I’m glad YUI is managing to be active again after that long break caused by the DVD release. I hope she at least got to rest a bit during that time. Sony seems to be nicer to their talent than avex, so hopefully she doesn’t even need it that terribly. Anyway, I believe this is YUI’s first digital single, and I’m proud to review it on this site. Without further ado, YUI’s ‘Laugh away.’

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Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Laugh away is exactly what I was looking for from YUI. A complete return to her older, more down-to-earth style. The song opens with classic YUI acoustic chords and a fantastic melody. This song isn’t quite identical to her past works in that it’s very happy. Most of her previous songs had a very solemn or important message to them. This song also has an important message, but a happier one that can be conveyed in a more upbeat nature. And you know what? In the PV, she SMILES. I mean like, her mouth opens. And there’s something that resembles happiness. Recorded. On video. One of YUI’s best PVs in a long while. Not that she’s never happy, she just never seems to smile. Another thing to like/find funny about YUI. Anyway, to the actual song. There are still hints of YUI’s recent stylings (violin, electric backing guitar), but it is so absolutely refreshing all the same. The verses are pretty laid back, but definitely faster than most of her post-2nd album singles. The chorus is an explosion of joy not seen from YUI in her current era. I love the way she sings this one because of the previously unheard power she puts behind her notes. Even though I love YUI, she’s not an incredible vocalist. She’s good, but she’s not groundbreaking. And you know what? That’s okay! Even though she doesn’t have vibrato or any technique really, she manages to create great music. This song is a great example of perfect YUI-esque composition. The verses and chorus contrast but both convey the same idea, which is hard to do for people who weren’t professionally trained to do so. I’m really impressed with this track, and I’ve already listened to it like let’s see… Ha, 148 times. You should all go buy this single, I know I will. It’s going to be like two bucks, and it’s totally worth it. I am going to sing this every time I go to karaoke for sure. Hands down YUI’s best single of her current era. Not a question in my mind.

Vocal Performance Grade: A+ — Musical Performance Grade: A+ — Composition Grade: A+

Overall Grade: A+

SINGLE GRADE: A+

After a string of wondrous singles, ayaka is back again with a double A-side. It’s apparent that there’s (instead of an album) a single release coming by the name of Okaeri, which seems odd considering that she already has four A-Sides for her coming album… Well, whatever I guess. At least we have new material. Here’s ayaka’s latest release ‘Te wo Tsunagou/Ai wo Utaou‘.

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I personally have loved Te wo Tsunagou since the moment I first heard it. It begins with gentle and unoppresive acoustic guitar which creates a very solemn yet hopeful atmosphere. The acoustics are soon joined by violin, but remain rather calm for most of the song. As we reach the last third, a gradually appearing percussion track and more powerful instrumentation comes into play, which I enjoyed because it gave the song a lot of progression and evolution. I can’t understand what it is about this song that people don’t like. The composition is very attractive in the way that builds on it’s self constantly, rather than the verses and chorus’ all being the same. Needless to say, ayaka’s vocals are absolutely flawless (and I bet she only tried singing this once…), as expected. She manages to put both feeling and power into her vocals and it comes off gorgeously. I don’t think there are any factors working against this song. The way it all flows just makes you want to listen to it over and over, and the relaxing qualities manage to feel like so without being dreadfully boring. Yet another wonderful addition to ayaka’s discography. Her album is going to be incredible at this rate.

Vocal Performance Grade: A+ — Musical Performance Grade: A — Composition Grade: A

Overall Grade: A

Up next is a song of similar name; Ai wo Utaou.  This song is basically taking the upbeat parts of the previous and turning them into a full length song. It is probably just as if not stronger than Te wo Tsunagou. The quick guitar chords and percussion blend perfectly together, and a fantastic very ‘ayaka’ atmosphere is created. Vocally she manages to be perfect again (surprise, surprise…). The song has great composition, and every note is not only executed perfectly, but written perfectly. Whoever made this had a great vision. Ayaka’s way of singing this song is a bit tweaked, but in a good way. She adds extra breath to the end of her notes to make them more whispery and apparent. It makes the song stand apart from the previous. All in all, this song is probably a bit more interesting than the other A-Side. The addition of electric guitar and other various instruments created a nice happy atmosphere and a great song. Ayaka seems unbeatable at this point. Wonderful climax, wonderful flow, wonderful everything. I’m impressed especially by how much I like it considering I usually have a predilection to her ballads. This song has proven that ayaka can put out and wonderful upbeat song as well.

Vocal Performance Grade: A+ — Musical Performance Grade: A+ — Composition Grade: A

Overall Grade: A+

SINGLE GRADE: A