I've Sound + Kotoko topic

[Kacku]

Originally Posted by denadel

Loving this thread!

Was reading through the posts and saw someone mentioning that LSP had disbanded. LSP are still active, apparently they are in their second larvae stage (wut o.0) and they originally had plans for changes after the two girls left. Apparently LSP is now only Kirishima, who'll release a single on the 29th of October entitled "Stargazer".

Oh, I never heard about "second larvae stage" (wtf indeed), thanks for sharing that! Also, you're completely right, LSP is still releasing though Airi is the only member; I had no idea that things would play out this way after Rin & Nami's departure was announced. Have you heard Stargazer yet?

Originally Posted by MeltingCORE

Kacku, to answer your question from forever ago, my Kotoko album ranking looks like this:

1. Epsilon no Fune
2. Garasu no Kaze
3. Hane
4. UZU-MAKI
5. Kuuchuu Puzzle
6. Hiraku Uchuu Pocket

c:::

Also, I watched that concert you linked to and it was pretty neat to see I've songs performed by singers different from the originals! Was the 15th anniversary concert posted anywhere? Also, I dig Evidence nine quite a bit. I like it a lot more than the previous compilation with WING OF ZERO, Evidence nine, My Love,Honey., Ashiato ~a Happiness Marker~, Timeless time, and Reboot oN/↓0 being my favorite songs. : )) And can't wait for Eiko's new single! Kurochou no Psychedelica is such a cool title!

Heh, your album ranking seems to be pretty much a mirror of mine, save for us both loving Garasu no Kaze.

I'm really glad you liked the concert! It's great to see the live side of I've every now and then, and I found the concert an excellent showcase of both the strength of their back catalogue and the abilities of their newer singers and guest vocalists. The 15th anniversary concert won't be held until March, so there's a lull in news on that front for now, but here's looking forward to it!

I didn't like the newest compilation album as much as you did, unfortunately. The best moments didn't reach as high as songs like Light colors and piece of my heart on the previous compilation, and literally all the songs from the LSP girls left me underwhelmed. However, I do agree with you about the album's strong points: Mami's both songs were really nice, KOTOKO's songs were good as usual, and Yuzuno was in good form.

Also, can't wait for Eiko's new single either! I'm really eager to hear some previews, the title seems to promise a cool, dark song.

Speaking of singles, KOTOKO released a new one this week, and I just noticed it's leaked! I've completely forgotten about ZoNE-iT in the middle of these busy times, but I'm excited to check it out when I can!

Also, some more small I've related things:
- I re-listened to Maon Kurosaki's I've-produced album REINCARNATION today and realized that Dysnomia is probably the best I've song of the year. It's dark, it's trancy and rock-y, and Maon's performance is really good. If you haven't listened to the album yet, definitely do so asap, I'm pretty sure you won't regret it!
- Not sure if this has been discussed here, but I've released another collaboration single, Kisetsu no Shuttle/point at infinity with Ray & yanaginagi, this autumn, and it was also awesome! If you liked Ray's sign and nagi's I've song, Vidro Moyou, you will also like these songs: they're laid on similar foundation and sound familiar, but still stand clearly apart from the previous two songs, and are both really good. Dysnomia might be my favourite I've song of the year, but point at infinity is also up there in the competition! If anyone is interested in these, I'll gladly provide links.
- I wonder if I've/Eiko will attend Comiket this year. There's been no word yet, but they've both been regulars for a few years in a row already, I will be surprised if they break the combo now. I really need a new 5TEARS album in my life though I've even come to like the slightly lackluster vol. 3 over the year!

[denadel]

^Thanks for all the news and tidbits Will be sure to check out Maon's song you recommend.

Have you heard Stargazer yet?

Yeah I have, it is up at jpopsuki. Was nothing special imo..

[Kacku]

^Can't help but agree with you there. :| Airi's voice sounded different, but that was the only surprising thing about the single, both songs were super forgettable.

[Kacku]

Ok, I think this thread has been neglected long enough, lol.

I've had their 15th anniversary concert! Lots of performers, lots of songs, I imagine it was a lot of fun. Because I'm lazy, I'm not even gonna copy-paste the setlist but instead just direct everyone to this fabulous blog that everyone needs to be a fan of. I want the new version of See You ~Chiisana Eien~ in my life. :C

Other than that, it's really quiet on the I've news front. Mami has a new tie-up for a summer anime, but that's all we know now. There are some new eroge songs coming up, but who even knows when they're gonna show up.

KOTOKO released a music video collection containing a new video for Oboetete Ii yo and ended her long anniversary recently, good for her!

Eiko is gonna be at M3 again, this time producing two singles for some of the girls from her army of young songstresses and a trance remix/cover album えこトラ8 -Eiko Shimamiya NONSTOP TRANCE- with her and the aforementioned army of girls with pretty voices singing trancy takes of a selection of her old songs, and I am SO PRESSED cause I'm loving the preview for this thing and of course it's being sold at this tiny indie event and will never show up anywhere ugh. Also, I still haven't found a download for her new single released in January?? What is wrong with the internet. Anyway, check Eiko's newest project out here.

[Kacku]

Mami news! She is releasing a new single AND an album soon (and dear lord is it about time already)!



Gardens out on August 5th

1. Gardens
Lyrics: Mami
Composition/Arrangement: Kazuya Takase
2. ∃UTOPIA?
Lyrics: Mami
Composition: Takeshi Ozaki
Arrangement: Takeshi Ozaki, Tomoyuki Nakazawa
3. Gardens (instrumental)
4. ∃UTOPIA?(instrumental)

Check out previews for both new songs on her official website.

I'm pretty excited for this single. The title track might be some very basic Takase fluff, but I've just missed Mami's voice and it's great to hear her again. The b-side is giving me intersection vibes and I can't wait to hear the rest.


And then there's the upcoming album! Title PARABLEPSIA, release date September 16th. The tracklist has also been (partially) revealed.

1. parablepsia (Composition - Takase Kazuya)
2. Borderland
3. (Title Unknown) (Composition - HARD STUFF)
4. Enchantress (Composition - C.G mix)
5. Eager Eyes (Composition - Nakazawa Tomoyuki)
6. (Title Unknown) (Composition - Iuchi Maiko)
7. fly blind (Composition - Ozaki Takeshi)
8. here. (Composition - Nakazawa Tomoyuki)
9. HOWL (Composition - Takase Kazuya)
10. It's no big deal (Composition - Iuchi Maiko)
11. Replica_nt (Composition - Takase Kazuya)
12. Break a spell
13. Dendritic Quartz (Composition - Nakazawa Tomoyuki)

11 new songs yeeesss! I could do without Break a spell though... Now I'm just waiting for the previews.

[primavera♥]

Ohh, very exciting! Thanks for the update

[Bigtop]

Nice, a new Mami Kawada release - or two... Haven't been really keeping track of her since I've been occupied with other J-pop musicians - and the limiting factor of my iPhone storage...

[Kacku]

Album cover revealed!



I think this one has a bit too much going on to be really effective, but it's still a nice cover, and Mami's looking really cool! I don't think she'll ever top SQUARE THE CIRCLE though. I'm such a stan for that cover and album.

Also, the tracklist has been finalised!

01. Parablepsia ［Composition & Arrangement: Kazuya Takase］
02. Borderland ［Composition: Tomoyuki Nakazawa / Arrangement: TakaNakaZaki］
03. I...civilization ［Composition: Kazuya Takase / Arrangement: HARD STUFF］
04. fly blind ［Composition & Arrangement: Takeshi Ozaki］
05. Eager Eyes ［Composition: Tomoyuki Nakawaza / Arrangement: Tomoyuki Nakazawa & Takeshi Ozaki］
06. PIST ［Composition & Arrangement: Maiko Iuchi］
07. Enchantress ［Composition: C.G. Mix / Arrangement: C.G. Mix & Takeshi Ozaki］
08. here. ［Composition: Tomoyuki Nakawaza / Arrangement: Tomoyuki Nakazawa & Takeshi Ozaki］
09. HOWL ［Composition & Arrangement: Kazuya Takase］
10. Replica_nt ［Composition & Arrangement: Kazuya Takase］
11. It's no big deal ［Composition & Arrangement: Maiko Iuchi］
12. Break a spell ［Composition: Takeshi Ozaki / Arrangement: Takeshi Ozaki & Tomoyuki Nakazawa］
13. Dendritic Quartz ［Composition & Arrangement: Tomoyuki Nakazawa］

There's a lot of Takase, surprisingly. He rarely has too many songs on Mami's albums.

Also, I know I shouldn't have any detailed expectations 'cause I WILL be disappointed, but all I want is for Eager Eyes to be the new my buddy / Fascination. It's got the right credits, it's got the title. I've, make it happen.

By the way, I've been thinking about uploading Mami's discography here. I don't quite have pretty much EVERYTHING like with Eiko, but I do have A LOT, including maybe some rare tracks many people don't have. Would anyone be interested?

[Kacku]

The kindest of souls, tenshi1226 on I've Sound Forum, has let the world know that the two most recent I've Comiket releases, I've MANIA Tracks NEW WAVE and I've Piano Pieces - Monochrome Solitude Vol. 2, are available for listening and downloading, and I'm here to spread the word!

NEW WAVE has three new (guest?) vocalists Minori Kitamura, marriage blue, and RINA, delivering one cover of an OLD I've classic and five new songs! Based on one quick listen, I like this one quite a lot. It's very much of the usual I've sound, but the songs are lovely, and I think there were one or two stand-outs. Time will tell how much they really stand out, but I think it's worth a try for everyone!

I've Piano Pieces is exactly what it says on the cover, so decide for yourself if you're interested in hearing piano-only versions of these songs. I'm listening to the album right now and liking it, so relaxing. Close to me... was a special stand-out, its signature piano riff really got to shine here.

[Kacku]

Kaori Utatsuki news! She released a new song called A STARRY NIGHT ~Bokura wo Tsunagu Hikari~ via iTunes and other download services this past week. It's a really pretty midtempo pop song and easily available everywhere in the world, so go check it out and show Kaori some love if you like it!

[Kacku]

Previews for Mami's new album are here! Sounds like we're in for many dark and heavy songs.

[Ashen Twilight]

Wow, I really liked a majority of the previews. I love that it is darker and heavier music. That is my favorite style from any I've girl.

[Kacku]

PARABLEPSIA is coming in two days! GET HYPE!

To help you find your hype, maybe check out this video with songs from the new album mixed together by DJ D-YAMA?



Also, you might be interested in reading the summary-translation of this interview done by Treize on I've Sound Forum. It's not very long, but still very fascinating and insightful!

Originally Posted by Treize @ I've Sound Forum

Here's a summary of the interview Mami had with Fumiaki Nishihara from Lis Ani! if anyone is interested. Sorry, but it'll be really brief. I can expand more on something if someone wants.

The concept of the album is "E.M.R" "Electric. Mami Kawada. Rock" As opposed to other albums, I've came together every week to discuss the album instead of each working separately. This also led to faster production

The title of the album PARABLEPSIA means "optical illusion" It is about seeing things moving around in circles rather than not seeing things move at all.

Until now, she has only wanted one song to convey the theme of the album, but in this work several songs do.

parablepsia: The lyrics in parablepsia convey the message not to lose yourself in society. The possibilities are endless. They are driven by the anxiety that you may lose sight of your path in life before you know it in a society that is moving around in circles.

fly blind: fly blind has two meanings. It has its technical meaning and then it carries the message that you can't always be influenced by your surroundings and sometimes need to close your eyes and say "This is how I am."

parablepsia is more from a societal perspective. fly blind is more from an individual perspective.

Eager Eyes: This makes the album's image more clear. She wrote the lyrics from "the eyes of a hawk." It is the song that most resembles Borderland and is closest to her style of music.

Replica_nt: This is the song she wrote the lyrics for first on this album.It is a song telling people not to be reduced to robots after being toyed with by society.

It's no big deal: This is supposed to be an upbeat song that can be a fan pleaser similar to KOTOKO's oboetete ii yo. This is the first song that she wrote the lyrics for before the song was composed. "It's no big deal" is something her dad used to always tell her.

Dendritic Quartz: This is supposed to be an answer song to seed. It's supposed to be about flowers that will constantly be in bloom and will never wither. Apparently she got the idea from a pendent of hers that has a pattern that looks like trees, and they'll never wither.

Also, since I spent a lot of time writing it, here's what I wrote in response to the video and interview on the I've Sound Forum. It got long and out of hand, so I'm putting it behind a spoiler tag.

Spoiler:

The descriptions of parablepsia and fly blind really reminded me of SQUARE THE CIRCLE's lyrics, so I re-read the translation, and it does indeed seem that she's returning to the same themes, but looking at them for new perspectives. I wonder how different fly blind and SQUARE THE CIRCLE will be, since the description of fly blind sounds VERY familiar ("you can't always be influenced by your surroundings" -> "someone else’s manual textbook＆rule / Rip it up and throw it away"; "fly blind is more from an individual perspective" -> "solve the dream for the walls that stand in your way / Scribble my equation / I grasped in my hand" and also "solve the dream / solve the riddle / there's no ground for fear / my equation"). Maybe the difference will be in the feeling and attitude of the song: SQUARE THE CIRCLE seems to be about reaching a conclusion, the cathartic but heavy feeling that you can break out of the boxes (or... might I say... squares) the world is trying to put you into.

I'm sorry, I'm getting really tangential and speculative, and pulling SQUARE THE CIRCLE and rushed lyric interpretations into this mess too. But seriously, I'm so excited for these two songs now, I hope we'll see the translated lyrics one day.

I'm surprised she's basically saying Borderland is closest to "her style". I really don't agree: Borderland is a good example of her dance-rock fusion tracks, but it's not even the best representative of that style, not to mention the many other styles she dabbles into. I agree, I hope they realize she's good at more than one thing.

Also, I love how this: "I've came together every week to discuss the album instead of each working separately" probably surprised none of us (except maybe the fact that they worked together every week). It's basically what many people here were saying / thinking when the previews first appeared, lol.

danilo_mats, thank you for posting that video! This album's songs blend together REALLY well, haha. It's no big deal is still the standout snippet for me, I'm dying to hear it in full. Now I find myself getting into PIST and I... civilization as well.

This thread really kicked my enthusiasm for the album into hyperdrive!

[MeltingCORE]

Holy potatoes, I haven't checked on I've in forever and there's so much new stuff! Has that non-stop Eiko Shimamiya Trance album leaked anywhere? And thanks for providing links to the Comiket releases. I really appreciate that. I want to get Mami's new album (previews sound nice) but I'm still saving up money for her best of album haha. x__x

[axmish87]

PARABLEPSIA is good.
My favorites are : Break a spell , PARABLEPSIA , eager eyes , PIST , I ... civilization
I recently discovered portamento and that song pushed me to further explore Mami's discography.
@MeltingCORE Eiko Shimamiya has a non-stop TRANCE album???
WHERE , WHERE!!!

[Kacku]

Originally Posted by axmish87

Eiko Shimamiya has a non-stop TRANCE album???
WHERE , WHERE!!!

Originally Posted by Kacku

Eiko is gonna be at M3 again, this time producing two singles for some of the girls from her army of young songstresses and a trance remix/cover album えこトラ8 -Eiko Shimamiya NONSTOP TRANCE- with her and the aforementioned army of girls with pretty voices singing trancy takes of a selection of her old songs, and I am SO PRESSED cause I'm loving the preview for this thing and of course it's being sold at this tiny indie event and will never show up anywhere ugh. Also, I still haven't found a download for her new single released in January?? What is wrong with the internet. Anyway, check Eiko's newest project out here.

This one. Definitely check the previews!

Originally Posted by MeltingCORE

Holy potatoes, I haven't checked on I've in forever and there's so much new stuff! Has that non-stop Eiko Shimamiya Trance album leaked anywhere? And thanks for providing links to the Comiket releases. I really appreciate that. I want to get Mami's new album (previews sound nice) but I'm still saving up money for her best of album haha. x__x

I haven't seen the trance album leaked anywhere, but to be fair, I haven't been looking very hard either. I'm hoping it might be made available through the store on her official site (like her previous M3 releases Yellow and JAIKO) but no such luck yet. Nice to hear my reporting on I've releases has been useful. I try to keep up. Mami's new album was definitely good! But so was her best-of, so I guess it will be a while before you're gonna get the new one, haha.

Originally Posted by axmish87

PARABLEPSIA is good.
My favorites are : Break a spell , PARABLEPSIA , eager eyes , PIST , I ... civilization
I recently discovered portamento and that song pushed me to further explore Mami's discography

portamento is SO AMAZING, RIGHT??? It's easily my #1 Mami song, and she does not have a shortage of songs I like. I think it was the song that pushed me to really listen to her discography for me as well.

I also found PARABLEPSIA good (and so cohesive, wow)! It didn't beat out SQUARE THE CIRCLE for my favourite Mami album, but it's good. My favourite songs include It's no big deal (), PIST, Eager Eyes, parablepsia, and Replica_nt.

[axmish87]

Kacku portamento is PHUCKING EVERYTHING!!!
I fell in love with it at first listen.
The song has such mysterious and haunting atmosphere it's absolutely perfect. I was so obsessed with it that I neglected whole SAVIA album because of portamento
I still need to pick up the rest of Mami's disco but i am taking it slowly.
I didn't have any knowledge or to be honest interest in Mami Kawada before although i love that song where I'VE tried to form a group LOVE PLANET FIVE - Tenjou wo Kakeru Monotachi and all five of I'VE major act's appeared together. Again,to be honest that was the time when I started to follow MELL
And i hope that she will stick around longer then MELL did , but i think that she is doing rather good.

[Kacku]

OH YES IT IS!!! I admit it wasn't a case of love at first listen with me, but when it hit me, it hit me like a bullet train. Yes, the atmosphere of the song is so perfect! And so perfectly crafted, it astounds me. And Mami's voice just oozes ALL THE FEELINGS, this song is so perfect for her and she brings out so much beauty in it! Ugh, it's just such a perfect song.

Ah, I love Tenjou wo Kakeru Monotachi too! I've always makes such good songs when all their singers combine their forces, and Tenjou was no exception.

I don't think we've seen the last of Mami, she's the biggest name I've has right now. She's also been making eroge songs at a steady pace, and she has a PSP game theme song lined up for release some time this year!

[taskinillusion]

Since we have an I've expert among us, I would like to ask a question!

Many, many years ago (like in 2005) when I was in college, I downloaded an album called I've CURE TRANCE Vol.1 - Psychedelic. I LOVED it and I still listen to it every now and again and still immensely enjoy it. Now, I'm guessing that because this was "Vol.1" that they made other volumes? If so, what did they make and where can I obtain the tracks? Thanks so much!

[Kacku]

I'm sorry to say I know very little about the CURE TRANCE series, I've always been more interested in vocal music from I've. :/ However, I do know that there are two more volumes: Vol. 2 - Psychedelic Goa and Vol. 3 - Psychedelic IBIZA. As for availability, not too sure. You might be able to find some links by searching, or maybe try asking someone on e.g. the I've Sound Forum, I'm pretty sure someone over there might be able to help. Vol. 1 and 3 seem to be available on Amazon JP, too. I'm gonna look into it more when I have some time on my hands, you've got me interested.

(Btw, would you maybe like to share the first volume? I have never heard a single track from it and I'd really love to try it now!)