Again, just a reminder, if you have a song you’d like to request, please leave a comment. Alternatively, you can send me an email at carhithiel@gmail.com.
Stand By U – Tohoshinki
Japanese| Ballad-ish
I think the first couple of lines in the first verse (something along the lines of the scenery changing) definitely sets the mood for the rest of the song. It’s a great, sad song, the kind you’d listen to when you’re stuck inside and feeling nostalgic about past loves. It’s not slow enough to be a true ballad in my mind which doesn’t make it as sappy as something you’d listen to while drowning yourself in a tub of chocolate ice cream.
Aoi Kofuko – Noboku
Japanese | Pop
This doesn’t really make me think so much of the rain as it does of what happens after the rain’s done and you’re left with the clouds, the smell of rain, and everything looks grey. Just when the song picks up, it makes me think of what it looks like when the clouds break and the sun starts to come out. Overall, it’s not that memorable; nothing stands out that much, but it’s still a decent song.
Don't Wanna Try (Live Piano Version) – Tae Yang
English | Ballad
It was actually this version of the song that got me to find out about the original version by Frankie J. Tae Yang’s version is heartfelt, sad, and his voice suits the song so well. There’s something about the piano that makes me think of sad things and I can picture him singing this by a window as it’s raining outside (minus the cheering in the background).
Endless Love – Shinhwa
Korean | Pop
This song makes me think more of what a thunder storm would be like, if it were made by a Korean band. It’s edgy and the lyrics, if I remember the translation correctly, are pretty raw and well, kind of almost obsessively vengeful. It’s angry, angsty, and powerful.
Stay – Chris Cayzer
English | Pop
This is a remake of an old Lisa Loeb song that was released as part of his first album a few years ago in the Philippines. He’s kind of re-surfacing now, especially since he’s released his second album. It’s a nice, acoustic version and I love his voice. The song slows down for the verses but picks up every once in a while at key points. It makes me think of what happens in one of those movies where the couple breaks up and right at the end the person shows up at the door, soaking wet from the rain (apparently I’m very much into the visuals right now).
Labels: Chris Cayzer, Contributor; Carmi, Noboku, Shinhwa, Tae Yang, Tohoshinki
Just a small update. The next rotation will most likely be summer-themed. So happy that school's almost out. <3
9mm Parabellum Bullet - Supernova/Wanderland
Japanese | Alt Rock
01. Supernova
02. Wanderland
03. Wildpitch
04. Supernova (piano)
05. Wanderland (piano)
Japan has so many awesome alt-rock bands. <3 9mm Parabellum Bullet is one of my favourites. I didn't upload the two piano versions, but I will on request. Supernova is probably my favourite track from this single, it has a really solid rhythm and nice guitar riffs. Wavering from Supernova's steady rhythm is Wanderland, which has more of an element of surprise. Love the vocals. Wildpitch is awesome; crazy drum accompaniment.
BACK-ON - Sands of time
Japanese | Alt Rock/Rapcore
01. Sands of time
02. message for kidz
03. fifty/50
Latest BACK-ON single, I think they're releasing their first full-length album soon too? Sands of time is a fun, light-hearted track. message for kidz starts out really sweetly, and leads into a rap verse. It's very summery with shouted vocals and alternating between acoustic guitar and a grungy electric sound. There's also these random sounds that I think were supposed to imitate a rooster crowing, which made me laugh. fifty/50 has a darker sound that contrasts nicely with the other two tracks. I like the chorus, though the lyrics (I wanna kill myself and my mind/I wanna break myself and my mind) are a little depressing.
Shinee - 누난 너무 예뻐 (Replay)
Korean | Pop
01. 누난 너무 예뻐 (Replay)
02. In My Room
03. Real
04. 사.계.한 (Love Should Go On)
05. 누난 너무 예뻐 (Replay Boom Track)
SM Entertainment is behind DBSK, BoA, Super Junior and SNSD - obviously, there were high expectations for their newest boyband, Shinee. Compositionally, the songs in this mini-album are mediocre, though vocally, it's quite impressive. 누난 너무 예뻐 (Replay) has a laid-back sound and shows their strong voices well. In My Room is the standard acoustic-guitar ballad, opening a softer, sweeter aspect to their vocals. The faint harmonizing in the chorus is nice. Real jazzes things up a bit, it opens with a quick piano passage and then leads into a fun, upbeat, catchy song with a nice bass accompaniment. 사.계.한 (Love Should Go On) also has a bright, happy sound, featuring more rapping than the other tracks. Overall, each track showed their powerful voices and potential. I wasn't disappointed, and I think it's at least close to what it was hyped up to be. Shinee is definitely a group to look out for in the K-pop world.
Tae Yang - Hot
Korean | Pop/R&B
01. HOT - Intro
02. 기도/gi do/A Prayer (feat. Teddy)
03. 나만 바라봐/Na man bara bwa/Only Look At Me
04. 죄인/je in/Sinner
05. Baby I'm Sorry
06. Make Love (feat. Kush)
Tae Yang, the main vocalist of Big Bang, recently released his first solo mini-album. I didn't really like the Intro, at 1:30 it was a bit too long to me considering that most intros/interludes are like, 30 seconds. Coincidentially, it was written by G-Dragon. A Prayer is an R&B-type ballad, featuring digitalized vocals. It's not bad, but not outstanding, either. The principal track, Only Look At Me, didn't catch my attention at first listen. When I watched the MV for it after (which, by the way, has some pretty nice dance sequences) and then listened to the song again, it started to grow on me. It's very similar to Big Bang's style. Sinner has an interesting string accompaniment and a darker sound. Baby I'm Sorry's lyrics ere also written by Big Bang's G-Dragon. It's a pretty generic mid-tempo ballad, but it's not bad. Make Love reminds me of A Prayer except the voices aren't digitalized. Overall, not a bad single, but not as good as I thought it would be.
monobright - あの透明感と少年
Japanese | Alt Rock
01. あの透明感と少年
02. boy
03. 夏メロマンティック
04. 旅立ちと少年
05. 幽霊
06. 雲男
Eh, I might get around to uploading the rest of this later. monobright is a pretty awesome alt-rock band I recently discovered, I like the title track to this single the best so far. I haven't gotten a chance to listen to all the songs yet, though. Try them out, they've got a unique vocalist and refreshing, bright sound.
Labels: 9mm Parabellum Bullet, BACK-ON, monobright, Shinee, Tae Yang
