Crystal Kay is gonna Rule Your World in her 3rd thread

[Sky High]

It sounds like nandemo, it is ok song. These days CK plays safe. It is so sad that people lose interest in her music, she really delivers nicely even the most boring song with her voice.

[Kacku]

Originally Posted by Baco__

I thought it's really bland as well. I guess she was slightly successful with nandodemo, right? Maybe she's following that trend. I was so surprised to learn VIVID sold less than shine....

I can't really pull any significant numbers to support this statement, but I think, like you, that she had some success with Nandodemo and her label/management wants to replicate that, and thus we get the very similar-sounding Shiawasette which also has a drama tie-up (well, almost all her singles since 2015 have had drama tie-ups - except for Revolution, which had the apparently much more effective Namie tie-up, and Sakura).

By the way, I separate her label/management and CK herself in my previous statement very intentionally because, at the risk of assuming too much, I think her music is much more corporate-made these days. Ever since she transferred to LDH management, almost all her singles have been these extremely prototypical, safe drama ballads, and it feels like she is made to kiss up to the audience more than before. I also can't help but feel that she's not quite as invested in her current music as she used to be - I've seen her talking about VIVID and delicious Fridays on twitter so many times years and years after their releases, it's obvious she loves that era and was super into it when it was happening, and I don't think the same thing has happened (or will happen) with Kimi ga Ita kara or Nandodemo. I'm sure she still puts work into her music and is invested in advancing her career but I don't feel like she loves her newer songs as much as some of the older ones.

All this talk around Shiawasette, and I haven't even mentioned how I feel about the song. I think it's very ok. I'm happy it's not another drama ballad, I've fully had it with those. I hope she has some gems as album tracks. Shine was also weighed down by boring singles, but there were still some real gems in there.

---

On a completely different, somewhat happier topic: as I was browsing Youtube to look at the views on her newer videos, and for the first time, I found videos of her performing in New York back in 2014! I'll link them all below, in case someone else hasn't seen them either. She sounds completely flawless in them, even when the guitarist accompanying her is off and she messes up her lyrics lmao, she's amazing.

Spoiler:

[Sky High]

It seems that "Shiawasette" is theme song for the tv series.

[hud]

I found the song online but the person didn't post the password for the rar file omg this is ridiculous lol

[NintendoHTF1242]

According to Instagram she has a song called “For You” coming out? Maybe I read it wrong (I don’t read Japanese anyway LOL)

[Sky High]

Maybe she can make pv for song. She didn't made pv for long time.

[Kacku]

Originally Posted by NintendoHTF1242

According to Instagram she has a song called “For You” coming out? Maybe I read it wrong (I don’t read Japanese anyway LOL)

That's the album title, and the picture she shared with the title is the album cover.

Spoiler:

CD+DVD


CD

Absolutely lovely! But a little nitpick: they didn't really need to spell her name and the album title sideways on the edge of the image.

[NintendoHTF1242]

Can you put the image in a spoiler? It’s stretching the screen. Thanks!

Didn’t know it was an album! I expect nothing but boring and bland so... lol

[Kacku]

Done; sorry about that, I didn't realise how big the picture actually was. Also added the CD-only cover, which is very different.

I'm not really expecting much better than bland either but I hope for a couple of killer tracks.

[Sky High]

Covers look amazing. Only songs that like is for now is "Waiting for you" and "すき" from "Loving you" single. But i doubt that they will put that song on album.

[ayumi_croatia]

The covers both look nice, but completely devoid of any personality. Same as the title.

I only like Lovin' You from the songs we have so far. Like Kacku, I hope the album will have some great songs, because even Shine had some gems. Kimi To Futari Nara

[Sky High]

I love Kimi To Futari Nara and #HEARTMELT, although I think that #HEARTMELT belongs to VIVID era.

[Kacku]

Originally Posted by ayumi_croatia

The covers both look nice, but completely devoid of any personality. Same as the title.

I only like Lovin' You from the songs we have so far. Like Kacku, I hope the album will have some great songs, because even Shine had some gems. Kimi To Futari Nara

Harsh but true.

I didn't even remember how Kimi to Futari Nara sounded, but since both you and Sky High mentioned it, I went back and listened to it and yes, it's so good! I listened to the other gems from Shine for the first time in a long while as well; #HEARTMELT is even better than I remembered, I think it's actually one of her best ever, and I haven't seen anyone else mention this song but I've always loved I'm Beautiful.

[ayumi_croatia]

The rap part ruins #HEARTMELT a bit. But it's a tune, just like KTFN.

[Sky High]

I agree, but is far better than singing duet with Imaichi Ryuuji (Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE) "Very Special".

[Kacku]

Originally Posted by ayumi_croatia

The rap part ruins #HEARTMELT a bit. But it's a tune, just like KTFN.

I don't think the rap ruins the song at all, but it is the weakest element of the track. But everything else is just so fantastic: Crystal's vocals (the emotion! the power! her ecstasy-inducing trills in the background of the chorus!), the arrangement, the melody...

Originally Posted by Sky High

I agree, but is far better than singing duet with Imaichi Ryuuji (Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE) "Very Special".

Ugh, that song is one of her worst.

[ayumi_croatia]

I'm probably the only person who likes their version of Very Special

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

^ nah, I like it too haha. I listened to it a lot at the time of release.

"Devoid of personality" is probably the best way to describe what's happened to her music.
Considering she was never a huge seller even in her peak, you'd think they'd let her have a bit more freedom in the music she makes...

[Baco__]

I miss FLASH so much haha

[Sky High]

Originally Posted by Baco__

I miss FLASH so much haha

FLASH is sooo good. I love PV for that song.