Yuna Ito – Mamotte Agetai November 6, 2010

Track Listing

1. Mamotte Agetai
2. Kiss me
3. Precious -Q;indivi Celebration Remix-
4. Mamotte Agetai (Instrumental)

1. Mamotte Agetai

It’s no surprise that Yuna can do R&B ballads and it’s definitely catered to her style since it’s a ballad, and scratches the R&B barrel quite a bit.  Unfortunately going to that style was a bad place since it sounds like a good portion of Yuna’s discography and just doesn’t go anywhere for her. 

2. Kiss me

At least Kiss me tries to stand out and try to uphold the single much better than “Mamotte Agetai” and it actually sounds much more refreshing.  It’s like she took the sexual and flirty atmosphere from “Body” and made it a little more lighter and fun to listen to, but sometimes I wish there was more oomph to the song.  Still, it’s much much memorable than the A-side.

3. Precious -Q;indivi Celebration Remix-

Finally fully breaking the tradition of remixes of the songs previous (well “Let It Go” actually did) but still.  Getting a remix of Yuna’s 3rd A-side was an interesting choice and to have Yusuke Tanaka of Q;indivi end up remixing wasn’t fully surprising.  However, it does sound like the other remixes that come from in which is basically light yet somewhat heavy dance-electropop minus the vocoder.  I mean I’ve heard this in school food punishment’s remix and Kuu’s remix so this doesn’t do anything for me (adding on I haven’t heard the original to make that judgment). 

Since her last single “Let It Go” and this single are representing Yuna’s first best-of album, Mamotte Agetai is a tad stronger than the last, but it’s still rather behind the singles of the “DREAM” era.  I think the A-side is just purely filler and was just pretty damn blah.  Kiss me however is a song that would fit the last era nicely since it carries a good danceable sound with good vocals.  The Precious remix will prolly be good for the people who aren’t like me and haven’t listened to Q;indivi beforehand, to me though it’s a kind of typical remix for me.  Let’s hope she can gather herself after the best-of releases.

Yuna Ito – Let it Go November 10, 2009

Track Listing

1. Let it Go
2. Happy Days
3. Let it Go (instrumental)
4. Happy Days (instrumental)

1. Let it Go

I didn’t expect Yuna Ito’s new A-side to be so free-sounding as it is here.  Let it Go does sound like western mainstream music, but that’s not a bad thing.  Yuna’s vocals are strong, but not like “Koi wa groovyx2″.  I hear a little bit of folk here too, but it sounds fresh from her as well.  Not a bad A-side to start off a new era.

2. Happy Days

Unfortunately, the B-side comes off as a little dry when compared to other songs.  It still carries that western feel like “Let it Go”, but it seems to be a little calmer and the song is a little more condenscending and happy which is nice and the addition of the strings/synth solo was a nice touch but beyond that I couldn’t find enough redeeming qualities.

 

 

Wow, it has been a while since “DREAM” was released huh?  Well, Let it Go was a nice single to start the new era.  It also seems like Yuna is wanting to even out and get more upbeat songs when compared to ballads.  It’s alright, but right now it just seems like an average release.

Yuna Ito – DREAM May 25, 2009

Track Listing

1. love you
2. Ima Demo Aitai yo… feat. Spontania
3. Brand New World
4. Koi wa groovyx2
5. trust you
6. BAILA BAILA
7. BREEEEEZIN!!!!!!
8. miss you
9. LOVE MACHINE GUN
10. No one else
11. Body
12. groovyx2 (hidden track)

1. love you

I was expecting a gooey love song starting the album off, but what we got an explosion of sound and a fun party atmosphere mixed with Yuna’s pretty good vocals.  The arrangement is just full of life and tribal drums that were pretty damn fast.  I don’t know why, but sometimes the explosion of brass is a little too much, but it isn’t a bad start to the album.

2. Ima Demo Aitai yo… feat. Spontania

Released digitally before the album’s release Yuna’s collaboration with Spontania was a good choice for her because it really showcased a nice mellow dance track fronted by a nice piano melody.  I did have problems with Spontania singing in the song because he just sounded lifeless a good portion for it, but Yuna sounds lovely in the song and mix in the dance beats.  Even better, it’s the answer song for her other collaboration with Spontania, “Ima Demo Zutto”.

3. Brand New World

I think it was fitting to put our next track after “Ima Demo Aitai yo…” because Brand New World is pretty upbeat and the heavier dance beat works for sure.  If it was sung by another artist, I think it would’ve been so boring, but with Yuna it sounds pretty good albeit a little boring, but for being a B-side from “trust you” I thought this was a good choice.

4. Koi wa groovyx2

Then we get into our 2nd A-side of the era.  I love how the dance songs are basically at the front of the album so far.  This was the song that fueled me into reviewing her, so I naturally like the song as it is.  The song has its questionable parts basically when Yuna hits sour high notes singing the ~Groovy, groovy~ parts.  Other than that this was a pretty rad song and great for parties.

5. trust you

Things start to calm down for trust you which was the last A-side of the era.  I think the mix of piano and and R&B is a bit overrated (See Hikki’s latest album).  Seeing this after “Koi wa groovyx2″ is a bit random, but what can you do?  I’ll say though that Yuna sounds powerful in the song which is a positive thing and she showed her emotions good here.  I was at first negative about it being connected to GUNDAM, but I’ve grown to like it a bit more as a standalone track.

6. BAILA BAILA

So I guess “trust you” was the bridge into the Hawaiian side of the album starting with BAILA BAILA.  I have to say that I love the songs carefree sound mix in steel drums and brass and you get such a fun song.  Yuna also sounds like she’s having fun, the only problem is the constant audience, but I think they were to fill the emptier spots of the song, so I can’t hate on it too much.  Just stop the whistling! 

7. BREEEEEZIN!!!!!!

Ok, so it’s not like “BAILA BAILA” and I consider this surf music, but this song just was the right song to have right after.  I still think there’s something missing in the song, but I can’t really put my finger on it.  Maybe it’s that chorus that puts her purposely in the danger zone of singing high.  Or maybe it’s the mehness of the chorus altogether.  I guess I can deal with this song, but I wont put it on repeat.

8. miss you

miss you, our first A-side of the era pops up next and still is very nice.  Instead of the last two upbeat Hawaiian tracks, Yuna has done another ballad and does it surprise me that it’s so nice to listen to?  Nope.  The music flows well and Yuna doesn’t sound bad which is always a good thing.  It’s definitly better than that other ballad, “trust you”.

9. LOVE MACHINE GUN

How bout we just get a more violent name for a song?  Anyways, LOVE MACHINE GUN surprised me because it’s full of attitude from Yuna and has a rock style going on which is another surprise especially after the calm and soothing “miss you”.  Her vocals also sound great, and using more of her chest voice which is a lot better than her head voice.  Maybe she should utilize it more often.

10. No one else

Our last ballad oddly reminds me of some other ballads that people’ve done in the last few years.  Things can be said that it’s kind of like “trust you”, but the whole ~no one else can take your place~ kind of just sticks out from the song which is good.  The only problem is that the only thing that really kept me interested was the acoustic guitar.  Everything else was a bit boring.  I think it’s an alright song for right now.

11. Body

Ending off the album is the very chill dance track Body.  I’m surprised she chose Body to end off the album because it’s so unusual, but the song’s catchy clapping rhythm and layered vocals on Yuna is so nice.  I feel when I listen to the song, that Yuna is trying to be sexy and it works because the English lyrics just are so sensual and hot.  I consider this the albums gem because I loved it!

12. groovyx2

Oh wait…now I understand why “Body” was above friggin 10 minutes.  groovyx2 is the English version of “Koi wa groovyx2″, but under the moniker of Christine Ito which was by far the oddest thing that happened last year.  Just like its counterpart, groovyx2 is very upbeat and full of life and Yuna’s English is super and her singing still is amazing.  Her chest voice is so impressive, so I think this was as good as the JPN version if not better.  Also nice to note, groovyx2 has an extended opening and closing….just wanted you guys to know

Tracks Recommended

• Body
• Koi wa groovyx2 / groovyx2
• miss you
• LOVE MACHINE GUN
• Ima Demo Aitai yo… feat. Spontania

Song of Avoidance

• No one else

Honestly, I was dreading this album especially the amount of new songs on the album, luckily she definitly scored a winner with DLEAM because all of the songs were listenable and not fillerish because I would’ve cried if it was.  I was impressed at the flow of the album because it wasn’t a mess like “WISH” was.  So otherwise, it was a pretty great album from Yuna.

Yuna Ito – trust you April 30, 2009

Track Listing

1. trust you
2. Brand New World
3. Koi wa groovyx2 -DJ-PASSION MORE PASSION REMIX-
4. trust you -Gundam 00 Version-
5. trust you (Instrumental)

1. trust you

Gundam is well-known for their epic tracks like “INVOKE”, “Believe”, “River”, and countless others.  Sadly, Yuna Ito fails to give an epic song.  I mean yes, it’s a ballad of course but the series itself has had way better ballads.  Now if I didn’t call for the tie-in the song is alright, but “miss you” and “Koi wa Groovyx2″ are better tracks of the era.  The song mixes piano, strings and a shuffling beat to make a song.  Yuna’s vocals are good here as well, but the song is just a bit mild and nothing spectacular to write home about.

2. Brand New World

I was surprised the B-side was going to so upbeat.  This definitly fitted more with the Gundam theme with how the synths were working the song around.  Yuna once again sings well, but her hitting the high notes is less than favorable as it sounds strained to no end.  Still it’s a pretty good B-side considering all of the other B-sides she’s had in the era.

3. Koi wa groovyx2 -DJ-PASSION MORE PASSION REMIX-

I guess this remix gave an already upbeat track a more festive sound.  I do like how it does sound with the drums and whistles and stuff.  Though, the remix probably wasn’t really needed just because the song is already party-flavored.  I noticed that she says ~Brand new world~ during the song which is oddly weird, but w/e.  Good remix though.

4. trust you -Gundam 00 Version-

It’s weird that she rearranged the song and reworked new lyrics into the song.  I mean there’s no ballad sound in the song which cool and the song sounds like it could be an ending actually.  It still doesn’t fit in the Gundam world, but this actually sounds cool.  It’s also very short though, so it isn’t as important.

 

 

trust you kind of was disappointing in the way huge anime tie-ins are done.  trust you isn’t exactly what you call worthy of such a tie-in but alone it was a nice ballad, but “miss you” was better than this.  Brand New World however should’ve been the tie-in with it’s upbeat synth nature.  I thought that was a surprising track to hear from her.  The remix and TV Mix both were nice treats for the single, but did they really need to be there?  Meh, worst single of the era IMO

Yuna Ito – Koi wa groovyx2 April 16, 2009

Track Listing

1. Koi wa groovyx2
2. Mafuyu no Seiza
3. miss you (Hawaiian Breeze Remix)
4. Koi wa groovyx2 (Instrumental)

1. Koi wa groovyx2

I know Yuna Ito is capable of upbeat tracks and this track is pretty fun and groovy groovy.  Her voice is pretty awesome and shows fun throughout.  The only drawback I can really put on this song is that she hits some pretty sour notes.  Especially when she says ~groovy~ the 2nd time in the chorus.  Other than that, this is a song to really get down with and I quite like it alot.

2. Mafuyu no Seiza

Not surprisingly, Our B-side comes in a form of a ballad.  Representing Winter, the track doesn’t have the usual suspects of one.  You know, the jingle bells.  I found her vocals easier on the ears and the flow of the song is very smooth.  I actually quite like this track as well.

3. miss you (Hawaiian Breeze Mix)

I’m pretty sure this was just an unneeded remix.  I mean the original “miss you” was already Hawaiian-y, but to drag the song to about 8 minutes, that’s when your pushing the lines.  The song does sound a bit more Hawaiian and the chill factor of the song was right on, but seriously….that long?  Maybe listening it will make the song fly by faster.

 

 

Yuna’s 2nd single of the “DREAM” era was takin on so well.  Both songs were handled so well and could be her best single this entire era.  Koi wa groovyx2′s fun-lovin party song and sweet n’ calm Mafuyu no Seiza.  The remix is a little too long-winded, but still pretty good.

Yuna Ito – miss you March 17, 2009

Track Listing

1. miss you
2. BREEEEEZIN!!!!!!!
3. Urban Mermaid -Bittersweet Movement Blood-I Riddimix-
4. miss you (Instrumental)

1. miss you

The gentle sounds of waves crashing begins miss you, which is not surprinigly a ballad of all things. I have a sense of what her ballads sound like and miss you doesn’t disappoint. Her vocals are just so appealing and really smooth and easy to like. Defintily a smooth track and a pretty ballad.

2. BREEEEEZIN!!!!!!!

Oh now this is so odd. Instead of the pretty ballads I’ve heard before from Yuna, this actually was off the wall and is so lively with it’s island-like vibe and feel. I do think that her vocals in the chorus are pretty weak and squeaky, but it’s nothing that could be cleared up by the fact the song’s feeling is BREEEEEZIN!!!!!!!

3. Urban Mermaid -Bittersweet Movement Blood-I Riddiemix-

I actually haven’t heard the original much to the dismay of people, so I can’t make a prognosis on how this sounds when compared to the original mix. All I know is the song is about girl power basically so it’s a good topic to start in. I love how she incorporated island themes with this track which makes the singles overall theme complete. Yuna sings really well and the song has a good orchestrated feel to it which I’m surprised it had.

 

 

Wow, this single surprised me well. I loved the fact that the single had an overall theme to it and how all 3 tracks sounded way different from each other. I actually am excited to get into “Koi wa Groovyx2″ now.