In music news, I’ve been loving the new Perfume album, “GAME.” I personally think this album is going to be a huge hit, it is just such fun album. I really liking Butterfly, シークレットシークレット, Take Me Take Me, GAME, チョコレイト?ディスコ, and plastic smile. But then again this whole album is great. I’ll review later after a few listens. I’m also liking the new モーニング娘。 single, リゾナント ブル. Definitely a new grown up sound.

01. Mirrorcle World (Orignal Mix)
02. Life (Original Mix)
03. YOU (10th Anniversary version)
04. Mirrorcle World -Instrumental-
05. Life -Instrumental-
06. YOU (10th Anniversary version -Instrumental)

01. Mirrorcle World (Orignal Mix)
02. Life (Original Mix)
03. Depend on you (10th Anniversary version)
04. Mirrorcle World -Instrumental-
05. Life -Instrumental-
06. Depend on you (10th Anniversary version -Instrumental)

First off, I have to comment on how pretty 浜崎あゆみ looks on the cover of this single. This has to be one of the most beautiful pictures I have seen of her. Many people have had complaints about the new rock sound 浜崎あゆみ has adapted, but I really like her new sound. It’s nice to see that she changes her style and isn’t afraid to be different. “Mirrorcle World”, was originally the opening track to “Guilty”. This single is the full version of the song; to celebrate her 10th Anniversary as a recording artist. I really liked this song, I think is one of the best singles she has released. The video was also very enjoyable. This new direction that 浜崎あゆみ is taking her career in is turning out to be great. A great start to a 10th year Anniversary.

The b-side to the single is “Life”, I also really enjoyed this song; however, it didn’t really live up tot he title track which is the best track. This singles also includes either the song “YOU (10th Anniversary version)” , or “Depend on you (10th Anniversary version)” depending on which version of the single you purchase. These new versions are also good, they are updated to include her new rock sound. They practically sound like new songs. It’s nice to hear the change but, I still prefer the original versions of “You”, “Depend on You”.

1. 光 (Hikari; Light)
2. Wish
3. I’ll be with you
4. SEPTEMBER
5. 幸せのちから (Shiawase no Chikara; The Might of Happiness)
6. 誰より好きなのに (Dare Yori Suki na no ni; I Like You More than Anybody Else)
7. All my life
8. Lie
9. 初雪 (Hatsuyuki)
10. Still lovin’ you
11. I Wonder
12. サヨナラ (Sayonara)
13. 大切な人 (Taisetsu na Hito)
14. 24karats -type S- (Sowelu,EXILE,DOBERMAN INC.)

This review is really early, it’s not even April 9th here. Anywho, personally I feel that Sowelu’s songs have went downhill after “Last Forever,” which was back in 2004. I found the start of her career to be the best. Since then her singles just haven’t been as good. This album isn’t much better. I honestly feel that “Geofu”, and “LAST BRIDGE” were her best albums to date. The album contains the singles “幸せのちから”, “誰より好きなのに”, “光”, “Wish” and “24karats -type S- (with Exile & DOBERMAN INC)”. “Naked” is an alright album but, I know that Sowelu can release better. The best tracks on the album are “Lie”, “幸せのちから” “24karats -type S-” and “Wish”. It’s too bad that the b-side to “Wish” wasn’t included; “Baby I Want You”. I personally thought that was a great song. Sowelu even attempts a song completely in English called “SEPTEMBER.” Sowelu English is better than many other artists , but the lyrics to this song do not make sense and I personally do not like it.

Nothing else is really to memorable, i found the album a little on the boring side. Sowelu has never really had high sales with her singles, but her last two singles sound over 7,000 copies combined. I think her record company needs a better strategy: start choosing better songs. Maybe I am being to harsh, and I’m not giving the album much of a chance. I’ll try a few more listens and see what happens.

Artist: :加藤ミリヤ (Miliyah Kato)
Title: Tokyo Star
Release Date: 04.02.08
Oricon Daily Ranking: 3

Track List:

1. LALALA feat. 若旦那 (湘南乃風, Shonannokaze)
2. 19 Memories
3. Better days -sweet love side-
4. You go your way
5. Kiss
6. Love is…
7. 最後のI LOVE YOU (Saigo no I LOVE YOU; The Last I Love You)
8. Just Wanna Have Fun
9. TOUGH
10. Young Lady
11. サヨナラ (Sayonara; Goodbye)
12. U gatta understand
13. Ai wa Kawarazu (愛は変わらず; Love Is Unchanging)
14. FUTURECHECKA feat. SIMON, COMA-CHI & TARO SOUL
15. Tokyo Star

It’s not often that I can say that an artist releases a CD where the lead singles are the weakest tracks on the whole album. This is one of those rare cases. The new album by 加藤ミリヤ is one word: amazing. I honestly feel this is her best album to date. It, however, doesn’t contain the “My Girl feat.COLOR” single; which sucked in my opinion. This album is very strong, and has much more of an R&B feel to it. It seems almost to me that her actual singles do not fit the rest of the album. Which could also be why they feel the weakest. To break it down, the albums strong points are “最後のI LOVE YOU”, “Better days -sweet love side-”, “KISS”, “Just Wanna Have Fun”, “TOUGH”, “サヨナラ”, “U gatta understand”, and “Tokyo Star.” Wow that’s alot of strong points for an album, and that’s how it should be. Overall, Tokyo Star is a great album I recommend picking up.

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I really want this! You can get it on ebay at the moment for $68.00!!

Geez, I guess I shouldn’t have asked for that computer for my birthday.

I cannot believe the amount of しゅごキャラ! goodies from Japan on ebay at the moment, it’s times like these I wish I wasn’t so poor.

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