REVIEW: FictionJunction YUUKA is the collaborative project between composer Kajiura Yuki and singer Nanri Yuuka. Kajiura's solo works go by the title of FictionJunction with her collaborations sharing this title along with the singer's name, thus FictionJunction YUUKA was born.
Kouya Ruten was released in November of 2006 and was the 6th single from FictionJunction YUUKA. A unique fusion of traditional Japanese and contemporary pop, Kouya Ruten delves deep into the wilderness of our hearts, a journey down an endless, wandering path.
Kouya Ruten FictionJunction YUUKA
Right from Kouya Ruten's opening intro, Kajiura Yuki expertly depicts the barren, wilderness of the song's setting. The opening beat is very reminiscent of an old spaghetti western - a showdown of sorts, reminding me not only of this dark, barren land but of a dangerous and reckless world.
Nanri Yuuka's vocals are exquisite in portraying the emotion of the lyrics as she sings of walking through a land of destruction, down an unknown path towards freedom and resurrection. The verses blend with the instrumental, almost as if they were a part of it, the darkness of the land. This is not an easy thing to accomplish and is a testament to Kajiura Yuki's composition skills.
The pre chorus build switches to a higher key, as if reaching towards a brighter day. This is reaffirmed through the lyrics as Yuuka sings of a new dawn lying beyond the dark path she is walking down.
The chorus sees the tempo increase slightly as the desperation of Yuuka's vocals are elevated. The chorus is composed of a repeated melody which works well in the context of the song, the repetitions akin to the endlessness of the journey. The lyrics are beautiful once again, explaining being born into darkness and longing for light like an unfulfilled love.
The melody of the first verse remains constant for the second, with Yuuka's vocals intensified slightly, singing of survival, sorrow and loneliness. This intensity is continued through the build into the chorus and Yuuka is wonderful at portraying the heightened emotions of the lyrics through her singing.
At the end of the second chorus, the song suddenly descends into a soft, traditional Japanese instrumental with backing chants which are joined by Yuuka who asks if this is the Moon's dream. A beautiful violin solo then takes off over the original barren invoking instrumental.
The final chorus begins over a very dropped back instrumental which quickly picks up for the chorus' second half. The song ends with some beautiful vocals from Yuuka and some traditional Japanese instruments, a beautiful wooden flute of some kind, and some final haunting synth.
Kouya Ruten
Right from Kouya Ruten's opening intro, Kajiura Yuki expertly depicts the barren, wilderness of the song's setting. The opening beat is very reminiscent of an old spaghetti western - a showdown of sorts, reminding me not only of this dark, barren land but of a dangerous and reckless world.
Nanri Yuuka's vocals are exquisite in portraying the emotion of the lyrics as she sings of walking through a land of destruction, down an unknown path towards freedom and resurrection. The verses blend with the instrumental, almost as if they were a part of it, the darkness of the land. This is not an easy thing to accomplish and is a testament to Kajiura Yuki's composition skills.
The pre chorus build switches to a higher key, as if reaching towards a brighter day. This is reaffirmed through the lyrics as Yuuka sings of a new dawn lying beyond the dark path she is walking down.
The chorus sees the tempo increase slightly as the desperation of Yuuka's vocals are elevated. The chorus is composed of a repeated melody which works well in the context of the song, the repetitions akin to the endlessness of the journey. The lyrics are beautiful once again, explaining being born into darkness and longing for light like an unfulfilled love.
The melody of the first verse remains constant for the second, with Yuuka's vocals intensified slightly, singing of survival, sorrow and loneliness. This intensity is continued through the build into the chorus and Yuuka is wonderful at portraying the heightened emotions of the lyrics through her singing.
At the end of the second chorus, the song suddenly descends into a soft, traditional Japanese instrumental with backing chants which are joined by Yuuka who asks if this is the Moon's dream. A beautiful violin solo then takes off over the original barren invoking instrumental.
The final chorus begins over a very dropped back instrumental which quickly picks up for the chorus' second half. The song ends with some beautiful vocals from Yuuka and some traditional Japanese instruments, a beautiful wooden flute of some kind, and some final haunting synth.
The PV displays the imagery of the song and its lyrics really well. With such a beautiful song it would have been a disappointment if the PV had not lived up to its beauty. Kouya Ruten's not only lives up to the song but enhances it through the use of beautiful landscapes and effects. I particularly love the low angle shots of Yuuka in the barren landscape with dust and grass swirling from the ground. Leaves, sun glows, lightening and fire sparks are also effectively used while the Japanese scenery is incredibly beautiful ~I wanna go wherever it was filmed * ^_^ *
Yuuka looks really beautiful in both the closeup shots and the landscape shots. It's a pity Yuki doesn't make an appearance but her composition radiates throughout the PV.
Yuuka looks really beautiful in both the closeup shots and the landscape shots. It's a pity Yuki doesn't make an appearance but her composition radiates throughout the PV.
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Kouya Ruten is such a wonderful, thought provoking song with a beautiful composition and meaningful lyrics. Yuuka's vocals compliment the song well and there are a number of levels throughout the song, with both metaphorical and literal imagery throughout the PV, music and the lyrics.
Kouya Ruten is my first delve into FictionJunction YUUKA and I'm extremely impressed. I've been a casual fan of FictionJunction and Kajiura Yuki through her works with Kalafina, Oda Kaori (FictionJunction KAORI) and Revo (Dream Port). I'll be sure to look further into her catalogue of music as she is most obviously a very talented composer.
Rating: A
Kouya Ruten is my first delve into FictionJunction YUUKA and I'm extremely impressed. I've been a casual fan of FictionJunction and Kajiura Yuki through her works with Kalafina, Oda Kaori (FictionJunction KAORI) and Revo (Dream Port). I'll be sure to look further into her catalogue of music as she is most obviously a very talented composer.
Rating: A
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