[Koda Kumi] The 167th Thread – 11th Album 「Bon Voyage」 + Remix Album 「Driving Hit's 6」

[Corvina]

Originally Posted by Lady~Deviance

I completely agree with you. In regard to her "mature sound" I was just merely repeating what Kumi herself described her new album as in a recent interview as she stated she wants to go toward a new mature/cool sound and image. I personally don't find anything "mature" about the album but I could care less at this point.

I'm just glad she did away with her usual crowd pleasing cutesy songs and collection of sappy ballads.

But she didn't use the word mature, she basically just said the sound of the album will be different and described it as "uplifting and cool".
Everything she said was:

'I want to show a side of Koda Kumi that no one has ever seen before'. Her sound is more polished and cool. The woman who always sings about love has now sealed off sweet love songs (aside from Koishikute). She explains: "This album overturns the image of Koda Kumi that everyone has. This album required a lot of courage."

People just assumed mature.
She probably just meant less ballads, no cute songs and so on. A more aggressive sound I guess.
It seems she wants to go further in this direction though as she also said that the new album is probably a turning point for her.

[Ningyo Hime]

Originally Posted by tenshi no hane

edit: omg LOADED's lyrics are hilarious "F for Fuzzy Navel" wtf!?

It's a type of mixed drink

I'm liking the album so far, I'm glad she didnt leave off touchdown. She usually leaves off the ones I like.

[Surreal17]

Originally Posted by Ashen Twilight

Omg she's becoming Namie with her songs. =\
Kuu has never had an album that was as consistent as JAPONESQUE. The singles were great, the album tracks were even better. People are talking about her being "more mature," but even the cuter songs like Everyday weren't sugar gumdrop explosions like that disgusting song, Melting. It's easily her best album post secret.

I do have to agree that her releases have become quite predictable, however. There is always a song like No Way. There is always a song like BUT. There is always a song like Ai wo Tomenaide. There is always a song like Super Star. I could go on forever. In that aspect, Bon Voyage has been different for the most part. I'm excited to see how it turns out.

I kinda agree with this. After Dejavu, which was a big letdown for me she really nailed JAPONESQUE. But I still love Kingdom more. It's really amazing especially with all those good album tracks.
OMG, this week I've been in a huge Kuu mood (the same with ayu!)!! I've not felt like this with her music since spring 2013.

[Minttulatte]

I can't believe this album will be out soon♥ And yeah, she's definitely going on the same path as Namie soon. I wouldn't be surprised if there will be a English song on her next album.

And U KNOW, judged by the lyrics, will sound like I Don't Love You !?? on Dejavu. That song will not be a ballad. :p

[tenshi no hane]

Originally Posted by Ningyo Hime

It's a type of mixed drink

Makes sense. Thanks for telling me

[Gustavopc]

Lyrics made me ansious for CRANK THA BASS and Let's show tonight hahahahaha I hope this album leaks this weekend omg

[freedreamer]

No other previews yet?

[ILoveGeniuses]

Am I The ONLY ONE that ADORES Dejavu through & through? TBH, I ♥♥♥♥♥ even her cute songs. Songs like Koi no Mahou & Melting I find very fun. I'm just not always fond of the PVs or how she performs em all the time. I do admit I love SUPERSTAR right up to the end when she she just flat speaks "I just wanna be your superstar *makes kissy face sound*". I'm 28 and yet I still admit I have this bit of a kid geek side to me, so I still enjoy a lot of it. However, like I said, I dont always enjoy the performances or PVs as I dont find every cute thing she does to be cute. I ♥♥♥♥♥ when she did the FIND KUU-CHAN thing in the Kingdom Tour. Her as the giraffe was just adorable and I had a huge smile put on my face during the end of the (i think Universe Tour) when she ran back out on stage in the Koda Kuma costume. Seems like something random I might do myself.
However when she did stuff like repetitive crying as her sad miniature self during FANTASIA or had that squeaky clown during Trick Tour, those I just found flat annoying. I mute every time I watch those. Overall though, honestly watching her and even seeing the interviews and all the backstage type of stuff I've always sorta felt that if we actually knew each other we'd probably be close like sisters.

Anyways I can also say Bon Voyage is REALLY REALLY growing on me. As for LOL, I think once the full song's out it'll help towards how I feel for it. However there's also still a number of songs that havent leaked so much as a preview yet. The title CRANK THA BASS makes me instantly think of B Spears' Big Fat Bass, which makes me even more intrigued to hear it despite I'm positive they won't sound a thing alike.

[Minttulatte]

^You're not the only one who stans for Dejavu. It's my #2 favorite all time Kuu album. Seriously. That album made me so obsessed with her music again♥ All songs on the album are just flawless~

[pimenta]

Originally Posted by do it again

so much english :I

After Namie I don't even care anymore, as long as she refrain from doing an album with most of the songs fully in English I'm ok lol

Originally Posted by Ashen Twilight

And honestly, I'm surprised to see people change their views on JAPONESQUE. It was so highly praised when it was released, and was continually praised for a long while afterwards. I still listen to it every few days, which is huge for me. What exactly do people not like about it, or what changed your views? Kuu has never had an album that was as consistent as JAPONESQUE. The singles were great, the album tracks were even better. People are talking about her being "more mature," but even the cuter songs like Everyday weren't sugar gumdrop explosions like that disgusting song, Melting. It's easily her best album post secret.

Sorry, but I highly disagree with that, for me it's not even as close as consistent as UNIVERSE, for example... In my case I keep thinking what I did when JAPONESQUE was released: good, but she has better. I can't explain exactly why, I mean, I like all the songs on that album, but most of the album tracks lack something imo, that 'something' that makes me completely adore them and want to listen to them all the time. I still think it's a very good album, but definitely not her best.

But, oh well, that's the beauty of different opinions, at least we know that for any album she releases there'll always be people who will love it to death

As for the "mature" sound, I think Bon Voyage is turning to be one of her least mature albums to date, but I'm not complaining, I'm liking it

[kumis]

Originally Posted by Lady~Deviance

I will never understand the hype behind "Japonesque". It came across as a "Kingdom 2.0"/watered down compilation album.

Overall "Japonesque" represented Kumi "closing the door" to that part of her career and "Bon Voyage" seems like a transitioning album of her mature sound if anything. I guarantee her next studio album will be more refined and please a wider audience.

And a few of those temperamental and pretentious Kuu fans over at JPC need to get off their high horses and stop being so condescending towards their own members and the members here as well. It's so childish. If people don't like what they hear so far from Kuu's new album then let it be. No crime was committed and It's just music for pete's sake. The opinions of others shouldn't deter you from enjoying anything in life.

lol what? you think these twerk anthems she's making for this album are any more mature than her earlier work?

[kaled kalil]

I don't know how people are not understanding the "mature" that everyone is talking about. Its not about the lyrics... Its not like she is trying to be deep about life or saying how we could save the earth.
The album is shaping up to be more upbeat, and with less ballads and cute songs. It shows more of the "Koda Kumi" style, which is more mature and cool , than the "Kuu-chan" that we see during subs like Everyday/Koi no Tsubomi.
And it's not even a fact yet, since we haven't listen the whole album.

[ILoveGeniuses]

Bit random I know, but I did this as my Facebook Cover.

[toLOVE]

If LOL and Winner Gurls isn't a cute song, then what is it?

[sora-kara]

^Are you saying that LOL and Winner Girls are cute tracks?

[ExodusUK]

Namie's impact..these English lyrics..

I take a problem with the lyrics of LOADED...Kuu doesn't even drink herself, right? So why is she promoting reckless binge drinking to her fans ugh

[Surreal17]

Originally Posted by pimenta

..at least we know that for any album she releases there'll always be people who will love it to death

I completely agree with this. It's nice to know

Omg, when will this album leak????

[Gustavopc]

1min long CM of Bon Voyage, features a new part of LOL: http://youtube.com/watch?v=UcPFI4_q3IQ

oat I am loving the discussion here about Kuu's albums and style, people have different opinion but there is no one offending anyone, it is actually nice to read it hahahaha

[inthezone]

Kingdom is WAY more mature than this, Black Cherry too.

[Darkifrit]

LOL brings me lot of interest for Bon Voyage.
Really great track and the PV is cool.

JAPONESQUE is a really nice album.
It's true the middle of the album is a bit annoying but the beginning and (especially) the end of the album are amazing.
PVs were nice, as well as the package and the cover.
I agree with the person who gave comparison between JAPONESQUE, Kingdom & BEST ~second session~.

Edit : Nevermind, comparison was made on JPC, not in here loool