Saori Rinne – Rinne August 8, 2023

Track Listing

1. Overture
2. Kibou -Album Mix-
3. Rinne
4. Can’t Stop
5. What the hell!?
6. Zetsumetsu
7. Bad End
8. Detarame
9. Coda
10. Handler

1. Overture

What is with this intro piece?  It sounds like something from a video game but given a dubstep and gritty groove which is entirely new to me when it comes to Saori’s music, since it is an opening instrumental, it’s very new to me and you can hear little bits and pieces of Saori’s voice throughout the track.  A short 1:15 track and leaves me wondering what am I getting myself into.

2. Kibou -Album Mix-

While I didn’t review the two digital singles released prior to the album (hell, I didn’t even know she changed names), Kibou was the first under the new name and comparing the original digital single to the album mix, I can’t really tell much of a difference?  After the chaotic intro piece, Kibou sounds like what I expected from Saori with the funky synth sounds and her processed vocals, it’s like kind of going back to when she was Saori@destiny here and I’m quite loving that about this song!  I kind of just love the beat and how danceable it is, though the dubstep bridge kind of throws me off somewhat.  I think actually the album mix kind of fixes the music a bit so it sounds more clear and less fuzzy.  Good start here!

3. Rinne

So we enter the next track (aptly the title track) and I was kind of surprised at how cool this one sounded compared to “Kibou”.  I was kind of thrown off by the spoken dialogue that’s the verses because it’s VERY quickly-paced and then Saori comes in with vocals that are kind of more used at backing to the arrangement and hooks.  It’s an oddball song and the mood of it reminds me of Aural Vampire’s music which is kind of cool, I suppose?  Interesting since it’s the 2nd full track.

4. Can’t Stop

Which is funny because here we are with an interlude with Can’t Stop.  The mood of the song is a bit more funky, a little more reminiscent of her older works.  It’s kind of urban?  I don’t know the actual mood of the song really but there’s some spoken words throughout, but it’s kind of repetitive at the same time?  For being a 2 minute interlude, it kind of just goes nowhere for me and I’m quickly moving onto the next track.

5. What the hell!?

I’m kind of loving this title since it’s just sooooo…unlike Saori to pull off, but What the hell!? is definitely a surprise to me in my headphones as it’s kind of more of the disco-funk that I kind of love and it’s just so different to me, it’s like how I felt when I first heard “GAMBA JAPAN” for the first time.  I find it funny when Saori says the title too, but it’s the arrangement that has grabbed my attention (guitar licks, string strikes, and the horns).  Very cool indeed!

6. Zetsumetsu

I don’t know how she got into this but I am LOOOOVING the bass in this album so far and Zetsumetsu seems to me a bit more of what she released as Saoriiiii with the piano and buzzing synths playing a lighter but including that thumping beat to keep things danceable and fun.  The keyboard is what’s catching me and so are the synth melodies that play in and around Saori during the song…quick, buzzing, and just upbeat and I like that about this one!

7. Bad End

As the 2nd digital single to release (and oddly enough get an album mix), Bad End seems to be the cutesy song off the album.  The kind of synth/piano found here has a more bright vibe than in “Zetsumetsu” and the tone overall is playful and cute.  Saori’s light vocals fit nicely as well and I feel like she’s doing a bit more in the song vocally versus most of the other tracks off the album.  It’s OK, but I don’t think it fits on the album very much?

8. Detarame

Oh the intro of our next song, Detarame sounds so cool and full and then once the intro is over, the song kind of goes into this cool house-ish vibe that I’m kind of loving here.  It’s got a cool sound and Saori’s whispy vocals adds this kind of VOCALOID-like sound that I approve all-around.  Maybe it’s just personal taste, but I wish this song hit harder!  Like the beat should’ve been pulsating!  Still, this was a pretty cool song and probably the best of the tracks of the album!

9. Coda

Another interlude?  Kind of weird since it’s 45 seconds of some kind of idea that’s got a repeating synthline that builds more and more with instrumentation.  Kind of ends abruptly but I think it’s supposed to immediately cut into the next track.

10. Handler

Which is our final track to the album.  Handler to me is the closest she’s sounded to her D-TOPIA days with a kind of simple dance beat and synthwork alongside her dreamy vocals that’s a bit more airy and calm until the chorus where her voice comes out more.  To me it’s like a slightly lighter “Sayonara Revival” almost.  It’s a solid way to close the album I think.

Tracks Recommended

• Detarame
• What the hell!?
• Zetsumetsu

Song of Avoidance

• Bad End

If you hadn’t already guessed by the review, Saori Rinne was previously known as Saoriiiii (or Saori@destiny which is what she’s best known as).  Yeah, new label, new name I guess?  Definitely didn’t expect an album from her considering her last release was her 2018 mini-album, “Tokyo Kunyan”.  With the new change, it seems Saori is trying to go back to a more familiar sound to her Saori@destiny days where her music could be more technopop and a little experimental at the same time.  Rinne is an OK album, I would’ve left off the interludes for more vocal tracks because they are pretty decent (except Bad End, which felt too cutesy for the release).  I’m hoping this is the beginning of more activity because she’s been gone for a while and this was nice to see!

Saoriiiii – Tokyo Kunyan April 22, 2019

Track Listing

1. Tokyo Kunyan
2. Wanshanhao!
3. command y
4. fancy girl

1. Tokyo Kunyan

As the first track off the mini, Tokyo Kunyan fades in it feels like and we get a pretty cool funky technobop of a song with a lot of smacking bass in it that really sticks out to me.  Saori’s vocals are filtered a little but it feels clean and really interesting.  Yeah, this song is a great way to kick things off and brings me back to the days she was in D-TOPIA.

2. Wanshanhao!

With a Chinese title, I was not surprised in the least that the arrangement kind of gave me this fusion of like acid to kind of lowbrow EDM here.  Definitely a lot less wild than “Tokyo Kunyan” was, Wanshanhao! has this ethereal tone and it’s just really soothing to the ears especially with Saori’s vocals under echo filters too.  Neat song, I’ll say that!

3. command y

I was expecting our next track to be more futuristic, but it’s kind of just as light and relaxing like “Wanshanhao!” is.  It does feels slightly space-y and kind of floaty in places which is cool and definitely gives me some of old feelings, then the chorus hits and I’m kind of thrown off at it, but the song moves further along and the two ideas kind of merge in a pretty neat way.  Interesting tune overall!

4. fancy girl

Ending the mini is fancy girl and to me has the most synth usage in it and has a bit more grit versus the other songs from the mini-album.  I do like Saori’s vocals here even if they’re pretty much covered in computer work.  It’s got a good beat and the speed isn’t too quick and I think would’ve made for a great PV.

 

 

Wow, I didn’t even notice Saoriiiii had released a new mini-album at the end of last year!  Regardless, I would say Tokyo Kunyan is kind of middle for me.  I mean to be fair I had no problems with it at all, but I don’t think it’s going to quite stick with me.  I do like the Asian-like ideals in the songs themselves, but I don’t know…in time I’m sure I’ll warm up more to it, but for me it’s OK for now.

Saoriiiii – NOSTALGY April 12, 2016

Track Listing

1. Retro Train
2. Chaplin Orchestra
3. Valentine tonight
4. O・ma・ji・na・i
5. Dancing Through the Night
6. Minato-machi Love Song
7. Chaplin Orchestra (Cube Juice remix)

1. Retro Train

I suppose Retro Train acts as the introduction to the mini-album and it starts slow, but quickly gets a faster pace which is pretty awesome, but lyrically it’s a little repetitive especially towards the end.  Still, I think it could’ve been a great song if it was a little longer, but what we have is decent (feels like a continuation of “Thanks”).

2. Chaplin Orchestra

It is strange that “Retro Train” transitions into Chaplin Orchestra like a brick wall since the tune is a departure from Saori’s EDM-friendly stuff.  Going for more of a jazzier/bossa nova vibe with Chaplin Orchestra, many fans will be really surprised that there’s no electro (besides Saori’s vocals) but this is quirky and original and I kind of love this jolly style she’s adopted…happy she chose this to promote the album (and HELL YES for a PV for this!!).

3. Valentine tonight

At first I thought our next track was going for the same style that “Chaplin Orchrestra” was going for, but I quickly got that thought dashed when Saori started singing as it goes into a REALLY interesting sound of creepy Halloween-esque woo-ings.  It’s something so unexpected and I love it a lot!  What a cool idea for a song and it’s currently my favorite on the mini.

4. O・ma・ji・na・i

Then I start to notice the mini shifting back towards more familiar settings with O・ma・ji・na・i.  This has a lot of bloops and weird synth moments that somehow makes sense when put together.  It feels like a Katamari song actually, with all those weird moments colliding together.  I’m not quite sure what to think, but it’s not a bad thing because I felt like she was going for that…weird, but interesting song.

5. Dancing Through the Night

Of all the songs though, Dancing Through the Night is definitely the Saori we’ve come to love.  The tune does start with a lot of synths, but it empties to this mix of a ballad to a dance track and I really like the grandness of the track.  It’s got a wondrous feel and Saori sounds dreamy to go alongside said arrangement.  It’s so hard to say if its better than “Valentine tonight” but damn are they close to one another!!

6. Minato-machi Love Song

As the last original track of the mini, Minato-machi Love Song is probably the one that didn’t affect me too much.  I do like the kind of doowop/50s sound that I get from it and Saori’s vocals are light enough, but there’s some weird synth swipes that sound really unfortunate in the song’s choruses.  It’s definitely my least favorite of the songs on NOSTALGY, but I suppose there’s something to like about the track.

7. Chaplin Orchestra (Cube Juice remix)

The mini ends with a remix of the leading track and I started chuckling with the low voice, but then got into the groove real quickly when the song has a 80s funk vibe with some brass thrown into the mix.  I don’t think the vocal melody suited this new arrangement, but at least the remixer played with the beats to counteract the melody to make things more cool.  Still, it’s OK for the most part.

 

 

Being the 2nd mini-album Saori released since returning from her hiatus, NOSTALGY is actually quite the step up from “Thanks”.  I love that she’s experimenting on this one and songs like Chaplin Orchestra & Valentine tonight really stuck out in a great way and Dancing Through the Night brought us the more normal expectations in a strong way.  I really can’t wait to see her next release!

Saoriiiii – Thanks

Track Listing

1. 3cm Distance
2. runaway?
3. plan
4. Sayonara Promenade
5. money
6. runaway? (islandhouse remix)
7. Ukiyo Disco (Inimma remix)

1. 3cm Distance

Opening the mini-album is the well lone digital single release and surprisingly, it feels like Saori had never left because the track is quite the electro sound that many fans were hoping she would keep intact after coming back from hiatus.  The tune sounds pretty 80s to me and Saori’s vocals are still light and wispy, but feels right!  It does remind me of something from her first album, “JAPANESE CHAOS” and I love it the most about it, even the dubstep parts add a nice level of depth.

2. runaway?

I love that the next track has a lot of piano rolling around the arrangement, but feels like a stripped down “3cm Distance”, but it’s nothing bad.  Sadly once the synths join in, it does become more of a clone that I was expecting which is slightly disappointing as this was being performed right around the same time she came back.

3. plan

Next up, plan takes things into a funkier place with slap bass and some Daft Punk inluences.  I like how light Saori is here as it lets the music kind of show off a bit more flair as she’s singing along.  It’s a nice track overll, but it might be too laidback for some, actually it reminds me of some of the stuff that was on “PARK OF THE SAFARI” she did with Aira Mitsuki.

4. Sayonara Promenade

When it comes to our next track, I felt the arrangement was a bit abstract and a little sprinkly with the synths and such.  I think this classifies as the slow song of the mini-album and while the mid-tempo beat is nice and Saori’s quiet vocals are nice, the melody is a bit too distracting.  Not sure where I sit with this song currently.

5. money

At least the pace is brought back up with money which is a little more electro than most of the tracks.  The beat is heavy and there’s some great moments that makes me think of the bigger songs that Saori had back in her D-TOPIA days.  It’s the track that’ll get everyone dancing and I’m loving it the most about this track.  Of the 5 original songs, it’s the best one.

6. runaway? (islandhouse remix)

So we get remixes to close out the mini-album starting with runaway? which I thought felt too much like “3cm Distance”, but the islandhouse remix fixes things up by going for more of a trance sound and I appreciate that quite nicely.  I’m just surprised that I ended up loving the remix more than the original…

7. Ukiyo Disco (Inimma remix)

For me it’s rather strange that a remix of a song that hasn’t made a physical release makes the cut.  I already did like the original version with the crazy synths abound, but the remix takes the tune in a more mysterious direction by once again focusing on trance and inducing some interesting melodies.  I quite liked it as well and left me wanting more!

 

 

So to explain, after “×~PARK OF THE SAFARI”, Saori decided to go on hiatus in 2012 and it seems in that time D-TOPIA was falling apart (with Aira also going on hiatus), so when Saori announced her return to music in 2014 a lot of her fans were mad excited and with Thanks, it feels like she never left and her sound is so much stronger than before (even if she’s not a major label artist anymore).  Also, this release is odd because it was a venue-only release, so for many, people will want to hear “NOSTALGY” first as it’s available for everyone!  As for this one, Thanks was pretty solid and a nice return from her break!

Aira Mitsuki×Saori@destiny – ×~PARK OF THE SAFARI December 12, 2011

Track Listing

1. GATE or EXIT
2. Discovery
3. WOWTOWN
4. PANAMA
5. DAMAGE
6. Umbrella
7. Theme of Safari
8. LAST SONG
9. Animal Daydream
10. Special LINK

1. GATE or EXIT

As the album’s introduction, I thought the beginning of GATE or EXIT was kind interesting at first and then what could be the biggest senseless snatch happened.  Terukado basically snatched Sleigh Bells’ “Tell ‘Em” added an extra note and made that the song’s arrangement.  If I didn’t know the band already, this wouldn’t be such a problem but I love Sleigh Bells and this really was uncalled for from him.  Hearing Aira and Saori is interesting singing though but the arrangement clearly covers them a bit much so it’s a little difficult to hear.  Still it’s an ok intro but please let’s not reuse something like that again!

2. Discovery

I must say that I was intrigued that some people described Discovery as a bit like Daft Punk (ironic since they have an album titled that).  I will say that after that rather disappointing introduction, Discovery really is something great since it feature a lot of buzzing synths and both Saori and Aira singing together which is sooo cool.  The thing that gets me is that once again, Roxanne is spittin the SAME stuff we heard already so long ago…can we stop using her in songs?  Still, this was an impressive song.

3. WOWTOWN

I love that I can hear Aira’s and Saori’s vocals seperately for WOWTOWN which is such a nostalgic trip for me.  The song has such a cute bounce to it and it works overall for me.  It’s just fun for all and it’s nice to finally focus on the girl’s vocals and I love Saori’s vocals mixing it up with Aira’s more raspy tone, who knew?

4. PANAMA

I like the next song as well replacing synths with more of a guitar-laced song that sounds like it’d be fun to hear on the beach or something like that.  With PANAMA it seems Aira takes lead for most of the song during the first verse and chorus and Saori in the second verse & chorus.  I really enjoy this song since it’s a bit more simpler in the arrangement and let the girls do their things in seperate places.

5. DAMAGE

Of the songs on here, I wasn’t expecting DAMAGE to be so chilled out and slow.  Sadly, this slow snail pace of the song kind of bores me through the song.  I mean I sense there’s some movement like the kind random placement of the background sounds and a bit of bass.  I just kind of lose focus with the song and I tune out fully by the end…not even Aira nor Saori could’ve saved the song.

6. Umbrella

Only two of the songs on the album are solo tunes, Umbrella is the first one and it’s sung entirely just by Aira.  I know Aira’s done “cute” songs in the past like “Candy Light Mode” and “Robot Honey” but Umbrella is the cute I would try to avoid since it’s too sparkly and smiles and unicorns for me.  Plus most of the song I remember is the whole ~chu-lu-lu-li-loo~ parts.  Yeah this is definitely not my kind of song from Aira!

7. Theme of Safari

So far on the album, I really never got the theme of the album quite yet which is a bit unusual but the album’s interlude finally gibes me that safari vision that I though I was going to get initially.  I mean the sounds of animals is quite awesome mixed with a light dance beat and cowbell?  XD  Though the vocal things are Aira and Saori going ~bom bom bom~ in different intervals that sounds like a mindfuck.  Kind of random but fits the image of the cover quite nicely.

9. LAST SONG

At first I was laughing at how ironic the title is since it isn’t the last song on the album.  This is also Saori’s solo and from what I’ve heard it seems that she got the better solo song hands down.  It’s also the first song that screams electro and to be honest this sound like it falls somewhere near her “Domestic domain” stuff and that’s pretty great!  Saori’s breathy vocals fit and she sounds pretty good during the chorus as well.  Pretty damn good song here!

9. Animal Daydream

I’m happy they stuck another safari-like song in Animal Daydream which is another slowish song from the duo.  It actually sounds a lot more enticing and dreamy unlike “DAMAGE”.  It does surprise me that I can remember Aira’s vocals quite a bit more here (then again it was hard to hear Saori since she was singing so quietly).  I wish this had a PV since it would’ve been great to hear them doing that with how unique it sounds.

10. Special LINK

The final song on the album is kind of similar to Aira’s “Plastic Doll” song which is pretty cool because you get Terukado in a more comfortable spot.  Both ladies sing together along this very synthy and bouncy arrangement and once again they sound quite nice together.  Might be a bit of a memory back to the good days and it turned out well ^_^

Tracks Recommended

• WOWTOWN
• LAST SONG
• Special LINK
• Animal Daydream
• Discovery

Song of Avoidance

• DAMAGE

I knew one day that D-topia’s goddesses would get together and release an album as a unit.  For the most part, ×~PARK OF THE SAFARI satisfied my need from both artists.  They do have great songs but also not so good songs as well.  I wouldn’t mind seeing another in the future but who knows if that’ll happen.

Saori@destiny – Domestic domain June 21, 2011

Track Listing

1. BEATBOP
2. Domestic domain
3. GAMBA JAPAN
4. COLLAGE
5. OFF THE WALL
6. Pray
7. Klaxon

1. BEATBOP

Lulz at the trumpet opening the mini-album.  Anyways, this opening intro feels like a cluttered idea put together because there’s a lot going on in the arrangement and some things inserted from previous D-topia songs.  For being about 2:40 in length, it’s a bit much but the fact Saori has lyrics in the song is nice and I guess it makes for an alright intro to the album.

2. Domestic domain

The actual first full track is the title track and I kind of enjoyed this song because it sounds like something I would’ve expected on “WORLD WILD 2010” or “WOW WAR TECHNO”.  The great thing I noticed was the interesting addition of guitar that slightly reminds me of a more toned down guitar riff from Aira’s “Robot Honey”.  This song is actually quite catchy to listen to for sure.

3. GAMBA JAPAN

The next song was freaked me out because I never heard something like this but it sounds really unique with everything going on.  The weird synths, and the weird filters on Saori and co’s voices.  It does sound like something that would be more of a celebratory tune but it also has this weird arranged style that does feel like it’d fit “WORLD WILD 2010” but that’s alright because I think I’m loving this song right now.

4. COLLAGE

I will say that I loved that “GAMBA JAPAN” flowed into COLLAGE smoothly but sadly, I’m kind of annoyed with COLLAGE here.  I think it’s the very repetitive line that lasts way too long when it starts.  After Saori’s opening lines it does turn into a disco track, but it feels like it lacks energy and speed so it feels tiring to listen to.  Add in the airy vocals from Saori and it just doesn’t seem to bode well for me.  Probably my least favorite of the mini-album, plus 5 minutes is way too long for this song.

5. OFF THE WALL

Just like the title suggests, OFF THE WALL is a bit true to it’s title.  It’s like a jazz/funk fusion of a song and I enjoyed this mixture when I first heard the preview of it on YouTube.  It’s relaxing and yet easy to just sway your hips with the groove of the song.  I think it did its job for sure and is another favorite here.  Though what really gave the title is that the lyrics basically mention various 80’s songs which is quite unique for something like Saori to do (I mean she has crazy ass lyrics too but this is almost like what Momoi Haruko did with “Sunday early Morning”.

6. Pray

Who’s the guy that opens up Pray?!?  Anyway, Pray to me sounds like a more chilled out version of “OFF THE WALL” by taking the funk out and giving it a more slower tempoed track.  To me it’s kind of boring and doesn’t really lead anywhere big so it’s just essentially there.  Meh…

7. Klaxon

Closing the mini is Klaxon which is isn’t an immi cover people!  I can only wonder why Saori repeats ~tell me why~ so many times at the start and then uhm….well some fast singing.  Is it Saori rapping or what?!?  I love the beats for this song though and that it builds into something danceable quickly.  Closed the mini on a good note in my opinion.

 

 

As this is Saori’s first release since the transfer to D-topia UNIVERSE, Domestic domain isn’t Saori’s finest material released in form but I must say that lyrically it’s a much brighter look to Saori’s music.  About that as well, I felt this was more or less…a continuation of “WORLD WILD 2010” but that didn’t bother me because I loved that album and some of these songs would fit perfectly into it while others were a bit boring at times.  I hope both Aira and Saori pick themselves up for their next releases…

Saori@destiny – WORLD WILD 2010 April 14, 2010

Track Listing

1. Re:revolution
2. WORLD WILD 2010
3. Ethnic Planet Survival
4. I can’t
5. Lonely Lonely Lonely
6. Play
7. BABY tell me
8. Funny Parade
9. Grotesque
10. Prism
11. Sympa
12. Lonely Lonely Loney (FUNKOT.JP remix)

1. Re:revolution

A 42-second opening, Re:revolution begins the album with a pretty hectic opening with a muffled voice (French-tinted) saying various things that really don’t exactly making sense but I guess it did its job…I think.

2. WORLD WILD 2010

Kind of weird that our next song is also quite short being under three minutes all.  Now this whole ethnic feel the album is trying to portray and it did bridge really nicely out of “Re:revolution”.  That said those two could really be put together.  Now the arrangement is surprisingly emptier than her previous songs and I love the things happening from the clinking, the background vocals, and Saori’s singing after.  I thought it was pretty clever and original for her.

3. Ethnic Planet Survival

After such a tinny song with basically no bass and rush into the first A-side of the era, Ethnic Planet Survival was pretty amazing.  Keeping up with the original flavor and mixing with the electroness of it all, EPS is still one of those tracks that’ll catch you off guard with it’s heavy South American feel.  I was surprised when she released this because this kicked a lot of ass.

4. I can’t

From the start of the song I was heavily reminded of capsule’s recent tune “Love or Lies” with the whole cut n’ paste style that covered the front part.  I really like that Terukado let up a little on the vocoder/auto-tune shindig and let emotions take over.  I’m not sure what part of the world she’s trying to portray, but I’m pretty sure it’s Japan since it’s got a rather flow that sounds pretty typical nowadays.  I ended up liking the song a bit since it is just normal Saori and not experimental by any sorts.

5. Lonely Lonely Lonely

As the 2nd single released in the era, Lonely Lonely Lonely definitely slowed things and gave a stronger push to the more slower side of tunes.  I was really taken aback with the heavy synths and buzzing going on that reminded me a lot of Katamari music.  I like it, but it’s one of those songs that’ll either make u like it or just hate its empty arrangement. 

6. Play

As the B-side from “Ethnic Planet Survival”, Play is still somewhat on the back og my mind because the songs is just oddly robotic and on the album it sounds like it could be her take on Indian music, but I’m not totally sure because I keep getting thrown off by those Mortal Kombat lines.  It’s alright, but I feel that there’s just something missing in the song and I’m not sure what that it is.

7. BABY tell me

I thought this song was going to a ballad by just looking from the title alone, but this is actually a heavy electro tune from the girl and while from the start I thought it was going to be like American electro, Saori throws the verses on another level and there’s some parts where I was thinking that she pulled some stuff from “Ethnic Planet Survival”.  The best thing about this track is that it’s chaotic, but it makes sense at the same time.

8. Funny Parade

I wonder where the world took her for Funny Parade.  Compared to the previous songs, this song is a little more happier and there’s even spots with 8bit included to make it more like a fantasy-ish sounding song and it worked for me and those loud claps also colored the song more.  It’s like they took Aira’s “HEART LINE ALIVE and Fantasy Candy” and mixed em togehter to get this song, but I love it!

9. Grotesque

I was pretty surprised when Terukado decided to use the “Birthday Everyday” thingie that Aira did and made it a different tone for Saori and made that into Grotesque.  While I think the lyrical meaning will be quite odd, Grotesque is mid-tempo and it’s nice, but I don’t think it stands as strongly as much since there’s so many standout songs as it is.  I’ll admit though the bass after the chorus was awesome.

10. Prism

As it is the lone “ballad” on the album, Prism is leagues better than her last effort in “Yowamushi Heart”.  I don’t know why, but D-topia ballads usually aren’t amazing and end up sounding the same, but Prism really stick outs because of the blips and bloops of the arrangement and how things kept getting fuller with sound.  I guess it does sort of stray away from being a ballad, but it’s still pretty good.

11. Sympa

OMG, the Animal Crossing song!  Sympa is gotten stuck in my head way too many times for my good since reviewing it on “Lonely Lonely Lonely”.  The thing about the song that I loved was the happy-go-lucky mood that this song put me in and with its many quirks about it, I quickly got back into whore mode for this song just now hold on…

12. Lonely Lonely Lonely (FUNK.OT.JP remix)

Ending the album off once again with a remix of one of the main tracks, Lonely Lonely Lonely’s remix really twisted the mood of the song into a more electronic and faster tune which in my head made me thing of DENPA!!!  I mean the layers of synths is crazy, but the various English stock vocals kind of killed a lot of the song.  At least when Saori comes in as 1/3 of the song has already gone by…It could’ve been good, but they should’ve just left off the English crap.

Tracks Recommended

• Ethnic Planet Survival
• Sympa
• I can’t
• Funny Parade
• BABY tell me

Song of Avoidance

• Lonely Lonely Lonely (FUNK.OT.JP remix)

Taking a world tour with Saori is quite tiring especially when a good portion of it came off as really fresh and good.  This definitely is her best collection of songs yet when you compare to both “JAPANESE CHAOS” and “WOW WAR TECHNO”.  All the songs have something interesting in it and it makes me think that newcomer Riko and Aira’s next release will just be as powerful!

Saori@destiny – Lonely Lonely Lonely February 22, 2010

Track Listing

1. Lonely Lonely Lonely
2. Sympa
3. Breathe Breathe Breathing
4. Stainless Starlight

1. Lonely Lonely Lonely

I thought “Ethnic Planet Survival” was a strange song, but Lonely Lonely Lonely is definitely quite different from anything we’ve heard from Saori.  It’s like a mix of funk and a pseudo-ballad at various points in the song, but I thought this was so much better than “Yowamushi Heart” in the ballad side of things.  To be quite honest, I could picture this 100% completely being a Katamari song since it has all that randomness that makes the series well-known.  Pretty different and I like it quite a bit.

2. Sympa

Hahahaha, just as Katamari-ish and maybe a little like Animal Crossing like a few people have said, Sympa is a quirky little tune.  I liked the piano fronting most of the song and the interesting rhythms mixed with Saori’s singing.  She’s sounding softer than I usually remember, but still what a cute tune this is and I liked every second.

3. Breathe Breathe Breathing

I just find it weird that we have to review again the original tune.  It does fit on the single in a strange way, but sometimes I feel that it might be a little too energetic for the single since both “LLL” and “Sympa” are more calm tracks while BBB is kind of energetic, but it still retains cuteness which was the reason I liked it off of “WOW WAR TECHNO”. 

4. Stainless Starlight

Wow, I’m surprised that I’m ending up reviewing this song for the third time!  I still do enjoy the song a lot because it’s got this ethereal flow through it that just pwned “WOW WAR TECHNO” hands down.  It’s pretty fast, kind of edgy at points and I love Saori in this song personally.  Sweet song.

 

 

While Saori’s 2nd and final single of the era was definitely interesting nonetheless.  Though we are here to talk about the new songs and for the most part I was impressed at the rather random sounding arrangements for both songs and TBH are better together than “EPS” and “Play” off the last single.  The other two tracks are good tunes to have chosen as well…but I would’ve had replaced Breathe Breathe Breathing with something from “JAPANESE CHAOS”.

Saori@destiny – Ethnic Planet Survival January 27, 2010

Track Listing

1. Ethnic Planet Survival
2. Play
3. chemical soda
4. Breathe Breathe Breathing (spring breeze rmx)

1. Ethnic Planet Survival

Ok so we get the first digital single release from Saori, starting with Ethnic Planet Survival which carries a small torch from “WOW WAR TECHNO” with the howl and the 80’s-ish flow that’s going on.  I kind of like the ethnic feel of the song and with it’s strange lyrics, the song is pretty wacky and I like that the song doesn’t follow a true melody.  Still a pretty cool song to start 2010.

2. Play

Play follows a bit more like some kind of Mortal Kombat song at the start and I thought that was pretty cool.  Play kind od feels a little more tropical than “Ethnic Planet Survival”, but besides that, the music can become a little too tedious in the later parts of the song.  It does kind of get better, but besides that nothing to write home about.

3. chemical soda

I wonder why D-Topia would stoop so low to actually rehash a song from “JAPANESE CHAOS”.  It also kind of messes up the flow of the single since it really doesn’t sound like a Saori song to begin with.  I mean yeah, the 8bit stuff is pretty cool, but Saori’s vocals were definitely not like the vocals heard later in the career.

4. Breathe Breathe Breathing (spring breeze rmx)

The remix that is also found on the “WOW WAR TECHNO” mini-album, Breathe Breathe Breatning’s remix reappearing is a bit of kick in the face face becuase it’s non really .  I’m still not fully equipped to enjoy this song I’kk pass the over for right now.

 

 

Saori begins a new era of songs with EPS which is awesome BTw, but the toher 3 tracks were definitely wacky.  I don’t know but I’d only get the single just for the main track because it was pretty good.

Saori@destiny – WOW WAR TECHNO March 23, 2009

Track Listing

1. WOW WAR TECHNO
2. Breathe Breathe Breathing
3. EZ DO DANCE
4. Lost
5. Spiral
6. Yowamushi Heart
7. Stainless Starlight
8. Breathe Breathe Breathing (spring breeze rmx)

1. WOW WAR TECHNO

The song that really represented the era, WOW WAR TECHNO sounds so much better in 320, I definitly agree to that.  I do love all the parts where Saori sings, but the whole ~whoa whuh whuh~ parts is that damn annoying and really takes the experience out of the song.  At least it had a PV right?  *cough* it sucked BTW

2. Breathe Breathe Breathing

Yeah, this song is definitly something that sounds like capsule.  More along the lines of “More!MoreMore!” and maybe a little of “Adventure” but more of the former.  I don’t know why but whenever the song hit the minor tones in the bridge it was just amazing.  Other than that, it is the first song to really incorporate 8-bit sounds and then the whole acoustic finish reminded me of how “Sugarless GiRL” ended…strange.

3. EZ DO DANCE

Being a cover of TRF’s sophomore single, EZ DO DANCE is a lot more aggressive and a lot more catchy than the original which is surprising.  I have to say so far this song is one of the best in her career.  The whole techno theme just fits with this song and her singing under the vocoder isn’t horrible.  One of the best on the album.

4. Lost

I’m not sure what to think of Lost.  At one side, it sounds just like a really good techno song to get lost into (oh there’s the pun).  At first the whole whooping call was a turnoff, but it’s nice to know they didn’t overload the song just on that sound.  The chorus is a little too short, but I like the music for sure.

5. Spiral

Spiral seems to calms things down a bit with its almost naturistic synth sound.  From the previews, I enjoyed this song and my guesses were right, I still really like the song in full.  It does sound a little bit like “Breathe Breathe Breathing” but it’s not full-on reminescent, maybe given the cute touch.  What’s with the Animal Crossing synth though?  It’s so random but made the song more win hahaha.

6. Yowamushi Heart

Another artist to fall into the ballad world?  What is wrong with D-TOPIA?  Can’t they make an actual ballad that sounds different from everything?  It sounds just like “Every night heartfull music song” and “distant STARS” mixed together and stripped of Aira’s lisp issues.  That being said, the song is just not too original and actually bores me to death.

7. Stainless Starlight

I still really love the song from the single and get a pretty good quality version just made it so much more better.  I have to say this is vocally/musically the strongest track because it’s not focused solely on the music as much as it’s importance on Saori here.  Love this track still!

8. Breathe Breathe Breathing (spring breeze rmx)

The biggest failure of the mini is definitly the final track.  WTF are you trying to do mixing techno with reggae?  You can’t be serious right?  You take one of the coolest tracks and destroy it in one fall swoop?  Saori’s vocal are a bit more vocodered, but the whole tribal drum and mood just seems to be really bothersome and it seems the music covers up Saori majority of the time…This sucks!

 

 

Saori actually really stepped up her game for the mini-album.  Even though two tracks were really bad on the album, Yowamushi Heart and BBB’s remix.  Other than that this was surprisingly strong and loving the direction she’s going in, but wheres the DENPA rmx?  hahaha.