Zwei – Junjou Spectra November 21, 2012

Track Listing

1. Junjou Spectra
2. Junjou Spectra (Moonboy remix)
3. Kakuchou Place (PandaBoY remix)
4. Junjou Spectra (Anime ver.)
5. Junjou Spectra (Karaoke ver.)

1. Junjou Spectra

I love that Junjou Spectra sounds like it is Zwei-ish unlike some of their previous singles.  Once the intro is over, the song switches back to an anison style with Ayumu leading the song of course.  There’s something about the song I really like about it since everything is loud and epic and both Ayumu and Megu are just kicking so much ass in this song.  It’s definitely their best A-side since joining 5pb. for sure!

2. Junjou Spectra (Moonboy remix)

Sadly, we don’t get an actual B-side and instead we’re left with two remixes.  The first for Junjou Spectra takes out the rock elements from the song and replaces it with more of a funky electro style which is a bit oddball with some of the quirks about it.  It does retain some of its anime elements as well…it’s kind of like a stripped down version of the original essentially.

3. Kakuchou Place (PandaBoY remix)

The other remix is for their previous A-side (which both this and the lead track here are tied to the same series).  Kakuchou Place’s remix is definitely more electronic than its original!  It’s a very busy remix and sometimes the arrangement overpowers Ayumu but it’s a solid remix.

 

 

I’m wondering when Zwei will announce a new album since this is their 5th single since joining 5pb. (they’re in need of one).  Junjou Spectra luckily is their best A-side since joining the anison company with its hard arrangement and memorable lyrics and vocals from Ayumu.  The remixes are OK, nothing to really gasm over.  Good single, but like I said….album plz!!!!

Zwei – Kakuchou Place August 29, 2012

Track Listing

1. Kakuchou Place
2. MONSTER
3. Kakuchou Place (off Vocal)
4. MONSTER (off Vocal)

1. Kakuchou Place

Is it just a little weird to say that I’ve never got accustomed to Zwei under 5pb.?  I’m just used to their older stuff that their new direction has been really weird.  Kakuchou Place is probably a good example of how uncharacteristic this sounds for them which has a butt ton of synths involved.  I think both Ayumu and Megu are singing in the song which is new for me and they sound good together.  A little too calculated, but it’s not too bad.

2. MONSTER

I think the synths do play a much bigger role in the B-side however, but it also sounds like a heavier and darker track which still kind of strange for Zwei but this song is kind of cool.  Ayumu sounds kind of badass in the song since she has this steely and cold voice that just sounds epic.  Then the chorus comes in and it sounds a bit strange to me but I feel like this is kind of a grittier and more evil “Dragon”.  I think I kind of enjoyed it.

 

 

Zwei’s 4th single and I’m still struggling with this new Zwei that has appeared.  I’m not sure why, but I feel like the duo aren’t meant for animu songs though some of their stuff has worked like “Kaze no Senritsu”.  Kakuchou Place might be a little bland but it’s better than “Koyubi no Paradox” at the least and MONSTER is definitely growing on me as one of their best B-sides.  Not bad!

Zwei – Inanna no Mita Yume February 5, 2012

Track Listing

1. Inanna no Mita Yume
2. GATEWAY LOVE
3. Inanna no Mita Yume (off Vocal)
4. GATEWAY LOVE (off Vocal)

1. Inanna no Mita Yume

Here we go again with Zwei going back into more of electro sound rather than moving forward with their rockin’ style.  Inanna no Mita Yume does kind of remind me of “Koyubi no Paradox” in a way but I’m finding myself enjoying this one a tad bit more since Ayumu’s voice is strong and the melody is rather good.  Though I still feel that 5pb. is screwing the duo up and straying them away from their great rock sound.  At least the guitar solo was cool…

2. GATEWAY LOVE

~Let’s do this….from deep inside~  Yeah…innuendo aside, GATEWAY LOVE is a bit more electronic-based even more than “Inanna no Mita Yume” and it makes me wonder what the duo was going for.  A sexy kind of song?  It doesn’t matter to me because I actually enjoyed this song over the A-side.  I think the synth melody really stuck to me plus Ayumu’s vocals were great…despite the Engrish.  Still…hmmm good song but I don’t think it stands over “Kaze no Senritsu”.

 

 

Meh, this single wasn’t as impressive as their last single, “Kaze no Senritsu” since it kind of eradicated the rock sound for more of a anison electro song.  Inanna no Mita Yume could’ve been better but I’m alright with even though it’s a departure.  GATEWAY LOVE isn’t to bad and is probably my favorite B-side they’ve done since joining 5pb.  Now I wonder if there’s an album next for em….hmmm…

Zwei – Kaze no Senritsu August 3, 2011

Track Listing

1. Kaze no Senritsu
2. Sora no Shizuku
3. Kaze no Senritsu (off Vocal)
4. Sora no Shizuku (off Vocal)

1. Kaze no Senritsu

I have to admit, Zwei is slowly returning some epic stuff and they did well with Kaze no Senritsu.  Since Megu has a much more prominent presence than she did in “Koyubi no Paradox”, it’s a great sign since it also energized Ayumu’s performance in the song.  It’s a good mix of their signature rock sound mixed with their label’s anime feel.  I loved this mix and it’s one of my newer favorites from the duo and that’s a good sign!

2. Sora no Shizuku

So as for the B-side of the single, Sora no Shizuku is a bit more darker, but it’s also a bit more stronger in the rockin’ side of things since it comes off as a powerful track with powerful chords from the guitars and pounding bass from Megu.  I would say this was pretty unexpected from them seeing as they’re on 5bp. but this is a good song and makes them an even bigger force with their genre.

 

 

I was so disappointed with their last single “Koyubi no Paradox” that I was almost wanting to not listen to them anymore, but Kaze no Senritsu has saved their asses really well.  Both songs are just amazing songs from the duo and brought back that missing spark they once had before their label switching started.  Great single and makes me put faith back in them again *RECOMMENDED*

Zwei – Koyubi no Paradox August 8, 2010

Track Listing

1. Koyubi no Paradox
2. Forever More
3. Koyubi no Paradox (off Vocal)
4. Forever More (off Vocal)

1. Koyubi no Paradox

Uhm wow…Last time I heard Zwei was their last single “DISTANCE” roughly two years ago.  Koyubi no Paradox is such a devoided thought to happen for the duo (I’ll explain in the overall thoughts).  My jaw is still dropping for the entire switch from J-rock into J-anime-pop.  I mean I don’t know why but it just sounds so foreign for me especially hearing Ayumu in this situation.  I don’t even know if Megu is still alive in this song since the bass is covered so much by the damn synths.  This will definitely take some time to get used to.

2. Forever More

So of course Forever More sounds a little more like Zwei but a little more exciting.  I found this a much easier tune to swallow since it has actually instruments and holds back on the whole synth blast.  It still is pretty loud of songs but at least Megu is mostly present.  I still don’t enjoy that it’s anime-esque since it comes off a little corny, but it’s much better than “Koyubi no Paradox”.

 

 

Let me explain, Zwei was on UNIVERSAL JAPAN where they only released two singles (“1+1=2″ and “DISTANCE”) before taking a hiatus and getting booted from the label.  Since then Ayumu has released a single (“Occultics no Majou” which I’ll review) and Megu did some background music stuffs.  What we didn’t know I guess was that with Ayumu’s solo single it turns out Zwei was transferred to friggin 5pb. Records (Yui Sakakibara’s label) and was I terrified, saddened and scared for my life.  I just couldn’t imagine the duo stooping low enough to join them…Koyubi no Paradox is definitely the reason why I was worried because it’s just not them and everyone would say that, I know.

Zwei – Watashigai no Uta December 7, 2009

Track Listing

1. Watashigai no Uta
2. Pretty Queen
3. Watashigai no Uta (Instrumental)

1. Watashigai no Uta

Taking things to a more chill zone that their debut, Watashigai no Uta sounds really refreshing.  I love Ayumu’s vocals here in the song as their are nice and deep and strong.  The chorus is a little shaky since she screams through it.  As for the rest of the song, it’s nice and darker than “Movie Star”.  It’s sad there isn’t an epic Megu part, but still a cool song.

2. Pretty Queen

Oddly enough, Pretty Queen is even shorter than the A-side.  It sounds really cool and stuff, but it feels a little underproduced, or there wasn’t enough punch to it to make it that worthwhile.  The only thing that really saves it is Ayumu and her singing.  It’s once again edgy and has the kick I like to it.

 

 

Watashigai no Uta to me isn’t really that good of a single.  The A-side was of course better, but not by much because of the excessive yelling that was going on…the rest of the song was ok.  Pretty Queen though was just boring IMO…let’s hope the album makes up for this.

Zwei – Movie Star April 30, 2009

Track Listing

1. Movie Star
2. Love Land
3. Movie Star (Instrumental)

1. Movie Star

~Movie Stars~.  It’s funny hearing that start this single off.  Anyway Movie Star is kind of like a mix of rock and synth-pop which shows because they are produced by two members of Duran Duran.  It’s definitly interesting because it’s like crazy.  I love Ayumu, he voice is surprisingly strong and while Megu (the bassist) plays a minor role in the song, it’s pretty cool and the chorus is pop genius.  Loving this song.

2. Love Land

To me, Love Land was even more towards the synth-pop sound which is cool and I can clearly hear Megu in the song.  She has good musicality and shows that she’s awesome as a bassist.  Ayumu’s vocals are continuing to be strong and loud.  The song is a little less catchy than “Movie Star”, but this made a good B-side.

 

 

Zwei is definitly out with a good start with their debut.  Movie Star is pretty much what their music is going to be like before changing up into UNIVERSAL-J.  Love Land is B-side material, but pretty good as well.  Nice to see both make the album