Track Listing
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papillon
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Fantasista
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Ichiba ni Ikou
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Last Shooting Star
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his rhythm
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Kaihouku (album version)
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motto…
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SPLASH
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sugary
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thanksful
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Zettai Ondo
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Thinking of you
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papillon (eastern butterfly) (Bonus Track)
1. papillon
We begin the album with her biggest song at the time and it’s a cover of a Janet Jackson song, “Doesn’t Really Matter”. Now it was a big change since it was all R&B and a bit futuristic as well. The thing I liked about it was how fast Hitomi was singing in the song. I’ll have to say, she done herself well on this song and is one of my favorite Hitomi songs.
2. Fantasista
Our first new track, Fantasista continues the latin trend she started back with her last single “Ichiba ni Ikou”. There’s also a nice dance style going on here as well carrying Hitomi very well here. It also helps that her singing is a lot more better here than it was on “papillon”. I’m still thinking her more ethnic tracks are her forte.
3. Ichiba ni Ikou
Representing the last A-side of the era, Ichiba ni Ikou is one fascinating song since compared to “Fantasista” it’s not as latin-heavy. Actually when compared to the other songs, it sounds like a mixture of the previous two tracks. It might not be her strongest song, but it did start off the latin-explosion that Hitomi uses ALOT!
4. Last Shooting Star
I’m surprised our next song comes up next. It starts with a synth boom and adds some R&B beats to give it that punch. Sadly, it does sound like a repeat on “papillon” which is a bit unfortunate. I do think the chorus is catchy as hell though. So I can forgive that it sounds a but like something else.
5. his rhythm
his rhythm is the first ballad off the album. The plucked strings does sound almost like the ones from “Eternity”, but then it becomes more of the typical sounding R&B ballad. I’m not a big fan of these kind of songs, but Hitomi did a good job trying not to make it drag hard and the extra vocalists were just as equally nice. It might be too typical, but it’s nice sounding at the least.
6. Kaihouku (album version)
The album version of Kaihouku appears next and it seemed to fix all of the major issues that plagues the original. I mean it went from a cheesy pop tune into something that’s more edgy. I mean it still has the cheap 9o’s sound too it, but it’s not all over and messy. The chorus still feels a bit too empty for me, but this was definitely a lot better than the original mix.
7. motto…
I’m pretty sure she’s doing something right with these latin tracks all over the place on the album. I initially thought that motto… was going to be more of a ballad, but I was happy that it was another latin-infused track. It once again shows how good of a singer Hitomi is compared to other artists that debuted, like Ayu.
8. SPLASH
The only B-side to make it on the album, SPLASH after “motto…” is a bit sketchy since they are so similar to one another, but I have to say that it still is a bit better than said song. The beginning is a little random, but the relaxing latin/dance tune is catchy and I love the solo parts with the guitar…it just makes the song sounds great. Once again, continuing to show her strong vocals in the song.
9. sugary
Kind of more aggressive sounding R&B track, sugary was one of the song I was not liking on this album. Actually, it’s even worse when I have to listen to it since it’s quite boring all-around and nothing to really come out of it. I do like how there’s a bit of electric guitar looming in the song, but other than that, it should’ve been left on “SHANTI”.
10. thanksful
What? thanksful? Is that even a real word. I doubt it so that right there was the first red flag. Luckily, it’s a really nice mid-tempo track. I love how the strings and synth open the track into a pretty cool sounding song. It might be a little draggy at some spots of the song, but I think this was a nice break from the latin tracks. Still the name of the song bothers me alot.
11. Zettai Ondo
Returning to our latin songs, Zettai Ondo sounds more serious than the previous tracks which is interesting. After a while it starts to get a little more energetic, but still is a more serious sounding latin track from her. Though now the problem is that she’s heavily shoving latin tracks on the album and they are harder to really differentiate from one another.
12. Thinking of you
Then again, her R&B tracks are also getting pretty stale as well. Thinking of you is another track that I kind of dislike because it sounds kind of disjointed at many places and just sounds like ideas were basically thrown in the song. I do like how Hitomi sings herself out in the verses more than normal. Still, I’m not a big fan of this song.
13. papillon (eastern butterfly)
As a bonus to the album, papillon (biggest song so far in her career), gets rearranged for the final track off the album. Instead if the futuristic tones “papillon” had. The song gets an Eastern flavor and sounds more traditional altogether. The vocals weren’t redone and that disappoints me, but the new arrangement is kind of cleaner and makes the song sound a bit further different than the original mix.
Tracks Recommended
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Fantasista
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papillon
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SPLASH
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thanksful
Well, on the debut side of things Hitomi debuted above average for me. Unlike a few other artists, the quality of the tracks was great on the most part, despite a few trip-ups on the R&B songs. Also, there was one too many latin tracks on the album which was hard to seperate which one was which. I still think she should’ve put “Eternity” and “Kaze no Machi” on the album, but whatever LOL. It’s an alright album
