Changin' Stephanie feat. Tanaka Roma
Stephanie teams up with male vocalist Tanaka Roma for her newest single, an uplifting piano ballad. The track is the new ending theme for D.Gray-man. Stephanie's vocals shine in this song, her falsetto beautifully building up an otherwise conventional chorus. I've only heard the D.Gray-man version of the track which doesn't include Tanaka Roma, so I can't fully comment on his addition to the song. His smooth vocals should work well with Stephanie's to create a somewhat engaging ballad.
Rating: B
I DON'T KNOW MICA 3 CHU
Nakashima Mika's new single is a collaboration with Morisanchuu. The most interesting thing about this single is that it is sung entirely in English. Mika's English isn't bad, but at times can be difficult to understand. The song has a edgy indy-rock flare and Mika's vocals suit the genre well. Morisanchuu back up the vocals well with cool, though slightly unoriginal music. Fans of the genre may find the song uninventive, yet Nakashima Mika fans should find it a refreshing new track.
Rating: B-
kisshug Aiko
Aiko's 24th single is the theme song of the film Hana Yori Dango Final and follows your typical film ballad format. The vocals on this track are very sweet, with an innocent fragility which aids the single, especially in the verses which are somewhat lackluster. The chorus picks up, as does Aiko's voice accordingly and the song is quite pretty despite not having much substance to it.
Rating: B
Kokuhaku FUNKY MONKEY BABYS
Summertime is here with the FUNKY MONKEY BABYS' new single, the uplifting Kokuhaku. The standout in this track are the rapped verses. They are refreshing and suit the summer mood, making an airy, spirited song. The vocals in the chorus are a tad iffy as usual, and somewhat detract from an otherwise decent song, they do however add a humbling nature to the tune which may actually be a greater addition, you decide.
Rating: B
NO RAIN NO RAINBOW Home Made Kazoku
NO RAIN NO RAINBOW is the theme song for the animated film, Naurto Shippunden Kizuna but breaks off from your typical animated theme songs, providing a nice, laid back tune. The track incorporates a smooth, beautiful chorus with relaxed rapped verses. The boy's vocals are exceptional on this track, especially in the chorus where they truly shine. A beautiful message about overcoming adversity makes this an all around lovely song.
Rating: B+
Your Seed / Bouken Rider Hey! Say! JUMP
I haven't really jumped on the bandwagon of this new(ish) Johnny's group and Hey! Say! JUMP's latest venture is unlikely to change my mind. Your Seed is a dramatic, mid-tempo song which incorporates a hint of Latin flair with a Chinese inspired instrumental and decent vocals. The song is kind of lackluster to me, feeling like an album song (though a good one). The vocals, as I mentioned, surprised me and the boys seem to be improving.
Bouken Rider is a light hearted, summery track. The song isn't bad, but once again just doesn't feel like a single. The song does pick up towards the end but it's just too little, too late for me, unfortunately. The single is almost like 2 coupling songs and I'm still waiting to actually hear the main song.
Your Seed: B-
Bouken Rider: C+
SINGLE OF THE WEEK
Plenty of Grit / Revolution Hayashibara Megumi
Hayashibara Megumi, a popular anime seiyuu, releases my pick for 'Single of the Week' with her double A-side Plenty of Grit / Revolution.
Both songs on this single are from the Slayers Revolution anime, (Plenty of Grit being the opening and Revolution, the closing) and this single is very obviously an anime single, Megumi's vocals and the synthesized tracks being an obvious giveaway. While Megumi's vocals are far from splendid, they are charming and enhance the songs on this single.
Plenty of Grit is a synthesized track incorporating rock elements with somber verses and an uplifting chorus. The greatest thing about the song is the gradual growth from the beginning of the verses to the Chorus which really rockets off and is the highlight in this song.
Revolution is more of a rock song, despite having a synth intro. Megumi's vocals work well with this song and once again the chorus is the highlight. The verses in this song are also very strong and the rock/synth instrumental is creative and original.
Plenty of Grit: B+
Revolution: A-
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