Kou Shibasaki – Lyrical＊Wonder December 18, 2012

Track Listing

1. Koimoriuta
2. Mata, Umareru Koro ni wa
3. Strength
4. My Perfect Blue
5. Mou, Inai yo
6. Waraou Kana -5 p.m.-
7. traffic jam
8. Chi no Iro
9. you & me
10. ANOTHER:WORLD
11. cosmic rainbow
12. Yukuyuku wa
13. Waraou Kana -7 a.m.-

1. Koimoriuta

Kou’s album opens up quietly with Koimoriuta and I’m happy she started the album off with a ballad since it seems that’s what she was going for for most of the era was more of that lighter and poppy vibe.  I’m a little surprised with the simplicity of the song because it’s two piano notes going back forth which leaves Kou to take the reins with her voice.  It does kind of come off as a bit repetitive, but I really liked her voice here…it was soft and fluffy and just cute…though the song could’ve had more layers going on…

2. Mata, Umareru Koro ni wa

As the song to promote the album, I was pleasantly taken aback by Mata, Umareru Koro ni wa.  I was a bit surprised that something so effervescent and cute came into this song and it really makes “Koimoriuta” look really crappy next to it hahah.  I feel like this song sounds like it would be a perfect song in some fairyland.  Yeah this is pretty damn amazing and an equally amazing choice to promote the album!

3. Strength

Onto some of the songs we’ve already heard before, Strength comes first and I loved the funky riffs out of this tune for sure and Kou sounded really pretty and was the total opposite of “Mou, Inai yo” as this kind of has this getting up in the morning kind of feel to it.  Very breezy as well (especially during the slower part of the song).  It’s just a playful track and really stuck out during the era.  Awesome!

4. My Perfect Blue

I’ve noticed the album is kind of on this very light pop train-track and after “Strength” we slow down back to a ballad with the primary A-side of the third single represnting the album.  I’ve said not too long ago that it was a really well-done ballad and once again sounds a LOT more intriguing than “Koimoriuta”.  It just had the right amount of dramatics and Kou sounded WONDERFUL in the song…it would be my favorite ballad if it hadn’t been because of…

5. Mou, Inai yo

This song which was the B-side of “Strength”.  It’s a REALLY beautiful song as well as it’s softly sung and like I said about it’s A-side, it’s kind of the opposite where this sounds like a tune played on a boat at night where the moon is shining bright.  It really painted a picture for me and I LOVE songs that can do that to me.  Like I said, VERY pretty and one of my favorites from the album!!!

6. Waraou Kana -5 p.m.-

After those great songs, I thought we had an interlude coming up, but Waraou Kana is actually a full song.  I was curious with this song because it kind of has this cute appearance that surprised even me.  It was a bit strange because it kind of had horns all over the place and overall it felt like an idol song almost haha, but that could be from Kou’s higher pitch as well.  Cute and different though it doesn’t work as the bridge into “traffic jam”.

7. traffic jam

I didn’t think synths would start traffic jam into this kind of electropop/ethereal track…it’s kind of a strange mix, but I approve of this because it’s so floaty and the arrangement is quite catchy.  Add in Kou’s distant-sounding vocals and It’s really an interesting feel.  I’m not sure how else to really describe it but it stands out in a really good way!

8. Chi no Iro

I was kind of wondering how this song would sound since the title translates to Color of Blood and you can’t really assume it’s going to be a bad ass track.  This song though is a bit chaotic and kind of messy compared to the other tracks no thanks to that annoying drum section.  Then it kind of moves into this section where Kou cites random English words.  Yeah, this is kind of bad and REALLY out of place on the album.

9. you & me

After that really absurd track beforehand, you & me tones things WAYYYYY down again for this mid-tempo ditty that really has a nice groove to it.  I’m surprised this wasn’t placed near “Strength” because the whole Starbucks sound is really charming and Kou’s voice is smooth and very pleasant to listen to.

10. ANOTHER:WORLD

As the second A-side for the era, ANOTHER:WORLD is upbeat and energetic in a good way (unlike “Chi no Iro”).  This song kind of popped up so suddenly after the last track so the burst of energy was a surprise so to speak.  I do like how it brings something to the album and it stands out nicely because I liked it on the single and it worked smoothly here as well! 

11. cosmic rainbow

Lord, the album’s longest track, cosmic rainbow is definitely a surprise for me and one of the cooler songs!  It’s like technopop, but has that same ethereal tone like “traffic jam”.  It continues to grow and it really found myself just loving this entirely.  I just love the glossy feel of it for some reason and for being 7 minutes, it really flew by me without problems….SO <3

12. Yukuyuku wa

After all that electro fest, it was a little strange getting into Yukuyuku wa which is all natural.  I wasn’t too thrilled about the song when I first reviewed it on the single alongside “My Perfect Blue” but here it really is kind of a weird song on the album.  I still think Kou sounds boring and the arrangement is a bit like The Beatles.  It just was one of the more boring tracks IMO.

13. Waraou Kana -7 a.m.-

Ehhh? Another Waraou Kana?  Unlike the other one in the middle of the album, this is kind of a bit more upbeat and some instrumental changes.  Actually there’s a lot more of synths present in this version but ultimately it’s really the same song so I really am unsure why there’s two versions…minus the times it’s supposed to reflect.

Tracks Recommended

• Mata, Umareru Koro ni wa
• Mou, Inai yo
• cosmic rainbow
• My Perfect Blue
• traffic jam

Song of Avoidance

• Chi no Iro

If you were expecting another “Love Paranoia” or “CIRCLE CYCLE” then prepare to be surprised by this one.  I think with Lyrical＊Wonder, she went for a MUCH lighter route which profited her because she sounds really pretty through most of this…the only rock track, Chi no Iro, was a hot mess and is the only reason this album wasn’t perfect lol…yeah this is a great album *RECOMMENDED*

Kou Shibasaki – My Perfect Blue/Yukuyuku wa October 30, 2012

Track Listing

1. My Perfect Blue
2. Yukuyuku wa
3. My Perfect Blue -Instrumental-
4. Yukuyuku wa -Instrumental-

1. My Perfect Blue

I have to say that Kou found the right person to produce My Perfect Blue because it’s just so pretty to listen to and Kou sounds amazing pulling it off as well.  It still is pretty much a piano/strings with drums kind of ballad, but this actually fit since it’s light and flows smoothly the entire way.  This is a pretty good ballad from her, not as awesome as “Mou, Inai yo” but still for an A-side it’s great!

2. Yukuyuku wa

The other A-side on the single, Yukuyuku wa is the upbeat one off the single and it kind of reminds me of Maaya Sakamoto’s stuff from “You can’t catch me”.  It’s got this simple beat to it that kind of reminds me of something The Beatles would have done long ago.  My only qualm about the song I have is that Kou’s vocals don’t seem to energetic here so it kind of bores me…strange how that works.

 

 

As the third and final single for the era, My Perfect Blue/Yukuyuku wa is a good single but it isn’t as good as “Strength”.  My Perfect Blue is a really good ballad from her and really stands out in recent times.  Yukuyuku wa would’ve been better if she sounded more livelier and less bored but that’s just me.  Overall not bad.

Kou Shibasaki – ANOTHER:WORLD July 2, 2012

Track Listing

1. ANOTHER:WORLD
2. Adrasteia no Teikou
3. ANOTHER:WORLD -ANOTHER:FUTURE Remix- (Regular only)
4. ANOTHER:WORLD -Instrumental-

1. ANOTHER:WORLD

That intro to ANOTHER:WORLD really was something else.  It actually kind of reminds me of school food punishment for some reason.  The track finds ourselves with Kou taking more of a pop/rock/experimentive sound and I quite like the sound of it.  Maybe a little anime-esque for color which is pretty awesome but otherwise it’s a solid song from her.

2. Adrasteia no Teikou

Interesting title for our B-side and funny enough carries the same feelings that I had for the lead track.  I mean it has the same stuff going on but with piano being in the front and not so much the guitars and stuff.  I don’t find it very much different sadly, but it kind of works as the coupling.

 3. ANOTHER:WORLD -ANOTHER:FUTURE Remix-

Well it seems like there’s an actual remix on the single and definitely true to it’s nature, it changes ANOTHER:WORLD to a more electro-heavy track and I kind of like the sound of it.  It’s very buzzy and the beats are nice and heavy.  I wasn’t a big fan of the copy and pasting technique that are going on, but this remix is fun and took the song to a better level.

 

 

While ANOTHER:WORLD as a whole didn’t impress me as much as “Strength.” did, it is a good single.  Both the lead track and Adrasteia no Teikou were a bit similar to one another but they were nice and upbeat and different which I love about Kou’s music and the remix kind of broke the monotony the single had.  Hope her next single is ass kickin!!!

Kou Shibasaki – Strength March 13, 2012

Track Listing

1. Strength
2. Mou, Inai yo
3. Strength -Instrumental-

1. Strength

For a song that’s titled Strength, I wasn’t fully expecting Kou to make it something totally different than I had in mind and I like that little twist.  I love the string bass and clapping rhythm going on as well.  It kind of gives the song a retro feel that’s nice to listen to.  Add in splashes of synths and it’s a very pretty little tune here.  Entirely different from anything back in the “CIRCLE CYCLE” era so this is a new and fresh start for her.

2. Mou, Inai yo

The B-side of the single takes things at an even lighter viewpoint with acoustic guitar and what I think is a harmonica (but it doesn’t really feel like it’s literally played.  I’m even surprised that the song also has a male backup to sing along with her in the chorus which is a nice move.  Very relaxing of a song but it’s got so much charm that I can’t help but love the hell out of it.

 

 

Starting a new era off, Strength was surprisingly good.  Despite my lack of interest in “CIRCLE CYCLE’s” singles except for “wish”, Strength brought back a little more of cute within Kou’s sound and she’s sounding quite nicely. Mou, Inai yo though was pretty awesome.  It got the feeling of night time just right and the softly sung Kou fit the mood even better.  Definitely *RECOMMENDED* here. 

Kou Shibasaki – CIRCLE CYCLE May 18, 2011

Track Listing

1. wish
2. Parallel World Reading
3. Mukei Spirit
4. Ai no Wa
5. Graspin’ all of it
6. EUPHORIA
7. Tonari
8. Genomi Chronicle
9. Sayonalove
10. Focus
11. Eine Kleine
12. Rouge no Dengon
13. Philosophy

1. wish

Fitting that she begins her album with the last A-side released in the era and wish still surprises me in a good way.  I know she hasn’t had the best era in A-side land but this was a great track to return to her good stuff.  I’ve said before that this feels like a dream and Kou’s vocals really fit in this style almost perfectly.  Still one of my favorite songs from this album for sure.

2. Parallel World Reading

Our first new song to appear, Parallel World Reading is pretty much what most of the album is going to feel like and it’s a more electro-based album this time around.  I love the synths used in the song and in the quieter parts it feels like a mix of “wish” and “EUPHORIA” but it grows back into this awesome beat-driven song.  I’d actually love to know who produced this because it’s gold for sure.  I’d say right now it’s my favorite track!

3. Mukei Spirit

I kind of wished the added the studio live version off of “wish” instead of putting the original.  This still has problems for me getting used to it’s more funk-based atmosphere but it’s also due to because of how messy Kou’s lyrics match up to the arrangement.  I mean the whole ~the dance~ lines do make it easier to take it in, but it’s still kind of a brash song for Kou…not really something I’d go back to over and over again.  Though I will say I like the risk she took by doing a pop/rock track again…but still nothing like “lover soul”.

4. Ai no Wa

Talking about “lover soul” it seems because of the amazingness, she wanted to recapture it but in a much lighter feel and we ended up with Ai no Wa.  It’s actually quite catchy and since the guitars get replaced by beats and synths it’s more along the lines of something in between “lover soul” and “Parallel World Reading”.  It’s absurdly catchy and she gives a fun performance…but not a very strong one.  I still found myself bobbing my head to it ^_^

5. Graspin’ all of it

Yep, another rock track appears on the album and I took quick notice about Kou’s nasal vocals in this track and it oddly shocked me she took that for this song.  It does seem pretty basic against the previous songs but she needed a rock song since she pulled it off so well in her last album.  I can’t tell if the song is fully in English, but it sure sounds like it but Kou makes it tough to follow what she’s exactly saying.  It does have its merits, but nothing I’d totally return to.

6. EUPHORIA

To go from something like “Graspin’ all of it” to EUPHORIA is a bit jagged of a move, but seeing as this is really only one of two ballads on the album, it had to be placed somewhere right?  Anywho, EUPHORIA might be the first A-side released but it really made me happy to see such a powerful ballad, (especially after Honto da yo which confused to as why it didn’t make CIRCLE CYCLE’s cut).  The verses weren’t much to gawk at but the chorus is just too awesome to pass up.  Great A-side, but this and the next song seem like oddities on the album.

7. Tonari

So we finally get a studio version of Tonari eh?  If you remember Tonari was first seen as a live cut on the “EUPHORIA” single.  It’s not a surprise to see it appear on the album, but it seems not a lot has really been changed.  The same instruments are there (acoustic guitar, piano, bongos, strings) yeah.  It’s nice to hear it this way, but I think the live version made it a bit more homely and such.

8. Genomi Chronicle

While I don’t totally count “Tonari” as a B-side, the literal only B-side to make the album’s cut is from “Mukei Spirit”.  I actually didn’t mind the choice of B-sides since they were pretty good for the most part but I had an inkling that it would’ve been “u.”.  Genomi Chronicle isn’t bad either and actually sounds like it was the easiest choice since it’s like “Ai no Wa” with the mix of rock and synths.  The biggest difference though is that Kou is under some filters and I’ve gotten used hearing that quite a bit and so it has gotten better for me.  Fun song and great B-side.

9. Sayonalove

The reason this song was bolded because it was released as a digital single earlier in the year, but I have not heard it until now.  Why wasn’t this released as an A-side?  It sounds really good and Kou’s vocals mixes well with the club beats so well.  It’s different for me and while it doesn’t make itself stand out like “Parallel World Reading”, this is actually quite nice and fits her style to a T.

10. Focus

For a song that’s called Focus, there’s not a whole lot of it in this song.  To me it sounds like she’s trying to be all School Food Punishment here and it’s strange because the arrangement would fit them.  However, after the first verse it just goes downhill and the sound gets way too cluttered and starts losing its focus!  It’s definitely my least favorite song off the album…no more of this Kou XD

11. Eine Kleine

I love the heavier electro beat for our next song for some reason.  After “Focus”, this also feels like it broke the flow of the album just a little bit but I still enjoyed this song and I’m stuck in where it’s classified as…but I’m sure most people would call it an upbeat ballad….so I guess there’s three.  Kou really sung her heart out in this song and it’s one of the few that caught my attention at first listen.  Pretty cool track and something a bit more experimental for her.

12. Rouge no Dengon

Another cover of Rouge no Dengon?  If you don’t know it’s a pretty popular Ghibli song so I guess it makes sense, but Eri Takenaka just covered this song and this and that cover are two totally different entities.  Unlike Eri’s quick-paced version, Kou’s is more relaxed and feels quite relaxing and set in a more fantasy-like atmosphere.  It’s a nice cover no doubt…but it seriously feels strange on the album.

13. Philosophy

Closing the album, Philosophy keeps the beats going on a good roll and it does feel like an amazing ending song because it feels almost like an upbeat ballad if it wasn’t for the pounding beats.  It might get annoying after a while but it gives the song energy and it feels self-powering almost.  I must say, this was a weird way to end CIRCLE CYCLE but a great song overall.

Tracks Recommended

• Parallel World Reading
• wish
• Ai no Wa
• Philosophy
• Sayonalove

Song of Avoidance

• Focus

CIRCLE CYCLE had some shoes to fill after how amazing “Love Paranoia” turned out and it was inevitable that she wasn’t gonna surpass it with this album.  Not saying this album is bad because I actually liked most of it.  Her experimental side is showing up more and with electro imbued in at least a couple of songs she can pull that style off.  Her rockin’ style though was oddly bad this time around with Mukei Spirit being a poor choice of an A-side, Graspin’ all of it was it’s mehness and poor Engrish, and Focus…which purely sucked lol.  Otherwise, the other songs were pretty good…I guess it’s a pretty good album even coming after “Love Paranoia”.

Kou Shibasaki – wish April 26, 2011

Track Listing

1. wish
2. Kimi to Saigo no Kiss
3. EUPHORIA -studio live version-
4. Mukei Spirit -studio live version-
5. wish -studio live version-
6. wish -instrumental-

1. wish

I kind of was lost at what Kou was doing in “Mukei Spirit” but she came back with wish.  I’m not sure how to describe the song, but it’s like an upbeat ballad with a good synth beat put to it.  I kind of enjoy this song quite a bit since it isn’t so grandiose or trying to be, it kind of flows like a dream and sounds really pretty overall.  It’s pretty soothing overall and feels like it’ll do well on the album since it’s on it.

2. Kimi to Saigo no Kiss

As the lone B-side, Kimi to Saigo no Kiss does let off on the seriousness from “wish” and gives a more acoustic guitar-based track that kind of sounds pretty simple from Kou.  I will say that I did enjoy the laidback tone of the song and Kou sounds really nice surprisingly.  It doesn’t have the long-lasting value that the A-side truly had, but it’s a fitting B-side for it’s almsot latin flair.

3. EUPHORIA -studio live version-

The rest of the single is covered in studio takes of the A-sides of the era, starting with the first, EUPHORIA.  There’s not too much that’s changed around for the version besides sounding like it’s performed in a studio which might be a nice change of pace.  To me, it sounds a lot cleaner in the arrangement so that oddly surprises me.  I actually consider this over the original XD

4. Mukei Spirit -studio live version-

Likewise, Mukei Spirit’s studio live is also making the song a lot more cleaner sounding.  It has less of the synths involved as well which was one of the reasons I kind of disliked the original a bit and the fact it was so messy to begin with.  It doesn’t sound as cluttered as it once was and the garage feel to it is amazing. 

5. wish -studio live version-

It was going to be tough to bypass wish however since the song sounds so good with the synths basically, but it seems the bass has a bit more prominence to replace it.  It takes an already simple song and makes it even moreso by taking the electronic stuff.  It’s alright, but now it sounds rather too plain

Kou finishes the “CIRCLE CYCLE” era with a pretty good single overall.  I think wish is my favorite A-side of the era and while the B-side isn’t terribly special it’s a good listen.  The studio live versions of her A-sides are all pretty damn good with EUPHORIA and Mukei Spirit’s being way better than the original counterparts while wish’s was alright but too simple.  I’m also happy to see that “Honto da yo.” isn’t on the album because it was prolly one of her most boring single’s ever XD

Kou Shibasaki – Mukei Spirit February 14, 2011

Track Listing

1. Mukei Spirit
2. Genomi Chronicle
3. Mukei Spirit -Mugen Loop Remix-
4. Mukei Spirit -Instrumental-

1. Mukei Spirit

After two rather slow A-sides in “Honto da yo” and “EUPHORIA” it’s nice to see something upbeat return to Kou’s music.  However, what happened with Mukei Spirit?  The song sounds good since it’s pop/rock and all that but the verses sounds messy for some reason…kind of like Kou’s off on her own direction with the music going another.  Though it cleans up for the bridge and chorus and that sounds really good…but it’s definitely no “lover soul”.  Ehhh it’s alright but not all that good.

2. Genomi Chronicle

As for the B-side of the single, I was surprised to get something that was harder sounding than “Mukei Spirit”.  I love the slight dark tinge that I get from the songs more electronic-defined sound.  Kou’s vocals are under some filters which might be a dealbreaker for some listeners, but I actually didn’t mind this and felt this was the better song from the single.

3. Mukei Spirit -Mugen Loop Remix-

Wow, it’s been a while since we’ve had a remix on a single (last one was on “lover soul”).  Anyway, the remix of the A-side takes the song into trance/club music and in some ways it feels kind of like Nakata’s work but somewhat edgier.  Adding almost three minutes to the song really gives freedom to the remixer and for the most part it was good…but the ad-libbed parts really annoyed me after a while…but I think it did good overall.

I didn’t think Kou was actually going to pull off a single like this especially with how lowkey and soft the previous two singles were.  Mukei Spirit might not be the best A-side she’s done but it reminds us that there’s a rocker in there.  Genomi Chronicle however really gave us a treat with a mix of rock and electro and that’s always a good thing to see in an artist to delve into something new.  Even the remix was oddly enough catchy enough for me that I’d listen to it over and over!  Hmmm…I wonder what “wish” will turn out like….though I’d bet it’ll be another “EUPHORIA”.

Kou Shibasaki – EUPHORIA November 6, 2010

Track Listing

1. EUPHORIA
2. u.
3. Tonari-100709

1. EUPHORIA

I’m all for Kou and her ballads no doubt, I do think I would’ve been better off having an upbeat A-side than another ballad since she did release the “ballad best-of”.  EUPHORIA follows in the same vein as “Honto da yo” did which was her previous song but I felt this ended up sounding stronger especially with the powerful hitting chorus that rather makes a fuller impact than the slow and quiet verses.  It’s definitely a stand out song and makes up for how boring her previous A-side was.

2. u.

The B-side is a bit like some of the poppier stuff that was on “Love Paranoia” and I don’t mind that one bit since those tracks were the more stronger tunes from the album.  Kind of reminds me of “ex” and I ended up loving that song so this was a plus.  I don’t mind the similarities and the rather R&B-ish flow either since Kou’s vocals fit the style quite nicely.  Good good B-side.

3. Tonari-100709

As for the final track on the single, we get a live version of Tonari, which is also a new song but we get a first taste through its live version.  Of course since it’s live it’s pretty different, but it takes a while to start up since there’s some like conversation going.  Kou’s vocals are pretty safe and quiet, but then again the instrumentation choices are quite light themselves.  Acoustic guitar, bongos, piano, and percussion.  I hope the studio’s version will sound a bit stronger.

While I’m not sure if this is the first of a new era or 2nd due to “Honto da yo”, EUPHORIA is definitely a step up after such a rather weak single.  EUPHORIA makes a great ballad for Kou and the choruses were so very strong to listen to.  u. brings back the more upbeat and fun style I was hoping to hear more after “Love Paranoia”.  However, the live version of Tonari is kind of eh…but I’m sure once we get an album version I’ll end up liking it.

Kou Shibasaki – Honto da yo April 18, 2010

Track Listing

1. Honto da yo
2. Doko.
3. Honto da yo (Backing Track)
4. Doko. (Backing Track)

1. Honto da yo

I’m just surprised after the surprisingly good “lover soul”, that Honto da yo is more of a ballad, but an upbeat at one at that.  I’m not really a fan of Kou’s more slower side of songs so this is unfortunatley not that memorable to me and it oddly reminds me of “Prism”.  I guess the positive thing is Kou’s vocals…but the background vocals could’ve been discharged.

2. Doko.

Kou and R&B have been around for awhile, but this kind of chilled sound is good for her and her vocals since they seem to stand out quite a bit more than normal.  It’s in the same laidback zone that “Honto da yo” is and while this song was better, it felt like more of a continuation and not enough spruce to make it rank like her previous B-sides

 

 

Beginning a new era after “Love Paranoia”, Honto da yo is a slow start to the era.  Like I said, I’m not really into her slower songs.  Both songs are alright, but c’mon after the last three singles this really comes off as a bit mediocre.

Kou Shibasaki – Love Paranoia November 17, 2009

Track Listing

1. lover soul
2. Love Minority
3. Yoku Aru Hanashi ~Mofuku no Onna Hen~
4. Hyakunengo
5. n0w
6. notice of the way it is
7. break a spell
8. Saiai (KOH+)
9. Kimi no Koe
10. Saisei
11. dive
12. Sweet Dream
13. ex
14. Teitaion
15. Taisetsu ni Suru yo
16. Kimi ga Nokoshiteitta Mono
17. Naite Ii (CD+DVD bonus track)

1. lover soul

It’s pretty awesome that Kou begins the album off with the last single released in the era and lover soul is one good song.  It’s a rockin’ pop/rock tune with strong vocals.  Still it’s one of the best of the era completely and probably one of the best singles of the year.

2. Love Minority

I’m guessing Love Minority continues the rockish tone and then the weirdness starts to happen.  It seems Kou was placed under vocoder in the song and mixing it with the rock arrangement was a pretty interesting choice.  It’s not as complete as “lover soul” is but Kou sounds pretty sweet under vocoder and I wonder if she’s going to continue to go towards this.

3. Yoku Aru Hanashi ~Mofuku no Onna Hen~

On this album, Yoku Aru Hanashi is represented as the album’s first A-side of the era and honestly ruined the flow of the album with its heavily lounge-influenced sound.  It’s exciting to get me wrong, but the song feels so weird (haven’t reviewed the single).  While it’s rather a strange genre Kou is trying out, it’s quite upbeat and fun to listen to altogether.  Her vocals aren’t trying to be painful and  liked that so I’m liking this song a whole lot more.

4. Hyakunengo

Then the album twists once again, but this time for a ballad this time.  While the song opens up with a bare piano and Kou singing along.  After a little bit, some rather winter-instruments get added in the song to make it more soothing.  It does shatter the album’s flow entirely, but it’s still a pretty smooth song and Kou’s vocals are quite nice here.

5. n0w

Our next new track n0w is surprisingly a dance track.  It’s kind of like “Yoku Aru Hanashi”, but instead of the use of brass, there’s a whole lot of synths used here and I kind of find myself liking this song a lot.  It’s a bit of disco and when it mixed with Kou’s higher vocals, the song becomes a hot track. 

6. notice of the way it is

As the album’s lone interlude, notice of the way it is is just basically a piano playing a melody, but quickly opens up to a pretty fantasy-like arrangement that made me enjoy it, but I think it would’ve been a whole lot nicer if it was turned into a full song.  Though the song melds into “break a spell” perfectly.

7. break a spell

The previous track kind of goes in mono sounding form before Kou starts to sing the next track.  At first I thought break a spell was going to be another ballad, but it becomes a mid-tempo pop tune and so far I love the energy she’s putting here.  It sounds like a perfect opening to an anime.

8. Saiai (KOH+)

Saiai was a collaboration between Kou and Masaharu Fukuyama.  They’ve collaborated before with the single “KISS Shite” so it’s not surprising to see another KOH+ single.  It’s also the lone collaboration track of the era so I kind of was interested to hear it.  At first, I was wondering where Masaharu was in the song because Kou was singing all of the song by herself.  If I’m correct, I’m guessing Masaharu was playing the guitar parts and done some of the arrangement work which explain his absence to the song.  Still a pretty good song…though not better than “Hyakunengo”.

9. Kimi no Koe

Released as the era’s only digital single, the album seems to be getting back to a solid flow since Kimi no Koe is a mid-tempo ballad.  So far, this would be my favorite ballad since it’s so much more grand and expressive.  It’s sad when a song is more wintry than another track and Kimi no Koe did it over than “Hyakunengo”.  I don’t think there was any problem with the song at all.  Pretty sweet.

10. Saisei

Sadly enough, we get to the disappointing song off the album.  The beginning instantly turned me off because off how shrill she sounded.  The song then opens up into another grand ballad, but the arrangement is like having epileptic seizures because it goes from grand to quiet and back and forth which was odd.  After that the song does get a backbone and tries to be good.  There’s points where I enjoyed it, but her yelling is quite meh here.

11. dive

We get into the B-sides that were added on starting with “Taisetsu ni Suru Yo’s” B-side and even though I haven’t listened to the single yet, I’m enjoying this alot.  dive has a great dance feel to it that reminds me of Nami Tamaki’s happier dance songs and it’s really catchy and flows great.  I’m not sure why, but Kou’s B-sides are typically great songs and I’m happy to see at least one was on here.

12. Sweet Dream

And we have a B-side from “lover soul” making the album.  I don’t know why, but Sweet Dream and “dive” sound great one after another because while this song has a rock feel and the latter is dance, it just feels right.  Her cutesy voice might turn a few people off since it’s a side she doesn’t do a lot on this album, but I thought it was a good cute song from Kou.

13. ex

We go back into new songs with a chill pop song with sitar and flute with ex.  I’m liking the relaxing mood it brings along and Kou’s vocals fit really nicely here.  The best thing I could describe it is, 90′s easy listening/pop music.  To me it’s like mall music…(y’know it’s like you hear it and love it, but as soon as you leave, you forget it).  Thank god I don’t have that here.  I really like this song right now.

14. Teitaion

I’m not entirely sure how to classify Teitaion as a song.  It sounds poppish and maybe a little dance…but the speed changes kind of makes me want to wonder if its a little bit reggae (especially in the slower parts).  It’s alright, but it’s not too memorable and prolly my least favorite of the new tracks.

15. Taisetsu ni Suru yo

As the era’s 3rd A-side, Taisetsu ni Suru yo doesn’t exactly sound just as amazing like the other ballads, but it’s stable on it’s own and I love the piano and Kou’s stable vocals.  Sometimes I find it pretty long.  It’s a pretty tune though I’ll give it that. 

16. Kimi ga Nokoshiteitta Mono

Ending off the CD only version of the album, Kimi ga Nokoshiteitta Mono is a different kind of ballad.  Instead of the dependence of an orchestral sound, this song is just Kou and acoustic guitar.  I really liked the barebones idea of the song and it doesn’t bore me at all because there’s just a lot of beautiful sounds here.  Nice that she saved the best for last…at least for the CD-only cut.

17. Naite Ii

The CD+DVD issue contained an extra track.  I’m not sure what’s the deal if Naite Ii is an old track or brand spanking new, but after the really nice acoustic ballad, this seems kind of unneeded.  Especially with the other similarly constructed ballads, Naite Ii isn’t too interesting.  The only think I can really comment about is Kou’s vocals which are once again pleasant to the ears.

Tracks Recommended

• ex
• Yoku Aru Hanashi ~Mofuku no Onna Hen~
• dive
• Kimi ga Nokoshiteitta Mono
• lover soul

Song of Avoidance

• Saisei

Wow, I definitely enjoyed this album a lot more than I initially thought.  Love Paranoia might look like a pretty long album, but most of the songs will keep your interest and picks you right back up at the danger spots.  A few songs do hit sour notes with Kou’s more higher pitched tone, but the lower the better.  Definitely an album to get. *RECOMMENDED*