immi – SPIRAL June 20, 2010

Track Listing

1. Secret Place
2. FIGHT BACK
3. Sign of Love
4. Swimmer
5. Jeezy Peezy
6. STEP UP!
7. Alice
8. Rainbow
9. sora to i
10. Black or White
11. No. 1 GIRL
12. Go Around
13. circle – square – triangle
14. WONDER

1. Secret Place

I’m not sure what to make of Secret Place if it’s a really long intro or an actual track.  Though immi’s vocals are so light and ethereal when it’s put against such a track like this.  The opening was so light and then BAM!  The electro starts up and immi slowly comes in with vocals but that’s rather shortlived.  Maybe if the vocals came earlier perhaps???

2. FIGHT BACK

As the the only B-side incluced on the album, FIGHT BACK comes first and I still do like the song quite a bit because of it’s rather edgy sound and immi’s of course sultry vocals here.  It also goes back to her two EP’s released in the era and I thought the was nice.  The only problem was that this song was just a little too long for me but it’s still a cool track otherwise.

3. Sign of Love

Strange we go from a song that I thought was too long to a song that I felt was way too short.  Sign of Love for me is clearly the best of the pre-released songs.  I don’t know why but there’s just something so emotionally driven and with immi’s smoky vocals, it just connected.  I don’t think there really is anything needed to say besides AMAZING!

4. Swimmer

Already from this song, we were dealing with a different sounding immi than her “Switch” days and beginning with Swimmer, that showed me that you don’t have to have a lot of synths to make a great song because Swimmer doesn’t have a lot going in besides immi.  I actually think of 80′s music when this one starts.  I need more of this ^_^

5. Jeezy Peezy

Then again, Jeezy Peezy brought the return of edgy immi and I love this style from her because her attitude just shines through and I’ll admit, immi really hit the nail on the coffin and at the same time I giggle at the ~jeezy peezy~ lines.  It’s a different kind of electro track that sometimes can borderline a bit messy, but it’s still electrifying in its own way.

6. STEP UP!

Going towards a more light-hearted and poppy 80′s electro sound, STEP UP! is definitely another song that would be based off that era and I don’t mind it because it’s rather sugary to listen to.  I really liked the change of moods here and while I think immi’s vocals are a little less fine-tuned than other songs, this wasn’t bad.

7. Alice

As the era’s 2nd EP, Alice goes back into the darker electronica with a mix of the upbeatness of our last track.  I find it a little odd that Alice is kind of a weaker track on the album compared to the EP where it was a whole lot better showing off the musicality, but to me the new tunes are a bit stronger here.  Still not a bad song and gave us something to really look forward to.

8. Rainbow

Starting off quite depressingly, Rainbow has a very eerie and cold demeanor which is strange for a song titled Rainbow.  I like the change of moods again and Rainbow is the first tune to make me love the entire thing because it’s so out there and roughly not as electronic as previous songs.  Though I guess by my standards it’s a long interlude because like “Secret Place” it’s not really aiming for a climax or anything…

9. sora to i

After that short break, we get back into electronica land with sora to i and it sounds like one of those songs that would sound better if the tempo was a bit faster.  I get this “Switch” style from this song for some reason, but I don’t mind it because it was sweet and syrupy. 

10. Black or White

At least my interest pops back up with Black or White which isn’t a cover song which is lucky as all hell.  To me this song has the most oriental sound, and I think immi’s faster singing kind of helped out a bit here.  Sadly, it feels like it takes forever to get it finished since the chorus becomes a bit too repetitive near the end. 

11. No. 1 GIRL

I’m not sure what to make of this next song because it’s just absurdly perky for an immi song.  I mean it’s not real brass, but it brings a whole new direction for immi.  I do like the fact that she’s trying for higher notes more than she has in any other song, but the song just doesn’t fit on the album.  It feels more suited on her last studio album.  Not bad, but a little abstract hahaha.

12. Go Around

Now, Go Around is another one of those heavier sounding tracks she has and the heavy beat totally works for me.  There’s a little bit of 8bit as well here which is pretty cool since it isn’t the main focus of the song.  Besides the bridge, everything else is a bit too repetitive and the same beat.  And I’m not really used to wailing immi either. 

13. circle – square – triangle

I don’t know why, but the beginning sounds like Animal Crossing in the night which is almost perfect if it wasn’t for the fact the title of the song reminds me of the playstation controller x.x  I do like the relaxing quality of the track and immi is sounding soft and controlled unlike that last track.  The synthesized sitar was a great added touch to the song and made it feel original.  Might be my favorite new track.

14. WONDER

I liked the fact that immi’s 2nd album ends with the main track that began the era.  Out of the other songs she released in the era, I think WONDER has the most electropop sounding arrangement and I kind of grown to love this song more and more since watching the video.  I mean you can imagine choreography with this tune at least. 

Tracks Recommended

• Sign of Love
• circle – square – triangle
• Jeezy Peezy
• WONDER
• Swimmer

Song of Avoidance

• No. 1 GIRL

To me, SPIRAL is kind of more or less a slight upgrade to her debut album under “immi”, “Switch”.  The production value is quite a bit stronger, yes…but I’m having a much harder time digesting the songs at full value since not a lot of the songs had hooks to begin with.  I’ll admit still that “WORLD WILD 2010″ is still the top J-tek album released in the year…now it’s just waiting for SAWA’s and Mizca’s albums to drop…

immi – Sign of Love May 22, 2010

Track Listing

1. Sign of Love
2. FIGHT BACK

1. Sign of Love

You know, I can barely remember the previous A-sides in the era, but finally there’s a song out there that I can stick to and really enjoy.  Sign of Love isn’t as upbeat, and yet it still is.  I guess it’s a more personal song since it has this very longing feeling and I do enjoy that quite a bit.  Though I will admit that to me this song is a bit too short and went to fast.  Still it’s definitely the best A-side of the era.

2. FIGHT BACK

A little more edgier than “Sign of Love” and kind of goes back to those last two EPs, FIGHT BACK is more or less what I’ve enjoyed in the entire era and that’s some good techno.  I do like the arrangement a lot through this song immi sounds really nice.  Then again, on the flipside of the coin this prolly didn’t need to be as long as it was, but this made a pretty great B-side. 

 

 

As the only single released in the “SPIRAL” era, Sign of Love is probably the best released, even better than the “WONDER” and “Alice” EPs.  Sign of Love took a great change and made it a mid-tempo dance song that sounded really nice while FIGHT BACK was more of what we’ve gotten to hear from her.  Can’t wait for the album.

immi – Alice EP October 12, 2009

Track Listing

1. Alice
2. parallel lines
3. FELL IN LOVE WITH A GIRL
4. Crazy Cat (The Shoes Remix)
5. Alice (RimmiX

1. Alice

While “WONDER” was a lighter flavored electropop tune, Alice is quite harder this time and has a pretty awesome melody going for it.  I can’t exactly describe the sound, but it’s like 80′s synth-pop, but a lot harder and catchy.  It’s definitely one of her best songs under the immi moniker and it totally beats out “WONDER”.

2. parallel lines

The fellow B-side, parallel lines however is actually a big miss for me.  The opening actually sounds like the opening for “WONDER”.  It’s also a pretty slow track when compared to other songs and while it does feature some 8bit, it’s really not that good and seemed like a mess with the synths and strange chords. 

3. FELL IN LOVE WITH A GIRL

Only reaching past 2:35, immi decided to do another cover, this time The White Stripes breakout song.  Now, being the American guy I am, I’m way into the original and immi turned this rock track into an electro track.  I’m surprised at how good immi is in English and doesn’t fault too much, but the song sounds so much better in its original state IMHO. 

4. Crazy Cat (The Shoes Remix)

Crazy Cat (from “RimmiX) gets remixed on this single and basically took out the hard driving arrangement for a more club-like sound.  That said, I wasn’t feeling this remix much, that is until that repetitive ~crazy cat~ started to take over and the song gets weird.  I rather continue on and listen to the original a whole lot more.

5. Alice (RimmiX)

Wow, I have to admit, the RimmiX version of Alice made the lyrics pop out even more.  Even though immi is really messing up her English big time saying ~alice in wonderland~ and it comes out as ~aeris in wanderwand~….WHT?  Anyway, the arrangement is surprisingly toned down and given a fantasy-like feel before the beats come in.  It’s an alright remix, it just shows the flaws in brighter light.

 

 

immi’s 2nd EP IMO was a step up from “WONDER EP” because all the songs were interesting tunes and showed what immi is good at in the electropop world.  The 3 main tracks were nice except for parallel lines which was a fail track.  The remixes were alright, but nothing to really gawk at.

immi – WONDER EP July 24, 2009

Track Listing

1. WONDER
2. Joe le taxi
3. Cosmic Pink (THE LOWBROWS Remix)
4. Aru to Lito
5. WONDER (RimmiX)

1. WONDER

I love how the song starts up with an 8-bit like introduction into the song.  After immi comes in with her vocals, the song actually sounds like something that would be exactly from “SWiTCH” and that’s good that she’s been consistent with her more electro-based sound.  The beat is pretty cool and some of the synths are so pretty cool too.  Pretty sweet A-side if you ask me.

2. Joe le taxi

Being a cover of a Vanessa Paradis track, I wasn’t exactly feeling the original, but knowing immi, I knew she was going to make it more enjoyable and since it’s a French song as well, I was really curious to see how she’d fare overall.  What I got was pretty darker and heavier electro track from immi.  I can’t comment on her French, because I know nothing of the language really, but the song is so catchy and immi did a really cool job with this cover.

3. Cosmic Pink (THE LOWBROWS Remix)

Grand, another THE LOWBROWS remix…Cosmic Pink gets the remix this time and instead of the cutesy feeling of the original version, we actually get a more somber sounding version of the track and I think it suited the track overall.  I do have to admit though that how immi’s vocals are processed in the song are a bit strange as it sounds like it was sung in a studio with no editing.  I’m not exactly feeling that, but the rest is pretty good.

4. Aru to Lito

I can only suggest that Aru to Lito is something she really wanted to do because this has a lot of odd things going on.  I mean 8-bit sounds here and there with the synths, immi singing English through most of the track.  It’s something new at least and it’s not too bad, but it’s nothing eye-popping either. 

5. WONDER (RimmiX)

I’m surprised to see WONDER why a tag like that.  Anyways, if you haven’t noticed they took the song and remixed it and it’s the longest track here also.  Right from the start the music is more aggressive in nature and immi’s vocals are filtered all over so it’s not like messy, but it could’ve been handled a little better. 

 

 

immi’s major label debut was something good actually.  If she continues to release songs like WONDER and Joe le taxi then she’ll be in good hands for sure as both continued to show her progress as an electro-pop artist.  The remixes were alright, nothing to spectacular and Aru to Lito is meh as a B-side.

immi – RimmiX April 9, 2009

Track Listing

1. Crazy Cat
2. Ups and Downs (THE SAMOS Remix)
3. Power Station (N.A.i.D Mix)
4. XXX
5. Marble/Tai Jason feat. immi
6. Power Station (THE LOWBROWS Remix)
7. Local Train -Canon TV-CM Song- (JETBIKINI Mix)
8. Power Station (tippple nippples Remix)
9. Girlfriend? (N.A.i.D Mix)
10. Go with the flow (THE STEALTH Remix)

1. Crazy Cat

Wow, our first new track that isn’t a remix pops up first for us in a pretty aggressive fashion.  I really enjoy how chaotic is and how much she’s gone to this new song.  immi’s vocals are hard to hear with the music blaring, but her parts are sounding pretty good and sexii.  It actually reminds me of Sowelu’s “MATERIAL WORLD” if that gives ya a hint.

2. Ups and Downs (THE SAMOS Remix)

Our first of the remixes, Ups and Downs was a pretty good track originally and I compared her vocals to BoA since it was so similar.  Now the remix kind of meshes the aggressive sound with what the original had.  Some parts are really good, but when it gets into this hip-hop sound it kinda just sucks a little bit, but the rest of the song is hard and cool.

3. Power Station (N.A.i.D Mix)

So many Power Station remixes…The first of these, N.A.i.D kind of messed up their remix with this track.  Only a small portion carries the same dark feeling the original had, but this is pretty repetitive and quite a bore actuall, surprised right?

4. XXX

Our next new track brings a more club influenced track.  I love how immi is whispering her way through the beginning of the track bringing a somewhat sexy glow to the song.  It’s pretty hard to hear what she’s saying because of the music.  Luckily the music isn’t THAT loud and has a pretty frenetic sound.  Pretty interesting.

5. Marble/Tai Jason feat. immi

Why does the beginning sound so familar?  Well this track brings in a pretty dark sound with gritty synths and blares of other synths.  I’m not hearing Tai Jason, unless Tai’s a chick as well…I don’t know where I really stand with the song because it goes everywhere, but it’s not crazy.  It gets slow…has a lone 8-bit section, and some other wacky things.

6. Power Station (THE LOWBROWS Remix)

So they can screw up on MEG’s “TOXIC”, but somehow they got it right with Power Station?  I love how there’s some acoustic guitar added in with a pretty light dance sound.  I think it fitted with immi’s performance of the song perfectly.  Definitly a song to hear.

7. Local Train -Canon TV-CM Song- (JETBIKINI MIX)

Local Train got its fixtures with an added beat to make it less J-tek as it already was.  Oddly, I found immi pretty useless in the song because the music overpowered her pretty harshly and I felt it was a terrible remix because the song didn’t change much from the original arrangement.

8. Power Station (trippple nippples Remix)

Being the shortest remix on the album with a pretty strange remix name.  Power Station once again feels the remix touch, but this remix was freaky and strange.  It didn’t exactly have a clear direction because it was like it was skipping for a good portion of the track.  I mean we only get a few lyrics here and there and basically just wasn’t a track I liked.

9. Girlfriend? (N.A.i.D Remix)

Girlfriend? as an original track was very cute but with a horrid rapping section.  Now the song still continues with the cuteness with immi singing a bit differently than normal.  The remix is a bit dry as in taking the song to new levels, but I so like the synths. 

10. Go with the flow (THE STEALTH Remix)

Go with the flow was one of my favorite tracks off of “SWiTCH” and hearing a remix of it kind of worried me.  When I was listening to it, I did feel a little disappointed since her vocals were drowned out by the synths and bongos.  Lyrics are done in a whisper fashion, what a turnoff.  The song pretty much failed.

 

 

immi’s 1st mini-album was pretty much a bore for me.  The new tracks were great and would fit right on “SWiTCH”, sadly the remixes were pretty bad save for a few.  I just wasn’t pleased at where it was going and this proved to be that immi is not releasing anything worthwhile with this album.  Just get it for the new tracks.

immi – Switch August 22, 2008

Track Listing

1. Go with the flow feat. Shigeo
2. Ups & Downs
3. Power Station
4. Hazy
5. 1 Upper
6. Milk & Honey
7. Klaxon (Album ver.)
8. Cosmic Pink (Album ver.)
9. Girlfriend? feat. kNY
10. Local Train
11. Anju
12. Lovesong
13. Klaxon

1. Go with the flow feat. Shigeo

Not that I was going to be shocked, but I was from the starting track.  it’s so aggressive and got some pretty radical beats to it.  It’s actually a nice change to the normal electropop sound and she’s not under the famed vocoder.  Shigeo sounds pretty awesome in the song too being the 2nd voice.  Definitly an awesome 1st track.

2. Ups & Downs

This song has cowbell in it YES!!  The song is a little more darker than the starting track and to be honest it sounds a bit cooler.  Though It would be easier if Immi was a little more stronger vocally because she sounds airy in this song.  I think her voice sounds a bit like BoA’s interestingly.

3. Power Station

Immi’s English is put into question with this song as I can only decipher a little bit.  Though here the song is even more mysterious and kind of has a build like an angry song.  It’s dark and has some interesting lyrics.  I really loved her voice in this song and the synth line of the verses, definitly a memorable track.

4. Hazy

Hazy to me is so weird to listen to with its quiet beats and strange synths.  If there was any less instrumentaion I would have considered this acapella.  The chorus brings in the funky synths and and some quirky lyrics.  Not the best song of the album though.

5. 1 Upper

1 Upper has got some awesome beats to it and some very sensual lyrics from Immi.  The verses did bore me though and made me wanna listen to the beat more then the louder chorus flies by and really struck me.  Her ad-libbing is quiet sexy to hear definitly a plus to hear.  1 Upper is a cool track even with its faults.

6. Milk & Honey

This is what would be like to “Macaroni” from Perfume’s “GAME”.   It’s more of a transition from the E-pop to a more fresher sound because there’s actual drums and guitar in the song.  Though it retains some pretty low synth sounds as the bass of the music.  It still is pretty good and wow there’s some magical qualities in it too which is good for a laidback song like this.

7. Klaxon (Album ver.)

Then, I’m finally disapponted in one of the songs.  The album version of Klaxon is just unusual to me.  The music is a little annoying and somewhat overpowers Immi.  Some of the music in it is pretty catchy but there was just too much sound coming in as just noise.  Though I do love the title.

8. Cosmic Pink (Album ver.)

Sounds a little 8-bit at the beginning.  I haven’t heard the original so I can’t compare much.  This is kinda catchy and really cute.  Immi’s voice is once again airy going through the song until the chorus.  I don’t know if I wanna consider this E-pop but it’s Pop for sure.  Very cute song.

9. Girlfriend? feat. kNY

It’s 80′s synth pop all over again.  The song definitly catches the sound of the era very well.  Then again I can see this being her corniest track…I mean I can picture the PV as her in some exercise outfit…creepy huh?  Thought so, I have to say this is very cute also and just full of girliness.  kNY, though just sounded horrible rapping in it and he sounds horribly flat to me.  Terrible but cute track.

10. Local Train

This would be the first track I heard of from her and it’s so catchy but very dotty at the beginning.  Used as a track in the “Beautiful Techno” series as with MEG and Aira Mitsuki this song is definitly great for the album and definitly great here.  It’s happy, smooth and full of beautiful sounds.  The chorus is so good and just filled with some great sounds from Immi and she’s not even vocally changed. Great dance track.

11. Anju

Wished I knew what it meant since it’s very beat-forward.  This would have been more down Nakata’s lane.  It’s classy and Immi’s airy voice fits once again with the synths and sounds very ethereal, well for a dance track.  I also keep noticing they keep changing the tempo every so often throwing the listener off a lot.  Other than that there isn’t anything too special about the track.

11. Lovesong

I was starting to say that she fell to the “Ai no Uta” group of people but this was a remake of a classic track from The Cure which is totally shocking at least to me.  The song that I knew was rock-affiliated and Immi changed it straight into a dance-heavy track but it’s one of the better tracks off the album and her English seems right here. 

13. Klaxon

The original version of Klaxon is so much better and sounds more better than earlier on.  It’s slower but still aggressive in sound.  Immi’s vocals also surprise me as very smooth and very well laid out.  It sounds like a marching beat in the synths and it just brought so much power in the song.  Her ad-libbing still appears which is great.

Tracks Recommended

• Milk & Honey
• Klaxon
• Lovesong
• Local Train
• Go with the flow feat. Shigeo

Song of Avoidance

• Klaxon (Album ver.)

Is this the year for Electropop?  I mean 1st we have the album that set huge standards Perfume’s “GAME”….Then came the surprising “STEP” from MEG that helped her gain more popularity.  After that came a flourish of singles that became popular from Ami Suzuki, Perfume, and Aira Mitsuki.  Now it’s the end of summer and Immi comes along and blows me away and will probably hold me over until “COPY” comes out.  This album is just as good as any of the Nakata works maybe even better.  Definitly check this album out!