ICONIQ – Light Ahead September 15, 2010

Track Listing

1. Girl Power
2. TOKYO LADY
3. Change Myself
4. Light Ahead
5. I.D feat. VERBAL
6. Kiss & Cry
7. BYE NOW!

1. Girl Power

I love how Girl Power opens, it’s so random and out of line, but it was damn cool.  Anyways, beginning this mini-album, Girl Power is nothing we haven’t already heard from ICONIQ on the last album but I love the amount of synths available and I like that some of the parts have auto-tune on her vocals and it stood out a bit more.  It’s a great start to the mini.

2. TOKYO LADY

Since it was released as the era’s lone single, TOKYO LADY kind of seems a bit underwhelming coming right after “Girl Power” since it’s a bit slower and the arrangement is a bit more emptier but it tries to pull off the same feelings that the last song did and I like the former better.  It just kind of failed.

3. Change Myself

Then things get weirder when you look at the tracklist and you see three songs that were from her “CHANGE MYSELF” album and it’s like wtf are they doing here.  Change Myself is kind of like the last song which isn’t surprising but I remember liking this on the album more than on here so it’s probably my lack of attention that’s pulling me away from this song on this album.

4. Light Ahead

Being the title track and the second of three new songs, Light Ahead feels like they took the heavy beat out of “TOKYO LADY” and just made a new melody out of it.  Even ICONIQ’s vocals are still slightly digitized which is starting to bother me a little bit on the mini-album.  It kind of repeats a bit too much, but it’s a nice little tune otherwise.  So it seems also that it was resung since the PV was leaked and yeah, this is a bit more weaker than the PV’s version.

5. I.D feat. VERBAL

Of the songs she pulled out of “CHANGE MYSELF”, I.D wasn’t a surprise because it’s hear to add nothing to the mini-album because it’s not as energetic like the other songs she pulled.  I guess she sings pretty fast which is a good change, but the arrangement feels like the same smooth synth style that’s been going on for the mini-album.  VERBAL’s rap isn’t that bad, but once again he always sounds bored shooting his lyrics out like that.  Not bad and I still like the song as much as I did.

6. Kiss & Cry

Damn, I was hoping that ICONIQ was going to cover Hikki’s tune XD.  Out of all the songs on the album, Kiss & Cry stands out the most because it’s got energy and nothing of this blah synth style.  There’s some different synths involved here and it actually feels like something that I would listen to since it’s the most upbeat of the new songs.  Catchy little tune.

7. BYE NOW!

Ending off the mini-album, BYE NOW! is easily my favorite of the mini-album (even though it was released already >.>).  It’s the closest thing to feature some actual instruments like acoustic guitar.  It’s also mixed with some bubbly sounds and some synths and I think ICONIQ’s vocals sound right because it’s not terribly digitized as much as in other songs. 

 

 

Oh boy how things fall quickly for ICONIQ.  I thought “CHANGE MYSELF” was a breath of fresh air, but Light Ahead just seemed to bore me alot.  Even then, adding three old (and already on an album) songs was just a poor decision on her staff.  I would’ve been just fine with the three new songs and TOKYO LADY.  Then again half of the new songs are worth listening to, the other two kind are boring as well.  I think she needs new stuff before she falls hard.

ICONIQ – TOKYO LADY August 9, 2010

Track Listing

1. TOKYO LADY
2. TOKYO LADY (Instrumental)

1. TOKYO LADY

I think ICONIQ should stay to this kind of slighty electro side for a while clearly because she sounds good in the style.  TOKYO LADY is like a lighter sounding “Crystal Girl”, but she keeps her singing quite consistent and sounds good in the verses moreso than the chorus.  I love the persistent beat to, it gives it a stronger punch and sounds more memorable.

 

 

I’m starting to hate avex and their whole idea of “one-song singles”.  It’s definitely bad when this is ICONIQ’s debut single.  TOKYO LADY is pretty good and is more or less a continuation of “CHANGE MYSELF” which is definitely on the right path of getting popular.  Can’t wait for her next release!

ICONIQ – CHANGE MYSELF March 12, 2010

Track Listing

1. Prologue
2. I’m lovin’ you / ICONIQ × EXILE ATSUSHI
3. Change Myself
4. LoveShineMagic
5. BYE NOW!
6. I.D feat. VERBAL (m-flo)
7. No Distance
8. Crystal Girl
9. Like A Virgin
10. Epilogue

1. Prologue

Not sure what was the point of the prologue to the album, but I thought it was hilarious nonetheless.  It’s basically a mother to daughter kind of thing where the mother teaches the kid to say words which was the album’s title, some random words and then ending with ~lovin’ you~ the basis of the next track.  Strange opening, but what can I say.

2. I’m lovin’ you / ICONIQ × EXILE ATSUSHI

As the album’s odd digital release and the first thing we heard from ICONIQ, the song definitely shows a cool R&B sound that isn’t the cause of Jeff Miyahara!  Also, the song is a collaboration with one of the members from EXILE and he doesn’t sound that bad with ICONIQ.  The song is kind of chill and catchy, but the song’s flow is not the usual, so it’s kind of odd, but still cool.

3. Change Myself

Getting into the title track now, Change Myself is showing off a mixture of R&B and electro.  I really love the slick arrangement of the song and while it reminds me of Nami Tamaki’s “Zero no Sora” with the steady beat and and light auto-tune.  It’s nice and later on this rather magical feeling sound pops in and makes it better.  It’s good and ICONIQ’s vocals are so interesting.

4. LoveShineMagic

I really enjoyed LSM as well since it continues this whole R&B/electro style and with since this time the song is without auto-tune and is natural, I really enjoyed her vocals.  They’re soft and smooth and fits this style quite nicely.  It’s groovy and has a pretty great arrangement overall.

5. BYE NOW!

One of the promotional tunes off the album, BYE NOW! is surprisingly one of the softer sounding songs and more focused on the R&B side of her.  I really like the part where she goes ~mirror, mirror on the wall~, it’s one of the guiltiest parts of the song and it’s so good.  Best thing about the song is the overall smoothness.  Surprised at how good this is!, very Janet Jackson-ish.

6. I.D feat. VERBAL (m-flo)

Well, well, well…we all know that VERBAL isn’t my favorite MC because of his somewhat dry rapping, but I couldn’t help but enjoy I.D a lot because of the whole synthy arrangement.  I’m not sure why, but it’s once again a very surreal arrangement that flows so nicely and is like candy to your ears.  VERBAL’s part though is a bit better than previous efforts (BoA, anyone?).  Still a good song nonetheless and the ending is awesome!

7. No Distance

As the album’s slow tune, No Distance is the odd song off the album, but it’s great that it’s still R&B so it doesn’t really break the album’s back far enough to be a problem.  While it might be the slowest, it’s not a song I’d really come back to even though the vocals are great here.  I’m not a big fan of slower R&B songs so this really isn’t my field for repeating this song. 

8. Crystal Girl

Alright, the other promotional song, Crystal Girl is definitely electro and I loved every second of it!  I don’t know why, but I just love the synths that swerved in and out of the chorus and with ICONIQ’s vocals just really caught me off guard and it was like 0.o  To be honest, this song stands out as the most epic thing to come off the album and I LOVED IT!  More electro ICONIQ plz!

9. Like A Virgin

Then we get into a cover of one of Madonna’s more recognizable hits and this comes off as the oddest song because it’s more synth pop/rock than anything else.  While I’ve heard the original bunch of times, Like A Virgin here is just trying too hard.  ICONIQ’s English is pretty good, I’ll give her that, but I think she’s trying way too hard here.  Probably the only disappointment of the album.

10. Epilogue

Just like how the “Prologue” opened, the ending is different as it’s just one person talking and cameras flashing like someone became famous at the end.  It’s a very weird ending, but the strings that are near the end are really nice and gave the end a very ethereal feel that leads into applause…hmmm.

Tracks Recommended

• Crystal Girl
• BYE NOW!
• LoveShineMagic
• I.D feat. VERBAL (m-flo)

Song of Avoidance

• Like A Virgin

Like I said, avex knows how do debut artists right and ICONIQ’s debut is nothing short of amazing.  I was surprised that out of the other avex artists that released album this one is definitely one to check out.  The only thing to really watch out for is that rather unneeded cover song, but everything in between the opening and closings are great! *RECOMMENDED*