Aya Kamiki – EVILÄLIVE March 9, 2011

Track Listing

1. EVILÄLIVE
2. crossover
3. one week
4. AGAIN
5. Aria
6. Japanese Rockin’ Girls
7. YELL

1. EVILÄLIVE

Beginning Aya’s mini, the title track is definitely true to its name when it’s supposed to sound evil and well…cool.  I actually really like this song for some reason.  It could be from the cool guitar riffs and/or Aya’s powerful singing.  This was definitely something I’ve wanted since she switched to avex since the stuff since has been kind of riding the safety wire.  Good start!

2. crossover

To me, crossover reminds me of songs that were off of “INDIVIDUAL EMOTION” since it’s more low-key and quieter than some of the other songs.  It’s alright, but there’s not much to really look at with this song, but Aya’s deeper vocals sound great for a style like this…I just wish there was more to remember this song by….Why does it remind me of DAI?

3. one week

If there’s anyone that missed her more Avril-like style she had during her GIZA days, one week will definitely remind you of what that was like.  It’s the shortest song on the album, but the positive light it has did its job by pulling out of the more serious songs earlier on.

4. AGAIN

I guess we go back down to more serious songs with AGAIN and to be honest, I don’t feel for the song much either since it’s slower and calls for Aya to be powerful through her vocals which isn’t bad, but we had that with “crossover”.  It might be nice to the Kamiki purists, but since I’m not, I can’t say it left a mark on me.

5. Aria

However, coming into Aria, I was really surprised that the song opened up like a synthy dance track, but quickly shifts over into one of the more exciting songs on the album next to “EVILÄLIVE”.  They even share some of the darker tones as well which makes this even cooler of a song to listen to.  I love this song right now!!!

6. Japanese Rockin’ Girls

Absurd title aside, if you wanted attitude from Ms. Kamiki, JR’G will definitely filled that role quite nicely.  While it doesn’t have the same drive a few other songs have, the attitude and power with the arrangements makes up for more than enough.  Good song and while it might not be the best, it’s damn good.

7. YELL

And closing the mini-album with a ballad, YELL reminded me of ikimono-gakari’s song, though this isn’t a cover….way too soon for that to be happening.  Anyways, YELL is probably Aya’s best ballad on the mini-album since there’s not really any focus on the electric guitars and such…but more with piano.  I thought she sung very well and closed this mini in a nice way.

I did like “Gloriosa” quite a bit here, but I still felt like she took it safe for that release.  EVILÄLIVE did a better job giving Aya hooks and some great arrangements this time around…but there’s a few slow songs that just lack the energy she used to have in them…either way, I’m not sure if she took it up a notch or just stayed, but I do like a few songs more here than on her last mini.

Aya Kamiki – Gloriosa August 15, 2010

Track Listing

1. Satisfaction
2. Revolver
3. Fly a way
4. Truth needs no colors
5. Lost in the world
6. just go my way
7. pop-eyed fish

1. Satisfaction

Starting things off, Satisfaction might be a surprise to some Kamiki fans since it starts up quite gloomy before you start hearing some guitars before it explodes with Aya singing the chorus.  The thing that makes Satisfaction stand out for me is that there’s some light middle-eastern kind of sound mixed with some beats.  It’s different but it does sound like it would lead up to “Revolver”.

2. Revolver

Being the only song known before this release, Revolver really blew up the era.  It’s pretty hard like her songs were in her GIZA days.  I mean since a lot of people compare her music like Avril’s, I can see where they’re coming from and it’s not so bad. 

3. Fly a way

Taking the fire out of “Revolver” and putting a little more synths in the song, Fly a way definitely seems more of a showcase for Aya’s vocals since I remember this song more for her loud and powerful singing moreso than any other track on the mini-album.   Otherwise, it does have a weak arrangement, but I really was paying attention more to Aya’s singing capabilities.

4. Truth needs no colors

Next song in and I’m kind of getting “INDIVIDUAL EMOTION” vibes from this song, but once again I feel the arrangement is cut back for Aya to shine more vocally and she pulled this off better since she has loud parts and she hits some rather high notes in the song.  It’s more of a great stand-out song off here so that’s good.

5. Lost in the world

Of all the songs off this mini-album, Lost in the world is probably my favorite out of the lot.  There’s just something that’s kind of interesting and it could be jungle-y sound I get from the song mixed with Aya’s smooth and striking vocals.  Maybe the chorus could’ve been a little more interesting but everything else made up for it and I couldn’t be anymore happier.

6. just go my way

Why is it that this title reminds me of FLOW’s “GO!” in the most ironic of ways?  I thought the song was pretty good since it’s faster and the chorus is a bit better sounded, but there’s something just plain about the song.  I mean if there was a song that sounds like it should have an anime tie-in, it would be this song easily. 

7. pop-eyed fish

Closing this mini-album, pop-eyed fish seems to be the oddball song simply just because of the title, but I liked this song too since Aya is showing a bit of attitude in the song and I’m impressed with addition of piano as well.  It made for a good closing and still shows off good vocals and a rather fun arrangement too.

 

 

As it’s Aya’s first mini-album under avex, I thought she had a much better set of songs than she did with “INDIVIDUAL EMOTION”.  Gloriosa’s reasoning that it’s better was the the arrangements weren’t as one-dimensional and Aya showed more progress with her vocals.  She can only get better from here I guess.

Aya Kamiki – Revolver July 9, 2010

Track Listing

1. Revolver
2. Infinity

1. Revolver

After having a rather good debut album with “INDIVIDUAL EMOTION”, Aya comes out with Revolver which is her first solo A-side under avex and I loved the power with Revolver.  I mean it does sound a bit like 90% of her stuff from her album which might turn some fans off, but on its own, Revolver is hard-hitting and yet light than I thought it’d be.  Good song overall for me.

2. Infinity

I was going to laugh hardcore if this was a GND cover to be honest.  Infinity actually sounds better than “Revolver” because it’s a bit more along what I’d listen to and the slight anime-ish feel kind of works for Kamiki.  Let’s just admit that the label change is definitely worth it for Aya eh?

 

 

As the lone single before the release of “Gloriosa”, Revolver (besides the epic cover) is pretty damn good.  Both songs sound serious, but not in the way that it would force that down our throats.  I do think Infinity is slightly better than Revolver but that’s just my opinion so hahaha it can be taken either way.  I hope “Gloriosa” will continue this trend of good rock songs.

Aya Kamiki – INDIVIDUAL EMOTION January 28, 2010

Track Listing

1. introduction ~INDIVIDUAL EMOTION~
2. The Light
3. TO-THE-ATTACK
4. EMPTY
5. Break my day
6. Dear my…
7. sokubaku LOVE
8. CLAP YOUR HANDS
9. 248 Mile
10. I wish in your dreams
11. W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~

1. introduction ~INDIVIDUAL EMOTION~

Aya’s album begins with a little intro that sounds pretty dark and cool.  While I’ve never really paid attention during her GIZA days, I can tell this album is going to be rockin’ because of this edgy opening.  Before it ends a robotic voice opens up the album.

2. The Light

The first new track and promotional tune, The Light opens up with a beautiful strings section before this anime-like arrangement comes in some cool electric guitars to boost things up.  I really do enjoy Aya’s vocals here as there just powerful.  I guess I do like the anime-like sound it has for me.

3. TO-THE-ATTACK

I think with a title like TO-THE-ATTACK, I was definitely wondering what we’d end up listening to and it’s a dark tune.  I kind of like the beat to the song and it reminds me of Nanase Aikawa’s songs because they both have a mix of rock and pop together.  It’s catchy, has a good riff going and shows off Aya nicely.

4. EMPTY

As we enter EMPTY we lose the more anime-like sound with a little more rocker Aya that we know and love with EMPTY.  She’s not sounding too bad here either with the arrangement.  It might not be that memorable of a tune, but it’s pretty strong.

5. Break my day

I kind of like the opening to Break my day because it’s not rock at first.  It’s got a synth opening and Aya singing the opening lines with this beat that comes in and out of the song.  Aya’s vocals are pretty amazing here and get even better when she fully comes into the song for the chorus.  It’s more of a rock ballad, but it came off quite nicely.

6. Dear my…

I guess we get another ballad but at least a formal one with just Aya and piano.  I kind of liked this song since we don’t have a lot of Aya ballads to begin with.  It does grow as time goes along adding more instruments and overall getting louder.  It’s pretty I can tell you that.

7. sokubaku LOVE

I find the opening to sokubaku LOVE to be really weird and kind of shady hahahah.  It’s kind of catchy because of the chorus where she’s kind of yelling throughout.  I love the random amounts of English used in the song for sure and it fits with her soulful vocals.  Another nice one from here.

8. CLAP YOUR HANDS

CLAP YOUR HANDS is such an exciting tune because it’s fun and exciting with a catchy hook.  I don’t know how to explain this in the context of the album, but so far this is her letting herself go and just having fun, which definitely is fitting for a title like CLAP YOUR HANDS.  I gotta say this might be my favorite song off the album.

9. 248 Mile

We back into more of a serious tone with 248 Mile which is nice and all but don’t we already have enough those songs beforehand?  I mean it’s kind of got me repeating what I already said like “her voice is nice” and “the song is pretty cool as a rock tune”.  Besides that, is there really anything else to say?  I don’t think so.

10. I wish in your dreams

The final new song off the album, I wish in your dreams is classified as rock ballad and it’s not that bad of a song.  It’s pretty relaxing to lsiten to since Aya is good in these kind of songs, emotional and nice to listen to. 

11. W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~

The only single released for the era, W-Boiled Extreme is actually more like the first few songs rather than the later songs so it comes as a surprise that Aya would decide to end the album with the Kamen Rider single.  Oddly enough it’s probably still one of the coolest songs off the album because of the rock/jazz arrangement and with TAKUYA together as well, they made a pretty kickass team.

Tracks Recommended

• W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~
• CLAP YOUR HANDS
• The Light
• Dear my…

Song of Avoidance

• 248 Mile

Aya’s debut under avex was surprisingly good.  I mean her GIZA works are pretty good don’t get me wrong, but this label change has probably done her good because this album is a good collection of rock tracks.  I can’t wait to hear more from Aya.

Aya Kamiki w TAKUYA – W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~ January 17, 2010

Track Listing

1. W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~
2. W-B-X Hard Boiled Jazz Edit.
3. W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~ -Instrumental-

1. W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~

So at least we took a break from GACKT with the Kamen singles, to listen to Aya’s first effort under avex.  Aya really impressed me with her smokier vocals and I love the fact the song has a mix of rock and pop and it doesn’t really shift Aya from her comfort zone when she was with GIZA.  It’s pretty cool to see that TAKUYA from JUDY AND MARY fame returned to music with Aya and he sounds pretty cool against Aya.  They actually sound great together as well…Pretty awesome debut song from Aya.

2. W.B.X Hard Boiled Jazz Edit.

Of course since this is a Kamen Rider single, this track is a full-on instrumental piece based off the melody of “W-Boiled Extreme”.  Just like the title suggests as well, it’s a jazzy edit so you’re going to get that chill feeling in the song and honestly it would’ve been great to see Aya and TAKUYA tackling this head on. 

 

 

Even though this will be the only single released for “INDIVIDUAL EMOTION”, it’s a pretty awesome single (even though there’s no B-side).  The song shows off Aya pretty nicely and with TAKUYA backing her up, there’s nothing that’s bad about the song.  The edit would’ve benefitted lyrics, but w/e.