First off - I apologize for this rotation being late, and for the fact that it's relatively small. I changed up the format a bit too - there are only two songs that I commented fully on, and they're more of a bonus than part of the actual rotation since ... they're not winter/holiday-themed, haha.
White X'mas - KAT-TUN
japanese | ballad | emotional, sad, sweet, sincere
Only You (Winter Special) - 2PM
korean | pop | sweet, driven, energetic
Snow Dance winter session - DEPAPEPE
instrumental | acoustic | calm, relaxing, soothing
The Call - Regina Spektor
english | soundtrack | sincere, bittersweet, hopeful
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - AAA
engrish | pop | happy, light-hearted, cheerful
So This Is Christmas (Live) - Luna Sea
japanese | rock | uplifting, powerful, energetic
Winter - ELLEGARDEN
japanese | rock | uplifting, energetic, sincere
Yeo Haeng Gi - Dong Bang Shin Ki (Travelling)
korean | pop/ballad | emotional, uplifting, sweet
Winter Gold - Stephanie
japanese | pop | upbeat, driven, confident
Cirque du Soleil - KA
I had the opportunity to watch this amazing show when I was in Las Vegas, and immediately searched out the soundtrack when I got home. Even listening to it without watching the show is a wonderful experience. I was intending to share the entire album as another rotation, but I couldn't wait. Here are two songs from the soundtrack of Cirque du Soleil's show, KA. These songs are both highly recommended.
Track 1. O Makunde
Track 5. Deep
Both these songs stayed with me because, like many songs on this soundtrack, they are capable of bringing up so much emotion, no matter what that emotion might be. Their vocal work is simply fantastic and has a quality that you simply cannot find in popular music today. O Makunde starts out with a sad tone, but rises with more and more confidence and hope. Deep is extremely sorrowful, but also exquisitely beautiful. The string accompaniment is just amazing.
Labels: 2PM, AAA, Cirque du Soleil, Depapepe, Dong Bang Shin Ki, ELLEGARDEN, KAT-TUN, Luna Sea, Regina Spektor, Stephanie
Progressive Love - Son Ho Young & Kim Rina
I love the intro for this song. I'm not the biggest fan of Son Ho Young but I do enjoy listening to his songs. No idea who Kim Rina is. Upbeat, energetic, and though vocally not that impressive, catchy and worth a listen.
童話 - 光良
One of my favourite ballads & favourite songs in general. The title of the song is "Tong Hua", which means "Fairytale". The singer's name is "Guang Liang", by the way. The lyrics are beautiful, I don't know if this song would mean as much to me if I didn't know what the lyrics meant. And the translations I've seen don't really do it justice, so if someone wants me to revise a translation just let me know. The MV is also sad (my brother's gf said she cried while she was watching it) but, to me, it didn't really represent as much as the song alone did.
Smile and Turn Away - Stephanie
Starts out upbeat, but slows down in parts until it's almost like a ballad. The song's a bit generic, but Stephanie's got a great voice, although the accompaniment kind of overlaps it in this song.
Rainbow - Tohoshinki
I bought the "T" CD when I was in Taiwan, and when I was listening to it I suddenly found this song that I'd always just skipped past before. I love this song. It's kind of relaxed but has a very bright sound at the same time, and the chorus is so catchy. Recommended.
Melody - David Tao
Gorgeous ballad. It starts out kind of boring, but the chorus is just beautiful and has a kind of darker feel to it. David Tao's vocals show the emotion of the song a lot. Recommended.
Arigatou - FLOW
I love FLOW, but I was kind of disappointed by this single. Still, not a bad song. I like how it starts off, though it kind of loses my interest after that. Great chorus though, some nice high notes are hit.
Kiss of Life - Ken Hirai
Ken Hirai! A more upbeat song, something I rarely see from him ... or maybe I just usually pick out his ballads to listen to. XP The beat's kind of annoying and it's hard to pick out Ken's voice, but it's not bad. The chorus is catchy.
Be My 1004 (Home Growling Version) - iM ft. Yuri of Girlfriends' and Brown Eyed Girls' Narcia
Very catchy. I'd love to hear more from iM. I think this song's from a few year's back, but recommended.
Gravity - Luna Sea
How can I not love Luna Sea? Recommended. Listen for the bass.
Separation Anxiety - Nell
I'm in love with Nell's latest album, this song in particular. They're kind of mellow, soft rock for anyone who hasn't heard of them before, definitely try them out. Unique vocals and a very catchy song that's sad at the same time. Must download.
Tears - the TRAX
I love this song, it's probably one of my favourite TRAX songs. It's a ballad accompanied lightly with a guitar and later with drums and bass, highly recommended.
旅立ちの唄 - Mr. Children
This was the ending theme for some movie, I can't recall what it was called. A nice ballad from one of my favourite bands, though this isn't my favourite song by them, it's very relaxing.
Labels: David Tao, FLOW, Guang Liang, iM, Ken Hirai, Kim Ri Na, Luna Sea, Mr. Children, Nell, Son Ho Young, Stephanie, the TRAX, Tohoshinki
