GACKT – WHITE LOVERS -Shiawase na Toki- January 6, 2013

Track Listing

1. WHITE LOVERS -Shiawase na Toki-
2. ONE MORE KISS
3. WHITE LOVERS -Shiawase na Toki- (Instrumental)
4. ONE MORE KISS (Instrumental)

1. WHITE LOVERS -Shiawase na Toki-

So GACKT release a winter-themed song eh?  WHITE LOVERS kind of finally breaks from his heavy rock songs in place of a rather slower rock track.  Not that I don’t mind this because it sounds refreshing after the last couple of releases not going to lie.  The chorus is a tad weak, but nothing scary to listen to do.  It’s a pretty decent track overall and kind of lies in the better side of the singles of this cureent album era.

2. ONE MORE KISS

I initially thought ONE MORE KISS was GACKT’s take on that YFC track, “LAST KISS” but luckily I was proven wrong.  This song starts out like a ballad, but then quickly moves right into a more energetic rock track befitting of him.  I actually enjoyed this more than “WHITE LOVERS” because the melody is really good and GACKT gave a pretty strong performance.  I prefer this track by a longshot.

 

 

It’s getting to the point where GACKT is just going to end up releasing another “RE:BORN” with how many singles he’s released since then.  His winter single, WHITE LOVERS is one of the better singles he’s releasing in recent times with the leading track being a nice, little sentimental tune and ONE MORE KISS being a lot more stronger and memorable of a song.  Good single overall ^^

GACKT – HAKURO October 11, 2012

Track Listing

1. HAKURO
2. Jounetsu no Inazuma
3. HAKURO (Instrumental)
4. Jounetsu no Inazuma (Instrumental)

1. HAKURO

Hey, remember his A-side, “Returner ~Yami no Shuuen~”?  Well HAKURO sounds just like it except this leaned more towards a ballad but the chorus is dramatic and just trying to be epic and full of Japanese instruments.  I’m slightly disappointed with this song because we’ve pretty much heard this before, but after the last couple of singles, this kind of brings GACKT back to more of an epic setting.  I actually find GACKT himself to be vocally better and doesn’t overkill on the vibrato (which he’s done a lot of in recent times).  The song isn’t bad, but if you’ve heard the mentined track above, then this is pretty much bland…but if you haven’t then it’s kind of good. 

2. Jounetsu no Inazuma

The B-side though makes up for the blandness from the A-side by being a little more synth-friendly and upbeat.  I like the energy from the song and GACKT sounds a bit more edgy with his vocals which is pretty sweet to hear!  It’s a pretty quick-paced tune all the way through and that’s good, but I feel like the arrangement could’ve ised a little more bass (to make it feel fuller). 

 

 

As this is the 5th single (6th if we’re counting “Setsugekka/ZAN”), I think I’m at the point where I just want an album from GACKT.  HAKURO is an alright single for the most part since both songs are pretty likeable.  HAKURO does sound like a slower “Returner” but it can still be pretty good.  I preferred Jounetsu no Inazuma more but it needs more of a spine in the arrangement….I wonder what’s next.

GACKT – UNTIL THE LAST DAY February 23, 2012

Track Listing

1. UNTIL THE LAST DAY
2. UNTIL THE LAST DAY (D.A. Edit)
3. UNTIL THE LAST DAY (Instrumental)

1. UNTIL THE LAST DAY

A new single from GACKT eh?  Well, with UNTIL THE LAST DAY we get the darker rock sound we’ve been missing from him for a while and I actually enjoyed this song because he sounds a little different from “Graffiti” actually…a bit more controlled and relaxed I guess?  Then again this sounds like it could’ve been tied to Kamen Rider given it’s arrangement and such.  Not bad, not bad…probably his best A-side since “Setsugekka/ZAN” to be honest.

2. UNTIL THE LAST DAY (D.A. Edit)

I guess I should mention this track, but it’s almost near to an instrumental without being it (since there’s one as the third track and all) but I had to mention it otherwise.  The big difference is that GACKT’s character in Dragon Age speaks over the arrangement of the song…that is all there is to it. 

 

 

GACKT hasn’t really surprised a lot in this era so far, but UNTIL THE LAST DAY was actually not that bad of a song.  I mean it’s got that great dark rock sound that I enjoy like in “Redemption” and all that but at the same time as a whole this single is a little disappointing since there’s nothing else remarkable about it.  I mean a GACKT voiceover the instrumental is weak…Album soon I hope?

GACKT – Graffiti November 29, 2011

Track Listing

1. Graffiti
2. Ikitoshi Ikeru Subete ni Tsugu
3. Graffiti (instrumental)
4. Ikitoshi Ikeru Subete ni Tsugu (instrumental)

1. Graffiti

When I first started up Graffiti, I was surprised that I kind of got dejavu moments back to “EVER” with the furious arrangement and aggressive drumming going on.  Altogether the song sounds quite good and powerful but the chorus is a little disappointing since it kind of doesn’t seem explosive like the rest of the tune.  Still I can actually remember this song so much more than “Episode.0″.

2. Ikitoshi Ikeru Subete ni Tsugu

The B-sides is interesting since it was used as a character song in “SKET DANCE”.  Ikitoshi Ikeru Subete ni Tsugu is harder hitting than “Graffiti” which is great because it’s been a while since we’ve heard something at this calibur.  I’m loving this song quite a bit and GACKT tries hard to sound edgy as well and it worked with little problems.  Even the verses were awesome!  This is the more preferred song for me.

 

 

GACKT is suddenly becoming busy again with his solo works and YFCz.  With Graffiti, he tries to slowly get back to some straightforward rock and it worked for the most part.  The A-side was pretty good until the depressing chorus kicked in…other than that it was pretty solid.  Ikitoshi Ikeru Subete ni Tsugu though was just what we needed from GACKT after some rather disappointing songs in the last couple of singles.  All in all, this was much better tha his last single that’s for sure!

GACKT – Episode.0 July 13, 2011

Track Listing

1. Episode.0
2. Paranoid Doll
3. Episode.0 (Instrumental)
4. Paranoid Doll (Instrumental)

1. Episode.0

It’s been a while, but I feel like GACKT has never left.  Episode.0 sounds pretty damn epic of a song since it’s got this longing kind of feeling mixed with a mid-tempo rock arrangement.  So it’s not like “EVER” or even “ZAN” for that matter but slowing things down slightly is not a terrible thing either and I think it sounds pretty cool and epic from GACKT…though he might wanna tone down on his vibrato a bit…kind of is a bit much places.

2. Paranoid Doll

I’m not sure what’s with all of the hub-bub of Paranoid Doll besides the fact that it and “Episode.0″ were winners of a contest held on Nico Nico Douga with how users that use Gackpoid to create a song.  I found this was a pretty interesting concept and I actually prefer Paranoid Doll to the A-side.  I don’t really know why, but I think I fell in love with GACKT’s vocals more than the last track and the arrangement has a bit more spice to it I think.  Good song though.

 

 

It’s strange to think that in the last two years GACKT was a release hound and now, it’s just even strange that it’s been almost a full year since he’s release his last single, “EVER”.  Episode.0 is a nice comeback even though the single was made from a contest of Gackpoid songs.  I wonder if the originals are somewhere on the interwebs…Anyways Good songs, not too amazing like a couple of his last ones but this is an alright single ^_^

GACKT – EVER July 28, 2010

Track Listing

1. EVER
2. UNCONTROL ♂Kyoukiranbu edition♂
3. EVER (Instrumental)
4. UNCONTROL ♂Kyoukiranbu edition♂ (Instrumental)

1. EVER

While in recent times GACKT has been experimenting around with new ideas, EVER seems to go back to his rock roots and I couldn’t be any happier because his vocals sounds more alive and not as deep as they used to be in the “RE:BORN” era.  The only thing I can really bag the song is the absurd amount of drumming in the chorus, it just annoys me to no end for some reason.  Besides that, I do like the song and good way to start off his avex career.

2. UNCONTROL ♂Kyoukiranbu edition♂

While this song isn’t new, (this version is also found on his “ARE YOU “FRIED CHICKENz”??” compilation album), UNCONTROL gets a new version and since it is just as hard and in your face as “EVER”, the only difference is that this has a trance-ish sound to it and GACKT’s voice is heavily filtered and auto-tuned.  I know the original wasn’t like this but hearing this side of him this time just doesn’t like what he did with “GHOST” and “Dybbuk” previous.

 

 

While technically not his avex debut (Journey through the Decade, anyone?) EVER isn’t that bad of a first single for GACKT.  While I do prefer “Setsugekka/ZAN” a bit more, but I like this song so it might be playing a while for me.  UNCONTROL’s new version is going to make some jaws drop at how energetic it is, but for me, I think it’s a little much for me.

GACKT – Stay the Ride Alive December 29, 2009

Track Listing

1. Stay the Ride Alive
2. Stay the Ride Alive (Classic Edit)
3. Stay the Ride Alive (Instrumental)

1. Stay the Ride Alive

Why is that I found myself really liking Stay the Ride Alive a lot?  Being another one of those Kamen Rider songs, I was happily enjoying this a whole lot more than that last release “The Next Decade”.  This song just feels epic and GACKT’s vocals are pretty radiant with the heavily string/guitar based arrangement.  Pretty good song overall

2. Stay the Ride Alive (Classic Edit)

Yes, by now everyone should know that Kamen Rider singles never have true B-sides, all they have are instrumentals based on the main song and that’s the case once again here with Stay the Ride Alive.  Now, it’s a classical rearrangement filled with horns, strings, and piano.  It actually reminds me of KH music, but it could just be me. 

 

 

Seems like GACKT is getting back to releasing solid music especially with “Setsugekka -The end of silence-/ZAN” and then this was great.  Even though Kamen Rider is avex owned and even the single is avex-made which means that it won’t be making its way onto a GACKT album anytime soon.  Still, maybe since it is the 3rd Kamen single, we might get something out of this in an album, but I wouldnt hold my hopes high for that.  Stay the Ride Alive is my favorite within those 3 singles, it just sounded great. OH YEA HOORAY FIRST 2010 RELEASE, REVIEWED!

GACKT – RE:BORN December 8, 2009

Track Listing

1. Jesus -ЯR II ver.-
2. Suddenly
3. No Reason -ЯR II ver.-
4. In Flames
5. Sayonara -ЯR II ver.-
6. GHOST
7. Blue Lagoon ~Shinkai~
8. Oblivious ~Kao ni Nai Tenshi~
9. My Father’s Day
10. Koakuma Heaven
11. Faraway ~Hoshi ni Negai wo~
12. Flower ~ЯR II ver.-
13. LOST ANGELS

CD2

1. RE:BORN “ZERO’S MAIL”

1. Jesus -ЯR II ver.-

While it is the first single of the era, Jesus was touched upon on this album and since it is the only single with his normal “Gackt” name pinned to it, I was wondering what changed about it.  Jesus was surprisingly hardcore when I first heard it last year when it was first released.  I love the energy and since it’s a new version, the only thing that was added was an extended ending which felt like something that would end a tour performance or something.  Still a great track after all this time.

2. Suddenly

I still don’t know if I really like Suddenly since the “LOST ANGELS” single, so w/e.  It tones things down after “Jesus” that’s for sure, but there’s just something that isn’t really eye-opening or even interesting here.  It probably was because of his monotone vocals here that didn’t work for me.

3. No Reason -ЯR II ver.-

Why did No Reason get the new version huh?  Well not really, it just had a small extended opening.  Also found on “LOST ANGELS”, I thought this track did a way better job than “Suddenly”.  The aggressive guitar riffs and GACKT’s more echoey vocals worked better and at points it reminded me of “BLACK STONE”.  It’s interesting nonetheless and has gotten better with each listen.

4. In Flames

One of the best B-sides of the era, In Flames is a great song and I’m happy he included the song for the album.  I’m not sure that placing it right after “No Reason” was the smartest idea, but whatever, this creepy song is amazing and GACKT’s vocals are stronger. 

5. Sayonara -ЯR II ver.-

So we get a rearrangement of a song that was rearranged to begin with???…Confusing right?  Well, the 3rd version of Sayonara has a long opening which explains the extra minute.  It just sounds like GACKT was walking and opening a door that leads into this song.  It is the only track that didn’t originate in the era so I thought that was cool, but did we really need this track, even though it’s a pretty ballad especially when the strings come up.

6. GHOST

GHOST definitely does not belong on this album period LOL.  Between this and “Koakuma Heaven” they both have a strong electronica feeling and like I said kind of doesn’t fit on RE:BORN.  I’ll admit, GHOST is one of my favorite songs released this year.  It’s got a great feel and with GACKT under vocoder, it just totally made the song epic.  I wish they’d give this song another verse because it felt short and too much in the instrumentation.

7. Blue Lagoon ~Shinkai~

As the fellow B-side to “GHOST”, Blue Lagoon felt like it would’ve been great to listen to after “In Flames”.  It carries a little bit of synths in the song, but it feels like a great mixture of GACKT and his wild vocals.  It’s a little weaker than other B-sides, but it’s not too bad.

8. Oblivious ~Kao ni Nai Tenshi~

While “Faraway” was the worst single released in the era, I liked Oblivious.  It was a bit different than what he released in the era at the time and acoustic/epic chorus definitely worked for me.  There were times that his vibrato was rubbing me the wrong way but it’s oddly enough one of the better ballads.

9. My Father’s Day

One of the B-sides I was pretty happy with, My Father’s Day sounded great with it’s edgy rock form and GACKT sang it well, except for his accent in English was quite off.  The whole ~thank you, daddy~ at the end was/is still a little strange, but I guess it was a nod to Ken Ogata…one of the stranger things GACKT has done in his career.

10. Koakuma Heaven

Like I said on “GHOST”, Koakuma Heaven really doesn’t fit on this album.  This time though, it’s the lyrics and pure randomness this song is.  I mean even hardcore GACKT fans would probably agree that this song came out of left field.  It’s got GACKT heavily on both auto-tune and vocoder which is weird, but the arrangement is chaotic.  It’s a pretty good song, but it still makes me go 0.o

11. Faraway ~Hoshi ni Negai wo~

Honestly, I don’t like this song for some reason.  It might because of the heavy mix of acoustic and rock altogether.  Or it could be GACKT’s vocals as well.  I swear there’s something in the song that just turns me off, but the clapping is quite cool.  Not much else to say here.

12. Flower -ЯR II ver.-

Flower also got to have a new opening, sadly I don’t know what GACKT is saying, so the new beginning just flies over my head.  The acoustic background is nice though.  It’s got a strong rock feeling, but by this point in the album, I’m already getting tired of the similar songs here.  It did wake me up after “Faraway” so I can give props to that right?

13. LOST ANGELS

Ending the album off awesomely, LOST ANGELS was probably the 3rd best song of the era.  It’s really beautiful and makes a great album ender.  IMO, this should’ve been the FFXIII tie-in song because it just feels and makes more sense than “Kimi ga Iru Kara”.  Best guitar solos are found here and GACKT sounds amazing in the verses.

CD2

1. RE:BORN “ZERO’S MAIL”

While I didn’t download this, it’s just a story with GACKT, Nana Mizuki, and another guy whose name I can’t remember.  When I looked at it, the story lines with up as 25 tracks which is hellishly crazy.  Maybe someone can tell me what’s the story about or something?

Tracks Recommended

• GHOST
• Jesus -ЯR II ver.-
• LOST ANGELS
• In Flames
• Koakuma Heaven

Song of Avoidance

• Faraway ~Hoshi ni Negai wo~

GACKT should HAVE NOT done that 4 singles parade.  It seems that the 4 singles were a mixed bag of good and bad while the main singles were quite awesome.  I can only wonder if the previous 3 singles, “REDEMPTION”, “No ni Saku Hana You ni”, and “RETURNER ~Yami no Shuuen~ will ever get to be on an album, but RE:BORN is alright if you come in thinking that the four singles in 4 weeks didn’t happen LOL

GACKT – Setsugekka -The end of silence-/ZAN December 6, 2009

Track Listing

1. Setsugekka -The end of silence-
2. ZAN
3. Setsugekka -The end of silence- (Instrumental)
4. ZAN (Instrumental)

1. Setsugekka -The end of silence-

I know GACKT has his good and bad in ballads and recently he’s not been doing so hot.  Setsugekka is luckily not one of the bad ones this time around.  His voice fits nicely in the sparse arrangement and since it’s soft and has the epic touch, I’d have to say it’s quite cool.  The chorus though is loud and powerful.  The only problem is that the song is long.  At almost 7 minutes in length, it makes me wonder how can someone keep themselves paying attention.

2. ZAN

However, ZAN is a little shorter like 5 minutes long.  If you were a big fan of “RETURNER ~Yami no Shuuen~” & “Jesus” this is your song.  It feels like an epic mix of both.  There’s just so much going on in this song.  There’s a lot of epic parts here and whenever the shakuhachi returns, it’s just the icing on the cake that brings the song altogether.  Definitely one of the more edgier songs that was released this year and I like it.

 

 

Since I guess this is the first single of the new era, Setsugekka -The end of silence-/ZAN is a great way to kick things off after such a long era on “RE:BORN”.  Setsugekka is a really nice ballad despite the length of the song.  ZAN though was just epic, I haven’t heard GACKT being epic since…….”GHOST”.  Still great single ^_^

GACKT – The Next Decade August 11, 2009

Track Listing

1. The Next Decade
2. T.N.D Orchestra Attack Ride
3. The Next Decade (instrumental)

1. The Next Decade

Another single?  Is GACKT ever going to release his long-awaited album?  Anyways, The Next Decade is a lot like his last Kamen Rider single, “Journey through the Decade” besides the familiarity of the titles.  They both also have a harder rock sound than previous recent entries.  GACKT is doing a better job in the vocals as well and having some BKGD support doesn’t hurt the song a bit.  The only thing that bothered me was the times in the chorus where he says ~the next decade~ and it just doesn’t sound right at all, but this is way better than “Journey through the Decade”.

2. T.N.D Orchestra Attack Ride

Like the other Kamen Rider single, The Next Decade gets an orchestral piece to make it more epic sounding and it works because while it does leave out GACKT, the melody of the song is still there and it sounds really good as an orchestral piece altogether.  I wonder if they did use this for the movie as well, because it’s really good….though GACKT not being in it, once again is disappointing, but I think he would’ve brought this down if he was.

 

 

Ok GACKT, it’s been way to long since your album and we need it badly.  The Next Decade might not be as powerful as the other singles of the era, but it’s not a bad track at all.  The Next Decade could be one of the better rock-affiliated tracks he’s had and the orchestral piece was amazing.  Ok, altogether, it’s better than his first Kamen single by a long shot.