Yui is a J-pop singer who you may have heard of from Bleach and/or Taiyou no Uta. So how does her sophomere album live up to its immense popularity and astounding sales?

1. How crazy: The opening of the album and albeit a great one. While it starts rather mellow, the catchy chorus and YUI’s fast vocals make up for it. Definitely one of the best tracks on the album and very single worthy. I just wonder how the heck YUI is going to perform this live.

2. Rolling star: The fifth OP theme for Bleach which is where everyone here has probably heard of her. It’s a rock song and it is definitely one of her best with the loud guitars and drums covering up the parts where YUI has to strain her voice. It’s a great single and even better promotion for her.

3. It’s all right: This song’s rather boring to be honest and nothing stands out. While it has a bit more of a soft rock feel than the weak album tracks from YUI’s previous album From Me to You it still doesn’t cover up the fact that it’s a skippable track. Next.

4. I remember you: Despite the fact that the song’s lyrics are totally leeching off of Taiyou no Uta fame, the lyrics are the best and most touching part of the song. Seriously, there’s a subbed PV lurking somewhere in Youtube. Without having a clue what the lyrics are about, it’s still a catchy song with a rather nostalgic feel.

5. RUIDO: This may be only an interlude but it’s one of the best tracks on this album. It’s a catchy uplifting rock song that just demands for more. If a full version of this song is ever performed/produced I will get a natural high. Seriously, I demand MORE!!!

6. CHE.R.RY: A very pretty, pop-ish song that’s perfect for Spring. It’s one of my favorites and it probably would have been my favorite if it wasn’t for the parts where YUI has to completely strain her voice. I seriously think YUI should get more vocal training on her high notes or have more background music to cover it up. She has potential but she still has a long way to go. This song proves it.

7. Thank you My teens: One of the more bland and boring songs on the album. This song makes me fall asleep sometimes if I’m reading while listening to it. Oh and YUI needs to improve on her Engrish but that seems to be a curse for every J-pop artist (all the other singers who have lived in an English speaking country before like Hikki don’t count).

8. Umbrella: This is better than the previous track but not by that much. While it’s kind of catchy it is also kind of boring. I’m running out of things to say about this bland album track so I’ll stop.

9. Highway chance: Now THIS is how an album track should be like. There’s a definite rock feel to this song too and while it’s not as catchy as Rolling star it’s still good with it’s more serious feel. It’s one of those songs that are perfect to listen to when you’re in a bad mood or something like that.

10. Happy Birthday to you you: The good album tracks continue their streak. It’s not as rockish or as serious as the previous track but it’s very fun to listen to nevertheless. Especially on your birthday. So next time someone’s birthday is coming up, play this song on your stereo for them ^^.

11. Winding road: This song is okay. It’s not bland but it’s not that great either. It’s still an okay song to listen to while lying in your bedroom or something like that. This may just be a preference of taste rather than quality though.

12. Good-bye days: In my opinion, this is the best track on the album. It’s a beautiful, touching, and slightly melancholy song that really represents Taiyou no Uta which YUI starred in/sang this song as the main theme song along with two others.. This was really what brought YUI to fame in Japan. Bleach was just the one that ensured staying power. I love this song so much. It’s my favorite YUI song along with Feel my soul.

13. Why?: Uh….this is a rather lame ending for the album to be honest. I’ve never really paid attention to this song because it was just that boring. Let’s just pretend that this album ended on the previous track.

I liked this album. It definitely had a more rock feel than YUI’s previous album. However, I’d say this album is rather overhyped. While all four of the singles on this album were very strong, some of the weak album tracks. YUI needs some work both on vocals and consistency of her album tracks. She does have potential though and I hope to see her improve. Overall, I’d give this album 3.5 stars out of 5.

P.S: If you were wondering why I’m not blogging anime, I’ve been down and out with a modem that times itself out every 15 minutes. I’ll catch up soon, I promise!

Tags: japanese, jpop, yui

Category: Japan

I believe myself~