Yes, I am still alive. Sort of.

For this post I thought I’d try and compile some songs that are nice and mellow for...well...that time of the year that some people, including myself, don’t really care very much for. Okay. Really I only care about the chocolates and the post-Valentine’s day discounts that come along.


어쩌다 (Hitchhiker Remix) - Brown Eyed Girls
Korean | Pop
I know that the original was posted way back (March 09) but I actually like this version much better (don’t really know what’s with me and remixes). I do like the more house-ish/techno sound this song has although it does kind of kill the meaning behind the song...especially since I find myself kind of bouncing along with the song.

Loveless - Yamashita Tomohisa
Japanese | Pop
The piano medley is simple but still effective in trying to get across the kind of melancholy and inevitable sadness the song talks about. It is a nice mid-tempo ballad, although pretty typical of J-pop.

Loving Loved - Yuya Matsushita
Japanese | Pop
More along the same vein as the last song, Yuya’s song is pretty similar in that he uses the piano to convey the sadness. That said, I do like this song better. I like the overall melody, the base line and the beat even though it’s still a pretty typical J-pop song. It’s the kind of song I’d picture listening to as I’m watching the closing credits of a romantic comedy / drama series.

Cry - MBLAQ
Korean | R&B
In comparison to the other songs, this is probably my favorite. It reminds me of the older, but still classic R&B sound. There’s a part of me that wants me to hear Rain sing this instead of them but you can still hear how Rain’s influence clearly permeates everything these guys do. I love the contrast that the sleigh bells (I think that’s what those are) give.

Best of Me - Michael Buble
English | Ballad
If I could pick THE post-break up song, this would be that song. This takes you through a journey of somebody who’s gone through a really bad break up but was able to find someone else to love. It is a VERY sappy song but it has a good message. I remember watching him sing this live at his concert and thinking that it was an amazing song.

Labels: Brown Eyed Girls, Contributor; Carmi, MBLAQ, Michael Buble, Yamashita Tomohisa, Yuya Matsushita

LolliGurls – Big Bang, 2NE1 and Katy Perry
Korean | Pop
I thought that this would be an appropriate summer mix since it Katy Perry’s instrumental gives Lollipop more of a beat and it makes it seem more lively. There were times when I thought that they sounded a little off key, but I think the person who remixed the song had to change the pitch in some parts to make it go along with the background. Overall, I think this is one of the best mashes I’ve heard in a while.

Hello – Namie Amuro vs A. Skillz & Krafty Kuts
Japanese/English | Pop/Hip Hop
When I first heard this remix I was really into it for a while. The mix is flawless in terms of its transitions and it all seems to flow really well and the two songs don’t compete for “air time” so to speak. Rather, they seem to compliment each other.

Again It’s You – 2pm vs. Super Junior
Korean | Pop
I think this is a decent mix of the two songs since both their tempos are fairly similar. However, I do think the transitions between the two songs can be a bit jarring at times (can’t really comment on if the words would make sense, sorry!) since during the chorus it can get a bit loud and sometimes I feel like the words get almost cut off.

Juju Lets Go – JUJU vs. M-Flo & Yoshika
Japanese| Pop
It isn’t very common to find a slow-ish mash up since most mash ups are geared towards making songs more upbeat. I think this song’s transitions are pretty good and both m-flo and Yoshika’s vocals go really well with the background since their song is more of a slow tempo song.

Mister Abracadabra – Brown Eyed Girls vs. Kara
Korean | Pop
I was debating whether or not to post another remix of Abracadabra but since most of the song (or at least the part that I like more) is Kara’s Mister. I think the two songs blended well but there are times when the overlap can be a bit much on your ears if you’re not used to hearing two different songs put together with one on the left and the other on the right.

Labels: 2PM, Amuro Namie, Big Bang, Brown Eyed Girls, Contributor; Carmi, Juju, KARA, m-flo, Super Junior, Yoshika

Again, my apologies on being MIA! As an aside, if you have any requests, please either leave a comment or email me at carhithiel@gmail.com


Maybe in Love – Super Junior (Kyuhyun, Yesung & Ryeowook) feat. Park Sae Byul
Korean | Pop
I absolutely love this remake. Their melodies are great and the girl’s voice is nice and sweet. It’s a nice song with the instruments really complimenting the vocals.

We Belong Together – Big Bang feat. Park Bom
Korean | Pop
I always kind of liked this song but kind of also ignored it (don’t know why). I do like the energy they project in the song and the remix overall. The techno beats really do give the song extra punch but do emphasize the parts that they didn’t really sing/rap. Still a fun song though.

Abracadabra (Live Fractal Remix) – Brown Eyed Girls
Korean | Pop
It’s a really good remix…but I do wish their vocals were more complete and consistent. I think the remix is comparable to the original and catchy in its own way. I do like the way that they had decided to remix the song – still keeping it upbeat and not overplaying the techno aspect.

Universe – BoA feat. Verbal & Crystal Kay
Japanese| Pop
Normally I’m a fan of all three (although BoA less than the other two) so I was expecting more from this collaboration. Their vocals are okay and the balance with the background is okay but I was kind of hoping they would mix more of the crowd’s interactions in. As an aside, if you don’t want to hear their talking, just stop the song after the 4:20 mark.

Purple Line – DBSK
Japanese | Pop
I like the rock kind of feel it has with the guitars playing riffs all throughout the song. The deeper and louder drums also add to that kind of feel. I also like the break/interlude in the middle of the song (better if you watch the concert vid though). Overall, a nice song from the boys.

Labels: Big Bang, BoA, Brown Eyed Girls, Contributor; Carmi, Crystal Kay, m-flo, Super Junior, Tohoshinki

Hi,
Here my new rotation
I hope you liked my previous rotation.
Here is the 2nd:

~ Party Time - Coco Lee ~
Chinese
R&B / Jazz
The song from of the new album of Coco Lee.
Another song with Jazz sound..I loved such songs * O *

~ Cherry Tree feat.Chihiro of JiLL-Decoy Association - Jazzin' Park ~
Japanese
Pop / Bossa Nova
This song is very relaxing and the voice of Chihiro lulls me.

~ My best - Alps ~
Korean
Pop / Rap
A song Pop / Rap makes me want to bounce.I love rap, and the voice of singer.The voice of the singer is very cute, I love too =)

~ She Wu - Jay Chou feat.Lara ~
Chinese
R&B
I really do not know Jay Chou, but I loved this song.A R&B and Pop with influences oriental such as in Eastern film about Egypt. I loved it!

~ Inevitability - Urban Zakapa ~
Korean
R&B / Ballad / Jazz
My true heart-beat during my vacation.The voices of the singers are fabulous,whose Leessang, which has a sweet voice and Soul.This song made for the atmosphere of Bar or dinner between lovers * O *. I suggest you d 'listen to their first single, Coffee Latte, if you like the songs Ballad / R & B with influences Jazzy and voices Soul.

~ Abracadabra - Brown Eyes Girls ~
Korean
Dance / Electro
Specialists Hybrid Soul are back * U * A Dance song with voices electro.I love the voice of Ga In is very sensual as clip.A rap of Miryo is very catchy.

~ Wanna - KARA ~
Korean
Dance
A song with regular beats and catchy.The voice of KARA are very matures.This is really different from "Honey" or "Pretty Girl." The instrumental is really interesting and want to dance & move.

~ Neorabollae (Wanna Play) - T-ara ~
Korean
Dance / R&B
After a ballad that was used for the OST of a Korean film.T-ara are back with a first single and a very good song similar to song of Big Bang.A song at the beginning and the instrumental songs such as Big Bang (Majiman Hansa). The instrumental is very electro sound to R & B.

~ Goodbye June - Vanilla Acoustic ~
Korean
Electro / Funky
I discovered this group a few days ago and I had a heart-beat for this chanson.A song with instrumental funky and electro.The voice of the singer is similar to that of J (Jung Jae Young).I love the touch of salsa in the chorus is well trained.

Sorry for grammar mistakes but Haruhi is on vacation and could not correct my mistake ( =s )but I hope you like my rotation ^___^
Thank's for people who post a comment ^^
The next rotation is for the 15th August
Thank U

Labels: Alps, Brown Eyed Girls, Coco Lee, cohost: alistere, Jay Chou, Jazzin' Park, KARA, T-ara, Urban Zakapa, Vanilla Acoustic

Sorry the rotation is so late! This was originally going to be an artist feature for Han Hee Jung or BRIGHT, but I figured that since I’m quite picky about girl groups and female artists in general, I’d theme the whole rotation on female singers. I tried to choose a variety of artists & genres, so hopefully you’ll find something you like. By the way, the group pictured above is Black Pearl.

Please remember to comment or leave a rating, thanks.

잃어버린 날들 - Han Hee Jung (Lost Days)
Korean | Soft rock
This is my favourite Han Hee Jung song, hands down. It’s soothing but melancholy and emotional at the same time, and suits its title perfectly. Han Hee Jung’s smooth voice is steady yet delicate, set against a mid-tempo accompaniment of percussion and strings.

Kotoba ni Dekinakute - BRIGHT (Can’t Put It Into Words)
Japanese | Pop/Ballad
If I had to pick a favourite girl group, it’d probably be these guys. I’ve uploaded a couple songs from them before. Kotoba ni Dekinakute is a poppy R&B ballad that’s compositionally familiar, yet mature and fresh. Their vocals are just fantastic - clear-cut and melodic, not to mention their gorgeous harmonizing that gives even more upbeat songs a unique twist.

좋은날 - Brown Eyed Girls
Korean | Pop
A relaxing, sweet pop song by the Brown Eyed Girls. I’m not a huge fan of them, but I do like a couple of their songs. Accompanied by acoustic guitars and light percussion, the only thing I didn’t really like about this song was the rap verses. It’s not a song that I’d put on repeat, but it’s worth a listen.

Crazy Love Song - SeeYa
Korean | Ballad
I’m really not a fan of their new album but I loved their older material. They’re often referred to as the “female SG Wannabe”, which can definitely be felt in this song. It clearly follows the paths of SG Wannabe’s distinct, signature ballads. Personally, I find that they followed SG Wannabe’s style a little too closely, and would have liked to see them have a more unique style. Powerful and dramatic, these girls definitely have the vocal strength to back this song up.

everyhome - Chihiro Onitsuka
Japanese | Folk Pop/Ballad
I love Chihiro Onitsuka’s older material, but her newer songs have really disappointed me. everyhome was actually released a while ago as a single, but was also included on her newer album “LAS VEGAS”. Her voice is absolutely beautiful - powerful and emotional, set against a strong piano accompaniment. The amount of emotion Onitsuka puts into every word and every note is really what makes her so unique.

결국... 너잖아 - Black Pearl
Korean | Ballad
I was really impressed with this group, and was disappointed to find that after a couple singles they’ve kind of dropped out of the scene other than a few appearances in OSTs and such, mostly in collaboration with other artists - namely SeeYa and Davichi, but IMO they outshine those groups vocally. A very classic Korean ballad that is a tad too predictable for my taste, but their strong, rich voices really bring the song together.

Te wo Tsunaide - Younha
Japanese | Pop-Rock
I’m a huge fan of Younha, even though I didn’t really like her newest Korean album (Peace Love & Ice Cream). This is probably my favourite song by her - it’s an optimistic, midtempo pop-rock track with a soaring chorus, completed by Younha’s powerful yet feminine voice. I absolutely love the part at 2:10 when the accompaniment suddenly cuts off, leaving only her voice for the rest of the line - it has an incredibly powerful impact.

Love Today - Taru
Korean | Pop/Electronica
A sugary track complete with warm, childish vocals and a heavily synthesized accompaniment. It’s a cute song with a sweet, poppy atmosphere that’s not too overpowering.

Mia - IU
Korean | Ballad
I was skeptical upon seeing that the singer is only 15 years old, expecting something poppy and sugary, but Mia was certainly a pleasant surprise - it’s a rich, emotional ballad. While utilizing strings in its accompaniment, the percussion and arrangement is fairly modernized. IU’s voice is powerful and surprisingly mature. I’m looking forward to hearing her future releases and seeing how her voice develops even furthur.

Jewelry day - ayaka
Japanese | Ballad
A pretty acoustic guitar ballad by another of my favourite female singers, ayaka. It’s melancholic but relaxing and soothing at the same time. ayaka’s voice is melodic and crisp. A refreshingly straightforward song.

Summer Song - YUI
Japanese | Pop/Rock
Despite loving acoustic guitars, I never really got into YUI’s music. Summer Song is a pleasing, mid-tempo track - IMO, it doesn’t have a lot of replay value, but it’s a nice song.

Unprecedented - Zhang Yun Jing
Mandarin | Pop-Rock
An upbeat track. Yun Jing’s voice is almost boyish, and suits the playful atmosphere of the song well. I think she was the winner of either Super Idol or One Million Star (singing competitions).

Can’t Sleep, Can’t Eat, I’m Sick - Amuro Namie
Japanese | Pop
Synthy trumpet riffs, a slick R&B atmosphere - really, it’s nothing but a cheap club number. Bubbly, fun, confident, and light-hearted.

Freaky - Koda Kumi
Japanese | Pop
A grungy, aggressive song - it’s uptempo and in-your-face. Koda Kumi’s powerful, slightly abrasive voice compliments the song well.

Labels: Amuro Namie, Ayaka, Black Pearl, BRIGHT, Brown Eyed Girls, Chihiro Onitsuka, Han Hee Jung, IU, Koda Kumi, SeeYa, Taru, Younha, YUI, Zhang Yun Jing

Wait a minute, wasn’t this top 10’s? Since I decided to merge all the languages together, I also decided to extend the list to 20 songs. I made an original list to choose from, which had 35 songs (which itself started out at 29 and kept growing as I thought of more songs that deserved to be added, haha), and I simply couldn’t pick just ten. Well, more songs for you guys, right? Since it was pointed out to me that my top 10 ballads rotation was all-male, I’ve done my best to encorporate some female artists as well - although, admittedly, it is still male-dominated - I’m picky about female artists, okay?

Also, the runners-up for this rotation will be posted at a later time. It's been too long since I did such a big rotation.

This rotation really took a long time to prepare, so please comment or at least leave a rating! Thanks to all those who do.

#20. Paparazzi - AJOO ft. Younha & C-LUV
A catchy, extremely danceable song by AJOO. I have to admit, I really like AJOO except for his latest song. Although his image keeps changing, from sweet, innocent boy to a more mature, sexy look, then to his latest eyeliner-obsessed image which, as you can tell, I’m not a big fan of. Anyways. Paparazzi is a fun, poppy listen. It’s not particularly innovative or original, but it’s a good song.

#19. 痴妹與王兩 - Xiao Yu
Gritty, tough, and aggressive. Xiao Yu’s voice is dripping with an easy, slick confidence. It does get repetitive and a little generic, but it makes for a nice occasional listen.

#18. D.D.D. - Koda Kumi ft. SOULHEAD
I’m not really a fan of any of the big female j-pop stars - Ayumi Hamasaki, Koda Kumi, Amuro Namie, Utada Hikaru, etc. but out of them, Koda Kumi is probably my favourite. D.D.D. is energetic, confident, and fun.

#17. Scream - JUNE
An upbeat club number, Scream just begs for another listen. Addictive, catchy, and complete with smooth, slick melodies that JUNE brings to their best. It almost has a bit of a disco feel to it at times, yet is undoubtedly modern.

#16. 넌 나의 노래 (You're My Song) - Dong Bang Shin Ki
Wrong Number originally held this position, because I guess you could kind of consider this song a ballad, but I just love this song too much. This is definitely, by far, my most listened to track off of MIROTIC. I was expecting one of their more upbeat songs (eg. Mirotic, Wrong Number) would be the most memorable, but it ended up being You’re My Song - an absolutely gorgeous slow pop track. The melody is beautiful by itself, but the boy’s vocals and harmonizing really bring it to another level - at times vulnerable and at others strong and hopeful. I love the piano accompaniment too.

#15. In My Bed - Rain
Being one of the first k-pop artists I listened to, Rain had to show up somewhere on this rotation. Anyways I’m not sure what he’s up to now, but I think he really needs to return to music. His latest album Rainism didn’t really leave much of an impact on me. This song is from his fourth album, Rain’s World - a smooth, slightly downtempo, R&B influenced number. His unique voice is perfectly accented against the relatively minimal but steady arrangement. A memorable song that has a lot of replay value.

#14. 통화 연결음 (Ring Back Tone) - Sunnyhill
I never get sick of this song. This group is made up of 3 vocalists - two female, one male. Their male vocalist was supposed to be a member of Battle. I absolutely love their female vocalists. Both have airy, light voices that sound absolutely wonderful. A peaceful, calm, sweet song.

#13. Letter - BRIGHT ft. K
I’m not a fan of girl groups as a general rule, but I absolutely love BRIGHT. Just the opening lines, in absolutely stunning harmony, should tell you that these girls are something different. A light, breezy, relaxing song. K’s sweet voice fits in perfectly with BRIGHT’s vocalists. Like I mentioned, the harmonizing in this song is just beautiful.

#12. Funky N Roll Tonight - A’ST1
There had to be one cheesy, boyband, bubble-gum pop song on this rotation. Complete with a nonsense English title, A’ST1 delivers a sugary, fun track. Bright, upbeat horns, paired with feel-good guitar chords that are then taken over by a keyboard. Twangy, thick bass, sweet poppy vocals, easy-to-follow melodies. Nothing particularly original, but well-executed.

#11. Get Chu! - AAA
A summer-y, upbeat song. Cute, playful, and light-hearted. It’s a feel-good song, plain and simple.

#10. Always Online - JJ Lin
I just bought the album this was from, Sixology. <3 A really good song to wind down to - it’s relaxing but not too slow, with faint R&B influences in the beat and bass. JJ Lin’s voice is smooth and melodic.

#9. truth - Arashi
A dramatic, memorable song with a pushing string accompaniment competing with the rich piano arrangement. I really think this is one of Arashi’s best songs. It has a bit of a darker feel than most of their material but is uptempo and energetic, and at times hopeful. Complete with a gritty electric guitar solo about halfway through, truth definitely shows another dimension of Arashi.

#8. One - Epik High ft. JiSun
An electronica-infused song that is just beautiful. Ji Sun’s light, airy vocals fit the slightly haunting air of the song perfectly. Although this song is a lot more mainstream from Epik High’s older releases, I still liked it. It has a dark edge to it, but at the same time is hopeful and energetic.

#7. 거짓말 (Lies) - Big Bang
I loved this song when it first came out. I think I listened to it so much that I got kind of sick of it, and it’s been a while since I revisited it. IMO, this song really defined their electronica-infused style. The sweet piano melody, although repetitive, lends colour and contrast to the verses, really bringing the song to another level. The chorus is wonderful.

#6. 어쩌다 (How) - Brown Eyed Girls
I really hate how every song from every artist of whatever this company is starts off with this weird robotic voice saying “play this sound” or “brand new sound” or something like that. Anyways. Brown Eyed Girls is one of the few female artists to make this rotation, and pretty far up on the rankings too! How is infectiously catchy and fairly quick in tempo, but the vocal work maintains its depth and emotion. the girl’s voices are sweet but not annoyingly so. Although there is some faint synthesizing, especially in the harmonies, it’s not overdone. The rap verses give a playful, light touch to the song.

#5. 星空下的吻 - JJ Lin
Kicking off energetically with a heavy beat and quick verses, the song then transitions beautifully into an airy, melodic chorus where JJ Lin’s voice simply soars over the arrangement. I love the contrast between the two moods - the angst of the supporting verses, and the beauty of the chorus.

#4. Bump - Lee Min Woo
A straightforward uptempo track, active and aggressive. Min Woo’s latest solo album disappointed me because it lacked the fire of his older songs - such as Bump, from his 2nd solo album. It cools down for one verse, with melting melodies and smooth vocal work, but other than that, never loses its energy and intensity. Min Woo’s strong, slightly rough voice is a perfect fit for this song.

#3. Passion - Se7en
Ah I remember being so obsessed with this song. This song really got me into Se7en. His voice is rough and powerful, bordering on a bold aggressiveness. Slick, sensual melodies paired with harsh accenting gives the song a sharp edge. The beat and arrangement definitely takes its influences from American music, but it’s so catchy and driven. Definitely a song you could dance to.

#2. Hero - Shinhwa
What I liked about this song was that, on top of being catchy and lively, it also had emotional value. The beat is fairly straightforward, but infectious nonetheless. Random bit of trivia: at ~2:42 in the track, you can hear someone cough. This song, released in 2002, was one of the first Korean songs that I listened to (and when I listened to it, a few years had already passed since its release). It’s been a while since I listened to it, but it really doesn’t get old.

#1. Okay, so this is where it gets kind of weird. There are two #1 songs.

简单爱 - Jay Chou
Wait a minute, I don't even like Jay Chou. Why are two of his songs tied at first place? Well, as much as I’m not feeling Jay Chou’s latest albums, I really like some of his older work. This is an example of it - innocent, sweet, and genuine. Maybe it’s just because I’ve been listening to these songs for so long that I love them.

髮如雪 - Jay Chou
I love this song. Jay Chou’s voice is just perfect in it, smooth and light - there’s some classical Chinese influences in the arrangement, but they’re not overbearing. I seriously always have some verse or some melody from this song resurface in my head, even if I haven’t listened to it in a long time. Okay, admittedly, the part where it sounds like he’s gargling near the end of the song (around 4:30) is just ... weird. But still.

Labels: A'ST1, Ajoo, Arashi, Big Bang, BRIGHT, Brown Eyed Girls, Dong Bang Shin Ki, Epik High, Jay Chou, JJ Lin, JUNE, Koda Kumi, Lee Min Woo, Rain, Se7en, Shinhwa, SunnyHill, Xiao Yu

Happy Halloween, everyone. There won't be a rotation up this weekend, but here's the latest BEG single to hold you over -


Artist: Brown Eyed Girls
Single: My Style Hidden
Language: Korean
Release Date: Oct 30 2008
Genre: Pop, Dance, Ballad

01 My Style (Hidden Track)
02 다시는 사랑 안할래 (Unplugged ver.) (I'm Not Gonna Love Again)
03 My Style 곡 받은 날 ♥

The latest release from Brown Eyed Girls is a digital single, featuring My Style, a slowed down remake of their hit L.O.V.E. A clear but simple melody and airy, playful execution adds a new twist to the song. It has a more innocent, young sound than the original L.O.V.E. 다시는 사랑 안할래, originally from the My Style mini-album, is returned in an unplugged version. As expected, it takes a softer route, lightening up the bass and percussion parts and accentuating their sweet, genuine vocals. In all honesty, it doesn't sound that different from the original. My Style 곡 받은 날 features My Style as a background to the girls talking, and a short acoustic version of My Style, which sounds wonderful - if it were a full song, I would've loved it. Personally I found the conversation at the beginning unnecessary.

Overall, a decent repackage. There isn't much new material, but that is made up for by a good reconstruction of their older work.

Labels: Brown Eyed Girls

Yes, I am still alive. Sort of.

For this post I thought I’d try and compile some songs that are nice and mellow for...well...that time of the year that some people, including myself, don’t really care very much for. Okay. Really I only care about the chocolates and the post-Valentine’s day discounts that come along.


어쩌다 (Hitchhiker Remix) - Brown Eyed Girls
Korean | Pop
I know that the original was posted way back (March 09) but I actually like this version much better (don’t really know what’s with me and remixes). I do like the more house-ish/techno sound this song has although it does kind of kill the meaning behind the song...especially since I find myself kind of bouncing along with the song.

Loveless - Yamashita Tomohisa
Japanese | Pop
The piano medley is simple but still effective in trying to get across the kind of melancholy and inevitable sadness the song talks about. It is a nice mid-tempo ballad, although pretty typical of J-pop.

Loving Loved - Yuya Matsushita
Japanese | Pop
More along the same vein as the last song, Yuya’s song is pretty similar in that he uses the piano to convey the sadness. That said, I do like this song better. I like the overall melody, the base line and the beat even though it’s still a pretty typical J-pop song. It’s the kind of song I’d picture listening to as I’m watching the closing credits of a romantic comedy / drama series.

Cry - MBLAQ
Korean | R&B
In comparison to the other songs, this is probably my favorite. It reminds me of the older, but still classic R&B sound. There’s a part of me that wants me to hear Rain sing this instead of them but you can still hear how Rain’s influence clearly permeates everything these guys do. I love the contrast that the sleigh bells (I think that’s what those are) give.

Best of Me - Michael Buble
English | Ballad
If I could pick THE post-break up song, this would be that song. This takes you through a journey of somebody who’s gone through a really bad break up but was able to find someone else to love. It is a VERY sappy song but it has a good message. I remember watching him sing this live at his concert and thinking that it was an amazing song.

Labels: Brown Eyed Girls, Contributor; Carmi, MBLAQ, Michael Buble, Yamashita Tomohisa, Yuya Matsushita

LolliGurls – Big Bang, 2NE1 and Katy Perry
Korean | Pop
I thought that this would be an appropriate summer mix since it Katy Perry’s instrumental gives Lollipop more of a beat and it makes it seem more lively. There were times when I thought that they sounded a little off key, but I think the person who remixed the song had to change the pitch in some parts to make it go along with the background. Overall, I think this is one of the best mashes I’ve heard in a while.

Hello – Namie Amuro vs A. Skillz & Krafty Kuts
Japanese/English | Pop/Hip Hop
When I first heard this remix I was really into it for a while. The mix is flawless in terms of its transitions and it all seems to flow really well and the two songs don’t compete for “air time” so to speak. Rather, they seem to compliment each other.

Again It’s You – 2pm vs. Super Junior
Korean | Pop
I think this is a decent mix of the two songs since both their tempos are fairly similar. However, I do think the transitions between the two songs can be a bit jarring at times (can’t really comment on if the words would make sense, sorry!) since during the chorus it can get a bit loud and sometimes I feel like the words get almost cut off.

Juju Lets Go – JUJU vs. M-Flo & Yoshika
Japanese| Pop
It isn’t very common to find a slow-ish mash up since most mash ups are geared towards making songs more upbeat. I think this song’s transitions are pretty good and both m-flo and Yoshika’s vocals go really well with the background since their song is more of a slow tempo song.

Mister Abracadabra – Brown Eyed Girls vs. Kara
Korean | Pop
I was debating whether or not to post another remix of Abracadabra but since most of the song (or at least the part that I like more) is Kara’s Mister. I think the two songs blended well but there are times when the overlap can be a bit much on your ears if you’re not used to hearing two different songs put together with one on the left and the other on the right.

Labels: 2PM, Amuro Namie, Big Bang, Brown Eyed Girls, Contributor; Carmi, Juju, KARA, m-flo, Super Junior, Yoshika

Again, my apologies on being MIA! As an aside, if you have any requests, please either leave a comment or email me at carhithiel@gmail.com


Maybe in Love – Super Junior (Kyuhyun, Yesung & Ryeowook) feat. Park Sae Byul
Korean | Pop
I absolutely love this remake. Their melodies are great and the girl’s voice is nice and sweet. It’s a nice song with the instruments really complimenting the vocals.

We Belong Together – Big Bang feat. Park Bom
Korean | Pop
I always kind of liked this song but kind of also ignored it (don’t know why). I do like the energy they project in the song and the remix overall. The techno beats really do give the song extra punch but do emphasize the parts that they didn’t really sing/rap. Still a fun song though.

Abracadabra (Live Fractal Remix) – Brown Eyed Girls
Korean | Pop
It’s a really good remix…but I do wish their vocals were more complete and consistent. I think the remix is comparable to the original and catchy in its own way. I do like the way that they had decided to remix the song – still keeping it upbeat and not overplaying the techno aspect.

Universe – BoA feat. Verbal & Crystal Kay
Japanese| Pop
Normally I’m a fan of all three (although BoA less than the other two) so I was expecting more from this collaboration. Their vocals are okay and the balance with the background is okay but I was kind of hoping they would mix more of the crowd’s interactions in. As an aside, if you don’t want to hear their talking, just stop the song after the 4:20 mark.

Purple Line – DBSK
Japanese | Pop
I like the rock kind of feel it has with the guitars playing riffs all throughout the song. The deeper and louder drums also add to that kind of feel. I also like the break/interlude in the middle of the song (better if you watch the concert vid though). Overall, a nice song from the boys.

Labels: Big Bang, BoA, Brown Eyed Girls, Contributor; Carmi, Crystal Kay, m-flo, Super Junior, Tohoshinki

Hi,
Here my new rotation
I hope you liked my previous rotation.
Here is the 2nd:

~ Party Time - Coco Lee ~
Chinese
R&B / Jazz
The song from of the new album of Coco Lee.
Another song with Jazz sound..I loved such songs * O *

~ Cherry Tree feat.Chihiro of JiLL-Decoy Association - Jazzin' Park ~
Japanese
Pop / Bossa Nova
This song is very relaxing and the voice of Chihiro lulls me.

~ My best - Alps ~
Korean
Pop / Rap
A song Pop / Rap makes me want to bounce.I love rap, and the voice of singer.The voice of the singer is very cute, I love too =)

~ She Wu - Jay Chou feat.Lara ~
Chinese
R&B
I really do not know Jay Chou, but I loved this song.A R&B and Pop with influences oriental such as in Eastern film about Egypt. I loved it!

~ Inevitability - Urban Zakapa ~
Korean
R&B / Ballad / Jazz
My true heart-beat during my vacation.The voices of the singers are fabulous,whose Leessang, which has a sweet voice and Soul.This song made for the atmosphere of Bar or dinner between lovers * O *. I suggest you d 'listen to their first single, Coffee Latte, if you like the songs Ballad / R & B with influences Jazzy and voices Soul.

~ Abracadabra - Brown Eyes Girls ~
Korean
Dance / Electro
Specialists Hybrid Soul are back * U * A Dance song with voices electro.I love the voice of Ga In is very sensual as clip.A rap of Miryo is very catchy.

~ Wanna - KARA ~
Korean
Dance
A song with regular beats and catchy.The voice of KARA are very matures.This is really different from "Honey" or "Pretty Girl." The instrumental is really interesting and want to dance & move.

~ Neorabollae (Wanna Play) - T-ara ~
Korean
Dance / R&B
After a ballad that was used for the OST of a Korean film.T-ara are back with a first single and a very good song similar to song of Big Bang.A song at the beginning and the instrumental songs such as Big Bang (Majiman Hansa). The instrumental is very electro sound to R & B.

~ Goodbye June - Vanilla Acoustic ~
Korean
Electro / Funky
I discovered this group a few days ago and I had a heart-beat for this chanson.A song with instrumental funky and electro.The voice of the singer is similar to that of J (Jung Jae Young).I love the touch of salsa in the chorus is well trained.

Sorry for grammar mistakes but Haruhi is on vacation and could not correct my mistake ( =s )but I hope you like my rotation ^___^
Thank's for people who post a comment ^^
The next rotation is for the 15th August
Thank U

Labels: Alps, Brown Eyed Girls, Coco Lee, cohost: alistere, Jay Chou, Jazzin' Park, KARA, T-ara, Urban Zakapa, Vanilla Acoustic

Sorry the rotation is so late! This was originally going to be an artist feature for Han Hee Jung or BRIGHT, but I figured that since I’m quite picky about girl groups and female artists in general, I’d theme the whole rotation on female singers. I tried to choose a variety of artists & genres, so hopefully you’ll find something you like. By the way, the group pictured above is Black Pearl.

Please remember to comment or leave a rating, thanks.

잃어버린 날들 - Han Hee Jung (Lost Days)
Korean | Soft rock
This is my favourite Han Hee Jung song, hands down. It’s soothing but melancholy and emotional at the same time, and suits its title perfectly. Han Hee Jung’s smooth voice is steady yet delicate, set against a mid-tempo accompaniment of percussion and strings.

Kotoba ni Dekinakute - BRIGHT (Can’t Put It Into Words)
Japanese | Pop/Ballad
If I had to pick a favourite girl group, it’d probably be these guys. I’ve uploaded a couple songs from them before. Kotoba ni Dekinakute is a poppy R&B ballad that’s compositionally familiar, yet mature and fresh. Their vocals are just fantastic - clear-cut and melodic, not to mention their gorgeous harmonizing that gives even more upbeat songs a unique twist.

좋은날 - Brown Eyed Girls
Korean | Pop
A relaxing, sweet pop song by the Brown Eyed Girls. I’m not a huge fan of them, but I do like a couple of their songs. Accompanied by acoustic guitars and light percussion, the only thing I didn’t really like about this song was the rap verses. It’s not a song that I’d put on repeat, but it’s worth a listen.

Crazy Love Song - SeeYa
Korean | Ballad
I’m really not a fan of their new album but I loved their older material. They’re often referred to as the “female SG Wannabe”, which can definitely be felt in this song. It clearly follows the paths of SG Wannabe’s distinct, signature ballads. Personally, I find that they followed SG Wannabe’s style a little too closely, and would have liked to see them have a more unique style. Powerful and dramatic, these girls definitely have the vocal strength to back this song up.

everyhome - Chihiro Onitsuka
Japanese | Folk Pop/Ballad
I love Chihiro Onitsuka’s older material, but her newer songs have really disappointed me. everyhome was actually released a while ago as a single, but was also included on her newer album “LAS VEGAS”. Her voice is absolutely beautiful - powerful and emotional, set against a strong piano accompaniment. The amount of emotion Onitsuka puts into every word and every note is really what makes her so unique.

결국... 너잖아 - Black Pearl
Korean | Ballad
I was really impressed with this group, and was disappointed to find that after a couple singles they’ve kind of dropped out of the scene other than a few appearances in OSTs and such, mostly in collaboration with other artists - namely SeeYa and Davichi, but IMO they outshine those groups vocally. A very classic Korean ballad that is a tad too predictable for my taste, but their strong, rich voices really bring the song together.

Te wo Tsunaide - Younha
Japanese | Pop-Rock
I’m a huge fan of Younha, even though I didn’t really like her newest Korean album (Peace Love & Ice Cream). This is probably my favourite song by her - it’s an optimistic, midtempo pop-rock track with a soaring chorus, completed by Younha’s powerful yet feminine voice. I absolutely love the part at 2:10 when the accompaniment suddenly cuts off, leaving only her voice for the rest of the line - it has an incredibly powerful impact.

Love Today - Taru
Korean | Pop/Electronica
A sugary track complete with warm, childish vocals and a heavily synthesized accompaniment. It’s a cute song with a sweet, poppy atmosphere that’s not too overpowering.

Mia - IU
Korean | Ballad
I was skeptical upon seeing that the singer is only 15 years old, expecting something poppy and sugary, but Mia was certainly a pleasant surprise - it’s a rich, emotional ballad. While utilizing strings in its accompaniment, the percussion and arrangement is fairly modernized. IU’s voice is powerful and surprisingly mature. I’m looking forward to hearing her future releases and seeing how her voice develops even furthur.

Jewelry day - ayaka
Japanese | Ballad
A pretty acoustic guitar ballad by another of my favourite female singers, ayaka. It’s melancholic but relaxing and soothing at the same time. ayaka’s voice is melodic and crisp. A refreshingly straightforward song.

Summer Song - YUI
Japanese | Pop/Rock
Despite loving acoustic guitars, I never really got into YUI’s music. Summer Song is a pleasing, mid-tempo track - IMO, it doesn’t have a lot of replay value, but it’s a nice song.

Unprecedented - Zhang Yun Jing
Mandarin | Pop-Rock
An upbeat track. Yun Jing’s voice is almost boyish, and suits the playful atmosphere of the song well. I think she was the winner of either Super Idol or One Million Star (singing competitions).

Can’t Sleep, Can’t Eat, I’m Sick - Amuro Namie
Japanese | Pop
Synthy trumpet riffs, a slick R&B atmosphere - really, it’s nothing but a cheap club number. Bubbly, fun, confident, and light-hearted.

Freaky - Koda Kumi
Japanese | Pop
A grungy, aggressive song - it’s uptempo and in-your-face. Koda Kumi’s powerful, slightly abrasive voice compliments the song well.

Labels: Amuro Namie, Ayaka, Black Pearl, BRIGHT, Brown Eyed Girls, Chihiro Onitsuka, Han Hee Jung, IU, Koda Kumi, SeeYa, Taru, Younha, YUI, Zhang Yun Jing

Wait a minute, wasn’t this top 10’s? Since I decided to merge all the languages together, I also decided to extend the list to 20 songs. I made an original list to choose from, which had 35 songs (which itself started out at 29 and kept growing as I thought of more songs that deserved to be added, haha), and I simply couldn’t pick just ten. Well, more songs for you guys, right? Since it was pointed out to me that my top 10 ballads rotation was all-male, I’ve done my best to encorporate some female artists as well - although, admittedly, it is still male-dominated - I’m picky about female artists, okay?

Also, the runners-up for this rotation will be posted at a later time. It's been too long since I did such a big rotation.

This rotation really took a long time to prepare, so please comment or at least leave a rating! Thanks to all those who do.

#20. Paparazzi - AJOO ft. Younha & C-LUV
A catchy, extremely danceable song by AJOO. I have to admit, I really like AJOO except for his latest song. Although his image keeps changing, from sweet, innocent boy to a more mature, sexy look, then to his latest eyeliner-obsessed image which, as you can tell, I’m not a big fan of. Anyways. Paparazzi is a fun, poppy listen. It’s not particularly innovative or original, but it’s a good song.

#19. 痴妹與王兩 - Xiao Yu
Gritty, tough, and aggressive. Xiao Yu’s voice is dripping with an easy, slick confidence. It does get repetitive and a little generic, but it makes for a nice occasional listen.

#18. D.D.D. - Koda Kumi ft. SOULHEAD
I’m not really a fan of any of the big female j-pop stars - Ayumi Hamasaki, Koda Kumi, Amuro Namie, Utada Hikaru, etc. but out of them, Koda Kumi is probably my favourite. D.D.D. is energetic, confident, and fun.

#17. Scream - JUNE
An upbeat club number, Scream just begs for another listen. Addictive, catchy, and complete with smooth, slick melodies that JUNE brings to their best. It almost has a bit of a disco feel to it at times, yet is undoubtedly modern.

#16. 넌 나의 노래 (You're My Song) - Dong Bang Shin Ki
Wrong Number originally held this position, because I guess you could kind of consider this song a ballad, but I just love this song too much. This is definitely, by far, my most listened to track off of MIROTIC. I was expecting one of their more upbeat songs (eg. Mirotic, Wrong Number) would be the most memorable, but it ended up being You’re My Song - an absolutely gorgeous slow pop track. The melody is beautiful by itself, but the boy’s vocals and harmonizing really bring it to another level - at times vulnerable and at others strong and hopeful. I love the piano accompaniment too.

#15. In My Bed - Rain
Being one of the first k-pop artists I listened to, Rain had to show up somewhere on this rotation. Anyways I’m not sure what he’s up to now, but I think he really needs to return to music. His latest album Rainism didn’t really leave much of an impact on me. This song is from his fourth album, Rain’s World - a smooth, slightly downtempo, R&B influenced number. His unique voice is perfectly accented against the relatively minimal but steady arrangement. A memorable song that has a lot of replay value.

#14. 통화 연결음 (Ring Back Tone) - Sunnyhill
I never get sick of this song. This group is made up of 3 vocalists - two female, one male. Their male vocalist was supposed to be a member of Battle. I absolutely love their female vocalists. Both have airy, light voices that sound absolutely wonderful. A peaceful, calm, sweet song.

#13. Letter - BRIGHT ft. K
I’m not a fan of girl groups as a general rule, but I absolutely love BRIGHT. Just the opening lines, in absolutely stunning harmony, should tell you that these girls are something different. A light, breezy, relaxing song. K’s sweet voice fits in perfectly with BRIGHT’s vocalists. Like I mentioned, the harmonizing in this song is just beautiful.

#12. Funky N Roll Tonight - A’ST1
There had to be one cheesy, boyband, bubble-gum pop song on this rotation. Complete with a nonsense English title, A’ST1 delivers a sugary, fun track. Bright, upbeat horns, paired with feel-good guitar chords that are then taken over by a keyboard. Twangy, thick bass, sweet poppy vocals, easy-to-follow melodies. Nothing particularly original, but well-executed.

#11. Get Chu! - AAA
A summer-y, upbeat song. Cute, playful, and light-hearted. It’s a feel-good song, plain and simple.

#10. Always Online - JJ Lin
I just bought the album this was from, Sixology. <3 A really good song to wind down to - it’s relaxing but not too slow, with faint R&B influences in the beat and bass. JJ Lin’s voice is smooth and melodic.

#9. truth - Arashi
A dramatic, memorable song with a pushing string accompaniment competing with the rich piano arrangement. I really think this is one of Arashi’s best songs. It has a bit of a darker feel than most of their material but is uptempo and energetic, and at times hopeful. Complete with a gritty electric guitar solo about halfway through, truth definitely shows another dimension of Arashi.

#8. One - Epik High ft. JiSun
An electronica-infused song that is just beautiful. Ji Sun’s light, airy vocals fit the slightly haunting air of the song perfectly. Although this song is a lot more mainstream from Epik High’s older releases, I still liked it. It has a dark edge to it, but at the same time is hopeful and energetic.

#7. 거짓말 (Lies) - Big Bang
I loved this song when it first came out. I think I listened to it so much that I got kind of sick of it, and it’s been a while since I revisited it. IMO, this song really defined their electronica-infused style. The sweet piano melody, although repetitive, lends colour and contrast to the verses, really bringing the song to another level. The chorus is wonderful.

#6. 어쩌다 (How) - Brown Eyed Girls
I really hate how every song from every artist of whatever this company is starts off with this weird robotic voice saying “play this sound” or “brand new sound” or something like that. Anyways. Brown Eyed Girls is one of the few female artists to make this rotation, and pretty far up on the rankings too! How is infectiously catchy and fairly quick in tempo, but the vocal work maintains its depth and emotion. the girl’s voices are sweet but not annoyingly so. Although there is some faint synthesizing, especially in the harmonies, it’s not overdone. The rap verses give a playful, light touch to the song.

#5. 星空下的吻 - JJ Lin
Kicking off energetically with a heavy beat and quick verses, the song then transitions beautifully into an airy, melodic chorus where JJ Lin’s voice simply soars over the arrangement. I love the contrast between the two moods - the angst of the supporting verses, and the beauty of the chorus.

#4. Bump - Lee Min Woo
A straightforward uptempo track, active and aggressive. Min Woo’s latest solo album disappointed me because it lacked the fire of his older songs - such as Bump, from his 2nd solo album. It cools down for one verse, with melting melodies and smooth vocal work, but other than that, never loses its energy and intensity. Min Woo’s strong, slightly rough voice is a perfect fit for this song.

#3. Passion - Se7en
Ah I remember being so obsessed with this song. This song really got me into Se7en. His voice is rough and powerful, bordering on a bold aggressiveness. Slick, sensual melodies paired with harsh accenting gives the song a sharp edge. The beat and arrangement definitely takes its influences from American music, but it’s so catchy and driven. Definitely a song you could dance to.

#2. Hero - Shinhwa
What I liked about this song was that, on top of being catchy and lively, it also had emotional value. The beat is fairly straightforward, but infectious nonetheless. Random bit of trivia: at ~2:42 in the track, you can hear someone cough. This song, released in 2002, was one of the first Korean songs that I listened to (and when I listened to it, a few years had already passed since its release). It’s been a while since I listened to it, but it really doesn’t get old.

#1. Okay, so this is where it gets kind of weird. There are two #1 songs.

简单爱 - Jay Chou
Wait a minute, I don't even like Jay Chou. Why are two of his songs tied at first place? Well, as much as I’m not feeling Jay Chou’s latest albums, I really like some of his older work. This is an example of it - innocent, sweet, and genuine. Maybe it’s just because I’ve been listening to these songs for so long that I love them.

髮如雪 - Jay Chou
I love this song. Jay Chou’s voice is just perfect in it, smooth and light - there’s some classical Chinese influences in the arrangement, but they’re not overbearing. I seriously always have some verse or some melody from this song resurface in my head, even if I haven’t listened to it in a long time. Okay, admittedly, the part where it sounds like he’s gargling near the end of the song (around 4:30) is just ... weird. But still.

Labels: A'ST1, Ajoo, Arashi, Big Bang, BRIGHT, Brown Eyed Girls, Dong Bang Shin Ki, Epik High, Jay Chou, JJ Lin, JUNE, Koda Kumi, Lee Min Woo, Rain, Se7en, Shinhwa, SunnyHill, Xiao Yu

Happy Halloween, everyone. There won't be a rotation up this weekend, but here's the latest BEG single to hold you over -


Artist: Brown Eyed Girls
Single: My Style Hidden
Language: Korean
Release Date: Oct 30 2008
Genre: Pop, Dance, Ballad

01 My Style (Hidden Track)
02 다시는 사랑 안할래 (Unplugged ver.) (I'm Not Gonna Love Again)
03 My Style 곡 받은 날 ♥

The latest release from Brown Eyed Girls is a digital single, featuring My Style, a slowed down remake of their hit L.O.V.E. A clear but simple melody and airy, playful execution adds a new twist to the song. It has a more innocent, young sound than the original L.O.V.E. 다시는 사랑 안할래, originally from the My Style mini-album, is returned in an unplugged version. As expected, it takes a softer route, lightening up the bass and percussion parts and accentuating their sweet, genuine vocals. In all honesty, it doesn't sound that different from the original. My Style 곡 받은 날 features My Style as a background to the girls talking, and a short acoustic version of My Style, which sounds wonderful - if it were a full song, I would've loved it. Personally I found the conversation at the beginning unnecessary.

Overall, a decent repackage. There isn't much new material, but that is made up for by a good reconstruction of their older work.

Labels: Brown Eyed Girls

Welcome to Fashion Scans, an mp3 rotation that features Korean, Japanese, and Chinese music as well as the occasional English song. Fashion Scans was created in October 2007 and is run by Haruhi with contributions from Carmi.

Please send all affiliate requests to Haruhi. Carmi is currently open to requests.

Files are for sampling purposes only, I am not responsible if you keep them for longer than the 24-48 hours permitted. Please support the artists by purchasing their CDs.

phase down | aqueous transmission | quietus | SnakeRoot | Dong Bang World | you start it | Ongoing Melody


If you would like to be affiliates, send me an e-mail at ungathering@hotmail.com.

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