Single review: “This game” by Konomi Suzuki

Konomi Suzuki is a Japanese singer who won the 4th Animax All-Japan Anison Grand Prix in 2011 at the age of 14. This game is her 6th single.

Release date: 21st of May, 2014

Track List:
1. This game
2. Delighting
3. Cyber Thunder Cider
4. This game (Instrumental)
5. Delighting (Instrumental)

1. This game
An enchanting piano melody starts off the song, quickly creating a cheerful and lively aura. Although, it doesn’t stay peaceful for long, it’s soon joined by aggressive bass lines and energy-filled vocals which is done impressively. The bridges are done extremely well, they transition without losing speed or impact. Konomi delivered confident and powerful throughout the song, keeping the whole track solid. The instrumentals were elaborate and captivating to the fullest. Yup, a great way to start off this single!

2. Delighting
A more simple version of This game, but has more of a techno edge to it. Delighting is delivered fairly quickly thanks to the fast electronic beats and Konomi’s swift singing. But other than that, there’s not much to point out due to it being a toned down version of the previous track.

3. Cyber Thunder Cider
Cyber Thunder Cider added another side of the single which is needed since Delighting was a simplified version of This game. A short track filled with synths and filtered vocals. It starts off with fast, filtered chanting until Konomi’s vocals blitz through with a very memorable chorus. Konomi is able to maintain her vocals and keep up with the complex instrumentals, despite the increasing speed from verse to chorus. Yup, great way to finish the single too!

This game is a great single with two outstanding songs. Konomi Suzuki managed to deliver such powerful tracks that must be listened to multiple times!

Rating: 4/5

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Ahaha, I think I’ve lost my ability to write reviews Moira! I’m no good at writing stuff.

Single review: “Rising Hope” by LiSA

LiSA is a Japanese pop-rock singer signed to Sony Music Entertainment. Rising Hope is her 5th single.

Release date: 7th of May, 2014

Track list:
1. Rising Hope
2. Poker Face
3. Ameagari no Sora to Kimi [Anime Edition]
3. Ashiato Compass [Regular and Limited Edition]
4. Rising Hope (TV Size) [Anime Edition]
4. Rising Hope (Instrumental) [Regular and Limited Edition]

1. Rising Hope
Rising Hope starts off with a small piano solo, then there’s a sudden burst of vocals, guitars and drums. Pumping, energy-injected verses’ gets us ready for the fast-paced chorus with edgy vocals from LiSA. Rising Hope has the same aura that is normally associated with LiSA, upbeat rock music with belted out lyrics. It sounds very similar to other tracks such as crossing field and traumerei, just slightly faster. Rising Hope is a catchy A-Side to the single which sets up the mood for the rest of the remainder of the single.

2. Poker Face
A touch down compared to Rising Hope, that is until you get to the chorus. The beginning starts off slow, only for a few seconds though. Then the whole atmosphere changes, revealing the song to be another upbeat addition to the single. LiSA’s peppy vocals take over the chorus, accompainied with guitars, drums and some synths too. It doesn’t sound that different to the previous track, but it’s an okay track with a few listens.

3. Ameagari no Sora to Kimi
Completely different from the first two tracks. LiSA is paired up with a simple arrangement involving mellow beats and soft notes. Heavenly vocals from LiSA makes this song so relaxing to listen to. (Ahah, I’m actually finding it really hard to write something about this) Its calming tone provides a stark contrast to her previous songs.

I enjoyed this release, well, I’m always happy to listen to LiSA. Rising Hope and Poker Face are filled with energy and upbeat moments, but sound to similar. While Ameagari no Sora to Kimi is a completely different side to the single, which was simple yet stellar.

Rating: 3.5/5

Well, time to get ready for the mid-year exams!!
Also, this review will be updated once I have the second B-side from the regular/limited edition.

Single review: “Faith” by miwa

miwa is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter. She made her major debut under Sony Music Records in 2010 and is managed by Tristone Entertaiment Inc. Faith is her 15th (overall) single.

Release date: 12th of February, 2014

Track list:
1. Faith
2. Kitto Kanau
3. It’s you!
4. Faith ～instrumental～
5. Kitto Kanau ～instrumental～
6. It’s you! ～instrumental～

1. Faith
The track Faith starts out deceptively as a calm, peaceful song featuring miwa singing while accompanied by a guitar and piano. The song starts to reveal itself in the short intro of good old J-rock, especially with miwa’s energetic and fresh vocals. Synthesized brass instruments and the mix of miwa’s lead vocals paired up with the backup vocals were perfectly harmonised throughout the song. I loved the transitions of where the song would go through energetic moments, then calm down to allow us to hear miwa’s beautiful and clear voice before picking up the rock energy again. The pauses before miwa would break out her vocals were very well paced and helped create the flow of the song. The simplicity works very well for this song!

2. Kitto Kanau
Completely different compared to Faith. A more melodic, pop song featuring the miwa that fans are used to hearing.  The start of the track is done well, but it seems to lose momentum as the song goes on, and loses the type of song it’s meant to be. It feels like a jumble of different musical pieces; ballad moments, random shifts at odd moments, changes on the instruments from section to section. This isn’t a terrible song, but it’s not very good either. It just doesn’t feel like a solid song.

3. It’s you!
A bubbly, cute and quirky song. No complex arrangement here, just a plain, simple, straightforward beat from start to finish. miwa’s  vocals flow easily from verse to verse. There’s a few guitar solos here and there, which are also not very complicated either. It’s you! is a simple, laid-back song that doesn’t exactly evoke much feelings other than it being really cute.

The single Faith is a calm yet quirky single. Kitto Kanau and It’s you! are a bit lackluster compared to the track Faith.

Rating: 3/5

Single review: “Born to be” by nano

nano is a bilingual utaite known for her strong, tomboyish voice. Born to be is her 4th single.

Release date: 19th of February, 2014

Track list:
1. Born to be
2. Happy Ending Simulator [nano ver.]
2. NEW WORLD [Mahou Sensou ver.]
3. Born to be (Instrumental ver.)
4. Happy Ending Simulator (Instrumental ver.) [nano ver.]
4. NEW WORLD (Instrumental ver.) [Mahou Sensou ver.]

1. Born to be
The start of this single opens up with a heavy and pounding bass guitar, which is soon followed by nano’s aggressive rap, but eventually reaches her normal singing vocals. Born to be has an impressive arrangement throughout the song. Her voice is paired up with multiple electric guitars which gives the lyrics an edge, mixing up the beat a few times and changing up the verses, but still keeping the whole song intact. Although the song has been changed up and provided variety, it didn’t pull me in unlike her previous titles such as Now or Never and No Pain, No Game. Although it’s not as good as her other work, it’s still decent and is one that is still quite enjoyable to take a listen to.

2. Happy Ending Simulator
A song similar to Born to be at certain parts, but also provides something new and different to taste. The vocals that introduce the song are accompanied by a simple guitar riff, but it just isn’t very exciting together. There are a few changes here and there that sound good, but it’s still not very compelling when it’s all put together. A track that is monotonous and bland even with the few changes. It’s just uninteresting.

3. NEW WORLD
Something totally new and different here. Nano starts off the song with some clean cut vocals accompanied with pianos and violins which sounds amazing with the addition of the synths and beats. nano’s raps are clean and clear and with background vocals layered with them, which just makes it even more amazing. The arrangement is bewitchingly attractive and is constructed beautifully which pulls you in. Repetitive beats and entrancing instruments paired up with captivating vocals makes this track simply awesome, which will definitely want to make you listen to it more than once.

So all in all, Born to be is a pretty good single from nano. It provides a nice change from her previous releases, but unfortunately, doesn’t live up to them. My least favourite would be Happy Ending Simulator, while NEW WORLD is my favourite from this single.

Rating: 3/5

Whew, another review done… I really got to pick up the pace. I just don’t understand why school has to be so tiring… :(

‘Not as often’, you say?!

So, heyy y’all!

I’ve been given the task from Moira to put up a post saying that we won’t be able to do reviews frequently due to studies and whatnot, for a while… Eww…

But we are still doing reviews, so don’t worry as much.

In the meantime, I leave you all with a few photos.

Austinatious out!

—–

Now it’s Moira’s turn to formally explain things…

Basically, it’s due to our studies that we haven’t and won’t be able to post as frequently, and we apologise for any inconvenience. We hope we’ll find time in the near future to catch up on things, but at least you can expect the LANDSPACE review soon in a format other than the usual track-by-track reviewing style, as well as the next upcoming reviews post shortly after.

Thanks for everyone’s patience!

That’s all for now! Please stay tuned!
Moira~

P.S. Now here’s a music-related image for you:

Single review: “Strike the Blood” by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets

Release date: 30th of October, 2013

Track list:
1. Strike the Blood
2. Hangetsu Toge
3. Strike the Blood -Instrumental-
4. Hangetsu Toge -Instrumental-

1. Strike the Blood
A flurry of guitar rifts and drumming begins the song, while increasingly getting faster and faster. Until the vocals kick in and are accompanied with the guitars and drums. Fast piercing vocals brings out the speed and ferocity of the song, especially in the chorus. Soon after the chorus is a guitar solo for a few seconds once again showing off how fierce this song. Kishida’s voice is a bit faint throughout the song until the chorus where it becomes clear and powerful. It’s a pretty good song, it’s just her voice being just a tad bit faint at parts, but other than that, it’s great.

2. Hangetsu Toge
Pounding guitars and drums opens the song this time. Kishida’s blitzing vocals comes straight through soon afterwards, keeping a repetitive beat for a short while. The chorus is just right after, with a dull beginning, it eventually gains speed, but is still not very exciting. The vocals are clear and straightforward, but there isn’t anything that stands out other than the occasional high note. Although the vocals aren’t exactly the best, it does pair up with the musical arrangement quite well in fact, the pounding and ripping instrumentals are what keeps the most part of this song together.

A single with a pretty good A-side but with a B-side that didn’t live up to the bar that Strike the Blood did. Kishida’s vocals in both songs were faint for the most part of it, and was relying on the instrumentals to bring her through, particularly with Hangetsu Toge.

Rating: 3/5

Single review: “Colorful” by ClariS

ClariS is a Japanese pop duo made up of high school girls, Clara and Alice. Colorful is their 9th (overall) single.

Release date: 30th of October, 2013

Tracklist:
1. Colorful
2. Surely
3. Pieces
4. Colorful -Instrumental- [Limited and Regular Edition]
4. Colorful -movie MIX- [Madoka☆Magica Limited Edition]

1. Colorful
And here is the opening for the third and final Madoka Magica movie, and, uhh, it’s not very fitting, I mean it’s fine and all, but it just doesn’t feel right for an anime/movie like that. Anyway, on with the review. The beginning of the song, is very slow and peaceful, sounding like a music box, so it feels like the start of a very nice ballad. But that all changes when the rapid drums enter the fray, bringing it some life, creating a cute and ditzy tune. This is followed up with an extremely catchy chorus, like really catchy. Both of the girls harmonize brilliantly, making a lovely and uplifting melody. I think it’s a really nice song, just kinda weird for Madoka Magica…

2. Surely
The track starts off with Clara and Alice in total synchronization. Soon afterwards comes a very bubbly and up-beat tempo, but it all just sounds really similar to Colorful, especially with the chorus. There isn’t really much to look at here. It’s just a very sweet sounding track, with some electric guitars and okay vocals. Unfortunately, it isn’t a great song.

3. Pieces
So, uhhh, hmmm…. You know…. Well, it starts off with a light and peppy arrangement, paired up with some lovely vocals, which echo… That’s all I liked about the song, the echoing vocals. It’s still sounding very similar with the previous two songs, nothing really new and dazzling with this song.

I really didn’t know what to say about Pieces, Colorful is the only song that I would listen to a few more times in this single. There isn’t anything special with the other two, they all just sound similar and not much with excite you. I don’t wanna review anything like this anymore, why does Moira give me such eww singles to review, like last time. (Moira: Because we need to review both good and bad music, duh.)

Rating: 2/5

Whew, I really need to catch up with my reviews, I take wayyyy too long with it.

Anyway, Austinatious out.

Single review: “Nanairo Biyori” by nano.RIPE

nano.RIPE is a four person Japanese pop/rock band under Lantis. Nanairo Biyori is their 13th (major label) single.

Release date: 30th of October, 2013

Tracklist:
1. Nanairo Biyori
2. Kisetsu no Machi
3. Memai

1.Nanairo Biyori
The single opens up with a fairly cheery song with bubbly arrangements along with Kimiko high vocals really makes the whole track happy. (Although, that is usually the sort of genre that nano.RIPE usually plays). A few guitar riffs play throughout the entire song that sets the whole mood and gives off the impression that this song is meant to be cheerful, especially with the reeeeaaaallllyyyyy high vocals. A lot of the arrangments are very repetitive though; the whole feeling of the song just makes it all sound like you’ve already heard this many times and that you’ll eventually get bored with it. It’s a fine happy song all together, but there’s just not really much to look at here.

I’ve also noticed that there are a few dubstep remixes of this song which sounds way too, uhmmm, techno like for me…. I think prefer this version, but that’s just my personal opinion. (Although it does give it much more to listen to)

2.Kisetsu no Machi
This song has a slightly different feel towards, it still retains the bubbly side of the single, but it presents it with a faster general pace and a bit more of rock in it. The drums and guitars keeps the song intact until it turns into a small solo from the guitars, but it does provide a very catchy tune. It retains the catchy tune for the duration of the whole track and works well for the whole feel of the song, Kimiko’s vocals blend in well with the arrangements. There is a lot more to listen to here than Nanairo Biyori, but it’s still just not enough to pull you in and become totally immersed with it.

3. Memai
It seems like keeps on getting faster and rock-y as the single goes on. Well, I guess it should be doing that so it’s a gradual transition. The song starts out as a burst; it just suddenly starts out without any build up, other than a single word. Following that is a simple and fast paced beat with a nice and catchy tune. The chorus provides a number of moments where the vocals get really high at the climax’s of a few sentences. The drums and guitars keep a steady and memorable tune that is very enjoyable to listen to.

There is a lot to listen to in this single, that all works well together. Keeping in the whole cheerful and happy genre, this single provides us with songs that gradually get faster as the single goes on until it reaches it’s peak with Memai, which I gotta say, it’s my favourite from this single from nano.RIPE. Although I do like the other two songs, I feel like there’s just not enough to bring me in and listen to them more.

Rating: 3/5

Single review: “BLUE BLAZE / BELIEVE” by Faylan

Faylan is a female Japanese singer from Saitama, Japan, who has had many of her songs appear in video games and anime. BLUE BLAZE / BELIEVE is her 19th single.

Release date: 23rd of October, 2013

Track List:
1. BLUE BLAZE
2. BELIEVE
3. BLUE BLAZE (off vocal)
4. BELIEVE (off vocal)

(So much capitals…)

1. BLUE BLAZE
Here is yet another Blazblue tie-in song, and will it live up to the standards of it’s fellow Blazblue songs? Well, Faylan seems to have nailed it yet again. Fast, sharp, and pounding techno-rock opens up the song. The techno-rock is extremely dynamic and vibrant, don’t forget catchy. Sometimes, it even reaches the levels of heavy metal. Faylan’s powerful voice is back but sounding even better than usual, sounding more fierce than ever before. There is  much more elements involved in this song, an uproar of dubstep mixed in with the techno-rock makes this very chaotic but amazing. Even with all of the chaos, there are a few quiet parts, well, not very quiet exactly. Towards the end, we are greeted with Faylan counting down with a flurry of dubstep until we get a mouthful multiple guitar chords destroying everything while still making it sound so epic.

2. BELIEVE
So it starts off with some epic violin-ing and some major chanting too! (Thank you to Yuki for teaching me that word) Faylan soon enters the fray, and in a good way too. Her vocals coupled with the chanting choir in the background singing in english, creates a very uplifting symphony which sounds amazing! It’s very spunky to say the least, well I guess it has to since it’s very up lifting. Faylan is backed up with her choir for the most part of the song, which gives it this gutsy tone to it, plus, with the powerful instrumentation,   it  sounds very strong throughout the entire song.

Wow… Just wow…. Faylan seems to be releasing really great singles recently. And it just seems to get better. There’s not a single reason to get disappointed with this single in my opinion. Both songs are very strong and impressive with what they do. Although, it seems like the BlazBlue tie-in song wins yet again, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen to BELIEVE. I have to say, this is probably the most fun I had reviewing.

Rating: (Of course it’s a…) 5/5

Single review: “intention” by Yumi Hara

Yumi Hara is a Japanese voice actress and singer. intention is her third single.

Release date: 24th of July, 2013

Tracklist:
1. intention
2. Blue Moon
3. splash mind
4. intention -off vocal-
5. Blue Moon -off vocal-
5. splash mind -off vocal-

1. intention
Opening this track are some very ominous sounding synths which really sets up the entire scene on what the song could be about. I guess you could say that it was the ‘intention’ for them to make it sound like that. Ahaha, sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. Anyway, Yumi’s vocals really complement the instrumental arrangement done with this song. A spooky sound wave really makes you know how sinister this song really is. The verses in this song are slow to go with the flow with the song, but it eventually increases the speed towards the chorus. As creepy this song is and it’s a type of song that I would like, I’m not exactly a big fan of it. I think it’s because of how slow it is for me and that there isn’t much ‘wow’ parts in it. But it’s still an okay song in the least in my opinion.

2. Blue Moon
Piano, piano, piano is the opening which is pretty epic. Soon some drums are added as well as her vocals, which makes a great combo. I’ve got to say, I like this much more than intention , I’m pretty sure it’s because of it’s fast paced beats accompanying Yumi’s vocals. The verse’s have this quick, rhythmic beat that sounds great. Plus, there’s even a guitar solo which I really love. Blue Moon is a great, fast paced song that really outshines intention.

3. splash mind
Wow, this is a really happy song compared to the previous two. It’s the polar opposite of the A-side. It sounds like something you’d listen to while swimming at the pool or something, cheery and happy being with a bunch of friends, well, that’s the vibe I’m getting from this. Yumi’s voice really has an up beat persona when it is coupled with some happy(?) sounding guitars and I think I sensed some xylophones in there too. A really happy way to end this single!

Yumi’s intention single is a pretty good single, the only thing I didn’t like to the fullest was intention. It just didn’t catch my full attention unlike Blue Moon and splash mind. All in all, it’s a nice single from Yumi Hara.

Rating: 3/5

And on behalf of Moira and I, sorry for not posting for a while! :(