I’m not really one for this “special day”…unless you count my love of chocolate and the fact that all that yummy chocolate goes on sale the day after. So, Happy Chocolate Day!
Puppy Love – Bennie K feat. Gipper
Japanese| Pop
A nice mid-tempo song that isn’t overly sweet. Gipper’s raps provide a nice contrast to Bennie K’s vocals and the simple accompaniment. It’s mellow and sweet, reminding you of what most people think of when they’ve first hit the “love bug”.
First Love – Hikaru Utada
Japanese | Ballad
I personally like the techno version even though it kills the feeling of the song. Since I haven’t heard this song in a while, I thought I’d post it for those of you that missed the song when it first came out way back when. The instruments are relatively simple but complimentary and allow Hikaru’s voice to come through and convey the emotion.
Make Love – Big Bang
English | Pop
Another relatively simple arrangement but I do like the guitar that seems to be main instrument (or at least the one that I paid the most attention to). It isn’t the best song from them (I like Number 1 better) but a decent song to listen to anyway.
1000 Words – Koda Kumi
Japanese | Ballad
Continuing on the theme of bittersweet, here’s another song that’s meant to remind you of loves lost and mistakes made. The piano and violins emphasize the sadness (I always liken sadness to violins and pianos). I like the sound of Sweetbox’s voice better but I think Koda’s voice conveys more of the emotion as there are times when Sweetbox’s voice sounds too sweet and high-pitched for something like this.
How Deep is Your Love? – Jinusean
Korean/English | Pop
It’s my favorite Jinusean song and a decent remake of the original song by the Bee Gees. The faster tempo (than the original anyway) and raps give it a light-hearted feeling even though the original message of the song is meant to be a sad one. Still, it’s a nice mellow version that isn’t as well, deep, as the original.
Labels: Bennie K, Big Bang, Contributor; Carmi, Jinusean, Koda Kumi, Utada Hikaru
Doushite (Royal Mirrorball Remix) – Tohoshinki
Japanese| Pop
My favorite techno remix thus far, although the change from a heartfelt slow song to a techno-pop sound kills any emotions you might feel from listening to the original. The song is so upbeat and perky that if you don’t know the meaning behind the words, you’d just think it was a nice, cheery song. Still my favorite remix though.
Wild and Violet Sauce vs. Apologize – Namie Amuro & One Republic / Timbaland
Japanese | Pop
This is an interesting twist to the usual remixes out there – meaning the penchant is to speed songs up rather than slow them down – so this is a nice change of pace. It isn’t one of the best mash ups out there as sometimes the overlaying of both of Namie’s songs can sound a bit off but otherwise pretty decent.
Deal With Juliette – SHINee vs. Corbin Bleu
Korean/English | Pop
Technically this is a mash up instead of a true remix but I still like it. I didn’t really listen to the full SHINee version but the mash up is seamless. The beat stays in tact and it’s a good a pop song overall.
Around the World (DJ Mitsu Mix) – Monkey Majik
English | Pop
This remix has more of a jazz/house-ish sound to it. More of the emphasis is on the synths, base and drums than the original, that and this one is the full-out English one rather than the Japanese/English version. A decent mix but nothing overly special.
Hikari (PlanitB Remix) – Hikaru Utada
Japanese | Pop
I thought I’d end of this mix with more of a techno-ish sound. I actually like this version better than the slower, original one. The drums and faster tempo seem to give the song more life.
Labels: Amuro Namie, Contributor; Carmi, Monkey Majik, Shinee, Tohoshinki, Utada Hikaru
Jikyan Yo Tomare – Azu feat. SEAMO
Japanese | Pop
It’s a sweet song and I prefer this one to their other collaboration. Azu’s voice is nice and mellow and contrasts nicely with SEAMO’s raps. The song isn’t too sweet either, which is a bonus and what you’d expect from Azu.
Do You – Ne-Yo feat. Hikaru Utada
English | R&B
I’m pretty sure that this is the only English song I had really listened to by Hikki. It does sound a lot like what you’d find in North America (okay, the US), which doesn’t really make it all that memorable if you’re comparing it to other western releases. However, it’s still a decent song to listen to since their voices sound well together.
Black Diamond - Double feat. Namie Amuro
Japanese | Pop
I’m more fond of Namie in this song than Double even though it’s her song. It’s got some good beats and it did hold my attention for a while when it first came out. There isn’t anything overly memorable about it though, just a good collaboration.
Look – Mina feat. Ak’Sent
Korean | Pop
The song is catchy and Ak’Sent really suits the song. I was addicted to this song for a while after it first came out, probably because it’s a good song to dance to (I can picture people dancing to this in a club). I personally like the liver version with Jessica Ho better but I can’t find a decent version of it to post.
Mahaloha – Yuna Ito feat. Micro
Japanese | Pop
Both Yuna’s and Micro’s voices are nice and mellow, which works really well with the simple background. The guitar and mid-tempo beats really make me wish I were in Hawaii instead of dealing with the cold winter.
Labels: Amuro Namie, Azu, Contributor; Carmi, Double, Mina, Seamo, Utada Hikaru, Yuna Ito
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
So, I just remembered that while postponing my update because of the polls Haruhi put up, I actually completely forgot to update. Thus, I present you with a double update in the same weekend!
Rotation 10 is themed Jpop artists, meaning the songs below are classic examples of Jpop music, as well as artists that are mainly associated with producing Jpop.
As always, please leave a comment when you download!
Otsuka Ai - Sakuranbo
Japanese - pop
This song belongs in my collection of first ever songs. This was my first Otsuka Ai song and I thought it was amazing! Such a happy, crazy, sweet love song! I've listened to this over and over, and it makes me smile every time. It's a true hyper Ai song.
KAT-TUN - No Matter Matter
Japanese - pop
This song always reminds me of the interlude in which they throw souvenirs into the audience during concerts. It's amazingly happy and it's an enourmous showcase for Yuichi's beatbox skills and Koki's rap.
Arashi - Nemuranai Karada
Japanese - pop
I always feel this song was supposed to be somewhere half way between a sensual song and pop xD Or that it's just some slightly failed attempt at producing a steamy hot summernight song. However, as I love Arashi, I love this song, since they're slightly lower voice complement the trumpets really well.
SNoW - On & On
Japanese - pop
I can't promote this singer enough! She's so amazing, it's a shame she's still in college at the moment. Slightly less upbeat than "I'm No", this song has a lot of symbolism, put to a gorgeous arrangement. Highly recommended.
AAA - Q
Japanese - pop
What can I say? This song is full of that typical AAA energy, with lyrics so fast I'm still amazed at how they did it. It's happy, it's fun, it's fast. It's AAA :D
Takacha - Movin'
Japanese - pop
I got this song from my baby sister actually, when she was momentarily infatuated with the anime Bleach. I can't say I've any other music by this group, but this song sounds amazing. I really, really like it. It's a fun antagonist for Orange Range's OP song.
GYM - My Angel
Japanese - pop
Released as an official single for the Women's Volleyball World Grandprix, Golf, Yamashita and Mike come dangerously close to becoming moe~~ I can truly call this song kawaii (and for someone who despises wrong use of that particular adjective, that says something, ne? xD)! So, so sweet!
Kanjani8 - Zukkoke Otokomichi
Japanese - pop
Well, if this isn't the embodiment of Jpop, I don't know what is. Well, perhaps Arashi. At any rate, this is a classic pop song. Happy, upbeat, and truly JE. Recommended ;D
NewS - Sayaendo
Japanese - pop
Another typical popgroup. This song is least upbeat however than their usual, but no less addicting. It sounds like it's been influenced by 1001 Arabian nights, or perhaps Indian music. I really like this change of pace though, it's one of my favourite songs at the moment.
Utada Hikaru - Celebrate
Japanese - pop
And, it a popthemed rotation, the Queen of Pop. At least the Queen I can stand (I really don't like Ayumi ><;)! Celebrate is a happy song, although it has a little more slow tempo. The soft melodic arrangement matches perfect with the soft vocals by Utada. Recommended.
Labels: AAA, Arashi, cohost: aranka, GYM, Kanjani8, KAT-TUN, NewS, Otsuka Ai, SNoW, Takacha, Utada Hikaru
