Track Listing
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Ashita Saku Hana
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Ajisai
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Kawaranai Mono -Live version-
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Ashita Saku Hana (Instrumental)
1. Ashita Saku Hana
I didn’t expect such a flowery opening to Ashita Saku Hana, but immediatly I knew what was going to lead into and it’s quite simple in sound ala Angela Aki’s piano-induced music. I have to say though her vocals are the most perfect of them and they actually sound like Mano Erina’s which is quite ironic as they both are piano players. I do like flute and strings arrangement as they make it sound more romantic and quite nice. I was overall happy with the A-side.
2. Ajisai
The first B-side, Ajisai continues this ballad sound and it’s quite a different experience from “Ashita Saku Hana” because it’s more soft-spoken and has a lullaby mood going on which I quite adore. Her vocals are quite nice except for one part at the end of the chorus where she cracks in the worst way possible…talk about embarassing lol. It’s a pretty nice ballad overall though.
3. Kawaranai Mono -Live version-
I’m going to guess this track was from her last album, “Koi Tegami”, but hearing a live version does have its perks which means that we get to hear more of the artist which no help with the vocals and Hanako sort of fails in this case because she sounds nervous or just stressed out. I’m not sure why, but I guess it’s alright. It is just piano so it’s kind of barebones as arrangements go, but I like her powerful playing. Still the vocals here are just worrysome.
I guess I can see why Selly wanted me to review her, she’s a fine pianist and being in her 4th era, I can tell she’s a bit underrated, however that can also be to the fact her vocals aren’t that great. Her voice sounds really young and pitchy making it seem like she’s more similar to Mano Erina, but her piano playing is just as good as Angela Aki’s kind of a hybrid of sorts. Ashita Saku Hana as a single is nice in both the A & B-sides while the live version is kind of meh. I guess we’ll see by the next single.
