Aki Misato – Shugoshin PARADOX November 24, 2012

Track Listing

1. Shugoshin PARADOX
2. Dear my tears
3. Shugoshin PARADOX (Instrumental)
4. Dear my tears (Instrumental)

1. Shugoshin PARADOX

I kind of figured Aki would release a new mid-tempo and bright track with Shugoshun PARADOX.  I do like her soft vocals for some reason but the arrangement feels rather dated and a bit too slow in areas for me to keep my interest.  This is slightly better than her last A-side but it’s a small jump for me.

2. Dear my tears

The B-side of the single is also quite slow (even more than “Shugoshin PARADOX” which is a little disappointing but it’s whatever.  I do like some of the arrangement like the synths and acoustic guitar, but Aki’s airy vocals and tempo of the song managed to bored me as well…*yawn*

 

 

Aki’s third single is kind of a bust like her previous “Ai no Sei de Nemurenai” since both songs just seem a bit lifeless an Aki’s vocals aren’t really that exciting as well.  There’s just something about the single that screams lazy for me…

Aki Misato – Ai no Sei de Nemurenai September 5, 2012

Track Listing

1. Ai no Sei de Nemurenai
2. brilliant voice
3. Ai no Sei de Nemurenai (Instrumental)
4. brilliant voice (Instrumental)

1. Ai no Sei de Nemurenai

I think when I hear the terms anime song, this would be a part of the typical sound of what one would contain.  Ai no Sei de Nemurenai doesn’t really seem to be very impressive of a song because of it’s bland nature about it but Aki does seem to sing the tune well enough to make it escape pure boredom. 

2. brilliant voice

The same can be applied to the B-side single as well, but this has a bit more synth usage going on which might impress people but it’s definitely no “Defy Gravity”.  This kind of reminds me of songs from “from now on” since it’s cute and peppy but also a little bland too.  I kind of ended up liking it, but it’s still nothing to write home about.

 

 

It’s been quite a while since Aki released a single (she has released a lot of joint singles, but nothing solo since “Spread Wings”.  This single just came as a disappointment to me.  There really isn’t much good to write about the song beyond the fact they’re your run-of-the-mill anime tunes.  I did like brilliant voice a tad better than Ai no Sei de Nemurenai, but overall this was a weak single.

Aki Misato – My Honesty May 9, 2011

Track Listing

1. honest word, honest world
2. Cross Illusion
3. Saigo no Eden
4. Separating moment
5. Sayonara Kimi no Koe
6. Kiseki
7. once more again
8. Youdamari no Naka e
9. Shiawase wa Tsuki Yori Takaku
10. Akarui Koi no Uta
11. Wild succession
12. Bokura no Jiyuu
13. What a beautiful world

1. honest word, honest world

Opening the album up, honest word, honest world isn’t really all that exciting of a song to open the album right but I did find this quite soothing and cute for Aki which she has been off and on with especially in her previous era.  I like the piano and light jazzy feel I get with this song but this feels more more like a song to make closure, not the other way around.

2. Cross Illusion

As the 4th A-side released in the era, Cross Illusion was one of the great surprises Aki gave us in the era for sure.  I remember that at first the song starts off like a ballad with a piano solo.  However, once that passage is over with the song turns into this anime pop/synth/rock track that actually sounds almost amazing to listen to.  I loved Aki’s more whispery vocals as well since it fis the mood quite strongly.  Great song for sure ^_^

3. Saigo no Eden

Since this was on a joint single she did with JAM PROJECT’s Masaaki Endo, Saigo no Eden made it so that Aki had a pretty dark song on the album and while that might make it a bit of the random track on the album, it’s still pretty kickass with Aki giving another strong performance.  I’m not sure which song was better…this or the previous one….hmmmm

4. Separating moment

Back into some newer tracks, Separating moment marks the first true ballad of the album and like I’ve said before Aki and ballads don’t do well because she rarely has hooks nor her voice doesn’t suit it very well.  However, in the sense of Separating moment, she did very well with this one singing in her calm vocals and having a nice and light arrangement with piano and strings as the basis while other instruments act as background fodder.  It’s a really nice tune and makes up for some of the other blah songs.

5. Sayonara Kimi no Koe

Unfortunately I’m starting to get vibes that the new songs are all soft Aki songs to even out the energetic songs that were released beforehand.  I honestly felt that Sayonara Kimi no Koe would’ve been an epic song with how much it felt like it was going to explode into synths.  I mean it kind of does in the chorus where it’s more of a mid-tempo pop/rock track but it delves back to the ballad feel for the verses.  It’s not too bad and I might prefer this over to “Separating moment”.

6. Kiseki

I really didn’t like the fact she chose this B-side over “eternity ~Watching The Wheels~” because this song felt so much like her last era didn’t exactly make me enjoy it much but more ignore it.  It probably didn’t help that the beginning sounded like something from some old kids show or something.  As for the rest of the song, yeah feel-good pop song nothing new here and nothing that really stands out here cept maybe the odd notes Aki tries to hit in the chorus.  Meh…

7. once more again

If there’s a song that’s gonna slightly resemble “Saigo no Eden”, once more again might be the closest but it’s by a far margin since it’s more of a mid-tempo rock track than anything else.  Besides having a strong and steady beat from the drums, I don’t remember much about the song really….just that forgetful.

8. Youdamari no Naka e

As the album’s final new track, Youdamari no Naka e is another ballad on the album and it’s definitely not as strong or as powerful like “Separating moment”, but it does have its brownie points for being pure and quite calming to listen to.  It’s alright I guess, but I much prefer the track from earlier to this one.

9. Shiawase wa Tsuki Yori Takaku

The rest of the album is a bunch of older released songs starting with the 3rd A-side released in the era.  It’s not as strong as the other pre-released songs in the era, but I did enjoy this because it was the right amount of cute and energy that the song needed.  The chorus does bring some ick vocals from Aki, but she does a good job otherwise.  Not bad really.

10. Akarui Koi no Uta

I really wish she didn’t put the B-side after its fellow A-side once again.  Akarui Koi no Uta feels a lot like the previous song with the cutesy upbeat side going for it but there’s just something missing from the song that sort of turns me off.  Maybe I do enjoy it a little bit as well…but it feels like it belongs on her previous album more on this one (same with “Shiawase wa Tsuki Yori Takaku”.

11. Wild succession

As the era’s first A-side (and was released before her last album “from now on”).  It’s been a long, long time since I’ve went and listened to this song since I didn’t know it was going to make this album’s cut.  Back then, I wasn’t used to Aki doing these kind of songs but looking at it now, she sounds pretty good and the energy is still there but it’s still not like “Saigo no Eden” or even “Cross Illusion”.  It’s still a pretty strong song and it’s great to listen to it again ^_^

12. Bokura no Jiyuu

I do love Bokura no Jiyuu’s arrangement no doubt, but her vocals feel very weak on this song for some reason compared to the last few I’ve heard.  If it wasn’t so lobsided this would’ve been one of my favorites.  Don’t get wrong, I still do enjoy it but those vocals could’ve been resung at least IMO.

13. What a beautiful world

I was happy that after her last album, Aki cleaned up all the boring mess and released this song (which is the 2nd A-side of the era) but was quickly overshadowed by the later A-sides (and a couple of B-sides mind  you).  It still does sound nice after all this time, but like I said the other songs later released really did overshadow how much this song changed the game.

Tracks Recommended

• Cross Illusion
• Saigo no Eden
• Separating moment
• Wild succession
• Sayonara Kimi no Koe

Song of Avoidance

• Kiseki

After that boring mess from “from now on”, it’s good to see Aki back to some songs that actually aren’t a total snoozefest.  My Honesty does bring a lot of interesting styles to the album which is great and Aki sounds a lot more stronger as well…Though I will say that “Defy Gravity” and “eternity” should’ve been over Kiseki but that’s me.  Good album overall ^^

Aki Misato – Spread Wings May 2, 2011

Track Listing

1. Spread Wings
2. PARANoiA
3. Spread Wings (Off Vocal)
4. PARANoiA (Off Vocal)

1. Spread Wings

I’m not surprised that Aki would pull off another “Saigo no Eden” basically with Spread Wings.  It’s not actually a bad track since it’s all animu and all that with the synth rock arrangement and good vocals coming from Aki.  I kind of enjoyed it since the vocals are better than they were back in “Saigo no Tabi”, however that was a ballad and this is a mid-tempo track so it might not be fair.  Still, good song overall.

2. PARANoiA

As for the B-side, it’s a bit lighter and sounds like an ending theme to me with the breezier feel and acoustic take as well.  If it was me, this sounds like something that’d be found in the “from now on” era since it has that kind of happier feel.  I found it to be more unimpressive and boring after a while and although her vocals are sweet and simple, it didn’t save the track.

I know I haven’t reviewed “My Honesty” yet since it hasn’t leaked but this is actually the first single of the new era being as this was released a week after the album.  Spread Wings was actually not that bad of a song but it’s playing off a few songs from the last era, but it’s not bland to me.  It isn’t the same with PARANoiA since it was oddly light and upbeat and kind of lacking in the arrangement…ehhhh.

Aki Misato – Saigo no Tabi February 23, 2011

Track Listing

1. Saigo no Tabi
2. Lovers’ Sympathy
3. Saigo no Tabi (off vocal)
4. Lovers’ Sympathy (off vocal)

1. Saigo no Tabi

Well, I guess we needed another slow kind of track from Aki.  Saigo no Tabi sounds like a ballad I would’ve expected in her last era since there’s a lot of colors that are just similar to the previous era of singles.  However, her vocals seem to have gotten better after “Bokura na Jiyuu”…still I’m not a huge fan of her ballads.

2. Lovers’ Sympathy

Acting as the singles B-side, I was surprised we were getting a rather cute song from Aki.  I love the disco undertones with a slight Caribbean touch from the steel drums.  I actually have to admit, this song is fun to listen to and Aki’s vocals are so much more eventful than in “Saigo no Tabi”.

Finally closing the “My Honesty” era up, Saigo no Tabi is a bit of a switch where the A-side sounded much more bland than “Bokura na Jiyuu”.  However, the B-side made up for that slip up and since Aki albums usually add B-sides, it’ll be interesting what the tracklist will look like since the era has been a rollercoaster.

Aki Misato – Bokura no Jiyuu November 23, 2010

Track Listing

1. Bokura no Jiyuu
2. Kimi to Iru Kara
3. Bokura no Jiyuu (off vocal)
4. Kimi to Iru Kara (off vocal)

1. Bokura no Jiyuu

After the last few singles, Aki decided to go back to some of her pop/rock affiliated tracks and Bokura no Jiyuu is alright, but her voice to me doesn’t exactly fit the style.  They sound rather weaker than when she sings under the synths and such.  I did find it pretty exciting that that since this song is a whole lot more memorable than “What a beautiful world” was.

2. Kimi to Iru Kara

As for the B-side, Kimi to Iru Kara does have the same kind of style that “Bokura no Jiyuu” has, but slightly slower and a little more softer and catered for Aki’s vocals.  It’s alright, but totally forgettable at the end of the day, so it really didn’t stand out.

While I think Aki’s 5th era is coming to an end, Bokura no Jiyuu didn’t exactly surpass the last two singles + “Saigo no Eden”.  I did think that the A-side was pretty cool and much better than the A-side that began the era for sure, but Kimi to Iru Kara was kind of pulling us back into the last era with trying to be cute under that pop/rock style.  Let’s just hope the album’s songs aren’t like that.

Aki Misato & Masaaki Endo – Saigo no Eden/Seikai wo Yuku Kibou no Uta October 22, 2010

Track Listing

1. Saigo no Eden
2. Seikai wo Yuku Kibou no Uta
3. Saigo no Uta (off vocal)
4. Seikai wo Yuku Kibou no Uta (off vocal)

1. Saigo no Eden

Since this is a split single and all, I was wondering what we get since Aki’s last collaborative effort was kind of meh with Sena’s song being better and all.  With Saigo no Eden though it makes me wonder where and when did Aki get so good.  I love the whole gothic-like sound for it and the arrangement was really powerful and full of expressive strings and hard-hitting guitar riffs.  Once Aki comes in the song her voice fits snuggly with the edgy atmosphere that’s present and I loved it quite a lot.  Very sweet hitting song and continues this great line of A-sides

2. Seikai wo Yuku Kibou no Uta

Yes I did say that this was a joint single.  This time though this other A-side is sung by a dude!  More famously known as one of the members of JAM Project, Masaaki’s tune is unfortunately what I wasn’t expecting, but makes sense as a ballad.  It sounds more like the ending theme while Aki’s song is the opening and it makes better sense.  I did like that it grew into a powerful chorus, but Masaaki’s vocals have always bothered me and his yelling makes an appearance in a meh kind of way…

I really only reviewed this because Aki’s song is on this and one should know that Saigo no Eden could be on Aki’s 5th album for the most part.  I loved her track a lot and really shows a lot of power and force from her and I’m happy it’s being noticed now…(especially after “from now on” being such a bore).  Masaaki’s track was alright, but for me just wasn’t that good since I don’t really enjoy his vocals much anyways.

Aki Misato – Cross Illusion August 12, 2010

Track Listing

1. Cross Illusion
2. Defy Gravity (Not Found 2010)
3. Cross Illusion (off vocal)
4. Defy Gravity (Not Found 2010) (off vocal)

1. Cross Illusion

I’m surprised Cross Illusion would’ve started out with a solo strings line before getting into the main song which OMG is probably the best thing Aki has released since “UNLIMITED FIRE” which is great because this song a great anime feel to it and with the added electric guitar and dance beat, it’s great to hear Lantis give something out to Aki.  By the way, her vocals remind me a little of Ami’s vocals..but maybe a little higher.  Great A-side!

2. Defy Gravity (Not Found 2010)

As for the B-side, I wasn’t expecting Aki to have another energetic song, and even more surprising is the fact that it’s entirely better than “Cross Illusion” because it’s electro-pop in every direction.  It carries a lot of what the A-side had to offer, but this was longer and Aki sounds pretty damn amazing in the song.  If you don’t mind the more busier arrangement here, than you would agree this is a better song.

 

 

Three weeks after “Shiawase wa Tsuki Yori Takaku”. Cross Illusion gets released and trumps all her previous singles in one fall swoop.  Both are great tracks that are easily danceable too and I’m sensing that Lantis is finally giving her something exciting ^_^ 

Aki Misato – Shiawase wa Tsuki Yori Takaku July 31, 2010

Track Listing

1. Shiawase wa Tsuki Yori Takaku
2. Akarui Koi no Uta
3. Shiawase wa Tsuki Yori Takaku (off vocal)
4. Akarui Koi no Uta (off vocal)

1. Shiawase wa Tsuki Yori Takaku

At least we’re getting something that’s relatively exciting from Aki this time around?  It’s like she took her light-hearted sound during the “from now on” era and added a bit more oomph to it but not sacrificing her vocals.  It’s more upbeat, but retains the happy-go-lucky feeling for the most part.  I think she’s finally leaving her ugh fest behind her and finally getting some good stuff going.

2. Akarui Koi no Uta

Looking at the art cover for this single makes me want to think Aki was going to get uber cute for either the A-side or the B-side, but I’m so happy she didn’t go that direction because neither songs sound like that (well maybe a little bit.)  Akarui Koi no Uta is a little bit lighter than “Shiawase wa Tsuki Yori Takaku” in the way that the percussion is lighter and there’s more piano. 

 

 

I think so far this era has been really good for Aki (thank god, I can’t imagine going through another one like “from now on”).  Shiawase wa Tsuki Yori Takaku is pretty light-hearted for a single, but I didn’t mind it since there was effort put into doing these songs right.  Good job Aki!

Aki Misato – What a beautiful world May 19, 2010

Track Listing

1. What a beautiful world
2. eternity ~Watching The Wheels~
3. Kiseki
4. What a beautiful world (off vocal)
5. eternity ~Watching The Wheels~ (off vocal)
6. Kiseki (off vocal)

1. What a beautiful world

After such a boring album with “from now on” I was reading to drop Aki since she just didn’t excite me.  At least with What a beautiful world it seems we actually add some effort to her songs and she got right since it’s a pop/rock tune.  I do think the chorus is a little underwhelming, but it’s definitely better than her stuff in the last era.

2. eternity ~Watching The Wheels~ 

The first B-side was a surprise though because it sounds so different from anything she released in the last two eras.  The arrangement has this 90′s ethereal feel to it and while I’m not used to it, Aki sounds quite amazing in this song.   I don’t wanna say it’s a sad song, but it’s not a happy one either so that should tell ya something.  Not bad at all!

3. Kiseki

Unfortunately, Kiseki is one of those songs that do sound a whole lot like stuff in her last era and of course I’m not exactly fond of this song but I’ll admit that it’s rather catchy for what it is.  It could’ve had a little more spark to it, but for right now it’s alright as a B-side (though it’s more than likely gonna be on her next album either way).

 

 

Aki’s first (or second…Iono what’s the deal with “Wild succession”) was a nice single overall and loads better than the last few she pulled out.  I like the energy of the main track but the chorus wasn’t up to snuff.  eternity was a pretty great too and surprised it wasn’t the A-side.  Kiseki more or less what we’ve already heard from Aki.  Let’s see where she takes this era.