Monogatari 2 ED
Tracklist:
1. Ai wo Utae
2. Koi no Senshi
3. Uchiage Hanabi
4. Ai wo Utae -Instrumental-
1. Ai wo Utae
I had myself wondering if I played the right single, since Luna's new song is absolutely nothing like any material she has released in the past. With the uplifting rock guitar and the noticeable violin to make it all closer to usual anison, this sounds very much like something LiSA would release. However, this actually works against her vocal power, since it doesn't have the chance to shine due to the simpler melody, even with the excellent colour. Ai wo Utae could be a nice song by itself, but the attempt of merging her extremely artistic profile (Yuki Kajiura, anyone?) with somewhat cheap pop-rock is unfortunate. If she wants to do heavier stuff, it would definitely work better if she went down the path of gothic metal, like we've been able to see in her past single, than jump right into the mainstream.
I had myself wondering if I played the right single, since Luna's new song is absolutely nothing like any material she has released in the past. With the uplifting rock guitar and the noticeable violin to make it all closer to usual anison, this sounds very much like something LiSA would release. However, this actually works against her vocal power, since it doesn't have the chance to shine due to the simpler melody, even with the excellent colour. Ai wo Utae could be a nice song by itself, but the attempt of merging her extremely artistic profile (Yuki Kajiura, anyone?) with somewhat cheap pop-rock is unfortunate. If she wants to do heavier stuff, it would definitely work better if she went down the path of gothic metal, like we've been able to see in her past single, than jump right into the mainstream.
Rating: 7
2. Koi no Senshi
A quirky piano glissando opens up the next track, followed by an acoustic guitar and the cheerful hand clapping which immediately raise a red flag for something sugary and cute once again. It pretty much tries to copy the previous song, except for the simpler arrangement and only a bit more upbeat rhythm. Luna can definitely do much better, as this song made it presence only when playing, while leaving nothing memorable and noteworthy behind.
A quirky piano glissando opens up the next track, followed by an acoustic guitar and the cheerful hand clapping which immediately raise a red flag for something sugary and cute once again. It pretty much tries to copy the previous song, except for the simpler arrangement and only a bit more upbeat rhythm. Luna can definitely do much better, as this song made it presence only when playing, while leaving nothing memorable and noteworthy behind.
Rating: 4
3. Uchiage Hanabi
This would be the usual ballad which would wrap up the single, but instead of more of the same, we get something more melancholic, quiet, and the Luna Haruna we're used to. Being quite relaxing and dreamy, the piano and even some silent synths play in mid-tempo over the beautiful, touching melody, and the clear vocals, which are finally filterless. Surprisingly, the chorus provides a very catchy melody, but without utilizing any of the standard chord progressions. It appears the final song is the best one of all three, and is already making a music video on itself, being very reminiscent of autumn and falling leaves.
This would be the usual ballad which would wrap up the single, but instead of more of the same, we get something more melancholic, quiet, and the Luna Haruna we're used to. Being quite relaxing and dreamy, the piano and even some silent synths play in mid-tempo over the beautiful, touching melody, and the clear vocals, which are finally filterless. Surprisingly, the chorus provides a very catchy melody, but without utilizing any of the standard chord progressions. It appears the final song is the best one of all three, and is already making a music video on itself, being very reminiscent of autumn and falling leaves.
Rating: 9
Where did our Gothic Lolita Kajiuran go? It's not like her composers don't have the ability to make good songs anymore; it's the probable attempt to copy some of her labelmates which have succeeded with ani-rock. Well, at least they had the decency to make the cover look cheesy, as to show what's mostly inside the package. My overall rating is: 7.
The comment box doesn't bite; be careful when feeding it, though.
I hope she can settle into a style that suits her sometime soon, her releases have been all over the place. Given some of the great songs Luna's pulled off, she deserves better than this standard pop fare.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Imagine if Kalafina started doing generic music; that's about as much as it hurts to see Luna do it. ヘ(>_<ヘ)
DeleteI couldn't agree more. Overall I would say it's definitely one of the more disappointing of her singles thus far.
ReplyDeleteThe A-side of her previous single was really on the generic side as well, makes me wonder what her label is doing to her (ie. ruining her). (」ﾟヘﾟ)」
DeleteHonestly I don't get all the hate with Luna Haruna. I loved Overfly, and I (sort of) liked Sora wa Takaku Kaze wa Utau (even though over time it did start sounding boring and bland). This song, from what I hear in the anime anyway, reminds me of ClariS' Naisho no Hanashi (another song whose hate I cannot get). Luna Haruna has a bright future ahead of her, so maybe all she needs is a song that will let her stand out.
ReplyDeleteWell, you can't "get" the hate, since it's all about subjective taste. The objective truth, which I try to portray, is that her new single is, if nothing, significantly simpler, mainstream and less worked on, which, in return, badly shows on her vocal abilities suited to different musical cadences.
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