[Koda Kumi] The 155th Thread – New Single 「恋しくて」 (12.26)

[Bad Wolf]

Originally Posted by Delicious n Bold

Japonesque was such a mess...
it's too filler-y
the only songs that I find good are IN THE AIR, Ko-so-ko-so, love technique (shhh) and ESCALATE.
but i may buy the deluxe edition cuz kumi is just so hot. ugh i just can't. the packaging is everything.

to be honest, i have never liked a koda kumi album from beginning to end. it's almost always just a complete mess. as messy as ASB covers.

But i still love Kumi cuz of her personality. Love her for who she is, even though i probably like 10-20% of her discography.
I know she can make masterpieces though. Yume no uta all the way!!

That's how I feel about JAPONESQUE and, well, all her other albums. I think the only album of hers that's 100% solid is Black Cherry, which to me is pure perfection. I'm still getting used to how varied and strange Kuu's albums can be: it's more like a collection of different styles than it is a coherent, cohesive work. I'm so used to albums that sort of carry the same theme all the way through, or they're separated into stylistic arcs. Kuu albums are like they're on shuffle

However, I love Kuu because the songs that I DO love from her are so solid and so incredible that I can't help but adore them, and can't help but see just how much she touches me with those fantastic songs. And I agree: her personality is so fun and so sweet. It's very genuine, like a friend

Plus tbh she's one of my BIGGEST girl crushes. She's just too gorgeous to resist.

[chocopockymaster]

Originally Posted by Bad Wolf

That's how I feel about JAPONESQUE and, well, all her other albums. I think the only album of hers that's 100% solid is Black Cherry, which to me is pure perfection. I'm still getting used to how varied and strange Kuu's albums can be: it's more like a collection of different styles than it is a coherent, cohesive work. I'm so used to albums that sort of carry the same theme all the way through, or they're separated into stylistic arcs. Kuu albums are like they're on shuffle

However, I love Kuu because the songs that I DO love from her are so solid and so incredible that I can't help but adore them, and can't help but see just how much she touches me with those fantastic songs. And I agree: her personality is so fun and so sweet. It's very genuine, like a friend

Plus tbh she's one of my BIGGEST girl crushes. She's just too gorgeous to resist.

You speak so much truth, it brings tears to my eyes. ;~; THIS, THIS, THIS

I will say that, as a concert on the whole, I was fairly underwhelmed with Premium Night, and I will be a very sad panda if I don't get back to see her JAPONESQUE arena tour. As much as the album has its flaws, I have a feeling it's going to be an amazing concert!!!


ETA: I demolished my town in Animal Crossing and built a new one a few days ago...and named my character Kuu. xD

[Bad Wolf]

Originally Posted by chocopockymaster

You speak so much truth, it brings tears to my eyes. ;~; THIS, THIS, THIS

I will say that, as a concert on the whole, I was fairly underwhelmed with Premium Night, and I will be a very sad panda if I don't get back to see her JAPONESQUE arena tour. As much as the album has its flaws, I have a feeling it's going to be an amazing concert!!!


ETA: I demolished my town in Animal Crossing and built a new one a few days ago...and named my character Kuu. xD

Kuu's biggest strength as an artist are her live shows. They're just so ridiculously awesome, it's almost impossible lol. I don't doubt that the JAPONESQUE tour will be really freakin' awesome. I can see her creating a sort of modernised, sexualised take on classic Japanese fashions and settings, much like what she did for the covers.

DUDE IF SHE DOES A SEXY VERSION OF THE TALE OF GENJI I WILL BE A HAPPY PERSON

[Delicious n Bold]

Originally Posted by happiholic★

Sure! Kumi party in Toronto, hosted by the Toronto Kuu fans~! Kuu fans are the ****.

I don't care when, I'm there!

[baseboom]

I always felt that the reason why Kuu's albums seem like a mess when you first listen to them. However, I noticed lately that's not really the case. She tends to place songs based on the content (lyrics) or tone and feeling of that particular song more so than genre. Oh, by the way I joined this forum because I did see how friendly this particular thread seemed. I did have an entry posted here about a particular topic, but I deleted it because it was resolved quickly which I like.

[NintendoHTF1242]

Originally Posted by happiholic★

Sure! Kumi party in Toronto, hosted by the Toronto Kuu fans~! Kuu fans are the ****.

Why so far!?

[happiholic★]

Originally Posted by NintendoHTF1242

Why so far!?

Because Toronto is pretty awesome Love my home city

@drdolce: Let me know when you are coming, we will throw a party~

@Delicious & Bold: Its going to happen. I'm going to make it happen

Some members were talking about how Kuu's albums are a mish-mash of different genres, and that's something that I love about her. I guess it would be nice if all her sounds were cohesive, although, I think that her past albums up to and including Secret are pretty cohesive. But, overall I think the genre mix up just shows Kuu's diversity. She doesn't limit herself to one genre or sound. She does whatever she wants to do. And she makes it sexy~

[kaled kalil]

It took me a while to really like JAPONESQUE, and now it's definitely one of my favorites albums of hers. I hope there's almost all the JAPONESQUE songs + Say Her Name + newest songs on her new Tour, that would be pretty epic.

Originally Posted by happiholic★

Some members were talking about how Kuu's albums are a mish-mash of different genres, and that's something that I love about her.

Me too, I can't stand albuns like Ayumi's Love Songs (with one simple theme and a lot of songs that sounds alike...). My mood changes a lot to only hear an album with one style of song. Even something like Femme Fatale from Britney Spears is not my cup of tea... I need a little bit of everything to be completely happy XD

And I'm not saying that Kumi's albuns are just a bunch of random songs together, but it always seems to fit everything on the right direction (with some exceptions, of course).

[Bad Wolf]

^Kuu albums are like a buffet of all different sorts. Ayu's Love songs is one of my favorite album of hers because it's a cohesive, complete 'set.' Much like DIR EN GREY albums, there's a style and a theme that carries throughout. I'm really biased since I'm such a bibliophile and I'm quite used to that cohesiveness thanks to how many novels I've read, so Kuu's albums are a lovely challenge for me. XD ESPECIALLY Universe...

[emi♡]

Originally Posted by Delicious n Bold

to be honest, i have never liked a koda kumi album from beginning to end. it's almost always just a complete mess. as messy as ASB covers.

Me neither. But I don't consider them a mess.

I'm with the others. I prefer different genres. I may hate all of her generic ballads, but I know other people like them.

All of these genres, also just, remind me of her, and her personality. I said it once, it's a reflection of her multi-faceted persona, and I very VERY much prefer that, because I connect to it.


I also can not STAND albums like Ayu's Love Songs. Honestly, for me, that album (which I consider more of a concept album) needed to only be like 8-10 tracks to get the point across.

For kuu, her albums to me are less about the actual music, and more about the whole feel. That includes things like PVs, packaging, etc. But I actually liked a lot of the songs on Japonesque. Way more than usual. I usually only like half of her albums.

[Bad Wolf]

This is kinda random but it just occurred to me that we can all finally put kaled's fanmade Eternity II cover to use once this new cover album comes out XD ngl I use his covers for Kuu's stuff more often than the official art.

[setsuka]

on the ~her albums are messy but enjoyable train~

tbh I like one sounding albums from time to time, like BENI's Loveboxl or Ayu's Love Song, which stick to one genre ......I wish Kuu tried this like making a whole RnB album, her most ~flowing~ sounding albums were her debut one and her cover album imo

only when the whole artist sonically too one toned like a Lana Del Rey's whole career then I get bored and frustrated, seriously her and singers like Kana Nishino/JUJU annoy me because it feels like I am listening to one LONG song instead of an album

besides that, 2012 was a great Kumi year since Japonesque blew me away , I didn't care for the Beach Mix but I like how she is going into different fields this year

anyway so excited for 2013, a new Mika album, a Kuu cover album and MAA coming back

I am gonna spazz like crazy in the next upcoming months <3

[Zeke.]

JAPONESQUE has everything there to make a great album, but failed. The title was perfect. The image and covers were fantastic. The instrumentation/arrangements were really great, but the compositions were really dull. Songs like ESCALATE and Lay Down had a lot of potential, but are just boring to listen to. The melodies are lacking. Almost everything on that album was just short of being something great due to weak melody / composition. The only songs that really hit the nail on the head for the sound they were going for is LOVE TECHNIQUE, No Man's Land (even this could have been a little better), and of course the flawless IN THE AIR. But honestly, JAPONESQUE is really dull overall. You can hear the potential in almost all of those songs, but that's what makes listening to it so darn frustrating.

I loved Beach Mix. It gets a little muddy and dull half way through but it succeeded in taking some of the songs I really hate by Kumi and making them not only listenable, but insanely enjoyable. She always does that with her remix works which is really refreshing for me. I still love listening to this and DH4 while doing weight-lifting workouts! And Whatchu' Waitin' On was just PERFECT!!

[Delicious n Bold]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

JAPONESQUE has everything there to make a great album, but failed. The title was perfect. The image and covers were fantastic. The instrumentation/arrangements were really great, but the compositions were really dull. Songs like ESCALATE and Lay Down had a lot of potential, but are just boring to listen to. The melodies are lacking. Almost everything on that album was just short of being something great due to weak melody / composition. The only songs that really hit the nail on the head for the sound they were going for is LOVE TECHNIQUE, No Man's Land (even this could have been a little better), and of course the flawless IN THE AIR. But honestly, JAPONESQUE is really dull overall. You can hear the potential in almost all of those songs, but that's what makes listening to it so darn frustrating.

I loved Beach Mix. It gets a little muddy and dull half way through but it succeeded in taking some of the songs I really hate by Kumi and making them not only listenable, but insanely enjoyable. She always does that with her remix works which is really refreshing for me. I still love listening to this and DH4 while doing weight-lifting workouts! And Whatchu' Waitin' On was just PERFECT!!

The Kuugrish killed it.
It was great then we got to No Mans Rand. Ugh
still not as flawless as "oh just a fart"

[Zahara]

That album is still fresh to me. I'm not even going to lie, I blast that on the subway and people look at me like I'm crazy.

I don't care. Imma go boom boom boys on that subway.

[koumori]

JAPONESQUE is one of my favourite albums from her. A lot of gems on there. I still enjoy listening to it.

[kotora]

Originally Posted by kaled kalil

So, I just saw a topic called "Looking back at 2012" and I thought it would be fun to look back all the great things that happened this year (even that there's more things to come)...

A little summary with all the major things that happened in 2012:

JAPONESQUE album (19 songs ~ 17 PVs)
KODA KUMI DRIVING HIT'S 4 (18 brand new remixes)
KODA KUMI LIVE TOUR 2011～Dejavu～ (Blu-ray ~ DVD ~ LIVE CD)
Koda gives birth to a cute baby boy
Loveil - Koda Kumi's line of contact lenses
Beach Mix (1 brand new song and PV ~ 15 remixes ~ 17 performances)
Go to the top single (2 songs ~ 1 PV)
Go to the top promotion: CDTV - Music Station - Music Japan (performances)
Koda Kumi Premium Night ~Love and Songs~ (DVD and Bluray not yet announced, concert broadcasting by MTV being cancelled)
FNS performances: Ai no Uta - 3 collaborations
Koishikute single (2 songs ~ 1 PV)
Koishikute promotion: Music Fair so far, probably a lot more to come
LOVE NOTE ~ LOVE TOUCH Perfume by Koda Kumi
MUSIC FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE special live - Not happened yet
Music Station Super Live / Kouhaku - Not happened yet

What do you guys think about Kuu's 2012 work?

I don't feel that she took a break at all, a lot a things happened and I feel that I liked almost every single thing of this year... 2012 is a great year for her

much better and positive than ayumi hamasaki.

Don't get me wrong. I love ayu, but what she has done in this year is just big no...

[emi♡]

@Zeke: I'm pretty sure I've told you this before, cause I remember your views about the songs...but I actually liked...how...the songs like, didn't really go anywhere? They kinda remind me of Ayu's BRILLANTE. How it's just sort of mellow? And it keeps that same, steady pace and volume...you know? Almost, kind of ambient.

That's what kosokoso, escalate, and lay down are like for me. They're like mellow heavy dance songs. They relax me lol I thought they were interesting that way. They're more about the feel and the atmosphere the songs create for me.


But. Love Technique is my favorite off the album...and actually might be my favorite off of her ever. That song is cute melodic gold.


omg you just reminded me about beach mix.... #badfan I never finished it...

[Minttulatte]

^You haven't listened to Beach Mix yet? :O You should because it's awesome!

JAPONESQUE is so flawless I just can't. It soon became one of the top 3 favorite albums of mine (Black Cherry, Dejavu, JAPONESQUE) because it just has that perfect "Koda Kumi" all over it. I really love it. Awesome ballads, kick ass dance songs and awesome cute pop. I'm still crazy about it though I haven't been listening to it so much lately. I've been trying to, but Gaga takes all of my time now. I'm still pretty much mad about Lay Down, which is probably my #1 favorite song on the album. I always feel shivers go down my spine when I listen to it! It also makes me think I'm in some kind of a night club (which I never go 'cause I got nobody to go with). Same with ESCALATE. I can't understand the hate for these two. They're awesome♥

As a overall I think Kuu's diversity on music is one of the reasons why I became her stan in 2008. Every song is so different, and not the same ones over and over. This was the main reason why I started to get sick of Ayu back then, I believe, because I felt her music was too dull (of course, that changed in December 2009 'cause You were.../BALLAD was too epic lol). I like it when singers don't stick to one genre and always makes new things, and Kuu always does that. I really love that about her. I always have. It's awesome that she became the producer of her own albums. It's exactly what everyone should do in my honest opinion.

There's also the fact that Kuu's concerts just blow me away every single time. There's no Kuu concert I've felt hate towards yet, and that's awesome. Kuu just knows how to make a true live show imo. I'm not surprised that she's topping the DVD charts every time because she's incredible♥

Originally Posted by happiholic★

@drdolce: Let me know when you are coming, we will throw a party~

Sure. I've always wanted to have a Kuu themed party, it's just sad that almost every single J-pop lover is a fan of Ayu and a more of a casual Kuu listener so I can't really do it. ;_;

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by emi♡

@Zeke: I'm pretty sure I've told you this before, cause I remember your views about the songs...but I actually liked...how...the songs like, didn't really go anywhere? They kinda remind me of Ayu's BRILLANTE. How it's just sort of mellow? And it keeps that same, steady pace and volume...you know? Almost, kind of ambient.

That's what kosokoso, escalate, and lay down are like for me. They're like mellow heavy dance songs. They relax me lol I thought they were interesting that way. They're more about the feel and the atmosphere the songs create for me.


But. Love Technique is my favorite off the album...and actually might be my favorite off of her ever. That song is cute melodic gold.


omg you just reminded me about beach mix.... #badfan I never finished it...

I think Ayu's BRILLANTE is supposed to be that way though; it's very calming and melancholic. It feels like that's how it's supposed to be, along with BALLAD. It changes just enough, but the JAPONESQUE songs I mentioned (well really the whole album) gave off the essence like it was supposed to kick it up a notch and it just never did.

Originally Posted by Delicious n Bold

The Kuugrish killed it.
It was great then we got to No Mans Rand. Ugh
still not as flawless as "oh just a fart"

Totally agree about the "Kuugrish". That was my problem; I thought, "it would be so much better if she just continued to sing in Japanese..."