INSOMNIAC SONG
MUSIC REVIEWS
13.02.2013
Mao Denda - Semi Double
Semi Double is Mao Denda's fourth studio album. To be honest, I'd never heard of her before even though her first album was released in 2000. Keep an eye out for a promo post coming up soon on her. Imasara Aenakute is the opening track. It's a sweet ballad that sets a tone of loss, perhaps of a love realized or one merely dreamed of. Love with Chu is an upbeat, cute love song. Next Love continues that style, but is less catchy. Tomodachi Ijou Koibito Miman has a more urban feel while still maintaining that pop sound. Manifest picks up with a faster pace, although it doesn't detract from her vocals. Dame na Koi Demo ii and Nakatta Koto ni Shita Koi are both very listenable ballads, but sadly don't stand out as anything special. Ms. Loneliness starts with some whispy vocals and piano, following through as being another very listenable ballad. Single Bell picks up a bit to give you an interesting seasonal ballad. It's interesting that the album was released in February, but this Christmas ballad was included. Maichiru Yuki n You ni feels like the opening to a romantic drama. Koishite Namida Shite brings back the whispy vocals, but it's a fairly decent pop track. The album closes with the title track, Semi Double. It's another song I could easily see as the opening to a drama or at least the insert song during a romantic moment. I was a bit disappointed that none of the other songs stood out as much as Imasara Aenakute. Overall, Mao's album is fairly solid for a pop release. There's nothing absolutely spectacular, but it's far from terrible.
Rating: 2.5/5
Recommended Tracks: Imasara Aenakute; Love with Chu
28.08.2013
Mika Nakashima - Boku ga Shinou to Omotta no wa
It's been awhile since I've heard anything by Mika Nakashima. I was surprised to hear her vocals didn't sound exactly as I remembered them. This could be due to the health issues she had back late 2010. Boku ga Shinou to Omotta no wa is a pretty safe song for her. It suits her vocals well. The track was written by Hiromu Akita of the indies rock band amazarashi. Today is a solid followup to the title track. Both songs seem well suited together with Today being more upbeat. It was interesting to hear a familiar song as the closing track to this single. Originally released in 2005, Sakurairo Mau Koro has made a comeback as Sakurairo Mau Koro -natural edition-. It's been stripped down to showcase her vocals more. Personally, I prefer this version to the original. Overall, this is a solid single from Mika Nakashima. I'll be checking out her album that was released earlier this year as well.
Rating: 3/5
Recommended tracks: Sakurairo Mau Koro -natural edition-
24.04.2013
Beni - Satsuki Ame
Satsuki Ame is exactly what I love from BENI. It's an elegant ballad that showcases her voice perfectly. She has a sweet sound in this one, almost as if she's waiting for a love to return with the rain. The b-side, Runaway, is a cover of Rats & Star (aka The Chanels) debut song. BENI puts her own spin on it, creating an upbeat, catchy pop sound that brightens the single greatly. Runaway was also used in Coca Cola's Share a Coke and a Song campaign.
Rating: 5/5
Recommended tracks: Satsuki Ame; Runaway
