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Love the lighting, and color combination that they use for the PV
Finally! After awhile, Arashi is blessing us with a single which title song I like, coupling songs that I adore, a beautiful PV that I like and easily close one eye on them just standing there looking, well, their usual cool self (the staff kept on telling them that they look too cool for this PV in the making though LOL) and off course, the making and Uraaratalk bonus. FINALLY!!! *dancing around the end of the rainbow with the leprechauns* Johnny's, this is what an Arashi single should be, full of goodies & rainbows!
Why and prettiness... )

Can't wait for the M-Station performance! The performance on VSA was gorgeous, the contrast between the costume and the stage was just mesmerizing.
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I just feel like writing something, it's been awhile...

I didn't write anything about Bittersweet because... I don't like the overall package. The only saving grace from the single is the live performances (I love them all, the choreography is cute & dynamic, and the M-Station performance hits the fangirling soft spot of cuteness). On the flip side, the PV is pretty, and that's about it. The tracks? None of them lingers in my brain, sadly. I tried to listen to them continuously but... nope, they didn't latch on, not even Sync, which I don't know how to appreciate it. Guess, this one just a miss for me.

And then Arashi strikes back with the releases that are too close to each other, I'll just cramp them up in 1 post then, and including the pictures too...

Untitled

See? nicely cramped XD... and we begin with ...
GUTS! )
Dare Mo Shiranai ~ 誰も知らない )

Not only singles, but Arashi also released the Arafes'13 DVD.

vlcsnap-01150
Arafes'13 )

and I better go sleep now...
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NEWS-NEWS

1 more week to the concert, yeah! Finally 4-nin NEWS get themselves a new album. The concert theme can't be cheesier than that, 'NEWS makes you happy! Makes the world happier!' XD but this is NEWS and NEWS does make me happy! Light and fluffy happy to be exact, and how will they do this concert with the new set of songs?

The new songs are well... so NEWS. Light and fluffy are good stuffs, they make you giddy and happy, but if we're talking about concerts from the whole setlist, it'll make me wonder, which song will they choose as the main dance performance routine that they usually perform towards end of the show, the wow-ing factor performance. But it also makes me think that maybe this time they change the format? All the possibilities suddenly pouring in. Will they just go blasting the fireworks with Matsuri theme? Afterall their main song from the album is Nagisa no One Summer, complete with those pink satin sakura yukata. Or will they do it a darker way with Dancing in the Dark (literal song title XD)? Gah, I can't imagine it at all, and all the more I'm curious what kind of performance they're going to pull hence the temptation to go and find tickets for Osaka show.

So, let's get started with my faves:

Nagisa no One Summer ~ This song really marks that summer has started and it's time for some fun. So light, pastel color, glittering, sparkling. It's really anything about Johnny's that we all like, glitters & sparkles. I see the beach, the sea, people playing beach volleyballs, digging those shaved ice desserts, playing with water, splashing it at each other, all those Summer Getsu9 typical scenes. Hint: what Summer Nude should be LOL. If you want to add some love story, let's do this, the girl is too shy to go to have a splash of the sea and the boy with the kakkoi typical shoujo manga scene, giving out his hand 'Let's go!' and the summer love song typical PV scene starts and it sounds like I'm playing too much otome game, which I don't and will never do LOL. As mentioned before, we shouldn't forget the performance, Tego with his glittering hair ornament, ready for some Tanabata matsuri, the glittering pink sakura yukata, plus the happy slutty fan services. That's NEWS, and it makes fans (including me) HAPPY!

Koi Matsuri ~ They better do this song with a blast during the concert! Seriously, they should have a camp fire there and complete with tamanokoshi, and more important, HANABI (fire works), lots of them, period. I wouldn't be surprise if they use this as the main climax for the concert. Very summery, very NEWS, and very traditional but at the same time, bold. And they better wear glittery yukata, with feathers, or whatever sparkles available. It's matsuri for goodness sake! I'll brick the producer if they just do the song during the member get into cart and circling the stage (you know what I mean) and worse, no fireworks.

Besame Mucho ~ If they're going for the regular pattern for concert, I'd think this song is a candidate for the main performance. It's sexy and it has the expressive desire like how those Latin dance performance and it has the Latin beat that Johnny's love to have in the any group songs set list. It's not the regular loud and parade mode Latin song, it's more to the melancholic sappy Latin mode, which is makes me feel this song is not that strong if you compare it to the likes of Bambina, but hey, you never know XD. If talking about the PV, it'll be exactly something like V6's Jou setting with more chandeliers and the lighting is a bit dimmer and redder and we have series of dancers dance Bolero or Flamenco (complete with the red and black feathers, I have the thing with Johnny's and feathers, ok?). NEWS can mingle with those dancers and masking their face with the masquerade masks and the ladies don't know who they dance with (yeah right, as if) and the the night is still young.

Dance in the Dark ~ Another candidate for the main event. It has more punch than Besame Mucho and the beat is more like Bambina. I'd think this song is a mix of 80s remix with some Latin beat and it has a super catchy song. But I can't get rid of the title song, WHY it has to be Dance in the Dark, they already have Dancin' in the Secret, how many songs with 'dance' they want to have?

Solo part, I have 2 faves, Koyama's Beautiful Rain and Massu's Remedy. Very different songs and very typical songs from each of them, nothing new actually, but after couple of replays, Koyama's win!

Beautiful Rain ~ If you think about it again, this sort of melancholic tune is something in similar line with Yamapi's Loveless. But what's different it sounds sadder and it's more catchy with a touch of k-pop sounds. It rings in your head afterwards, and although this song is quite upbeat to be a ballad, I can feel the emotion, the longing and sadness of the parting, and I haven't really read the lyrics yet. If you're talking about a PV, maybe a scene of a couple parting in the middle of the quiet street at night and it starts to rain and Koyama just saw the back of the girl getting further and further in the midst of the rain. XD

Remedy ~ I'd expect Massu to dance hard, really hard plus sexy (can Massu do sexy look? Yeah, I think he can pull it off brilliantly) for this tune. And for once he wear something more fitting, though the chance is very very slim. The tune is catchy, a total dance song, and something to look forward to in terms of performance. Then, it comes to the hard part because I can't imagine the equation of Massu's face plus the saucy lyrics LOL. I can imagine it if it's Yamapi (it's not that sensitive issue anymore, yes?) as he got a slightly bad boy image, but Massu... hm... difficult, too clean LOL.

There are songs that I'm not sure whether I like them or not:

Greedier ~ something different from NEWS but surprisingly, the song fits them but it's not something that catch my attention. It's a nice song and that's it.

Overall, I like the whole arrangement of the albums. It's NEWS album, definitely, and with 4-nin, I'd think they have a firmer identity, which involves lots of sparkles and glitters, and I like the direction that they're taking because it sets them apart from other groups.
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NEWS - World Quest

I've been listening to this single since yesterday, and love all the songs in it. I'd think it's NEWS' best single so far and I'd think they won't be this way if Ryopi is still with NEWS now. Their sound is clearer and definitely better (much lesser trebbles) and I'd think they finally settle with their song style/color (whatever). The single is neatly package with light but catchy and inspiring songs, and you'll say 'ahh, this is NEWS.' when you listen to it. But, I'm not gonna deny that I can trace hint of k-pop in the songs, but if it works, I'm totally OK with it because music is universal and if k-pop can influence you to make a better song and it works for you, why not? And NEWS totally take this aspect to their advantage because the songs are great.

World Quest - it's the FIFA World Cup theme song... I like the lyrics because it's glorifying how you play soccer and it's inspiring, as what a sports event theme song should be, and Tegoshi's solo at the bridge takes the song to a higher note. I like that NEWS is given a chanse to sing this song because they totally work it.

Pokoponpekorya ~ ポコポンペコーリャ - After Chankapana, now we have another weird title, Pokoponpokorya. I was brainwashed for a moment by this song because of the 'papipupepo' on it's chorus. It's a very fun song, light and fluffy and makes Chankapana sounds heavy in comparison (*gasp* how can that be!*). I'd think 4-nin NEWS fits this type of song the best because I seriously can't imagine Yamapi singing this type of song and I don't think it'll happen too if he's still in NEWS. I wish they make a PV for this song because it'll be kawaii to the extreme. O yeah, the song is all about food because it's Shige's drama OST (it's food drama, but I'm not watching it). And what'll happen after you eat all those food? Yep, you'll get sleepy LOL... it cannot be cuter than that, no?

36°C - My fave song in this album. This song sounds sappy but actually the lyrics is not sappy at all, but I was moved by this song from the start, so it's love on the first hearing haha. The song is all about how a man yearn to be there for you, not really a love song, but it's more of a support song (?), regardless, the melody is soothing.

Hello - Similar to 36°C but somehow I don't feel as moved as 36°C when I listened. It's a nice song with nice lyrics as well, but I guess it's a matter of preference. The song also works as a support song of World Quest because the lyrics sort of correlate to it as well. I guess they try to package the song flow in lyrics as well (?).

Quntastic - well we're going back to the roots, Johnny's standard song LOL. The timeless song. I want to see them perform this in their concert with the colorful ala Johnny's (be it furry, full of glitter and sparkles, whichever works) because this song is made for it anyway.

So, I'll keep listening to this single for awhile now until my Eropi DVD arrived (Mr postman, where's my box of DVD, it's been 3 days since release date!).

*Guess Youtube police only have a keen liking to take down Arashi PVs only... -__-"

  
  
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This is my first attempt writing some album review. It's more of a ramble than a review because well, my knowledge on music is not vast at all LOL... but I just feel like writing something to commemorate this glorious album.

yamapi ero

First all, let's clear something first. We all know Yamapi is no Josh Groban, so saying he can't sing or his voice sucks whatever is rather futile. I'm not really a fan of his (though will equally melt with his cuteness and also kyaaaa if see him in live too) and I do bash him from time to time (well, he ain't perfect, but so do I :p). But what's great about Yamapi? His voice is not fantastic, his vocal range is passable if not below average, but, his voice is identifiable. To make some people feel better, according to me, Yamapi still sounds better than Matsujun and Ken Miyake. LOL, I feel bad making this comparison but if you think about it, the 3 of them are what I'd call typical Johnny's commodity. Their voices are nasally, pitches here and there, but it doesn't mean that they can't sing, at the very least I'd think they know the basics. But, thanks to those voices, we know it's their songs from miles away and the best? They got the face (yes yes very important), they're good dancers (not very important but this is one of the common things and I'm a fan of Ken's dance,btw) and most importantly, they sell!

So, what's great about Ero? If you're looking for something new, artsy, original or whatever, you're looking at the wrong place. So, if that's the case, what should you be looking for? Entertainment, off course! The whole course of listening to this album makes me really psyched about the concert. Now I seriously look forward for the concert. The album is very well packaged with the balance of ballad, Latin and club music. Oh, it also introduces us to rock side of Pi. Guess, Pi is trying out a new genre? If you're thinking that why they still have those Latin songs around, you'll have to think from Johnny's perspective, their concerts is always about putting on the show, with glitters and sparkles. And I don't think Johnny's will change their typical choreograph any soon, and I hope they don't change it as well because I like seeing them twirling LOL...

One thing I like about Yamapi's songs is they're catchy. From slow to up beat tempo, the songs are interesting. The only song that I don't like until now is Ai, Texas. I feel that this song sounds choppy. The voiceless is fine but not the original one. Set aside this, let's talk about my top 5.

悩みの森の真ん中で - Nayami No Mori No Mannaka De ~ I was bursting in suppressed anger in the office today (my fingers were shaking that I kept wrong stuff) when I started listening to this song. I didn't realize that Pi has the power to soothe my anger, or rather the song itself. Simple song with piano melody, it's so easy to listen and what's more, the message behind this song is reminding you that you're not alone in the midst of your troubles. And, I hope hope hope Pi will play piano singing this song in the concert (does he play instrument, btw? I always wonder) and I think I'll be converted to a fan if I can see this happens.

ERO - 2012 version - ~ Yeah, I'm one of the suckers for Latin beat. I feel that this song is sexy from the first time I hear this. Especially the chorus portion, the falsetto are just right and sung at the right place. And this song suits Pi's voice, to be honest. He doesn't sound forced in here. Sample of Pi ganbatte singing a song is Saigo no Love Song. The notes for this song is so high that Pi has to 'ganbatte' so hard to keep his voice on par with the song, despite the song is a very nice song. I do find that the PV is rather... ordinary (still under Johnny's principle of making PV, minimum effort, maximum result), though Pi's shower scene is.. you know... who can resist? But, I really look forward for the dance routine for this song.

カリーナ - Karina ~ This is a festival song! And for those who haven't read the lyrics translation, please do so and I highly recommend [livejournal.com profile] yarukizero's (I think everybody knows already anyway where to get the translation), because it's so sizzling hot. This song is a must on his concert this time, I'll be super pissed off if he doesn't dance for this number LOL...

ロマンチック - Romantic ~ For this song, I'd imagine the scene of you're chilling on an early evening sipping your favorite cocktail at some open Latin-themed bar with this song as a background and Pi comes over and flirting with you and asking you to dance LOL... not that creative imagination but yeah, this is the first thing come to my mind when I hear this song. It's a fun and light song, another song that I find fits into Pi's vocal range. 

Hit the Wall ~ Off course, the party song. I think Pi's marketing himself as singing these types of songs, so let's enjoy all those catchy party songs until he changes his mind. He's still singing in Engrish (still not English yet) but at least I can make up what he's singing without thinking so hard. I sort of contemplating between this and Odoro Yoru, but Hit the Wall wins because the melody sways more than Odoru Yoru.

So yeah, I got about 10 more days to memorize the songs, wohoo!!! And I'll have Pi to company me during all my OTs.

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