Berryz Koubou – Otakebi Boy WAO!/Tomodachi wa Tomodachi Nanda! February 28, 2010

Track Listing

1. Otakebi Boy WAO!
2. Tomodachi wa Tomodachi Nanda!
3. Otakebi Boy WAO! (Instrumental)
4. Tomodachi wa Tomodachi Nanda! (Instrumental)

1. Otakebi Boy WAO!

Ahhh Otakebi Boy WAO! is surprisingly catchy right from the start.  I blame the fact that it’s because of the whole ~WAO!~.  Now I’m unsure who’s who even though I know Miyabi and Momoko since they are both in Buono!.  The other members are kind of hard to place names and faces to, but I think I also heard Yurina since she’s the deeper vocalist under Guardians 4.  I’m not entirely sure how the solo lines are spread but they are pretty equal throughout so that’s good.  I think the energy is definitely there and the girls are vocally really good.  Wow, nice song!

2. Tomodachi wa Tomodachi Nanda!

Compared to the primary A-side, TwTN is a little more mid-tempo, but it has this fun, outgoing arrangement that kind of fits.  Now the members are switching through each other, but I feel there’s not all the members are gettin their solos which I guess is meh, but I’ll live.  It’s cute and at points is catchy.  Not too shabby here as well.

 

 

Even though I only know 3/7th’s of the members, I think the final single for the “6th Otakebi Album” was quite strong and from what I’ve heard about the other singles it seems they are having the better songs that their sister group.  I’m kind of looking forward to the album once it releases!

ikimono-gakari – Nostalgia

Track Listing

1. Nostalgia
2. Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo
3. YELL -Gasshou Tsuki-
4. Nostalgia -instrumental-

1. Nostalgia

Wow, if “Cosmos” wasn’t enough, Nostalgia is also a re-arrangement from their debut mini-album, “Makoto ni Senetsu Nagara First Album wo Koshiraemashita…” and this is much like their previous releases in the way that it’s a ballad of sorts.  Though unlike those songs, Nostalgia sounds oddly strong for them because it isn’t as foreboding or as boring as the singles were.  Kiyoe’s vocals also sound a lot better as well since she isn’t straining too much. 

2. Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo

Kind of basking in the limelight of “Kimagure Romantic”, Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo has this very relaxing upbeat nature to counter “Nostalgia’s” more calm exterior and this song definitely worked itself up to me because it’s not boring nor it isn’t like too out of range for Kiyoe and of course there’s a harmonica present.  So far I’m liking this quite a bit more than “Nostalgia”.

3. YELL -Gasshou Tsuki-

It’s pretty cool to see that YELL gets somewhat rearranged as well on this single.  I’m not sure what it really means on the single, but I like the more live-like sound I get from the single.  It’s simpler overall and Kiyoe sounds nice otherwise so that’s a plus.  Near the end, there’s a choir added in the background to make it more broader than the original cut and I like this new addition.  Good job!

 

 

While I’m not fully sure that Nostalgia is a first in the era or just something to bridge the time gap before starting up one because of Nostalgia rearranged story.  I do like the single however and it does fix the things that “Hajimari no Uta’s” singles kind of lacked in and that’s music that isn’t half-assed or boring.  Hope we get more singles like this in future.

JUJU – Sakura Ame/READY FOR LOVE/S.H.E./Last Kiss February 26, 2010

Track Listing

1. Sakura Ame
2. READY FOR LOVE
3. S.H.E.
4. Last Kiss
5. Sakura Ame -Instrumental-

1. Sakura Ame

Wow, it’s rare to actually review a quad A-side single.  Sakura Ame kicks things off on a pretty mellow note with Sakura Ame.  Since JUJU is an R&B artist I’m not surprised that the first song was in that caliber.  It’s funny that it kind of reminds me of something Kana Nishino would pull off, but the most interesting aspect is that there’s sitar in some of the parts of the song.  Now JUJU’s vocals are nice, maybe a little airy at points, but she isn’t too bad. 

2. READY FOR LOVE

On the other side of the R&B spectrum, READY FOR LOVE is kind of upbeat and features a lot of synths.  The problem for me was the fact the rhythm of the song is a little wonky for me.  It doesn’t sound like it’s in 4/4 time which kind of took me on a ride.  It just seems like it was a try to make JUJU sound good, but the weird time signature mixed with a somewhat messy arrangement kind of turned me off. 

3. S.H.E.

The 3rd A-side, S.H.E. kind of moves things around for JUJU and it’s even more of a ballad than “Sakura Ame” which is a plus and I love the piano in this song a lot and fits JUJU’s vocals quite nicely.  After a little while it sort of becomes another R&B ballad, but it’s smooth and she sounds heavenly going through.  Very pretty song for sure!

4. Last Kiss

The last A-side and the only that won’t be on “JUJU”.  Last Kiss is actually a cover of BONNIE PINK’s 2004 single.  Compared to the other songs on the single, this was has a more pop/rock kind of sound to it which is a nice change on the single.  I also felt her vocals were the best in this song as well.  It’s sentimental and I thought JUJU did a great job covering Kaori’s song!

 

 

Ending the “JUJU” era, JUJU’s quad single was actually quite nice.  For me only knowing “Sunao ni Naretara” this single confimed that she’s a pretty good singer.  While it did start off shaky and kind of weak, by the time we got to Last Kiss, things just got better.  I’d say good job, since this single shows a good vocalist doing her thing.

Maria – WILL

Track Listing

1. Wasuretakunakute
2. Goin’ My Way
3. Getaway
4. D.I.T. (Album Version)
5. Arigatou…Gomen ne.
6. Oware Nai Natsu
7. Ai wo Sakebou
8. I hate you.
9. Crazy For You
10. Too Late
11. Dear My Sherry
12. Inori

1. Wasuretakunakute

Beginning the album with the final A-side released in the era, Wasuretakunakute came off pretty nicely on the single and between the singles it was taken as the normal mid-tempo guitar-based song.  I love the longing feeling of the song and whenever the guitar has it solos throughout.  Maria also sounds great here as well and her voice just radiates nicely with the song.

2. Goin’ My Way

As Maria’s 2nd A-side, this song is sort of like “Wasuretakunakute” in the way that it’s somewhat upbeat, but at the same time a little slower.  To be honest, it just screams YUI emo because of the more longing feeling here.  I don’t mind that at all, but it just feels rather mundane to listen to after listening to all of those YUI songs to begin with.  It’s alright for now.

3. Getaway

I think if this was changed a little bit for the album, I might’ve appreciated this a little more because the way song sounds is exactly YUI-like.  I mean it’s interesting that it’s a more darker song than the other 3 singles of the era.  I did like the chorus a lot more than usual since it’s so hard-hitting and such.  Good debut track if you ask me.

4. D.I.T. (Album Version)

Strange that the fun song of the era gets a tag like that!  Unlike the single cut of the song, D.I.T. opens up with people probably in the audience clapping and this epic guitar opening that follows soon after.  Though it’s not long before the main song opens up and to be honest nothing if at all anything changed besides the little introduction.  I commend Maria at trying something new and in this case it worked. 

5. Arigatou…Gomen ne.

Finally the first new song off the album, Arigatou…Gomen ne. marks the second ballad I’ve heard from her and she nailed it.  While it wasn’t particularly anything knew in the world of ballads, I liked her voice a lot in this song and it got harder and powerful in the chorus where so many instruments were included.  Definitely liking this song a lot from her.

6. Oware Nai Natsu

As the only B-side to make it on the album, Oware Nai Natsu sort of reminds me of a more relaxed version of “Wasuretakunakute” since it has this rather Western feel to it and some nice chords from the guitar.  Another ballad, it’s nice to listen, but on the album it kind of feels inferior to the last song. 

7. Ai wo Sakebou

Now the rest of the album is filled with new songs starting with Ai wo Sakebou.  Now this song does go back into the more upbeat acoustic arrangements and for right now it kind of is a little too shouty for me.  The thing that got me though was that there was a male backup singer, but for most of the song, Maria was belting a little too much and that made her sound offkey at points. 

8. I hate you.

I find that a song with such a negative title would be kind of messy.  Then again when you start the song using a fade-in is a pretty meh idea to begin with.  As such, I hate you. has a very dark atmosphere and it’s got this heavy beat.  I like whenever her vocals are muffled because it adds this pissed off atmosphere that I love.  Ok, this song definitely is one to listen to.

9. Crazy For You

Why does this song sound way too much like “Wasuretakunakute” and almost borderlining Country music at various points?  I can’t explain those, but I’m starting to think Maria wants to be a country artist especially with some of the other songs off the album.  It’s alright, but it needs time to grow on me.

10. Too Late

Going back to more laidback music, Too Late to me actually kind of too boring for me to listen to for some reason.  Like Maria’s vocals are nice, but the only redeeming quality is the keyboard found in the song.  Besides that, nothing really stood out since we’ve heard similar songs to begin with.  PASS!

11. Dear My Sherry

Finally something that got me back into finishing this review!  Dear My Sherry is probably her funnest song out of the new songs and it’s not a surprise because of the tempo and the excitement Maria has put in this song.  It might not be “D.I.T.”, but damn it’s got a live on its own and I enjoyed it very much. 

12. Inori

As the final song off the album, Inori is well a ballad of course and since it’s kind of like the other acoustic ballads, I was worried since the track record for the album is kind of not good.  Somehow though she pulls off another great ballad.  It does kind of borrows the same musical direction as “Arigatou…Gomen ne.”, but to be honest hearing the same amount of power through both songs doesn’t really bother me.  So all in all, I loved this track and did make for a good ending.

Tracks Recommended

• I hate you.
• Arigatou…Gomen ne.
• Wasuretakunakute
• Inori
• Dear My Sherry

Song of Avoidance

• Ai wo Sakebou

So Maria’s debut album wasn’t that bad, but I don’t think there was anything that just popped out for me like other debut albums.  I guess what I’m trying to say, she played it safe for her debut and that’s not a bad thing to do.  I can see her potentially pulling off an epic ballad since there was two here.  Something to work on I guess is to make herself stand out a little more.

Maria – D.I.T.

Track Listing

1. D.I.T.
2. Kaze, Tokidoki Yorimichi
3. D.I.T. (Backing Track)
4. Kaze, Tokidoki Yorimichi (Backing Track)

1. D.I.T.

If there was an A-side that made me giggle, Maria’s D.I.T. definitely did the job for sure.  Instead of the previous two songs where it was sounding maybe a little typical, this song flipped everything over and turned it funky (in a good way though).  Maria is still trying to find her voice, but she isn’t trying very hard so she’s pretty stable.  Overall, it’s a pretty good track.

2. Kaze, Tokidoki Yorimichi

The shortest song so far released, Kaze, Tokidoki Yorimichi is quite different from her previous B-side as it sounds rather laidback, but kind of catchy as well.  It’s got this feelgood upbeat feeling that’s going on and reminds me of those days where you’re just happy that you would end up singing along.  Nice little tune.

 

 

Maria’s 3rd single showed a lot of her colors and I was happy with what I got with this single.  She got down and funky with D.I.T. and the B-side was calm, collected, and just fun to listen to as well.  Probably the best single of the era IMO.

Maria – Goin’ My Way

Track Listing

1. Goin’ My Way
2. Oware Nai Natsu
3. Goin’ My Way (Backing Track)
4. Oware Nai Natsu (Backing Track)

1. Goin’ My Way

Compared to “Getaway”, Goin’ My Way is quite the opposite.  It’s definitely more acoustically driven.  She also has let go of her YUI vocals and sounds quite a bit better this time around.  Sadly, the chorus screams YUI since it’s a bit more mid-tempo this time around.  It’s not a bad song and I like the Americanized sound to it as well.  Pretty good…but I still prefer “Getaway”.

2. Oware Nai Natsu

While the previous B-side didn’t exactly made me excited, I think Oware Nai Natsu is pretty cool.  It’s even more slower than the A-side and has a lot more acousticness going on.  It’s mellow and it features the best vocal performance from Maria so far.  Makes a great song!

 

 

Maria’s 2nd single was definitely a step up from her debut single.  While, she doesn’t have the most strongest of arrangements, Goin’ My Way is pretty nice and is a smooth song while Oware Nai Natsu does give her a ballad under her belt and it wasn’t too bad!

Maria – Getaway February 25, 2010

Track Listing

1. Getaway
2. Somebody Star
3. Getaway (Backing Track)
4. Somebody Star (Backing Track)

1. Getaway

For someone to debut like the way Maria did, I kind of like the song she began her career.  The arrangement is of course rockish and the guitar sounds like something from YUI or Stereopony which is not a bad thing persay, but it’s far from being too original.  Though like I said in her 4th single, her voice is nice enough to stand out but there’s a certain YUI quality to it whenever she belts out.  Not bad IMO.

2. Somebody Star

Sadly, the B-side isn’t that much to gawk at.  While it is a little better musically it just seems Maria is channeling even more of YUI in the song and that’s where her vocals start to get somewhat hoarse because of it.  I guess it’s alright, but it isn’t as striking as “Getaway”.

 

 

Maria’s debut was alright like a bunch of others.  The problem came with the voice that was coming from like she was trying to imitate YUI (luckily that’s fixed for the later singles).  It’s alright coming from her, but I don’t it seems this was like the stepping stone for her to test the waters out.

Mano Erina – Haru no Arashi

Track Listing

1. Haru no Arashi
2. Hello! Esper! Hello!
3. Haru no Arashi (Instrumental)

1. Haru no Arashi

While Haru no Arashi at first sounded like it was going to start up like a ballad, the mood quickly changes into a synthy mid-tempo song.  I instantly though of Momosu’s “Shouganai Yume Oibito/Nanchatte Renai” since it’s got that same melancholic but danceable theme going.  It’s not a bad song since Manoeri’s vocals are getting better with each release, but damn…I just can’t stop thinking of the other similar songs to this.

2. Hello! Esper! Hello!

As for the B-side, Hello! Esper! Hello! is kind of the sickingly cute song that I try to stay away from.  I’ll admit it does stand out from what we usually here from Manoeri as it’s got rapping in it which is a little disturbing while the chorus is like =DDDD.  It’s like an amalgation of various H!P songs and some different ways to make cute stand out.  I’m not sure what I think bout this song.

 

 

Manoeri has been releasing somewhat good singles though after “Kono Mune no Tokimeki wo” I’ve been kind of worried about her.  Haru no Arashi is a pretty good A-side even though the music has somewhat changed around to where she sounds like she’s playing off Momosu’s recent synth-based songs.  Hello! Esper! Hello! though is just a little too freaky for me, and I think it’s because of the multitude of ideas in the song that kind of made it strange.  I guess it’s alright for now.

°C-ute – Shocking 5

Track Listing

1. EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!!
2. The Party!
3. Aa Koi
4. Bye Bye Bye!
5. Lonely girl’s night
6. Kimi no Senpou
7. SHOCK!
8. Shigatsu Sengen
9. “Zansho Omimai Moushiagemasu”
10. Yume ga Aru Kara
11. Shochuu Omimai Moushiagemasu (H22 Remix)

1. EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!!

To be honest, EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!! kind of ranks as the groups worst A-side of the era.  I mean compared to the other 3, this one just isn’t that amazing and kind of bored me even though we hear Airi and Maimi a lot during the song which is a plus.  It could be the arrangement that kind of bothers me the most since it’s so…iono rehashed I guess???  I don’t know but this was a bad way to begin the album.  It’s sad that this would be Erika Umeda’s last contribution with the group.

2. The Party!

I guess it did make a good song to go into The Party!.  While it isn’t overly peppy and makes me wanna cry, The Party! is actually a little more slower which is nice since we really hadn’t had a slow track for a while.   While no one has a solo in the song that really lasts too long, I think it’s alright for a mid-tempo track.

3. Aa Koi

I’m surprised that Airi gets basically 3 solo tracks.  I mean well…does “SHOCK!” count?  Aa Koi definitely reminds me of her works back with Buono! because of the overall rock arrangement found here and to be honest, it sounds really good.  I do like the freaky guitar chords in the song mixed with the space synths.  Ok, I like this Airi solo!

4. Bye Bye Bye!

As much as I have listened to Bye Bye Bye!, it finally caught on because it’s actually one of the more energetic songs off the album.  While it is the first A-side without Kanna, I think they did fine without her and this songs is pretty catchy.  The only problem would be the chorus where it’s just repetitive, but it’s still pretty good and we hear solos from most if not all of the members.

5. Lonely girl’s night

So, kind of like how “Aa Koi” was Airi’s solo song, Lonely girl’s night is Maimi’s solo song and in that retrospect, this is also a lot more mellow than her fellow members solo as well.  Oddly enough, the mellowness is kind of rubbing me the wrong way because this song just drags on most of the time.  Maimi is a good vocalist nonetheless and her voice did shine nicely here, but the arrangement could’ve had a little more spark to it.

6. Kimi no Senpou

Wait…there’s other girls in °C-ute besides Airi and Maimi?  I guess so because Mai, Chisato, and Saki get a song to themselves and I can see why they rarely get their own songs…maybe except Chisato.  Sadly, just like the last song it feels rather tacked on and doesn’t really have a life on its own besides the speaking parts which were funny but otherwise I wasn’t feeling this song. 

7. SHOCK!

It’s not surprising that many people were irked about SHOCK!.  I mean this could’ve been titled SHOCK! feat. the other 4 girls.  While this slight Arabian/007 feel was pretty cool for the group since the other songs are basically bubblegum idol pop.  SHOCK! gave them a needed slice across a new sound while maintining the idol feel as well.  I personally like the song despite the heavy amount of Airi lines in the song. 

8. Shigatsu Sengen

As the promotional song for the album, Shigatsu Sengen is another mellow tune, but with the entire group (that being the 5 girls by the way).  I kind of like the harmonica that was added to give this easy relaxing feel.  It’s also pretty good to hear other members get some solo lines as well.  Problem with this one is the vocally bad chorus where the girls try for high notes when some are pretty bad at doing that.  It’s alright, but nothing that’d make me listen to it again on a full listen.  Oh yeah…what’s with the speed change for the guitar solo?  WAY RANDOM °C-UTE!!!!

9. “Zansho Omimai Moushiagemasu”

So we get into Airi’s 2nd (or 3rd counting “SHOCK!”) solo.  It was surprising they chose to add the B-side from “Shochuu Omimai Moushiagemasu” to the album.  While most of the new tracks have been rather too mellow for me, Zansho is kind of getting the same way because when compared to the album there isn’t much that really stands out.  On the single I liked it because we haven’t had that in the era, but here it just seemed tacked on.  By itself it’s pretty good since Airi’s vocals are just right for the song, but after so many mellow tunes, I’m tired of it.

10. Yume ga Aru Kara

See what I mean?  Yume ga Aru Kara comes in as the last new track and it’s mellow…AGAIN!  I really was bored with this song because there just many problems.  There were no solos and it really showed how vocally scary the girls can get.  I’m sorry the song just didn’t do anything for me again.

11. Shochuu Omimai Moushiagemasu (H22 Remix)

Ending off the album is the 2nd A-side of the era, but it was remixed for the album.  This is the closest thing that would make me think the album was called Shocking 5.  Compared to the original’s pop cover, the remix is a mix of electronica and 8bit which was funny to listen to.  I mean the verses sound like something YMCK would’ve thought of while once the synths and dance beats are pretty cool, but the way it flowed was all over the place!  It definitely was one of those songs that would just make you 0.o.

Tracks Recommended

• SHOCK!
• Bye Bye Bye!
• Shochuu Omimai Moushiagemasu (H22 Remix)
• Aa Koi

Song of Avoidance

• Yume ga Aru Kara

I can see why not a lot of people have hopes Shocking 5 would do really well.  °C-ute really didn’t bring it, especially for an album aptly titled what it is.  The new tracks (besides Airi’s first solo and the remix) were definitely too boring to listen to.  I mean the only thing that was shocking was well the singles and Airi’s solo so besides that…what a bad album to get such a title!

Nami Tamaki – STEP February 24, 2010

Track Listing

1. GIVE ME UP
2. Friends!
3. Sayonara Shite Ageru
4. Uso
5. Kimi no Namida
6. Negai Hoshi
7. Zero no Sora
8. Moshimo Negai ga…
9. Omoide ni Negai no?
10. Happy Forever
11. in my life
12. Tokyo

1. GIVE ME UP

Well, I’ve actually grown to love the song since it was Nami’s first single under the new label.  To be honest it’s not far off from the stuff she released under SONY, just a little more upbeat and happy than normal.  Since it does sample an 80′s tune while majority is new stuff on Nami’s side she didn’t do too bad and it’s kind of innocent in a way that it makes me smile when I hear it.  I definitely think it was the best A-side of the era!

2. Friends!

Whenever I think of Friends!, I keep thinking of the dogzilla cover that made me lulz everytime.  While it retains that overall feel that “GIVE ME UP” carried, it’s just that it’s somewhat mundane when compared to previous releases.  Nami’s vocals have kind of gotten kind of boring, but I think it’s the mehness of the song itself.  It’s not bad, but it could be so much better.

3. Sayonara Shite Ageru

Our first new song, Sayonara Shite Ageru is definitely running the whole typical R&B mid-tempo shtick.  I think it’s somewhat dramatic which is a good thing.  Her voice might not be as exciting as it once used to be, but in this song it’s kind of nice but I miss the days where she’d yell to get by.  Srry Nami, this song is a little generic.

4. Uso

At least Uso is a tad more interesting because of the tempo boost which is good for sure.  Sadly, once again it comes across to me as being a lot more generic than “Sayonara Shite Ageru”.  The beat is kind of too familiar and this time Nami’s vocals are kind of off for me.  The only thing that might stand out are the strings, but besides that nothing is totally interesting.

5. Kimi no Namida

I like how this song starts up with a nice piano line like that.  Kimi no Namida has a pretty solid beat going and with the lonely piano in the background it’s kind of cool.  While it’s still in the realm of R&B-land, the song has a lot more synths involved as well which is a definite plus.  It might be so different that I might like this a lot.  Give it time.

6. Negai Hoshi

I guess it’s understandable that “Kimi no Namida” would sort of bridge the gap between the two songs.  To be honest, Negai Hoshi has the most electronic influences on the album and it couldn’t be stranger to see this song on the album period.  I really do like the song because it’s kind of a mix of what she used to be like and mixing it up with new producers and such.  Pretty special track hahaha.

7. Zero no Sora

When I first saw the tracklist, Zero no Sora really stood out to me from the new songs.  I was right because it’s really catchy and well different from other songs.  It’s got that same light that made me love her before and it’s great she hasn’t fully forgotten who she was before U-JAPAN.  It’s definitely one of the best tracks off the album and hopefully she can go back to songs like these.

8. Moshimo Negai ga…

As the 3rd A-side of the album, Moshimo Negai ga… isn’t the worst of the era, but it did show the slow change to her music which is a little unfortunate because it made me think that she really isn’t good for R&B (though she’s tested these waters as a SONY artist too).  I don’t know why but I do like Moshimo Negai ga… but not as much as “GIVE ME UP” or even “Zero no Sora”.

9. Omoide ni Naru no?

While this was released a week before this album, I thought Omoide ni Naru no? was definitely one of the top songs of the era.  I found this so much more memorable than “Moshimo Negai ga…” since it had a hook to it and since Jeff Miyahara was involved here it was no surprise that I ended up liking the song fully.  It’s got some emotional value and I like that in a song so it’s one of the best R&B songs she’s released.  Come on, even the ending was epic.

10. Happy Forever

With a song that sounds like something that could end an album, Happy Forever is not there which is strange and kind of makes me nod my head to the side since it’s after “Omoide ni Naru no?”.  Since it’s another B-side from “Friends!”, Happy Forever was me 2nd favorite off the single since it doesn’t try too hard to stand out, but it’s able to keep things fun and celebrational. 

11. in my life

However things come crashing down when we get into the one of the B-sides from “GIVE ME UP”.  I really wanna like the song because it’s an actual ballad and not these typical R&B hybrids that everyone seems to be whoring on recently.  It starts out nice enough, but her vocals are so damn bad in this song and it makes me wonder what the happened from “Winter Ballades” to get here.  Ok, I think it’s the worst song off teh album.

12. Tokyo

The final song off the album comes in and OK, it does make up for why “Happy Forever” wasn’t an album ender.  Nami is back to a more comfortable setting and since the song is still R&B/Pop whatever, it’s alright.  Nothing totally stands out in the song, but I guess it’s an alright ending.  I just wish there was some spark.

Tracks Recommended

• GIVE ME UP
• Omoide ni Naru no?
• Zero no Sora
• Kimi no Namida
• Negai Hoshi

Song of Avoidance

• in my life

To be blatantly honest, STEP is definitely on my shitlist and is Nami’s worst album so far.  While I do understand we’re dealing with a new Nami, is still shows that UNIVERSAL-J doesn’t have much hope for her because she used to be a anime superstar.  Even worse was they gave her some of the laziest arrangements in R&B that made me even madder.  If she wants to get her career back she’ll leave U-J for someone else or go back to SONY where she belongs.