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

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by inthezone

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

Agreed. Though, as others have pointed out up there ^ lol, she herself apparently never actually used the word "mature" so it's a moot point really.

I dunno. I do think that the album so far sounds just like everything else she's ever put out. It's not as if there's been some noticeable shift in sound or sophistication just because she skimped on the cutesy songs or ballads this time around. Not that there's anything wrong with that or that it means the album will be bad per se, but I'm just not hearing the change personally or seeing it as a growth in maturity... Especially not with LOL on it.

Maybe I just don't see it because I never really equated her cutesy songs with being "immature." The only music I find really immature is that trite idol stuff (e.g. AKB48).

[tenshi no hane]

edit: Whatever.

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by tenshi no hane

I regret translating that interview. Learn to read, guys. The whole 'mature' thing referred to her new relaxed attitude, not to her music.

...Did you read the conversation lol? Everyone did in fact deduce that she didn't say her musical style had matured. And we went on discussing whether it was more mature or not nonetheless. No need to be so hostile.

[emi♡]

Just gonna say that people in general have really weird expectations of what "mature" is supposed to sound like when it comes to music, so, I think we should just, not use the word at all anywhere.


And yeah, LOADED's lyrics are stupid.

[toLOVE]

Originally Posted by sora-kara

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

Yes I am. To me, LOL sounds like Watchu Waitin' On & Love Technique.

I think her most mature is "feel my mind".

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by toLOVE

Yes I am. To me, LOL sounds like Watchu Waitin' On & Love Technique.

Lol! No, I love both those songs and this sounds like a condescending preteen with attitude.

[marty]

Honestly, it's since Secret that I feel Kuu isn't cohesive in her albums.
And that's fine for me.
I mean, she has this formula in her cds and it kind of works for me, so I can enjoy every album, even if they always have this one track that makes me cringe.
Usually the cutsey-poppy-totally inadequate for her track, typical example: EVERYDAY, which, like, completely ruined JAPONESQUE for me.
JAPONESQUE was on the verge of perfection, it has EVERYTHING, except for Brave, nice but generic, and Everyday. Everything else was either amazing, or made amazing but outstandingly convincing Kuu vocals. She rocked that album vocally so hard. Love Technique and Boom Boom Boys are so great especially because of the way she sang them.
Love Technique is also the proof she can be super cute, yet not sing souless pop songs. And that acoustic version of You are not alone was genius.
She has so much acoustic potential!

Bon Voyage, on the other hand, it's nothing new, but it's SUPER SOLID imo.
And it has these new, soft touches here and there. Nothing breathtaking, but very appreciable!

[sora-kara]

Originally Posted by toLOVE

Yes I am. To me, LOL sounds like Watchu Waitin' On & Love Technique.

I think her most mature is "feel my mind".

hm, interesting.
to me, neither LOL nor Winner Girls play that way. But, with a fuller track maybe what/how you're hearing could become more evident to me.

Good call on feel my mind. There is a certain maturity to that album, but it never loses energy or a sense of fun. Damn, that's such a good album. For me, it feels like her most coherent output to date.

And on the note of 'maturity' (yes, the point is over now, hahaha), to me it always meant knowing when it was ok to let loose and act like a kid.

[pimenta]

Originally Posted by Gustavopc

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

Nice! I really want to listen to the full song >_<

[toLOVE]

Originally Posted by sora-kara

hm, interesting.
to me, neither LOL nor Winner Girls play that way. But, with a fuller track maybe what/how you're hearing could become more evident to me.

Good call on feel my mind. There is a certain maturity to that album, but it never loses energy or a sense of fun. Damn, that's such a good album. For me, it feels like her most coherent output to date.

And on the note of 'maturity' (yes, the point is over now, hahaha), to me it always meant knowing when it was ok to let loose and act like a kid.

I'm still going to listen to Bon Voyage all the way through. Right now, I just think LOL & Winner Girls are cute songs.

feel my mind is awesome form start to end. Rain & magic are my favorite.

I actually don't mind if she goes from cute to rock to slut to ballad queen.

[Ayu_Love]

Originally Posted by Corvina

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.

Agreed, that is also what I read of a translated interview. And the songs on this album do seem to be a lot more hip-hop and r'n'b based direction, with less ballads and cute songs like the tradition with her albums. And as you say, less about love songs which she is known in Japan for, and showing a more cool image. Which also ties in with the album title, cause it's like shes saying 'bon voyage!' to the way she used to do things and is trying something new. (which I think is basically what shes saying).

I daresay it took a lot of courage for her to do an album built up of more songs like this (like, more western and 'go for it' attitude) than her usual cute and ballad-y songs that her fans like so much and are used to, as you can't really tell how Japanese fans will take it. But I'm really glad she has! Because I am adoring the songs so far. I'm actually looking forward to hearing more of 'Imagine' though. It might be a nice ballad or soft song to give some variety over the R'nB songs. But I do praise Kuu for trying new things, its what I love about her. And some people don't like all the English but I'm actually pleased to hear Kuu sing in English! But obviously that could just be me.

Originally Posted by Gustavopc

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

It is!

[happiholic★]

Originally Posted by 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

My only thing with the whole "doesn't drink or smoke", or the whole profile really, is that we been using for God knows how long. Are purple and green still her favorite colors? I remember reading recently that it was pink. If these facts are still from an interview profile from when she was 19, they are no longer accurate.

Anywho, haven't seen this much serious discussion in the Kuu thread in a long time.

[emi♡]

Originally Posted by Ayu_Love

It is!

lol after a long time of this thread getting perma-closed, we finally respect each other~

[clover_bali]

hahahahaha I LOVE laught out loud (LOL)
very fantastic album !!!!

can't wait! Kuu always specta-diva !!!

[Kaiouforever]

Originally Posted by Gustavopc

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

Thank you!

Haven't been keeping up to date with Kuu's singles, so I am really looking forward to hearing the whole album. The previews sound quite promising.

[tsumekaze_]

I've refrained myself from hearing the latest previews (LOL and pvs)
so I'm looking forward even more to the release of the albuuumm!

[adantatu2]

Mature doesn't mean she is going to be an enka singer

[marty]

^
...Now I want enka-Kuu!!
(Just once. To try it, lol.)

[Gustavopc]

I'd love her to go enka at least once for a EP or a cover album, like Akina Nakamori did She was amazing already singing Uta wa waga inochi, imagine a whole thing omg

[maze]

^ Sayonara no Mukougawa is also an enka song isnt it? or her cover for Ii Hi Tabidachi on FNS. her vocals are beautifully strong for these kind of songs