I've done a couple of posts like this in the past, just five songs that I've been listening to a lot recently. I avoided songs that I've already uploaded, or else zia's 웃음만.. and BoA's 한별 (Implode) would definitely have made this list. I'll be posting again in the next couple days with some uploads/reviews I did for other sites that I thought I'd share here, too.

I also changed the layout, I thought something with a bit more colour would be nice. =) Hope you like it.

Also, since the site's updates have become kind of sporadic - eg. I'm planning to update quite often in the next couple days but once school starts I might not have time to post as much, I decided to take Musical Chair's lead and start a mailing list. If you would like to be e-mailed when the blog is updated, send an e-mail to mzk.haruhi@gmail.com and you will be added to the list.

- Haruhi

#5. Electric Heart - SHINee
Korean | Pop
I'm a fan of SHINee's, but for some reason I never really listened to their Lucifer album very carefully. I basically only skimmed through it when I first got it, and now that I'm taking a more careful listen, I'm finding a couple of songs I really like. Electric Heart is one of them. The infectious beat and stylized vocals remind me of Se7en's Crazy or Passion, both songs I love. While it's not quite as energetic and passionate (thought to be fair I'm quite biased towards Se7en), its atmosphere comes as a breath of fresh air. I especially love the guitar, which ranges from crisp chords to rich, full-bodied riffs.

#4. The Other Side - Bruno Mars ft. B.O.B. & Cee-lo
English | Pop
To be honest, songs #1-4 are kind of ranked randomly, I reconsidered the order a lot so it probably doesn't really mean much in the end considering these four songs were all, at some point, #1. Anyways, The Other Side is from Bruno Mars' EP It's Better If You Don't Understand whose title is taken from the lyrics of this song. It's nice to see Bruno Mars not being the featured artist this time, although he does get some help from B.O.B. (who was also his collaborator for the hit "Nothin' On You") and Cee-lo (I have no idea who this is). Honestly, I love this whole EP, and it was hard for me to just choose two songs on it to upload. You will probably see the others soon despite the fact that I try not to upload too much English music. The Other Side is an energetic, rock-influenced track with a bit of a dark atmosphere. Cee-lo's thick, velvety voice is a wonderful contrast with Bruno Mars' lighter, higher sound, and B.O.B. contributes a nice rap verse. He mentions Narnia, okay? I love Narnia.

#3. Shark In The Water - VV Brown
English | Indie Pop
I first heard this song on MTV with this accompanying video, which features the Degrassi cast. At first I thought it was just the music video and was just confused as to why everyone in the video looked so young, and wait, that guy looks like he's in Degrassi. I really don't like Degrassi (although admittedly I haven't bothered to watch much of it) but I love this carnival-themed video and I'm sure Degrassi fans could find tons of references to the plot, etc. in it. After seeing the video I found out what the song was. It's so catchy, and I love how powerful VV Brown's voice is, especially on the strong chorus. I'm really spending more time explaining background info rather than describing the songs themselves today, aren't I?

#2. 라라라 (La La La) - Supernova
Korean | Pop
I like Supernova, but I've never loved any of their songs until this (btw, I have them tagged by their Korean name "Cho Shin Sung" since that's what I tagged them as in the past). It's so energetic and infectious. I love the synth-y beat and confident atmosphere, not to mention the catchy hook and amazing falsetto lines. It's not particularly innovative, but something about it just caught my attention.

#1. Talking to the Moon - Bruno Mars
English | Pop
For once, we get Bruno Mars all by himself. Not a featuring artist; no featured artists. And the results are spectacular. The concept is basically a guy talking to the moon imagining that his girlfriend who has left is somewhere "on the other side" listening. Yes, it's cheesy, and to be honest, lyrically the song doesn't appeal to me much. But this song is a heartfelt, powerful pop ballad, and Bruno Mars' voice really shines. It's so sincere and warm. I don't really know what's in the accompaniment instrumentally but it sounds fantastic. Pair that with a chorus that will work its way into your head and refuse to get out (but not in an annoying, I-don't-actually-like-this-song way), and you have a hit.

Labels: Bruno Mars, Cho Shin Sung, Shinee, VV Brown

Just a small update for you guys. =)

외톨이야 - C.N. Blue
Korean | Pop/Rock
I uploaded the song "Now or Never" by this band a while ago, and wasn't too impressed with it. They've now debuted in Korea, and there's also a Korean version of "Now or Never" included in their debut EP. However, the title song is 외톨이야, and it was this song that changed my mind about them. Now or Never struck me as bland and generic, but 외톨이야 was a refreshing change. It's catchy and filled with attitude - something that Now or Never was definitely lacking. However, the possibility that this song was plagiarized from Ynot's Bluebird (Parangsae) has been brought up. While there's been a lot of "plagiarism" claims brought up against Korean singers/bands lately, I feel that this one is actually pretty legitimate. The two songs sound almost identical at parts, to the point where upon hearing one section I wasn't sure which song it was actually from. The song was not composed by C.N. Blue so the charges aren't really against them. Either way, a refreshing rock song from a new band that may have some promise after all.

가슴이 차가운 남자 (Let You Go) - TRAX
Korean | Ballad
That's right, TRAX is back - however, with only two members. If I recall correctly, they'll also be releasing a mini-album soon. 가슴이 차가운 남자 is a lovely rock ballad. The vocals are deep and rich, and considering that rock ballads aren't that common in mainstream Korean music, it's a refreshing change.

Last Kiss - Choshinsei (Supernova)
Japanese | Pop
It seems like Korean boyband Choshinsei has been pretty busy in Japan, Last Kiss is the a-side to their latest single. It's a warm, sweet R&B-influenced track. At first I thought it was a bit generic, but its sincerity is starting to grow on me. Although I usually don't like rap segments, I actually really like the one in this song, especially how it leads back into the sung verses gradually.

愛唄 - Choshinsei (Supernova)
Japanese | Pop
The b-side to Last Kiss, 愛唄 is a catchy pop song that features an unidentified female vocalist. It's hopeful and has some rock influences, as seen in the percussion and guitar.

Labels: C.N. Blue, Cho Shin Sung, the TRAX

I took a break from the number lottery (there's one more batch to go) to upload a full rotation, it's been a while since I posted one! This is Fashion Scan’s 40th rotation, and this time I’m featuring songs that have the word “super” somewhere in the title. Since many of the songs had similar/the same name, I had some issues with uploading. If there's a problem with any of the links, please let me know! =)

Blogspot would only let me use 10 labels in a post, which is why not all the artists are tagged. I decided not to tag a couple artists who I haven't uploaded anything by in the past & am less likely to upload anything by in the future, so not tagging them shouldn't make a big difference.

Comment/leave a rating if taking!

Superwoman - Gary Cao
Mandarin | Pop/Ballad
A rich mid-tempo ballad with English lines/verses interspersed throughout. Gary Cao’s powerful but tender voice is ripe with emotion, and the soft, smooth harmonies throughout the song add texture. I believe this is a cover of a song in English by Karyn White. I’ve never heard the original, but I love Gary Cao’s warm, light take on the song.

Superwoman - JAY’ED
Japanese | R&B
The song that inspired this rotation. Every element of this song is just so meticulously planned and executed, and it comes together beautifully. Opening with a light, clear piano arrangement that shines throughout the song and crisp conga-style percussion which leads into the R&B-style drums that form the backdrop for the rest of the song. JAY’ED’s voice is fantastic - rich, textured, and unique. I really like the soft, electronica-laced harmonies too. The whole song has a bit of a reggae/island flavour reminiscent of Kimaguren.

Super Star - S.H.E
Mandarin | Pop/Rock
A blend of rock and classical Chinese elements. Although I really like the style and feel of the song, I felt like their voices weren’t strong enough to carry the powerful atmosphere.

Superstar - L.Stadt
English | Alternative Rock
This band is actually Polish, but from what I can tell the lyrics are all in English. It’s a mysterious, ambient song that has a gritty, dark feel. I guess they’re a bit of an acquired taste, but I really like their unique sound.

Super Special - Seira Kagami
Japanese | Pop
A bubbly song with lots of electronica influences. Seira’s vocals aren’t amazing, but they’re light and sweet. A bit of a disposable song, nothing about it really caught my attention.

Super Star - Cho Shin Sung/Supernova
Korean | Pop/Dance
Fans of Cho Shin Sung should be glad to hear they’ve recently released a series of singles in Japan, which seem to be faring pretty well. This is one of their older (Korean) songs. It’s a smooth dance track with lots of synths. Surprisingly, the thing I liked most about this song was the rap verses where the accompaniment seems to slow down a bit. I found the sung verses to be quite forgettable.

SUPER SHINE - EXILE ft. VERBAL (m-flo)
Japanese | Pop
I was excited to listen to this song as it featured m-flo’s VERBAL, and I wasn’t disappointed. SUPER SHINE is a slick R&B/pop track, and my only complaint is that the segments where VERBAL is rapping and it leads into the chorus sound a bit disjointed, almost like it’s a different song. EXILE’s light, electronica-laced vocals are complete with dense harmonies, and their smoothness provides a nice contrast against VERBAL’s rapping.

SUPER-CALIFRAGILISTIC-EXPIARI-DOCIOUS - BOOWY
Japanese | Rock
I will admit I uploaded this song mostly for it’s title. This song has a light, tropical, reggae-influenced feel, and sounds slightly dated - probably because it is. I’m not sure exactly when this song released since it was off a compilation album, but BOOWY was active/most popular in the 80’s. It’s a bit random at times, but overall an interesting track.

Super Honeymoon - Owl City
English | Electronica/Pop
I’ve uploaded a song by Owl City in the past, and although they’re a recent find of mine, I really like them. Adam Young’s voice just has this certain soft, pure, slightly dreamy quality to it. I love the light, atmospheric synths. A soothing song.

Supernova - ELLEGARDEN
Japanese | Punk-Rock
Although I’m generally not a fan of punk-rock, I love ELLEGARDEN. Supernova blends melody with active percussion/guitar easily. The harmonies add a lot of contrast, and although this isn’t one of my favourite songs by them, it’s certainly a good one.

Unplugged Superstar - SuG
Japanese | Rock
Although these guys are considered “oshare kei”, their music definitely isn’t as bubbly and bright as say, some of Antic Cafe’s stuff, which is one of the reasons I like them - they balance visual/heavy rock with an atmosphere that’s not as dark and overbearing. Unplugged Superstar’s melody didn’t really appeal to me, but I love the guitar work.

Superman’s Dead - Our Lady Peace
English | Alt Rock
I love the gritty, dark atmosphere of this song - accentuated by Raine Maida’s unique, slightly growling vocals. It’s a unique song that you won’t quickly forget, although it might not be to everyone’s taste.

Super Girl (Korean Version) - Super Junior M
Korean | Pop
I uploaded the Korean version because I thought most of you would have already heard the original Chinese version. Super Junior has always been hit-or-miss with me, and I’m still undecided on Super Girl. I’ve given the Mandarin version a quick listen, and I have to say they sound much more at ease with Korean. I really love the slick, laid-back hook (although it kind of bugs me how they say “shuper”), but the busy dance atmosphere is a bit too hectic and bland for my liking. It’s so crowded that nothing really pops out, giving the accompaniment a sort of flat, two-dimensional feel.

supernova - BUMP OF CHICKEN
Japanese | Alt Rock
I love this band (despite their odd name), and songs like supernova are why. The accompaniment is very light, and it really accentuates the clear and genuine vocals. Overall, it’s just a beautiful, warm song.

Labels: BOOWY, Cho Shin Sung, ELLEGARDEN, EXILE, Gary Cao, JAY'ED, Owl City, S.H.E, Seira Kagami

Rotation 11 is slightly smaller than my previous two rotations, but I'm spending a little more time on comments. I was intending to find some images of the artists/albums too, but I decided not to this time.

The theme this week is remixes (this also includes different versions of songs), as well as a couple other songs I wanted to upload. I haven't uploaded the originals for most songs, but if you want, I can probably find them. Just leave me an e-mail or a comment somewhere, and I'll be happy to put it up for you. =)

Enjoy.

-Haruhi

REMIXES.

La La La (DG YG Remix) - Se7en
genre: Pop/Electronica
language: Korean
rating:
comments: I'm usually not a fan of electronica-type remixes of slow songs since I usually find that it takes away from their overall sound, but I have to say that Iike this mix. It's well done and puts a lot of emphasis on the bass, without losing the original essence of it. I actually really like the little eletronic-riff bridge. Probably one of the better remixes I've seen.

Yes Forever (Piano Version) - MISIA
genre: R&B/Ballad
language: Japanese
rating:
comments: I uploaded the original of this song in my last update (not the last rotation, but the update in between). This is the piano version of it, which is just as good. She has a wonderful voice, but I do have to admit that this song can get boring after a while. If you like ballads, definitely try her out.

Ashita wa kuru kara - Tohoshinki
Ashita wa kuru kara (A capella version) - Tohoshinki
genre: Pop/Ballad
language: Japanese
rating:
comments: Probably one of my favourite Tohoshinki ballads. I always like their a capella versions, too. It has a sweet but simple piano accompaniment, the same could be said for the melody. The chorus always gets stuck in my head. Their voices are soft but not lacking strength. The a capella version is good, but the piano accompaniment is just a little too loud, in my opinion. But their voices stand out a lot more in the chorus. The harmonizing is well done, their voices blend together nicely. I think I actually like Jae Joong's voice best in these two songs.

Together (Night Falls Mix) - Monkey Majik
genre: Pop
language: Japanese
rating:
comments: I uploaded this single a while ago, but without this remix. It's got a kind of bossa-nova/trance feel to it. It's not as good as the original and although it's well executed, it just doesn't suit the style of the song very well. But if you're fan of Monkey Majik, it's worth a listen.

Hit (Remix) - Cho Shin Sung
genre: Pop
language: Korean
rating:
comments: I'm usually not a huge boyband fan, but I like these guys. The beginning of this remix is kind of annoying with the guy saying "Run it" over and over, but it's a nice, upbeat track with some pretty dang nice bass beats. Their vocals are good and the first verse of this song reminds me a LOT of Super Junior. I actually thought this was a cover of one of their songs, since they have a song called "Hit" too, but ... it's not. I love the parts where you can hear the glass breaking. Try them out, they're not bad.

너는 어디에 (Remix) - Cho Shin Sung
genre: Pop
language: Korean
rating:
comments: Another upbeat Cho Shin Sung song, this song features smooth vocals and a surprisingly melodic chorus. While "Hit" reminded me of Super Junior, this song reminds me of Shinhwa, especially some of their older songs. The transition between the more aggressive verses and then the gentler chorus is well done.

Love mode feat. PE'Z and VERBAL (m-flo) (pzq mode) - Clazziquai
genre: Jazz
language: English
rating:
comments: Clazziquai, PE'Z, AND m-flo - just looking at the artists made me pretty sure this was going to be a good remix, and I wasn't disappointed. I love the drums. And of course, PE'Z is amazing, adding a lovely touch of jazz to this song. The vocals are very relaxing and the lyrics are all in English. It does get kind of repetitive, but I'm recommending this because PE'Z is just awesome.

Breakdown (Supreme Mix) - Epik High
genre: Hip-Hop
language: Korean/English
rating:
comments: Another one of my favourites from Epik High's fifth album, this mix of Breakdown features mostly English lyrics, though some of the rap verses are in Korean. While the accompaniment is pretty repetitive, this song never really gets boring to me. It's very upbeat. Recommended.

One (Planet Shiver Remix) - Epik High
genre: Hip-Hop
language: Korean
rating:
comments: I loved Epik High's One, but I didn't really like the remix as much. It doesn't keep many of the original elements of the song ... there's not even vocals for most of it, or they're not lyrics from the original song. However, it does go into the chorus of One, kind of - it's recognizable, at least. When "You are the one" is sung it's just beautiful, though. Everything kind of stops before it, and you're just waiting for it. Worth a listen.

Color Your Soul (Pinch Remix) - Clazziquai
genre: Eletronica
language: Korean
rating:
comments: Starts out with some nice piano chords, then leads into the first verse. It's very unique to Clazziquai's style, and I absolutely love it. Very relaxing.

Fly Remix (Hidden Track) - Epik High
genre: Hip-Hop
language: Korean
rating:
comments: Loving the drums. It's been a while since I listened to this song, this remix is pretty good ... it doesn't actually sound that much different except for the drums, which make it sound even more upbeat.

거짓말 (Lies) (Remix) - Big Bang
genre: Hip-Hop
language: Korean
rating:
comments: This is a slower remix of Lies, with a very simple but lovely piano melody starting it off. It's got more of an acoustic sound than the original mix, and showcases their voices wonderfully. I think it's a live rip, but it's a very good one. The beat does pick up after and it kind of slowly transitions into the original version of the song. Recommended.

MY PICKS.

Call Me (Appelez Moi) - Blaise Plant
genre: Pop
language: English & French
rating:
comments: I'm in love with this song. In case you didn't know, this is Blaise Plant of Monkey Majik. The lyrics are very sweet and sad at the same time.

Love is all that stands between us

The arrangement just blows me away. Love the drums & piano. Really I love just about everything about this song. Highly, highly recommended.

With U - Big Bang
genre: Hip-Hop/Pop
language: English
rating:
comments: Their English is getting pretty good. For the most part, it's understandable in this song. With U has got some pretty infectious beats, though it is pretty generic. The first time I listened to it I didn't really think it was that good, but it's starting to grow on me. This is from their upcoming mini-album in Japan.

マイネイチャー - 超飛行少年 (Super Flying Boy)
genre: Alt-rock
language: Japanese
rating:
comments: I thought this was ONE OK ROCK the first time I heard this song. The intro reminds me of Et cetera. Yeah, their style is pretty similar to ONE OK ROCK's. They're pretty good, try them out.

Labels: Big Bang, Blaise Plant, Cho Shin Sung, Clazziquai, Epik High, m-flo, MISIA, Monkey Majik, PE'Z, Se7en, Super Flying Boy, Tohoshinki

I've done a couple of posts like this in the past, just five songs that I've been listening to a lot recently. I avoided songs that I've already uploaded, or else zia's 웃음만.. and BoA's 한별 (Implode) would definitely have made this list. I'll be posting again in the next couple days with some uploads/reviews I did for other sites that I thought I'd share here, too.

I also changed the layout, I thought something with a bit more colour would be nice. =) Hope you like it.

Also, since the site's updates have become kind of sporadic - eg. I'm planning to update quite often in the next couple days but once school starts I might not have time to post as much, I decided to take Musical Chair's lead and start a mailing list. If you would like to be e-mailed when the blog is updated, send an e-mail to mzk.haruhi@gmail.com and you will be added to the list.

- Haruhi

#5. Electric Heart - SHINee
Korean | Pop
I'm a fan of SHINee's, but for some reason I never really listened to their Lucifer album very carefully. I basically only skimmed through it when I first got it, and now that I'm taking a more careful listen, I'm finding a couple of songs I really like. Electric Heart is one of them. The infectious beat and stylized vocals remind me of Se7en's Crazy or Passion, both songs I love. While it's not quite as energetic and passionate (thought to be fair I'm quite biased towards Se7en), its atmosphere comes as a breath of fresh air. I especially love the guitar, which ranges from crisp chords to rich, full-bodied riffs.

#4. The Other Side - Bruno Mars ft. B.O.B. & Cee-lo
English | Pop
To be honest, songs #1-4 are kind of ranked randomly, I reconsidered the order a lot so it probably doesn't really mean much in the end considering these four songs were all, at some point, #1. Anyways, The Other Side is from Bruno Mars' EP It's Better If You Don't Understand whose title is taken from the lyrics of this song. It's nice to see Bruno Mars not being the featured artist this time, although he does get some help from B.O.B. (who was also his collaborator for the hit "Nothin' On You") and Cee-lo (I have no idea who this is). Honestly, I love this whole EP, and it was hard for me to just choose two songs on it to upload. You will probably see the others soon despite the fact that I try not to upload too much English music. The Other Side is an energetic, rock-influenced track with a bit of a dark atmosphere. Cee-lo's thick, velvety voice is a wonderful contrast with Bruno Mars' lighter, higher sound, and B.O.B. contributes a nice rap verse. He mentions Narnia, okay? I love Narnia.

#3. Shark In The Water - VV Brown
English | Indie Pop
I first heard this song on MTV with this accompanying video, which features the Degrassi cast. At first I thought it was just the music video and was just confused as to why everyone in the video looked so young, and wait, that guy looks like he's in Degrassi. I really don't like Degrassi (although admittedly I haven't bothered to watch much of it) but I love this carnival-themed video and I'm sure Degrassi fans could find tons of references to the plot, etc. in it. After seeing the video I found out what the song was. It's so catchy, and I love how powerful VV Brown's voice is, especially on the strong chorus. I'm really spending more time explaining background info rather than describing the songs themselves today, aren't I?

#2. 라라라 (La La La) - Supernova
Korean | Pop
I like Supernova, but I've never loved any of their songs until this (btw, I have them tagged by their Korean name "Cho Shin Sung" since that's what I tagged them as in the past). It's so energetic and infectious. I love the synth-y beat and confident atmosphere, not to mention the catchy hook and amazing falsetto lines. It's not particularly innovative, but something about it just caught my attention.

#1. Talking to the Moon - Bruno Mars
English | Pop
For once, we get Bruno Mars all by himself. Not a featuring artist; no featured artists. And the results are spectacular. The concept is basically a guy talking to the moon imagining that his girlfriend who has left is somewhere "on the other side" listening. Yes, it's cheesy, and to be honest, lyrically the song doesn't appeal to me much. But this song is a heartfelt, powerful pop ballad, and Bruno Mars' voice really shines. It's so sincere and warm. I don't really know what's in the accompaniment instrumentally but it sounds fantastic. Pair that with a chorus that will work its way into your head and refuse to get out (but not in an annoying, I-don't-actually-like-this-song way), and you have a hit.

Labels: Bruno Mars, Cho Shin Sung, Shinee, VV Brown

Just a small update for you guys. =)

외톨이야 - C.N. Blue
Korean | Pop/Rock
I uploaded the song "Now or Never" by this band a while ago, and wasn't too impressed with it. They've now debuted in Korea, and there's also a Korean version of "Now or Never" included in their debut EP. However, the title song is 외톨이야, and it was this song that changed my mind about them. Now or Never struck me as bland and generic, but 외톨이야 was a refreshing change. It's catchy and filled with attitude - something that Now or Never was definitely lacking. However, the possibility that this song was plagiarized from Ynot's Bluebird (Parangsae) has been brought up. While there's been a lot of "plagiarism" claims brought up against Korean singers/bands lately, I feel that this one is actually pretty legitimate. The two songs sound almost identical at parts, to the point where upon hearing one section I wasn't sure which song it was actually from. The song was not composed by C.N. Blue so the charges aren't really against them. Either way, a refreshing rock song from a new band that may have some promise after all.

가슴이 차가운 남자 (Let You Go) - TRAX
Korean | Ballad
That's right, TRAX is back - however, with only two members. If I recall correctly, they'll also be releasing a mini-album soon. 가슴이 차가운 남자 is a lovely rock ballad. The vocals are deep and rich, and considering that rock ballads aren't that common in mainstream Korean music, it's a refreshing change.

Last Kiss - Choshinsei (Supernova)
Japanese | Pop
It seems like Korean boyband Choshinsei has been pretty busy in Japan, Last Kiss is the a-side to their latest single. It's a warm, sweet R&B-influenced track. At first I thought it was a bit generic, but its sincerity is starting to grow on me. Although I usually don't like rap segments, I actually really like the one in this song, especially how it leads back into the sung verses gradually.

愛唄 - Choshinsei (Supernova)
Japanese | Pop
The b-side to Last Kiss, 愛唄 is a catchy pop song that features an unidentified female vocalist. It's hopeful and has some rock influences, as seen in the percussion and guitar.

Labels: C.N. Blue, Cho Shin Sung, the TRAX

I took a break from the number lottery (there's one more batch to go) to upload a full rotation, it's been a while since I posted one! This is Fashion Scan’s 40th rotation, and this time I’m featuring songs that have the word “super” somewhere in the title. Since many of the songs had similar/the same name, I had some issues with uploading. If there's a problem with any of the links, please let me know! =)

Blogspot would only let me use 10 labels in a post, which is why not all the artists are tagged. I decided not to tag a couple artists who I haven't uploaded anything by in the past & am less likely to upload anything by in the future, so not tagging them shouldn't make a big difference.

Comment/leave a rating if taking!

Superwoman - Gary Cao
Mandarin | Pop/Ballad
A rich mid-tempo ballad with English lines/verses interspersed throughout. Gary Cao’s powerful but tender voice is ripe with emotion, and the soft, smooth harmonies throughout the song add texture. I believe this is a cover of a song in English by Karyn White. I’ve never heard the original, but I love Gary Cao’s warm, light take on the song.

Superwoman - JAY’ED
Japanese | R&B
The song that inspired this rotation. Every element of this song is just so meticulously planned and executed, and it comes together beautifully. Opening with a light, clear piano arrangement that shines throughout the song and crisp conga-style percussion which leads into the R&B-style drums that form the backdrop for the rest of the song. JAY’ED’s voice is fantastic - rich, textured, and unique. I really like the soft, electronica-laced harmonies too. The whole song has a bit of a reggae/island flavour reminiscent of Kimaguren.

Super Star - S.H.E
Mandarin | Pop/Rock
A blend of rock and classical Chinese elements. Although I really like the style and feel of the song, I felt like their voices weren’t strong enough to carry the powerful atmosphere.

Superstar - L.Stadt
English | Alternative Rock
This band is actually Polish, but from what I can tell the lyrics are all in English. It’s a mysterious, ambient song that has a gritty, dark feel. I guess they’re a bit of an acquired taste, but I really like their unique sound.

Super Special - Seira Kagami
Japanese | Pop
A bubbly song with lots of electronica influences. Seira’s vocals aren’t amazing, but they’re light and sweet. A bit of a disposable song, nothing about it really caught my attention.

Super Star - Cho Shin Sung/Supernova
Korean | Pop/Dance
Fans of Cho Shin Sung should be glad to hear they’ve recently released a series of singles in Japan, which seem to be faring pretty well. This is one of their older (Korean) songs. It’s a smooth dance track with lots of synths. Surprisingly, the thing I liked most about this song was the rap verses where the accompaniment seems to slow down a bit. I found the sung verses to be quite forgettable.

SUPER SHINE - EXILE ft. VERBAL (m-flo)
Japanese | Pop
I was excited to listen to this song as it featured m-flo’s VERBAL, and I wasn’t disappointed. SUPER SHINE is a slick R&B/pop track, and my only complaint is that the segments where VERBAL is rapping and it leads into the chorus sound a bit disjointed, almost like it’s a different song. EXILE’s light, electronica-laced vocals are complete with dense harmonies, and their smoothness provides a nice contrast against VERBAL’s rapping.

SUPER-CALIFRAGILISTIC-EXPIARI-DOCIOUS - BOOWY
Japanese | Rock
I will admit I uploaded this song mostly for it’s title. This song has a light, tropical, reggae-influenced feel, and sounds slightly dated - probably because it is. I’m not sure exactly when this song released since it was off a compilation album, but BOOWY was active/most popular in the 80’s. It’s a bit random at times, but overall an interesting track.

Super Honeymoon - Owl City
English | Electronica/Pop
I’ve uploaded a song by Owl City in the past, and although they’re a recent find of mine, I really like them. Adam Young’s voice just has this certain soft, pure, slightly dreamy quality to it. I love the light, atmospheric synths. A soothing song.

Supernova - ELLEGARDEN
Japanese | Punk-Rock
Although I’m generally not a fan of punk-rock, I love ELLEGARDEN. Supernova blends melody with active percussion/guitar easily. The harmonies add a lot of contrast, and although this isn’t one of my favourite songs by them, it’s certainly a good one.

Unplugged Superstar - SuG
Japanese | Rock
Although these guys are considered “oshare kei”, their music definitely isn’t as bubbly and bright as say, some of Antic Cafe’s stuff, which is one of the reasons I like them - they balance visual/heavy rock with an atmosphere that’s not as dark and overbearing. Unplugged Superstar’s melody didn’t really appeal to me, but I love the guitar work.

Superman’s Dead - Our Lady Peace
English | Alt Rock
I love the gritty, dark atmosphere of this song - accentuated by Raine Maida’s unique, slightly growling vocals. It’s a unique song that you won’t quickly forget, although it might not be to everyone’s taste.

Super Girl (Korean Version) - Super Junior M
Korean | Pop
I uploaded the Korean version because I thought most of you would have already heard the original Chinese version. Super Junior has always been hit-or-miss with me, and I’m still undecided on Super Girl. I’ve given the Mandarin version a quick listen, and I have to say they sound much more at ease with Korean. I really love the slick, laid-back hook (although it kind of bugs me how they say “shuper”), but the busy dance atmosphere is a bit too hectic and bland for my liking. It’s so crowded that nothing really pops out, giving the accompaniment a sort of flat, two-dimensional feel.

supernova - BUMP OF CHICKEN
Japanese | Alt Rock
I love this band (despite their odd name), and songs like supernova are why. The accompaniment is very light, and it really accentuates the clear and genuine vocals. Overall, it’s just a beautiful, warm song.

Labels: BOOWY, Cho Shin Sung, ELLEGARDEN, EXILE, Gary Cao, JAY'ED, Owl City, S.H.E, Seira Kagami

Rotation 11 is slightly smaller than my previous two rotations, but I'm spending a little more time on comments. I was intending to find some images of the artists/albums too, but I decided not to this time.

The theme this week is remixes (this also includes different versions of songs), as well as a couple other songs I wanted to upload. I haven't uploaded the originals for most songs, but if you want, I can probably find them. Just leave me an e-mail or a comment somewhere, and I'll be happy to put it up for you. =)

Enjoy.

-Haruhi

REMIXES.

La La La (DG YG Remix) - Se7en
genre: Pop/Electronica
language: Korean
rating:
comments: I'm usually not a fan of electronica-type remixes of slow songs since I usually find that it takes away from their overall sound, but I have to say that Iike this mix. It's well done and puts a lot of emphasis on the bass, without losing the original essence of it. I actually really like the little eletronic-riff bridge. Probably one of the better remixes I've seen.

Yes Forever (Piano Version) - MISIA
genre: R&B/Ballad
language: Japanese
rating:
comments: I uploaded the original of this song in my last update (not the last rotation, but the update in between). This is the piano version of it, which is just as good. She has a wonderful voice, but I do have to admit that this song can get boring after a while. If you like ballads, definitely try her out.

Ashita wa kuru kara - Tohoshinki
Ashita wa kuru kara (A capella version) - Tohoshinki
genre: Pop/Ballad
language: Japanese
rating:
comments: Probably one of my favourite Tohoshinki ballads. I always like their a capella versions, too. It has a sweet but simple piano accompaniment, the same could be said for the melody. The chorus always gets stuck in my head. Their voices are soft but not lacking strength. The a capella version is good, but the piano accompaniment is just a little too loud, in my opinion. But their voices stand out a lot more in the chorus. The harmonizing is well done, their voices blend together nicely. I think I actually like Jae Joong's voice best in these two songs.

Together (Night Falls Mix) - Monkey Majik
genre: Pop
language: Japanese
rating:
comments: I uploaded this single a while ago, but without this remix. It's got a kind of bossa-nova/trance feel to it. It's not as good as the original and although it's well executed, it just doesn't suit the style of the song very well. But if you're fan of Monkey Majik, it's worth a listen.

Hit (Remix) - Cho Shin Sung
genre: Pop
language: Korean
rating:
comments: I'm usually not a huge boyband fan, but I like these guys. The beginning of this remix is kind of annoying with the guy saying "Run it" over and over, but it's a nice, upbeat track with some pretty dang nice bass beats. Their vocals are good and the first verse of this song reminds me a LOT of Super Junior. I actually thought this was a cover of one of their songs, since they have a song called "Hit" too, but ... it's not. I love the parts where you can hear the glass breaking. Try them out, they're not bad.

너는 어디에 (Remix) - Cho Shin Sung
genre: Pop
language: Korean
rating:
comments: Another upbeat Cho Shin Sung song, this song features smooth vocals and a surprisingly melodic chorus. While "Hit" reminded me of Super Junior, this song reminds me of Shinhwa, especially some of their older songs. The transition between the more aggressive verses and then the gentler chorus is well done.

Love mode feat. PE'Z and VERBAL (m-flo) (pzq mode) - Clazziquai
genre: Jazz
language: English
rating:
comments: Clazziquai, PE'Z, AND m-flo - just looking at the artists made me pretty sure this was going to be a good remix, and I wasn't disappointed. I love the drums. And of course, PE'Z is amazing, adding a lovely touch of jazz to this song. The vocals are very relaxing and the lyrics are all in English. It does get kind of repetitive, but I'm recommending this because PE'Z is just awesome.

Breakdown (Supreme Mix) - Epik High
genre: Hip-Hop
language: Korean/English
rating:
comments: Another one of my favourites from Epik High's fifth album, this mix of Breakdown features mostly English lyrics, though some of the rap verses are in Korean. While the accompaniment is pretty repetitive, this song never really gets boring to me. It's very upbeat. Recommended.

One (Planet Shiver Remix) - Epik High
genre: Hip-Hop
language: Korean
rating:
comments: I loved Epik High's One, but I didn't really like the remix as much. It doesn't keep many of the original elements of the song ... there's not even vocals for most of it, or they're not lyrics from the original song. However, it does go into the chorus of One, kind of - it's recognizable, at least. When "You are the one" is sung it's just beautiful, though. Everything kind of stops before it, and you're just waiting for it. Worth a listen.

Color Your Soul (Pinch Remix) - Clazziquai
genre: Eletronica
language: Korean
rating:
comments: Starts out with some nice piano chords, then leads into the first verse. It's very unique to Clazziquai's style, and I absolutely love it. Very relaxing.

Fly Remix (Hidden Track) - Epik High
genre: Hip-Hop
language: Korean
rating:
comments: Loving the drums. It's been a while since I listened to this song, this remix is pretty good ... it doesn't actually sound that much different except for the drums, which make it sound even more upbeat.

거짓말 (Lies) (Remix) - Big Bang
genre: Hip-Hop
language: Korean
rating:
comments: This is a slower remix of Lies, with a very simple but lovely piano melody starting it off. It's got more of an acoustic sound than the original mix, and showcases their voices wonderfully. I think it's a live rip, but it's a very good one. The beat does pick up after and it kind of slowly transitions into the original version of the song. Recommended.

MY PICKS.

Call Me (Appelez Moi) - Blaise Plant
genre: Pop
language: English & French
rating:
comments: I'm in love with this song. In case you didn't know, this is Blaise Plant of Monkey Majik. The lyrics are very sweet and sad at the same time.

Love is all that stands between us

The arrangement just blows me away. Love the drums & piano. Really I love just about everything about this song. Highly, highly recommended.

With U - Big Bang
genre: Hip-Hop/Pop
language: English
rating:
comments: Their English is getting pretty good. For the most part, it's understandable in this song. With U has got some pretty infectious beats, though it is pretty generic. The first time I listened to it I didn't really think it was that good, but it's starting to grow on me. This is from their upcoming mini-album in Japan.

マイネイチャー - 超飛行少年 (Super Flying Boy)
genre: Alt-rock
language: Japanese
rating:
comments: I thought this was ONE OK ROCK the first time I heard this song. The intro reminds me of Et cetera. Yeah, their style is pretty similar to ONE OK ROCK's. They're pretty good, try them out.

Labels: Big Bang, Blaise Plant, Cho Shin Sung, Clazziquai, Epik High, m-flo, MISIA, Monkey Majik, PE'Z, Se7en, Super Flying Boy, Tohoshinki

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.

link in: