, being in the army (mandatory for Singaporean males to undergo two years) have left me very limited time to blog and everything, and since everyone is starting to have lower attention spans and be more social media-savvy, I've created an extension of J-Pop KAMPAI! on Instagram so you can access my shitass content more conveniently :) <br />
<br />
Follow if you wanna see random shit I'll be posting, pre-thoughts to albums I will (hopefully) eventually review on the blog itself in detail, bite-sized reviews of music I don't wish to review in detail on the blog, or general thoughts that I don't deem major enough to be made into a post.<br />
<br />
I would recommend it for people with similar musical tastes as me to discover more new music to listen to. I'll probably also share my jams of the week and stuff like that too, and Instagram video is a great platform for preview listening. I would love to see recommendations you guys have via the comments too. I win, you win, we all win! <br />
<br />
This helps this poor conscripted boy churn out content more conveniently, and with that said, I will definitely post more there than on this blog, until I have more freedom on my end, at least. So don't miss out and follow @jpopkampai! Woo!Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-19381590681728330642016-05-14T11:46:00.000+08:002016-05-14T11:47:23.278+08:00LISA returns with a... kids album... and it's strangely good.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N3JfbZMDgCQ?showinfo=0" width="600"></iframe><br />
<br />
After falling off the face of Earth for four years, LISA decided it would be a good idea to make a comeback by singing kids songs. Colour me surprised when the tracks turn out to be actually pretty nicely-produced. I can't believe I'm saying this, but my personal favourites are <i>ABC Song</i>, <i>Grandfather's Clock</i> and <i>Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star</i>. Hear them for yourself.Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-71138312427038880152016-04-02T16:10:00.000+08:002016-04-02T16:27:59.269+08:00[Album Review] Kato Miliyah - LIBERTY<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mvgwgm-ufIs/Vv97IxqXS4I/AAAAAAAAIR4/Fba_Vxr9aR8VS7U0LlNm5Qai-AqnAG6sgCCo/s500-Ic42/Kato%2BMiliyah%2BLIBERTY.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This album cover is just waiting to be vandalised with bukkake shots.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Eleven years into the business, it's ironic that Kato Miserableface's album is titled so when she's clearly not liberated from shitty album covers. You can <i>try</i> to distract us with the glitter all over your eyes, bitch. You can try.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>This album sees Kato Miliyah stepping out of her comfort zone to venture out of conventional J-Pop standards and experiment with a mixture of genres. What's new and good here: title track <i><b>LIBERTY</b></i>, produced by m-flo's Taku (who I admittedly LOVE), is hypnotic with its ethereal opening, subtle trap drum beats over constant electronic build-ups that are explosive, yet in a relaxed, controlled manner, which adds a really good tone to it. <i><b>FUTURE LOVER -Mirai Koibito-</b></i> samples Daft Punk's One More Time but is far from sounding like a dated disco-house track. Typical of Miliyah to use samples in ingenious ways, this T.O.M-produced track brings a contemporary, refreshed EDM spin to it, albeit with some cliched songwriting, but is nonetheless a well-produced piece music-wise (Hey ho self promo – this song is also featured in my <a href="http://8tracks.com/meatpao/j-pop-kampai-valentine-s-day-playlist-2016" target="_blank">J-Pop KAMPAI! Valentine's Day 2016 playlist</a>). <i><b>BABYLON</b></i>, with a more traditional R&B easy-listening beat, is also something radically different from her past discography, and is interesting in that manner.<br />
<br />
Traditional pop upbeat numbers like <b><i>WANNA BE</i></b> and <i><b>CLIMAX</b></i> also win here – they're nothing lyrically new, but sound more Western-influenced than conventional J-Pop. Anthemic <i>WANNA BE</i> is littered with hypnotising background synths which, while doesn't really have a climax, makes for really nice easy-listening track. <i>CLIMAX</i> is more conventional J-Pop and dramatic, which runs in the same vein as <i>The One</i> from LOVELAND, but sounds richer and better-mastered in my opinion. Is this song explicitly about masturbation <i>("Hitori de CLIMAX – CLIMAX by myself?")</i>? <b><i>Megami no Hikari feat. Munetaka Maki</i></b> and <i><b>H.I.K.A.R.I.</b></i> remain as pop songs that could potentially be growers, or would work better in live settings, because I'm not feeling them at all. Pop-rock <i><b>Piece of Cake -Ai wo Sakebou- feat. Mineta Kazunobu</b></i> also has absolutely no place in this album and sounds terribly flat. Wouldn't want to be caught dead listening to that. If only pleasing listeners like me were a piece of cake, huh?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ocwrefBrCLE/Vv97I2zwicI/AAAAAAAAIR8/Xh6iIoEhFf07Qku9q3N7YcX5VvNwNxXdwCCo/s500-Ic42/Kato%2BMiliyah%2BLIBERTY%2BPromo.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ocwrefBrCLE/Vv97I2zwicI/AAAAAAAAIR8/Xh6iIoEhFf07Qku9q3N7YcX5VvNwNxXdwCCo/s250-Ic42/Kato%2BMiliyah%2BLIBERTY%2BPromo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ah! Someone liberate me from <br />
shitty album covers!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The ballads in this album are a pleasant surprise. Unlike some of her senior peers like *ahem*kodakumiandayumihamasaki this bitch is actually trying. <i><b>Tengoku no Doa</b></i> is probably one of the most beautiful ballads I've heard from her – an eargasm from start to finish with a beautiful grand piano loop, gradually building up in its grandiose with Miliyah's velvety vocals, before the dramatic drum beats come in in the later half to keep the listener captivated.<br />
<br />
What "Tengoku no Doa", which means Heaven's Door, may actually be can be open to interpretation, but I am of the opinion that she's talking about her G-spot <i>("A secret place you want to feel, the heaven's door nobody knows OHHHHH~~~~")</i>. My claim can even be supported by the fact that <i>CLIMAX</i> comes right after it in the track order too, but I digress.<br />
<br />
While still on the topic of the ballads in this album, <i><b>Memories</b></i> perfectly portrays the feeling of emptiness and loneliness described in its lyrics with its searingly haunting guitar pluck loops <i>("The name of the flower you gave me / Will wither, unknown to anyone, forgotten" / "As I chase after people who look like you / The sun sets / And I feel even lonelier than before)</i>, similar to how classic R&B ballad <b><i>Lipstick</i></b> paints a perfect picture of a girl with a melancholic desire for belonging <i>("Covering my lips with red lipstick, I hide the real me" / "I don’t want to compare myself to others, and yet (sigh), here we go again, I feel envious of that girl over there.")</i> These two tracks demonstrate her stellar songwriting abilities here and I really appreciate that. The others like piano ballad <i><b>Want You Back</b></i>, acoustic guitar-heavy <b><i>Utakata no Hibi</i></b> and acoustic-folk <i><b>Shounen Shoujo</b></i> fail to impress.<br />
<br />
Trap drum beats are present in many of the new album tracks, which Miliyah use in fusion with R&B and pop elements in songs like <i><b>MIRROR MIRROR</b></i> and <i><b>This is my party</b></i>, which, while interesting in theory, leave more to be desired in their execution. <i>MIRROR MIRROR</i>'s repetition and dreary tempo doesn't really reflect well to the listener, while <i>This is my party</i> is bland, lacks any emotion (despite trying to show a certain attitude I'm not catching) and depth in its production, which is disappointing and should belong to a basic album like MUSE was. That is a party I'm not going to RSVP for. This lack of depth is also present in <i><b>FASHION</b></i>, which is superficial both lyrically and musically; an overall poor b-side choice for Miliyah to include.<br />
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<br />
LIBERTY is Kato Miliyah's longest record to date at 17 tracks, but would've been a tighter album by trimming some of the fat that wouldn't have compromised its varied offering, which is what I assume Miliyah tried to deliver, and succeeded – to a moderate extent. It is still an improvement from the largely homogenous <a href="http://jpopkampai.blogspot.sg/2014/03/album-review-kato-miliyah-loveland.html" target="_blank">LOVELAND</a>, with it being more experimental and less traditional J-Pop / J-Urban which Miliyah has already done to death, and this is a sign of a good progression of her sound. Plus, despite its fallbacks, I will say that the album makes for a good easy-listening record.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/liberty/id1082274970?l=en">Listen to previews here. </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MIUQPXLxDD0/UABULmkqwJI/AAAAAAAAACE/XCC9r8NW69c/s388/07.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/10</b></span></div><br />
<i> </i><i><b>Album highlights:</b> LIBERTY, FUTURE LOVER -Mirai Koibito-, WANNA BE, Tengoku no Doa, CLIMAX, Lipstick<br />
</i>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-19026933527610998632015-09-02T01:14:00.000+08:002016-04-02T16:34:15.438+08:00[Album Review] ayumi hamasaki - A ONE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1ivWB1RTNR4/VeXWeq1am3I/AAAAAAAAIIQ/B-4HYHxoP4U/s500-Ic42/A%252520ONE%252520CD%252520DVD%252520500px.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you can't sell records, titties are always a solution! ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
"While I was living overseas, I guess I realised that I really craved the subtleties and detail of the Japanese language. That feeling of 'I want to express it in Japanese' built up inside me and I started to write lyric after lyric. To be perfectly honest, it wasn't that I purposely sought out to make an album that sounded like the old me. It just happened."<br />
<br />
ayumi hotmesssaki has somewhat admitted that she really is some kind of a mess. Secondly, I think we all wish Namie Amuro would "crave the subtleties and detail of the Japanese language" too, no?<br />
<br />
A ONE is more or less yet another safe, #throwback #throwahoetotheback album as per her pattern since 2010's Love songs, followed by 2013's horrendous LOVE again. But thank god the use of the word "love" isn't in the pattern.<br />
<br />
It's like ayumi hotmesssaki stirs a little shit up (Party Queen, Colours) before cowering back into her little corner to create something more subdued, more classic J-Pop. And this is why to many fans, A ONE comes across as a familiar record with little surprises.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Putting aside <i><b>a Bell</b>,</i> a one-minute instrumental piano introduction – with no actual bells – that we can all agree is a waste of everybody's time, <i><b>WARNING</b></i> starts off the album on the right track – an explosively synthy, rock track with equally fierce lyrics; a sharp jab to the haters – very unlike Ayu, yet a very real situation over at Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai <i>(You should've done this like that / You should've done that like this / I know I can count on you never being satisfied)</i>. Already established as a #throwahoetotheback album, it checks all the right boxes – cheap computerised instrumentation, likeness to similarly anthemic tracks like 2010's <i>Lady Dynamite</i>, adding an "i" behind all the "la la la"s, for God knows why. But as a long-time fan, this works for me. With real instrumentation in a live setting, this song will be amazing, as proven in her latest arena tour.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aY2OTQtoeVY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aY2OTQtoeVY?feature=player_embedded" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200"></iframe></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>WARNING</b></i> gives the best opening<br />
expectation for A ONE – cheap<br />
instrumentation but overall<br />
fierceness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It doesn't take a genius to figure that <i><b>NO FUTURE</b></i> is composed by Tetsuya Komuro, because you guessed it – horrific 300 B.C. synths! Like <i>Like a doll</i> given a makeover, <i>NO FUTURE</i> carries a heavy LOVEppears vibe with omnipresent synthy beats and melodious verses before Ayu starts whining like a banshee in the chorus – some can find this annoying, but I think it adds a nice touch to the emotion being displayed here. However, the key change after the last chorus comes as a nice surprise, although it only proves that she is <b>never</b> performing this song live.<br />
<br />
After these two tracks come a long section of ballads – some hit the G-spot, some were yet another waste of time. But here's what's good – <i><b>Last minute</b></i>, very reminiscent of <i>Memorial address </i>musically, yet lyrically about being separated from herself rather than somebody else. You know who she should separate herself from, though? The person who mixed this track.<br />
<br />
This song is amazing, make no mistake about that – the build-up is perfect, but it lacks a dynamic rock sound that's present in other songs in the album. It's amazing how something that seems so explosive can sound so incredibly flat on the ears. Plus, the back-up vocals are actually louder than the lead vocals. It's most distracting in the chorus where the "Oooooo"s completely snatch the attention. Whose dick did the mixer suck to get the job? But nonetheless, I tout this as one of the good songs because it really is a good song if you negate all the technicalities. Just listen to it live. That's when it's really done properly.<br />
<br />
I fell in love with <i><b>Out of control</b></i> on first listen, and it's easily my favourite track off this record. It starts off calm and moody with a piano and string introduction accented with strums of the guitar, followed by the addition of some synths (or whatever those bloopy sounds were after the first few lines). Then the marching percussion comes in before heading full-on rock – now that's capturing the mood perfectly. There wouldn't be a better way to do this. Not to mention, everything sounds lush on the ears, unlike similar songs she's done before such as <i>Letter</i> and <i>reminds me</i> where they're mastered so poorly, they actually sound muffled.<br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i> <i><b>Story</b></i> is very similar in the structure and arrangement as well, but this time with a gentler, more forlorn delivery to it. I would say it's a "prettier" version of <i>Out of control</i>. If anything, Ayu could've toned down on her cutesy voice in this one a little. But nonetheless these two tracks go great together.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0su8wDrlHYY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0su8wDrlHYY?feature=player_embedded" width="200"></iframe></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It might suffer from bad studio<br />
mixing, but<i><b> Last minute</b></i> proves<br />
to sound amazing live.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>With a number of good ballads presented, it has its equal share of bad ones. <i><b>Anything for You</b></i> is one of them – clocking in at 7 minutes, the verses are very forgettable. The chorus, in turn, is memorable to me for being so melodically draggy. Just like <i>NO FUTURE</i>, it comes with a surprise key change at the end for a "happier-sounding" chorus, but doesn't change the fact that it's draggy as hell.<b><i> Zutto... </i></b>barely adds any value to the already-saturated basket of winter ballads in J-Pop. Ayu may have done plenty of those, but even if it were a song done by someone else, I would've glossed right over it as well.<br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i> <i><b>The GIFT </b></i>was composed by Singaporean JJ Lin as, well, a gift, to Ayu because they are apparently acquaintances now. I say acquaintances, and not BFFs, because nobody would give their best friend a throwaway demo dug out from his old Mac. And based on the fact that Ayu named the song this literally doesn't really help the situation. For some reason, Ayu sounds most like her real live voice here, which unfortunately also means that Ayu sounds the worst in the whole album here. <i><b>Walk</b></i> unofficially closes the album (because we all know it's an open secret <i>Movin' on without you</i> was never meant to be there) and my feelings towards it are the same as <i>Zutto...</i>'s. And stop it with the La-la-lais!!! I don't get it!!!!!!! Who even says that!!?!!?!!?!?!?!<br />
<br />
<b><i>The Show Must Go On</i></b> is an interesting one. Yet another fierce, anthemic track but in a different light – this time, it's a song for her fans sticking by her <i>(I was able to see them today too, your lovely smiles / I was able to hear them today, your lovely voices / No matter how much the times continue to change / There is one thing right here that'll never change / The show must go on!)</i>. Arrangement-wise, it's very <i>snowy kiss</i> – a fast-paced percussion beat and synth line gives a very tense atmosphere, but goes from 100 to 0 during the verses. Not a big fan of the contrast, but the chorus is really what gets me going, especially that big instrumental break after the chorus vocals where the beat goes double time, and with that bridge which is basically an extrapolation of that. Consider me slain at that part.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1YfBROcdQ_4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1YfBROcdQ_4?feature=player_embedded" width="200"></iframe></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fan-inspired <b><i>The Show Must Go On</i></b><br />
actually features 2 fans' vocals as a<br />
result of a lottery. Nobody knows<br />
where they can be heard, which makes<br />
us wonder what's the fucking point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><b>Movin' on without you</b></i> sticks out like a sore thumb because, well, IT DOESN'T EVEN GO HERE! It's a great track, but I'm not going to review it <a href="http://jpopkampai.blogspot.sg/2014/12/top-20-mixtape-2014.html" target="_blank">because I already have. </a> Basically, it's a hot EDM Utada Hikaru cover that made me bald when I first heard it. TeamAyu-exclusive <i><b>Tell All (2015 mix) </b></i>simply slows down the first half of the song with a piano and orchestra arrangement that gives a smoother build-up from the original, but the second half of the song is business as usual – a <i>Mirrorcle World</i>-esque, stomping electric guitar riff for pretty much the rest of the song. It's better than the original in that it's more varied and built-up arrangement-wise. You actually want to listen to the song all the way.<br />
<br />
<br />
As many fans would agree, A ONE is a return to the usual hodgepodge of "ayumi hamasaki" songs – rock ballads, gaudy TK synths, explosive rock opener, J-Pop cheesy ballads. And this return is nothing new to us. As a whole album, A ONE is what LOVE again should've been, but that was 2 years ago. The long-time fans like myself will enjoy this for the nostalgia – this is THE ayumi hamasaki sound that we are fond of, that was what made us fall in love with her in the first place. But for the casual fan who's never heard of her work, this is going to come across as bland, dated, and a record one would be slightly embarrassed to be caught dead listening to. Nonetheless, it's a comprehensive retrospect on the sound Ayu is known for with a little something to offer to everyone, though this album is a fan service more than an artistic progression. But we already know that's what she's headed for now.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/a-one/id979457267">Listen to previews here.</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MIUQPXLxDD0/UABULmkqwJI/AAAAAAAAACE/XCC9r8NW69c/s388/07.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/10</b></span><br />
<br />
</div><i> </i><i><b>Album highlights:</b> WARNING, NO FUTURE, Last minute, Out of control, The Show Must Go On, Movin' on without you, Tell All (2015 mix)</i>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-61276905871434697102015-08-16T16:01:00.002+08:002015-08-16T16:12:48.486+08:00What is a DREAMS COME TRUE?<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l59Lo_IKnbc/VdBEB9jexbI/AAAAAAAAIHg/Kqxj64h9BUI/s600-Ic42/nomzies.png" /><br />
<br />
The world, or maybe only Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai, is on fire. Because at a time when ayumi hotmesssaki would be able to finally scrape a #1 and not let shit hit the fan, duo DREAMS COME TRUE "robbed" her of that position literally on the last day of the Oricon week, earning their best album a 4th week at #1. Oh well! Shit happens, can't please everyone.<br />
<br />
So while everyone is cursing and swearing at DCT over in the hellhole that is AHS, in which someone even thought they were a boyband, I thought I could take this as an opportune moment to introduce to you guys about this awesome group. Might as well, right?<br />
<br />
I'm not exactly sure why DREAMS COME TRUE isn't so popular outside of Japan, because I personally find the vocalist, Miwa Yoshida, so charismatic and can still put on a killer show even after 26 years, and being 50 years old. That bitch doesn't even look her age. Damn these Japanese genes.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately for me I was born too late because I've always wanted to catch them live since I first discovered them in 2007. I especially have always wanted to watch their WONDERLAND tour in person, because it's a dome / stadium tour that they only put up once every 4 years!!! Dude, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdr-Ti5iuz8" target="_blank">they arrived sitting on horses at the 1995 one.</a> I wasn't even a year old yet?!?!?1<br />
<br />
Anyways, I've handpicked one song from each of their 17 studio albums (which may or may not be in their latest best album) so you can take a listen if you've not heard of them. You can pretty much hear how much they've evolved their sound from the '80s till now. They're pretty damn impressive. And I'll stick a live performance of the same song beside it cos I think they're pretty fun to watch live. Woosh! <br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1. Don't You Say...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from DREAMS COME TRUE (1989)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PsSz27gQzgk?rel=0" width="295"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sonF76vewUk?rel=0" width="295"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Also watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWRmo2Ci6zA">Anata ni Aitakute</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2. Ureshii! Tanoshii! Daisuki!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from LOVE GOES ON... (1989)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rwBsjzbVRfE?rel=0" width="295"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H2eJxHGFMuA?rel=0" width="295"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. Egao no Yukue</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from WONDER 3 (1990)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kjKukZebMuY?rel=0" width="295"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VbvI-EuAjWA?rel=0" width="295"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4. Eyes to me</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from MILLION KISSES (1991)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zm2GXZpBo9c" width="295"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YpYeW_oHio4" width="295"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5. Gankyou Goshi no Sora </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from The Swinging Star (1992)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vp0N2TWENwE?rel=0" width="295"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R79hw-Vzv-s" width="295"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Also watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rBHKewiT3I">Ano Natsu no Hanabi</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">6. go for it!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from MAGIC (1993)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x2vh1u9" width="295"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i4IEG-aDgdE" width="295"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">7. Suki</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from DELICIOUS (1995)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x2je5m7" width="295"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3EULyzlgaOo" width="295"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Also watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gk640V_N7k">Chinboutsusen no Monkey Girl</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>8. SWEET REVENGE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from LOVE UNLIMITED ∞ (1996)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bLIGD6gvlUM" width="600"></iframe><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Also watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPaWliP5CPE">ROMANCE</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9. Ahaha</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from SING OR DIE (1997)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g3hFbHxtlEA" width="295"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1L9MlACki_I" width="295"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">10. Asa ga Mata Kuru</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from the Monster (1999)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FLvxf_-83Yg" width="295"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_DyjKOZ8Tt4" width="295"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>11. 24/7-TWENTY FOUR/SEVEN-</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from monkey girl odyssey (2001)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7zsDVeRcKCA" width="295"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MRI20upxy1g" width="295"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">12. Mascara Matsuge</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from DIAMOND15 (2005)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x3bhtt" width="295"></iframe> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iP7kYuYdLuA" width="295"></iframe><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Also watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dng1hTBN9j8">OLA! VITORIA!</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">13. Nando Demo</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from THE LOVE ROCKS (2006)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g_A4VetGk8M" width="295"></iframe> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/We0ieu0hk1g" width="295"></iframe><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">14. Osaka LOVER</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from AND I LOVE YOU (2007)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="166" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yma29juWibM" width="295"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4KhmK-AKWcw" width="295"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Also watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWyqJhjR9MI">A-i-shi-te-ru no Sign ~Watashitachi no Mirai Yosouzu~</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">15. MERRY-LIFE-GOES-ROUND</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from Do You DREAMS COME TRUE? (2009)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1fvyXok90rE" width="600"></iframe><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>16. Sono Saki e</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from LOVE CENTRAL (2011)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bVs9OO93LoY" width="600"></iframe><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Also watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZpZuICMJTA">Nee</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>17. MY TIME TO SHINE </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from ATTACK25 (2014)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="333" scrolling="no" src="http://www.jpopsuki.tv/media/embed?key=0bcbc8936887b90faf3583799344506f&width=600&height=333&autoplay=false&autolightsoff=false&loop=false" width="600"></iframe><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Also watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7MYKmg0D0">MADE OF GOLD –featuring DABADA–</a>)</div>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-43564680233363078782015-06-18T23:21:00.002+08:002016-04-02T16:37:44.373+08:00[Album Review] Koda Kumi - WALK OF MY LIFE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Xczf05xonDo/VYA6uOwKqdI/AAAAAAAAIC4/hG6ZUxWlIyg/s500/WALK%2BOF%2BMY%2BLIFE%2BKoda%2BKumi%2BCD%2BOnly.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Fuck me now."</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A new ramen restaurant just opened in town. There is massive hype for it, because it's been around in Japan for the past 10 years and is still going strong. There are long queues almost every day. Naturally, you try it for yourself one day in your hometown. Unfortunately, the soup was awfully bland. The pork slices were tough and overcooked. The noodles tasted rubbery. The bottom of the bowl didn't seem remotely near in sight even though it felt like you spent an hour trying to painfully finish it.<br />
<br />
Now let's change the setting.<br />
<br />
It's Koda Kumi's 15th anniversary. An autobiographical-titled album, WALK OF MY LIFE, is released. Pussies will be popped. Weaves will be snatched. Confetti will be scattered around Tokyo. The ramen will, however, still suck. But the ramen's not alone in this, because the album also sucked.<br />
<br />
Alas, life isn't always fair like this.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>What I was most excited for about Koda Kumi's latest studio effort was the fact that there weren't a lot of singles prior to the release, which meant more fresh material. The only previously-released songs were <i><b>Dance In The Rain</b></i> and <i><b>HOTEL</b></i>, both rated one of my top 20 songs last year, and well, then there's <b><i>MONEY IN MY BAG</i></b>.<br />
<br />
What I liked about <i>Dance In The Rain</i> was its powerful and melancholic feel to the arrangement, which was full, and very organically pop. <i>HOTEL</i> was my summer jam because it was something delightfully different from her previous summer songs with the trumpets and all, and had a very Westernised sound to it, the only problem being her stupid nasally voice used in the verses. <i>MONEY IN MY BAG</i> is largely forgettable, too fast-paced for me to adequately process its pussy-popping qualities, and regretfully repetitive.<br />
<br />
And let me just lay it on the table now that my description for one of these songs ended up being applicable to the rest of the album.<br />
<br />
Right off the bat, <i><b>Introduction ~WALK OF MY LIFE~</b></i> opens with subtle urban elements and sets the tone for the album – Kumi is <i>kinda</i> returning to her urban roots by meshing them with the dance-y, pop sound she left off from Bon Voyage. It ends off with a thunder that transitions appropriately and smoothly into <i>Dance In The Rain</i>, which during that point, I was on my knees praying that it won't be like Dejavu with its awfully trimmed songs thanks to this horrendous album gimmick. Thank god it wasn't the case. Phew!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Cg1tvoqtXAk/VYLeZDWl3rI/AAAAAAAAIDc/mulRsCf5BOY/s350/2584-1422961856.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She does like to show off her lips a lot. I'll give her credit<br />
for looking good doing fish lips, unlike some of her peers...<br />
such as ayumi hotmesssaki. Lippeh LiPPEH!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I wasn't a huge fan of <i><b>Lippy </b></i>at first. <i>Who the fuck is Lippy?</i> And I was initially very annoyed by the repetitive "TER NER NERRRR NERRRR NER NER NER NER NER NER NER NER" synth that keeps going on and on and on. And how every line in the chorus has the 2 same bars going "I don't KNOOOOOW why..." again and again and again, and is so incredibly grating on the ears. But repeated listens made me come to appreciate its own merits. For one, the songwriting is very self-reflective. When she talks about "Lippy," she's talking about herself. We all know Koda Kumi is naturally not the loud, sexy, ero-kakoii girl she's famed to be. But everyone thinks that's who she is, and she is a rude girl. But does she give a fuck? "No! You want to find fault with me, right? Came back. Again and again, you said, "Bitch, luck?" You say I've changed, but you've put on rose-coloured glasses, haven't you?" You tell me. Aside from the chorus, everything else is delivered right. I especially LOVEZXZS the attitude when she sings the second half of the verses, and the pre-choruses ("Ii kanji no atmosPHEEEEERE / Iitai nara right HEEEEERE"). Also loving the drum & bass-like elements and urban-y basslines, something that's consistent with the whole album.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Mercedes</b></i> runs in a similar vein with <i>Lippy</i>, but a trashier version. I can actually see why Mercedes wouldn't have wanted to sponsor a music video for this (Not saying that they did, but they did sponsor her damn tour). Messy arrangement layered with annoyingly whiny vocals, and the only thing that stuck with me upon the first listen was the shouty "JUMP! MERCEDES!" which is NAAASTY! STOP IT!! MY HEAD HURTS!!!<br />
<br />
When I heard the first two opening bars of <i><b>Like It</b></i>, I was extremely full of hope – the "Like it like it liek it, ooooh I like it like it" is INSANELY catchy in a good way unlike "JUMP! MERCEDES!". But I think this song is this album's first wasted potential. It could've been something really anthemic if they really played more with the beat and the trumpets, the latter of which is what actually makes the song stand out from the album. The pre-chorus, sadly, primes you for the chorus that is ever so underwhelming. I have to admit the bass is moderately sick, but the end of the chorus just makes you go, "That's it?" The second verse comes in too abruptly / early, the bridge could've been something more anthemic, rather than some slowed down shit (Why????) before diving back into the anti-climactic chorus. It is <b>so sad</b>. Why rush when the product itself is like, 2 minutes and 40 seconds?!?! I really want to <i>Like It</i>, but I can't. You were wrong, Kuu.<br />
<br />
I don't know whether to feel happy or sad about <i><b>House Party</b></i>. Happy because it's a good song, sad because Koda Kumi participated in like, 60% of the song, maybe? I won't deny that it's got my pussy popping and I CANNOT wait to see how she's going to slay this in a live setting, but it's basically Koda Kumi feat. Unknown People. I really enjoy though.<br />
<br />
To cap off the largely urban section, we have <i><b>Interlude ~Dance~</b></i> which is TERRIBLE! There is literally nothing exciting about this. Everything already fell flat from the first four beats. Arrangement is basic. Anti-climactic. It's a terrible interlude. Next!<br />
<br />
The second half of the album reveals its slightly poppier side, with songs like <b><i>Gimme U</i></b>, where the only thing that's really going for it are the piano bars that make it slightly catchier. Think Alicia Keys' <i>If I Ain't Got You</i>'s lyrics, sung over a super BASIC, sappy, pop arrangement. "Beautiful roses and diamond rings / The recipe for happiness, anything / Baby all you gotta do is / Gimme U, Gimme U, Gimme U". There's a line that says "I'm always feeling like it's a trip to Rome" though?????????<br />
<br />
And don't get me started on <i><b>You can keep up with me</b></i> because everything in it just sounds cheap. The beat is lame, the synth sound like a Garageband preset or some shit, and it was going by so quickly I was slightly hyperventilating. The chorus goes like this – "You should know..." (Okay, know what?) "You should KNOW!!!!" (Okay, what?!?!?!) "You SHOULD KNOW!!!!" (Bitch better have something good to say!) "I say you can keep up with me!!!" (What the fuck...) It's like you're in bed with this really cute guy, you've got the foreplay going smoothly, and then he says either one of the three following things: (1) There's no lube (2) There's no condom (3) He doesn't do anal. Frustrating is all.<br />
<br />
<i><b>PIECE IN THE PUZZLE</b></i> sounds like a banger if played live, so at least that's a good point. But once again, lacking arrangement. Breakdown was pretty lame as well and seemed cut short. I really like that ummmm BrrrrrrrrrrABAM ummmmm BrrrrrABAM though. Chorus can be pretty annoying after a while. Reminds me of the kind of annoying people that like to emphasise on the last word of every sentence by making them significantly louder. Or have I just been unlucky my whole life?<br />
<br />
<i><b>Fake Tongue</b></i> starts out with a pretty hot urban beat that gets me popping my pussy, and the verses show potential, but her soft sing-speaking caused a drastic contrast to the shouty chorus that, at this point, I am already very tired of dealing with. It sounds like a song I could get down in a live setting, but I'm not feeling the studio version, once again, because of the production. I have to admit that the breakdown and the guitar solo are pretty bangin' though.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PiLPfbUbPww/VYA6uUHcpdI/AAAAAAAAIC8/ecKWzTgntYg/s300/WOML1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koda Kumi tries to distract you with her puppy <br />
eyes from this terrible album. No bitch, <br />
you did not stub your toe. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Wasted potential number 2 – <i><b>Sometimes Dreams Come True</b></i>, and probably the song that I am most upset about. I'd just like to say that so much could have been done to improve on this throwaway pop song that sounds like what Jessie J (she did co-write it) or Kelly Clarkson would've done. It starts off with a guitar riff that Koda Kumi sings over, before bringing in a simple drum beat followed by the synths, etc. etc. Then it just repeats after the first chorus.<br />
<br />
As its name implies, the song is about how "I imagined an award as they would call my name / Dreaming I was a singer / My aim was to be an awesome girl", and that you know, sometimes dreams do come true. But the delivery of her vocals was pallid without emotion. I don't entirely blame her, because there was no build up at the crucial points of the song – between the verse and the chorus (the latter itself is already underwhelming), between the end of the chorus and the second verse (the abruptness of this was especially jarring), and from the bridge to the last chorus. I think given a more emotional arrangement, this would be AMAZING live. Like, I-would-cry kinda amazing. But I don't hear any sort of "IT WAS HARD BUT MY DREAM HAS COME TRUE BITCHES" coming from her vocals.<br />
<br />
<i><b>LIFE so GOOD!!</b></i> starts off pretty anthemic, poppy with a catchy drum beat, and complementing guitar riffs. It's like an edgier version than <i>Run For Your Life</i>. It's your typical summer jam that you can imagine Kuu making a music video of... and it looks exactly like <i>Run For Your Life</i> actually LOL. This is relatively catchier when it's in this album. I can see myself jamming to this live!!!<br />
<br />
<i><b>WALK OF MY LIFE</b></i>, as it symbolically suggests, goes last, which is arguably the best song lyrically and musically. I would've awarded my gorl a homerun with this one if not for its horrendously cheap music video. It's a pop ballad – similarly organic-sounding as <i>Dance In The Rain</i> – that's very self-reflective, melancholic, and is a song you know is written by a confident woman who's gone through a lot of shit to be where she is today, and bitch delivered it. This is basically everything <i>Sometimes Dreams Come True</i> isn't.<br />
<br />
<br />
Almost every song in this album, coincidence or not, seems to follow the formula of get-the-song-done-ASAP-please. I don't know why but everything sounds so rushed, and I'm damn sure it has nothing to do with the track lengths because all songs sans the last two run for less than 3 mins 30 seconds (but the fact that most of the songs felt longer than that is bad in itself). I'm getting heart palpitations just listening to how the songs don't get the time to fully make use of what they have. So many tracks on here could've easily been fleshed out for improvements, like <i>Like It</i> and <i>Sometimes Dreams Come True</i>, among others.<br />
<br />
While I was initially not bothered, after several listens through, I can see why people think Kumi is especially shouty on this album – because almost every song seems to have a "shouting" element to it with repeated melody lines. Once again, everything seems so formulaic, the songs like B-grade demos. But I'll give the album a benefit of doubt – there's a good chunk of songs here that I believe might change some opinions once heard live properly. And we'll see when that time comes around when Koda Kumi performs here on 18 July ;)<br />
<br />
Above all, I am unfortunately disappointed by an album that's largely forgettable, yet supposedly marketed to be a significant 15th anniversary milestone album. I'm sorry, this is a walk I do not wish to partake in. I'll head on over to 2014 and continue popping my pussy to <a href="http://jpopkampai.blogspot.sg/2014/03/album-review-koda-kumi-bon-voyage.html" target="_blank">Bon Voyage</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/walk-of-my-life/id968283289?l=en">Listen to previews here.</a><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DC7wHoQQpBE/UABUJRVfibI/AAAAAAAAAB4/4QEYKUYStYI/s388/04.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4/10</span></b></div><i><br />
</i> <i><b>Album highlights:</b> Dance In The Rain, Lippy, House Party, HOTEL, LIFE so GOOD!!, WALK OF MY LIFE</i>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-51101244215904143382015-05-03T00:52:00.000+08:002015-05-03T00:55:44.650+08:00All you need to know about Namie Slaymuro's _genic <img src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E8NaMMsFT5k/VUT2hlzN_TI/AAAAAAAABio/F50qvhnpYjk/s600/NamieGenic1.png" /><br />
<br />
I think that day in the early, second week of April was a pretty good day, because I had finally taken a thorough listen to ayumi hotmesssaki's A ONE and was quite impressed.<br />
<br />
Of course, unbeknownst to me, it was but one of Namie Slaymuro's sly tactics to drop this bomb on us, completely shading the attention on Ayu. Well-played, Namie. If this is the kind of strategic team you've gotten over at whatever Stella88 place you're at now, you have my FULL SUPPORT.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>1. The Covers</u></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HV9R6J5Gik8/VUT2hvCa-9I/AAAAAAAABis/OdkbtZ2N3I8/s562/NamieGenicBluRay.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HV9R6J5Gik8/VUT2hvCa-9I/AAAAAAAABis/OdkbtZ2N3I8/s188/NamieGenicBluRay.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-njFqVvWIBew/VUT2ij4TwRI/AAAAAAAABiU/1WfwBPU_GKI/s562/NamieGenicCDDVD.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-njFqVvWIBew/VUT2ij4TwRI/AAAAAAAABiU/1WfwBPU_GKI/s188/NamieGenicCDDVD.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wCRWeWQX2Xk/VUT2iVaB41I/AAAAAAAABic/zeRMBHU3aGk/s562/NamieGenicCD.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wCRWeWQX2Xk/VUT2iVaB41I/AAAAAAAABic/zeRMBHU3aGk/s188/NamieGenicCD.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
CD+Bluray | CD+DVD | CD</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!</span></b></i></div>
<br />
Sure, Namie repeats yet another headshot cover as with the past three studio albums. But she still knows ways of making it look novel and classy. Plus, the concept of _genic in the title itself is really smart, especially when you'd think Japanese people don't think hard (straight from the horse's mouth, okay?)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>2. The Packaging</u></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wZSECFauSP4/VUT2hiwfBvI/AAAAAAAABik/Yg8egrXqHEg/s667/NamieGenicBluRayPack.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wZSECFauSP4/VUT2hiwfBvI/AAAAAAAABik/Yg8egrXqHEg/s188/NamieGenicBluRayPack.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2m-j5JeEWLo/VUT2i4w4CyI/AAAAAAAABiY/fEz94twVrKY/s667/NamieGenicCDDVDPack.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2m-j5JeEWLo/VUT2i4w4CyI/AAAAAAAABiY/fEz94twVrKY/s188/NamieGenicCDDVDPack.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WbqthVQTPW4/VUT2jF-zxhI/AAAAAAAABig/-6gYp4yHIRc/s667/NamieGenicCDPack.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WbqthVQTPW4/VUT2jF-zxhI/AAAAAAAABig/-6gYp4yHIRc/s188/NamieGenicCDPack.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!</i></b></span></div>
<br />
Fuck me.<br />
<br />
Would've been much more exciting if it were a slipcase for the digipak though. It looks to be a digipak with the holes cut out at the front to show the booklet covers. Sounds good in theory, but not sure how that is going to pan out in reality with the differing booklet dimensions to fit into the digipak slot. Still pretty nonetheless; think I'm going to get the CD+DVD one!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>3. The Tracklist</u></b></span></div>
<br />
<blockquote>
<b>CD Tracklist</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Photogenic</li>
<li>Time Has Come</li>
<li>Golden Touch</li>
<li>Birthday</li>
<li>It</li>
<li>Scream</li>
<li>Fashionista</li>
<li>Fly</li>
<li>B Who I Want 2 B (feat. U hum sneak it)</li>
<li>Stranger</li>
<li>Every Woman</li>
<li>Space Invader</li>
<li>Anything</li>
<li>What I Did For Love (David Guetta feat. Namie Amuro) (Special Track)</li>
</ol>
<br />
<b>Bluray / DVD Tracklist</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Golden Touch (Music Video)</li>
<li>Birthday (Music Video)</li>
<li>Fashionista (Music Video)</li>
<li>Stranger (Music Video)</li>
<li>Anything (Music Video)</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!</i></span></b></div>
<br />
I'm pretty glad none of the previous singles are on it, not only because they were released in 900 B.C., but also because normally when Namie pulls a stunt like this you know she's up to some serious shit. I quite enjoyed <i>BRIGHTER DAY</i> though, but that's just me.<br />
<br />
She also does a cover of David Guetta's <i>What I Did For Love,</i> originally sung by Emeli Sande. Interesting. And who the fuck is U hum sneak it?<br />
<br />
Namie apparently went through over 200 demos and picked out the songs to be used for this album. I don't know, they're making it sound like she just sat on her ass and pressed the play button on her laptop, but I trust that Namie will give her own artistic input in this instead of making this end up _generic like someone else's album. I'm not naming names.... ... ... Koda Kumi.<br />
<br />
And five new PVs? Well, someone's finally getting her ass to work.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>4. The TEASE!</u></b></span></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="163" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TvtcDePsGbE?rel=0" width="290"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="163" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2Yi57IXEENU?rel=0" width="290"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!</span></b></i></div>
<br />
When the teaser first premiered on her YouTube channel, I just knew the hype was going to kill me. Namie looks <b>SO. GOOD. </b>And <i>Photogenic</i> sounds <b>SO. GOOD.</b> Everything about this just looks so well thought-out and flawlessly executed. Namie is literally dangling a penis on a stick and going "suck it, suck it," but each time you inch closer, she just takes a step back. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Too explicit?)</span><br />
<br />
The website says that the album will be focused on R&B, high energy dancebeat and new wave, as well as an '80s and '90s revival as witnessed in acts like Azealia Banks (yes praise the lord), Iggy Azalea, Ariana Grande (ew) and Pharrell Williams. Honestly, I know shit about what the genres listed above mean, but I am getting pretty excited, and slightly wet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">5. More TEASE!</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RhIExG3QF_I?rel=0" width="600"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!</i></b></span></div>
<br />
SHE GOT ME UP AND DOWN ON THIS SHIT!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
DANCING MARATHON!!! YES!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>6. Preview of All Songs</u></b></span></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lNWVoFYgarI?rel=0" width="600"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>AHHHHHHHHHHH!</i></b></span></div>
<br />
Um, I don't intend on listening to them because that'd be spoiling myself, so you guys can take a listen and let me know how they sound or something like that. From what I can gather, there are only two Japanese songs and the rest are in full English.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>7. I think I can confirm that this has already slayed WALK OF MY LIFE and A ONE</u></b></span></div>
<br />
And I'm pretty sure the production quality in this one is already going to be way better than Madonna's second crapfest, Rebel Heart, by LEAPS and BOUNDS. That's why she is Namie Slaymuro.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i style="text-align: justify;">_genic </i><span style="text-align: justify;">will be released on 10 June 2015.</span>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-18302682423876388042015-03-29T02:31:00.002+08:002015-03-29T02:37:15.744+08:00I Wanna Das Das In De Rain!!!!11!111!!<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0QvGPnCuIRY/VRbxyzbY1UI/AAAAAAAABhI/6BUk_XCDxWE/w590-h335-no/ditr1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
So I watched the music video for Koda Cum-i's<i> Dance in the Rain</i> and... oh wait... is that who I think it is...?<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_9GonPE6xk/VRbxy0E22DI/AAAAAAAABhc/2GfMRWzXBYg/w590-h333-no/ditr2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"I wanna das wanna das das in the rain!"</i></div>
<br />
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6TxnG8H3aZM/VRbxypdUftI/AAAAAAAABg4/jURY9LXi0n4/w590-h333-no/ditr3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Oh yas it's me bitchez"</i></div>
<br />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GA5ksJdo71o/VRbxzje-rMI/AAAAAAAABhE/5jjKPY03Z88/w590-h333-no/ditr4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"WALK OF MY LIFE #1 on Oricon? Big whoop, I say!"</i></div>
<br />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BdV5pTyHSVU/VRbxz4tQ2uI/AAAAAAAABhQ/CbPuJ0Tvi5I/w590-h333-no/ditr5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"And you knows it."</i></div>
<br />
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6RMK2uAm4hA/VRbx0dm6Y5I/AAAAAAAABhY/yGAP-6F5nzM/w590-h333-no/ditr6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Uh, I stopped trying at this point.</div>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Point of this post:</u></b><br />
<br />
1. I will be overseas (Thailand waddup) from Monday so I might as well post this up since all my commitments are over (woohoo!)<br />
<br />
2. Reviews for Koda Cum-i's WALK OF MY LIFE and ayumi hotmesssaki's A ONE can be expected when I'm back (or anything else released late last year / early this year *by request*, because I'm just so damn free now)<br />
<br />
3. I have some other sneaky ass things I might wanna introduce heh heh <br />
<br />
<br />
p/s. I've been getting a lot of love on my Gmail, Twitter and ask.fm (How did you guys even find the ask.fm? Sneaky bitches!) so thank you for that! I much appreciatesxszxz it. I might even be slightly aroused :)Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-44196519863416139642014-12-27T14:40:00.000+08:002014-12-27T14:58:20.175+08:00Top 20 Mixtape 2014 <div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4tg9D_rr00k/VJ2cShD79QI/AAAAAAAABfU/PcJRa_zGGDA/s400/J-Pop%2520KAMPAI%2520Top%252020%2520Mixtape%25202014.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Alright, I disappeared once again. But the year isn't ending without my Top 20 song list! I decided I'd change things up a bit and do the top 20 songs of the year in a mixtape style. The reason is really because I'm too indecisive to truly sort out the best songs in order, so I'll just dump everything in a playlist for you guys to figure it out yourselves.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Essentially, the 20 tracks I've put together are the songs that really made the year for me. Some were plain wow on first listen, some were growers, and some just made me think, "Did I just wet my pants again?" So it may or may not truly represent the best songs of 2014 (as it always have been on this blog anyway), but it's a varied list that will hopefully be an enjoyable one for you guys. Let's go bitches.<br />
<br />
p/s. 8tracks playlists of mixtape at the end of the post. Woohoo!</div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--Iy0BPrOmZo/U6AG89Bn3EI/AAAAAAAABVw/gFcz2OtnhB8/s1600/Welcome+to+Jas+Vegas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--Iy0BPrOmZo/U6AG89Bn3EI/AAAAAAAABVw/gFcz2OtnhB8/s150/Welcome+to+Jas+Vegas.jpg" /></a><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#AGARU</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">JASMINE</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.03.12</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to Jas Vegas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user4307923/agaru" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As mentioned in a previous review, this is dance-pop done right by JASMINE. Her vocals aren't the best here but everything else compensates for it anyway.</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_OhBxFHuwPI/VJ2cOJphTqI/AAAAAAAABfo/GkXdx7o0qw8/s1600/HOTEL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_OhBxFHuwPI/VJ2cOJphTqI/AAAAAAAABfo/GkXdx7o0qw8/s150/HOTEL.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HOTEL</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Koda Kumi</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.08.06</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">HOTEL</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zcGPX37w8o" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally, Koda Cum-on-mi did something different for a summer song this year which worked for me. Yes, it's just another Westernised J-Pop song, but hey, no Western artist can really beat Kuu's nasally voice in this! To really feel this song's happy vibes, you should probably read it with its translation. (<i>Right now knock on this hot summer's door / This service can only be found here, we're at the top / Knock knock / You can get anything for your order / "I want dreamy boys at once!"</i> – oh <b>yes.</b>)</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dm7LVI6gcR8/VJ2cRjjZJUI/AAAAAAAABfA/5FTbSAaKYo4/s1600/hero%252051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dm7LVI6gcR8/VJ2cRjjZJUI/AAAAAAAABfA/5FTbSAaKYo4/s150/hero%252051.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>hero #51</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">JUJU</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.03.05</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">DOOR</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strike>LISTEN HERE</strike></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
JUJU normally leans more towards pop more than jazz / R&B, but this is probably the only song in the album that's heavily influenced with hip-hop / R&B beats that surprisingly works pretty well with her otherwise thin voice.</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tEEpMfP3KCY/VJ2cOSkcNuI/AAAAAAAABfk/jpFVgrIu248/s1600/Hachisu%2520no%2520Hana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tEEpMfP3KCY/VJ2cOSkcNuI/AAAAAAAABfk/jpFVgrIu248/s150/Hachisu%2520no%2520Hana.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Hachisu no Hana -single version-</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">sakanaction</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.10.29</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sayonara wa Emotion / Hachisu no Hana</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjpBaiJlJ5I" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
sakanaction didn't have a particularly happening year, but <i>Hachisu no Hana</i> eventually grew on me for its subtly-accented, toned-down arrangement (as with most of their songs this year, really) that you just kinda grow to appreciate.</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dF7Arz5RrB8/VJ2cPPVBV5I/AAAAAAAABeY/jOrN86NNmVs/s1600/Lack%2520of%2520Communication.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dF7Arz5RrB8/VJ2cPPVBV5I/AAAAAAAABeY/jOrN86NNmVs/s150/Lack%2520of%2520Communication.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Lack of Communication</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">KLOOZ</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.02.12</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Seasons</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=175j1H4jjeY" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sick beats, sick rap, sick hook. This dude is talented, but damn, he shoulda let someone else take the microphone... but you'll probably get used to it if you listen to it seven times in a row hahahaha!!!</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kphxtylNzeE/VJ2cPteT3mI/AAAAAAAABec/5Cs5wAQKS5I/s1600/Shout%2520It%2520Out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kphxtylNzeE/VJ2cPteT3mI/AAAAAAAABec/5Cs5wAQKS5I/s150/Shout%2520It%2520Out.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Shout It Out</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">BoA</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.09.03</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">WHO'S BACK?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWzI1gU__vY" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, I'm intentionally using the album cover because it's so hideously designed and shot. How could I resist? The last time I was this impressed with a BoA song was back in 2008 with <i>Eien</i>, and I can't believe that was 6 years ago?! Anyhoo, can somebody tell me if BoA<i> really</i> had work done? I'm not judging, I'd love a nose job myself, but I just want an objective answer from people who are NOT hardcore stans.</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jMxJaajRN1Y/VJ2cPQHyxpI/AAAAAAAABfc/9ox9qSGbj5Y/s1600/Play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jMxJaajRN1Y/VJ2cPQHyxpI/AAAAAAAABfc/9ox9qSGbj5Y/s150/Play.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Play!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Galileo Galilei</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.10.01</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">See More Glass</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbQXAlFdaTQ" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's probably one of the more underrated songs on the EP because it wasn't as heavily promoted as <i>Mrs. Summer</i>, but as the name implies, I like the playful nature of the arrangement and delivery. If you liked their Baby, It's Cold Outside EP, you'll appreciate this.</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XVIhrFgZtyU/U6AHLgNhOXI/AAAAAAAABWA/7p8gVmJIP18/s1600/FOLKS+NEWTOWN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XVIhrFgZtyU/U6AHLgNhOXI/AAAAAAAABWA/7p8gVmJIP18/s150/FOLKS+NEWTOWN.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Everything is Alone</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">FOLKS</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2014.02.12</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">NEWTOWN</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2FGS8TXdLE" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm beginning to lose faith in FOLKS because their latest single was really meh. But <i>Everything is Alone</i> still winds up being one of my favourites this year because there really isn't anybody else in Japanese music who is producing the kind of music that they do, unless I'm missing out on something.</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6wnGAKagUFM/VJ2cRYpfzcI/AAAAAAAABfQ/0FyGrqBMJ98/s1600/Watashi%2520to%2520Drecom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6wnGAKagUFM/VJ2cRYpfzcI/AAAAAAAABfQ/0FyGrqBMJ98/s150/Watashi%2520to%2520Drecom.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>IT'S SO DELICIOUS</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Koda Kumi</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2014.03.26</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Watashi to Drecom -DREAMS COME TRUE 25th ANNIVERSARY BEST COVERS-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn0bR1u1fmE" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The tribute albums for DREAMS COME TRUE and Utada Hikaru this year absolutely put the cover albums of May J., JUJU, etc. to shame. THIS is what it means to make a cover. I can't believe nobody's been taking notes.</div>
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<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rMM0hnHsML0/VJ2cQOXaWLI/AAAAAAAABeg/AwmnepDKBvI/s1600/Starringchild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rMM0hnHsML0/VJ2cQOXaWLI/AAAAAAAABeg/AwmnepDKBvI/s150/Starringchild.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>StarRingChild</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Aimer</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.06.25</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Midnight Sun</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://en.musicplayon.com/play?v=321796" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
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I really like Aimer a lot. For one, she's not an attention whore. Nobody knows what she really looks like, and that's so rare for Japanese female soloists today. She also has a very low, lullaby-like voice that makes a cool juxtaposition against the rock songs she make, like this one.</div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BQ8Nc5Nox80/VJ2cMJGtV1I/AAAAAAAABdg/OJBQ0F2kmfQ/s1600/Colours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BQ8Nc5Nox80/VJ2cMJGtV1I/AAAAAAAABdg/OJBQ0F2kmfQ/s150/Colours.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Lelio</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">ayumi hamasaki</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.06.18</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Colours</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMudfyja9-o" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
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Yes, this is going to raise <i><b>a lot</b></i> of eyebrows. Yes, I will admit it is my guilty pleasure. But I'm not even sorry for it. ayumi hotmessaki waxes lyrical about a <strike>radio</strike> <i>Lelio</i> DJ and is probably the best song on her album for its deep lyrical content (<i>Lelio lelio leli lelio DJ / Yeah there a-a-a-a-at you</i>). I refuse to believe that nobody ever had even just a slight pussy pop listening to this. Come on.</div>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3zGZsj8XIf4/U6AG6xt_nJI/AAAAAAAABVo/nXD7NABWnQw/s1600/MISIA+New+Morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3zGZsj8XIf4/U6AG6xt_nJI/AAAAAAAABVo/nXD7NABWnQw/s150/MISIA+New+Morning.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Boku wa Pegasus Kimi wa Polaris</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">MISIA</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.04.02</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">NEW MORNING</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/85569956" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
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One of the best MISIA efforts in recent years as her music matures alongside herself. Grand arrangement, sleek production, smooth vocals, perfect mastering.</div>
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<br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ehTDQ7-yc-I/VJ2cQzGsbWI/AAAAAAAABfg/HJbzmN4ruhU/s1600/Utada%2520Hikaru%2520no%2520Uta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ehTDQ7-yc-I/VJ2cQzGsbWI/AAAAAAAABfg/HJbzmN4ruhU/s150/Utada%2520Hikaru%2520no%2520Uta.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Movin' on without you</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">ayumi hamasaki</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.12.09</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Utada Hikaru no Uta</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj89ly5ZV2M" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Reading the news of ayumi hotmessaki agreeing to participate in an Utada Hikaru tribute album brought as much shock as it did when I found out Namie Amuro did a song with Jolin Tsai. Is this reality? Or is ayumi hotmessaki just too damn desperate to make a quick buck to save her career? Regardless, this was easily one of the best tracks on the tribute album. Not only does it have a banging beat, but they also found the right balance in the amount of auto-tune used – you're not sure if they're auto-tuning to suit the genre of the song or to mask a certain vocalist's wrecked voice. Score!</div>
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<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dvSCfsZrrWE/VJ2cMHF5uzI/AAAAAAAABdw/b8FzsCcEJLs/s1600/BRIGHTER%2520DAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dvSCfsZrrWE/VJ2cMHF5uzI/AAAAAAAABdw/b8FzsCcEJLs/s150/BRIGHTER%2520DAY.jpg" /></a><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BRIGHTER DAY</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Namie Amuro</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.11.12</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">BRIGHTER DAY</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtkxu1HF6rk" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hooray for another Namie song that sounds just like another <i>ONLY YOU</i> / <i>Contrail</i>! It's a song about encouragement, but Namie looks like she's dying in the single covers, and I have no idea what was even going on in the music video (other than the fact that she looks ~*pretty darn amazing*~). Once again, Namie never fails to confuse, which makes this song an A+.</div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hfckKJMGjbA/VJ2cSEyuq5I/AAAAAAAABfY/s855HJgQPM4/s1600/tough%2520Village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hfckKJMGjbA/VJ2cSEyuq5I/AAAAAAAABfY/s855HJgQPM4/s150/tough%2520Village.jpg" /></a><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Kimi ni Shikanai Mono</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">lecca</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.08.06</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">tough Village</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE74qte8Rlw" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I only discovered lecca earlier in the year and it's one of the most surprising discoveries I've made in a loooooong time (the last time was probably Angela Aki, 7 years ago). She definitely has one of the strongest voices in J-Pop, which is easily attained when you sound manlier than Ken Hirai. This R&B-infused reggae track was my earworm for a good part of the year while her annual dancehall anthem, <i>Vibes Up</i>, failed to generate even a twerk).</div>
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<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s3lTUIhYHE0/VJ2cNSjRRsI/AAAAAAAABd8/emrVBHCfiSg/s1600/FLY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s3lTUIhYHE0/VJ2cNSjRRsI/AAAAAAAABd8/emrVBHCfiSg/s150/FLY.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Daredemo Lonely</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">YUKI</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.09.17</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">FLY</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/103490040" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't normally listen to YUKI because her voice is plain annoying, especially in her previous album. But it seems to mesh together well with dance songs like <i>Daredemo Lonely</i>. Think Kyary Pamyu Pamyu without the vocoder effects and the ability to sing in tune, combined with a little bit of Ai Otsuka. Stick to this track though, because the rest of the album isn't that impressive.</div>
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<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_8137GdhRKc/VJ2cRyRtb5I/AAAAAAAABfE/rPP-1k0utVI/s1600/sonic%2520manic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_8137GdhRKc/VJ2cRyRtb5I/AAAAAAAABfE/rPP-1k0utVI/s150/sonic%2520manic.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>sonic manic</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Kaela Kimura</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.12.17</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">MIETA</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFBabhgmP3k" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I initially wanted to give this album a skip because <i>OLE!OH!</i> sounded like the terrible kindergarten songs she always did. But I was at the Oricon site trying to see how badly everyone was flopping on the charts when a CM autoplayed on the site and this song was in the background, and I was HOOKED! It's like an uplifting version of <i>Mamireru</i>. Plus, at least there are no horrendous attempts at English in this one (read previous post).</div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u5abgL8u3_g/VJ2cQtmccdI/AAAAAAAABew/Q34sGkzTMaM/s1600/Superfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u5abgL8u3_g/VJ2cQtmccdI/AAAAAAAABew/Q34sGkzTMaM/s150/Superfly.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Ai wo Karada ni Fukikonde</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Superfly</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.11.19</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ai wo Karada ni Fukikonde</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0sCybAIFhE" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
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The key to every great Superfly song: guitar riff intro, instruments all come in, chorus includes some form of "Oh oh oh oh" / dragging of a vowel. She's done it again. And it sounds amazing. HOW DOES SHE DO IT?</div>
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<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K9T-A3fhhHk/VJ2cNA7gIJI/AAAAAAAABeM/C8_WlpsQ6no/s1600/Dance%2520in%2520the%2520Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K9T-A3fhhHk/VJ2cNA7gIJI/AAAAAAAABeM/C8_WlpsQ6no/s150/Dance%2520in%2520the%2520Rain.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Dance In The Rain</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Koda Kumi</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">2014.11.05</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Dance In The Rain</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxY5W9uiWz4" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
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Forget that the music video's the first to be ever made for the Oculus Rift (or whatever it is, I'm lazy to do my research). I love it when Koda Cum-on-mi dabbles in this style of music. Is it R&B / pop? I don't know, I'm retarded. Nonetheless, it has a slow tempo yet still danceable as fuck. Wouldn't wanna dance in the rain though, das just nasty.</div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Amu_hFFEA3Y/VJ2cMaFQLoI/AAAAAAAABd0/UQM3HhDO0V4/s1600/Anata%2520wo%2520Omou%2520Kaze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Amu_hFFEA3Y/VJ2cMaFQLoI/AAAAAAAABd0/UQM3HhDO0V4/s150/Anata%2520wo%2520Omou%2520Kaze.jpg" /></a><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Anata wo Omou Kaze</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">HY</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2014.12.03</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">LOVER</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQcsbjWT2wc" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></span><br />
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Here comes another nasally male vocalist! I have to say I absolutely adore Nakasone Izumi's voice though (chorus). It's your usual pop-rock affair with added rap elements and structured a little differently, which makes it all the more interesting.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
2014 brought me lots of awesome musical discoveries that made me wished I had done so earlier, but as a whole, I thought it was a pretty darn good year. Other notable songs that could've been contenders for the Top 20 were Ai Otsuka's <i>LOVE FANTASTIC</i> / <i>5:09am -Tonic-</i> and Perfume's <i>DISPLAY</i>, and I would've included Jolin Tsai's <i>I'm Not Yours</i> too, but well, that's not J-Pop.</div>
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If there are any other songs that I might have missed out that run in a similar vein to the 20 songs listed above, do share some of that goodness! And speaking of sharing, I've compiled two handy dandy 8tracks playlists for you guys to listen through the mixtape in two parts – the first half and the second – because it's all about spreading joy this festive season yo!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe height="250" src="http://8tracks.com/mixes/5448070/player_v3_universal" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" width="500"></iframe><br />
<div class="_8t_embed_p" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px;">
<a href="http://8tracks.com/meatpao/j-pop-kampai-top-20-mixtape-2014-pt-i?utm_medium=trax_embed">J-Pop KAMPAI! Top 20 Mixtape 2014 (Pt. I)</a></div>
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<iframe height="250" src="http://8tracks.com/mixes/5454505/player_v3_universal" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" width="500"></iframe><br />
<div class="_8t_embed_p" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px;">
<a href="http://8tracks.com/meatpao/j-pop-kampai-top-20-mixtape-2014-pt-ii?utm_medium=trax_embed">J-Pop KAMPAI! Top 20 Mixtape 2014 (Pt. II)</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Here's hoping for a good musical year in 2015!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>KAMPAI!</b></span></div>
Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-32240176326229634472014-12-25T21:30:00.001+08:002014-12-25T21:31:05.383+08:00Do you know what Kaela Kimura is trying to say in this song?<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iEavzaHfoiQ/VJwQk489IFI/AAAAAAAABZs/4lpGGgZ1KPg/w590-h332-no/k1.jpg" /></div>
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<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ULNufYTwtMI/VJwQkn1WLjI/AAAAAAAABZ0/sGwyCPV7ZMI/w590-h332-no/k2.jpg" /></div>
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<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EerxHHc_AHA/VJwQkyb23SI/AAAAAAAABZ8/0lJOuauJWrU/w590-h332-no/k3.jpg" /></div>
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<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WoNoTFFRhVg/VJwQmSL1Z1I/AAAAAAAABaI/AJTKF4kG3FM/w590-h332-no/k4.jpg" /></div>
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Me neither.Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-68754229002442590262014-06-18T13:14:00.000+08:002014-06-18T22:39:38.065+08:00[Single Review] Mika Nakashima x Kato Miliyah - Fighter<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YLM9HEQfpv0/U6Ah_DnJVgI/AAAAAAAABWo/7ECVaPSa2nk/s0/Mika+Nakashima+Kato+Miliyah+Fighter.jpg"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YLM9HEQfpv0/U6Ah_DnJVgI/AAAAAAAABWo/7ECVaPSa2nk/s400/Mika+Nakashima+Kato+Miliyah+Fighter.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Can someone tell Kato Miserableface to close her damn eyes? They freakin' me out</i></div><br />
When I first read the news about Mika Nakashima and Kato Miserableface's collaboration, my body was already activated to pop its pussy to whatever hot dance track they would be capable of dropping us.<br />
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This ultimately proved to be a bad idea because of the tremendous disappointment that ensued:<br />
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<a name='more'></a><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="332" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vijmd4SThig?rel=0" width="590"></iframe><br />
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I can definitely sense the sexual tension between the two of them (I always sensed Miliyah would bat for the other team) but the song is utter shit. It's just... a boring rock track. Nothing more, nothing less.<br />
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Mika's voice in the verses is also reaaaaaaally weird juxtaposed to Kato Miliyah's. At least they sound decent together in the chorus, I'll give them that. Other than "YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I LIVE FORRRRrRrRrRrRr" (RrRrRr = Mika's vibrato) which gets really annoying after a while.<br />
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But just when you thought they weren't done with this nonsense, they come up with a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUjM2qrLQjM" target="_blank">~*world cup*~ remix</a> that not only had a rearrangement for an overall more upbeat and happy vibe, but was also sung entirely in English!!!... oh no.<br />
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Okay, Kato Miserableface at the very least sounds legible here with brilliant pronunciation. And she's actually showing happy emotions on her face. But Mika Nakashima on the other hand... is a huge mess who looks like she doesn't know what's going on.<br />
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Both of them are literally just standing there awkwardly holding a soccer ball / pom pom and with Mika looking so scrawny and frail, making her stand all by herself makes me wanna just run over and give her support. Literally. Cuz bitch looks like she's about to crumble and fall any second. And I CAN'T UNDERSTAND YOUR ENGLISH GURL!!! Are you even "stunding on solid grlaond" with your grasp of the language?? She sounds like she's singing in another language the whole time!<br />
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<i><b>Gift</b></i>, the other song on the single, is definitely a more well-executed effort. You can definitely hear how great they sound together and individually without Mika Nakashima's obnoxious vibrato getting in the way at all. This collaboration single isn't all bad after all! Would honestly love more collaborations like this coming from the two of them. OR the pussy-popping dance track my body will always be ready for.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="252" scrolling="no" src="http://www.jpopsuki.tv/media/embed?key=5054376974918316e4d11fba6afd14c2&width=601&height=252&autoplay=false&autolightsoff=false&loop=false" width="601"></iframe><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wAshXsqx2lY/UABUI6yJOKI/AAAAAAAAABk/nHS2JLlbwpk/s388/03.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/10</b></span></div>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-38633147829150263032014-06-17T18:19:00.000+08:002014-06-17T18:38:32.818+08:00Mid-Year Reality Check: 5 Albums in 2014 to Check Out<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DsuUF2GtuaM/U6AG0pKImxI/AAAAAAAABVg/pJ6ae1bdtOU/w500-h156-no/realitycheck.jpg" /></div>2014 so far has been a year that has truly expanded my horizons. Thanks to schoolwork, my eyebags have a total surface area of 50cm² now, a size I previously thought would never become reality. My 64GB iPhone 5s also maxed out its storage space for the first time ever, which has, of course, sent me into an indefinite period of depression.<br />
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I also got to hear some pretty good J-music as of recent times, so here are 5 of the most kickass albums I've heard this year that I feel are worth listening, which I hope will help you tide over whichever sort of depression you're experiencing too. And if you thought 2013 was bad, these albums only solidify that fact further.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>FOLKS - NEWTOWN</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XVIhrFgZtyU/U6AHLgNhOXI/AAAAAAAABWA/7p8gVmJIP18/w524-h454-no/FOLKS+NEWTOWN.jpg"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XVIhrFgZtyU/U6AHLgNhOXI/AAAAAAAABWA/7p8gVmJIP18/s400/FOLKS+NEWTOWN.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Genre: indie pop / rock, electronic, alternative</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>FOLKS is a 5-member band that is a Google disaster. The only way I got to know about them was through Galileo Galilei, and that band is a Google disaster in itself too. But thank god I discovered them anyway, because this EP is the shit.<br />
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The vocalist doesn't sound terrible, their songs are catchy and these 7 songs make a great balance between the upbeat and soothing tracks, each carrying its own uniqueness without venturing too far out the indie electronic sphere. Even my indie-loving friends who once found Japanese music dubious dig this EP.<br />
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<i><b>Album highlights:</b> Everything is Alone, Two young, Good-bye, friends, You're right</i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="332" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/j2FGS8TXdLE?rel=0" width="590"></iframe><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">JASMINE - Welcome to Jas Vegas</span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--Iy0BPrOmZo/U6AG89Bn3EI/AAAAAAAABVw/gFcz2OtnhB8/s0/Welcome+to+Jas+Vegas.jpg"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--Iy0BPrOmZo/U6AG89Bn3EI/AAAAAAAABVw/gFcz2OtnhB8/s400/Welcome+to+Jas+Vegas.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Genre: dance, pop</i></div><br />
I was skeptical about this EP after seeing the assumably shitass budget for the visuals and questionable typing style for the song titles, but I was pleasantly surprised after reading raving reviews of this online, because damn right they were. This is literally the opposite of everything I said in my <a href="http://jpopkampai.blogspot.sg/2013/10/album-review-jasmine-complexxx.html" target="_blank">Complexxx review</a>. If JASMINE wants to create a pop record, this really represents her in that element. Life is a party in Jas Vegas. I love it.<br />
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<i><b>Album highlights:</b> Where U @, Handz Up !, #AGARU, Dearest</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Koda Kumi - Bon Voyage</span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yvnAuR1pYME/UwYtP4tS_fI/AAAAAAAABWI/I57O9rVizrQ/s0/Koda+Kumi+Bon+Voyage+CD.jpg"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yvnAuR1pYME/UwYtP4tS_fI/AAAAAAAABWI/I57O9rVizrQ/s400/Koda+Kumi+Bon+Voyage+CD.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Genre: pop, R&B, hip-hop</i></div><br />
Bon Voyage is not only one of the hottest records of 2014 so far, but probably one of the best albums in Koda Kumi's entire discography too. It's a solid, cohesive pop record that doesn't try hard to be anything else. Koda Kumi's bidding Bon Voyage to the other J-hoes' careers, sinking them one ship at a time while shimmying her tits.<br />
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<a href="http://jpopkampai.blogspot.sg/2014/03/album-review-koda-kumi-bon-voyage.html" target="_blank">Read full review here</a><br />
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<i><b>Album highlights:</b> SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA, Loaded feat. Sean Paul, Winner Girls, LALALALALA, Let's show tonight, TOUCH DOWN, Dreaming Now!, On Your Side, U KNOW</i><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/134279649&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="590"></iframe><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">m-flo - FUTURE IS WOW</span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0f1DqJSHcR8/U6AG-lZlBuI/AAAAAAAABV4/IrD22UOD7uU/s0/cover.jpg"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0f1DqJSHcR8/U6AG-lZlBuI/AAAAAAAABV4/IrD22UOD7uU/s400/cover.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Genre: EDM, electropop</i></div><br />
2 years ago, SQUARE ONE was a huge mess. Last year, NEVEN had some pretty good tracks, but overall proved to be lacking that WOW factor. FUTURE IS WOW is the album that they <i>finally</i> got right, kind of like how Complexxx was to JASMINE; works in progress. Maybe they decided to finally show the names of the collaborating artists because they are works that are actually good.<br />
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Aside from the terribly-autotuned SOL in <i>Go Crazy</i> and Yoohei Kawakami's ear-grating vocals in <i>FLY</i>, most of the other collaborations are gold, and the sound is overall more polished compared to their last 2 albums. Even ayumi hamasaki doesn't sound like crap here.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Album highlights: </i><i>Spark, My Way, Young & Restless, IRONY, d.w.m, FIND A WAY</i><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/141352447&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="590"></iframe><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MISIA - NEW MORNING</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3zGZsj8XIf4/U6AG6xt_nJI/AAAAAAAABVo/nXD7NABWnQw/s0/MISIA+New+Morning.jpg"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3zGZsj8XIf4/U6AG6xt_nJI/AAAAAAAABVo/nXD7NABWnQw/s400/MISIA+New+Morning.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Genre: pop, ballad, R&B</i></div><br />
SOUL QUEST really was MISIA going on a quest to find soul for the album's music. Clearly, she didn't make it back in time for its release date.<br />
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But 3 years on, MISIA has gotten her act together. NEW MORNING is one hell of a masterpiece. I'm not joking when I say every track on this album is mastered to <i>perfection</i>. They've balanced the shit out of every single instrument, and every time MISIA belts out a note, it doesn't overly stand out amongst the grandeur of the arrangement. This is MISIA's maturest studio effort to date, and shows that she truly has grown as an artist.<br />
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<i><b>Album highlights:</b> Boku wa Pegasus Kimi wa Polaris, Aoi Tsukikage, Ai wo Shiru Sekai, Especially for me, Shiawase wo Forever, Re-Brain, DEEPNESS (Live)</i><br />
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<iframe width="590" height="332" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZEPweJ-UXRA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-5582454825567935392014-05-28T01:04:00.001+08:002014-05-28T01:05:51.062+08:00Moar J-Indie Prease?!?!?!<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-759RbDgMXl4/U4TCDuvsaXI/AAAAAAAABUg/_S_INZeQiIg/s0/Galileo+Galilei.jpg"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-759RbDgMXl4/U4TCDuvsaXI/AAAAAAAABUg/_S_INZeQiIg/s600/Galileo+Galilei.jpg" /></a><br />
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I'm hooked. <br />
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You guys left me some awesome J-indie music to check out and I LOVE IT! Galileo Galilei (as pictured above) is probably one of my favourite bands at the moment because their music is exactly the kind of music I'm really into right now (especially their <i>PORTAL</i> album; their latest one, <i>ALARMS</i>, not so much) and that other band with the members who left them, FOLKS has some pretty good stuff too.<br />
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The peeps over at JPOP Central also recommended me bands like HaKU, androp, Fujifabric, sleepy.ab, Spitz, etc. but none of them has music that gets me quite like Galileo Galilei's do (and the posters themselves said that too, which is pretty depressing) so do keep the suggestions coming because this is the biggest problem with indie music -<b> IT'S SO DAMN HARD TO FIND!</b><br />
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I've also been really into lecca - after getting over the prior shock towards her astonishingly, almost borderline-gross manly voice, she is one talented ho. Would love to hear more Jamaican-inspired dancehall artists like her as well (not a big fan of her reggae stuff tbh, that's one genre I'll never be able to appreciate). <br />
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I'll be embedding some videos from these awesome possum peoplez for those who might be interested as well after the jump!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/j2FGS8TXdLE?rel=0" width="600"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dzbJ79_O8-g?rel=0" width="600"></iframe>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-34775022355046267762014-05-26T12:28:00.000+08:002014-05-26T12:28:00.171+08:00[News] ayumi hamasaki finally wakes up <div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wCPk6xOLyO0/U4IPm-Xy_BI/AAAAAAAABTM/DlgcoWK4vM0/s0/Ayu+2014+album.jpg" /></div>
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ayumi hotmesssaki has gotten her shit slightly more together after her ~*amazing*~ collaboration with m-flo for My Way on the latter group's latest album, and she also announced that she's received a copy of Namie Amuro's <i>FEEL</i> and would be stepping up her game for her next studio effort.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Her next album which is slated for release in a little more than a month (I'm actually excited??) will feature works from renowned producers like RedOne, Darkchild, Armin van Buuren, etc. etc. So far they've announced that the album is only gonna be 10 songs long (which is pretty weird for an Ayu album) but Imma just take this news with a bag of salt until all the details are finalised.<br />
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The shitty thing, though, is that she's not including My Way for us to pop our pussies to but will instead be putting in Pray and her latest shitass digital single, Hello new me. I'm sorry, the title is terrible and the song is mediocre at best. Next!<br />
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The previews for 6 of the new songs are already out and they sound <i><b>B-A-N-G-I-N-G! </b></i>I am SCREAMING for Lelio because everybody thought it was gonna be a word with deep meaning translated into some language from Jupiter or something but as it turns out, she literally meant it as "RADIO". If I were a steak I'd be well done.<br />
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Other songs like Angel showcased Ayu's screaming banshee whining skills and NOW & 4EVA, despite its shitty title, actually proves to be pretty kickass so far and sounds pretty much like what Ayu would've done between 2003-2008. What is forever love features Urata Naoya and I'm going to refrain from commenting.<br />
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So far at least the previews and everything managed to pique my interest slightly more than I would've thought, and from the way it sounds it definitely shapes up to be more promising than the sad shithole <i>LOVE again</i> was.<br />
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While everyone's rooting for her to name the album after songs like "XOXO", "Angel", and even "What is forever love", I am opting for the underdog amongst them all, "Lelio". If you wanna have a shitass title, may as well go all the way and name it Lelio. It's not like it's going to do well on the charts anyway!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/playlists/35893182&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-5553848120592898172014-05-26T00:17:00.001+08:002014-05-26T00:17:58.454+08:00[New Release] Kaela Kimura - 10years<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XKUfNbDDksc/U4IO2eWPs3I/AAAAAAAABTc/1hi8mp2nJ38/s0/Kaela+Kimura+10years.jpg"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XKUfNbDDksc/U4IO2eWPs3I/AAAAAAAABTc/1hi8mp2nJ38/s288/Kaela+Kimura+10years.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x9pwEu3hI_U/U4IO2aulQLI/AAAAAAAABSU/6SMKZuJsIBE/s0/Kaela+Kimura+10+years+Regular.jpg"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x9pwEu3hI_U/U4IO2aulQLI/AAAAAAAABSU/6SMKZuJsIBE/s279/Kaela+Kimura+10+years+Regular.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
CD+DVD | CD Only</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's hard to imagine that it's already Kaela Kimura's 10th anniversary this year, and it's also hard to imagine that when you have her ENTIRE discography to choose from as songs for this compilation album, the fans decided to vote for 90% of the songs that are already on 5years for this album. This is why the artists should choose the damn songs for themselves! </div>
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<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;">
The covers are really nice though, so that's a good point. There are really very questionable song choices in the tracklist like Sun shower (which is her lowest selling single of all time), STARs (fine, it has a music video, big deal) and the general fact that these songs were already on 5years. At least if they were gonna go that route they should've bothered to add in Jasper which is like, her most ridiculously catchy song ever.<br />
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I would've loved to see more stuff from <i>+1</i> (which was the peak of her creative genius tbh) like NO IMAGE, Famiredo and 1115. Even songs from <i>8EIGHT8</i> like Make my day! and KEKKO plus others like BANZAI and Mamireru would've made this tracklist a whole lot more kickass. Alas, some things are just not meant to be... hopefully the two new songs would be good, but I'm more stoked for what kind of music she's gonna put out for her next album instead.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>10years </i>will be released on 25 June 2014.</div>
<blockquote>
<b>CD Tracklist</b><br />
<ol>
<li>happiness!!!</li>
<li>Magic Music</li>
<li>Real Life Real Heart (リルラ リルハ)</li>
<li>Sun shower</li>
<li>You know you love me?</li>
<li>Butterfly</li>
<li>TREE CLIMBERS</li>
<li>Wani to Kotori (ワニと小鳥)</li>
<li>STARs</li>
<li>You</li>
<li>dolphin</li>
<li>Level 42</li>
<li>Yellow</li>
<li>Lilian (リリアン)</li>
<li>Moustache (マスタッシュ)</li>
<li>Whatever Are You Looking For?</li>
<li>Ring a Ding Dong</li>
<li>LOVELY</li>
<li>My Love</li>
</ol>
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<b>DVD Tracklist</b><br />
<ol>
<li>happiness!!!</li>
<li>Magic Music</li>
<li>Real Life Real Heart</li>
<li>Sun shower</li>
<li>You know you love me? (from GO!5!KAELAND)</li>
<li>Butterfly</li>
<li>TREE CLIMBERS</li>
<li>Wani to Kotori (from GO!5!KAELAND)</li>
<li>STARs</li>
<li>You</li>
<li>dolphin (from GO!5!KAELAND)</li>
<li>Level 42</li>
<li>Yellow</li>
<li>Moustache</li>
<li>Whatever Are You Looking For? (from GO!5!KAELAND)</li>
<li>Ring a Ding Dong</li>
<li>My Love</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-huSObyFPcBY/U4IO2vx59UI/AAAAAAAABUE/uvIY-nagzug/s0/Kaela+Kimura+10years+Promo.jpg"> <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-huSObyFPcBY/U4IO2vx59UI/AAAAAAAABUE/uvIY-nagzug/s350/Kaela+Kimura+10years+Promo.jpg" /></a></div>
Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-4790745461880714692014-05-26T00:02:00.002+08:002014-05-26T00:02:52.856+08:00[New Release] Namie Amuro - Ballada <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TCsYa5DaEp8/U4IOle3mp2I/AAAAAAAABT0/OZhsZr5LTU8/s0/Amuro_Namie_-_Ballada_BD.jpg"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TCsYa5DaEp8/U4IOle3mp2I/AAAAAAAABT0/OZhsZr5LTU8/s188/Amuro_Namie_-_Ballada_BD.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QZD4R4g3QVk/U4IOlR2BiPI/AAAAAAAABTk/RT5IIC0RxAc/s0/Amuro_Namie_-_Ballada_DVD.jpg"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QZD4R4g3QVk/U4IOlR2BiPI/AAAAAAAABTk/RT5IIC0RxAc/s188/Amuro_Namie_-_Ballada_DVD.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--1152OAMHpQ/U4IOlaXMzkI/AAAAAAAABTs/14urkCVhYzg/s0/Amuro_Namie_-_Ballada_CD.jpg"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--1152OAMHpQ/U4IOlaXMzkI/AAAAAAAABTs/14urkCVhYzg/s188/Amuro_Namie_-_Ballada_CD.jpg" /></a></div>
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CD+Bluray | CD+DVD | CD</div>
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We all have seen the ballad best album coming when they asked for fans to vote for their favourite ballads a few months ago (huge shocker; who could have guessed?) but as it would turn out, as with every other artist who actually puts effort into making their best albums less half-assed than the very idea of one in itself (I'm looking at you, <i>A SUMMER BEST</i>), Namie just keeps them surprises coming with this hell of a release.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The covers are absolutely gorgeous, especially the CD+DVD and CD only covers. She magically looks like her 19-year-old malnourished self in the CD+Bluray cover which I have no idea how to feel about. Ballad best albums normally have the same ol' generic colour schemes with pastel colours, lotsa pink and unicorns jumping about, but it's interesting to see Namie take a road less taken with this rustic, sepia feel in some godforsaken room with two chairs. And she has a hideous hat on, but with her gorgeousness comes forgiveness.<br />
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Not only that, but we're getting new vocals for SWEET 19 BLUES and CAN YOU SELL A PLATE? ! How exciting is that?! I've always longed for a rerecorded CAN YOU CELEBRATE? because I've always thought she sounded amazing with her voice sounding stronger now that she's older. The rerecorded version of CAN YOU CELEBATE? also features some violinist dude who sounds annoying 80% of the time as you would hear in the video I posted below. We also get the ballad version of Contrail in this release!<br />
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If that's too many goodies for you to take in, we're also getting <b>*NEW*</b> music videos for SWEET 19 BLUES, CAN YOU CELEBRATE?, Four Seasons and HimAWArI. How does she ever find the damn time to do those things? But I've seen some of the PVs and for the large part they all look pretty shit as usual, but I'll take it and eat it all up anyway.<br />
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Oh yeah, and I am SO GLAD they included Dreaming I was dreaming. It's probably one of my favourite Namie songs ever?! White Light though, on the other hand, can go die in a fire. <br />
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<i>Ballada</i> will be released on 4 June 2014.<br />
<blockquote>
<b>CD Tracklist</b><br />
<ol>
<li>SWEET 19 BLUES (New Vocal)</li>
<li>CAN YOU CELEBRATE? (New Vocal)</li>
<li>Dreaming I was dreaming</li>
<li>NEVER END</li>
<li>HimAWArI</li>
<li>think of me</li>
<li>I WILL</li>
<li>Wishing On The Same Star</li>
<li>Four Seasons</li>
<li>ALL FOR YOU</li>
<li>White Light</li>
<li>The Meaning Of Us</li>
<li>Love Story</li>
<li>Let Me Let You Go</li>
<li>TSUKI</li>
<li>Contrail Ballada Ver. (Bonus Track)</li>
</ol>
<br />
<b>Bluray / DVD Tracklist</b><br />
<ol>
<li>SWEET 19 BLUES (Music Video)</li>
<li>CAN YOU CELEBRATE? (Music Video)</li>
<li>Dreaming I was dreaming (Music Video)</li>
<li>NEVER END (Music Video)</li>
<li>HimAWArI (New Music Video)</li>
<li>think of me (Music Video)</li>
<li>I WILL (Music Video)</li>
<li>Wishing On The Same Star (Music Video)</li>
<li>Four Seasons (New Music Video)</li>
<li>ALL FOR YOU (Music Video)</li>
<li>White Light (Music Video)</li>
<li>The Meaning Of Us (Music Video)</li>
<li>Love Story (Music Video)</li>
<li>Let Me Let You Go (Music Video)</li>
<li>TSUKI (Music Video)</li>
<li>SWEET 19 BLUES (New Music Video)</li>
<li>CAN YOU CELEBRATE? (New Music Video)</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YH4RnkpqAJU?rel=0" width="600"></iframe>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-22649833900617277422014-04-21T15:02:00.000+08:002016-04-02T16:41:30.527+08:00[Album Review] DREAMS COME TRUE - Watashi to Drecom -DREAMS COME TRUE 25th ANNIVERSARY BEST COVERS-<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yuslkKrpLL0/U1K_k0B-XwI/AAAAAAAABQw/SSfG7wE-kys/s500/Watashi%2520to%2520Drecom.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mass orgy time!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Best albums are commonplace in Japan's music scene, but as far as I know tribute albums are almost unheard of, and there isn't a better occasion that calls for it than for DREAMS COME TRUE's 25th anniversary. DREAMS COME TRUE has been around since FOREVER and I think their music is really unparalleled compared to other J-Pop acts. I don't even know why they don't receive as much attention internationally as their other veteran counterparts like B'z and SMAP.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The artists who took part in this project almost seems like a dream cast — from groups fresh in the scene like E-girls to rising acts like miwa to veteran acts like Koda Kumi and Mika Nakashima. Ai Otsuka in all her inactiveness actually bothered to even contribute to this album.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What I really enjoyed from this album besides its varying artists was also the varying music styles. The songs mostly still retained the original style DREAMS COME TRUE created while still mixing in the participating artist's style as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The pop, cheerful and preppy <i><b>Ureshii! Tanoshii! Daisuki!</b></i> by E-girls couldn't have been more apt with their image and kind of music they make, while the slower, mellow, ballady tunes were handed to the likes of Ikimonogakari with <i><b>Mirai Yousouzu II </b></i>and miwa with their biggest hit <i><b>LOVE LOVE LOVE</b></i>. I never really enjoyed Ikimonogakari's vocalist's voice though, to me she just sounds like she's perpetually yelling. Mika Nakashima's rendition of <i><b>Yasashii Kiss wo Shite</b></i> is alright, but her vocals surprisingly sound terrible, almost unnatural and nasally which is quite a pity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nana Mizuki also did a upbeat pop cover of one of my favourite DREAMS COME TRUE songs, <i><b>Egao no Yukue</b>,</i> and sounds almost para para-like but definitely gave the song an energy boost from the original tempo.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">JUJU's cover of <i><b>Suki</b></i>, originally a piano ballad, incorporated jazz and R&B elements that JUJU is known for and has always been a cover I enjoyed ever since her Request album came out. Even Ai Otsuka's mature, jazzy and slightly cutesy sound appears in her cover of <i><b>ROMANCE</b></i>, which was <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ki0b_dreams-come-true-romance_music" target="_blank">originally a funky R&B / hip-hop tune!</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--0K3HA3Z68Y/U1K_h9s0mwI/AAAAAAAABQo/jkZOYJ5Bpy0/s0/DREAMS_COME_TRUE_WONDERLAND_2011PROMO.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--0K3HA3Z68Y/U1K_h9s0mwI/AAAAAAAABQo/jkZOYJ5Bpy0/s300/DREAMS_COME_TRUE_WONDERLAND_2011PROMO.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you believe Miwa Yoshida (right)<br />
turns 49 this year?! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">On the rockier side, we have bands like HY covering <b style="font-style: italic;">Kessen wa Kinyoubi</b>, incorporating their rock sound with elements of traditional Japanese instruments which was actually pretty interesting. The other two rock covers, however, proved to be the most disappointing of the bunch; namely <i><b>Osaka LOVER </b></i>by SCANDAL and <i><b>Nando Demo</b></i> by Flower.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm not comprehending how a rock band like SCANDAL can actually work when all of its members sound like chipmunks and/or they're perpetually high on helium or some shit. E-girls worked with <i>Ureshii! Tanoshii! Daisuki! </i>because the nature of the song fitted them, but <i>Osaka LOVER</i> and <i>Nando Demo</i> were released during a time when Miwa Yoshida's voice had already matured and hence sounded stronger. SCANDAL and Flower just sounded way thinner in comparison and somehow watered these two amazing songs into something that sounds almost basic and juvenile, which to me is just unfortunate. <i>Nando Demo</i> doesn't sound nearly as bad, but definitely would've worked with stronger vocals.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think Superfly would've done a banging job with a rock and roll rendition of <i>Nando Demo</i>, and Kaela Kimura, while still not sounding nearly as strong, would've done a better job with the arrangement that SCANDAL had for <i>Osaka LOVER</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the R&B department we have Ms. OOJA and stuck-in-a-vicious-cover-cycle BENI with their renditions of <i><b>WINTER SONG</b></i> and <i><b>Sankyu.</b></i> respectively. I've always enjoyed BENI's smooth, effortless vocals which show as usual in this track, but I can't help but feel that she should've done <i>WINTER SONG</i> instead because she seems to be the only one capable of speaking fluent English.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First of all, I'd really love to see the lyrics sheet Ms. OOJA was reading off when she recorded this shit because she truly is a real 'r' and 'l' mess. In one line she sings "lights fricker arl alound" and in another she sings "the snow is farring ever faster". It would've been semi-acceptable if she pronounced all her 'l's as 'r' because that's how Engrish came about, but no! She clearly knows how to pronounce 'l' properly the moment she sang "lights" so what the hell is going on??? She totally killed a perfectly wonderful song a la Namie with <i>Beautiful</i>'s "supplies".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">All negativity aside, the song that got the biggest makeover is probably <b><i>IT'S SO DELICIOUS</i></b>. It's amazing how a FUNK number could actually turn out to be the ultimate pussy popper electropop track sung by Koda Kumi. The instrumental bit right after "motto gyuttoshite" is to absolutely die for and was exactly how I felt when I also heard the original <i>BE MY BABY</i> and then Kuu's rendition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Watashi to Drecom -DREAMS COME TRUE 25th ANNIVERSARY BEST COVERS- really demonstrates the versatility of the group's music that has made them come this far. Listening to this album is like eating a bag of assorted jellybeans. They're all from the same place, with each having their own colour that gives a taste different from the others, but are still enjoyable to eat. Or maybe that's just me. But it also proves that when you get talent from all over the Japanese music industry to collaborate on a single project, the results can be pretty impressive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think what all the record labels should take note is to never restrict collaborations within the record label *ahem*avex*ahem*. DREAMS COME TRUE was never treated as a marketing gimmick or pop culture icons because they knew their music and that was all they really were about, thus resulting in their long-lasting legacy until today. Roping in artists from various labels just shows that they still uphold that even after being so long in the industry. They even promoted the featured artists and their latest releases in the album's linear notes. This album definitely deserves more attention than it's receiving.</div><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/sitodorikamu-dreams-come-true/id834908421?l=en">Listen to previews here.</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MIUQPXLxDD0/UABULmkqwJI/AAAAAAAAACE/XCC9r8NW69c/s388/07.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/10</b></span></div><br />
<i><b>Album highlights:</b> Ureshii! Tanoshii! Daisuki!, LOVE LOVE LOVE, Kessen wa Kinyoubi, Suki, ROMANCE, Egao no Yukue, IT'S SO DELICIOUS, Sankyu.</i>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-38744564030377457382014-04-20T00:59:00.004+08:002014-04-20T02:30:25.203+08:00Celebrating Angela Aki's Bad-Assness <div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_w0LPUQfelM/UynWdCVLAoI/AAAAAAAABPg/KCyPohRihS0/s590/angela%2520aki%2520is%2520a%2520badass.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My discovery of Angela Aki's music was pretty much a leap of faith. I had no initial interest whatsoever towards listening to her music even though back then I almost always came across her name on forums because people were always talking about her during the Home era.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That was when I made a trip down to HMV at the ~*tender age*~ of 12 in early 2007 and chanced upon her Home album and thought, what the heck, I'll just give this caucasian-looking chick a shot (Clearly back then torrenting or downloading wasn't exactly a thing I knew about - I was a law-abiding citizen alright). I even wondered whether or not she made English or Japanese music because of her name and perceivable race lol.</div>
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Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised with her music. Back then, my Japanese music knowledge wasn't exactly great (the only artists I listened to were ayumi hamasaki and Utada Hikaru, and back then I actually disliked Koda Kumi) so listening to her organic, light piano pop songs were somewhat a breath of fresh air. To date, Home probably remains as one of the best Japanese records ever made, at least to me. At one point, I even considered learning the piano because I was so captivated by her live performances. Of course, I was too lazy to actually make that happen.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
As of today, Angela Aki has officially embarked on an indefinite hiatus from her Japanese music career to enter a music college in the United States, and I have also embarked on an indefinite period of depression. But you know what they say <span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: left;">—</span> don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened (woohoo for clichés)!</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Angela has undeniably left behind a kickass tapestry of songs for us to always remember her music by and more often than not, we tend to undermine just how talented Angela Aki is. She never needed glamour whatsoever to support herself <span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: left;">—</span> her music was all it took, and that is exactly how badass Angela Aki is. Chances are, she can outsing all of your faves any time of the day, and can probably outmassage your faves too (after playing the piano for so many years, imagine just now much force her fingers can exert on your aching shoulders? holy shitballs)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But let's not mope over the Japanese music industry's loss of talent and celebrate her existence by talking about the number of fucks Angela Aki really gives everybody.</div>
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<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b>~*~*~*~*~</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b>WHY ANGELA AKI IS SO BADASS</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b>~*~*~*~*~</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. She got away with having the same covers for two whole years</span></b></div>
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<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K3OnZt0_Xl0/UynWd_niX5I/AAAAAAAABQA/QW4UiPXZ9jM/s0/angelas%2520shitty%2520covers.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">R.I.P Angela Aki's Shit Covers</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">2005-2007</span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. While we're on the topic of that, she gets to look like a mess when she feels like it</b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yH4_EorHpSQ/UynWdK7_NVI/AAAAAAAABP4/YBlwyWgbelQ/s500/Angela%2520Aki%2520is%2520so%2520done.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Urgh... so done with this shit."</i></div>
<br />
Not forgetting this iconic gif that was circulating around back in the day:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GzdUSoFMXVs/UynWdIJczaI/AAAAAAAABP0/ZLdv7rfep7w/s214/Angela%2520aki%2520iconic%2520gif.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>TODAY era, more commonly known as the pinnacle of her shitty slew of cd covers</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. While your faves are spending money hiring stylists to mask their shitty singing, Angela Aki has a trusty set of jerseys and that's all she needs </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: left;"><b>—</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> and guess what? She gets away with that too.</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DqcaoZEVkwI/UynWeQL43OI/AAAAAAAABQE/RX86G7KPWrY/s590/same%2520clothes.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Angela obviously has a really easy time when it comes to choosing lottery numbers.</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She wears them on television, she wears them during concerts, she wears them on promotional posters, she even wears them on her damn concert DVD covers <span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: left;">—</span> I'm surprised she hasn't made a single / album wearing one of those yet.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Based on the points made above, I think it's pretty clear that Angela Aki is the queen of consistency. Way to go, gurl!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. She is capable of creating songs that are 10 minutes long without sounding like shit</span></b></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="443" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mc8rxWgjsds?rel=0" width="590"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. While we're at that, she literally does not have to lift her ass up to own a stage </span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: left;"><b>—</b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> and guess what she's wearing again?</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="443" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/e2BroGSmFJo?rel=0" width="590"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. She covers songs your fave can never.</span></b></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="328" scrolling="no" src="http://www.jpopsuki.tv/media/embed?key=8ca3b31bbce77f2d97ab6c1a98d13555&width=590&height=328&autoplay=false&autolightsoff=false&loop=false" width="590"></iframe><br />
<br />
While all your faves are singing songs like<i> LA LA LA LOVE SONG</i>, <i>First Love</i> and <i>Chiisana Koi no Uta </i>after mistaking the recording studio for a karaoke lounge, Angela Aki takes an ancient enka song and nails it. <br />
<br />
Angela Aki also took a bunch of English songs, rearranges, translates, and covers them for her SONGBOOK album and she nailed that too, with only her piano and her voice. Come on.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="443" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0AFbwETwdaU?rel=0" width="590"></iframe><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br />
</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Flawless cover of Radiohead's Creep</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Has simple black glasses that have become so iconic to her identity (and even wrote a song about), the world goes apeshit once she takes them off </b></span></div>
<br />
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EY1OhMEC5ao/UynWd7TzR1I/AAAAAAAABP8/RolSqkS-BTU/s590/angela%2520without%2520glasses%2520holy%2520shitballs.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">6. Wrote a song so powerful, she made an entire class of 15 year olds dehydrated from bawling their eyes out</span></b></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="443" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/APG6vmlwgmI?rel=0" width="590"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you, Angela, for slaying everybody and showing them J-Pop bitches how things should be done, and may you get that Grammy one day while the rest are getting basic SpaceShower Music Video trophies.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="443" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ybSE-sLuC-A?rel=0" width="590"></iframe>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-1178473974392460042014-03-22T12:40:00.000+08:002016-04-02T16:42:05.571+08:00[Album Review] Koda Kumi - Bon Voyage<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yvnAuR1pYME/UwYtP4tS_fI/AAAAAAAABMM/eGM-ypVC3II/s500/Koda%2520Kumi%2520Bon%2520Voyage%2520CD.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Yeah all u bitches be trippin up on this shizz right here"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I believe one thing fans need to realise by now is that Koda Kumsies does not give a single flying fuck about reinventing herself anymore. Gorl is old enough to do what she wants to do, and Bon Voyage is the very result of that. This predominantly dance pop record proves that Kuu has done it right again and isn't trying to prove anything other than to have fun in one of her most cohesive efforts since forever.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;">With the evident nautical theme at play here, the only songs truly representative of the album's visual concept are <i><b>SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA</b></i> (with its music video too) and <i><b>Let's show tonight</b></i>, a short interlude that is questionably placed right smack in the middle of the album and right before the actual Bon Voyage interlude, which leads me to two possible theories:<br />
<br />
1) <i>Let's show tonight </i>was switched from the front to the middle so the nautical theme sort of "carries out" throughout the album and doesn't just die off at the very beginning<br />
<br />
<b>OR</b><br />
<br />
2) <i>Let's show tonight</i> was meant to be at the very front, just that Koda Kumi and/or her team was too stupid and thought <i>Let's show tonight</i> wasn't the introduction because it wasn't labelled that way. I think imma have to go with the latter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The interludes on this album are no joke though - my pussy started hyperventilating the moment the beat dropped and the bass is ridiculous and got me wanting more. <i><b>Interlude ~Bon Voyage~</b></i> is fucking amazing and should be kept on loop 24/7. I can already visualise Beyoncé twerking her ass so badly to this song with that big booty of hers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA</i> offers a very different style of music from Kuu because it has that old sound from god knows which era, with the trumpets at all and I find it a breath of fresh air as well, with an overall fun vibe from this song. I still find myself retardedly dancing certain parts of the choreography. Its not-so-long sister song <i>Let's show tonight</i> carries a more Burlesque-y vibe which sounds amazing, with its tempo changes and all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first half of the album is a fun bunch - Koda Kumi gives us the ultimate alcoholic anthem (also my life anthem) with <i><b>LOADED feat. Sean Paul </b></i>with an addictive beat loop right off the bat and lyrics like "Margalitas make us harpy" and "B for Bacardi / C for Campari / Dirty Martini / E for Everclear / F for Fuzzy Navel / G for Gin and Tonic". I have no idea what the hell an AI motto is, but I hope it has nothing to do with AI. Other than that, Kuu has finally made a song I can relate so well to :') We also have <i><b>Winner Girls</b></i>, a harder electronic song with attitude which gives me so much life at the breakdown at the bridge. Its lyrics leave much speculation though - "take me love me like a toy"? Is this Koda Kumi trying to objectify women?!?! ~look at me trying to stir shit up~</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second quarter of the album, more effectively known as the "wet blanket" portion of the album, is probably the least relevant and weaker part of the album. We've already heard <i><b>LALALALALA</b></i> and <b><i>Koishikute</i></b> which are alright on their own, but sound rather off in this album. I still really dig the bass in <i>LALALALALA</i> though. <i><b>Imagine</b></i> is an electro/R&B ballad that isn't particularly amazing compared to the rest of the album, but holds its own as well. It's kind of like how <i>Slow feat. Omarian</i> was to JAPONESQUE.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hGCiRqqn108/UwYtO9jbAtI/AAAAAAAABME/5vac2ZWq3zc/s1600/Bon%2520Voyage%2520Promo%2520Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hGCiRqqn108/UwYtO9jbAtI/AAAAAAAABME/5vac2ZWq3zc/s260/Bon%2520Voyage%2520Promo%2520Pic.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I don't think I can spot the other J-hoes<br />
from the top of the Oricon charts."</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The second half of the album is when Kuu brings out her ghetto-bitch - we have <i><b>TOUCH DOWN </b></i>which incorporates elements of trap, hip-hop, rock and electro to give us some booty shaking realness. On the other hand, we have <i><b>Crank Tha Bass feat. OVDS</b></i>, which sounds half-assed and mediocre at best. The rapping is redundant and doesn't do anything to the song at all, the rock arrangement largely sounds terrible and her playfulness in the vocals don't nearly stand out as much as in<i><b> LOL</b></i>. <i>LOL</i> may not be one of the standout tracks, but Kuu clearly goes all out - there's major attitude, she varies her vocals, and there are annoyingly addictive hooks (that wooooah oh oh oh oh oh ohhhhh part and HA HA HA LAFFING OUT LAOD) - plus, she actually makes the effort to pronounce the letter "L" instead of going all RAFFING OUT RAOD on us.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>Go to the top</b></i> is another single song that fits rather comfortably in the album - the mix of electronic and rock elements make the song a great segue to the next part. Doesn't make it any less boring though. Things finally pick up from <b><i>Dreaming Now! </i></b>where she dives straight back into electropop dance and her Engrishy antics. It's catchy, it's uplifting, it's addictive, and I love it. It then mellows into <i><b>On Your Side</b></i>, which has a slight urban twist with a pretty good buildup in the arrangement. It's one of those songs that sound comforting (I mean, baby she's on your side) and soothes the heart, and is aptly placed towards the end of the album too.<br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i> <i><b>U KNOW</b></i> runs along the same vein where it's also an electropop song but with a mellowed-out sound compared to the songs at the beginning of the album and works really well as an ending song without being the typical ballad. Kuu clearly makes her stand that she's really not going to go anywhere ("I'm gonna dance dance dance like a superstars (sic), cuz you know who I am") so any of the J-hoes who plan to take over Kuu (except Namie, who already has) can all go home - with a copy of Bon Voyage, no less, so they can learn from the Kuueen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's talk about the things Kuu has done right for this album - for clearly having stuck to the common goal all the way for simply wanting to create a solid pop record <span style="font-size: x-small;">(no airy fairy, deep meanings and other bullshit that can get in the way)</span>, actually having a decent-enough flow throughout <span style="font-size: x-small;">(something she's struggled with for YEARS)</span>, and creating something that is cohesive and works as an <u>album</u>. Most of all, you can definitely hear that she's just having FUN, and that is what makes Bon Voyage good. Everything just comes together so effortlessly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After BEST ~third universe~, every Koda Kumi studio album since has got my pussy popping non-stop and Bon Voyage yet again adds on to that list. She should be given a weird-ass Oricon "record" for having the most number of consecutive studio albums that have managed to pop the pussies of the masses or something.</div><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/bon-voyage/id807377138?l=en">Listen to previews here.</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MIUQPXLxDD0/UABULmkqwJI/AAAAAAAAACE/XCC9r8NW69c/s388/07.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">7/10</span></b></div><br />
<i><b>Album highlights:</b> SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA, Loaded feat. Sean Paul, Winner Girls, LALALALALA, Let's show tonight, Interlude ~Bon Voyage~, TOUCH DOWN, Dreaming Now!, On Your Side, U KNOW</i>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-36607635096181219882014-03-20T13:21:00.000+08:002014-03-20T13:21:00.171+08:00Sakanaction gives me satisfaction <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Ocu6xr8EuM/UynMm5Kaw5I/AAAAAAAABPI/4NGwZWY1Ty8/s590/sakanaction.jpg" /><br />
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I love fish and I love getting action, but god knows what took me so long to know about sakanaction. Lately I've been really into alternative rock / electronic music and was always curious whether or not there were Japanese equivalents of bands belonging to that genre. After scouring through a few blogs about indie music I chanced upon this music video and was extremely impressed that this group has managed to find a balance between both genres AND actually has a decent-sounding male vocalist.</div>
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<a name='more'></a><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="332" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1awua0YrSRs?rel=0" width="590"></iframe><br />
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I don't know about you but their music is so good?!?! I downloaded their entire discography because that's just how quickly I become disturbingly obsessed with stuff.</div>
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They also have the weirdest mix of members. They're all different and distinct which makes me like them more because they keep things real and not try to be like ~*one identity*~ and shit like that. This band is clearly all about the music.</div>
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I'm most intrigued with their keyboardist, Emi Okazai because she always looks like she's done with life and/or just can't be bothered to really give two fucks about anything. Which leads me to think she downs alcohol on a pretty regular basis:</div>
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<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GzpIeKCbrcs/UynMm4TiQdI/AAAAAAAABPE/Ep4CDqYps9Y/s512/OkazakiEmiLookingDone.jpg" /></div>
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I like that attitude.<br />
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Their music videos are pretty cool as well and here are some of the music videos to my favourite songs from them:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="332" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tZbXHt3xPr8?rel=0" width="590"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="332" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZdWX0IDhbCU?rel=0" width="590"></iframe><br />
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This one's from their latest single - there's a lot of booty in this, so you've been warned! <br />
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Do share with me any other bands with a similar sound as them! I'd really appreciate that. Many J-Indie blogs recommended bands that lie more on the pop-punk side and I'm not really into that kind of music, and the vocalists sound terrible to me.</div>
Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-2483664647938823932014-03-19T23:37:00.003+08:002014-03-19T23:38:09.876+08:00[CD Packaging] Koda Kumi - Bon Voyage (CD+Blu-ray) <img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PESzQHYS4zA/Uym2pbWxtDI/AAAAAAAABOs/XhIlxOy0Kmg/s590/Bon%2520Voyage%2520CDP.jpg" /><br />
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Soooo due to very embarrassing reasons my 5-year-old PC has overheated and subsequently died so I was not able to plug my 7-year-old digital camera (also embarrassing) in and import photos (and since it's so damn ancient, I can't simply import them to my MacBook either) so y'all will have to deal with my shitty iPhone photos for now.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>This is probably Koda Kumsie's first album since, like, <i>secret</i> to not use her standard, impractical, thick double disc jewel cases and has instead given us the typical 2CD jewel case. I think the industry has finally realised how much plastic and space they're wasting with those and are starting to do away with those.<br />
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<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2EcOoJ707Wg/Uym2nonmbUI/AAAAAAAABOM/RZCntX0SEMM/s590/Bon%2520Voyage%252002.jpg" /><br />
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<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RCIeWzFgBRM/Uym2njkMJMI/AAAAAAAABOQ/QVZ85EgSgRA/s590/Bon%2520Voyage%252003.jpg" /><br />
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Super unpleasant surprise, madafakas. I was honestly knocked back because I did not expect this grotesque Madonna-lookalike picture to turn up anywhere. The slipcase is super thick and glossy though, which feels so ~*luxurious*~<br />
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<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QvlH1miU_0s/Uym2ns3kzxI/AAAAAAAABOU/WDTRO3D7qhA/s590/Bon%2520Voyage%252004.jpg" /><br />
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<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g3CoajGaT6o/Uym2o4JH_xI/AAAAAAAABOk/C81t0tuJHEM/s590/Bon%2520Voyage%252005.jpg" /><br />
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<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3llafD4TUAw/Uym2o1ydJLI/AAAAAAAABOo/An3oWW4YpZY/s590/Bon%2520Voyage%252006.jpg" /><br />
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The pretty standard stuff + the first press lame holographic sticker. The booklet photos are gorgeous though; I especially love the shot where she looks like she's getting a raging orgasm from touching ropes. Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-51792534808320046812014-03-09T19:50:00.002+08:002014-03-09T19:54:36.273+08:00ayumi hotmesssaki's latest hot messes: I Don't Care / I Love It <img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JnDyv1z9sKE/UxxQoWQ44PI/AAAAAAAABNw/CQ6LjyF_FHE/s590/lol%2520look%2520it%2527s%2520ayu.jpg" /><br />
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ayumi hotmesssaki is ending off her 15th anniversary with... wait... nothing?!?! No tour announcement, no album seemingly in the works, and only an upcoming countdown live DVD slated for release?! I'm dramaticising this shit for nothing, but I always find it amusing how Ayu really ~*doesn't care for anything*~ and just makes me love her all the more.</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>I DON'T CARE: ayumi hotmarriedsaki</b></span><br />
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So basically Ayu got married for the second time a few days ago to her fiancé who's 10 years her junior and is a medical student in LA. I literally did not have a reaction at all when I got the news.</div>
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I guess Ayu did a pretty good job at desensitising us fans to her love life after the mess with Manny and Maro, and this time she actually kept it classy. All she did was post a picture of two champagne glasses when she announced her marriage on her blog, and this time round, we don't even know his name! Could it be Marco? Matthew? Madelyn? Masturbate? I guess we'll never know! Kudos to Ayu for mastering the art of privacy!</div>
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I'm happy and all for her and stuff, and it's probably why she doesn't seem to be touring this year. Maybe she's going to get pregnant and have the baby delivered by her husband himself! Wow! (I'm making so many lame assumptions in this post, people are gonna get me for this)</div>
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What's hilarious is how I read that the mainstream Japanese news media announced the marriage and added that the chances of her getting divorced are like, 99% or something loooooooooooooooooool funnycuzitmightbetruewejustgottawaitandseeyoho</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>I LOVE IT: My Way (m-flo + ayumi hamasaki)</b></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="332" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1QMgr2qhA8U?rel=0" width="590"></iframe><br />
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ayumi hotmesssaki just gets better and better after realising that staying safe and/or going solo forever isn't going to do her any favours - I'm not even done popping my pussy to <i>Merry-go-round</i> and she pulls <i><b>My Way</b></i> on us, serving us <b>HIP-HOP RAPPING REALNESS WE'VE BEEN MISSING SINCE </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">1995!</i><b> </b>That means I've legitimately been waiting for this <i>my entire life!</i></div>
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This hot track comes complete with her trademark vibrato weaved into her rap verses, including "I will always be the qu<i>EeEeEeEeEeEeEe</i>n". PREACH IT!</div>
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I mean, I even have her entire NOTHING FROM NOTHING EP in my music library. Somehow, when Ayu makes this sort of music, it's awesome in a really amusing way that I cannot get enough of.</div>
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At this point, I am having super high expectations for her future musical efforts if she still bothers with conceptualising albums rather than putting-stuff-together-and-pray-it-ties-together like the other J-hoes. I want her to go all out ghetto on us and release an EDM / hip-hop / rap / trap album and sell like, 2,000 copies, which will in the process also cause AHS to implode.</div>
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I'll be so bummed if she releases another LOVE again because the number of fucks I'm allocating to this ho is getting closer and closer to 0.</div>
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Meanwhile let's check out some of Ayu's other rapping hot messes:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="443" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VWP6Mn8QVVk?rel=0" width="590"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="443" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wu6CkjTjHJk?rel=0" width="590"></iframe>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-72929995150114812362014-03-09T19:23:00.000+08:002016-04-02T16:42:37.368+08:00[Album Review] Kato Miliyah - LOVELAND <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yS7Cza_eavU/Uxw9vpr0x4I/AAAAAAAABNc/QJ12oMwvfxA/s0/Kato%2520Miliyah%2520LOVELAND.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yS7Cza_eavU/Uxw9vpr0x4I/AAAAAAAABNc/QJ12oMwvfxA/s500/Kato%2520Miliyah%2520LOVELAND.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"MMMM GIMME SOMMADAT SWAGHETTI YOLONESE OM NOM NOM NOM" </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Prior to listening to Kato Miserableface's music I only knew three things about her: she's been around since forever, she frequently makes very questionable cover choices and looks miserable all the damn time. With her looking like that on the <a href="http://www.generasia.com/wiki/Heaven_(Kato_Miliyah_album)" target="_blank">HEAVEN album covers</a>, knowing that I'm definitely going to hell actually puts me at ease.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">LOVELAND piqued my interest because I was pretty impressed when I stumbled upon one of the songs<i> (UNIQUE)</i>, and went on to listen to the album previews which seemed not bad. Plus, there's something mysteriously alluring about the cover. Probably the pasta. I love me some pasta. Case in point for Kato Miserableface's miserable face? She still looks miserable even when she's eating PASTA. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;">There's been mixed reviews about LOVELAND because I also read that she tends to be a one-trick pony (as with like, 80% of J-R&B artists) and probably has a thousand songs in her catalogue that sound exactly like the ones on LOVELAND already but hey ho hey ho, thank goodness for dem fresh ears right here!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Miliyah starts off being a sad, desperate whiny-ass ho in <i><b>Lonely Hearts </b>(I WANT YOU TO STAY OH BABY LOVE ME LOVE LOVE ME...)</i>, which made the album begin on a really sad note. This is a love land I do not want to be in, but this R&B track is one of my favourites because it's so damn depressing (<i>"It's because you were there that I went on living"</i> - Kato gotta chill), and the rhythm doesn't make the song unnecessarily draggy or boring with its gradual build-ups and stuff. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Lonely Hearts,</i> in this aspect, overshadows the next two similar ballads - <i><b>Shape of love</b></i> is the more uptempo, dramatic sister of <i>Lonely Hearts</i> with a questionable French-speaking man and random rapping dude. <i>Shape of love</i> projects a stronger, bolder sound in contrast to an otherwise vulnerable-sounding <i>Lonely Hearts</i>, but fails to impress with a chorus that falls flat to its verses. <i><b>Love/Affection </b></i>plays more with a structure that builds up using the beats, which is something I always love. Kato reverts back to her vulnerable self, longing for this person who is supposedly "gentler than anyone" and "transient more than anything", but might tire the listener since, you know, it's the third ballad in a row.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Things finally switch up with <i><b>UNIQUE</b></i>, which takes a ballady melody and imposes it over a drum-heavy beat which makes it, well, unique in that sense. Somehow, I'm also really digging the piano accents in the arrangement too. It's one of the standout tracks on this album given its nature, and is something I'd love for Miliyah to do more. It's a breath of fresh air to see her sounding like a confident woman <i>("diamond in the rough / now I'm flying first class")</i> than one who's always desperately clamouring for love. I never even knew she was capable of belting out notes like that! This would've actually made a stronger opener for the album.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We're presented with another two heavy ballads in what would seem like the "second segment" of LOVELAND. <i><b>Kamisama</b></i> overall carries an emotionally heavy atmosphere throughout, which contrasts with a lighter, airier one in <i><b>The One</b></i>, with the former one using a lot of bass in the arrangement. <i>The One</i> is the better track for me because it has a strong arrangement and chorus. Plus she sounds kinda whiny in <i>Kamisama</i> lol</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xSEMtzpE7OU/Uxw9viPMedI/AAAAAAAABNY/ny5xyBN5I_E/s0/Kato%2520Miliyah%2520LOVELAND%2520promo.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xSEMtzpE7OU/Uxw9viPMedI/AAAAAAAABNY/ny5xyBN5I_E/s250/Kato%2520Miliyah%2520LOVELAND%2520promo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Daaamn gurl this coat be cozy as hell???" - Kato<br />
Miserableface in her deadpan, miserable face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The next upbeat segue to the album, <i><b>EMOTION</b></i>, immediately hooked me in with the electronic loop at the beginning which got my pussy straight-up poppin'. I'm just confused why Miliyah's mostly using her gentle ballad voice here which dampens the mood a little, and the generic lyrics don't really do much to an arrangement with such potential.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next slew of ballads proved to be the strongest segment of LOVELAND. <i><b>LOVER -EpisodeII-</b></i> is Miliyah's solo version of m-flo's <i>LOVER</i> released last year, which I really enjoyed listening. Some very emotional stuff man, but I'm annoyed by the fact that someone forgot to hit the space bar between "Epsiode" and "II". The arrangement remains exactly the same, with VERBAL's parts switched out with additional verses by Miliyah, which I thought she did a great job of and transitions flawlessly to the ones already present in the original. <i>LOVER -EpisodeII-</i> is one of the standout ballads on this album with its minimal yet emotional arrangement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Miliyah brought out some JASMINE <i>sad to say</i> vibes with <b style="font-style: italic;">PRIDE </b><i>(also a JASMINE song title)</i>, with Miliyah serving us the verses at a pace that's almost rap-like before belting out the chorus which gives me the heebee jeebees! <i><b>You're Beautiful</b></i> genre-ically confuses us with its fast-paced <i>OOMPTZE OOMPTZE OOMPTZE OOMPTZE (hey) OOMPZTE OOMPTZE OOMPTZE OOMPTZE (uh) </i>(that's literally the only way I can describe it properly) at the beginning before disintegrating into a super calm, minimal arrangement with Miliyah's filtered vocals, which builds up with more slow-tempo beats as the song progresses. The song never hits a big climax, which for this song is pretty apt since it seems like it was meant to be this calm where her vocals work best.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Miliyah, together with AI and VERBAL, form the trio behind <i><b>RUN FREE</b></i>, the third pussy poppin' track on this album which is undeniably the most intense EDM song on this album accented with AI's soulful voice, Miliyah's gentle vocals and VERBAL's rap verses over an intentionally busy, disjointed arrangement. This track sticks out like a sore thumb on the album because it's so explosive, but I enjoy this freestyle-sounding track which was probably a joy for them to record. I'm literally imagining AI going <i>"LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LET GO"</i> in the studio during the bridge looking ridiculous as she always does.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The album ends off on an unfortunate, unimpressive note with <i><b>One Night Only</b></i>, <i><b>Reisei to Jounetsu no Aida</b></i> and <i><b>Loveland</b></i>. I can see that they left the more distinct ballads for the end of the album - <i>One Night Only</i> gives a more Westernised, R&B quiet storm sound with its groovy bassline and smooth, relaxing melody, while <i>Reisei to Jounetsu no Aida</i> is heavy on strings and plays a lot on dramatic build-ups which doesn't really lead me anywhere. Things only started to get interesting towards the end of the song, which, surprise surprise, doesn't lead me anywhere too and just fades off! The title track ended up being one of the most boring tracks on this album, being a generic piano ballad that sounds sweet, but that's really all there is to it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">LOVELAND was a roller coaster ride, and feels like an album that was intended to be a chock-full of R&B ballads, just split into sections using upbeat (and amazing) tracks as segues so you won't get bored or something. The tracks that stand out really stand out, while the weak tracks are really weak and barely leave an impression. I'm not sure if this is going to be a great first album for someone like me who hasn't listened to Miliyah before, because most of the songs on LOVELAND seem to work better standalone and shuffled with my music library as opposed to listening to the album from start to finish.</div><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/loveland/id804625029?l=en">Listen to previews here.</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-keYJ-9trTdg/UABUJebuTLI/AAAAAAAAAB0/ZVc_m_Xr6kg/s388/05.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">5/10</span></b></div><br />
<i><b>Album highlights:</b> Lonely Hearts, UNIQUE, The One, LOVER -EpisodeII-, PRIDE, RUN FREE</i>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-82005565191574331922014-02-21T00:54:00.001+08:002014-02-21T00:58:14.104+08:00[New Release] Koda Kumi - Bon Voyage<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_Zrnut2VgNI/UwYtO6H1cpI/AAAAAAAABL8/kHCb48NfO_c/s0/Koda%2520Kumi%2520Bon%2520Voyage%2520CD%252BBluray.jpg"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_Zrnut2VgNI/UwYtO6H1cpI/AAAAAAAABL8/kHCb48NfO_c/s190/Koda%2520Kumi%2520Bon%2520Voyage%2520CD%252BBluray.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iqiwrjl1xB4/UwYtr2a62KI/AAAAAAAABM8/S1sBWA58QC0/s0/Koda_Kumi_-_Bon_Voyage_DVD.jpg"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iqiwrjl1xB4/UwYtr2a62KI/AAAAAAAABM8/S1sBWA58QC0/s190/Koda_Kumi_-_Bon_Voyage_DVD.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yvnAuR1pYME/UwYtP4tS_fI/AAAAAAAABMM/eGM-ypVC3II/s0/Koda%2520Kumi%2520Bon%2520Voyage%2520CD.jpg"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yvnAuR1pYME/UwYtP4tS_fI/AAAAAAAABMM/eGM-ypVC3II/s190/Koda%2520Kumi%2520Bon%2520Voyage%2520CD.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">CD+Blu-ray | CD+DVD | CD Only</div><br />
If you've been in tune with J-Pop news unlike me, you would've known that Koda Kumsies will be releasing a new album as per usualz and just like how it's titled <i>Bon Voyage</i>, it would seem that she's also bidding farewell to her budget over at avex because the covers look terrible!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>When I first saw the promotional picture before the covers and everything were even out I honestly thought Kuu would prove me wrong and deliver stunning visuals for the album a la <i>JAPONESQUE</i>. Unfortunately, that was not the case.<br />
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The only decent cover would be the CD+Blu-ray one but the typography just looks a mess. She looks incredulously old in the CD+DVD cover, and the CD Only cover is just trashy as hell. That shit looks like something I would see on the packaging of those kinky role play costumes in sex shops, and the first thing I really noticed was the K that was plastered flat over her vagina.<br />
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The art direction just did not work out and the only things that looked like they had effort put in were her nails, and that's like, 0.3% of the cover? And there was so much potential with the whole nautical theme going on too!<br />
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Plus, I can't help but be reminded of t<a href="http://www.generasia.com/wiki/Sunshine_(Matsuda_Seiko)" target="_blank">his monstrosity</a> and we all know what was the state of her career like by that point.<br />
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Nonetheless, musically, I am pretty excited for the album. Based on the album tracklist it doesn't seem like there'd be any cutesy songs on this album which is awesome (something I appreciated off Dejavu) and I really enjoy SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA. I've pretty much given up hope in expecting musical consistency in her albums so I just pray for the best that this doesn't turn out a mess *coughUNIVERSEcough*.<br />
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<i>Bon Voyage</i> will be released on 26 February 2014.<br />
<blockquote><b>CD Tracklist</b><br />
<ol><li>Introduction ~Bon Voyage~</li>
<li>SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA</li>
<li>LOADED feat. Sean Paul</li>
<li>Winner Girls</li>
<li>Imagine</li>
<li>Koishikute (恋しくて)</li>
<li>LALALALALA</li>
<li>Let's show tonight</li>
<li>Interlude ~Bon Voyage~</li>
<li>TOUCH DOWN</li>
<li>CRANK THA BASS feat. OVDS</li>
<li>LOL</li>
<li>Go to the top</li>
<li>Dreaming Now!</li>
<li>On Your Side</li>
<li>U KNOW</li>
</ol><b>DVD / Blu-ray Tracklist</b><br />
<ol><li>SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA -MUSIC VIDEO-</li>
<li>LOL -MUSIC VIDEO-</li>
<li>Go to the top -MUSIC VIDEO-</li>
<li>Koishikute -MUSIC VIDEO-</li>
<li>LALALALALA -MUSIC VIDEO-</li>
<li>TOUCH DOWN -MUSIC VIDEO-</li>
<li>Dreaming Now! -MUSIC VIDEO-</li>
<li>SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA -Making- (Bonus)</li>
<li>LOL -Making- (Bonus)</li>
</ol></blockquote><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hGCiRqqn108/UwYtO9jbAtI/AAAAAAAABME/5vac2ZWq3zc/s0/Bon%2520Voyage%2520Promo%2520Pic.jpg"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hGCiRqqn108/UwYtO9jbAtI/AAAAAAAABME/5vac2ZWq3zc/s400/Bon%2520Voyage%2520Promo%2520Pic.jpg" /></a></div>Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419140887047822137.post-3463572349239180972013-12-29T03:28:00.000+08:002013-12-29T22:05:17.459+08:00Top 20 J-Pop Songs of 2013 <div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YaGxeG2WHno/Ur8h7OI2BfI/AAAAAAAABLQ/eWG3NY2jUtk/s388/Top%252020%2520of%25202013.jpg" /></div>
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Part of the reason for my long absence is due to the fact that J-Pop this year isn't really that eventful, especially when the biggest news you've heard all year is about ayumi hamasaki getting engaged yet again. Especially for someone who mostly follows only female soloists, the year just gets worse for all my big booty hoes.<br />
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The yearly charts are once again dominated by Akihabara Krazy Bitches 48 and the album of the year is yet another Arashi album. At least Namie's album is the highest selling solo album of the year again despite coming in at #6, and J-hoe Shiho managed to break into the Top 10, but other than that, 2013 is basically the carbon copy of 2012 in terms of rankings which is BOOORINGGGGGG<br />
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Meanwhile, here is, yet again, my completely biased list of the <b>Top 20 J-Pop Songs of 2013</b> before we usher in 2014, which, mark my words, will probably end up being just like 2013, which was just like 2012. I still question the order I should've ranked the 20 songs until today, but if it's any consolation, I may or may not have been under the influence while compiling this list.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">20. Perfume - Daijobanai</span></b></div>
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<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SRMEn8Pqtt8/Uj8sog6qJ2I/AAAAAAAABGs/h9ujRyngOQw/s150/Perfume%2520LEVEL%25203.jpg" /></div>
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Thinking this was a repetitive mess at first, it just somehow never tires me of its perkiness and constant pulsing and energetic tempo. Perfume may be <i>Daijobanai</i> with a whole lotta shit, but I'm sure they'll be daijoubu about crafting out more tracks like this that can withstand the test of time.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">19. Koda Kumi - XXX</span></b></div>
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<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KiovvY9_p_g/Ur8h5IsePHI/AAAAAAAABK0/X3Y9MP9pn7I/s149/Koda%2520Kumi%2520Dreaming%2520Now.jpg" /></div>
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Putting aside the ridiculous lyrics (which are expected of clubby songs like this anyway), <i>XXX</i> is probably one of Koda Kumi's better b-sides. It sounds current and it gets your booty shakin' with all the beats and synths, especially the PUSSY POPPING moments during the chorus.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">18. Koda Kumi - Dreaming Now! </span></b></div>
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<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KiovvY9_p_g/Ur8h5IsePHI/AAAAAAAABK0/X3Y9MP9pn7I/s149/Koda%2520Kumi%2520Dreaming%2520Now.jpg" /></div>
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<i>Dreaming Now!</i> is kinda like Koda Kumi's <i>Born To Be...</i> (by ayumi hotmesssaki, no less) where both are tie-ups with sports-related thingies and are one of those motivational anthems. It's upbeat, it's uplifting, and it's SO CATCHY. The percussion adds a really nice element to it and it, of course, encompasses Kuu's classic engrish with "I wanna dreaming now". Come on. (As you can see I really liked this entire single. I let them moneys fly on this shit) </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">17. Koda Kumi - IS THIS TRAP? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c23EZUJULAo/UcP92D7AXMI/AAAAAAAAA8s/LL_oPD_tYUY/s150/Summer%2520Trip%2520CD%252BDVD.jpg" /></span></b></div>
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Trust me, it's not intentional that 3 Koda Kumi songs ended up being lumped up together. Alas, this is the way things seem to be. Running along the same vein as <i>Dreaming Now!</i>, <i>IS THIS TRAP? </i>is a slightly slower-paced, electropop dance tune with an insanely catchy tune with some pretty nice build-ups in tempo.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">16. Perfume - Party Maker </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SRMEn8Pqtt8/Uj8sog6qJ2I/AAAAAAAABGs/h9ujRyngOQw/s150/Perfume%2520LEVEL%25203.jpg" /></span></b></div>
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Still being relatively new into the party scene (although I'm turning 19 next month which is slipping me into a midlife crisis-ish), I can pretty much see myself going absolutely insane if they actually ever bother to play Japanese songs at the clubs here. There's barely any lyrics to this song, but instead is ridiculously heavy on a shitload of beats (and by shitload I mean A SHIT LOAD) and repetitive synths that just sounds awesome especially with decent earphones on. It might give you a pounding headache but it's worth it.<br />
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The song is 7 minutes long but brings you on a roller coaster ride with variations in sound throughout the whole song. It's kinda like Nakata joined together a whole bunch of loops he played around with over time and turned it into one hell of a <i>Party Maker.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>15. GIRLS' GENERATION - DO THE CATWALK </b></span></div>
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I don't normally listen to the K-Pop groups that cross over to J-Pop but I made an exception for Galaxy Supernova out of pure curiosity. I wasn't exactly blown away by the a-side because it was pretty much generic SNSD but <i>DO THE CATWALK</i> was so good?! I think I might have something for songs that have looping whistles. It's a relatively laidback dance song with a certain quirkiness to it, and just to answer their question in the song, no, I'm not ready to walk. I'd still much rather sit on my ass. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">14. Koda Kumi - Jounetsu </span></b></div>
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Koda Kumi managed to craft out a solid cover album this year and <i>Jounetsu</i> is one of the tracks that still keeps me crooning to (although I mostly end up sounding like a dying lamb); both the cover and original song. <i>Jounetsu</i> is just altogether a great song to relax to and for us to enjoy it for all of its lounge-y sound and Kuu's effortless vocals, especially where she practically launches into a raging orgasm towards the end of the song. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">13. Namie Amuro - Ballerina </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jYOi7Lq-FdU/Ur8h4Kv0E2I/AAAAAAAABKo/FTUn-goZsGU/s150/Ballerina.jpg" /></span></b></div>
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Many people slam this as a messy song that's unoriginal since she's just singing over an already existing song made a few years ago, but I thought <i>Ballerina</i> was really nicely made and the melody surprisingly complements the otherwise tumultuous arrangement of the song. It was a risk well taken for delving even deeper into the EDM scene, venturing into complextro (I didn't even know such a genre existed tbh).</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>12. Mika Nakashima - Today </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3FMlayenIqE/Uiiztx-MLuI/AAAAAAAABBw/DkMnolcRv-0/s150/Mika+Nakashima+Boku+ga+Shinou+to+Omotta+no+wa.jpg" /></b></span></div>
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Amidst the mostly electronic-heavy music we got in much of this year's J-Pop, this classic pop-rock song was a breath of fresh air. <i>Today</i> is uplifting with a catchy melody yet isn't too heavy on the ears, and Mika's vocals come out effortlessly over here.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>11. Crystal Kay - Kaze no Kanata</b></span></div>
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Crystal Kay's only Japanese musical effort this year was a really solid one, despite her massive floppage resulting in not even a proper single cover, let alone a physical release, which makes it hard not to judge this book by its cover. But really, <i>Kaze no Kanata</i> is a heartfelt, nostalgic ballad that shows off Crystal's pipes so well, making the song much more beautiful, especially when the beats start to come in after the first chorus.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10. Namie Amuro - Heaven </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8FuvXu9n1mE/UanW25ngrzI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/eiTmyaENzsQ/s150/Namie%2520Amuro%2520FEEL%2520CD%252BDVD.jpg" /></span></b></div>
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I love me some good ol' <i>Hair-boon </i>from Namie. The Zedd-produced track is one of the best produced tracks of J-Pop this year, to no surprise, and there's not a single flaw I can detect in this track other than Namie's unfortunate Engrish. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>9. Mika Nakashima - Boku ga Shinou to Omotta no wa </b></span></div>
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Granted, it's vocally not her best song out there but the emotions just get to you, ya know? It touches the heart man. It touches the kokoro. <i>Boku ga Shinou to Omotta no wa</i> definitely one of the best slow songs she's released within the past few years. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>8. Namie Amuro - Contrail </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8FuvXu9n1mE/UanW25ngrzI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/eiTmyaENzsQ/s150/Namie%2520Amuro%2520FEEL%2520CD%252BDVD.jpg" /></b></span></div>
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<i>Contrail</i> was one of the growers for me this year, and at one point I just couldn't stop repeating the shit out of this song. The song just encompasses the whole element of J-Pop that I cannot describe. You don't quite see people anywhere else producing songs like this that's just so carefree, optimistic and named after a word 60% of the world's population never knew about before.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Perfume - Enter the Sphere</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SRMEn8Pqtt8/Uj8sog6qJ2I/AAAAAAAABGs/h9ujRyngOQw/s150/Perfume%2520LEVEL%25203.jpg" /></b></span></div>
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<i>YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS. </i><br />
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Perfume and a song about entering balls. What more can I ask for? </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. Namie Amuro - Hands On Me </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8FuvXu9n1mE/UanW25ngrzI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/eiTmyaENzsQ/s150/Namie%2520Amuro%2520FEEL%2520CD%252BDVD.jpg" /></b></span></div>
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<i>Hands On Me</i> is, hands down, one of the biggest jams of mine this year. Its simple yet polished production, liberal use of percussion, amazingly illegible Engrish realness and reminiscence to trashy, pasar malam (night market) music just gets me every single time. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Kaela Kimura - FUNKYTOWN</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BYlObT9DArI/UlLIjnk4MYI/AAAAAAAABJE/uDsx_sJ8XIA/s150/Kaela%2520Kimura%2520ROCK.jpg" /></b></span></div>
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Sure, Kaela Kimura's ROCK cover album wasn't a whole lot of rock, neither was it a whole lot of a good album, and it sure as hell didn't really reinvent the songs to turn it into her own. But <i>FUNKYTOWN</i> easily takes the cake for best song on the album simply because its superbly crisp and explosive production gives you such a different listening experience that you don't quite get from the original. I was leaking non-stop when I first heard this song through my earphones.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Mika Nakashima - BE REAL</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1dZMPqZQcng/UN8yFfkFf6I/AAAAAAAAAdg/swvkkixInXA/s150/MikaREALalbumCD.jpg" /></b></span></div>
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This disco-influenced dance song doesn't get as real of a Mika Nakashima song as you do. As I've said before in my <a href="http://jpopkampai.blogspot.sg/2013/02/album-review-mika-nakashima-real.html" target="_blank">REAL review</a>, there's something that's so authentically Mika in this song that adds on to the charm of it all, with synthy elements every now and then. And DAT GUITAR AT THE BEGINNING THOUGH.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. MAX - Tacata' </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DXE7unOflnM/Ur8h5dnC_2I/AAAAAAAABLA/wHyoxRUzlY0/s150/MAX%2520Tacata.jpg" /></span></b></div>
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Here's the thing. My friends already think I'm weird for listening to J-Pop, but there was one song this year that got not only me, but them hooked on to so badly (with a stunning success rate of 100%) that we repeatedly sang it for a few months. That song is <i>Tacata'</i>. So how can this not be one of the Top 3 songs of the year?! I was already sold at <i>JIBUN TACHI NO ORIGINALITY.</i><br />
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I innocuously clicked on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWDCWKFVoJI" target="_blank">the music video</a>, curious when Namie did a pose from the video during her tour, and little did I know that this was a song that was going to change my life.<br />
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I even have the lyrics memorised. That's how catchy the whole damn song is, and it's probably the most interesting thing of J-Pop this year. 3 obaasans dancing aerobically in front of cheap video sets. Nailed it. I secretly think it's a marketing ploy to make a ridiculous music video so people like me would go around showing people such lolzicals, only to secretly lure them into this inescapable trap. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Crystal Kay - My Heart Beat</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q9WIStCMHIo/UTxXIRSX_KI/AAAAAAAAAt8/FIpXCYrMPO8/s150/Crystal%2520Kay%2520My%2520Heart%2520Beat.jpg" /></b></span></div>
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More whistles, more bass guitars, more synths, and more beats. So much pussy popping. So much funk. So many orgasms. So much leakage. <i>Oh honey honey, you make me go crazy. </i><br />
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I'm sorry. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. ayumi hamasaki - Merry-go-round</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oO0FaPDzrow/Ur8h7BlykLI/AAAAAAAABLM/c3wFE45Pow8/s150/ayumi%2520hamasaki%2520feel%2520the%2520love.jpg" /></span></b></div>
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Now y'all gon be hatin' me for making a relatively new song the top song of the year again (but it's not like I have a credibility to maintain) but HEY!<br />
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Part of the reason why I think this is THE song of 2013 is because of ayumi hotmesssaki. Simply because in a shocking twist of events, this is NOT a hot mess. LOVE again pretty much died halfway through the year, and <i>Feel the love </i>is cute but essentially another <i>You & Me </i>(which she happily repeats the title of again and again in the song. Gettin' dat subliminal promo good).<br />
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<i>Merry-go-round</i> however hits all the right spots: it has that perfect balance of a EDM song that is serving me pussy popping beats and melancholic, emotional realness all at the same time.<br />
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Plus, I don't know what some of the fans are hating about with the m-flo bits. It gave the song variation and I LOVED it, and I'm pretty glad that Ayu got to try something different by collaborating with them. I've heard worse J-rappers and honestly this one wasn't even that bad, and the chorus that comes right after the rap just blends in so effortlessly and carries the song's emotion beautifully.<br />
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Did I mention the covers are <i>ON POINT?!</i> It may have broken her #1 streak but this is, musically, a comeback single from her.<br />
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2013 was an okay year, largely because it's musically just like 2012, at least to me. Namie pretty much dominated the entire year, and there are really few impressive titles released this year. I'm mostly sad with the state of JASMINE's career, and with the release of <i>Countdown</i>, she just looks like she's stopped trying. I was also pretty bummed about Angela Aki's retirement, but I wish her all the best with whatever she's been doing anyway.</div>
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Alright guys you may proceed to either stone me or tell me what are some of da hottest jams y'all are listening to that I'm missing out on. I've been mostly jamming to more of English music right now with Lorde, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé putting out really awesome albums. I also recently got to find out about Icona Pop (what took me so long?!) and I am absolutely HOOKED.</div>
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With 2014, I'm entering the last year of my teenage years but I guess it doesn't really matter since I look like I'm already well into my 40s. It's all good! I'll be going for a Tokyo study trip with my school in late March so I am totally stoked for that. I also hope I'll actually bother to update this blog more regularly HAHAHA. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here's hoping for a good musical year in 2014!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Kampai!</b></span></div>
Travis Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835319330196490620noreply@blogger.com2