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

[Corvina]

Pics of the limited edition:




Credits: iamthelittleidiot@tumblr and Puranki at JPC

JAPONESQUE towels:



On sale 01/25 together with the album on mu-mo.
Kimono patterns, 100% cotton, made in Japan.
More planned to come!

Source:
http://rhythmzone.net/koda/goods/120120.html

They're so beautiful!
I guess those were the ones originally planned for the Arena Tour 2012.
Hope so much that she does a tour for JAPONESQUE 2013.

[AyuHamasaki01]

The towels are awesome~

[Corvina]

Bigger Vivi covers:





Thanks to jpopmagazine@tumblr, OshaberiMoni @twitter and kumi-flash

Love her nails!

[AyuHamasaki01]

^Thanks for sharing. She's so beautiful!

[waterballoon]

Originally Posted by wildconnetta

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

omg thank you so much

[ayu_ready?]

Originally Posted by drdolce

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

I had this feeling when I first found Honeyflash forum and there was that amazing person who scanned EVERY SINGLE with OMFG AMAZING SCANNER with amazing resolution and every week and every day I was waiting for new PV & new each single scan, and I so much wanted to see know & feel what was inside, what has she prepared? and every time the cover didn't correspond with the music, lol, it made it even more interesting!
this hype and excitement and impatient feeling!I didn't have any since then
and then that 4 hot wave and MAROC OH MY GOD

this is my Koda Kuu I adore and why I love her. she doesn't give up, and she keeps the interest! I hate comparing artists, but Ayu doesn't keep the crowd interested anyhow now, she doesn't put in as much effort as she used to, but she has a right, 10 years, you know. but Kuu is also 10 years. I feel like I see Kuu developing and Ayu stagnating, especially with FIVE. JAPONESQUE might not be the best music out there & stuff, but at least she tries to be fashionable and make some dance music.

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

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).

I was shocked to see after BUT/Aishou (it was perfect) to see FREAKY which was rocking but her hair & new sporty/baggy style I was like

Originally Posted by freedreamer

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

THIS

Originally Posted by 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

mee too, I like UNIVERSE/Deja vu more. the tour though, was that bad because of scandal. but we must not forget Kingdom could have outsould Ayu the first time in the entire Kuuchan career if it hadn't been for the scandal

[Gustavopc]

Originally Posted by Benikari47

hahaha, don't get mad at me The song just not evolves enough for me. While VIP is a big mess, Lay Down was too predictable. But it'll surely will grow to a favorite of mines, like BE MY BABY, which I found totally forgetable at the beginning.

I do love Kingdom, it has a good mix of styles, even though the album PVs are cheap and plain. And the tour was not that awesome also, but the shoot is breath-taking, and adding a full version of INTRODUCTION on it just made me love it even more

Probably Kuu will still have a JAPONESE insipired concert, it can be her live comeback or maybe a 2013 tour, but I'm sure that will get at least a good part of it, like ayu did with HOTEL Love songs.

[MissElin_]

Originally Posted by Corvina

Pics of the limited edition:




Credits: iamthelittleidiot@tumblr and Puranki at JPC

JAPONESQUE towels:



On sale 01/25 together with the album on mu-mo.
Kimono patterns, 100% cotton, made in Japan.
More planned to come!

Source:
http://rhythmzone.net/koda/goods/120120.html

They're so beautiful!
I guess those were the ones originally planned for the Arena Tour 2012.
Hope so much that she does a tour for JAPONESQUE 2013.

OMG totally awesome. That red towel is 100% love!!

I hope you're right. Since I'm moving back to Tokyo soon I hope I can get to see JAPONESQUE live in 2013!

[Maemi]

Is there a link where I can watch all the PVs online?

[Twinkle !]

Originally Posted by isthisLOL?

You're an idiot.
I say it because I thought this album sucked and was horrible compared to Kingdom and TRICK. If I hated Kuu oh so much I wouldn't even give her chances anymore by listening to her albums and watching her tours at all, I like(much, much moreso a few years ago) her, what I hate are her "she's so perfect and unique and better than anyone else!!!" stans when she's probably the most musically boring and formular out of the big Japanese pop girls of the moment(Ayumi, Utada, Namie, Kuu...)
She's the Japanese Britney: a succesful singer that knows how to use sex for sales, to create catchy pop and is fun to watch and listen to. I like Britney. I like Koda. I just do not like what she has done lately at all.

And you really think I love everything Ayu craps out? LOVEppears is a horrible album, Sunrise/Sunset is a really, really bad single and blossom should have never gotten that ****** PV. Just to name a few things.
Oh and I can't STAND Fly High, it's one of my most hated songs in the world.
And her habit of lipsynching and then pretending she never did it? Doesn't really make me respect her more, I only accept it because she had good reason for it and stopped lipping(unlike Koda who recently started...FANTASIA anyone?)

Anyways, I've had Slow on repeat for like an hour now, it grew from the one song I like to the one song I really, really like on the album.

Dude please , she's the queen here and her music is the BEST EVER in this thread keep your hate opinion in your pocket , people has opinions here and we see she makes great music and material , and making your weird opinion about Ayu here didn't make us any happier because we don't care about other artists in here but K U M I !

btw if you really want to express your feelings about her "AMAZING" album you can say it nicely as some members here said .

thank you

Well i can't wait for her album to arrive

[kumiko.koda]

Originally Posted by Corvina

Pics of the limited edition:




Credits: iamthelittleidiot@tumblr and Puranki at JPC

I really hope to get those versions of Japonesque

[Bad Wolf]

Glad to see a lot of you are giving JAPONESQUE high ranks and praise. The one new question I have is just what the heck it has to do with a Japanese aesthetic XD I guess it's meant to mean that they're just vas varied and creative as anything else. I'm holding off on listening to it, though I may play it in a little while... I need to be in a certain mood for Kuu :3

You're an idiot.
I say it because I thought this album sucked and was horrible compared to Kingdom and TRICK. If I hated Kuu oh so much I wouldn't even give her chances anymore by listening to her albums and watching her tours at all, I like(much, much moreso a few years ago) her, what I hate are her "she's so perfect and unique and better than anyone else!!!" stans when she's probably the most musically boring and formular out of the big Japanese pop girls of the moment(Ayumi, Utada, Namie, Kuu...)
She's the Japanese Britney: a succesful singer that knows how to use sex for sales, to create catchy pop and is fun to watch and listen to. I like Britney. I like Koda. I just do not like what she has done lately at all.

And you really think I love everything Ayu craps out? LOVEppears is a horrible album, Sunrise/Sunset is a really, really bad single and blossom should have never gotten that ****** PV. Just to name a few things.
Oh and I can't STAND Fly High, it's one of my most hated songs in the world.
And her habit of lipsynching and then pretending she never did it? Doesn't really make me respect her more, I only accept it because she had good reason for it and stopped lipping(unlike Koda who recently started...FANTASIA anyone?)

Anyways, I've had Slow on repeat for like an hour now, it grew from the one song I like to the one song I really, really like on the album.

Hmm the only thing I can agree with in this post is how frustrating the really enthusiastic fans can be. But there's people like that everywhere, and it sucks balls that they're going to go after a person who expresses dislike for things that they like, but it also depends on the tone of the person giving a negative critique.

idk I think people can be too sensitive sometimes.

[Ayu_Love]

Originally Posted by kumiko.koda

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

without registering if possible

The only one I know that is still up is at http://kumiloves.free.fr/
You do have to register though unfortunately, but it only takes two seconds and it's really worth it. They have all the Kuu picture's under the sun, and usually in good quality. It's the only place I know where you can get any picture you need of kuu.

Also, I can't stop lolling at Lay Down. The Engrish..it sounds like she's saying rape I swear, LOL.

(8) Take you, rape you, raape come on! (8) (8) Take you, rape you, and you're gonna love it! (8)

OH MY. I really hope those aren't the lyrics.

And to be honest, I don't think it's about whether you dislike an album or not. If someone thinks JAPONESQUE is a bad album, I do not mind, it's your own opinion and your own tastes. But it's all about how you say and express that. If you maturely say/explain that you dislike the album, and the reasons why just like people give reasons why they like it, that's fine. You can't bash someone for not liking something. But if you express in a very negative way and criticize the artist quite harshly, then yes fans are going to react. I think there's a line between criticising, which is fine, and then just being overly negative when it is not needed, to the point of being rude. But at the end of the day, as long as nobody is being out of order, I think we should be open to all opinions, as long as they expressed respectively of what thread you are in. ex. You wouldn't go into an AKB48 and bash them, just because you don't like them. If you go to an AKB48 thread and act very negative and harsh, than fans will react. Just because you dislike something, doesn't mean you have to always actively go and express how much you dislike it in such a harsh way. As long as you take respectively of the thread your in I don't see why there should be a problem?

[kumiko.koda]

Originally Posted by Ayu_Love

The only one I know that is still up is at http://kumiloves.free.fr/
You do have to register though unfortunately, but it only takes two seconds and it's really worth it. They have all the Kuu picture's under the sun, and usually in good quality. It's the only place I know where you can get any picture you need of kuu.

thank you

[Bad Wolf]

Originally Posted by tenshi no hane

It's nice to see that about 99% of the people here love JAPONESQUE

JAPONESQUE is now my favorite Kumi album


Anyway, I found Brave's lyrics so here's my translation:

Brave (translation)

Spoiler:

Brave

I’m spending my days
With a smile on my face as always
But I haven’t been able
To forget you even once

You’re smiling inside my heart even now

I hope I will run into you again
In my next life
Everlasting love, unshakable dreams
I love you more than anyone else
No matter how much time passes

“I’ll move on”
I talked big, but I’m stuck...
How much longer
Until I can accept a world without you?

I wanted to become the person dearest to you

Do you wish to run into me
And fall in love with me again in your next life?
Are you thinking of me?
Tell me one more time:
“There’s no turning back. We’ve begun.”

I realize that I have to live
Without you...
But I still love you today too
Because I continue to wish
That we’ll get back together someday

You gave me the strength to love
And the courage to start on my journey
But I can’t do this alone. It’s impossible alone
I’m not strong enough. I’m too weak
I wanted you to stay with me

I wanted you to stay with me

Brave (kanji)

Spoiler:

いつものように　笑いながら
毎日　過ごしているけど
あなたの事を　忘れられる事は
一度も出来なかった

私の中にいるあなたは
今でも笑顔で溢れてる

生まれ変わっても　もう一度あなたと
巡り会いたいと願うわ
変わらない愛を　揺るぎない夢を・・・
誰よりも強く　愛してるから
どんなに時　流れても

前へ進むと　大きな事
言ってたけれど　無力で・・・
あなたのいない現実を　受け止めるまで
後どのくらい？

誰よりもあなたの大切な
人になりたかったんだ

生まれ変わっても　もう一度私と
巡り会って　愛したいと
願ってくれますか？　想ってくれますか？
もう一度言ってよ
「後戻りはできない　ふたりは始まったんだ」と

本当は気付いている
あなた無しじゃ
生きていけないことを・・・
それでもいつかと願うから
今日もあなた想い続ける

愛する強さも　旅立つ勇気も
あなたがくれたものだけど
一人じゃできない　一人じゃ無理なの
強くないから、弱虫だから
そばにいて欲しかったの

そばにいて欲しかった

Gorrrrgeous lyrics

[krauterol]

Originally Posted by Ayu_Love

And to be honest, I don't think it's about whether you dislike an album or not. If someone thinks JAPONESQUE is a bad album, I do not mind, it's your own opinion and your own tastes. But it's all about how you say and express that. If you maturely say/explain that you dislike the album, and the reasons why just like people give reasons why they like it, that's fine. You can't bash someone for not liking something. But if you express in a very negative way and criticize the artist quite harshly, then yes fans are going to react. I think there's a line between criticising, which is fine, and then just being overly negative when it is not needed, to the point of being rude. But at the end of the day, as long as nobody is being out of order, I think we should be open to all opinions, as long as they expressed respectively of what thread you are in. ex. You wouldn't go into an AKB48 and bash them, just because you don't like them. If you go to an AKB48 thread and act very negative and harsh, than fans will react. Just because you dislike something, doesn't mean you have to always actively go and express how much you dislike it in such a harsh way. As long as you take respectively of the thread your in I don't see why there should be a problem?

THIS!

I think most of us love JAPONESQUE because is an album that flows easily, it's nice to listen to (even with 19 tracks), and yes, maybe it's not innovative or something, but it's so good and catchy as a whole. It won't make history, but hell, there's something that makes this a very special album. that's the general feeling I get after some listenings. I'm really in love with this album. But I can understand too if some people found this extremely comercial and not a innovation on her career. 'Cause it's true too. For me, it's like the best kuu did in this 10 years packed together with a new twist, but with the same formula. For me it's enough since I like this formula, and I've been 4 years getting too much deceptions from her (Dejavu, Trick, Universe in general) and waiting something like this. Even Black Cherry, which was a megahit, I found it soft and boring (just the singles are good).
So I think some of u should open your vision about music, and also learn to say your opinion in another way, because music is just a matter of taste, and your opinion about a song or an album it's not about anything else than FEELINGS. We all should respect that.

[Bad Wolf]

Okay I caved and I'm listening to it now :3

Spoiler:

Introduction~JAPONESQUE~: Pretty, gorgeous, etc. I always really liked Kuu's intros. I'm glad she's kept them around. -- 5/5

So Nice: Wish it were longer! But it's quite sexy, snazzy -- Mr. Blistah's part made me chuckle for a bit. I just like Kuu's voice in this one and almost wish it were just her. He does add a nice touch, though. -- 4.5/5

Boom Boom Boys: I like the mix of pop, rock and distorted vocals here. It makes the song sound tough, which is something I've come to expect from Kuu, tbh. She suits the songs that make her sound snarky and slightly attitude-ish. I think this is why I don't like her cutesy genki pop. I like Kuu with a bit of fight in her, and this song definitely has it. -- 5/5

V.I.P feat T-Pain: Went into this with a lot of hesitation considering how all of you have been reacting to it lmao. I've actually only heard T-Pain once before in my life, and that was in The Lonely Island song I'm On A Boat. Anyway. I like how the song starts, I like Kuu's vocal acrobatics. I like the beat. I like the little Atari noises. If I drove I would roam around blasting this song just to bother people XD T-Pain takes a bit to show up in the song. It really feels like they just slapped him on last minute, but I'm not really upset by it. His voice sounds really harsh compared to how sleek the song is otherwise. And lmao I love how he basically just has a cameo of what, four lines, in this? "ARIGATOU, I'M OUT!" haha seriously, it's like he just phoned it in. For some reason that makes me like the song so much more. -- 5/5

Slow feat. Omarion: I have no idea who Omarion is, but that's because he's not really in my musical interest.. sphere thing. I was expecting this song to be a ballad because of the title but I like how it's a weird dance-y love anthem. Kuu pulls off those nicely, too. They're doing a lot of cool alterations to her vocals in this album so far, making her sound like a little robot. It's really cool experimentation, IMO. This makes me think of a faster version of No way which is my favourite Kuu song of all ******* time afjdklsafjlsdkfsa. I really like Omarion's part, too. The lyrics are silly but they're so sweet. For some reason this song is giving me chills lol. No idea why. -- 5/5

Brave: Usually Kuu's ballads -- the lacklustre ones I mean -- start off with that same little chimey noise, so it was a surprise to hear piano notes instead. The album has been so much fun and upbeat so far that this song is making me impatient XD But the lyrics are beautiful so it's hard for me to lose interest... It's a wistful song and it reminds me of someone I love so much, but from whom I'm separated So... it's a reminder, both good and bad, of my love for him and how much respect I have for his work. It also reminds me of of 1000の言葉, which definitely isn't a bad thing. Still, the song isn't really doing it for me. -- 3/5

Everyday: In the beginning I was like: oh jesus christ no jfdsklafds >< definitely do not like this song lol. Sorry it's just... well okay it isn't as cavity-inducing sugary sweetness as some of her other songs, so I guess I can deal with it. The beat makes it nice along with her deeper vocals (no cutesy voice, I mean). It's sort of a midtempo genki song, so that's a surprise. It reminds me of Persona 4 and the camaraderie you had with your friends and comrades. Not really my thing but as the song played on I found myself smiling :3 It just has that effect on you. -- 4/5

IN THE AIR: It has a breezy, fun feeling to it... I like it. Like a clear sky, so the name certainly fits for that alone. Her voice carries over it and is like a burst of energy. Again with the rock-y pop! Yay (You know I'm only just about half way through this album and I already love it more than any of her other albums. I never felt any of them were particularly "strong" -- they had solid tracks here and there, but there were always a few where I just shrugged them off. But this album is really enjoyable all the way through. I'd hate to say I'm surprised, because that implies I had no faith, but I really am surprised! It's fresh, IMO. This song embodies that kind of "freshness." I really hope it foretells the sort of things she'll do in the future...) Anyway, this song's breeziness reminds me of NEXT LEVEL, which is definitely a good thing. -- 5/5

You are not alone (Acoustic Version): lol Being a Doctor Who fan, the first thing I thought of was the Face of Boe's warning to the Tenth Doctor XD; The random English throughout the song is kinda throwing me off. I know she said "romance" or smth at one part but listening really quick, it sounded like "bromance" lol. I guess the song is supposed to be a nice pick-me-up. I think the claps, the organ, and the acoustic guitar are great but the song is just OK to me. Not bad, not good, just OK. I could listen to it when I need a smile, which I guess is just its purpose. -- 3.5/5

Interlude~JAPONESQUE~: fffuuuu so good omg <3333 -- 5/5

ESCALATE: This is another song I wish I could blast as I drive around -- it just has that feel of the sort of song you want to go around and bother people with, because it's so damn cool XD I LOVE this track. Reminds me of BUT and sweet jesus do I love that song -- 5/5

Love Me Back: I know this was a single, but I actually haven't listened to her singles leading up to this album T_T; Whoops. Anyway. Even though I don't have much to say about this song, I like it. It's simple, entertaining, funny (I love the idea that the character in the song is just like yay pretty things, gimme ). 4/5

No Mans Land: I thought I'd like this just based on the title and the brief description around it. I wish it were harder, talkin' 2 myself like, you no? Not that I'm comparing Ayu and Kuu, I just mean musically I'd like this song to be a harder hitting one for Kuu. I don't think she's ever done a really hard rock-pop song. But that's not her thing, so! When it first started I was like "baw it's generic" but then I focused on the chorus, the "break down" and I realised you know what, this song is pretty damn good. It has the potential to be really intense, so I hope that any live performances of it live up to that! -- 4/5

愛を止めないで: Okay I lied, I DID listen to this single leading up to this album and fjskldfd I love this one. Flat out. It's no あなただけが, which IMO was perfect, but it's still nice. -- 5/5

KO-SO-KO-SO: Getting such a retro vibe from the intro. A+ on that alone. Even though I don't really have much to say about the song, I like it. No complaints. Simple and enjoyable~ Still it's pretty average. Doesn't have much of a punch but it's definitely gonna get in my head. -- 4/5

Lay Down: I was hoping this would be a sexy song based on the title alone. So Nice is kind of lonely all by its sexy self. I'm getting Heartsdales vibes from this song. It'd be a cool collab with them, IMO. Kuu pulls it off nicely by herself, though. I like how the chorus has this "wave" effect, going up and down. Once again, robo-Kuu voice is lovely. It DOES sound like she's saying "rape you" though, which is just no me gusta. I can ignore that though lol -- 5/5

Love Technique: I thought this would be another unbearable cutesy song but I should know better by this point on the album lol. THE ATARI NOISES. THE SPARKLE GLITTER NOISES. I LOVE IT =D I can't wait to hear this remixed; I bet it'll be fab -- 5/5

Poppin love cocktail feat. TEEDA: lol that title. This is just... 8c Why is it on here I mean I get it, it was a single so it's kinda destined to appear here but my god, I do not like it lol I feel no guilt in leaving it on 4 TIMES. Who the **** is this TEEDA clown. I couldn't even get through the song, I just turned it off after a minute D: AND IT'S FIVE MINUTES LONG, MY GOD THAT'S UNBEARABLE -- 0/5

[b]All for you[b/] -- Whoa! Total weird sound. Not really low quality, but it's so pretty hearing it almost out of the studio like this. It's like a demo or a little "secret," that we're eavesdropping. That alone makes the sound really raw and emotional to me... there isn't much ostentatious production behind it. It's songs like this, in this style, that clutch tight at my heart. Kuu was right to do the song like this. It'll never beat walk in its beauty but I say *******, it's gorgeous. -- 239423948329048409/5

---
Overall, this album really is the best in her career so far. I don't know what she did in 2011 to get this kind of inspiration and great work from her staff but *******, it's a fantastic record. I think that Dejavu's cliched sound fits its title perfectly: recycled for the most part, with only two or three tracks that really stand out on their own to me. As a contrast, JAPONESQUE is a breath of fresh air into her discography. If I had money to spare I'd DEFINITELY buy it just to contribute to her sales but I don't think overseas amount for anything lol. It'd be nice to have for the gorgeousness of the packaging and the bonus bits you get, though!

[Minttulatte]

Okay, let's just accept that some people here adore JAPONESQUE, some can hate it as much as they want, and others can just like it. It's ok with me.

Originally Posted by ayu_ready?

I had this feeling when I first found Honeyflash forum and there was that amazing person who scanned EVERY SINGLE with OMFG AMAZING SCANNER with amazing resolution and every week and every day I was waiting for new PV & new each single scan, and I so much wanted to see know & feel what was inside, what has she prepared? and every time the cover didn't correspond with the music, lol, it made it even more interesting!
this hype and excitement and impatient feeling!I didn't have any since then
and then that 4 hot wave and MAROC OH MY GOD

I can relate to this feeling. I felt the same in 2007/2008 and 2010/2011 about her releases, too.

this is my Koda Kuu I adore and why I love her. she doesn't give up, and she keeps the interest! I hate comparing artists, but Ayu doesn't keep the crowd interested anyhow now, she doesn't put in as much effort as she used to, but she has a right, 10 years, you know. but Kuu is also 10 years. I feel like I see Kuu developing and Ayu stagnating, especially with FIVE. JAPONESQUE might not be the best music out there & stuff, but at least she tries to be fashionable and make some dance music.

THIS.

[happiholic★]

I just listened to the new album. If this album is inspired by her new hubby like Kuu said it was, she best keep him around! This is a great way to begin her new life.

[ALfromHELLSING]

Originally Posted by ayu_ready?

guys I just saw this, Music Station Live, 13th of January, did I miss smth or did she really perform?

From what I know she hasn't performed anything there, but if there's at least one min interview with Kumi I gotta download it.

Originally Posted by Corvina

Pics of the limited edition:



Credits: iamthelittleidiot@tumblr and Puranki at JPC

I don't get it, does Limited Edition come with CD only version of the album? My LE copy is in the order with Dejavu LIVE TOUR, so I won't get it soon.