Track Listing
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stereotype ~inst~
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Super Driver
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Sing a Song!
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OH! My Darlin’
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Kiss Me
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Mizu Tamari
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Ano Hana no You ni
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Aishite!
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VOXX
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Set me free
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LocK-oN
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Speed☆Star
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Unnamed world
1. stereotype ~inst~
We begin the album off with the opening track stereotype. At first, I was actually quite surprised with the electro-based arrangement, but Aya is actually not even in the song which is difficult to understand, but the countdown reminds me of how Perfume opened up there album. Strange, but you know it’s true.
2. Super Driver
Super Driver ended off this era on a very rockish note and I’m still loving the song after all that time passed. While the electro opening kind of creates friction between this song, I love the highly energetic rock sound coming from Aya. Also coming from her, is a pretty strong vocal performance and she pulls off this very well. Awesome song.
3. Sing a Song!
Coming from the first single of the era (I guess Namida NAMIDA Namida doesn’t count), Sing a Song! comes blaring in just as “Super Driver” did. While her vocals here are very reminescent to misono’s in a very disturbing way, I thought this was purely messy. I mean the melody to me just doesn’t seem to fit with all the chaos going on with the rock arrangement. I’m sorry but this was a pretty bad track.
4. OH! My Darlin’
Taking things down quite a bit, OH! My Darlin’ is a bit more laced with a pop/rock sound and Aya goes into her more girly voice. While I’m happy to not see this in every song that was mashed up in the front of her debut album. It’s relaxing and has a fun atmosphere to it so in other words I like it alot.
5. Kiss Me
Besides the opening, Kiss Me is the shortest song off the album and oddly enough it’s rock like the first two vocal tracks. The song seems to have been rushed and not finetuned like it should’ve been. For that, I’m not too big on this track.
6. Mizu Tamari
I like how quiet the opening for Mizu Tamari was with just quietly-played guitar and Aya singing the opening lines. It’s still relaxed, but it’s a tad more energetic then our last track so that’s good. I’m also hearing some synth usage as well in between choruses and such. Other than that there’s not too much that really sticks out, but it’s an alright listen.
7. Ano Hana no You ni
Hmmm, I wonder why so far this album has been on the rock side of things for the entire album so far. At the same time, Ano Hana no You ni is all about pop/rock and once again I’m liking what I’m hearing from both the producers and Aya’s vocals. They mesh nicely on this track and makes up for that last track quite nicely.
8. Aishite!
As the B-side from “Super Driver” Aishite! brings its joyous and exciting arrangement to the album and I thought it was perfect to have been put right here. It’s also exciting, but not messy which is another point added to this song. What seperates this from the other tracks was the addition of brass and some sparse English to make it more fun.
9. VOXX
One of the more edgier songs from the album, I loved VOXX’s more serious tone and Aya’s vocals are also sung more deeper than usual which surprised because she barely uses this voice. This is a different kind of rock and seriously stands from the album, even moreso being after “Aishite!” of all songs. Talk about wild differences huh?
10. Set me free
What started out this era, Set me free is probably the closest thing to have the most synths used. At this point of the album, this song just feels like filler material since everything before it were really great and this tune doesn’t bring much to the table except for its synths.
11. LocK-oN
Hmmm…we get another “VOXX” eh? LocK-oN shares the same angsty arrangement as said song, but this is the first time I’ve actually heard Aya under auto-tune and it works quite well enough since there’s a lot going for the song. I just wished the chorus was a little bit stronger since it’s a little repetitive to me. Still, this is another interesting song that surprised me after all that she’s released beforehand. Great track overall.
12. Speed☆Star
Just like the title track off her debut, the titular track here is actually quite bad. Aya seems a little too excited for this track and her voice doesn’t sound right IMO. Question is is why does Aya make her title tracks almost impossible to enjoy? I can see the energy she put in here, but it just isn’t that memorable.
13. Unnamed world
I guess, Unnamed world was the “official” first A-side of the era… I have to admit, I was so sad to not see this track on her first album, but thx to her label, they decided to throw this song on this album and I’m happy for it, but like I said before, If you haven’t heard this before you’ll probably be tired of the rock arrangement. For me, I already liked the song since listening to it on its single and I have to admit it’s placing to really help it, but makes for a good album finisher.
Tracks Recommended
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LocK-oN
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Aishite!
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Unnamed world
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Super Driver
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VOXX
Aya’s sophomore effort was definitely more appreciated by me than “RIOT GIRL”. Though the lack of diversity between the songs arrangements can make this album a rather difficult listen. About that, the new songs were good, but rather sameish but there were a few songs that got me for sure. I still think stereotype doesn’t fit with the album’s sound but w/e what could I do. Good album though.
