Namie Amuro – Big Boys Cry/Beautiful March 10, 2013

Track Listing

1. Big Boys Cry
2. Beautiful
3. Big Boys Cry (Instrumental)
4. Beautiful (Instrumental)

1. Big Boys Cry

Ok this song has such a cute melody with the flutes…I just had to say that because it just made the song for me because it has a certain spring flair to it.  Big Boys Cry is a speedy song lyrically with Namie floating in the chorus after all that.  It’s not heavy like her past songs, but I kind of like this playful atmosphere for some reason, it’s amusing in a good way.  I don’t know if it is A-side material, but I did quite like this track.

2. Beautiful

I was expecting Namie to leave the Engrish back on “Uncontrolled” but she brings it for the ballad A-side for Beautiful.  Not gonna lie, the song is actually not bad either because her pronunciation has gotten a LOT better in my opinion.  Of course she throws in Japanese so it’s not a total language bomb (even if she’s like ~even it’s no supplies, even it’s no supplies~).  Minus that slip-up, this song has a great tone and really makes up for some of the slower tracks that I really couldn’t get behind in her last album…great ballad!

After “Uncontrolled”, I wasn’t sure of where Namie was really heading but this single is a good sign for me at least.  Big Boys Cry is quite quirky and playful, but I do feel as if it needed more backbone?  I don’t know like there’s just something that doesn’t feel complete about it.  At least Beautiful was there to really bring it up because it was just a great ballad for Namie (except the supplies line).  Overall, definitely good, slightly under “Go Round/YEAH-OH” but better than a couple others.

Namie Amuro – Uncontrolled June 28, 2012

Track Listing

1. In The Spotlight (TOKYO)
2. NAKED
3. GO ROUND (‘N ROUND ‘N ROUND)
4. Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!
5. Hot Girls
6. Break It (AL Ver.)
7. Get Myself Back
8. Love Story
9. Let’s Go
10. SINGING “YEAH-OH”
11. Fight Together
12. ONLY YOU
13. Tempest

1. In The Spotlight (TOKYO)

Opening Namie’s album up, we start with a new track!  Now the first thing that caught me off guard is that the song is sung in English! (or Engrish).  I kind of like the arrangement since it kind of reminds me of “Hide & Seek” but less marching.  It’s pretty upbeat and Namie’s voice is smooth like normal but I’m not sure of the English…it’s good but when it’s bad, IT’S BAD.  Still not bad and a good opening to the album.

2. NAKED

Which is good because it leads into NAKED in an amazing way.  I still love this song a lot for being an A-side!  I mean it is a Shinichi Osawa song so it’s clearly going to be electro-heavy and it’s just a badass song.  I especially love that chorus which has this force of power behind it and all the Osawa-ness of the arrangement is just fiery.  Definitely my favorite A-side of the era…or is it?

3. GO ROUND (‘N ROUND ‘N ROUND)

Three of the A-sides of the album got edited for the album and it’s odd that all of the final single for the era got changed lyrically.  What I mean is that this song and “YEAH-OH” got English versions.  Now GO ROUND did start to grate on my after a while and I just kind of forgot about it.  I enjoyed the fact that I understood the lyrics better but once again her accent seems to bother me…but I liked her ~go round, go round, go round!~ a lot more here.  Did I forget to mention that it kind of has a new intro/sound to it? YEAH!

4. Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!

I’ve always found myself a bit annoyed when it came to SSWD for some reason.  I don’t know why but it feels to me as if she’s just singing the verses in such a monotone way and the bridge is slower and then the chorus is back to the monotone-ness.  I know it’s a love song (somewhat) but I felt the whole dog terms to be somewhat cheesy and more of a gimmick to the tune.  I’m just not a fan of this.

5. Hot Girls

At 3 minutes, Hot Girls is the shortest tune and it’s kind of a song I wouldn’t expect Namie to do.  I actually feel like this is more Kuu’s kind of lane.  I don’t know why Namie is on this English addiction because it’s kind of annoying.  The whole ~Hot girls make the world go round~ might be making reference to “GO ROUND” (XD) but it’s a little odd and kind of annoying hahah.  It just feels like it’s just there on the album and nothing to remember besides the hook.

6. Break It (AL Ver.)

It took a while but Break It also became a favorite of mine despite me giving low scores.  I loved the funkiness in the guitar lines and the arrangement was quite banging (especially the parts before each verse).  Then we get an album version of it and wasn’t expecting that the arrangement to be reworked.  Instead of the funky guitar lines, it’s got more of this industrial synth line which kind of made me frown.  I will say the chorus does sound stronger with more music but they should’ve kept the guitar lines.  Plus I don’t really like whatever they did with Namie’s vocals…they sound a lil muffled?  I don’t know but it kind of bothers me!

7. Get Myself Back

Awkward flow moment happens moving from “Break It” into it’s fellow A-side Get Myself Back from the same single.  Granted I’ve wanted to hear a softer song from her for quite a while.  I still do think that it feels American for some reason but I do enjoy Namie’s vocals quite a bit and the song itself isn’t great but it’s far from being bad.

8. Love Story

It’s funny that she stuck Love Story after “Get Myself Back” since I did compare the two together.  It’s not as R&B like the previous song but it is quite simpler and focuses on Namie’s vocals.  I do think at times it’s pretty but I’d have to be wide awake for this one because it’s quite boring otherwise.  I can get behind the previous track but this feels like it’s got pieces of “Get Myself Back” with the R&B style and “Tempest” with the chorus being so flowing.

9. Let’s Go

That R&B impasse was very strange and cuts the album in flow because once “Love Story” ends, we get into our next new track in Let’s Go and of the new songs, it’s the only one NOT in English.  I like the synth buzzes of the song with Namie just kicks the songs butt which is a surprise to me.  The chorus is a little disappointing since it doesn’t feel like it’s so big as I would’ve hoped from the arrangement.  I like it but I wouldn’t say it’s the best.

10. SINGING “YEAH-OH”

Yup, YEAH-OH got the English treatment as well and it’s kind of surprising since most of it was already in Engrish as it is.  I mean the fact that it’s kind of worse which isn’t surprising but I still do love YEAH-OH for some reason even though it’s kind of like her just riding the whole love of saying ~yeaaaaah-oh, singing yeaaaaAAAAaaaa-ooooooh~.  Very Americanized but there’s something about the song I love (but take the Japanese version, this is kind of ugh).

11. Fight Together

Moving onto another one of my favorites, Fight Together (or that One Piece tune) makes its place on the album and I’m surprised and elated to see it.  I love that it fits the atmosphere of the series and has kind of an intriguing arrangement which most of the songs seem to lack.  I mean synths and a funky bridge area and it’s like soooo good.  I keep switching between this and “NAKED” on best song of the era/album…they’re both SOOOO good!

12. ONLY YOU

Great, more English with our final new song, ONLY YOU.  I kind of like that it sort of has the same synth-y flow like “Fight Together” but it’s kind of shrouded by the engrishness which is at its worst in this song for some reason.  I just feel that it’s really plain and doesn’t seem to fit the album (and yet I love the previous track).  I don’t know it’s a little off for me but I’m not sure why.

13. Tempest

Appropriate to close the album, we get Tempest which I think is her best ballad she’s done in a long time!  I mean yeah, the verses are empty as hell since it’s just only piano and some twinkling sounds.  Luckily, it all changes because the choruses are flowing and dramatic and so Disney-ish to me.  It’s a pretty damn good closer and thought nothing else would’ve been a suitable choice other than Tempest.

Tracks Recommended

• Fight Together
• NAKED
• Tempest
• GO ROUND (‘N ROUND ‘N ROUND)
• Get Myself Back

Song of Avoidance

• Hot Girls

Now there’s been a lot of people that were orgasming over this album and to be honest I’m failing to see the good side of it.  Yes, it does have EVERY A-side in the era…but good lord 4 new tracks only and three edited A-sides?  This feels more like a singles collection than an actual studio album.  Add that 5 songs were in all English and it felt like this was just a mess!  I really didn’t understand the reasoning for that and none of the songs felt like they connected which is also different as well.  I hope Namie doesn’t pull this again because this is not a great album…

Namie Amuro – Go Round/YEAH-OH March 25, 2012

Track Listing

1. Go Round
2. YEAH-OH
3. Go Round (Instrumental)
4. YEAH-OH (Instrumental)

1. Go Round

Hmmm, it’s just too much when it comes to Namie haha.  She always seems to impress me with her songs (especially in this era for sure).  Go Round is catchy and has this danceable style which kind of has this groove almost like “WILD” meets “Higher”.  It’s not a bad song but my only gripe is probably her pronouncing the hell outta the title.  Not bad actually.

2. YEAH-OH

However, I think my conscience is just leading me into loving the other A-side on this single.  YEAH-OH is a lot harder of a drive and I love how Namie sounds in this song for sure.  It fits with the other dance tracks she has…almost like “Break It”.  It’s just a great song and I was happy that it also got a PV for it.

 

 

At this point of the current era, Namie is just wanting to spam her album with upbeat songs.  Not that I don’t mind because all the upbeat tracks have been mostly amazing (cept “Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!”).  Either way, Go Round & YEAH-OH are just all-around great dance tunes to shake your butt to.  I do think it’s better than a lot of singles but still doesn’t come close to “NAKED/Fight Together/Tempest”.

Namie Amuro – Sit!Stay!Wait!Down!/Love Story December 4, 2011

Track Listing

1. Sit!Stay!Wait!Down!
2. Love Story
3. Higher
4. arigatou <thank the world for LOVE…gift song for 2011>
5. Sit!Stay!Wait!Down! (Instrumental)
6. Love Story (Instrumental)
7. Higher (Instrumental)

1. Sit!Stay!Wait!Down!

When I saw the title announced for the single, I was a bit baffled by this first track since it sounded like dog orders.  Then the art cover came out and it really made me go >.>  SSWD follows in the line with what she’s been doing lately with her hip-pop sound and she sounds great like she usually does.  Add in the song has a good movement (which later on does get tiring) but I still just can’t get the fact that the song just is a bit absurd and very unlike her to pull a “doggie song”.  WTF song…

2. Love Story

Every single of the era so far has featured a ballad as an A-side as well.  Love Story isn’t as grand as “Tempest” but a little more like “Get Myself Back” but more simpler and a tad slower.  Once again, her vocals is the best asset about the song but the arrangement is just a little too simple.  After a while the boredom starts to kick in and I basically just daze off away from the song. 

3. Higher

It’s been a while since Namie had a straight up B-side but she decided to break that line with Higher which is seriously the single’s best song.  It’s also quite upbeat and it’s weird because it feels like a reversed “Dr.” for some reason.  I mean the beats are a little similar and then all the synths used just remind me of it so much.  Still, this is so much better than the previous two tracks LOL.

4. arigatou <thank the world for LOVE…gift song for 2011>

Kind of last minute to be putting another B-side on the single isn’t it?  Not sure what’s the whole deal with the tag but this is a much better representation of a ballad when compared to iono…”Love Story”? XD  They move at a similar pace, but the arrangement has a lot more going on that worked for Namie’s vocals.  Still…after “Tempest” ballads are quite meh for me…but this is pretty damn close!

 

 

One can only hope that this is the final single of the era because of the three released this was the worst in A-sides.  SSWD is just too weird and unusual for me to enjoy and is kind of weak when compared to all of the other upbeat A-sides.  Same for Love Story but on the ballads spectrum.  HOWEVER, I really do think it should’ve been Higher/arigatou since both those songs sounded great (on both spectrums no less) and they just continue a solid streak of songs…I want to forget the A-sides of this single though >.>

Namie Amuro – NAKED/Fight Together/Tempest July 23, 2011

Track Listing

1. NAKED
2. Fight Together
3. Tempest
4. NAKED (Extended Instrumental)
5. Fight Together (Instrumental)
6. Tempest (Instrumental)

1. NAKED

I can already tell that Shinichi Osawa had something to this because the opening melody sounds relatively similar to his friggin work on Angelababy’s “Beauty Survivor”.  I will say that Namie has been continuing kicking ass with her main A-sides (“Break It” has become another of my favorites once I started to listen to it again).  Anyway, this song has attitude and is very catchy once you get past the directions of the song…even the dance break in the middle can be a little odd at times. 

2. Fight Together

Our next track really did come as a surprise and wasn’t even because it was the first known track off the single either.  It’s the pure fact that it’s tie-in was to One Piece! (wait, that anime is still going?!?).  Namie is no stranger to anime themes (“Come” is the first thing that comes to mind).  Fight Together sounds actually pretty good for some reason since it’s also another dance number and has random parts as well…like the brassy bridge.  I actually like this the best out of the three songs…not sure why, but Namie sounds really good and it does sound like a song played on the seas so it’s fitting for sure!

3. Tempest

I wasn’t surprised to find out that the 3rd A-side of the single was going to be a ballad but after two dance tracks, it’s nice to get something soft and something to show off Namie’s vocals in a better light.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard something quite grand and dramatic from Namie in a long time and Tempest definitely overpowers “Get Myself Back” by tenfold.  Must say, I’m impressed!

 

 

 

There is also an extended instrumental of NAKED on the single as well which is for Shinichi fans!  Anyways, Namie really picked up with this single.  I love all three songs that she put out and showed off multiple sides of her musicality.  The epic dancing queen with NAKED, the more fun-loving freebird with Fight Together and ballads with Tempest.  It couldn’t get any better than this single.  *RECOMMENDED*

Namie Amuro – Checkmate! April 28, 2011

Track Listing

1. Wonder Woman / Namie Amuro feat. AI & Anna Tsuchiya
2. UNUSUAL / Namie Amuro feat. Tomohisa Yamashita
3. make it happen / Namie Amuro feat. AFTERSCHOOL
4. ROCK U feat. Namie Amuro / ravex
5. Do What U Gotta Do feat. AI, Namie Amuro & Mummy-D / ZEEBRA
6. Wet’N Wild feat. Suite Chic / Heartsdales
7. Do or Die feat. Namie Amuro / JHETT
8. FAKE feat. Namie Amuro / AI
9. #1 / Namie Amuro feat. Kaname Kawabata (CHEMISTRY)
10. BLACK OUT feat. Lil Wayne & Namie Amuro / VERBAL
11. BLACK DIAMOND / DOUBLE & Namie Amuro
12. Luvotomy / m-flo ♥ Namie Amuro
13. AFTER PARTY feat. Namie Amuro / ZEEBRA
14. WANT ME, WANT ME feat. VERBAL (hidden track)

1. Wonder Woman / Namie Amuro feat. AI & Anna Tsuchiya

We begin the album with the first of the four new songs on the album and I think the first whose PV was shown first as well.  All the aren’t strangers to each others music which is great since Namie & AI has collaborated before and AI and Anna have before as well.  To me the song is another one of the glorified girl power songs, but it’s not so bad.  I do think that Namie and Anna do a great job through the verses they have and AI takes the bridge before all three tackle the chorus.  I actually enjoyed the song a lot and showed that the girls can do power in songs together.

2. UNUSUAL / Namie Amuro feat. Tomohisa Yamashita

The next of the new songs is a collaboration between Namie and Yamapi and it was an interesting choice of collaborations here since it’s a female and male singer.  Of course I know Yamapi since I listen to NEWS and all but this is the first time I could clearly pull his voice out and I kind of like the harmonies between him and Namie with the good synth dance style going on. 

3. make it happen / Namie Amuro feat. AFTERSCHOOL

Namie and K-pop now?  Seems like a match made in heaven if you ask me.  After “UNUSUAL”, this was kind of a nice surprise since the beat is heavier but it does have a good kind of K-pop feel to it.  While the members of AFTERSCHOOL are playing as background support for the most part they sound good, but Namie sounded like she was having fun with the song though.  It’s pretty good, but the previous song sounds better vocal-wise.

4. ROCK U feat. Namie Amuro / ravex

Ahhhh one of the few songs I’ve heard before the album’s idea popped up, ROCK U was her contribution to ravex’s debut album.  It is probably the most electronic of the songs on the album considering the people who produced the song.  My love for the song hasn’t changed too much since reviewing it the first time, though the clicking throughout various parts of the song really are annoying after a while >.>  Still such an epic track for Namie here.

5. Do What U Gotta Do feat. AI, Namie Amuro & Mummy-D / ZEEBRA

Then we get into a bunch of older songs.  Do What U Gotta Do is a bit older being from 2006 and all that and I have not heard the song and it’s quite fast and groovy actually.  I will say Namie’s parts sound pretty sexy and had a good flow to it.  AI also sounds quite good even though she’s not featured as much as Namie.  The rappers are a little blech, but they give an extra boost of attitude to the song.  Not bad really.

6. Wet’N Wild feat. Suite Chic / Heartsdales

I didn’t understand what Suite Chic was really all about and had to research and it seems like the group was like a lot of DJ’s, MCs and a few singles and Namie was a part of this as well.  Clearly though Suite Chic were the secondary importance since both members of Heartsdales were doing their rapping and Namie’s importance was in the chorus.  It’s a good song, but the beat and melody reminds me of Christina Aguilera’s “Dirrty”…it’s just too close.

7. Do or Die feat. Namie Amuro / JHETT

Ahhhh, this song has a pretty heavy ass beat and I love the pounding it gives my ears.  I did question where JHETT was during the song, but oddly enough he was the arranger for the song so it just left Namie to sing the song and it’s actually not too bad.  The beat doesn’t really change either so that might be bad since it becomes a little repetitive down the line, but not bad.

8. FAKE feat. Namie Amuro / AI

The most recent of the collaborations (that aren’t new), FAKE was such a great track to listen to because it showed off a lot more of soul from both AI and Namie in the verses and such.  It did get tiring after a while hearing ~fake, fake~ so many times so that actually brought the experience down a bit. 

9. #1 / Namie Amuro feat. Kaname Kawabata (CHEMISTRY)

I actually quite enjoyed #1 a bit since it had a deep and bass-filled slow that made me nod my head to it.  I like Namie’s vocals which are full of a sexual charge that works.  Kaname does pretty well also, giving a male version of sexy and together it just worked like crazy.  Not bad and simple in terms of arrangement so it did its job nicely.

10. BLACK OUT feat. Lil Wayne & Namie Amuro / VERBAL

Finally, our last of the new songs, BLACK OUT is a surprise since it features Lil Wayne and we all know how big he is in America.  Namie takes up a bit of the chorus and she sounds good but sadly isn’t the important one in the song since VERBAL takes a lot of the rapping in the song.  Lil Wayne takes up the second verse and he sounds like his usual self doing his rapping all creepy and all that.  Interesting song, but it felt oddly short from that rapping sections and how many times Namie sang the chorus.

11. BLACK DIAMOND / DOUBLE & Namie Amuro

Oh god, if there was a song that I seriously was craving for a lot of the time, BLACK DIAMOND was actually one of those kind of songs.  It’s just that epic of a collaboration for some reason and both DOUBLE and Namie pull this beat-driven sexy track with ease.  I definitely still enjoy the song and it’s power between the two gals.

12. Luvotomy / m-flo ♥ Namie Amuro

Hmmm, another dance track but this time under Taku and VERBAL?  I like the synth arrangement that Taku produced here since it’s so deep and easily danceable.  VERBAL is here and there in the song but Namie was clearly the star here since she had more time.  Overall the song isn’t as electro and heavy like “ROCK U” but this had a good feel to it though.

13. AFTER PARTY feat. Namie Amuro / ZEEBRA

Of all the songs on the album, AFTER PARTY sounds so unlike Namie for some reason and more like a song that would fit with Janet Jackson for some apparant reason.  Beyond the pretty cool and laidback arrangement, I found it hard to pay attention because while Namie’s vocals sound pretty and smooth, ZEEBRA completely bored the hell out of me and sounded like a drunk creeper with the mumbling going on.  Not so sure where I stand with the song right now.

14. WANT ME, WANT ME feat. VERBAL

Even though “AFTER PARTY” should close the album, we get a hidden track to close things out and it’s an edited version of one of Namie’s dirty A-sides if not the dirtiest.  It’s essentially the same song, but there’s things that are different as well like Namie’s removal for the verses and being replaced by VERBAL’s raps.  To be honest the song in its original form was perfect and a rap just kind of ruined things…sorry.

Tracks Recommended

• BLACK DIAMOND
• UNUSUAL
• Wonder Woman
• ROCK U
• #1

Song of Avoidance

• AFTER PARTY

I found it weird that I was expecting more R&B on the album than anything and was surprised that a lot were songs that could’ve been easy dance tracks.  A lot of the songs sound good to the ears and I can see myself liking this altogether despite not having any ballads or such.  Good party album ^_^

Namie Amuro – Break It/Get Myself Back July 24, 2010

Track Listing

1. Break It
2. Get Myself Back
3. Break It (Instrumental)
4. Get Myself Back (Instrumental)

1. Break It

I’m not sure what to think of Break It which is the primary A-side of the single.  One point, I do love the fact it’s a dance song, but with touches of rock dabbled in for some spice.  At the same time, it sounds rather familiar to me like something she just did on “PAST<FUTURE”.  That being said, it’s not as good of a dance song like previous A-sides but it’s alright for now…it’s just a song that screams album track than A-side.

2. Get Myself Back

It has been quite a while since we’ve seen a ballad A-side hasn’t it? (“Dr.” doesn’t count here).  I think the change of styles on the single is a little strange, but I think I enjoyed Get Myself Back just a little more even though it’s an R&B track.  Maybe the arrangement is a bit Westernized at points, but Namie sounds great.

 

 

I kind of figured that if there was a single Namie was bound to slip on, it’d be this one.  To me, the songs are both album tracks moreso than A-sides which is surprising after her two amazing singles “60s70s80s” and “WILD/Dr.”.  I just find them harder to enjoy than before, but I guess if she’s gonna start someway, it had to be this. 

Namie Amuro – PAST<FUTURE December 12, 2009

Track Listing

1. FAST CAR
2. COPY THAT
3. LOVE GAME
4. Bad Habit
5. Steal my Night
6. FIRST TIMER feat. DOBERMAN INC.
7. WILD
8. DR.
9. Shut Up
10. MY LOVE
11. The Meaning Of Us
12. Defend Love

1. FAST CAR

Why does the first track always seem to be the one with the most interesting combinations of instruments?  On “PLAY” it was the marching band styled arrangement and this time is the whole sax/lounge style that sticks out for the song.  While I’m not sure if the lyrics entirely makes sense, but at least the song feels sexy and kind of sly at the same time, nice opening.

2. COPY THAT

Wait, we go from lounge music to surf music?  COPY THAT takes the style and adds so much to it that I can’t help but question where she was going through the song.  I also like the small quips of vocal distortions and synth additions but damn this is a little too much for me. 

3. LOVE GAME

Are we talking about disco sticks?  Nope not at all.  Namie’s LOVE GAME was the first PV I saw when Namie was starting to release the PV’s for the album.  It’s got a simple clapping beat going on and it includes deeper synths which is great.  It’s strong and powerful and in your face and I liked it alot.  There is a part where she sings in the same note for a while and that annoyed me, but still a great song.

4. Bad Habit

At least she’s continuing on with great tunes with Bad Habit which is kind of like a more edgier cut of “LOVE GAME”.  There’s just more going on here and I love the dance infusion going on and Namie sounds really good here.  Probably the first song I really liked on the album.

5. Steal my Night

Well, I can’t exactly see where this is going now since Steal my Night is really far off from what I’m used to.  It’s like they took the bhangra out of “WANT ME, WANT ME” threw in a strong dance arrangement and added some cool synth parts and we get Steal my Night.  It’s a combination that was bound to happen and I loved it.  Namie is also more exciting through the song as well.  Awesome song!

6. FIRST TIMER feat. DOBERMAN INC.

Oh yeah, DOBERMAN INC.  I’ve seen that when Sowelu was still with SONY.  Anyway, FIRST TIMER would’ve been great if it wasn’t for his meh rapping in the song.  Namie is also just all over the place in the song.  It just seems they messed with her vocals in the most unusual way, especially with the parts where she holds the notes and the harmonizations are just blown into oblivion.  I do like the way that it starts off simple and gets into a more intricate piece, but I think they could’ve cleaned it up in those intricate parts.  Plz, no more DOBERMAN INC.

7. WILD

Interesting that there was only one single representing the album and it had to be one of the best songs of the year.  WILD solidified Namie’s awesomeness into making hardcore dance music.  It might be a little too short, but damn did it make an impact on me.  Even Bentley Jones did a dance to this song, that’s how awesome WILD is and probably will be in her career.

8. Dr.

Same can be said about Dr. as well since it was the secondary A-side.  Dr. is just many ideas combined into one to make a kickass song.  When this first released I wasn’t too big of a fan because of the marching band part, but as I grew to the song, it became a major component for the song and it oddly caught me in its trap (DAMN YOU NAMIE).  Plus Namie sounds beautiful in the song when it’s going through its slower parts. 

9. Shut Up

If you were thinking that Dr. was going to have Shut Up as it’s continuation, you’re wrong.  If you thought Shut Up was Namie’s version of “ROCK U” from her ravex collaboration, you’re also wrong.  Shut Up is a combination of a futuristic R&B song, but it’s also a mix of a rock track as well.  She’s been doing a lot of mixing styles together on the album huh?  I actually enjoyed the song since it brings out Namie’s more angry sound.

10. MY LOVE

I guess we had to have a slower R&B song right?  MY LOVE is like the “Pink Key” of her album.  It doesn’t exactly sound right where it’s placed nor did it make an impact on me here.  Even the whole ~love, love, love~ was starting to get really annoying.  It’s the worst song off the album IMO, PASS

11. The Meaning Of Us

Yep, the album’s “Should I Love Him?”, The Meaning Of Us acts as the lone ballad of the album.  I don’t know why she doesn’t have more of these tracks because I actually think she excels at these songs.  At least it had a PV.  I love the piano/acoustic mix and it acts so nice against each other.  I think it’s a great ballad from Namie and she definitely sang great here.

12. Defend Love

Yep, you guessed it, Defend Love is the continuation of Dr. and it’s amazing.  Unlike “Dr.’s” more slower paced attack (minus the well, fast parts) Defend Love is just synth and dance and has an amazing beat.  It’s one of the better consistent songs here and Namie made it where the song comes off darker than thought of.  Even the PV has a GUNDAM reference to Amuro Ray LMFAO OIC NAMIE!

Tracks Recommended

• WILD
• Defend Love
• Dr.
• Shut Up
• Bad Habit

Song of Avoidance

• FIRST TIMER feat. DOBERMAN INC.

Thank god Namie finally released a new album, it does suck that there wasn’t any more singles released for the era but w/e.  PAST<FUTURE is definitely a step up from 2007′s “PLAY”.  Though I’m still underwhelmed at the lack of any more ballads…ugh.  The new tracks were pretty good for the most part except for 2, FIRST TIMER’s really messy arrangement and MY LOVE’s blandness.  Still strong enough to make me listen to it again and again.

Namie Amuro – 60s70s80s December 7, 2009

Track Listing

1. NEW LOOK
2. ROCK STEADY
3. WHAT A FEELING
4. NEW LOOK (Instrumental)
5. ROCK STEADY (Instrumental)
6. WHAT A FEELING (Instrumental)

1. NEW LOOK

Borrowing a sample from the Supremes “Baby Love”, NEW LOOK is an interesting song.  Besides the wacky, WACKY vocals going on, the song really feels like something from the 60s.  The funny thing is how fast Namie is singing in the song.  She’s like rapid fire in the song and it makes me shake my head in confusion.  I just still think the lyrics are just the most random set of em I’ve heard in a while.

2. ROCK STEADY

Sampling Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady”, you can really tell where Aretha’s parts are in the song so it doesn’t become a search and find.  Sadly, this was probably the worst track off the single, but you can’t blame it because of how the other two tracks are awesome.  The beats of the song doesn’t really feel 70′s-ish but the song does have good flow and Namie and I can say her vocals were on charge here.

3. WHAT A FEELING

However, the golden trophy goes to WHAT A FEELING.  It definitely doesn’t feel like an 80′s track to me because of all the futuristic element and heavy bass beats.  It’s really pounding and since Namie is sampling Irene Cara’s “What a Feeling”, it’s definitely one of the coolest tracks back in 2008.  If it wasn’t for “BLACK DIAMOND”, I think this would’ve been my pop song for the 08′s.  Great song and great beat.

 

 

While it was the lone single representing “BEST FICTION” and was a concept single (to me at least), 60s70s80s did a good job representing the decades and the sampling wasn’t too rough, in fact it was good.  I would’ve liked at least one of the songs making it on “PAST<FUTURE” but w/e I’ll live.

Namie Amuro – PLAY November 7, 2009

Track Listing

1. Hide & Seek
2. Full Moon
3. CAN’T SLEEP, CAN’T EAT, I’M SICK
4. It’s all about you
5. FUNKY TOWN
6. Step With It!
7. Hello
8. Should I Love Him?
9. Top Secret
10. Violet Sauce (Spicy)
11. Baby Don’t Cry
12. Pink Key

1. Hide & Seek

Haha, I loved the marching band opening to this song for sure.  It’s one of those songs that’ll grab your attention at first listen and it did it very well.  Namie is showing off her skillz in the song as well since she’s being filtered in the verses and brought back in the chorus.  The song just oozes awesomeness and makes for one of the best opening tracks ever.

2. Full Moon

Let’s begin Full Moon with a gong being hit.  This track continues the more interesting R&B elements that Namie has been getting better at since this style back on “Queen of Hip-Pop”.  It’s just got this really catchy flow to it and has even a dark touch here hence the full moon title.  Mixed of Halloween and H&P?  INTERESTING!

3. CAN’T SLEEP, CAN’T EAT, I’M SICK

As the era’s 2nd single, CSCEIS is oddly enough not that good of a track when compared with the album’s first two songs for some reason.  Trust me, I really do like the song, but it just lacked the interest the other two tracks had and if you haven’t listened to the single before this, you might actually pass this song up.  I still enjoy the saxes in the song, but still not as jaw-dropping as the first two.

4. It’s all about you

Is it bad that I think It’s all about you is just really messy all around?  I can tell it’s trying to be a cohesive song, but with the faux-paux rock arrangement and messy flow, it’s really hard to follow and not scratch your head whenever it’s played.  Definitely not the track to really have been made an album track really…

5. FUNKY TOWN

I’m not sure why, but FUNKY TOWN is a lot worse than most of her album tracks on here and was a poor choice (IMO) to have been made a single and last single at that.  It seems to be like a heavy beat version of like “Hide & Seek”, but still not the best song here…

6. Step With It!

I think that’s why I liked this song a little bit more.  It still carries itself like “FUNKY TOWN” did and the vocals are a bit congested in the chorus, but Namie sounded really nice.  Even though it’s not as good as the other tracks, it’s got its moments.

7. Hello

I got the hahas from the phone ringing in the background with Namie asking ~hello?~.  After that laughable moment, the song bets a dance beat and becomes one of Namie’s classy dance tracks.  It’s not as vocally all over the place as one would seem.  I’ve actually noticed Namie’s love for the auto-tune here, but it’s not overloaded so I’m happy about that.

8. Should I Love Him?

Finally, we get to the album’s ballad track.  It seems to be the album’s only slow song as well which is a disappointing fact.  Should I Love Him? doesn’t really stand out on the album and doesn’t really showcase anything truly remarkable.  Even then, Namie’s English has failed her since she says the chorus like ~sugar, love him~… talk about pooooor.

9. Top Secret

Thank god we have this track to makeup for that boring song.  Top Secret is probably my secret obsession over Namie.  I mean the lyrics are downright raunchy (but not to the point of “WANT ME, WANT ME”).  I mean it’s still pretty suggestive though, just not enough to ban it LOL.  I love the heavy beats and lot of bass parts too.  I still think singing fast doesn’t make a song that good, but here it’s passable and the main focus is the awesome chorus hook and the ~tonight, i’ll taste you~ lines.  Even the middle was sly and sexy and ^_^

10. Violet Sauce (Spicy)

So we get a new version of the secondary A-side from “White Light/Violet Sauce”.  This new version has a more sly hook going on and oddly feels like it ties-in with “Full Moon” for some weird reason.  It feels a lot more angrier and aggressive than what I remember from the original and I love the beats as well.  Ok, I’ll admit I can never remember the original as much as I remember the new version.

11. Baby Don’t Cry

As we near the ending of the album, Baby Don’t Cry comes in.  I thought the more pop-ladened sound of the 3rd A-side release was something fresh and deviated from the more sultry songs she was releasing.  I still think the best thing about the song is the thumping beat that came along with it, but the rest of the song is also really cool too. 

12. Pink Key

Ending off the album is definitely not surprising Pink Key.  The beginning instantly reminded me of “Dr.” with the march-like sound and the quick singing.  Sadly, the song didn’t really stand out for me because of its arrangement sounding somewhat like “Baby Don’t Cry” but more happier.  It’s alright, and it did make for a good album closer, but it’s just not my cup of tea.

Tracks Recommended

• Top Secret
• Hide & Seek
• Violet Sauce (Spicy)
• Full Moon
• Baby Don’t Cry

Song of Avoidance

• Should I Love Him?

Namie’s 7th album proves that she’s still kicking and can make some hot songs.  Sadly, some of the new songs showed somewhat of a mishap and that’s her cramming lyrics into one line…it’s not right girl.  I want to know why “White Light” was ommited from the album…(was it cuz of it’s holiday tie?)  Either way, I’m surprised there was only one slow song on this album as well.  I hope she fixes it up by her 8th…