KOTOKO – Restart December 18, 2012

Track Listing

1. Restart
2. Largo
3. Restart (Instrumental)
4. Largo (Instrumental)

1. Restart

I wasn’t expecting KOTOKO to release a rather cutesy A-side after the previous two singles but here we are with Restart and I’m just feeling somewhat alienated from this song.  I don’t know it’s kind of just a very ligh pop song with some I’ve synths thrown in.  It’s not the worst I have heard from KOTOKO, but compared to her previous two singles, this is a bit blech!

2. Largo

Even more cutesy stuff for the B-side.  I know “Candy or Chocolate?” was a bit suspicious, but Largo is just taking one step backwards.  It’s like her cuter songs when she was under I’ve Sound…and she sounds like an idol singer for some strange ass reason.  It’s just a really bland song even for KOTOKO…

 

 

Lord, this single is really bland to listen to.  I’m not exactly sure if this era (well I think this is one) has been very good for KOTOKO (cept for “Light My Fire”) but she really hasn’t been very interesting to me.  Her songs lack that spark that I really love about her but it could be from the label change.  Restart and Largo are really plain and forgettable tracks…I hope she jumps forward with what she releases next.

KOTOKO – →unfinished→ May 14, 2012

Track Listing

1. →unfinished→
2. Sakura no Ame mo Egi no yo
3. →unfinished→ -instrumental-
4. Sakura no Ame mo Egi no yo -instrumental-

1. →unfinished→

Being produced by sat of fripSide fame,  →unfinished→ might be quite a new experience for KOTOKO fans out there but some of it will be familiar because of the assault of synths that are blazing through this song.  I kind of enjoyed it but after “Light My Fire”, I was kind of expecting her to follow the rockin’ side of her music more than this.  Still, not bad for her and she sounds great in the song. 

2. Sakura no Ame mo Egi no yo

I wasn’t sure what we were going to end up as the B-side because of her stuff since she switched labels and all that.  Sakura no Ame mo Egi no yo kind of tones things down by a big margin by bring sort of a mid-tempo ballad.  KOTOKO sounds pretty strong in the song and her high notes kind of impressed me here.  It does have a certain 90s anime feel to it (like an ending theme or something along those lines).  It’s not bad, a bit formulaic, but it’s good nonetheless.

 

 

KOTOKO’s second single since joining Warner actually was pretty good.  Even though →unfinished→ isn’t as great as “Light My Fire” was, it still came off as exciting and energetic.  Sakura no Ame mo Egi no yo is quite soothing and less dangerous than her last B-side, “Candy or Chocolate?”.  Still overall, a solid release here ^_^

KOTOKO – Light My Fire November 13, 2011

Track Listing

1. Light My Fire
2. Candy or Chocolate?
3. Light My Fire (Instrumental)
4. Candy or Chocolate? (Instrumental)

1. Light My Fire

I was kind of surprised that KOTOKO’s first single under Warner was going to be a loud one with Light My Fire.  Also, I’m kind of left shocked that she chose to do a rock song but somehow she made the song her own and powers through the song like she’s HBIC and I love the song.  Not as much as “SCREW” but this is her best A-side since then!

2. Candy or Chocolate?

I want to say the B-side is a little thing leftover from Halloween but I can’t decide if it’s that or just because KOTOKO can still release cute songs which is essentially this.  After the powerful A-side, I am a little disappointed with this mostly because KOTOKO is utilizing her cute genki vocals for this one.  I will say that the synth-pop style is nice and relaxing but simple actually.  I say it’s better than most of the B-sides of recent but I still love “Light My Fire” more.

 

 

KOTOKO’s first single under Warner and she kicks it off with a bang with Light My Fire.  There’s not many strong rock songs that she has so having one like this is pretty awesome and shows that Warner really wants her to succeed.  Candy or Chocolate? is a little “SHORT CIRCUIT”, so much so that I was surprised this wasn’t one hahaha.  Good single overall ^^

KOTOKO – Hiraku Uchuu Pocket October 10, 2011

Track Listing

1. TR∀NSFoRM
2. ☆Mirai -Ressha-☆
3. Metal Link
4. Love Letter
5. Aoi Jeep de
6. mirror garden
7. Command+S
8. χ-kai-
9. Sa・yo・na…ra
10. beat
11. Kikoeru
12. Hiroke! Sora no Oto
13. Chikyuu -TERRA-

1. TR∀NSFoRM

Awesome to begin the album with the promotional tune for sure and I thought there was gonna be an immediate change due to KOTOKO switching labels.  It seems like TR∀NSFoRM is the same electro I’ve Sound stuff she’s released since her start which is to me good for me since I like her electro-pop style.  I will say that the song has the same groove and touch like “SCREW” did and I loved the hell outta that song.  Basically this is pretty damn good for a tune to open the album up.

2. ☆Mirai -Ressha-☆

I would have never thought that KOTOKO would utilize her SHORT CIRCUIT vocals on her albums but it seems that is the case for Mirai.  I like the synth-pop out of this one and it sounds cute and almost Perfume-ish in ways.  It’s really sugary and add in the cutesy vocals from KOTOKO you get a song that most people would never expect her to pull (unless they delved into her SHORT CIRCUIT works).

3. Metal Link

Not surprised that we drift away from the cute synths to a more gritty synth/rock mixture with Metal Link.  I like the whole garage-rock feel of the song but once again KOTOKO is kind of in-between using her normal pipes and her SC pipes so it’s got this youthful sound to it as well but a little more authentic than “☆Mirai -Ressha-☆”.  It’s all right in the end, but it felt kind of fast and short.

4. Love Letter

Everyone is seemingly using this title nowadays rather than “Ai no Uta” hahaha.  I really like the mood and melody of the song since it has this fantasy-like tone going for it and it just sends me to places in a good way.  I’m also happy that KOTOKO is singing in her normal sound as well and it works for this fluffy mid-tempo track.  Beautiful little track we have here.

5. Aoi Jeep de

Another short tune comes next with Aoi Jeep de and this feels like more of the garage-rock sound that we had earlier with “Metal Link” but spun around a cute rod since KOTOKO’s vocals are back to the cute side of things and the piano in the song has placed this weird anime-like feel to the tune as well.  It does grow on you which is a good sign, but there’s something a little too basic here.

6. mirror garden

It’s a little strange we get back into the gritty synths and I’ve Sound-sounding songs.  mirror garden definitely feels like something that could’ve been on her previous albums.  I will say that I had problems getting into it since it was pretty slow for the most part and while it does it show off KOTOKO’s vocals and power…this really didn’t lead itself to anything good for some reason.  Wow a synthed up song that I didn’t enjoy hmmm.

7. Command+S

I didn’t expect the next song to start out like it was some kind of club song with the repearing beat and then leading into the melody and synths galore.  I must say this is a new side to KOTOKO and I thought the arrangement was pretty awesome…almost Underworld-like in ways.  At first I thought it was going to be instrumental for the 8 and a half minutes but after two minutes KOTOKO does come in and she sound quite nice.  It’s a bit too long for me, but I really like this song…why am I so on the fence for this one x.x

8. χ-kai-

I guess it’s a play on the word ~Chikai~ so I can see the gears turning in some peoples minds.  To me, the song is quite interesting because it’s one of the more darker songs on the album with the deep gritty synths and KOTOKO under filters at first.  It’s a little strange in the arrangement being slow and kind of like some of her older I’ve tunes.  It’s interesting no doubt, but there’s something off about it…prolly is due from the strange movement of the song.

9. Sa・yo・na…ra

Now this is something that belongs on a “SHORT CIRCUIT” album since it’s high-energy and features KOTOKO’s more cute vocals in conjunction.  At first I thought it was going to be really odd like “”☆Mirai -Ressha-☆”, but it kind of works a bit better because KOTOKO resorts back to her normal vocals for the verses while she peps her vocals in the chorus.  Better song after I listened to it a couple of times!

10. beat

To me, beat also kind of has a strange atmosphere.  It reminds me of stuff like “Aoi-iconoclast” and such since it’s rock, but it has various things in it like piano, strings, and synths.  Unlike most of the previous songs on the album, this one is kind of forgettable and to me is the filler song on the album.  It isn’t bad, nor is it that great…it’s just there.

11. Kikoeru

As the album’s token ballad, Kikoeru to me really isn’t that but it’s much lighter than everything before it (maybe with the exception of “Love Letter”).  It’s different and while KOTOKO is singing in a higher and cuter pitch it kind of becomes more of a chore to listen to.  It’s not that bad, but I can’t remember much besides the ~kitto, kitto, kitto~ at the end of the chorus. 

12. Hiroke! Sora no Oto

More of this garage-rock stuff it seems lol.  I actually kind of enjoyed Hiroke! quite a bit since the arrangement is more straightforward and KOTOKO didn’t sound too extreme like the other ones which is definitely good news.  I heard the strings and was also imagining that she was channeling a little of Nana Mizuki in this tune.  Good tune here

13. Chikyuu -TERRA-

Closing the album out on a rather unusual note is Chikyuu which could be paralleling “Love Letter” because both songs have this slowish atmosphere about it except this song is a bit more darker in approach with the synths and mechanical feel.  KOTOKO is singing quite lightly to fit the mold of the song more and I do think she does a better job at making this a lil more broad since the chorus is loud and has guitars ^_^.  Great ending to the album.

Tracks Recommended

• Love Letter
• Command+S
• TR∀NSFoRM
• Chikyuu -TERRA-
• ☆Mirai -Ressha-☆

Song of Avoidance

• mirror garden

I’m a little surprised that KOTOKO would leave (technically she did) I’ve Sound to Warner but it feels like she didn’t lose her steam since she kept the producers from her I’ve days while working with new ones on this one.  Hiraku Uchuu Pocket was a nice effort despite not really surpassing “Epsilon no Fune” unfortunately.  I would kind of like KOTOKO’s higher tone to be kept elsewhere off her albums.  I will say also that better producers are needed I think.  Still a solid release and good first release on a new label.

KOTOKO – Loop-the-Loop October 18, 2010

Track Listing

1. Loop-the-Loop
2. Raimei ga Naku Koro
3. Loop-the-Loop (Instrumental)
4. Raimei ga Naku Koro (Instrumental)

1. Loop-the-Loop

I know it’s been a while since we’ve heard something rather anime-ish and cute from KOTOKO and Loop-the-Loop is definitely one of those cutest songs.  Now IMO she doesn’t tackle these very well since her voice isn’t much suited, but she does have a slight cute touch to it.  Arrangement-wise though it’s a mix of pop/rock and synths ala her last cute A-side song “daily-daily Dream”.  That being said, I’m not totally into the song, but she’s gotta have one of these around.

2. Raimei ga Naku Koro

While her B-sides have been mostly synth-based stuff as of recent, I was surprised that Raimei ga Naku Koro was more of a slower popish tune from KOTOKO and it kind of made me wonder why she went with this.  It seems like she went backwards and gave us this rather blah B-side.  I might’ve would’ve expected it on “hane” or something…still not so much for this song.

If she really thought of it, the cover is so much more suited for “BUCCANEER” than Loop-the-Loop…Anyways, the single actually was exactly the same thing I felt for “daily-daily Dream”.  I really have a hard time enjoying songs like this because it kind of brings out the worse for KOTOKO and it did.  I still don’t know which of the two songs is better, but they aren’t as good as her last few singles for sure.

KOTOKO – Hekira no Sora e Izanaedo July 5, 2010

Track Listing

1. Hekira no Sora e Izanaedo
2. Digital Snail
3. Hekira no Sora e Izanaedo -instrumental-
4. Digital Snail -instrumental-

1. Hekira no Sora e Izanaedo

Remember the other song she did for Blazblue, “Ao-iconoclast” yea, that song kind of pales when compared to this song since it’s not fully rock, but this one actually has an anime-esque that doesn’t sound under-produced.  Maybe it does a little bit, but I think it’s who she worked with that made it sound rather dated.  I like it, but it’s not at the level where I’d listen to this constantly (thx “SCREW”).

2. Digital Snail

Though, talking about “SCREW”, Digital Snail continues this trek on this pretty epic trance sound that I’m starting to love to death from all the I’ve Girls that are currently doing stuff.  While KOTOKO’s vocals are a bit higher than before, the song is actually quite nice and the synth stuff fits nicely with the guitar riffs.  Very cool B-side, but still no “BUCCANEER”.

 

 

After releasing the awesomeness that is “SCREW” I wasn’t sure where she’d go next and I’m surprised she released Hekira under KOTOKO and not “kotoko” as she did with “Ao-iconoclast”.  I do like the arrangement of this one better, but it sounds rather dated and for being a Blazblue song it kind of made me scratch my head.  Digital Snail, also have a title that’s ultimately weird as hell, was quite good and since I love I’ve Sound’s trance stuff, I was happy with this one.  So overall a good release.

KOTOKO – hane April 27, 2010

Track Listing

1. Introduction
2. Asura
3. Fuyu no Shizuku
4. Hayategumo
5. Gratittude ~Ookina Kuri no Ki no Shita de~
6. Gen’ei
7. Itai yo
8. Hitorigoto
9. Koe ga Todoku Nara
10. Lament
11. Ashiato
12. Hane
13. Kanariya -SORMA No. 3 Re-mix-

1. Introduction

Opening the album up, Introduction is a simple intro that features well some pretty interesting played synths or something and behind is this rather serene forest feel before fading into a strings melody.  Sad though that it’s supposed to link immediatly into “Asura” but somehow that got lost in translation XD

2. Asura

Right from the start, you can really tell this is totally different from indies KOTOKO because Asura features a mix of rock and electro which is pretty signature in I’ve Sound.  I also noticed KOTOKO’s vocals are a whole lot stronger than it was in her debut.  While it’s kind of like what she’s like today, and oddly reminds me of MELL’s “Red fraction”, but it’s a good start for the album.

3. Fuyu no Shizuku

When I saw the tracklist times, I was shocked there were 4 songs that were near 7 minutes or above it.  The first of the four, Fuyu no Shizuku is the first ballad off the album and while I love the ethereal wintry feel, KOTOKO’s vocals aren’t exactly strong in these songs, but I do love her perserverence.  Sometimes the layering gets odd and the music sometimes cover her up but it’s a nice song but did it need to be that long?

4. Hayategumo

The 2nd long song, Hayategumo was actually released with “Hitorigoto” as a mini-album preceding this and I really don’t know why it’s classified as such but w/e.  I thought the opening took way to long to get to KOTOKO but I thought it was going to be more different but it just seems to be as much of as a ballad as “Fuyu no Shizuku”.  KOTOKO’s vocals are a bit better but the music was its downfall because it was just not that moving and it dragged most of the time.

5. Gratitude ~Ookina Kuri no Ki no Shita de~

Raising the tempo up just a little, Gratitude is still pretty slow of a song but at least it’s got enough oomph behind it make it more stronger and having KOTOKO sing a bit more louder also helped.  It’s at least a stronger song than the previous two long tracks.  Maybe a little more energy would’ve helped.

6. Gen’ei

Darker than the previous songs, Gen’ei has a pretty spooky opening with synths and acoustic guitar.  Already it stands on the album because of it’s quiet and unsettling vibe I get here.  KOTOKO also sounds rather strong and not trying to sound like the normal nasally self she usually does.  Very abstract song and I love how the song builds up even though the chorus would’ve been nice if it was like exploding with sound.  It’s one of those songs that just builds and I like that quite a bit.

7. Itai yo

If there was anything that reminds me of her debut, Itai yo definitely makes me think of it.  It’s rather laidback of a song and I hate that stupid two note chord progression…KOTOKO’s vocals are also kind of icky here as well.  This isn’t the kind of song to be pulling this out.  Just not that good of a song.

8. Hitorigoto

Finally getting back into somewhat of an energetic arrangement, Hitorigoto was previously reviewed when it appeared as a bonus track on “Epsilon no Fune” and going back to it now, my thoughts haven’t exactly changed.  I mean it’s good on this album since it more energetic than the last few tracks, but the new Hitorigoto still definitely owns the original which makes sense right?

9. Koe ga Todoku Nara

Another ballad?  I guess we can’t have another upbeat tune from KOTOKO.  However, the orchestral arrangement is very pretty and so far seems to be the most organic ballad on the album which is a very good thing.  Her voice in this song is easier to take, but she still doesn’t sound like she did back in “Gen’ei”.  I guess it’s passable for right now.

10. Lament

While Lament has been on the special I’ve Sound release, “LAMENT” KOTOKO’s song was really strong that it made the list for hane.  Between this and “Asura”, I actually like this song because it mixed the overall mood of the album being slow and somber with this song that’s just like that and edgy at the same time.  It does kind of seemed so odd that said tracks are the crazy ones and the albums strongest tracks.  I actually liked Lament a lot.

11. Ashiato

I don’t know why but there’s just one too many ballads on this albums and it’s hard to listen since most are pretty long ones as well.  Ashiato really didn’t make me wanna pay attention, but I’ll admit that her vocals sound really good compared to the other ballads, but the arrangement is somewhere in the middle of being nice and too plain.  I could turn out to actually enjoy it possibly.

12. Hane

Rounding the album’s end, the title track is not surprisingly the longest, being almost at 8 minutes and all.  I didn’t know what to expect from the title and from the start it felt like a mix of a ballad and synth splotches to make it stand out more.  As time starting going by, it turns out to be a more rockish ballad which is a plus, but the tempo is just rather slow for me.  I like KOTOKO, and she sounds nice, but this song is just boring with not much going for it really.  Like there’s no interest or pulse…

13. Kanariya -SORMA No. 3 Re-mix-

Ugh, I’m trying to forget “Sora wo Tobetara…” and you throw a remix of a song from that album at the end?  At least they chose a good song to remix, but it feels like it lost what made the original so good.  I love the creepy vibe of the remix and KOTOKO’s eerie whispering for the verses did stand out a bit more, but once she came out…it just kind of was ehhhh.

Tracks Recommended

• Lament
• Asura
• Gen’ei

Song of Avoidance

• Itai yo

There’s not a lot that can be said for KOTOKO’s debut under I’ve Sound.  While I do think it’s better than “Sora wo Tobetara…”, it’s still not that strong of an album.  I think the problem was for hane was the fact that the album was a borefest with too many long ballads.  Even the songs that were recommended suffered from the meh arrangements….luckily things pick-up on “Glass no Kaze”.

KOTOKO – SCREW December 15, 2009

Track Listing

1. SCREW
2. BUCCANEER
3. SCREW -instrumental-
4. BUCCANEER -instrumental-

1. SCREW

When it comes to KOTOKO songs, you’ll always get something that’s either synth-crazy or really cute, but with SCREW seems to be my temporary release from “Re-Sublimity’s” hold for awhile.  SCREW is definitely a song on its own because it’s just vocally wild and the music is great and would’ve been great on “Epsilon no Fune”.  Even better is that it’s tied to ASSAULT GIRLS which has an epic moment with Meisa Kuroki, gotta love the graphics of the movie as well.  Anyways, SCREW is definitely KOTOKO’s strongest A-side released this year.

2. BUCCANEER

I found BUCCANEER just as good if not better than “SCREW”.  It has the same electro flow going on and feels great.  I think I loved whenever KOTOKO started singing faster and it’s just more interesting.  The longer notes KOTOKO kept holding we’re strong as well, damn could this be the turning point for KOTOKO?

 

 

Damn, I was definitely impressed with KOTOKO’s single this time around.  While it seems she’s been in a slump with her previous singles here, SCREW just reminds us why she’s great and even better BUCCANEER was IMO better than the A-side, shows that I’ve Sound can do great things if they actually tried.  Even though this isn’t the final thing of her’s releasing this year, SCREW is definitely an amazing single.

KOTOKO – jihad November 19, 2009

Track Listing

1. jihad
2. jihad (Instrumental)

1. jihad

I didn’t even notice this was an actual single release.  Whenever I think of the word jihad, I think of terrorism, but then again I’m probably not the only one that does xD.  I’m actually surprised at how, after “Epsilon no Fune” she releases a new single so soon.  About the song, it’s actually not as energetic as previous releases, but it’s not boring either because KOTOKO gives a strong performance.  The beginning had an Arabic-like opening, but it quickly became a string-based dance track.  Even if it doesn’t make it on a KOTOKO album, this is a pretty sweet tune.

 

 

I really don’t know KOTOKO’s release era’s but jihad is a pretty cool track even though it isn’t fast or long-lasting.  KOTOKO though quietly released this, so w/e at least it’s out.

KOTOKO – Epsilon no Fune October 14, 2009

Track Listing

1. ε～Epsilon～
2. Real Onigokko
3. -∞-DRIVE
4. scene
5. Ame to Guitar
6. Genkai Daha
7. Monera no Kizuna
8. Hayate no Gotoku!
9. RI←SU→KU
10. HELLION
11. Geoglyphs
12. BLAZE
13. LITTLE BABY NOTHING
14. Hitorigoto -2009 ver.- (First Press Bonus Track)
15. Hitorigoto -2001 ver.- (First Press Bonus Track)

1. ε～Epsilon～

Ahhh, judging by the cover of this album, I was definitely hoping the album was going to be an electro album and since ε～Epsilon～ was the main promotional track, I was actually happy with what we got.  I know people who are huge I’ve Sound fans will probably be picky with this, I won’t since I don’t know the music producers enough to know who’s who.  I did notice however that ε～Epsilon～ reminds me of MELL’s “no vain” through the verses while the chorus has a brighter feel to it.  I’m also liking her vocals a lot better than her stint back on “daily-daily Dream”.  I really like electronica and this filled that void very quickily.

2. Real Onigokko

Released back in late 2007, Real Onigokko returns for this albums release.  As such it does continue to be fitting because it’s got a darker feel to it than later released singles and with the touch or rock added.  This would be the first time I have heard KOTOKO sound amazingly strong in a song. I gotta admit this is a great track.  Can’t wait till I review it’s single.

3. -∞-DRIVE

Our next new track shows up and takes a happier route with it’s arrangement.  I also noticed the song is very electro and then add KOTOKO’s vocals here, you get a pretty epic tune here.  Even the chorus was amazing and she used a bit of English here as well.  Then there’s the part after the second chorus where she holds this note pretty long and that sounded great.  Ok, this is an amazing track on par with “Re-Sublimity”.

4. scene

The oldest track off the album, scene is originally a B-side off of “Shichitenhakki☆Shijoushugi!”.  Anyways, scene is rather a slower song, but a rather strange song.  At first it seems like it’s lively and a good feel-good track and then when the guitar comes in, it becomes rather dark and then goes back to feel-good.  So right there, it’s a bit of a messy and confusing track.  Maybe without it, I think the song would’ve flowed a bit more smoothly.

5. Ame to Guitar

I was happy to get out of “scene” and enter Ame to Guitar.  At first, I thought it was a ballad like the last track, but I did miss the underlying beats at the start, so it’s rather a dance track.  There’s something about this track that I really like about Ame to Guitar.  It’s probably because it’s something different on the album.

6. Genkai Daha

I’ll admit that I really don’t like Genkai Daha.  It just doesn’t stand out for me at all.  I guess it’s probably because there’s other tracks that are similar to this that have been a whole lot better.  Not much else to really say about it besides it’s a filler track.

7. Monera no Kizuna

Same problem here.  It’s a bit better than “Genkai Daha”, but I feel she’s done way better with tracks that have the similar things going on.  Besides the meh arrangement, the song doesn’t really go anywhere here.  I guess it’s alright to put to meh songs next to each other right?

8. Hayate no Gotoku!

I guess I should call it the first of the era, Hayate no Gotoku! is surprisingly energetic.  I don’t see a lot of people liking this song much, but when compared to the last two tracks, this is actually refreshing and I like KOTOKO’s happy mood for this song a lot.  Once again I keep finding myself thinknig I’m listening to MELL because of KOTOKO’s vocals here. 

9. RI←SU→KU

Then we finally return to some electronica for RI←SU→KU.  I really like the edgy opening to the song and then hearing KOTOKO singing here really got me excited.  It isn’t as trance like a few other tracks, but it does stand out at this point of the album and it’s catchy for me.  It does sound like it’s a remix of something, but I like it.

10. HELLION

I love the opening for HELLION for sure with KOTOKO ad-libbing before the electric guitar comes in for a hard sound.  I have to say that KOTOKO is doing a fine job singing in the song, but the arrangement does sound rather close to “RI←SU→KU” and probably isn’t a good thing for her.  Still it’s a better track that a good portion of the earlier side of the album.

11. Geoglyphs

Geoglyphs starts out ethereal-like with piano and then adds synths and a dance beat and we basically get another “Re-sublimity” but in this album.  It might not be as powerful as “ε～Epsilon～”, but for a dance track it’s quite nice.  I’m pretty sure that it’d be better if it was a bit faster because I could see this being an awesome track given that she’s did more things with it.

12. BLAZE

Another track that big fans of I’ve Sound majorly dislikes, I don’t exactly see the hate in BLAZE at all.  I actually find a lot more appealing most of the other A-sides released since “Hayate no Gotoku!”.  While, it does still have that electronica feel to it and KOTOKO’s vocals aren’t the best here, it actually makes me think of the cover as well because it feels like a good space theme.  I think it’s the best A-side of the entire era IMHO.

13. LITTLE BABY NOTHING

Rounding off the album, LITTLE BABY NOTHING is a rather different track from the I’ve Queen.  For the first time, I’m hearing a little bit of acoustic guitar and then the lyrics start coming in, but from a guy.  Rather, Kazuya Takase who’s a producer as well??  Anyway he’s singing with KOTOKO and they both share the chorus.  I’m not sure what to really think of the collaboration, but their harmonization is rather shaky (most apparant during the longer notes).  It’s actually not too bad, but c’mon sing right KOTOKO LOL.

13. Hitorigoto -2009 ver.-

Being the first of two first press bonuses, we get a new version of Hitorigoto.  To me it sounds more refined and a little louder than the original which is great and all.  It seems she also resang this as well which is great still and the additions of new sounds and stuff made it work out.

14. Hitorigoto -2001 ver.-

Oh why did KOTOKO include this to show the difference between the original and the updated version?  Hitorigoto was originally from “-hane-” which is so long ago, but I guess it was nice to get started on the 10th anniversary right?  While the updated fixed everything that was wrong, it’s nice to come back to the original and hear KOTOKO from back when, but damn is this slow than I want it to be.

Tracks Recommended

• BLAZE
• -∞-DRIVE
• Real Onigokko
• ε～Epsilon～
• LITTLE BABY NOTHING

Song of Avoidance

• Genkai Daha

I wouldn’t say KOTOKO’s 5th album is a bad album…it was just plainly alright.  I can see why she’s better off doing electro tracks more than her poppish stuff and I like that, but she needs new producers because she’s starting to get a little stale with her music…though I do agree that UZU-MAKI is still her worst album to date.  Epsilon no Fune is a step up and I hope she gets better with who she chooses to produce her.