MEG – WEAR I AM October 3, 2012

Track Listing

1. TRAP
2. Natsu ga Owaru
3. HIGHTEEEN
4. Seventeen Rendezvous
5. MISS MARTINI
6. LOVE EMOTION
7. ZZZ
8. SOUTHPAW
9. REPLICA
10. WEAR I AM

1. TRAP

I love that MEG opens the album with the leading A-side because TRAP is really interesting for both her and the producer, Shinichi Osawa.  It’s got an interesting style and I think MEG sounds really sultry in the song which adds to the smokiness of the tune and classiness it holds.  A great way to begin an album for sure!

2. Natsu ga Owaru

Makes sense that the next track would be Natsu ga Owaru since it shares it accordion style with “TRAP” but this has more of a French feel which is pretty unique and interesting from MEG.  It’s really chill and the song makes me feel happy and breezy.  Plus MEG sounds really good for a song in such style.  Definitely an early favorite on the album.

3. HIGHTEEEN

Moving on to the shortest track on the album (at 3 minutes flat), HIGHTEEEN kind of pulls us out of the French atmosphere and gave us this synth/pop/rock mix which is pretty cool and I like that the energy is moving on up.  It’s a bit cute for her too for me which is new and her voice kind of sounds like later Nakata works.  Song is good, but there are plenty of others that I like!

4. Seventeen Rendezvous

We get the B-side from “TRAP” as our next track and I wasn’t sure it would add to the album because it didn’t really leave much of a mark on me.  I do get that MEG is singing in a filter that makes her sound like she’s singing far and there’s echoing going on.  It’s still a little too lowkey for me (and personally would’ve worked here if it had only been an instrumental interlude).

5. MISS MARTINI

After the last track, the rest of the album is full of new tracks!  MISS MARTINI really caters to that bossa nova/big band/jazz lovers because it holds itself with that arrangement.  MEG really sounds into this song and I can’t blame her because the arrangement is lively and charming and it just works for her.  Classy!

6. LOVE EMOTION

For the people that missed MEG’s more dance-heavy tunes shes got you covered with LOVE EMOTION.  I do find MEG under this weird filter kind of intriguing, but it kind of suits the song’s euro/funk mix.  I feel like the track needed a little more backbone behind it because it would sound EPIC with more bass behind it.  Still, this is quite good and reminds us of the old MEG.

7. ZZZ

With a title like ZZZ, I was kind of expecting a really lowkey ballad here but the song is actually really ethereal and soothing to the ears.  It’s kind of like the song is in this dream-like state and we’re floating in dreamscape (such a cool thing!).  It’s definitely up there as another one of my favorites of the album. 

8. SOUTHPAW

To wake us up from “ZZZ”, SOUTHPAW just blows right through and makes itself standout.  At first I thought it was a cover of that old song, but this actually isn’t which is cool.  The song is energetic and MEG kind of goes back to her weird vocals for this one which kind of took me out of the song (plus ~sousspahhh, sousspahhh, sousspahh~ gets irritating after a while. 

9. REPLICA

So we get towards the end of the album, REPLICA is actually the only song done by Nakata for WEAR I AM and of course, he gives her a pretty boring song.  I mean this feels like it was leftover “MAVERICK” material mixed with a little of Perfume/Kyary.  I just can’t seem to get myself interested with this song even if Nakata is involved…it just sounds lifeless and plain when compared to the rest of the album.

10. WEAR I AM

I like that she closed the album out with the title track (and promotional tune).  The song does sound interesting to me since it has this kind of Disney feel but with beats (plus the weird effects that it goes through) and MEG’s filtered vocals.  It’s a really strange song though (like the second verse)…it’s really messy and kind of trying to go through in these different directions.  At least after that section is over, the song does get back on track and gets better…plus MEG sounds pleasant with this whole orchestral arrangement.  Good way to close the album.

Tracks Recommended

• Natsu ga Owaru
• TRAP
• ZZZ
• WEAR I AM
• LOVE EMOTION

Song of Avoidance

• Seventeen Rendezvous

It’s been quite a while since I’ve reviewed a MEG album, (last was “MAVERICK”) and her first studio album under Starchild has definitely made it worthwhile to get back into her again.  I really thought her last studio album was a borefest and after going through her hiatus and going to France…she came back in a good way…I mean we got a taste of that with “LA JAPONAISE”, but WEAR I AM is all original stuff!  The album was good and is probably her best since “STEP”…a couple of songs were lacking but for the most part, this was good stuff!

MEG – TRAP June 19, 2012

Track Listing

1. TRAP
2. Seventeen Rendezvous
3. Watashi ga Obaasan ni Nattemo (Regular only)
4. TRAP (off vocal ver.)
5. Seventeen Rendezvous (off vocal ver.)
6. Watashi ga Obaasan ni Nattemo (off vocal ver.)

1. TRAP

It has been quite a while since MEG has done something (well besides her cover album).  TRAP is her first A-side in quite a while where Nakata isn’t involved…at least since “FREAK”.  Working with Shinichi Osawa and another person she’s worked with before she met up with Nakata, TRAP really does go back to her earlier stuff like “scanty blues”.  It’s definitely lowkey and quite smooth to listen to.  You can also hear some French-like ideas since she was there during her hiatus and all that.  It’s cool and MEG sounds actually nice amd fits the funky atmosphere.  Great return under a new label and everything ^_^

2. Seventeen Rendezvous

The first B-side of the single also carries the low and chill form but this time MEG’s vocals has a distant echo/filter added on giving this song a very interesting glow and atmosphere.  I don’t find it as great as “TRAP” because I find myself drifting away from it since it lacks movement and keeps at the same pace the entire time (which is a couple seconds shorter than the lead track).  The synth solo and arrangement though is what keeps me around which is nice though.  I’m sure its instrumental is more impressive.

3. Watashi ga Obaasan ni Nattemo

Then we get into another cover song and I recognize it because misono covered it a while ago.  The song is pretty different from the other two because there’s no synthesizers to be found and is more focused on guitars and drums to lead it by.  It’s also quite short at 3 minutes but the song is interesting.  Kind of cute, kind of peppy…but MEG is under auto-tune.  It’s not what I expected to hear…but after “LA JAPONAISE”, anything can happen.

 

 

It’s been quite a while but I think MEG came back with a solid single in TRAP.  I love TRAP for its classy and loungy atmosphere but being cool at the same time.  Seventeen Rendezvous is OK, but I rather listen to its instrumental more than hearing MEG sing (she hasn’t really changed much in vocals).  The cover song is a bit unusual on this single since it doesn’t sound like any of the songs but it’s ok for the most part as well.  WELCOME BACK MEG!

MEG – PASSPORT/PARIS August 22, 2010

Track Listing

1. PASSPORT
2. PARIS
3. PARIS (T12X-mix)

1. PASSPORT

As much as I not surprised about how PASSPORT sounds overall, I still enjoy this song quite a bit.  I do love hearing MEG’s voice more clearly which has been mostly more jumbled in past songs.  Nakata also finally got his head over the water with an interesting arrangement this time and I’m happy to hear something exciting since he’s been mostly not really living up to MEG (example: “MAVERICK”).  Some of the synths sound fresh and interesting. 

2. PARIS

Now we have many firsts going on in the song.  It has been a while since we’ve had a double A-side from MEG so it’s great to see that.  Now Nakata and MEG has put on new sides to them.  PARIS oddly has a reggae-styled sound going and with that is that MEG is singing in French, but there’s some English as well found throughout.  If people are right about the lyrics talkin bout various parts of Paris, then it’s like Nakata went and combined “Rush” and “GRAY” together to get this song.  It’s different I’ll admit and I’m surprised it’s not going to be on “BEST FLIGHT”.

3. PARIS (T12X-mix)

Instead of the reggae-ness of the original, the remix feels more like what Nakata has been sounding like lately with MEG which is kind of plain and not exciting.  There’s just something that is just missing from the song, but I can’t really pinpoint what that might be.  I mean it’s a bit clubby and loungy so it’s smooth but still danceable in a way.  I was kind of hoping Nakata would leave that style back on that album and do something more risky, but w/e winners can’t be choosers.

 

 

Wow, so this is MEG’s final single under UNIVERSAL-J.  I’m not surprised that she is leaving music for a while to fuel up because her music as of lately has been quite mediocre (though I’m blaming partly at both MEG and Nakata) since the arrangements have been just as bad.  At least PASSPORT/PARIS is a good single to depart us with.  My only thing that made me meh was the remix this time.  Well, I guess it’s a little worse than “SECRET ADVENTURE” but I feel like I’m gonna remember this one more.  Oh yeah the tracklist for “BEST FLIGHT” is bogus and so abstract (go look!).

MEG – MAVERICK June 20, 2010

Track Listing

1. N07B
2. GRAY
3. DESTINATION
4. HANABI
5. MOSHIMO
6. GROOVY
7. YOU
8. SECRET ADVENTURE
9. OUR SPACE
10. STORY
11. MAVERICK

1. N07B

a 16 second introduction to the album?  I don’t get it but whatever it’s just 2 ahhs and a short piano line filling up the time.  It’s definitely better than whatever the hell that was that began her last album, “BEAUTIFUL”.

2. GRAY

For the first time, we actually have a B-side on an album (“NATALIE” doesn’t count for me”).  I’m for one, really ecstatic to see this on the album because it’s funky and has a great hook to it.  Now since this is MEG’s 4th outing with Nakata by her side…it didn’t seem like the energy between the two was really dying since this song had what I really wanted in a slower MEG song and I loved what I got.

3. DESTINATION

I think DESTINATION is pretty darn catchy because of the opening lines and then fluttering violin line.  I’m not sure about the song but it fits in the same category as “HEART” and “OK” since it’s pretty cutesy and has a solid beat to it.  I actually think of all the new songs I’ve fallen the hardest for this one.

4. HANABI

Oh no…Nakata and MEG + ballads = YIKES!.  I don’t know why they never work together but this song was hard to listen through all the way because MEG’s vocals under legato stylings is pretty much throwing bombs into my ears.  I can tell there’s something interesting going on on Nakata’s part and I love that.  There’s something magical about this tune besides MEG’s vocals…Much better suited for Ami Suzuki I think.

5. MOSHIMO

Going back to some natural instruments, MOSHIMO actually uses piano and drums and for that matter is really the only things present for the song.  Am I the only one thinking of “Hello” from capsule’s recent album, “PLAYER”???  I don’t know why but it has that same mechanical sound that I’m just not getting into here.  It’s also kind of short passing a little over 2 minutes.  Not much here…

6. GROOVY

At least GROOVY picks up the pace after those two meh songs.  Though with a title like GROOVY, I was expecting something more closer to what the title’s meaning.  It’s not that bad though because while MEG’s vocals are more dream-like and the music gets a bit interesting and kind of bouncy with that pico-pico sound going on.  It still doesn’t feel exactly ~groovy~, but it’s kind of catchy and cute.

7. YOU

See, now this would be sort of the groovy song I was thinking of.  Sadly, this is a bit towards a ballad as well.  At least MEG doesn’t sound amazingly horrible like her past ballads.  The held out notes are alright, but it just doesn’t do anything for me…but then again when has an electropop ballad have done anything to me cept cringe?

8. SECRET ADVENTURE

As the only A-side released in the era, SECRET ADVENTURE first started out for me pretty disappointing because she’s had way better songs than this one…but after seeing the PV for it…the song sounds so much better and stronger than I had expected to become.  It’s quirky and somewhat cute, but a little serious as well.  I can totally jam to this tune

9. OUR SPACE

Another goofy track coming up, I’m not sure what to make of this song.  I do like that Nakata took the arrangement and a new and somewhat nostalgic point of view since it reminds me of their Shibuya-kei days roughly.  However the deep synths that slide in the song gave it a nice modern touch as well.  MEG and Shibuya-kei?  That’s a new one…

10. STORY

Omg how MEG opened the first sentence sounded like “GRAY 2″.  STORY was a little fantasy-ish thing going and I thought it was pretty darn cute.  In some ways, Nakata sounded like he was incorporating a little bit of R&B into the song and I didn’t mind that touch at all.  Still…I’m not exactly getting into a mood where I can actually tap my feet to just yet. 

11. MAVERICK

Ending the album with the title track, MAVERICK begins quite sweetly with piano before a beat comes in and becomes like just any other track on the album which is pretty unfortunate.  It might be slightly more serious than the others…but it’s just missing that spark for some reason.  Not the way the album should’ve ended but whatever…

Tracks Recommended

• GRAY
• DESTINATION
• SECRET ADVENTURE
• OUR SPACE

Song of Avoidance

• HANABI

I have a bunch of complaints when it comes to MEG’s fourth album with Mr. Nakata.  First off, I do agree with majority of the people that say that MAVERICK is just Nakata’s version of MEG’s last album, “Journey” because it does have a somewhat relaxed setting, but with more synths involved.  However…it didn’t mean that he had to make the songs a bit boring and plain which leads to our next problem…where the FUCK are our hard tracks, Nakata!!!!!  Where’s songs like “MODEL”, “SUPERSONIC”, “MAKE LOVE”, and “SKIN”???  These songs really made me appreciate both artists a whole lot more…and we got nothing from it…The plus side is that this had more flow than “BEAUTIFUL” which is true…but still, there’s not much life in this album…only the four songs really brought out something interesting to me…

MEG – SECRET ADVENTURE April 23, 2010

Track Listing

1. SECRET ADVENTURE
2. GRAY
3. SECRET ADVENTURE (SL REMIX)

1. SECRET ADVENTURE

Why do I get such deja vu vibes from SECRET ADVENTURE?  I mean when there’s no video to be accounted for and this song sounds just like “OK”….”HEART”….”TELEPHONE”…the list goes on and it’s kind of running dry here.  What I mean the song has this rather cute vibe that the songs mentioned has and done better as well.  This also reminds me of some Perfume as well.  Oh Nakata…are your ideas starting to run dry?  MEG’s vocals are back to the weird pronunciations as well…ugh oh well.

2. GRAY

Ok, so GRAY might be a little more interesting since there’s nothing like it right now.  I think GRAY is all-English as well which is pretty interesting nonetheless but the instrumentals are so much more better than “SECRET ADVENTURE”.  I’ll admit that the song needs time to get used to, but I actually like this song quite a bit so that’s a plus.  It’s a pretty quirky tune and one of Nakata’s more good sounding tunes.

3. SECRET ADVENTURE (SL REMIX)

Rounding out the single with a remix of the A-side, this one is more edgier and has harder hitting synths to kind of make it more cooler.  The problem I had with the song was that it just felt like there was something missing to make it sound fuller, but the repeating parts of the chorus was epic and the part with just the synths were good but the verses just felt so lifeless.  The synth arrangement doesn’t really change to much either so that’s also kind of eh.

 

 

As the only single representing the new album for MEG, SECRET ADVENTURE feels like “PRECIOUS” all over again except the A-side was bland and unoriginal, the B-side was more intuitive and interesting since it was all English as well and the remix had its ups and downs.  I’m unsure if Nakata is losing his spark but SECRET ADVENTURE would be a good reason to think that he is.

MEG – HEART April 16, 2010

Track Listing

1. HEART
2. NATALIE <FM16 MIX>
3. HEART <PARTY MIX>

1. HEART

I really like HEART kill me…at least it’s better than that meh-fest with “MAGIC”.  HEART continues this release of rather cutesy songs but unlike the last three singles, this one doesn’t feel exactly caked on and I really do love when MEG says ~heart~.  It does sound a lot like Nakata’s works currently which kind of is unsettling, but HEART is rather good and MEG made it her own.

2. NATALIE <FM16 MIX>

I’m not sure why we’re getting a remix of NATALIE before seeing this on “STEP”.  Oddly enough, the remix is actually a bit better than the original because of the extra synths involved to actually move the song along.  The chorus of the song kind of reminds me of an upbeat “Macaroni” but the rest of the song is quite enjoyable. 

3. HEART <PARTY MIX>

We also get a remix of the A-side which is basically a more beat-driven cut of the song with a new melody and arrangement.  While I do enjoy the heavier feel for it and with more synths involved, I felt this was a bit more complete than the original which is pretty good. 

 

 

Ending the “STEP” era, HEART is clearly better than “MAGIC” ever was.  I’m not sure why, but the cutesy arrangement of the song lulled me in once again like how “OK” did.  Both remixes were also done quite nicely and still retained that cute side of her.  I just wished that this version of NATALIE was on the album.

MEG – Journey August 25, 2009

Track Listing

1. Droplets
2. Questions
3. Rush
4. Dreamscape
5. Just Like That
6. Journey
7. DAWN (Remix)

1. Droplets

Droplets starts the album off and seeing that all the tracks are in English, it’s quite new.  I don’t know why, but MEG sounds relatively much better than her Nakata stuff already and her pronunciation is a bit more clearer.  Now the arrangement as most people have noticed is definitely a more relaxed sound.  There’s still light vocoder and auto-tune.  Think of “aquaberry” and we sort of get close with what the album is sounding like.  Droplets is quite nice.

2. Questions

Questions gets a little more interesting and the song is kind of mysterious in a way as well.  I thought the heavier pop sound worked for MEG and her English is getting easier to understand, so I’m pretty happy with Shanghai Restoration’s work with the song.  BTW it was originally titled Why, but due to the fact that there was already a song titled “WHY” in her discography it was changed.  Though, it’s hilarious that she says it numerous time in the middle of the song.

3. Rush

Selly, of Vitamin Drop has compared Rush to “FREAK” and for good reason because the song is radically random and yet so different, like this album’s shaping up to be.  After a while, the song becomes a mix of “FREAK” and “TOXIC” but in Shanghai Restoration form.  It’s quite catchy and the easily to clap with rhythm is a nice touch.  Then again I’m hearing Japanese in the song which is a plus as well.  Cute, but awesome.

4. Dreamscape

Dreamscape’s overall sound is a lot more ethnic and probably was for a good reason.  The low bass synth sounded pretty chill as well as the overall image of the song.  It’s maybe a little too much like “Questions”, but this wasn’t too bad.  Maybe MEG and Shanghai Restoration should’ve added more punch to the song.

5. Just Like That

Why does the beat sound oddly jazzy?  Just Like That is a throwback to tunes back in the day that was bluesy and sultry.  MEG’s vocals is muffled big time except when she comes in for the chorus where it’s ~just like thaaaat… *muffled lyrics*~.  Yeah, it’s exactly like that and she’s also doing some scatting which is mainly verse-work.  It’s like Ai Otsuka’s “Shachihata” but more slyer.

6. Journey

Our title track appears next and Journey doesn’t really sound that adventurous when you think about it.  I do like that Shanghai Restoration incorporated piano into the song, so it did make the fail softer.  Though, the song is a little underwhelming when compared to the other new tracks.  Maybe it’s the meh arrangement this time, but I found this to be the weakest track on the mini-album.

7. DAWN (Remix)

Which leads into an interesting choice of a track to remix.  DAWN, MEG’s 8th single, was chosen to be remixed and it took out the original’s flowing arrangement and replaced it with a chill atmosphere.  You can really tell, that MEG didn’t resing for the remix, but a little bit of the original’s layering has been removed.  It’s nice, but MEG’s voice is different than in the other tracks.

 

 

Journey for me was an interesting concept mini-album from MEG.  It’s a huge difference from her other album released this year, “BEAUTIFUL”.  The songs are a lot chiller and lighter with the vocal twists that Nakata’s been doing lately.  I did like this though as it’s not vocally as shrill as her previous releases have been and the music was simple, traditional, and easy to sway to.

MEG – MAGIC August 20, 2009

Track Listing

1. MAGIC
2. MIRACLE
3. MAGIC <NEMESIS MIX>

1. MAGIC

Of all the Nakata produced tracks that were released as A-sides, I can’t remember MAGIC’s melody at all.  I don’t know why I don’t connect with this track because I usually like them to death….(unless it’s half of “BEAM”).  It’s the usual fare of synths and MEG being under vocoder.  I don’t know why, but it still is a nice track, it’s just not the most memorable track from MEG x Nakata.

2. MIRACLE

Which brings us to the B-side of the single and MIRACLE is amazing for me.  It sounds like a mix of the Shibuya-kei style and the electropop that’s wellknown for fans of Nakata.  I just love the flow of the song and the beats that came with it, is just right.  Actually it sounds like 80′s synthpop and I love this track a whole lot more than “MAGIC”.

3. MAGIC <NEMESIS MIX>

Yeesh, I can’t believe that this remix begins with those annoying ~la, la, la~ parts.  For being called a NEMESIS mix, it’s doesn’t exactly scream aggressive really.  The remix is a bit more club oriented which is a nice touch and adds that punch to the song, but I still don’t find MAGIC to be really interesting nor made me wanna listen to it after hearing those la’s again.

 

 

“STEP’s” first single was a bit of a downgrade after “OK”.  I’m not sure why but MAGIC has never been a memorable track on its own single nor on the album as the rest of the tracks were amazing compared…even the remix failed to remedy the problem either.  MIRACLE though won me over with it’s classy and chill dance style and was uberly catchy.

MEG x Q;indivi – When You Wish Upon a Star July 10, 2009

Track Listing

1. When You Wish Upon a Star
2. When You Wish Upon a Star (Extended Mix)
3. When You Wish Upon a Star (Instrumental)
4. When You Wish Upon a Star (Acappella)

1. When You Wish Upon a Star

Ok, you know when you got something weird going on when you ask MEG to cover a Disney song….especially when it comes to Pinocchio of all things right.  Anyways,  MEG collaborated with Q;indivi (who also did a cover of “Part of Your World”) beforehand.  Now I gotta say, this song took the original orchestral wonder of a song and morphed into a J-tek/Club track in one fall swoop and it worked.  Now Rin is in the song but as the backup singer which is funny as hell.  I actually like Rin since she isn’t exactly pulling the stunts she is in her music.  MEG also did pretty well here with the song, even though she sucks at English.  I hope this would be on this collaboration project MEG is supposedly doing.

2. When You Wish Upon a Star (Extended Mix)

So you’re gonna just add 10 seconds and that’s it?  BULLSHIT, this is no extension….this is just lame and useless.  Otherwise, it’s the same track over again and I already put my feelings about it above, so hahaha.

3. When You Wish Upon a Star (Acappella)

Then they just stripped the music out and leave MEG and Rin to just basically sing.  Now there are still those awkward silent moments that plague acappella versions so it’s not their fault for it.  Now, MEG…acappella….this just is wrong on so many levels.  I mean I like her, with music plz, not just by herself.

 

 

Now it’s mostly credited as a MEG release than a Q;indivi release which is understandable since she’s the main singer here and the single was to promote “HOUSE DISNEY” so that works, but to know that MEG announced a collab project that will mostly likely feature “FREAK”, I hope this track makes on there too, because it’s a good rendition of the song.

MEG – OK June 6, 2009

Track Listing

1. OK
2. I’m in LOVE
3. OK <sugiurumn remix>

1. OK

Ahhh, OK.  I swear this was one cool track from the “BEAM” album.  Right from the start, I was pleased that it doesn’t drag like “Amai Zeitaku” did and how bouncy the rhythm really was.  It still is cute, but not like where I just wanna turn on Metallica just to feel manly again.  Anyways it’s kind of upbeat in nature, but I’m not sure the lyrics are happy.  I still think this is more of a Perfume track than a MEG, but whatever, this song is pretty good.

2. I’m in LOVE

I am so confused by the B-side as it doesn’t exactly sound like something Nakata would do initially.  Just like “OK” though, there’s a pretty constant beat and MEG is singing a bit better, maybe except in the chorus, but we get another does of happiness which is pretty good.  I was pretty intrigued by the guitar solo in the middle though, like I said not Nakata-like, but this also pretty good. 

3. OK <sugiurumn remix>

Why is it always that sugiurumn has to make these awfully long remixes?  I mean jeeze…almost 8 minutes, you got to be kidding me.  Well, if you know sugiurumn well enough, you should know that the song is more club-like and has a long entrance and let me tell you, it drags big time.  The beat and sound just sounds lazy to me.  MEG’s vocals are filtered a bit, I don’t know but this was just too long and boring.

 

 

MEG ends the “BEAM” era with a better single overall than “Amai Zeitaku”.  Both the A-side and B-side compliments each other very well in this case being the 2nd Nakata single.  The remix however was the singles drawback and I don’t like it much personally.  Otherwise, great way to end the era.