Music Reviews

MUSIC REVIEWS

18.11.2010

MAA - Ballerina Brain System

Mar:Bell fans might be wondering where the shoe-gazing goth rock girl went when they realize that MAA used to be Mar. In her place, there's an upbeat, electropop princess. The title track is surprisingly catchy and easily listenable. MAA delivers her usual mix of Japanese and English lyrics with clear pronunciation. Nightmare continues the electropop vibe, but is less bubblegum than Ballerina Brain System. Fans of acts like FEMM and Perfume should give MAA a listen.

Rating: 2.5/5

Recommended Tracks: Ballerina Brain System;

06.03.2013

E-Girls - Candy Smile

If you want cute, happy pop, E-Girls rarely fails to deliver. Candy Smile is as sweet as the title suggests. It's catchy, urging you to sing along with the girls. Love Letter switches to sweet and romantic. One of the strengths of E-Girls is that they rotate vocalists depending on the sound needed. Both tracks on this single employ different lead vocalists. No doubt EXILE's Hiro is quite influential as their producer.

Rating: 3.5/5

Recommended tracks: Candy Smile; Love Letter

20.08.2003

Chihiro Onitsuka - Beautiful Fighter

Chihiro's usually strong voice suffers on this single. She sounds breathy and shaky compared to previous releases. Beautiful Fighter seems like a cast aside track. It's not quite strong enough to carry a release on its own. Arashi ga Oka echoes the same sentiment. Both of these tracks are equally forgettable.

Rating: 1/5

Recommended tracks: NA