Natsuko Aso – Parade! December 1, 2012

Track Listing

1. Parade!
2. CROSS×OVER SENSATION
3. You’re my brightness

1. Parade!

Natsuko starts the single off with Parade! which is a high-energy track which is actually a nice surprise after the last couple of singles.  She also doesn’t sound as shrill which is also another positive.  I enjoyed the guitars of the song, but some of the vocal parts from Natsuko are a bit questionable (especially the spitfire parts where she crams so many lyrics in 5 seconds).  Not the best she’s done, but its a nice track once you get over the problems.

2. CROSS×OVER SENSATION

The first B-side CROSS×OVER SENSATION shares a certain cute style like some of the singles from the last era which isn’t a bad direction, but it’s also refreshing for some reason because it’s kind of danceable and happy in a good way.  I have to say, I kind of enjoyed this more than “Parade!”.

3. You’re my brightness

Seldom do we hear Natsuko sing a ballad and it seems we get a new one with You’re my brightness which has a lot of what you expect from piano and acoustic guitar to light percussion and small background sounds.  It’s nothing to over the top and it sounds like a pretty anime ending…but not something that’ll stand out anytime soon for me.

 

 

Natsuko’s 3rd single for this unnamed era is a bit underwhelming when compared to her last single, “Fighting Growing Diary” because sans CROSS×OVER SENSATION, the other two tracks didn’t really leave much of an impression.  Yeah, Parade! has guitar riffs and an energetic arrangement, but some of the lyrics were sloppily done.  As for You’re my brightness, it’s a ballad…nice…but nothing new and Natsuko has done better ballads (I think…).  Overall it could’ve been better.

Natsuko Aso – Fighting Growing Diary July 30, 2012

Track Listing

1. Fighting Growing Diary
2. WONDER SUMMER VACATION
3. Hello, my world

1. Fighting Growing Diary

Besides the rather odd title (she’s known for this anyways) Fighting Growing Diary actually seemed like it toned down the cutesy vocals but managed to keep that bubbly anime pop feel to her style.  I mean the lyrics are a bit wacky and non-sensical sometimes but this song is kind of a step up from previous A-sides for sure ^_^

2. WONDER SUMMER VACATION

The first B-side on the single, WONDER SUMMER VACATION sounds a bit more idol-pop which is a nice change of sound and Natsuko’s vocals are a bit more suited here which is pretty nice.  It’s a pretty bright song and definitely a lot more fitting for her.

3. Hello, my world

A first for Natsuko, we get another B-side in Hello, my world which also has an idol-like style for it but there’s a bit more of a beat to me whereas
WONDER SUMMER VACATION” is a bit lighter.  I think the song is also better because it’s catchy and the chorus is easily hummable to me.  Definitely my favorite track off the single.

 

 

I have to say that it has been quite a while since I liked a Natsuko single and Fighting Growing Diary is a pretty impressive single.  All three songs all trumped over her last single, “Lovely Girls Anthem” by a huge leap.  I have to say though that both WONDER SUMMER VACATION and Hello, my world were shockingly the better songs since Natsuko’s vocals got let up on the squeaky cute but kept that idol-style.  Fighting Growing Diary is good too but it’s a bit odd lyrically so it’s kind of taking time to get used to.

Natsuko Aso – Lovely Girls Anthem February 9, 2012

Track Listing

1. Lovely Girls Anthem
2. Merry-go-round
3. Lovely Girls Anthem (Instrumental)
4. Merry-go-round (Instrumental)

1. Lovely Girls Anthem

I’m super happy that Natsuko toned down the genki-style for her first A-side of her third era for sure!  It’s still cuter than what she began her career with but she put a little more work towards her vocals than the song which is great!  It’s kind of nice to listen to and almost has this You Kikkawa feel to it…(ironic).  Yeah I like it but there’s still songs I enjoy from Natsuko elsewhere.

2. Merry-go-round

I can almost say the same thing with Merry-go-round but I also like this as well since it’s cute but not overly so.  It’s just light and fun to listen to but I still like her vocals in the A-side just a little more.  Though the quick singing here is kind of interesting for the song lmao.  Not much I can really say right now about it that I haven’t already said in “Lovely Girls Anthem”.

 

 

Kicking off her 3rd era, Lovely Girls Anthem is actually a solid single (and she really hasn’t had one since her first era).  Both songs might be similar in action but they have points that make them sound nice.  Maybe she’s finding her niche now…Annoyingly cute is just not her style.

Natsuko Aso – Precious tone November 9, 2011

Track Listing

1. Eureka Baby
2. More-more LOVERS!!
3. Kuusou Resume
4. Tokimeki☆Traveler
5. Daylight
6. Knockin’ On Dream’s Door
7. Luminous face, It’s mine!
8. bitter
9. starry-eyed future
10. Renai Koujou committee
11. Diamond Star☆
12. Precious tone

1. Eureka Baby

I was kind of hoping that she didn’t choose Eureka Baby as the opening song to Natsuko’s sophomore album but damn it all that she does!  Then again when most of the era has been chock-full of sugary idol-pop tunes, it’s hard to escape it.  So I had to swallow that pill and see what she’s done without thinking of the awesomeness of “Programming for non-fiction”.  After listening to it, it does remind of a YuiKaori song but with Natsuko’s vocals which aren’t as terrible as I once thought they were.  Still, odd choice for first song!

2. More-more LOVERS!!

The second track is the era’s first A-side which is oddly enough more cuter than the final A-side of the era (“Eureka Baby”).  While it’s pretty much cutesy pop once again, More-more LOVERS!! is alright but I do find that the genki extras and the pseudo rapping is a little out of place.  It’s just a little strange for me which could be bad but sometimes it’s good on a good day XD.

3. Kuusou Resume

Yay!  A string of brand new songs come up next starting with Kuusou Resume.  I will say that despite the same atmosphere in the song that’s been prevelent so far on the album, this has actual good vocals from Natsuko.  They’re deeper than I remembered them last and fits the arrangement quite well.  I wish she had released this as a single instead of some of the others.

4. Tokimeki☆Traveler

Our next track really came out of nowhere and surprised me the most on this album.  Unlike the previous three tracks that were genki synthy songs bundled in an idol-bow, Tokimeki☆Traveler is all synths no doubt, but it sounds like it would’ve fit more on her debut album, “Movement of magic”.  I’m surprised she played it low on this song but it worked since it has this mysterious vibe mixed with an outer-space feel to it.  I liked it a lot!  It’s probably my favorite from the album.

5. Daylight

After such a song like “Tokimeki☆Traveler” it wasn’t surprising she’d follow it up with a bright pop song like Daylight.  They are like night and day to each other but it’s such a nice contrast to be honest.  I still to prefer the previous song though, but this is also a nice track to be honest and she sounds rather good, especially the chorus. 

6. Knockin’ On Dream’s Door

I liked the intro of our next song which includes strings and a nice beat.  After a little bit with that it lets up and we’re left with Natsuko and a guitar riff.  It feels like what her A-sides would’ve sound like if they were stripped of their sugar coating.  I’m not sure if I would’ve liked them any better though and with this song I do feel like it’s missing something to make it feel complete.  The piano is really cute though…It’s alright of a song but iono…

7. Luminous face, It’s mine!

Then she tries to go for the epic anime-song with Luminous face and she actually pulls this off even though it really doesn’t fit on the album really since it’s hard and rockin’.  There’s traces of synths found throughout the song and the chorus does seem to cutesy up things but overall it just stands out on the album in a weird way but I like the song just by itself.  It’s the right kind of edge she needed after so many cute songs before this album’s release. 

8. bitter

bitter to me is to me sounding like a winter song because of how it’s arrangement is presented.  It’s a mid-tempo tune, but it’s hard to decide if it’s more of a pop tune or an R&B track since it comes off both ways to me.  It stays pretty much at the same feel the entire song and at the end I’m kind of disappointed because it wasn’t exactly anything special (especially that stands out on its own since this album has been quite varied throughout).

9. starry-eyed future

Unlike her last album which included two B-sides, Precious tone only let one B-side make the album’s cut and it’s the one from “Diamond Star☆”.  When the single was released this song was very forgetful and kind of bland, but on the album, I found it to be a much better place for it even though her vocals aren’t as good.  I say that after the boring “bitter”, starry-eyed future came in and showed up the previous song by being a better tune overall (and this is coming from a ballad). 

10. Renai Koujou committee

I was starting to wonder what happened to all of that genki-idol stuff Natsuko did and we get rushed back in with her 3rd A-side.  I will say that after time getting used to her changing sounds, Renai Koujou committee has slightly grown on me even though this song is a bit much and the odd usage of auto-tune was bothersome.  It just sounds like something MilkyWay would have loved to have made their own!

11. Diamond Star☆

It’s so tough to decide which A-side was the best of the four but I’m leaning more towards her second A-side, Diamond Star☆.  It isn’t all in your face like the other three A-sides but at the same time it still has the genki anime pop sound going which brought it down.  Also, add in the parts where guys are yelling with her and it just leaves me with my eyebrows raised. 

12. Precious tone

The album then closes with its promotional tune (which is also the title track no surprise there since “Movement of magic” was also a promotional song for that album).  I wasn’t expecting the song to be somewhat reminescent of stuff on her first album but that’s pretty cool since I like the strings and the synth-play here.  Natsuko sounds really pleasant though and I have to say I was impressed with this song and made a pretty ending.

Tracks Recommended

• Tokimeki☆Traveler
• Precious tone
• Luminous face, It’s mine!
• Kuusou Resume
• Daylight

Song of Avoidance

• bitter

Just to show you, she released 4 A-sides but none of them made the list of recommendations.  Precious tone really shows that A-sides do not make an album epic it’s the actual album tracks themselves this time around.  I wish her label stopped pushing her to be an idol-like singer because it doesn’t work AT ALL.  I liked it when she’s more in a natural sound like the album tracks and some of the stuff of her debut.  I will say she’s progessed for this album which is awesome!  NO MORE CUTE A-SIDES PLZZZZZ.

Natsuko Aso – Eureka Baby July 23, 2011

Track Listing

1. Eureka Baby
2. Pop step trip!
3. Eureka Baby (Instrumental)
4. Pop step trip! (Instrumental)

1. Eureka Baby

I seriously wished Natsuko would escape the grasp of sugary genki music, but I guess it seems she’s forever stuck in this direction.  I just don’t know why, but I seriously couldn’t get into Eureka Baby just for the reasoning.  I mean she’s singing alright, but the background randomness and the music is just too sugary for me.  It just isn’t my cup of tea.

2. Pop step trip!

I’m also on the fence with this one as well since it’s just as cute and genki all rolled in one song.  However, I do feel that Natsuko is trying to add the cuteness to her vocals and I will admit isn’t so bad and at least this song doesn’t come off as a bit kiddy which is good, but it comes off as a summer track which I’ll take.  At least it’s better than “Eureka Baby”.

 

 

Since this is Natsuko’s 4th single (probably the last) of the era, Eureka Baby is just like the other releases she’s done.  Poor A-side and better B-side it seems to be her work release nowadays.  I don’t know…Why can’t she ditch the sugary stuff and go back to the stuff when she first debuted….ugh

Natsuko Aso – Renai Koujou committee March 9, 2011

Track Listing

1. Renai Koujou committee
2. Sweet Sweet Sweets
3. Renai Koujou committee (Instrumental)
4. Sweet Sweet Sweets (Instrumental)

1. Renai Koujou committee

<.<….That’s the face that popped on my face when I turned on Renai Koujou committee.  I should really give up the hope that she’ll return to her old sound now.  Renai Koujou committee is definitely another one of those genki songs from Natsuko and while it’s easier to listen to…it’s still way too busy in the instrumental, but at least I can tell what the melody is supposed to be.  It’s very energetic for sure!

2. Sweet Sweet Sweets

Oh no, the title really got me worried since it would be uberly cute.  However, the song actually isn’t that bad of a song to be honest even though it’s still quite cute.  I love the harmonica/acousic guitar mixed with plucked strings.  It makes me think of Super Mario Sunshine for some strange reason, but I think it’s those combination of instruments.  Natsuko also sounds cute and yet relaxed so it works with the more laidback sound.  Interesting track!

As this is the third single of the era, Renai Koujou committee isn’t all that different when put next to the other singles of the era, but I will say that the B-side is worth a listen since it’s relaxing yet cute…but not overbearing like Renai Koujou committee.  As for the main A-side not much different has really changed from “More-more LOVERS!!” and “Diamond Star☆”.  I wonder how this album will work out…

Natsuko Aso – Diamond Star☆ February 15, 2011

Track Listing

1. Diamond Star☆
2. starry-eyed future
3. Diamond Star☆ (Instrumental)
4. starry-eyed future (Instrumental)

1. Diamond Star☆

I was going to be frustrated if Natsuko’s next A-side was going to be ridiculous like the last three were and luckily she gets a bit more cleaner for Diamond Star☆ (well, I say that lightly because the after-chorus is really random and kind of surprising at the same time).  While the arrangement is pretty genki still, Natsuko sounds quite enthusiastic singing the song with the energetic cutesy pop song, but I think she tackled it pretty damn well.

2. starry-eyed future

As for the B-side, starry-eyed future is like previous B-sides that have taken the lighter route for the arrangement.  However, I don’t feel for this one much since it’s only slightly different enough from “Twinkle night star” that it sounds nice, but without the wintry stuff.  I like Natsuko’s vocals and the acoustic guitar solo in the middle of the track, but it just feels so plain…

For Natsuko’s 2nd in the era, Diamond Star☆ is actually one of her better A-sides as of recent since it’s not sickingly cute and shit which has been her downfall since “Perfect-area complete!” which is great at this point.  The B-side is nothing too special and just single fodder, but finally…A GOOD NATSUKO A-SIDE!!!!

Natsuko Aso – More-more LOVERS!! November 15, 2010

Track Listing

1. More-more LOVERS!!
2. Twinkle night star
3. More-more LOVERS!! (Instrumental)
4. Twinkle night star (Instrumental)

1. More-more LOVERS!!

Unfortunately, Natsuko ended up going in the direction that I really didn’t want her seeing and that’s for the more cutesy pop songs like her last two singles.  More-more LOVERS!! is very cute and really sugary as well.  I do like that the song is pretty fast lyrically so that showed something off, but most of the time Natsuko wasn’t fully singing and just yelling the song.  Sorry Natsuko, I know third time’s the charm, but this was definitely an exception to that rule.

2. Twinkle night star

However, being as the B-side is a Winter-y like tune and almost two full minutes longer than “More-more LOVERS!!”, Twinkle night star is a whole lot smoother to listen to and we actually have some good singing coming out of Natsuko this time.  Musically, it’s a bit more simpler but calls more from the actual side of Natsuko’s music that I like which is a mix of natural and synthetic.  So much more tolerable than the A-side.

Starting off a new era for Natsuko, More-more LOVERS!! is continuing this rather annoying cute side that I’ve quickly grown tired of, but at least it’s a small step up from her last single, “Everyday sunshine line!”.  Still I want her to go back to the sound of her first two singles.  Twinkle night star might be as close to her old sound and being a Winter song, it ended up as one of the nicer songs of the year.

Natsuko Aso – Movement of magic August 19, 2010

Track Listing

1. Programming for non-fiction
2. style
3. Your True Story
4. Brand new world
5. Music for science & magic
6. Steady×Steady
7. Teardrop of Rain
8. Everyday sunshine line!
9. Perfect-area complete!
10. Shinkyoku wa Uchuu Cafe Nite
11. Dear my fortune
12. Movement of magic
13. Brand new world (Real world experience Remix) (CD+DVD only)
14. Programming for non-fiction (Another Diary Remix) (CD+DVD only)

1. Programming for non-fiction

I’m so happy that Natsuko began the album with her best A-side of the era.  Being A-side No.2, Programming for non-fiction really does remind me of Nana Mizuki’s music since it’s set as a dance song with strings which is a lot of what the other gal has been doing.  I liked her vocals in the song since they’re so relaxed and they sound pretty good as well.  One of the bests so far.

2. style

I liked that style began with a slight 8bit intro before getting into the song where it becomes like synth-pop.  It’s a different kind of song, but her vocals take a slight hit in this song as well but it could just be the off harmonizations throughout.  The arrangement could’ve been a bit more energetic, but I like the feeling it puts out so that’s good for right now.

3. Your True Story

Acoustic guitar and little synth clicks opening our next new song?  I was definitely pulled into it just to see what would come from it.  Natsuko’s vocals are a bit more chirpy and a little nasal, but it’s passable.  However, just like “style” I wanted a little more something in the tune’s arrangement.  At least it’s more upbeat?  I don’t know but it’s still a good and happy song.

4. Brand new world

At first Brand new world reminds me of like MEG’s and KOR=GIRL’s weird spacey songs.  At least that’s just only in the opening and the song quickly becomes better, but I’ve noticed that since the single it sounds a bit too slow on the album since all the songs beforehand are a bit faster.  Then again, it could be the fact that Natsuko’s good vocals came out in this song so that’s why I liked it in the first place.

5. Music for science & magic

Of the choices of B-sides on the album, I’m happy she at least stuck the best one on the album.  This is another reason why “Brand new world” has kind of slipped on favorites because Music for science & magic just pwned it in almost every way.  I love the cutesy upbeat side to her music and with this one it’s like synth-y cuteness.  Vocals might not be as good, but it’s enough to get me by.

6. Steady×Steady

I guess giving us a short break before going back into old songs, Steady×Steady is definitely something that would be hopping around in the genki idol style of songs since it’s bubbly and just cute to the max.  At least her vocals isn’t ear-piercing so it makes this song rather tolerable to listen to, but it’s just not my kind of style I would’ve expected Natsuko to dabble in.

7. Teardrop of Rain

That makes the switch into “Everyday sunshine line’s” B-side rather weird.  There’s at least some sort of transition since it’s a cute song, but instead of the energy in the last song, this is the album’s lone ballad.  Since reviewing the single, I’ve grown to like a bit more since it’s a song that stands out in this album because of it’s slow-paced yet loud arrangement.  Good tune for sure.

8. Everyday sunshine line!

I’ll admit that starting to review Natsuko with this single was a pretty poor choice because this and the previous singles are kind of my least favorite A-side/singles.  I don’t know why but I’ve grown to be annoyed by this song because there’s just so much sound going around.  At least it is the most energetic A-side out of the four, but I’m still kind of meh with it.

9. Perfect-area complete!

Same goes with the 3rd A-side released in the era.  I keep on switching on which of the two has the bigger offense, but I think Perfect-area complete! takes the cake overall since it’s busy and just idol-messy.  I mean I do appreciate the effort to make something this energetic and genki, but it’s just too much!

10. Shinkyoku wa Uchuu Cafe Nite

We have yet to see Natsuko hitting pop/rock yet and as we get back into new songs we have our first one on the album even though it’s more like a slight addition to her synth-pop we have here.  The mix is quite cool to listen to and it’s catchy at various points and it sounds like a good summer tune.  Should’ve been an A-side instead of “Everyday sunshine line!”.

11. Dear my fortune

Getting back into her synth-pop style, Dear my fortune actually is probably my favorite of the new songs since it’s just everything that’s good she did in the first half of the era.  Yeah, there’s a part where her vocals screw up quite majorly, but for the most part the song is just a better sounding “Brand new world” and I much prefer this since it’s easy to remember and the arrangement is nice.

12. Movement of magic

Ending the main part of the album, being the title track, and promotional song for the album; Movement of magic is one of the songs that oddly stands out on this album as well.  I mean there’s a whole of fast singing and the dance style is prevelent here as well.  There’s just a lot going on vocally in the song and I was impressed she held her own here.  Loved it!

13. Brand new world (Real world experience Remix)

On the CD+DVD edition of the album, it comes with two more songs and they’re both remixes of her debut and second single respectively.  Brand new world’s remix kind of tries to make it sound a little bit like the regular version of “Programming for non-fiction” but instead of strings there’s piano.  I actually enjoyed listening to this remix since it really does sound good and actually beats the hell outta the original.  Thank you sped up arrangement!

14. Programming for non-fiction (Another Diary Remix)

Sadly, it seems things were just switched.  I don’t know why but it feels like this remix made Programming for non-fiction was actually made on purpose to make the original sound a whole lot better.  I do love the electro-sound when it’s full of synths but like the verses with that buzzing synth is annoying as all hell.  If that was gone and the harder stuff took over I would’ve consider it better…

Tracks Recommended

• Programming for non-fiction
• Dear my fortune
• Music for science & magic
• Brand new world (Real world experience Remix)
• Movement of magic

Song of Avoidance

• Perfect-area complete!

For a debut album, I was actually impressed by Ms. Natsuko Aso.  The fact that her sound on Lantis is focused on a synth-based sound is great to hear and she has good vocals, but I think they haven’t been tapped into fully since Programming for non-fiction and I want to see Lantis take advantage of that.  Besides that, I actually enjoyed this!

Natsuko Aso – Perfect-area complete! August 16, 2010

Track Listing

1. Perfect-area complete!
2. Dream into action!
3. Perfect-area complete! (instrumental)
4. Dream into action! (instrumental)

1. Perfect-area complete!

If there was any A-side that really told me to question her choosing of songs, I’d quickly pick this song because this is way cute, fast, and if there were more synths this would’ve been thrown into Denpa zone.  I mean it’s a kind of song I would stray away from jsut because it’s just too much.  At least Natsuko’s vocals weren’t messed around with, but I was so distracted with the arrangement that I missed a bit of that.  I’m sorry but this is definitely the worst A-side of the era.

2. Dream into action!

It seems Natsuko likes songs that would sound similar to previous songs.  Dream into action! took a page from “Programming for non-fiction” with it’s mixture of strings and techno-pop style.  I immediately though fell in love with this song because it cleaned my palette off after “Perfect-area complete!”.  So it just might be that reason why I like it more quite easily, but w/e despite the similarities between this and her last A-side, this was good.  Then again Natsuko’s vocals sounded really nice hahaha.

 

 

As the 3rd single, Perfect-area complete! was kind of her first fail on an A-side, but that was to be expected since no one can really get a perfect era with 4 A-sides.  There’s just something too much about that song to make it tolerable and it was just something Natsuko didn’t need.  On the flip side, Dream into action! was the reason the single is alright at best.  I mean yeah it’s “Programming for non-ficion” pt. 2 but i still was done nicely.