[Koda Kumi] The 145th thread - Marriage is good. Please support her and buy her new album!

[ayu_ready?]

Originally Posted by isthisLOL?

Shouldn't I be asking you that? You practically attacked me for simply disliking an album - an album I disliked with reasoning, not just a simple "I HATE IT!!!!".

I wasn't even attempting to attack, huh. I would have been much nastier. but you called me an idiot. man...

[Minttulatte]

Hmm, is it just me finding it funny that every time since UNIVERSE these "THIS IS HER BEST ALBUM SINCE KINGDOM!!!" comments pop up? Does this show that Kuu's albums has been better than the last one since TRICK or something? 8D I don't want to offend anyone, I'm just wondering.

#nowplaying Koda Kumi - All for you

[Possessionless]

This is soooooo unfair! I will probably have to wait like a week and a half until my copy arrives I'm way too excited for it! Maybe I'll let myself download one song to keep me going until my copy arrives :/

[ayu_ready?]

I still don't get the Kingdom hype. maybe as a person who experienced BEST~ss~ era in front of her own eyes, I can't get it. because BEST~ss~ was something, truly something. at that time. and after that Kuu period the Kingdom period seemed to dissapoint and lackluster somewhat.

[Minttulatte]

Originally Posted by ayu_ready?

I still don't get the Kingdom hype. maybe as a person who experienced BEST~ss~ era in front of her own eyes, I can't get it. because BEST~ss~ was something, truly something. at that time. and after that Kuu period the Kingdom period seemed to dissapoint and lackluster somewhat.

Maybe it's about the era when you turn into her fan or something? I became a fan during Black Cherry era and I think nothing can beat that masterpiece.

[Benikari47]

^^I think Kingdom was an amazing body of work, it was (imo) her first album that actually really managed to flow well together.
while i adore the album myself, i think that is one of the main reasons why it's so loved.

[ayu_ready?]

Originally Posted by drdolce

Maybe it's about the era when you turn into her fan or something? I became a fan during Black Cherry era and I think nothing can beat that masterpiece.

probably! it was that 12 singles project that was wtf scheme and made everyone basically shocked in a good way. and Japanese were OMG 12 singles! and the gift cards, puzzles and other supportive stuff they sold along...probably it has to do with becoming a fan, although I am a fan since Secret, you know

[GREVOL]

I think each album is good, she´s trying to be better each time with new sounds new images but probably JAPONESQUE is another masterpiece in her career since Kingdom. I love so much UNIVERSE but JAPONESQUE represents what a music album has to be: good package, awesome cover and photoshoot. Good mix of music styles. Good PV´S.

[Kazeyomi]

Originally Posted by Koumori

Listening to it now.

Flawless. Just flawless.

Buying a copy.

this this and this

To be honest, I never been so amazed by a Kuu album since Black Cherry. I was so hyped after listening to the previews and I'm so happy Kuu didn't disappoint me. This album si simply perfect although I don't really like the new version of V.I.P. that guy is quite annoying lol.

I'll get a copy of JAPONESQUE asap.

[Minttulatte]

Originally Posted by ayu_ready?

probably! it was that 12 singles project that was wtf scheme and made everyone basically shocked in a good way. and Japanese were OMG 12 singles! and the gift cards, puzzles and other supportive stuff they sold along...probably it has to do with becoming a fan, although I am a fan since Secret, you know

I bet it was a huge shock. When I read about the project on Wikipedia (yeah, that's the place I found Ayu, Kuu and Namie from, hehehe XD), I was like, "WTH??? " too. 8D

[xLuna&1LOVE]

My review (and chill out, its just opinions)

So Nice
I already loved the 30 seconds inc. PV and since everything has been leaked, I think I haven't felt that happy anymore about Kuu's work since the Kingdom album. It's a really memoriable song and the instrumentals are beautiful. Too bad it is so.. short. But hey! We have repeat buttons for that.
On a scale of ten, this song gets a: 9

Boom Boom Boys
How catchy this song is. But the arrangement sounds a bit messy in my ears and I have still no idea where the music is going (often with these kind of pop songs you can 'expect' / 'predict' what the music arrangement is) Still, I can't help it to sing "MAKE SOME NOISE, BOOM BOOM BOYS" when she's about to sing that.
On a scale of ten, the song gets an 7

V.I.P.
At this point we get that 'Britney Spears'-style some of us have been talking about. Too bad that I am not a fan of Britney and it sounds boring to me.
Sorry V.I.P., but you get on a scale of ten just 4 points

Slow
Uhm, I am not sure Kuu should go on with this style. I think this song would be perfect when an artist like Kelly Rowland would have sing this. I don't know. In my opinion this is no longer 'J-Pop' and I feel kind of disappointed, however the song is not bad. I do not dislike it.
I give it a chance. 6

Brave
Kuu's album would be never complete if it does not include a typical Kumi-ballad. I have the feeling I have heard this song before, but I can't really say what song. Anyway I like Kumi's ballad, unfortunately it's nothing new. 7

Everyday
Sorry, but I am not a fan of Kumi's kawaii songs, except for Hey Baby! from Deja Vu. Everyday is not awful though. Actually, I can't get it out of my head. 6,5

IN THE AIR
I really do like this song. It sounds so lovely and optimistic, without adding that stupid "listen, i can sound really cute" voice. The arrangement sounds good. This is that kind of song I need to wake up with in a morning and feel good for the rest of the day.
This songs gets an 8

You are not alone
Catchy, beautiful voice, no complicated music arrangement and even the engrish is not bothering me that much. In fact, her engrish isn't even hearable. Perhaps this song is one of my favourites.
I give it an 8

ESCALATE
I don't know, the first 10 seconds sounded so promising, but I feel a bit disappointed with the whole song/arrangement and vocals. It's a bit like Boom Boom Boys, I guess, but this time I think the song is not as catchy and its flaws are annoying me.
5

Love Me Back
Yea, I kind of have outgrew the awesomeness of this song. The only reason why I like this is the sexy eye-make up in the PV. Hmm, maybe my own mistake.
But back in the days I liked this song. But only with watching the video. I never downloaded the audio. 6

No Man's Land
I missed song-material like this. No Man's Land is absolutely wonderful. It's the kind of unexpected song on an album and those ones are often pretty good.
8

愛を止めないで
Typical Kuu-ballad part 2. Its not really different than Brave. In fact, they sound a bit the same. Like every other ballad she has done in the past. But Kuu's ballads have done good. So I give it a 6,5

KO-SO-KO-SO
Oh such a pleasant song. Not a favourite but it's fun to listen to. But I will totally forget that this song is on the album as well.
7

Lay Down
Lay Down is that kind of music I would love to dance on in a club, but always will skip on my iPod. Must say that the music arrangement is really great to listen to, but this time; the vocals are killing it for me.
6

Love Technique
I really thought this song would make my ears bleed in full, and yes: it IS awful. But it's not too bad in the end. And I have survived it.
4

Poppin' Love Cocktail
I do not really know how I should judge this song. I do like it, but also do NOT like it. Bit so so. Let's give it another chance, but it will get a 6 now.

All for you
BEAUTIFUL! Beautiful Ending of Japonesque. I am really proud of Kumi with this song. 9



So: I do like this album, but I do not think Kumi has done something surprising. And I believe I kind of expected something 'different' with Japonesque, than that she includes every style she has ever done in one album. But I have so my favourites and Kumi has made gorgeous songs. I am proud of her. But I will not buy the album.

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by ayu_ready?

I still don't get the Kingdom hype. maybe as a person who experienced BEST~ss~ era in front of her own eyes, I can't get it. because BEST~ss~ was something, truly something. at that time. and after that Kuu period the Kingdom period seemed to dissapoint and lackluster somewhat.

Yeah, this. I became a fan right when secret was released, and after that album, the 12 singles project, and the fun and diverse Black Cherry album, Kingdom felt incredibly boring and lackluster. In fact, even though I adore Kuu, this is her first album since Black Cherry that I feel isn't half bland (most of TRICK sounds like Kingdom leftovers, UNIVERSE sounds really dated and incoherent, and Dejavu feels like a real album but has a lot of forgettable songs).

[KLJames]

New thread in less than a week and now already reach page 23 ?? *gosh*

[Ayu_Love]

The ViVi shoot looks so gorgeous. I always love how ViVi gives her shoots that actually make her look her age. The only criticism that I have developed for kuu recently (or maybe just her stylist) is that they style her to make her look a lot older than she is, I find. Or is it just me? It might just be me. I think it's mostly ballads I find it is.

[freedreamer]

Originally Posted by ayu_ready?

I still don't get the Kingdom hype. maybe as a person who experienced BEST~ss~ era in front of her own eyes, I can't get it. because BEST~ss~ was something, truly something. at that time. and after that Kuu period the Kingdom period seemed to dissapoint and lackluster somewhat.

same here. i was VERY hyped when it was announced and omg so many PVs but truly, i was so disappointed. it was the only album i didnt buy since becoming a fan. for me it wasnt so much of the BEST ~ss~ influence but..the songs lacked something that hooked me.
JAPONESQUE is definitely an upgraded Koda Kumi over the years. She clearly knows what she has done and has took it to a new level. so proud of her

[kumiko.koda]

where can I find an almost complete magazine scan gallery of kuu ?

without registering if possible

[setsuka]

I don't get Kingdom's love, that era was a hot mess
The album was blah and the tour was boring, I like Universe and Dejavu wayyy more

[waterballoon]

can anyone gimme the link to the Baidu download? I'm at SHanghai now and all Mediafire etc links don't work at all

[Yumsushi]

I never liked Kingdom. I really tried to like it because I absolutely LOVED Under but I just couldn't get into it. Dejavu was an equal disappointment so I got Gossip Candy instead. Universe had more songs I absolutely loved but had alot of filler songs I never listen to. So for me Japonesque is a definite improvement over Dejavu. The album is more cohesive and the only song I absolutely couldn't listen to out of the new album material was actually All for you. It sounded weak. A poor way to end the album.

Originally Posted by kaled kalil

I'm not impressed with ESCALATE and Lay Down, they are basic dance tracks... ESCALATE dont even have a break. They are cool but nothing awesome. I was more excited listen Love Technique than ESCALATE and Lay Down. lol

Yeah Escalate sounded like it was trying to be Ecstasy but didn't really go anywhere. Lay down was ok but it made me laugh because I was trying to figure out what she was saying; "lay down lay down and rabid down a wall"? I think both songs would have benefited from some additional production or remixing. I found the the moans in So Nice and the chorus in Boom boom boys distracting from what could've been awesome songs. I liked Love Technique and Everyday even though they were the 'cute' songs on the album. Slow was really pleasant. In the air and Love me back are still the best songs on the album.

I only need to wait for the OS version to come out so I can buy it.

[wildconnetta]

@waterballoon:
http://115.com/file/dpxh8al2
PW: 開始打雷_yee1014707_JAPONESQUE