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Quite an interesting record. The only reggae track was the remix of live again. I'm used to hearing at least one traditional reggae track from her. There was also a notable reduction in the cheesy upbeat tracks with styles like Familia!, Chikara, and Shissou Mother. So, most of the tracks seemed pop-leaning, and even the two or three similar to Familia! were pretty mild.
There were only two tracks I couldn't sit through, which is different from tough Village, TOP JUNCTION, ZOOLANDER, and even Step One. The two tracks were Hacchake and Sono Saki no Goal (Tracks 6 and 12). Both were a little overboard.
Total highlights! I absolutely loved the single selections. On first listen, live again sounds like another one of lecca's boring ballads, but the lyrics are genuinely touching and made me a little emotional. Maemuki is a great upbeat track. And I love that Your Turn at least got a lyric video. All three stand out from the rest of the album but also well represent what the rest of the record sounds like.
I loved Tsumazuite Korobe, Anata ga Inai, and Kawari ni. I also really like the work done on Shine, which is a very different ballad style for lecca. I feel the lyrics are exceptionally pretty and, likely, sad or hopeful. (I don't speak or read Japanese.)
On last note, regarding the missing reggae sounds, I don't like the remix of live again. It's a little too fiesta-, parade-, block-party-sounding once you know the lyrics. I genuinely thought it would sound more like the tones used in songs like Ainki and Koi Hajime, more atmospheric and string-focused... and no trumpet. I just can't imagine lyrics about looking back at past decisions, regretting those decisions, feeling that you could have done better but didn't, could truly be expressed through a trumpet... a fucking trumpet.
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