Crystal Kay – After Love -First Boyfriend- feat. KANAME (CHEMISTRY)/Girlfriend feat. BoA July 11, 2009

Track Listing

1. After Love -First Boyfriend- feat. KANAME (CHEMISTRY)
2. Girlfriend feat. BoA
3. Deatta Kiseki
4. After Love -First Boyfriend- (inst)
5. Girlfriend (inst)

1. After Love -First Boyfriend- feat. KANAME (CHEMISTRY)

So here we are with Crystal Kay’s new A-side which features KANAME from the duo group, CHEMISTRY.  Crystal really brings in the cute side with this track with a piano and some sparkiling sounds from, well whatever it is.  KANAME doesn’t really get much of a solo sound going and he’s mostly heard in the chorus which kind of shows where the teeter-totter is leaning.   It’s OK but I was hoping for something more.

2. Girlfriend feat. BoA

So if you follow BoA as well, you should know that they collaborated pretty recently with BoA’s last japanese single.  Unlike “UNIVERSE”, this is more catered to Kuri’s style and even though that’s true, I hear some similarities with BoA’s “Eien”….strange, but cool.  This track though sounds a bit more complex than “UNIVERSE” and that’s mainly why I think this track is a bit of a mess to me.  I mean it just doesn’t have that flair to it…but I’m guessing fans are gonna eat this up…

3. Deatta Kiseki

The only track that features Kuri by herself, Deatta Kiseki sounds quite depressing for sure.  The beginning with the descending minor piano line just screamed sad.  I do like Kuri right about when she enters the chorus, ugh I don’t like what they did to filter her voice like that, just should’ve kept it natural the entire time.  It’s better than I thought it would’ve been, but the extra filters, just doesn’t sound right.

 

 

So the only single to represent Kuri’s best-of album, After Love was alright, but it doesn’t beat out “Namida no Saki ni’s” single by a long shot.  They are nice tracks don’t get me wrong, but I wasn’t really feeling the single (probably because I’m not that big of a Crystal Kay fan).  I do like Kuri’s solo track though, that was a nice track, but the other two could’ve had more done to it to make it better.

Crystal Kay – Namida no Saki ni May 25, 2009

Track Listing

1. Namida no Saki ni
2. Girl Move On
3. Dream World (SOIDOG MIX)
4. Namida no Saki ni (SOIDOG MIX)
5. Namida no Saki ni (Instrumental)

1. Namida no Saki ni

I have to say the beginning part of this song is very epic especially by Kuri’s standards.  Now unlike “Shining” this was definitly an upgrade because of its more active sound.  I do hate the way she overslurs ~Winding Road~ because it’s just so slurrish.  Kuri sounds pretty good otherwise and give a nice upbeat song.

2. Girl Move On

Whenever I hear this song I get a nice latin feel to it and I quite like it when mixed with Kuri’s vocals which oddly fit very well with the latino beat going on.  It’s also pretty cool that she says stuff in Spanish as well giving an extra boost on the mysterious lyrics shot through the song.  Definitly a sweeet B-side.

3. Dream World (SOIDOG MIX)

I haven’t heard the original track from her last album, “ALL YOURS”, but if it’s good then this would’ve high-topped it as well because it’s got a nice a thick dance beat and synth that would make anyone happy.  Even though the bridge seems a little too subdued for me, Kuri got this remix right and the English lyrics that I heard were done very nicely and suited the more sexier vibe this song has.  Sweet remix.

4. Namida no Saki ni (SOIDOG MIX)

The same people who did the last remix also helped out for this singles remix.  It doesn’t have the same drive as “Dream World’s” was, so it’s a bit less liked, but I think the best of the remix is the chorus because they filled the more emptier spaces with once again a nice low synth groove which helped, but the verses were just too bare. 

 

 

Kuri’s first single of the “Color Change!” era actually was the best one out of two (the other being “ONE”).  Namida no Saki ni brought out fun and easy dancing on a single, but as a single it was very danceable from the latin flavored Girl Move On, to the SOIDOG remixes, it was a pretty cool single all around. 

Crystal Kay – Shining December 24, 2008

Track Listing

1. Shining
2. Snowflake
3. Happy 045 Xmas
4. No More Blue Christmas’
5. Shining (Jazztronik Remix)

1. Shining

Being the main promotional track, Shining represents winter, but somehow the song doesn’t exactly scream it.  It’s upbeat which is a nice change of pace, but they fact that most of the chorus has Crystal up in the higher register of notes is very distasteful and just annoying to no end.  Still, it isn’t as bad as you think because the dance beats are quite nice and once again the change from a normal ballad song is good.

2. Snowflake

Which is what is problematic here.  Snowflake is a ballad, but is it OMG boring thought.  The ballad formula is used here and really doesn’t help it out.  Crystal nice sounding as she is doesn’t seem to enjoy singing to this song, cuz it doesn’t exactly get interesting.  What a bad track.

3. Happy 045 Xmas

Definitly more spirited in the season than the last two songs, it begins with some jingle bells and then gets this strong R&B beat to it.  It’s nice that some of the song is in English which helps the song out, but what questions me is what the hell does “045″ mean in the first place?  It just kind of random singing it in the chorus. 

4. No More Blue Christmas’

Being a Natalie Cole cover makes the song more interesting because it also sets Crystal fully to sing the track completely in English.  I also agree that this track easily tops all the others on this mini-album.  It isn’t as boring as “Snowflake” and how Crystal shows her emotion is beautiful.  Strings though were pretty too.  Now this is a good Christmas song.

5. Shining (Jazztronik Remix)

I actually wished this version was on “Color Change!” because this had a pretty cool piano melody added in to make it more “jazzy” or more upbeat.  There were also synths present and at first they sounded out of place, they seem to eventually mesh in with the rest of the song. 

 

 

Releasing a winter-themed mini-album to start off the new era was risky and to be honest it didn’t seem too good.  Happy 045 Xmas + the last two tracks were pretty good.  Sadly both minus the remix were already well-known of before the release so that meant the new tracks were pretty poor.  Hopefully her next single will surprise me.

Crystal Kay – Color Change! August 7, 2008

Track Listing

1. Namida no Saki ni
2. ONE
3. Good Times
4. Help Me Out
5. ITOSHIIHITO
6. Kaerimichi
7. Toki no Kakera
8. TIME GOES BY
9. I Can’t Wait
10. Shining
11. It’s a crime
12. History

1. Namida no Saki ni

 I can’t tell it was supposed to be an angry or a happy track.  It’s definitly has a degree of coolness written off of it.  I know it’s the 1st single and all, but this was my first full listen to it and I quite enjoy the whole beat of it.  I am left making remarks like “Doesn’t this sound like Rihanna’s “Shut Up & Drive?”"

2. ONE

The final single comes next and goes into a R&B beat with snaps and smooth beats.  I still consider this a filler song because it just didn’t catch my attention.  The only thing I really liked is that the connection to Pokemon is relevant here.  I’ll just leave it as it is.

3. Good Times

Good Times it is for me.  It’s got a cool funky beat to it.  Crystal sounds so good here and harmonizes just so perfect with the overall sound.  The song just flows so well and sounds pretty awesome for the entire length.  She should have made this song a single.

4. Help Me Out

Still with the pretty cool beats, Help Me Out sounds like a more danceable “Good Times”.  It’s jsut got that sameness to it and for some reason, I’m not bothered by it at all.  Crystal sounds equally strong here as well, showing off a more friendly vibe.  Her English is as perfect as Utada’s.  They should duet.

5. ITOSHIIHITO

Now this is a R&B track, very obvious in sound, beat, and vocals.  The music is minimal in sound but Crystal is loud and very prominent.  The piano in the song sounds so good too.  The song however gets repetitive towards the end, saying the chorus that many times should be a crime.  Still, I’d rather have “Suki” rather than this.

6. Kaerimichi

The ballad comes in next and this song has some beautiful stuff going on.  Her voice, being so soothing then all powerful in the chorus.  The music has some underlying synths and some other synths and then strings.  This is way better than “Motherland” in quality and I’m so happy.

7. Toki no Kakera

Another ballad?  Actually this is ”Motherland” part 2 for me.  At least the chorus sounds good but there were  few questionable notes for her.  Then again, I’m not too fond of Crystal’s music so I’m not real surprised.  Toki no Kakera was a bust for me.

8. TIME GOES BY

Going back to the R&B sound, TIME GOES BY has a clapping sound and a descending synth line which made me move a little.  Crystal sounds pretty going through her lines.  It’s poppy and the interlude of the song was just awesome for me.  What a cool track.

9. I Can’t Wait

Whoa, finally some awesome tracks.  I Can’t Wait is how you would percieve Janet Jackson’s music.  Some force to an R&B sound and we get a cool track from Crystal.  It’s got some clapping beats also but, Crystal is showing some attitude.  Another great thing is that this track is mostly in English.  So it made me happy to listen to some work like this.

10. Shining

Shining is pop/dance track and it’s affectious organic sounds also helps it out.  Acoustic guitar plays along with the beats and it doesn’t get i the way from Crystal at all.  The chorus was somewhat boring because I thought there’d be a boom to it.  She does say the title at the end which was cool.  Oh yea, Crystal sounds sexii.

11. It’s a crime

Best song for a good reason.  It’s a dancebeat and a pretty hot dance track for one.  Second reason is that Crystal is on vocoder and it sounds great on here and there’s some layering too which is a good combination.  This is a full English track too which surprised that she’d do it for this song.  It reminds me of “Disturbia” by Rihanna and it’s shweet.

12. History

Wow, I love the beginning and then it leads to this cool chorus and overall sound.  The verses are lighter but I thought the percussion took over too much so I kind of lost points with it.  It did make a great album finisher with it’s catchiness and Crystal suttle voice.

Tracks Recommended

• It’s a crime
• Namida no Saki ni
• Kaerimichi
• Good Times
• TIME GOES BY

What a great overall album from Crystal Kay.  The album is definitly great for R&B lovers, even for casual listeners a lot of people will compare her to Rihanna and for good reason.  They’re both great.  Though many people are saying that this is album of the year, I highly doubt it…

 

Crystal Kay – ONE July 21, 2008

Track Listing

1. ONE
2. Suki
3. ONE with Pikachu & Shaymin (Pokemon Edition only)
4. ONE CORNELIUS REMIX
5. ONE DEXPISTOLS REMIX
6. ONE INSTRUMENTAL

1. ONE

A slow twinkly start that leads to an R&B track.  Crystal sounds pretty darn strong in the verses.  The chorus is a bit faster and she starts off, with some good English.  It isn’t “Motherland” but it still has a nice dance quality to it.  I just love Crystal’s smooth vocals.

2. Suki

~S.U.K.I, I don’t wanna say goodbye~ Is said 1st in this awesome dance track.  The chorus is simple but it just sounds so good.  The driving beat really is what makes the song stand out and IMO is better than “ONE”.  I love her husky voice though, it’s just what she needed for it.  One of the better B-sides of her career.  The heavier set sound honestly made it very memorable and its a cover of a DREAMS COME TRUE track which surprised me!

3. ONE with Pikachu & Shaymin

So if things couldn’t have gotten worse.  They added Shaymin and friggin Pikachu into the song to mix it up with Kuri.  Nothing about the song has changed persay, but the random pop up of both Pokemon really makes the song more bothersome than it is already.  At some points they “sing” with the song, but it just didn’t work at all!

3. ONE CORNELIUS REMIX

Ad-libs start off with this ballad remix.  I kinda finding the odd timing of the instruments very intriguing.  Then thats where things go wrong in the chorus, the odd timing throws me off from the song, and I had to stop to catch up with it. I hate this remix.

4. ONE DEXPISTOLS REMIX

Awesome synths are shot in this remix, and it’s so much better than the last track for sure.  It’s got a trance feel in it, which I have never heard in a Crystal Kay song yet.  I just love how the higher synths work with the lower synths so great. 

 

 

ONE was an internet single, before turning into a full single months later.  Even then it’s also got another side of the single where it’s used in the newest Pokemon movie.  However, it still wasn’t anything new, plus her album is coming out in a few weeks.  Suki, was a very good B-side and could hold its own as an A-side.  The remixes were either real good or real bad, sooo w/e and the Pokemon themed track did not make ONE any better IMO