JASMINE – Best Partner July 24, 2012

Track Listing

1. Best Partner
2. B*TCH*S
3. Touch me on the Beach
4. Best Partner (Instrumental)

1. Best Partner

I have to say, I’ve been missing JASMINE something rough for a while so it’s nice that she returned with Best Partner which does go back to her early days with more of a R&B tinted song.  Adding the strings gave the tune more color which is awesome to hear.  I do like that it sounds like it’s a meaningful song like “ONE” was so that impressed me a lot again.  Definitely a good comeback tune!

2. B*TCH*S

Straightforward of a title eh JASMINE?  The first B-side reminds me of a harder “JEALOUS” for that intro it had.  I love how raunchy and badass this song can be and a little sexually forward is!  I am surprised at hearing her under auto-tune again but at least she powers it so much that it’s a cool effect.  I’m surprised she doesn’t cuss in the song considering the title, but damn this is hot!

3. Touch me on the Beach

Which follows into the other B-side which is sweet enough for me!  It’s a bit more danceable and to me it’s a lot catchier than “B*TCH*S” was actually.  I’m also loving JASMINE’s new style of singing, she gets this grittier and soulful tone and it’s awesome to hear!  This is just a fun song and just impressed me all over!

 

 

Wow a year passed by before JASMINE announced a new single after “ONLY YOU”…good lord…Best Partner is definitely her best single overall for a long time (and probably for me my favorite single she’s released altogether.  Best Partner is R&B in a good way and sounds so good to me.  B*TCH*S being more aggressive and in-your-face and Touch me on the Beach is the danceable summer soiree.  All three were really great and makes me hope she amps it up for the album ^_^ *RECOMMENDED*

JASMINE – ONLY YOU August 1, 2011

Track Listing

1. ONLY YOU
2. Addiction
3. ONLY YOU (Instrumental)
4. Addiction (Instrumental)

1. ONLY YOU

I like that piano that opens up ONLY YOU for sure, but what it leads into is definitely a rush to the past because it reminds me of another “sad to say” or “No More”.  However, the beats don’t really cover up a whole lot and the piano continues to be the focal point of the song with strings acting as backup.  It’s not a bad song at all, but after “ONE”, it kind of comes as a slight downgrade.  Still wonderful song with great vocals from JASMINE.

2. Addiction

~Addiction! Wait a minute!~.  I swear for a minute, I thought I was listening to something from Namie because the flow and beat just kind of had this flow to it.  I must say that I love the whole marching band vibe I get from the song since it’s catchy and has a good flow of energy.  JASMINE doesn’t showcase her vocals as strongly as before but that’s alright.  It does remind me of “L.I.P.S.” and the cussing is back in form too.  Fun song!

 

 

Not gonna lie but I think for the second time first being “Koi” off of “sad to say”, but I actually preferred the B-side over the A-side.  I don’t know why but the atmosphere of Addiction caught my attention immediately and got me to focus on the stuff going on and the things JASMINE was throwing out there hahaha.  ONLY YOU was alright, but it definitely doesn’t beat “ONE” nor many of her last A-sides to be honest.  I’d say as together, the single is slightly under the last one but not much.

JASMINE – ONE February 1, 2011

Track Listing

1. ONE
2. dear my friend [MIGHTY CROWN REMIX]
3. ONE [acoustic 2010/12/12 Live in the Dark ver.]
4. Dreamin’ [acoustic 2010/12/12 Live in the Dark ver.]
5. ONE -instrumental-

1. ONE

Hmmm, does working with well-known producers, Stargate help out a song or makes it worse is what comes to mind with JASMINE’s first A-side in a new era, ONE.  My answer would be, holy crap it’s awesome of a song.  While I do agree with one of my friends that the song’s arrangement does sound a bit similar to stuff released by Ace of Base, JASMINE still has the audacity to pull of such a chilled out and yet powerful song about individuality.  Then again, the song is just purely catchy and fun to listen to.  It’s like in the middle between “THIS IS NOT A GAME” and “JEALOUS” in beats IMO.

2. dear my friend [MIGHTY CROWN REMIX]

Being JASMINE’s remix on the single, the song that was originally found on “GOLD” has went from an ethnic-based R&B track into a slightly more upbeat and beach-y reggae tune.  While I’m not sure that the change of the song’s arrangement did anything better here, it’s kind of cute to listen to for some reason. 

3. ONE [acoustic 2010/12/12 Live in the Dark ver.]

The rest of the single though consists of two songs that were performed live back in December of last year and if I’m right the first time this song was performed.  The fact that it only has piano for a short while in the beginning before the bongos take over and JASMINE starts singing by herself.  While, I love her singing, the lack of music really made the song feel way too empty and kind of one-dimensional.

4. Dreamin’ [acoustic 2010/12/12 Live in the Dark ver.]

On the other hand, the acoustic take of Dreamin’ her 5th single felt more complete and less than the “ONE” performance.  Of course since it was her first ballad A-side, Dreamin’ prolly had a lot going for it.  Once again JASMINE’s vocals sound amazing with just piano backing her up.  Definitely a lot more better than the last track.

I will say, I love ONE quite a lot since it’s different from previous songs but stays true to who JASMINE is and I’d say it’s her song since she’s quite the individual with her ever-changing styles.  However, the full package felt pretty weak with an alright remix, a poor acoustic version of ONE and Dreamin’s being the better one.  I guess it’s a pretty good start to a new era.

JASMINE – GOLD July 20, 2010

Track Listing

1. PRIDE
2. sad to say
3. L.I.P.S.
4. Jealous
5. Bad Girl.
6. dear my friend
7. stage ~interlude~
8. This Is Not A Game
9. CLUBBIN”
10. Koi
11. what you want?
12. No More
13. Dreamin’
14. Why

1. PRIDE

Starting the album off, PRIDE is a rather short song, but it’s longer than your normal opening track.  I like the fact that JASMINE sounds pretty chill and works with the mildly aggressive arrangement.  I love the part where she was counting up and saying ~my pride~ in between.  Short, but was kicks off the album strongly.

2. sad to say

After the introductory track, sad to say (her debut A-side) pops up next and the only thing I fully remember in this song is that has ~fucking sorrow~.  She has definitely gotten better since this song because for most of this song she’s yelling her lyrics maybe a little too much.  She really has a weird accent saying her English lines, but I won’t beat her up for it. 

3. L.I.P.S.

Coming from her fifth single “Dreamin’” as a B-side I was pretty happy to see this song making the cut.  Out of the songs, this has the must club-sounding feel to it and JASMINE is lightly put in auto-tune.  I do love that she is experimenting throughout her music and she got it right with a dance tune.  She even turned down the yelling which is also fortunate.  Even the Arabian blotches throughout the second verse were cool to hear!!!

4. Jealous

As her 4th A-side, Jealous is pretty damn chill and pretty classy since this isn’t foreboding or trying to shove its message in your face like how her previous A-sides were like.  I still think Jealous has this sound that Hikki’s “Distance” had and I’m quite infatuated by the feel and mood of the song.  And I agree with ~jealous is so dangerous~.

5. Bad Girl.

Finally getting back into some new songs, Bad Girl. is pretty much JASMINE’s heaviest song off the album.  It’s kind of like “This Is Not A Game” but instead of focusing on the synths and crazy stuff like that, Bad Girl. has a rock style that’s like in your face and full of angst.  It’s just a great song and the best of the new songs off the album.  Love the chorus with the whole ~even though they call me bad girl~.

6. dear my friend

dear my friend kind of is in between on how “sad to say” and “Jealous” sound.  It’s like pretty classy but at the same time with a stronger message.  I did think the two ideas came together quite smoothly but it seemed a little too messy lyrically and the chorus was just too sloppy to make out.

7. stage ~interlude~

After all that we get into the album’s interlude which fits quite nicely into our next song because this interlude kind of takes the lion’s roar from “This Is Not A Game” and this time JASMINE sounds like she’ walking to a stage and saying stuff like ~this is my _____~.  It definitely did its job at setting up our next tune.

8. This Is Not A Game

In my honest opinion, if there was an R&B song that is purely epic in every way, JASMINE hit it squarely on the head with This Is Not A Game because it’s dark, sexy, and omg fierce in every way.  I may be biased here but the way she sung it and the bridge with the English lyrics was just too much.  Even the arrangement was like gothic but that piano kept it together.  Definitely one of the best A-sides of the year.

9. CLUBBIN”

I don’t know why but I still don’t like this song much even though it was her first try under a rock style.  It’s like she’s trying to rap against the arrangement and her performance just seemed borderline boring for me.  Even the chorus just seemed to fly by for me, so I’m passing this up quite a bit.

10. Koi

~This is JASMINE~, oh this song has kept me interested since first hearing it on the “sad to say” single.  I’ll admit that I was more impressed with this song totally moreso than “sad to say” since the girl once again wasn’t shouting her heart out like a dying cat.  Just a very loungy type of song and I think it’s one of the bests of the album.

11. what you want?

Coming from the “No More” single, what you want? on the album kind of seems a little underwhelming since the other songs have more punch and memorability than other B-sides featured.  I still like it, but it just doesn’t stick to me as much as it did on “No More”.  If a mid-tempo R&B track is your deal, then you’ll probably end up liking this track (given if you haven’t already heard it beforehand).

12. No More

Second single in and just like her debut, I only really remember the whole ~no more crying~ line from this song.  I was a little sad that this tune was basically a sequel to “sad to say” since they sounded so damn similar to each other and has the same yelling thing going on which bothered me just a little bit.  It’s a bit more tame than her debut so that’s a good direction so I pretty much enjoyed this a little bit more.

13. Dreamin’

As we near the ending to JASMINE’s album, Dreamin’ (her fifth single) takes everything that was R&B from the album and threw it out to bring us a pure strings/piano ballad.  I’ll admit, I was surprised she’d go and try to pull one of these off, but she actually did it quite well because her voice is so strong and not yelling like in other songs.  One of the year’s best ballads IMO

14. Why

I’m a little surprised that “Dreamin’” didn’t end the album because Why does not deserve to be placed over here.  It sounds just like a typical sounding American R&B song with the synths and the bubble popping crap going on.  I honestly think that this should’ve been placed near “No More” or “sad to say” to have a better flow.  Otherwise the song is alright, but nothing extravagant.

Tracks Recommended

• This Is Not A Game
• Koi
• Bad Girl.
• L.I.P.S.
• Jealous

Song of Avoidance

• CLUBBIN”

What do I think of JASMINE’s debut album?  I think this girl has staying power for sure, but with the amount of old songs over the new songs it kind of left me wanting more from her.  I think JASMINE is following an R&B style, but her experimentation in other styles really show her off better than I thought and if she keeps doing this I’m sure her fanbase will grow.  GOLD is a pretty good first try and I know one person will like at least one song on this album.  Give it a try, might be your thing!

JASMINE – Dreamin’ May 11, 2010

Track Listing

1. Dreamin’
2. L.I.P.S.
3. sad to say [BUZZER BEATS Remix]

1. Dreamin’

Wow, we’ve never had an actual ballad for an A-side yet and with Dreamin’ is kind of surprising in a way.  It’s a simple piano and strings tune and JASMINE’s vocals are really strong and sound great for sure.  It’s just bare bones for her and since it is that different from stuff she released before (not counting those Christian tunes) this is really nice.  I’m not sure why but this ballad is definitely a pretty one!

2. L.I.P.S.

So i guess things get flipped over since the more energetic tune is the B-side of the single.  While it’s not anything much to compare to in her discography, this song is pretty synthy and I can tell there’s some vocal modifiers in the song for her.  I was feelin’ this song quite a bit and has a good enough attitude to it, but not as much as “THIS IS NOT A GAME”.  Pretty good B-side here.

3. sad to say [BUZZER BEATS Remix]

Hey!  an actual remix for once eh?  While there was not third track on the previous two singles in this thrilogy, sad to say gets a remix and oddly enough it does remind me of the original, but more chilled and musically more open.  It does have the same flow but less sadder I guess?  It’s kind of hard since the remix just is a little much like the original….and yet different…strange right?

 

 

Ending off this thrilogy (and hopefully the era), Dreamin’ was a nice way to finish things up.  Dreamin’ does mark the first actual ballad A-side from JASMINE and it turned out pretty well.  L.I.P.S was also new for her and came out just as well and maybe a bit better than Dreamin’.  The sad to say remix though kind of left of scratching my head since I wasn’t sure to like it or just call it unintentionally bland.  So….where’s our album?

JASMINE – JEALOUS April 7, 2010

Track Listing

1. JEALOUS
2. I Need You to Survive

1. JEALOUS

After the rather aggressive “THIS IS NOT A GAME”, we chill back out with JEALOUS which is actually quite strong.  I mean it’s not as amazingly done like the last one but the chilled out R&B sound really feels good and refreshing for me.  I love the words ~jealous is so scandalous~ and her ~Damn, boy~ lines.  To be honest this song really goes back into the days Hikki was doing R&B and that was a nice taste of nostalgia. 

2. I Need You to Survive

Just like the last single’s B-side, this one also features a cover song and it’s all in English as well.  Then to find out it’s another Christian song kind of baffles me.  I’m like it’s OK to do one song like this, but I’m disliking this gospel thing going.  At first I did like JASMINE’s vocals a lot more than the last song by ten fold, but this heavily distorted voice just wasn’t needed.  Ok, so the execution of the song was better than “MY LIFE, MY LOVE, MY ALL”, but way too caked with this christian BS.

 

 

JASMINE is definitely in the right direction and it just seems she’s getting better and better with her A-sides as JEALOUS is very smooth and clear hitting…I mean “sad to say” and “No More” were pretty good too, but JEALOUS just summed it all.  I Need You to Survive continues this rather meh selection of icky Christian ballads and this one, though has good vocals and stronger sounding from JASMINE, the overall mood just didn’t pull me in.

JASMINE – THIS IS NOT A GAME March 2, 2010

Track Listing

1. THIS IS NOT A GAME
2. MY LIFE, MY LOVE, MY ALL

1. THIS IS NOT A GAME

I laughed when I heard a lion growling open up THIS IS NOT A GAME becuase well, who has really ever opened up a song like this.  Now for the song, I actually loved this song a lot when compared to her previous two efforts because it’s a heavier sound and her English lines are just amazingly done and gives the extra punch.  Simply stated, this song is stronger all-around and I’m very impressed by this.

2. MY LIFE, MY LOVE, MY ALL

As the B-side, ML, ML, MA is JASMINE’s first foray with a full English track and sadly it’s drenched in Christian goodness.  I mean this song is basically about a higher being, more preferably Jesus, but JASMINE’s vocals are really what shines the most in the song since she’s strong and with the acoustic guitar is definitely a plus as well.  She does get very strong near the end where she belts it out.  Even better is her English is really good as well for this kind of setting.  I got to say SONY picked a good singer here. 

 

 

With each release, JASMINE to me has been getting better and since it’s the first of 3 monthly released singles, she definitely kicked down the doors and surprised me with THIS IS NOT A GAME.  The A-side is a whole lot stronger than her previous A-sides and is leaning towards a more synth-based R&B sound which is nice.  The B-side though being a tribute to Jesus is also vocally great and with the lack of instruments she pulled that off nicely.  Awesome single *RECOMMENDED*

JASMINE – No More October 27, 2009

Track Listing

1. No More
2. CLUBBIN”
3. what you want?

1. No More

Wait, we’re getting another “sad to say”?  I’m not sure, but I like this song a whole lot more than her debut A-side.  No More is of course an R&B tune and it’s got a pretty cool beat to go with it.  JASMINE’s singing is still very strong and shows great emotion and definitely never under the music.  The ending though should’ve been handled better because it felt like it was left unfinished.  Oh well, at least the PV had Kuu and Hikki in it LMFAO

2. CLUBBIN”

For a song that’s named CLUBBIN”, I would’ve expected to see a club song, but we don’t.  It’s actually JASMINE’s first foray into the rock scene and it’s like something Western, but with JASMINE pseudo-rapping in the song which is a big lulzfest.  I’m not sure what the lyrics are suggesting, but I’m guessing it’s pretty raunchy hahaha.  Nah, but I’ll say this…it’s not a good track IMO.

3. what you want?

The 2nd B-side, what you want? returns to her urban style and for me this is just a good place for her because she’s not forcing herself to move with the music like she did with “CLUBBIN”‘.  It’s smooth and got that sexy feel that JASMINE worked with quite nicely.  JASMINE’s more cleaner and her voice is really nice here.  Damn, another good song.

 

 

JASMINE is on a roll here.  No More continues to show JASMINE’s rising fame nicely 2nd single in.  No More and what you want? really was a plus for her soul voice and she carries herself so well.  I can’t say the same for CLUBBIN”, but at least she’s spreading herself out and seeing what she’s good in.  Can’t wait for the 3rd single.

JASMINE – sad to say September 30, 2009

Track Listing

1. sad to say
2. i’m in luv wit u [1989 remix]
3. Koi
4. i’m in luv wit u [laid back remix]

1. sad to say

I was almost blown away by the emotional value of sad to say.  I really like that the song is a pretty chill R&B tune and while it’s a bit of a depressing track with the various lines JASMINE has in the song.  Then again I love the whole missing you, but not missing you kind of feeling and that was pretty cool.  The cussing is surprising, weird sounding, but c’mon at least she’s expressing herself.  I actually like this song for sure, I APPROVE!

2. i’m in luv wit u [1989 remix]

Why are you under auto-tune JASMINE?  Anyways, the first remix of a song that doesn’t have an original version does have a feeling of a love song and mixed in with the whole auto-tune makes it rather strange because damn JASMINE has some pipes on her.  I actually can say that the auto-tune ruined the song for me, because I know JASMINE is sounding really nice, but ugh…too much makes me not happy.

3. Koi

I love the beat for Koi already and showcases JASMINE in a more mysterious and sexy side.  I think she actually did come across like that especially with the urban-like arrangement going on.  I think I’m starting to really enjoy this song alot and the chorus was just hot.  Even the interlude with her voice being filtered was just as cool.

4. i’m in luv wit u [laid back remix]

The other remix for i’m in luv wit u fixed all the problems the first version had.  They took out the horrible auto-tuning and JASMINE sounds amazingly better already.  The laid back version is rather a bit too much like “sad to say”, but that’s a small price to pay when you look at her vocals here.  It’s a very cool and chill track and prolly will be one of my favorite tracks.

 

 

JASMINE!  Damn girl has kicked off her career with a very strong single.  Despite the whole appearance between this and her next single, sad to say was a great single and showcased her abilities quite nicely.  All the tracks except the [1989 remix] are great songs in their own right and I hope she continues with “No More”.