With the massive amount of music I have, I don't get a chance to listen to every song very carefully, or sometimes even at all. But occasionally, on shuffle or after reading a review or something, I'll realize songs in my library I didn't even know I had, often with no idea of how they got there. Sometimes my reaction is, Oh, god, this is awful, why did I ever download this? but sometimes, it's How did I miss this? This rotation is dedicated to songs that fit with the latter - songs that I had but never really listened to, and only discovered later on.

- Haruhi

PS. Sorry for the gradual decline in the quality of my comments. I'm not used to doing rotations this large anymore!

알고 있나요 (Duet Ver.) feat.제아 (of 브라운아이드걸스/Brown Eyed Girls) - Someday
Korean | Ballad
I have this whole self-titled album by Someday and never listened to it. I'm not sure why, because after skimming through the album, I really like their soothing style of music although it does get a big bland. This is a lovely duet which was used in Boys Over Flowers, probably why it sounds so familiar ... although I heard something about different versions, and I'm not sure if this is the one used in the drama. Okay, despite the fact that it was used in BoF (if you can't tell, I'm not a fan) it's such a sweet ballad, and not being a BEG fan I never knew JeA had such a nice, airy voice. The chorus-style harmonies are a nice touch as well. Something about it just stands out.

눈 내리는 소리 - Donawhale
Korean | Alt Rock
This is such a soothing, ethereally peaceful song. Soft, rich piano and light, delicate vocals. It does build a little, breaking up what would otherwise be monotony. Recommended.

All My Stars Aligned - St. Vincent
English | Indie Pop
I downloaded this as part of a mixtape or something, and never really paid much attention to it. However, the gorgeously layered piano intro which stays on as a motif throughout the song alone is worth listening to. St. Vincent, moniker for Annie Clark, has a rich voice that's not overpowering.

No.1 (남아공 월드컵 공식 주제가) - 2AM
Korean | Pop
I usually skip past songs for CFs and the like, so I nearly skipped on this song for the FIFA World Cup as well (despite being a huge soccer fan I'm not so much a fan of songs dedicated to it) but after hearing it on TV No.1 got stuck in my head. It's a light, catchy, sweet pop song that doesn't have too much of a cheerlead-y, "Go, team!" vibe that a lot of the other World Cup songs I heard had.

Eternal Mourning - Eternal Morning
Instrumental/English | Trip-hop
A collaboration between Tablo of Epik High and Pe2ny, this song comes from the album Soundtrack to a Lost Film which I love despite not always being in the mood for it. Eternal Mourning sets the mostly instrumental and slightly experimental tone of the album quite well and the unique beat and instrumentation makes it an interesting individual track as well. More proof that Tablo can do no wrong. This wasn't so much of a hidden treasure for me, personally, but I know a lot of people didn't notice this collaboration album despite being Epik High fans, or maybe deigned to skip it because the style is quite different.

One Night Stay / In My Room - Jinbo
Instrumental/English | Trip-hop
Following in the vein of the track above, this album was labeled as hip-hop and thinking it was mostly rap and attempts to copy the success of American hip-hop, I never listened to it. I heard a recommendation for it somewhere and decided to give it a listen, which proved my initial assumptions to be quite wrong. While the album as a whole (Afterwork) is a bit hit or miss with me, I really liked the beat of the song and the way the soft synths almost merge with it.

I Saw It On Your Keyboard - Hellogoodbye
English | Pop
Apart from Here In Your Arms, I'd never really listened to Hellogoodbye's music. However, this simple, bright pop-rock number caught my attention. It's cute and energetic.

나쁜 여자 (Boom Boom) - Super Junior
Korean | Pop
After hearing the title track, Bonamama which I really disliked, I really only gave this album a skim and didn't see anything that sparked my interest until this song came up on shuffle one day. I love the beat and slightly dark atmosphere, as well as the catchiness, although I'm not sure what the Twinkle twinkle little star line is all about.

Ordinary - Tim Be Told
English | Indie Pop
If you like David Choi, give this a try. It has the same sweet, acoustic feel and interesting lyrics as well.

우리의 밤은 당신의 낮보다 아름답다 - 알렉스(Alex),호란 (Horan),이승열 (Lee Seung Yeol),박기영 (Park KiYoung),웨일(Whale),혜원 (HyeWon),나무(Namu),어반 자카파(Urban Zakapa)
Korean | Acoustic Pop
This V.A. collaboration from the label Fluxus Voices didn't really catch my attention until I spotted a couple names I recognized - namely Alex and Horan, but also W&Whale and Urban Zakapa. I romanized the rest of the names myself so if there's any inaccuracies, please let me know and I'll correct them. This song is apparently a cover, but I don't think I've ever heard the original song. It's sweet, light, and summery. Alex's voice in particular stands out, probably just because it's most familiar to me. I was expecting something along the lines of SM Town's collabs which feature so many artists it's really almost incoherent, but this is very different - in a good way.

My Everything - Nia
Korean | Pop-Rock
After hearing Nia hailed as a female F.T. Island, I had mixed feelings: it would be nice to see a female group playing their own instruments and with a more rock-based sound, but then again: can you really call F.T. Island rock? For some reason I never really listened to this, their debut single, but I'm glad I finally did. While admittedly My Everything can only be considered soft rock, this rock ballad is lovely. The vocals are strong and clear and I love the guitars and light use of strings. Not your average girl group, that's for sure.

WoNdeR WomaN × the telephones - MiChi
Japanese | Pop-Rock
I can't say I've ever heard anything of the telephones', and MiChi's spelling just really irritates me - not to mention the overall mediocrity of her music. However, this song is much more alt-rock than MiChi's music, I'm guessing that's the telephones' influence. It's energetic and catchy, but MiChi sounds a bit strained.

コインランドリー - OGRE YOU ASSHOLE
Japanese | Alt Rock
I downloaded this on a compilation album and never really noticed it as an individual track until this band's intriguing name caught my attention. I love the high, clean guitar lines alternating with darker, grungier chords. It creates some interesting transitions.

가지마 - Wednesday
Korean | Ballad
This is actually a solo song by Chi Yeol, a member of the duo Wednesday. Chi Yeol released a solo album a couple years ago about when I was starting to get into k-pop and basically downloaded everything because I had no idea what I would like and what I wouldn't. The album was filled with gorgeous, unique ballads and sophisticated pop tracks - I would be uploading songs from it, but unfortunately it's not on the computer I usually work from. After his debut album, he completely disappeared. I nearly skipped past Wednesday, assuming they were another male duo trying to copy Fly to the Sky's success, but went back once realizing Chi Yeol was a member. 가지마 is a ballad that showcases his strong, rich vocals (and what a gorgeous vibrato) - if you're a fan of Tei, Eru, Park Hyo Shin, and other such ballad vocalists, you'll like him. Compositionally, it is a bit cookie-cutter, but I'm so glad to see him releasing music again that I'm willing to forgive that. And much like other ballad kings, his voice elevates the song to new levels.

Hey Elevator - Apples in Stereo
English | Indie pop
So I kind of skimmed through this album (Travellers in Space and Time) and didn't really think much of it, but this track - probably amongst their more popular - stood out to me on a second listen. The chorus is so catchy, paired with disco influences and feel-good piano chords.

Circus - Royal Pirates
English | Rock
I didn't think anyone could cover this song and make it sound good. Korean group Royal Pirates however, manages to do just that. I love the rock twist to this song, and their confident sound.

서시 (Seo Shi/Prologue) - Shin Sung Woo
Korean | Rock Ballad
I know nothing about this singer, but I recently found this rock ballad in my iTunes library. It starts out with just acoustic guitar and you think that's what the whole song will be, but suddenly a full rock ensemble gets swept in.

Bluepeo - Mister Symbol
Instrumental
Another song that mysteriously appeared in my iTunes. It came up on shuffle and the pretty piano intro and soft, ambient beat caught my attention. It reminds me a bit of Nujabes, Epik High/Eternal Morning, etc.

Romeo N Juliet (알렉스, 신애 듀엣 원곡) (우리결혼했어요 삽입곡) - Clazziquai
Korean | Electronica/Acid Jazz
Although I'm a big Clazziquai fan, I never really noticed this song in particular. It's charming and soothing, and Alex and Horan sound fantastic together. I love their unique harmonies as well as the bright rap portion and jazzy instrumental solos.

Labels: 2AM, Apples in Stereo, Chi Yeol, Clazziquai, Donawhale, Eternal Morning, Jinbo, MiChi, Mister Symbol, Royal Pirates, Shin Sung Woo, Someday, St. Vincent, Super Junior, Tim Be Told, Wednesday

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

Change My World (Steven Chen Drum Cover) – Monkey Majik
English | Pop
Oddly enough, I didn’t even know this song existed (okay, I ignored it when it first came out for some strange reason) until I heard this drum cover and I was doing “research” for this post. Steven’s rendition is quite close to the original but I do like the extra punch he gives to the song.

Balloons (Live Percussion Version) – Tohoshinki
Korean| Pop/Rock
This is actually the only version of this song that I listen to: it’s mellow and I really like the “lack” of instruments (focuses mostly on percussion and keys). It reminds me of kids selling lemonade during summer and wandering around a fair or a park on a nice afternoon.

Go! Go! Maniac (Drum Cover) – K-On! (Toyosaki Aki, Hikasa Yoko, Sato Satomi, Kotobuki Minako, Taketatsu Ayana)
Japanese | Pop
Oddly enough, I only started listening to this song after I saw a Japanese girl (she was only 13) doing a drum cover. From that point, I got hooked. Normally I’m not into the super high-pitched singers but I paid more attention to the drums than anything else.

One Day (Drum Cover) – Miliyah Kato feat. M-Flo
Japanese | Pop
I kind of wish the drums were recorded with better quality (probably because he used electronic drums rather than actual ones) but still a good song to listen to. The cover really incorporates well with the original song.

Run Devil Run (Moonie Drum Cover) – SNSD
Korean | Pop
Oddly enough, I kind of wish the kick drum was a little more prominent in this version. Otherwise, it’s still a good cover of the original. It almost makes me want to listen more to the original (never really got back into listening to SNSD after Genie).

Funny Bonus: Sexy Back – Leeteuk and Eunhyuk
English-ish | Pop
Warning: this isn’t the best quality. Okay. This just makes me laugh every time I hear it – and it isn’t because they don’t really speak English. It’s because they can’t remember the words. Haha. Just a quick little bonus for everyone that needs a laugh (the video’s funnier because you can actually see Leeteuk start to laugh).

Labels: Contributor; Carmi, K-On, Kato Miliyah, m-flo, Monkey Majik, So Nyeo Shi Dae, Super Junior, Tohoshinki

Sorry for being MIA in the last while. I had to study for finals and that took up a lot of my time. Like my last post, the theme of this post is as though I were in charge of the score for an anime focusing on a magic journey (think older-audience Card Captor Sakura).

Magic – Secret (시크릿)
Korean| Pop
This was actually the song that inspired me to have this theme. Yes, I realize that they’re talking about music but it’s the idea behind music that’s important. It’s catchy but not overly memorable.

Genie (Tell Me Your Wish – Robotaki Mashup) – SNSD
Korean | Pop
I apparently have a thing for remixes/mash ups. It’s one of the more upbeat (can it actually get more upbeat?) versions of the song that ties in more of a techno feel. It almost makes you think of a crazy bunch of SNSD robots…maybe…probably not. Still a good song.

Journey – Satomi
Japanese | Pop
I was actually surprised by her vocals as I hadn’t listened to any of her music previously. It’s surprisingly deep if you compare it to the typical, run-of-the-mill Japanese and Korean singers. I like the jazzy guitar (may be slap base though) that kind of reminds me of a Japanese pop version of George Benson. Nice mellow song.

Break Out – Tohoshinki
Japanese | Pop
And here’s my obligatory DBSK entry. The journey part seems to go along and the whole idea of keeping going even if things get in your way seems appropriate for a rotation about a magical journey. This isn’t one of my favorite songs by them (Doushite and Mirotic take top spots) though (sad considering this is one of the last releases they’ve had).

Super Girl – Super Junior
Korean | Pop
It’s weird…I’ve been on a Super Junior kick lately and this song is no exception. It’s catchy (although not as catchy as “Sorry Sorry”) and I do like the kind of techno feel of the song. I opted to share this version rather than the Chinese one because I liked the flow and the words better. I thought I’d end the rotation with it only because it’s talking about a “Super Girl”.

Labels: Contributor; Carmi, Satomi, Secret, So Nyeo Shi Dae, Super Junior, Tohoshinki

Ummm…so I don’t think my last post went over all that well. Hopefully you all like this one better! So the theme of this post is as though I were suddenly in charge of finding the score for a shoujo anime, complete with the standard troubles and tribulations that a couple would go through.

Kimi Dake – Teppei Koike
Japanese| Pop
I think this would be good as an opening theme. It’s heartfelt, and could easily be edited into a 30-second opening showcasing each of the characters: the boy who’s longing to see the girl and the girl who he loves. And then, the lyrics allude to the stuff they’d have to go through.

My Man – Davichi
Korean | Pop
Oddly enough, I had never even listened to Davichi. In a lot of ways it does express how a girl feels when she’s finally set on a particular guy. There’s that upbeat, happy kind of thinking that everything will work out fine. The beat is catchy and the song is relatively simple but still a good one to listen to.

Why I Like You – Super Junior
Korean | Pop
I think this would be a good background song, especially during the happy times in the fictional anime. It’s upbeat and definitely focuses on the good times of the story, the happiness that everyone experiences when they first fall in love.

If – Tae Yeon
Korean | Ballad
There isn’t anything overly memorable about the song that I can think of, but the theme of being so silly that you let the person you love walk away from you is a great one to have. The song is heartfelt but not overly sappy. It doesn’t sound like she’s about to ball her eyes out, but it does make you think that she regrets what she did.

널 붙잡을 노래 – Rain
Korean | Ballad
Okay, I couldn’t help but end this rotation with this song. It’s sad and heartfelt. Now, it always takes two to break up a relationship: one to actually do the breaking up and the other accepts the break. In this case, Rain doesn’t seem to accept things but he can’t seem to do anything about it except wish for the girl to come back. It would be a good song to end with, although I do think it might be harder to cut it down to the usual ending theme length without losing some of the song’s meaning.

Labels: Contributor; Carmi, davichi, Rain, Super Junior, tae yeon, Teppei Koike

Disclaimer: It isn’t that I’m promoting the idea that Korea and Japan are “stealing” songs from North America and making them sound better…I mean, they are making them sound better, but…whatever. Just enjoy the songs…and don’t kill me.

Passion (Remix) – Se7en feat. Jinusean
Korean| Pop
Yes, this was my favorite Se7en song for a short while. For those of you that don’t know, this song is basically a remix of J-Kwon’s “Tipsy”, with the beat sped up and with better vocals. The song’s a great song to dance to and it’s what got me hooked onto Se7en in the first place (I usually find out about different bands/groups/singers through their singles and MVs). The dance moves in the MV are pretty good too.

Foolish Foolish – Yuya Matsushita
Japanese | Pop
As the song progressed, I really thought Yuya was going to start singing Ne-Yo’s “So Sick” since the two songs are so similar. I can definitely picture Yuya singing Ne-Yo’s song with the only complication being the accent. As for which song is better…I couldn’t really say. I think both are equally good.

Again & Again – 2pm
Korean | Pop
Apparently this song sounds an awful lot like Envy’s “Shawty Dangerous”. I don’t necessarily like one version over the other. Okay, that’s a lie. I like 2pm’s version but that’s probably because I think you can dance to it.

New Look – Namie Amuro
Japanese | Pop
Okay. This isn’t really a sampling issue as it’s really a homage to the original (“Baby Love” by The Supremes). It’s a good song, simple but clean and it conveys the sentiments of the sixties. I like the fact that she didn’t defer too far from the original but was able to revive it and give the song a makeover that’s appropriate for this time.

Why I Like You – Super Junior
Korean | Pop
This sounds…okay, it’s pretty much a remixed version of Ne-Yo’s “Closer”. Unfortunately, in this case, I’m going to have to side with Ne-Yo. I think his version is more upbeat and I like his voice better in comparison to Super Junior’s (sorry!). Still a decent song though.

Labels: 2PM, Amuro Namie, Contributor; Carmi, Jinusean, Se7en, Super Junior, Yuya Matsushita

Here we are, finally. Sorry again about the wait!

Phoenix:

#12345. Happy Together - Super Junior Link has been fixed, sorry about that!
Korean | Pop
This song reminds me heavily of Marry U, they were composed by the same person. It's a light-hearted, mid-tempo pop song off of SuJu's third album. It's rather disposable, but sweet and warm.

#1234. Follow Me - Big Bang
Japanese | Pop/Dance
Pretty standard fare. It's a fast-paced song with lots of synths and electronica routes. However, I didn't find it very catchy or memorable. I've given this song a few listens, and each time it fails to make an imprint on me. I'm getting more than a little bored of Big Bang, and I'm really hoping to see something fresh from them.

#123. Doubt & Trust - access
Japanese | Rock
I love the flowing, quick keyboard intro, leading into an equally energetic rock song. It's not an amazing song, but the sheer energy and movement of this song is impressive.

#9876. Got Some Teeth - Obie Trice
English | Hip-Hop
A confident, laid-back song with lots of brass riffs and a great albeit repetitive beat.


#444. Golden Wing - antic cafe
Japanese | Oshare Kei
A bright, feel-good song from Antic Cafe. It's not super-hyper like some of their songs can be, it's actually pretty relaxed. Miku's voice bugs me a little though.

albeitalways:

#107. Valkyrie - abingdon boys school
Japanese | Rock
I love abs, and Valkyrie is no exception. The energy of the song is apparent right from the electric guitar in the opening. Some people really don't like T.M. Revolution's voice, and I guess I can see why, but personally I've always liked how unique and recognizable it is. It's slightly dark in tone and despite its urgent, fast pace, it never seems rushed or hurried.

#1991. Koe no hate - CELLT
Japanese | Rock
I don't know much about this band and I've only heard a couple of their songs, but so far I'm liking them. Koe no hate is a little formulaic, but if you're just getting into rock or aren't really a fan of heavier rock, this might be good for you. It sounds slightly familiar - I really like the melody, and the chorus.

#8923. I WILL - Miliyah Kato
Japanese | R&B
A gorgeous ballad from R&B singer Miliyah Kato. Her songs have always been a bit hit-or-miss with me. I really like her warm, smooth voice, but her songs tend to be a bit forgettable in my opinion. I WILL's opening was a bit too soft for my liking, but then it breaks into the rich, heartfelt chorus. It's absolutely beautiful, and well worth the wait. Although I think her voice could use a little more power and richness in the verses building up to each chorus, it's still a lovely song.

#5439. 出会い - HY
Japanese | Alt. Rock
A relaxing track from HY. I really like their vocalist's clear, soothing voice and the overall soft, acoustic atmosphere of this song.

#132. Murder Licence - Acid Black Cherry
Japanese | Rock
I really love Acid Black Cherry's jazz-influenced tracks. Unfortunately this isn't one of them, but it's still quite good, although quite standard j-rock fare. Complete with dense, static-y guitar riffs and a busy atmosphere, it's a decent track but not a real stand-out.

Nepu:

#363. Gekkou Yoku - alice nine.
Japanese | Rock
Although I'm not really a fan of their recent releases, I still really like this band. Gekkou Yoku features some great guitar work, I really like how it alters from being short and choppy to very smooth and melodic.

#1796. 彼女と星の椅子 - BUMP OF CHICKEN
Japanese | Alt. Rock
A midtempo track from BUMP OF CHICKEN. I really like how clear and prominent the bass from 2:18 and on. It's not my favourite track from them - I have to say I'm a bigger fan of their acoustic-style songs - but definitely worth a listen.

6336. Who Are You - John Murphy
English | Soundtrack
This song is from the Miami Vice OST that I uploaded a while back. I love this song. It may not be the kind of song that you put on repeat, but it's absolutely beautiful and so rich with emotion. The thick, resonating bass sound contrasts perfectly with the gentle, almost hesitant piano melody. The chords and sheer depth of this song are sophisticated and dense. It's incredibly sorrowful and delicate. It's only flaw, in my opinion, is that it clocks in at only 1:35.

Labels: abingdon boys school, access, acid black cherry, alice nine., Antic Cafe, Big Bang, BUMP OF CHICKEN, CELLT, HY, Kato Miliyah, number lottery, Obie Trice, Super Junior

These were released as a series of digital singles. I thought there was going to be a full album, but apparently it's only four songs? Either way, they're good. <3 I think the idea of using basically the same cover image but with different colours, all very bright and summery, is fantastic, which is why I've uploaded all the different cover images, haha.

Please comment or leave a rating if taking!

- Haruhi

2009 Summer SM Town!
Korean | Pop



o1. Seaside 휴게소 (Boom Boom) - DBSK, Super Junior, SHINee

I'm generally not a fan of SM Town songs that have like 20 people in one song and each person gets like one line. I have no idea who's who in this song, but it's tropical, light-hearted, and fun - in other words, a perfect summer song. Brought to life by acoustic guitars, brassy riffs, and an upbeat percussion, it's breezy and energetic.



o2. 12시 34분 (Nothing Better) - Dong Bang Shin Ki

A gorgeous ballad from DBSK. I have to admit, when I first got into K-pop, I didn't like them much - but they've really impressed me and changed my mind, they're one of my favourite groups now. 12시 34분 (Nothing Better) is refreshing, smooth, and light, but extremely warm and sincere. I've heard people refer to "winter ballads" and "spring ballads", is there such a thing as a summer ballad? If so, 12시 34분 is a perfect fit. Vocally it's fantastic, its flowing and their cleanly layered harmonies float overtop a piano-based arrangement.



o3. 카니발 (Carnival) - Super Junior

A cheerful, sugary song - what else did you expect from Super Junior? It has some tropical elements reminiscent of Seaside 휴게소 (Boom Boom), but definitely has its own flavor. It's cute, sweet, and SuJu sounds like they're having a blast - but, not a favourite of mine.



o4. SCAR - SHINee

SCAR has a bit of a darker tone. It's heavily electronica-influenced and reminds me a bit of Big Bang for some reason. Their dense harmonies and powerful vocal work really impressed me. It doesn't really say "summer" to me, but a great song nonetheless.

Labels: Dong Bang Shin Ki, Shinee, Super Junior

I took this idea from an LJ community, basically it’s just ten of the songs that I really like & have constantly been listening to in the last few weeks. Most will probably be fairly recent releases. I excluded songs that I had already posted, which prevented the two Kimaguren songs I posted previously and St. Day from making the list.

I'm putting off the rock/pop rotation I mentioned earlier for another time. & sorry my comments aren't too great ... for some reason I never have a problem with commenting on smaller updates but when it comes to larger rotations I just get kind of tired and all my comments start to sound the same, haha.

Please remember to comment/leave a rating if taking, thanks.

#10. City of Sadness - Zhang Yuan
Mandarin | Ballad
A solo song by Top Combine’s main vocalist, Zhang Yuan. Although I’m not very familiar with the group, Zhang Yuan’s voice is lovely - strong, rich, and rounded. Despite the formulaic arrangement, I really liked the chorus and overall sad yet hopeful atmosphere of the song.

#9. 爱上 (Fall In Love With) - Xiao Yu
Mandarin | R&B/Pop
I really loved his sophomore album, Standing Here, and “Fall In Love With” is one of my favourite tracks. It’s a sweet, mid-tempo number. The piano accompaniment is warm and adds a nice depth to the song, but what I really love is Xiao Yu’s smooth, creamy vocals.

#8. 너라고 (It's You) - Super Junior
Korean | Pop
Upon first listen, I really didn’t think this song was anything special, but it’s really grown on me. The transition from the slower and more serious opening verses into the uptempo chorus is fantastic. The mood brightens at certain points in the song, becoming more hopeful and optimistic, and the accompaniment has strong electronica routes. It’s quite poppy like most of their material, but also more mature and sophisticated.

#7. 王妃 (Princess) - Jam Hsiao
Mandarin | Rock
I’m quite a fan of him, and was excited to see his new album. Princess is the title track. Jam Hsiao spans many genres, but my favourite of his would be rock, and Princess is not a disappointment. The song sounds slightly familiar, but is definitely unique. Jam Hsiao’s voice is slightly rough, suiting the atmosphere perfectly.

#6. 정신없이 예뻐 (Crazily Pretty) - DNT
Korean | Pop
I just love the chord progressions of this song, especially in the synths that dominate the opening. It’s an upbeat track that’s catchy and danceable, but doesn’t offer much beyond that. The vocals are decent (I believe they have a new member, too?) but not outstanding - personally, I would have liked to see a little more harmonizing. Nonetheless, a fresh, summery song.

#5. The Road - Clazziquai
English | Electronica
I love Clazziquai, and I was so excited to give their new album a listen (come to think of it, quite a few artists that I like have released albums/singles lately). “The Road” is one of my favourite tracks from Mucho MUSICA, it’s slow, ambient, and incredibly genuine. It’s one of the more downtempo tracks on the album, but extremely powerful, and something about its darker atmosphere really just caught on to me. The lyrics (and Alex’s voice) are gorgeous too, all in (perfectly understandable) English.

#4. Hello, I'm in Delaware - City and Colour
English | Acoustic
I used to really like this band, but it’s been a while since I listened to them. A soft, understated song. It’s really the lyrics that I love - So there goes my life/passing by with every exit sign .../No sleep tonight, I’ll keep on driving these dark highway lines. Although it doesn’t really have a clear “direction” and might be a little bland to some, I really liked it.

#3. 海岸中央通り - kimaguren
Japanese | Reggae/Pop/Rock
An island-flavoured song, a little more upbeat than the two I uploaded previously from their Sora x Shonen album. 海岸中央通り features fresh, breezy arrangement, smooth crisp vocals, and trumpet riffs.

#2. 你很好 (You're Very Good) - Xiao Yu
Mandarin | Pop/R&B
Opening with gorgeous harmonies against a chordal piano arrangement, You’re Very Good transitions into a smooth and rich R&B song. If you think about all the elements separately, there’s really nothing outstanding about it: a fairly standard R&B-style beat, boomy bass, splashes of piano - but everything just comes together perfectly. Xiao Yu’s voice is, as always, lovely - smooth and rich. It’s a catchy, memorable song.

#1. Africa - Karl Wolf ft. Culture
English | Pop/R&B
I’m not really sure what genre this song would be - it’s a remake, the original artist was Toto. I love it - the many-layered harmonies in the sung verses are simply gorgeous. The melody always gets stuck in my head. Although the rap verses don’t do much for me, they definitely add depth and colour to the song.

Labels: City and Colour, Clazziquai, DNT, Jam Hsiao, Karl Wolf, Kimaguren, Super Junior, Xiao Yu

I am not uploading the whole album, reason being that it would take up a lot of my time and be kind of pointless, since it’s pretty easy to find. Also, I try to refrain from uploading whole albums - if you really want the entire album, support the artists and buy it. This post is intended mostly as a review, although I have uploaded a couple tracks.

- Haruhi



Super Junior Vol. 3 - Sorry Sorry

Tracklist:
01. 쏘리 쏘리 (SORRY, SORRY) [download] [watch MV]
02. 니가 좋은 이유 (Why I Like You)
03. 마주치지 말자 (Let`s Not...)
04. 앤젤라 (Angela)
05. Reset [download]
06. Monster
07. What If
08. 이별… 넌 쉽니 (Heartquake) (Feat. 동방신기 (U-Know & Micky))
09. Club No.1 (Feat. 이연희 Lee Yeon Hee)
10. Happy Together
11. 죽어있는 것 (Dead At Heart)
12. Shining Star

Review:

The album kicks off with title track “Sorry Sorry” - urban, modern, and addictive. The arrangement is bold - pushing on being too jarring and repetitive, it lands right where it should: aggressive, energetic, and confident. These kinds of songs are usually hit-and-miss with me, for me, this song was definitely a hit. I was really impressed by it.

“Why I Like You” is a dance-pop track - catchy, sweet. Although it’s upbeat, the beat and arrangement is kept minimal enough to let their voices through. Although it must be said that they’re not the strongest vocally, they have definitely improved. I loved the faint but unexpected use of acoustic guitars in this song, it really gives it a unique touch.

“Let’s Not” is the first ballad of the album, IIRC it was sung only by SuJu K.R.Y., and partially composed by HwanHee (of Fly to the Sky), who gave it to SuJu to perform. Or something like that. Anyways - no offence, but FTTS probably could have done this song a lot better. Not that SuJu has done too poorly - the vocal work is good, but not outstanding. The song itself is fairly forgettable - this can sometimes be salvaged by an amazing vocal performance, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case in “Let’s Not”.

Moving onto “Angela”, which returns to SuJu’s bubblegum-pop routes, although it’s quite nicely balanced out. A sweet, poppy song that’s just fun to listen to, if not the most original. I love the line “you’re my angel, whisper softly” (even if it doesn’t make much sense) a little before the chorus.

I’ve already uploaded and briefly commented on “Reset” in an older post. Hearing the synth-y, Big Bang-esque intro, I was expecting “Reset” to break out into an upbeat dance track. Instead, it transitions (somewhat awkwardly) into a meltingly smooth R&B song. They sound great - the vocal work is soft and flowing, really suiting the accompaniment. I love the chorus - Press the reset, press, press, the reset. There are vague electronica influences that kind of tie in with the intro, but they’re not too overpowering. A genuine, well-executed track, and one of my favourites from this album.

“Monster” picks up the tempo a little, another R&B influenced number. It’s a little darker in tone, but I really like their vocals in this song. It’s fairly catchy and has a lot of replay value. Although it didn’t particularly stand out at the first listen, it’s starting to grow on me.

“What if” is a pop ballad. The accompaniment is overpowering - the vocals kind of sink into it in some verses, only really coming out in the chorus. I’ve never been a big fan of SuJu’s ballads, which, at best, hit mediocrity, and “What if” is no exception. This song was performed by Super Junior K.R.Y.

I had high expectations for “Heartquake” which features DBSK’s U-Know and Micky. IIRC, the only SuJu vocalists in this song are the members of Super Junior K.R.Y., which I find a little odd, since they seem to be the only vocalists used in quite a few songs. I’m guessing these three are the best vocalists, but this is still no excuse for not trying to encorporate more members of the group. “Heartquake” is a dark pop number, I think the DBSK members mostly contributed to the rap verses. It’s a good song, but maybe my expectations were too high as it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be.

“Club No. 1” is, as expected by the title, an upbeat track. I’m glad to see that there’s a better distribution of parts. Lee Yeon Hee’s voice is extremely synthesized, IMO it was a little overboard. I liked the guitar work in the arrangement, which blends surprisingly well with the synths thrown in there.

“Happy Together” is midtempo and, as expected, quite poppy. It’s pretty standard SuJu fare ... actually certain melodies remind me of “Marry U”, which is not surprising as the two songs were composed by the same person. A cute, cheery song that lacks much substance, but makes for a nice occasional listen.

“Dead at Heart”, an R&B ballad, is probably my favourite ballad from this album. Although that’s not saying much. The chorus is surprisingly strong and vocal work throughout the song is, generally, quite good. I’m really liking the melody of the chorus, actually. Also, it sounds like other members of SuJu participated in this song, as opposed to the other 2 ballads which consisted only of K.R.Y.

“Shining Star” is a cheerful, sugary song that is true to SuJu’s style. I like the piano accompaniment, which adds a little depth to the otherwise quite bland song. It’s listenable, although not very memorable - a sentiment that could be applied to this album in general.

Overall, Sorry Sorry seems to follow the format of their second album, Don’t Don, quite closely - a nice if predictable variety of pop, R&B, and a couple ballads. And the more experimental title track. Really, the stuff the title tracks are made of is what I’d like to see more of - a little more out of the box, a little more innovative and unique. Sorry Sorry is a solid, decent album. There were no songs that I absolutely hated, but there were also many that were simply mediocre and forgettable. SuJu has no reason to change it’s formula. The general public seems to eat up their standard material, so why take the risk? But songs like “Don’t Don” and “Sorry Sorry” prove that they can do more, and it’s a shame to see that other than the title tracks, most of their songs are nothing special.

Recommended Tracks:
Sorry Sorry, Why I Like You, Reset, Angela, Dead At Heart

Labels: album review, Super Junior

I thought it was about time for a new layout, I was getting really sick of the old one. I'm still trying to figure out how to get a tag list up, so far it's not working. My next rotation will be up sometime in the next couple of days, I'm just finishing up on uploading & comments.

In the meantime, 3 songs for you:

I'm sure you've heard that Super Junior's third album recently released, I've uploaded 2 songs from it. I'm thinking about reviewing the album in full later on, but I don't think I'll upload every single song as most people probably already have the album.

쏘리 쏘리 (SORRY SORRY) - Super Junior
Although I found this song too jarring and repetitive at the first listen, it's really growing on me - to the point that I actually really like it now. Like Don't Don showed another side of them in their 2nd album, SORRY SORRY varies from their typical style. A fresh, modern, addictive song that will get stuck in your head.

Reset - Super Junior
A smooth R&B number. Their vocal work is really nice in this song, soft and melodic. The chorus - Press the reset, press, press, the reset is catchy. There are faint electronica influences, as are present in so many k-pop songs these days, but they're kept in the background. Reset is genuine and sweet.

& a 3rd song from Utada Hikaru's new English album, This Is The One.

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI - Utada Hikaru
I didn't have high expectations for Utada Hikaru's second US debut, especially after the failure of her first attempt (with the album Exodus) but listening to this song gave me higher hopes. Although I've yet to listen to the rest of the album, this song is wonderful. Rich, warm piano accompaniment, sweet synthesized harmonies, consistent beat, this song is extremely addictive although somewhat simple as far as lyrics go. Utada's voice is smooth and light, merging with the arrangement seamlessly.

Labels: Super Junior, Utada Hikaru

With the massive amount of music I have, I don't get a chance to listen to every song very carefully, or sometimes even at all. But occasionally, on shuffle or after reading a review or something, I'll realize songs in my library I didn't even know I had, often with no idea of how they got there. Sometimes my reaction is, Oh, god, this is awful, why did I ever download this? but sometimes, it's How did I miss this? This rotation is dedicated to songs that fit with the latter - songs that I had but never really listened to, and only discovered later on.

- Haruhi

PS. Sorry for the gradual decline in the quality of my comments. I'm not used to doing rotations this large anymore!

알고 있나요 (Duet Ver.) feat.제아 (of 브라운아이드걸스/Brown Eyed Girls) - Someday
Korean | Ballad
I have this whole self-titled album by Someday and never listened to it. I'm not sure why, because after skimming through the album, I really like their soothing style of music although it does get a big bland. This is a lovely duet which was used in Boys Over Flowers, probably why it sounds so familiar ... although I heard something about different versions, and I'm not sure if this is the one used in the drama. Okay, despite the fact that it was used in BoF (if you can't tell, I'm not a fan) it's such a sweet ballad, and not being a BEG fan I never knew JeA had such a nice, airy voice. The chorus-style harmonies are a nice touch as well. Something about it just stands out.

눈 내리는 소리 - Donawhale
Korean | Alt Rock
This is such a soothing, ethereally peaceful song. Soft, rich piano and light, delicate vocals. It does build a little, breaking up what would otherwise be monotony. Recommended.

All My Stars Aligned - St. Vincent
English | Indie Pop
I downloaded this as part of a mixtape or something, and never really paid much attention to it. However, the gorgeously layered piano intro which stays on as a motif throughout the song alone is worth listening to. St. Vincent, moniker for Annie Clark, has a rich voice that's not overpowering.

No.1 (남아공 월드컵 공식 주제가) - 2AM
Korean | Pop
I usually skip past songs for CFs and the like, so I nearly skipped on this song for the FIFA World Cup as well (despite being a huge soccer fan I'm not so much a fan of songs dedicated to it) but after hearing it on TV No.1 got stuck in my head. It's a light, catchy, sweet pop song that doesn't have too much of a cheerlead-y, "Go, team!" vibe that a lot of the other World Cup songs I heard had.

Eternal Mourning - Eternal Morning
Instrumental/English | Trip-hop
A collaboration between Tablo of Epik High and Pe2ny, this song comes from the album Soundtrack to a Lost Film which I love despite not always being in the mood for it. Eternal Mourning sets the mostly instrumental and slightly experimental tone of the album quite well and the unique beat and instrumentation makes it an interesting individual track as well. More proof that Tablo can do no wrong. This wasn't so much of a hidden treasure for me, personally, but I know a lot of people didn't notice this collaboration album despite being Epik High fans, or maybe deigned to skip it because the style is quite different.

One Night Stay / In My Room - Jinbo
Instrumental/English | Trip-hop
Following in the vein of the track above, this album was labeled as hip-hop and thinking it was mostly rap and attempts to copy the success of American hip-hop, I never listened to it. I heard a recommendation for it somewhere and decided to give it a listen, which proved my initial assumptions to be quite wrong. While the album as a whole (Afterwork) is a bit hit or miss with me, I really liked the beat of the song and the way the soft synths almost merge with it.

I Saw It On Your Keyboard - Hellogoodbye
English | Pop
Apart from Here In Your Arms, I'd never really listened to Hellogoodbye's music. However, this simple, bright pop-rock number caught my attention. It's cute and energetic.

나쁜 여자 (Boom Boom) - Super Junior
Korean | Pop
After hearing the title track, Bonamama which I really disliked, I really only gave this album a skim and didn't see anything that sparked my interest until this song came up on shuffle one day. I love the beat and slightly dark atmosphere, as well as the catchiness, although I'm not sure what the Twinkle twinkle little star line is all about.

Ordinary - Tim Be Told
English | Indie Pop
If you like David Choi, give this a try. It has the same sweet, acoustic feel and interesting lyrics as well.

우리의 밤은 당신의 낮보다 아름답다 - 알렉스(Alex),호란 (Horan),이승열 (Lee Seung Yeol),박기영 (Park KiYoung),웨일(Whale),혜원 (HyeWon),나무(Namu),어반 자카파(Urban Zakapa)
Korean | Acoustic Pop
This V.A. collaboration from the label Fluxus Voices didn't really catch my attention until I spotted a couple names I recognized - namely Alex and Horan, but also W&Whale and Urban Zakapa. I romanized the rest of the names myself so if there's any inaccuracies, please let me know and I'll correct them. This song is apparently a cover, but I don't think I've ever heard the original song. It's sweet, light, and summery. Alex's voice in particular stands out, probably just because it's most familiar to me. I was expecting something along the lines of SM Town's collabs which feature so many artists it's really almost incoherent, but this is very different - in a good way.

My Everything - Nia
Korean | Pop-Rock
After hearing Nia hailed as a female F.T. Island, I had mixed feelings: it would be nice to see a female group playing their own instruments and with a more rock-based sound, but then again: can you really call F.T. Island rock? For some reason I never really listened to this, their debut single, but I'm glad I finally did. While admittedly My Everything can only be considered soft rock, this rock ballad is lovely. The vocals are strong and clear and I love the guitars and light use of strings. Not your average girl group, that's for sure.

WoNdeR WomaN × the telephones - MiChi
Japanese | Pop-Rock
I can't say I've ever heard anything of the telephones', and MiChi's spelling just really irritates me - not to mention the overall mediocrity of her music. However, this song is much more alt-rock than MiChi's music, I'm guessing that's the telephones' influence. It's energetic and catchy, but MiChi sounds a bit strained.

コインランドリー - OGRE YOU ASSHOLE
Japanese | Alt Rock
I downloaded this on a compilation album and never really noticed it as an individual track until this band's intriguing name caught my attention. I love the high, clean guitar lines alternating with darker, grungier chords. It creates some interesting transitions.

가지마 - Wednesday
Korean | Ballad
This is actually a solo song by Chi Yeol, a member of the duo Wednesday. Chi Yeol released a solo album a couple years ago about when I was starting to get into k-pop and basically downloaded everything because I had no idea what I would like and what I wouldn't. The album was filled with gorgeous, unique ballads and sophisticated pop tracks - I would be uploading songs from it, but unfortunately it's not on the computer I usually work from. After his debut album, he completely disappeared. I nearly skipped past Wednesday, assuming they were another male duo trying to copy Fly to the Sky's success, but went back once realizing Chi Yeol was a member. 가지마 is a ballad that showcases his strong, rich vocals (and what a gorgeous vibrato) - if you're a fan of Tei, Eru, Park Hyo Shin, and other such ballad vocalists, you'll like him. Compositionally, it is a bit cookie-cutter, but I'm so glad to see him releasing music again that I'm willing to forgive that. And much like other ballad kings, his voice elevates the song to new levels.

Hey Elevator - Apples in Stereo
English | Indie pop
So I kind of skimmed through this album (Travellers in Space and Time) and didn't really think much of it, but this track - probably amongst their more popular - stood out to me on a second listen. The chorus is so catchy, paired with disco influences and feel-good piano chords.

Circus - Royal Pirates
English | Rock
I didn't think anyone could cover this song and make it sound good. Korean group Royal Pirates however, manages to do just that. I love the rock twist to this song, and their confident sound.

서시 (Seo Shi/Prologue) - Shin Sung Woo
Korean | Rock Ballad
I know nothing about this singer, but I recently found this rock ballad in my iTunes library. It starts out with just acoustic guitar and you think that's what the whole song will be, but suddenly a full rock ensemble gets swept in.

Bluepeo - Mister Symbol
Instrumental
Another song that mysteriously appeared in my iTunes. It came up on shuffle and the pretty piano intro and soft, ambient beat caught my attention. It reminds me a bit of Nujabes, Epik High/Eternal Morning, etc.

Romeo N Juliet (알렉스, 신애 듀엣 원곡) (우리결혼했어요 삽입곡) - Clazziquai
Korean | Electronica/Acid Jazz
Although I'm a big Clazziquai fan, I never really noticed this song in particular. It's charming and soothing, and Alex and Horan sound fantastic together. I love their unique harmonies as well as the bright rap portion and jazzy instrumental solos.

Labels: 2AM, Apples in Stereo, Chi Yeol, Clazziquai, Donawhale, Eternal Morning, Jinbo, MiChi, Mister Symbol, Royal Pirates, Shin Sung Woo, Someday, St. Vincent, Super Junior, Tim Be Told, Wednesday

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

Change My World (Steven Chen Drum Cover) – Monkey Majik
English | Pop
Oddly enough, I didn’t even know this song existed (okay, I ignored it when it first came out for some strange reason) until I heard this drum cover and I was doing “research” for this post. Steven’s rendition is quite close to the original but I do like the extra punch he gives to the song.

Balloons (Live Percussion Version) – Tohoshinki
Korean| Pop/Rock
This is actually the only version of this song that I listen to: it’s mellow and I really like the “lack” of instruments (focuses mostly on percussion and keys). It reminds me of kids selling lemonade during summer and wandering around a fair or a park on a nice afternoon.

Go! Go! Maniac (Drum Cover) – K-On! (Toyosaki Aki, Hikasa Yoko, Sato Satomi, Kotobuki Minako, Taketatsu Ayana)
Japanese | Pop
Oddly enough, I only started listening to this song after I saw a Japanese girl (she was only 13) doing a drum cover. From that point, I got hooked. Normally I’m not into the super high-pitched singers but I paid more attention to the drums than anything else.

One Day (Drum Cover) – Miliyah Kato feat. M-Flo
Japanese | Pop
I kind of wish the drums were recorded with better quality (probably because he used electronic drums rather than actual ones) but still a good song to listen to. The cover really incorporates well with the original song.

Run Devil Run (Moonie Drum Cover) – SNSD
Korean | Pop
Oddly enough, I kind of wish the kick drum was a little more prominent in this version. Otherwise, it’s still a good cover of the original. It almost makes me want to listen more to the original (never really got back into listening to SNSD after Genie).

Funny Bonus: Sexy Back – Leeteuk and Eunhyuk
English-ish | Pop
Warning: this isn’t the best quality. Okay. This just makes me laugh every time I hear it – and it isn’t because they don’t really speak English. It’s because they can’t remember the words. Haha. Just a quick little bonus for everyone that needs a laugh (the video’s funnier because you can actually see Leeteuk start to laugh).

Labels: Contributor; Carmi, K-On, Kato Miliyah, m-flo, Monkey Majik, So Nyeo Shi Dae, Super Junior, Tohoshinki

Sorry for being MIA in the last while. I had to study for finals and that took up a lot of my time. Like my last post, the theme of this post is as though I were in charge of the score for an anime focusing on a magic journey (think older-audience Card Captor Sakura).

Magic – Secret (시크릿)
Korean| Pop
This was actually the song that inspired me to have this theme. Yes, I realize that they’re talking about music but it’s the idea behind music that’s important. It’s catchy but not overly memorable.

Genie (Tell Me Your Wish – Robotaki Mashup) – SNSD
Korean | Pop
I apparently have a thing for remixes/mash ups. It’s one of the more upbeat (can it actually get more upbeat?) versions of the song that ties in more of a techno feel. It almost makes you think of a crazy bunch of SNSD robots…maybe…probably not. Still a good song.

Journey – Satomi
Japanese | Pop
I was actually surprised by her vocals as I hadn’t listened to any of her music previously. It’s surprisingly deep if you compare it to the typical, run-of-the-mill Japanese and Korean singers. I like the jazzy guitar (may be slap base though) that kind of reminds me of a Japanese pop version of George Benson. Nice mellow song.

Break Out – Tohoshinki
Japanese | Pop
And here’s my obligatory DBSK entry. The journey part seems to go along and the whole idea of keeping going even if things get in your way seems appropriate for a rotation about a magical journey. This isn’t one of my favorite songs by them (Doushite and Mirotic take top spots) though (sad considering this is one of the last releases they’ve had).

Super Girl – Super Junior
Korean | Pop
It’s weird…I’ve been on a Super Junior kick lately and this song is no exception. It’s catchy (although not as catchy as “Sorry Sorry”) and I do like the kind of techno feel of the song. I opted to share this version rather than the Chinese one because I liked the flow and the words better. I thought I’d end the rotation with it only because it’s talking about a “Super Girl”.

Labels: Contributor; Carmi, Satomi, Secret, So Nyeo Shi Dae, Super Junior, Tohoshinki

Ummm…so I don’t think my last post went over all that well. Hopefully you all like this one better! So the theme of this post is as though I were suddenly in charge of finding the score for a shoujo anime, complete with the standard troubles and tribulations that a couple would go through.

Kimi Dake – Teppei Koike
Japanese| Pop
I think this would be good as an opening theme. It’s heartfelt, and could easily be edited into a 30-second opening showcasing each of the characters: the boy who’s longing to see the girl and the girl who he loves. And then, the lyrics allude to the stuff they’d have to go through.

My Man – Davichi
Korean | Pop
Oddly enough, I had never even listened to Davichi. In a lot of ways it does express how a girl feels when she’s finally set on a particular guy. There’s that upbeat, happy kind of thinking that everything will work out fine. The beat is catchy and the song is relatively simple but still a good one to listen to.

Why I Like You – Super Junior
Korean | Pop
I think this would be a good background song, especially during the happy times in the fictional anime. It’s upbeat and definitely focuses on the good times of the story, the happiness that everyone experiences when they first fall in love.

If – Tae Yeon
Korean | Ballad
There isn’t anything overly memorable about the song that I can think of, but the theme of being so silly that you let the person you love walk away from you is a great one to have. The song is heartfelt but not overly sappy. It doesn’t sound like she’s about to ball her eyes out, but it does make you think that she regrets what she did.

널 붙잡을 노래 – Rain
Korean | Ballad
Okay, I couldn’t help but end this rotation with this song. It’s sad and heartfelt. Now, it always takes two to break up a relationship: one to actually do the breaking up and the other accepts the break. In this case, Rain doesn’t seem to accept things but he can’t seem to do anything about it except wish for the girl to come back. It would be a good song to end with, although I do think it might be harder to cut it down to the usual ending theme length without losing some of the song’s meaning.

Labels: Contributor; Carmi, davichi, Rain, Super Junior, tae yeon, Teppei Koike

Disclaimer: It isn’t that I’m promoting the idea that Korea and Japan are “stealing” songs from North America and making them sound better…I mean, they are making them sound better, but…whatever. Just enjoy the songs…and don’t kill me.

Passion (Remix) – Se7en feat. Jinusean
Korean| Pop
Yes, this was my favorite Se7en song for a short while. For those of you that don’t know, this song is basically a remix of J-Kwon’s “Tipsy”, with the beat sped up and with better vocals. The song’s a great song to dance to and it’s what got me hooked onto Se7en in the first place (I usually find out about different bands/groups/singers through their singles and MVs). The dance moves in the MV are pretty good too.

Foolish Foolish – Yuya Matsushita
Japanese | Pop
As the song progressed, I really thought Yuya was going to start singing Ne-Yo’s “So Sick” since the two songs are so similar. I can definitely picture Yuya singing Ne-Yo’s song with the only complication being the accent. As for which song is better…I couldn’t really say. I think both are equally good.

Again & Again – 2pm
Korean | Pop
Apparently this song sounds an awful lot like Envy’s “Shawty Dangerous”. I don’t necessarily like one version over the other. Okay, that’s a lie. I like 2pm’s version but that’s probably because I think you can dance to it.

New Look – Namie Amuro
Japanese | Pop
Okay. This isn’t really a sampling issue as it’s really a homage to the original (“Baby Love” by The Supremes). It’s a good song, simple but clean and it conveys the sentiments of the sixties. I like the fact that she didn’t defer too far from the original but was able to revive it and give the song a makeover that’s appropriate for this time.

Why I Like You – Super Junior
Korean | Pop
This sounds…okay, it’s pretty much a remixed version of Ne-Yo’s “Closer”. Unfortunately, in this case, I’m going to have to side with Ne-Yo. I think his version is more upbeat and I like his voice better in comparison to Super Junior’s (sorry!). Still a decent song though.

Labels: 2PM, Amuro Namie, Contributor; Carmi, Jinusean, Se7en, Super Junior, Yuya Matsushita

Here we are, finally. Sorry again about the wait!

Phoenix:

#12345. Happy Together - Super Junior Link has been fixed, sorry about that!
Korean | Pop
This song reminds me heavily of Marry U, they were composed by the same person. It's a light-hearted, mid-tempo pop song off of SuJu's third album. It's rather disposable, but sweet and warm.

#1234. Follow Me - Big Bang
Japanese | Pop/Dance
Pretty standard fare. It's a fast-paced song with lots of synths and electronica routes. However, I didn't find it very catchy or memorable. I've given this song a few listens, and each time it fails to make an imprint on me. I'm getting more than a little bored of Big Bang, and I'm really hoping to see something fresh from them.

#123. Doubt & Trust - access
Japanese | Rock
I love the flowing, quick keyboard intro, leading into an equally energetic rock song. It's not an amazing song, but the sheer energy and movement of this song is impressive.

#9876. Got Some Teeth - Obie Trice
English | Hip-Hop
A confident, laid-back song with lots of brass riffs and a great albeit repetitive beat.


#444. Golden Wing - antic cafe
Japanese | Oshare Kei
A bright, feel-good song from Antic Cafe. It's not super-hyper like some of their songs can be, it's actually pretty relaxed. Miku's voice bugs me a little though.

albeitalways:

#107. Valkyrie - abingdon boys school
Japanese | Rock
I love abs, and Valkyrie is no exception. The energy of the song is apparent right from the electric guitar in the opening. Some people really don't like T.M. Revolution's voice, and I guess I can see why, but personally I've always liked how unique and recognizable it is. It's slightly dark in tone and despite its urgent, fast pace, it never seems rushed or hurried.

#1991. Koe no hate - CELLT
Japanese | Rock
I don't know much about this band and I've only heard a couple of their songs, but so far I'm liking them. Koe no hate is a little formulaic, but if you're just getting into rock or aren't really a fan of heavier rock, this might be good for you. It sounds slightly familiar - I really like the melody, and the chorus.

#8923. I WILL - Miliyah Kato
Japanese | R&B
A gorgeous ballad from R&B singer Miliyah Kato. Her songs have always been a bit hit-or-miss with me. I really like her warm, smooth voice, but her songs tend to be a bit forgettable in my opinion. I WILL's opening was a bit too soft for my liking, but then it breaks into the rich, heartfelt chorus. It's absolutely beautiful, and well worth the wait. Although I think her voice could use a little more power and richness in the verses building up to each chorus, it's still a lovely song.

#5439. 出会い - HY
Japanese | Alt. Rock
A relaxing track from HY. I really like their vocalist's clear, soothing voice and the overall soft, acoustic atmosphere of this song.

#132. Murder Licence - Acid Black Cherry
Japanese | Rock
I really love Acid Black Cherry's jazz-influenced tracks. Unfortunately this isn't one of them, but it's still quite good, although quite standard j-rock fare. Complete with dense, static-y guitar riffs and a busy atmosphere, it's a decent track but not a real stand-out.

Nepu:

#363. Gekkou Yoku - alice nine.
Japanese | Rock
Although I'm not really a fan of their recent releases, I still really like this band. Gekkou Yoku features some great guitar work, I really like how it alters from being short and choppy to very smooth and melodic.

#1796. 彼女と星の椅子 - BUMP OF CHICKEN
Japanese | Alt. Rock
A midtempo track from BUMP OF CHICKEN. I really like how clear and prominent the bass from 2:18 and on. It's not my favourite track from them - I have to say I'm a bigger fan of their acoustic-style songs - but definitely worth a listen.

6336. Who Are You - John Murphy
English | Soundtrack
This song is from the Miami Vice OST that I uploaded a while back. I love this song. It may not be the kind of song that you put on repeat, but it's absolutely beautiful and so rich with emotion. The thick, resonating bass sound contrasts perfectly with the gentle, almost hesitant piano melody. The chords and sheer depth of this song are sophisticated and dense. It's incredibly sorrowful and delicate. It's only flaw, in my opinion, is that it clocks in at only 1:35.

Labels: abingdon boys school, access, acid black cherry, alice nine., Antic Cafe, Big Bang, BUMP OF CHICKEN, CELLT, HY, Kato Miliyah, number lottery, Obie Trice, Super Junior

These were released as a series of digital singles. I thought there was going to be a full album, but apparently it's only four songs? Either way, they're good. <3 I think the idea of using basically the same cover image but with different colours, all very bright and summery, is fantastic, which is why I've uploaded all the different cover images, haha.

Please comment or leave a rating if taking!

- Haruhi

2009 Summer SM Town!
Korean | Pop



o1. Seaside 휴게소 (Boom Boom) - DBSK, Super Junior, SHINee

I'm generally not a fan of SM Town songs that have like 20 people in one song and each person gets like one line. I have no idea who's who in this song, but it's tropical, light-hearted, and fun - in other words, a perfect summer song. Brought to life by acoustic guitars, brassy riffs, and an upbeat percussion, it's breezy and energetic.



o2. 12시 34분 (Nothing Better) - Dong Bang Shin Ki

A gorgeous ballad from DBSK. I have to admit, when I first got into K-pop, I didn't like them much - but they've really impressed me and changed my mind, they're one of my favourite groups now. 12시 34분 (Nothing Better) is refreshing, smooth, and light, but extremely warm and sincere. I've heard people refer to "winter ballads" and "spring ballads", is there such a thing as a summer ballad? If so, 12시 34분 is a perfect fit. Vocally it's fantastic, its flowing and their cleanly layered harmonies float overtop a piano-based arrangement.



o3. 카니발 (Carnival) - Super Junior

A cheerful, sugary song - what else did you expect from Super Junior? It has some tropical elements reminiscent of Seaside 휴게소 (Boom Boom), but definitely has its own flavor. It's cute, sweet, and SuJu sounds like they're having a blast - but, not a favourite of mine.



o4. SCAR - SHINee

SCAR has a bit of a darker tone. It's heavily electronica-influenced and reminds me a bit of Big Bang for some reason. Their dense harmonies and powerful vocal work really impressed me. It doesn't really say "summer" to me, but a great song nonetheless.

Labels: Dong Bang Shin Ki, Shinee, Super Junior

I took this idea from an LJ community, basically it’s just ten of the songs that I really like & have constantly been listening to in the last few weeks. Most will probably be fairly recent releases. I excluded songs that I had already posted, which prevented the two Kimaguren songs I posted previously and St. Day from making the list.

I'm putting off the rock/pop rotation I mentioned earlier for another time. & sorry my comments aren't too great ... for some reason I never have a problem with commenting on smaller updates but when it comes to larger rotations I just get kind of tired and all my comments start to sound the same, haha.

Please remember to comment/leave a rating if taking, thanks.

#10. City of Sadness - Zhang Yuan
Mandarin | Ballad
A solo song by Top Combine’s main vocalist, Zhang Yuan. Although I’m not very familiar with the group, Zhang Yuan’s voice is lovely - strong, rich, and rounded. Despite the formulaic arrangement, I really liked the chorus and overall sad yet hopeful atmosphere of the song.

#9. 爱上 (Fall In Love With) - Xiao Yu
Mandarin | R&B/Pop
I really loved his sophomore album, Standing Here, and “Fall In Love With” is one of my favourite tracks. It’s a sweet, mid-tempo number. The piano accompaniment is warm and adds a nice depth to the song, but what I really love is Xiao Yu’s smooth, creamy vocals.

#8. 너라고 (It's You) - Super Junior
Korean | Pop
Upon first listen, I really didn’t think this song was anything special, but it’s really grown on me. The transition from the slower and more serious opening verses into the uptempo chorus is fantastic. The mood brightens at certain points in the song, becoming more hopeful and optimistic, and the accompaniment has strong electronica routes. It’s quite poppy like most of their material, but also more mature and sophisticated.

#7. 王妃 (Princess) - Jam Hsiao
Mandarin | Rock
I’m quite a fan of him, and was excited to see his new album. Princess is the title track. Jam Hsiao spans many genres, but my favourite of his would be rock, and Princess is not a disappointment. The song sounds slightly familiar, but is definitely unique. Jam Hsiao’s voice is slightly rough, suiting the atmosphere perfectly.

#6. 정신없이 예뻐 (Crazily Pretty) - DNT
Korean | Pop
I just love the chord progressions of this song, especially in the synths that dominate the opening. It’s an upbeat track that’s catchy and danceable, but doesn’t offer much beyond that. The vocals are decent (I believe they have a new member, too?) but not outstanding - personally, I would have liked to see a little more harmonizing. Nonetheless, a fresh, summery song.

#5. The Road - Clazziquai
English | Electronica
I love Clazziquai, and I was so excited to give their new album a listen (come to think of it, quite a few artists that I like have released albums/singles lately). “The Road” is one of my favourite tracks from Mucho MUSICA, it’s slow, ambient, and incredibly genuine. It’s one of the more downtempo tracks on the album, but extremely powerful, and something about its darker atmosphere really just caught on to me. The lyrics (and Alex’s voice) are gorgeous too, all in (perfectly understandable) English.

#4. Hello, I'm in Delaware - City and Colour
English | Acoustic
I used to really like this band, but it’s been a while since I listened to them. A soft, understated song. It’s really the lyrics that I love - So there goes my life/passing by with every exit sign .../No sleep tonight, I’ll keep on driving these dark highway lines. Although it doesn’t really have a clear “direction” and might be a little bland to some, I really liked it.

#3. 海岸中央通り - kimaguren
Japanese | Reggae/Pop/Rock
An island-flavoured song, a little more upbeat than the two I uploaded previously from their Sora x Shonen album. 海岸中央通り features fresh, breezy arrangement, smooth crisp vocals, and trumpet riffs.

#2. 你很好 (You're Very Good) - Xiao Yu
Mandarin | Pop/R&B
Opening with gorgeous harmonies against a chordal piano arrangement, You’re Very Good transitions into a smooth and rich R&B song. If you think about all the elements separately, there’s really nothing outstanding about it: a fairly standard R&B-style beat, boomy bass, splashes of piano - but everything just comes together perfectly. Xiao Yu’s voice is, as always, lovely - smooth and rich. It’s a catchy, memorable song.

#1. Africa - Karl Wolf ft. Culture
English | Pop/R&B
I’m not really sure what genre this song would be - it’s a remake, the original artist was Toto. I love it - the many-layered harmonies in the sung verses are simply gorgeous. The melody always gets stuck in my head. Although the rap verses don’t do much for me, they definitely add depth and colour to the song.

Labels: City and Colour, Clazziquai, DNT, Jam Hsiao, Karl Wolf, Kimaguren, Super Junior, Xiao Yu

I am not uploading the whole album, reason being that it would take up a lot of my time and be kind of pointless, since it’s pretty easy to find. Also, I try to refrain from uploading whole albums - if you really want the entire album, support the artists and buy it. This post is intended mostly as a review, although I have uploaded a couple tracks.

- Haruhi



Super Junior Vol. 3 - Sorry Sorry

Tracklist:
01. 쏘리 쏘리 (SORRY, SORRY) [download] [watch MV]
02. 니가 좋은 이유 (Why I Like You)
03. 마주치지 말자 (Let`s Not...)
04. 앤젤라 (Angela)
05. Reset [download]
06. Monster
07. What If
08. 이별… 넌 쉽니 (Heartquake) (Feat. 동방신기 (U-Know & Micky))
09. Club No.1 (Feat. 이연희 Lee Yeon Hee)
10. Happy Together
11. 죽어있는 것 (Dead At Heart)
12. Shining Star

Review:

The album kicks off with title track “Sorry Sorry” - urban, modern, and addictive. The arrangement is bold - pushing on being too jarring and repetitive, it lands right where it should: aggressive, energetic, and confident. These kinds of songs are usually hit-and-miss with me, for me, this song was definitely a hit. I was really impressed by it.

“Why I Like You” is a dance-pop track - catchy, sweet. Although it’s upbeat, the beat and arrangement is kept minimal enough to let their voices through. Although it must be said that they’re not the strongest vocally, they have definitely improved. I loved the faint but unexpected use of acoustic guitars in this song, it really gives it a unique touch.

“Let’s Not” is the first ballad of the album, IIRC it was sung only by SuJu K.R.Y., and partially composed by HwanHee (of Fly to the Sky), who gave it to SuJu to perform. Or something like that. Anyways - no offence, but FTTS probably could have done this song a lot better. Not that SuJu has done too poorly - the vocal work is good, but not outstanding. The song itself is fairly forgettable - this can sometimes be salvaged by an amazing vocal performance, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case in “Let’s Not”.

Moving onto “Angela”, which returns to SuJu’s bubblegum-pop routes, although it’s quite nicely balanced out. A sweet, poppy song that’s just fun to listen to, if not the most original. I love the line “you’re my angel, whisper softly” (even if it doesn’t make much sense) a little before the chorus.

I’ve already uploaded and briefly commented on “Reset” in an older post. Hearing the synth-y, Big Bang-esque intro, I was expecting “Reset” to break out into an upbeat dance track. Instead, it transitions (somewhat awkwardly) into a meltingly smooth R&B song. They sound great - the vocal work is soft and flowing, really suiting the accompaniment. I love the chorus - Press the reset, press, press, the reset. There are vague electronica influences that kind of tie in with the intro, but they’re not too overpowering. A genuine, well-executed track, and one of my favourites from this album.

“Monster” picks up the tempo a little, another R&B influenced number. It’s a little darker in tone, but I really like their vocals in this song. It’s fairly catchy and has a lot of replay value. Although it didn’t particularly stand out at the first listen, it’s starting to grow on me.

“What if” is a pop ballad. The accompaniment is overpowering - the vocals kind of sink into it in some verses, only really coming out in the chorus. I’ve never been a big fan of SuJu’s ballads, which, at best, hit mediocrity, and “What if” is no exception. This song was performed by Super Junior K.R.Y.

I had high expectations for “Heartquake” which features DBSK’s U-Know and Micky. IIRC, the only SuJu vocalists in this song are the members of Super Junior K.R.Y., which I find a little odd, since they seem to be the only vocalists used in quite a few songs. I’m guessing these three are the best vocalists, but this is still no excuse for not trying to encorporate more members of the group. “Heartquake” is a dark pop number, I think the DBSK members mostly contributed to the rap verses. It’s a good song, but maybe my expectations were too high as it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be.

“Club No. 1” is, as expected by the title, an upbeat track. I’m glad to see that there’s a better distribution of parts. Lee Yeon Hee’s voice is extremely synthesized, IMO it was a little overboard. I liked the guitar work in the arrangement, which blends surprisingly well with the synths thrown in there.

“Happy Together” is midtempo and, as expected, quite poppy. It’s pretty standard SuJu fare ... actually certain melodies remind me of “Marry U”, which is not surprising as the two songs were composed by the same person. A cute, cheery song that lacks much substance, but makes for a nice occasional listen.

“Dead at Heart”, an R&B ballad, is probably my favourite ballad from this album. Although that’s not saying much. The chorus is surprisingly strong and vocal work throughout the song is, generally, quite good. I’m really liking the melody of the chorus, actually. Also, it sounds like other members of SuJu participated in this song, as opposed to the other 2 ballads which consisted only of K.R.Y.

“Shining Star” is a cheerful, sugary song that is true to SuJu’s style. I like the piano accompaniment, which adds a little depth to the otherwise quite bland song. It’s listenable, although not very memorable - a sentiment that could be applied to this album in general.

Overall, Sorry Sorry seems to follow the format of their second album, Don’t Don, quite closely - a nice if predictable variety of pop, R&B, and a couple ballads. And the more experimental title track. Really, the stuff the title tracks are made of is what I’d like to see more of - a little more out of the box, a little more innovative and unique. Sorry Sorry is a solid, decent album. There were no songs that I absolutely hated, but there were also many that were simply mediocre and forgettable. SuJu has no reason to change it’s formula. The general public seems to eat up their standard material, so why take the risk? But songs like “Don’t Don” and “Sorry Sorry” prove that they can do more, and it’s a shame to see that other than the title tracks, most of their songs are nothing special.

Recommended Tracks:
Sorry Sorry, Why I Like You, Reset, Angela, Dead At Heart

Labels: album review, Super Junior

I thought it was about time for a new layout, I was getting really sick of the old one. I'm still trying to figure out how to get a tag list up, so far it's not working. My next rotation will be up sometime in the next couple of days, I'm just finishing up on uploading & comments.

In the meantime, 3 songs for you:

I'm sure you've heard that Super Junior's third album recently released, I've uploaded 2 songs from it. I'm thinking about reviewing the album in full later on, but I don't think I'll upload every single song as most people probably already have the album.

쏘리 쏘리 (SORRY SORRY) - Super Junior
Although I found this song too jarring and repetitive at the first listen, it's really growing on me - to the point that I actually really like it now. Like Don't Don showed another side of them in their 2nd album, SORRY SORRY varies from their typical style. A fresh, modern, addictive song that will get stuck in your head.

Reset - Super Junior
A smooth R&B number. Their vocal work is really nice in this song, soft and melodic. The chorus - Press the reset, press, press, the reset is catchy. There are faint electronica influences, as are present in so many k-pop songs these days, but they're kept in the background. Reset is genuine and sweet.

& a 3rd song from Utada Hikaru's new English album, This Is The One.

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI - Utada Hikaru
I didn't have high expectations for Utada Hikaru's second US debut, especially after the failure of her first attempt (with the album Exodus) but listening to this song gave me higher hopes. Although I've yet to listen to the rest of the album, this song is wonderful. Rich, warm piano accompaniment, sweet synthesized harmonies, consistent beat, this song is extremely addictive although somewhat simple as far as lyrics go. Utada's voice is smooth and light, merging with the arrangement seamlessly.

Labels: Super Junior, Utada Hikaru

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.

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