[Koda Kumi] The 166th Thread – 11th Album 「Bon Voyage」 (02/26) + LIVE TOUR 2014

[Lady~Deviance]

"SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA" has to grow on me. It sounds like a hodgepodge of Daichi Miura's "GO FOR IT" and other songs. The first verse and bridge grabbed me (built up nicely) but the chorus fell extremely flat as well as the rest of the song. I'll probably enjoy it more in HQ.

Oh well, it sounds more interesting than anything else she's released this era single wise.

[ayu_ready?]

it sounds awesome I love it!

[ILoveGeniuses]

Originally Posted by Isicio

ebayPosters

Not horizontal, Namie got horizontal one from Feel album

Seen those all. Trying to find one that horizontal AND lacks much of any text. Its something Im working on as a project for my room. Giving it a 'professional' look. ♥♥♥♥♥

Thanks anyways. ♥♥♥♥♥

[Isicio]

you're welcome

[marty]

Originally Posted by Polyrhythm

Hamasaki obaasan needs to find whoever's doing Kumi's increasingly flawless, classy covers and shove mass money up his/her ass...and probably buy out her producers too cause lol....lets be honest here.........

THIS SO MUCH.
And can I ask why people think TOUCHDOWN is unfinished? I do not understand anything apart from how flawlessly badass it is.

[Minttulatte]

TOUCH DOWN unfinished? Lol. : DD That song is flawless as it is! :')

[do it again]

i'm super into HOLLA and the covers are crazemazing.

[Gustavopc]

I love TOUCH DOWN but I do understand the "unpolished" feeling towards it. I pray it gets an amazing remix on DH6.

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by marty

THIS SO MUCH.
And can I ask why people think TOUCHDOWN is unfinished? I do not understand anything apart from how flawlessly badass it is.

It doesn't have a very exciting progression. It's the same mood and feeling the entire song through. No epic breaking point from verse to chorus. Very bland to me. It's just sooooo flat.

I would love for it to get a good remix as the arrangement is what is really lacking. Driving Hit's made masterpieces out of songs I thought were utter shit, like Heat, Bling Bling Bling, Poppin Love Cocktail, KOSOKOSOKO, and vastly improved on songs like Hey Baby!, Slow, Hot Stuff and Teaser.

[ILoveGeniuses]

^I ADORE the originals of ALL those songs. O_O

[orangeakira]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

It doesn't have a very exciting progression. It's the same mood and feeling the entire song through. No epic breaking point from verse to chorus. Very bland to me. It's just sooooo flat.

I don't think that's the same thing as "unfinished". When I think of "unfinished" I think of a demo, or a low quality recording still in the "working out the lyrics to the chorus" stage. Also it's originally JoJo's song so I'm not going to give Kumi the blame.

However, that aside, I definitely agree that it's kinda boring. I felt the same way with physical thing. The instrumental literally just sounds like the same 20 seconds looped for 3 minutes. If they threw in more sounds into the background it would sound more dynamic and built up to an awesome song.

[Isicio]

The best thing in summer trip is IS THIS TRAP? Touchdown is good but LALALALALA sounds just terrible like poppin love cocktail. I have the single & the cover is just her best with 4 time but 4 the rest is burn the money.

[tenshi no hane]

I translated her latest ViVi interview (scans here). It's quite interesting~

ViVi 2014-03 Interview Translation:

Spoiler:

Bon Voyage
Koda Kumi
Time to go on a new voyage

Although she is as sweet as always, Kuu-chan is now clad in the aura of an "adult woman". Feeling a change inside herself both as an artist and as a woman, she now aims towards a "new place".

It's been nearly 2 years. Kuu-chan will release her first original album 'Bon Voyage' since her return. When we asked the reason behind the album's title (which means 'starting on a journey'), she answered: "I think this album will become a turning point for me."

Laughter and tears – the things I have experienced so far allow me to go on a new voyage.

"14 years have passed since my debut. I was running like crazy the entire time. But recently I was finally able to stand still and take a look at my surroundings. And, when I faced myself, I felt that I have really experienced many things. While plunging forward towards one goal, I have met many new people and I have also lost many people in order to move forward. I have experienced countless fun things and I have also experienced a great amount of hardship… In the past, I often felt this complicated life of mine was hard. But now I feel lucky. When I first debuted, the backpack on my back was still empty. But my hardships have filled my backpack with "experience". Thanks to this, the backpack I carry right now is completely full. I've finished preparing for my journey. I recognize and accept the me who has worked like crazy until now, and I will now step into a new world confidently. That's how I feel right now."

She wants to journey to a new world. Having been separated from her music for a period of time played a big role in this desire.

"Until now, I had only been taking things out of my 'drawer' and it was nearly empty. But now I've had the time to put new impulses into my drawer. Thoughts such as 'I want to do this kind of thing' and 'I want to sing these kinds of songs' came welling up."

It was terrifying to overturn my image but I feel proud and I know I wasn't wrong.

The album is filled with new challenges, born out of the thought: '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."

"But thanks to this change I am able to sing about a broader 'love'. This means some people might say that I have changed, but, to the current me, that is a good thing. My twenties was a period of trial and error. Having challenged many different things, I was able to discover the 'answer' and place it in my backpack. That's why I am not afraid of change. I am confident that my choice is right."

I've gotten room to breathe. I think I am now confident that I can be myself.

Calmly choosing her words, voicing her quiet determination… Kuu-chan exudes a mature aura as she answers our questions.

"I think I have gotten room to breathe. In a good sense. I stopped trying too hard. I've become able to relax."

When we asked her how we could feel like that too, she answered: "I think you need to have 'something' that you know will always be there."

"For example, it can be your work, your hobbies, love -- anything is fine. But you need the confidence that 'this is something I won't lose to anyone in'. Of course you can't gain this confidence without effort. I think people can change when they accept and recognize their past self."

When we asked whether her family also played an important role in this, she smiled and said: "That might be so."

"I think, in the end, people can't hold on without laughter. It's definitely true that the happy time I spend with my family gives me the energy to move forward. This album is an energetic, uplifting work, so please listen to it when you feel down. I'd be happy if many people will listen to it and hear the new me."

New album 'Bon Voyage'
Release date: 2/26
Her latest original album in the 2 years is a compilation of the various things she wanted to do. When asked to describe the album in one word, she answered "Cool!!" She has transformed into a cool adult. Be ready to hear a new Koda Kumi on this album.

She tends to say "please look forward to a new Koda Kumi" every time, but I'm really looking forward to what she has in store for us.

[kaled kalil]

Thanks tenshi, that was a cool interview! I feel this "new Kumi" thing is the way the album is, without many ballads e cute songs, like Amuro's FEEL.

[Corvina]

Great interview! Just love the metaphors she uses.
And I can totally feel the "new" Kumi for a while now, JAPONESQUE showed that already imo. Energetic songs, softer songs with messages beyond the standard love theme, less (cheesy) ballads, more confidence. I mean, just watch JAPONESQUE TOUR!!
She found her place in life with her family and finally accepted her past. I'm so happy for her. And proud!

[Gustavopc]

Thanks a lot for the translation! I also feel already this emphasis on her cool side, as we already didn't have a cute section on JAPONESQUE Tour and not even a cute song on Summer Trip. Pretty sure this album will be full of fun songs, if I was already ansious for it then now I'm crazy for it omg

[ILoveGeniuses]

Great interview. ♥♥♥♥♥ It's been impossible to miss the changes in Kuu's music and ways of doing things lately. She's really blssomed into a true mature woman and it's making me all the more excited to see and experience this next road of life she's heading down. ♥♥♥♥♥

Also while I never missed the cute section not being present in the Japonesque Tour I did feel it lacked in certain other things. I felt like it was rushed a tad and certain things felt out of place. I'm hoping the Bon Voyage Tour will be her best one yet.

[marty]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

It doesn't have a very exciting progression. It's the same mood and feeling the entire song through. No epic breaking point from verse to chorus. Very bland to me. It's just sooooo flat.

I would love for it to get a good remix as the arrangement is what is really lacking. Driving Hit's made masterpieces out of songs I thought were utter shit, like Heat, Bling Bling Bling, Poppin Love Cocktail, KOSOKOSOKO, and vastly improved on songs like Hey Baby!, Slow, Hot Stuff and Teaser.

Mhhh... all of this is very true, but do you think it was done on purpose? Because that makes the difference for me: if a song has a particular trait, it's important to know if it was meant to be that way or if they were just lazy (every reference to half od LOVEagain is purely intended, lol). Imo, TOUCHDOWN is just like that for choice, it has this "lazy" and monotonous feeling, but I think they created it deliberately.
I'm really trying to understand more about the work behind a song, about mixing and composing and editing, 'cause I really want to know if something was badly done and where. Of course if you don't like a song, you just don't like and that's it! XD I digress...

Thanks a lot for translating that, tenshi no hane!
Umh... As much as I respect her for saying a lot of truths in this interview, I have to say it: it's since Black Cherry that I don't see a different Kuu. Nothing she gave us for this album till now feels "new" in my eyes...
Kuu, babe, what do you mean?
Edit: I just read some answers before mine and maybe I understand a little more, lol. I need to watch JAPONESQUE tour.

[Zeke.]

Yeah, I'm sure the song was meant to be that way but doesn't mean I enjoy it. Could be better if they fleshed it out more.

[thinkingoutloud89]

I wish she would have scrapped the singles then...because none scream "new koda kumi" to me tbqh