Tracklist:
1. Break your world
2. BLAZE MOMENT? Guren Jouka?
3. Tsukioku no Scarlet
4. My Dignity
5. RESETLUCK
6. Ordinary Day...
7. Ryuusei Voice
8. Eternal Wish
9. World end
10. Reason why XXX
11. Starting Again
12. Daybreaker
1. Break your world
A Chinese-themed introduction makes way for the energetic piano. Unfortunately, in contrast with the quite fast tempo, the arrangement fails to be as hard hitting, as we are greeted with generic synthy-rock anisong. Of course, nothing can save a song like her under-appreciated vocal power which shine in the dynamic chorus of the track, albeit being sometimes squeaky and having the "vocaloid syndrome" - a filtered voice that goes too far beyond its range. This track is a good album opener, but misses on the potential to be as effective as its potential allows it to.
Rating: 7
½
2. BLAZE MOMENT? Guren Jouka?
Following is a similar arrangement to Break your world, although accompanied by much, much better performance in terms of both the instrumentation and the vocals. The track opens with several nostalgic guitar riffs, unraveling into powerful and dramatic techno-rock. Unlike in the previous song, the composition isn't empty at all, and is constantly in a loop of either guitars or Sayaka's underused vibrato. Being more significant on the rock part, with less relying on occasional, weak synths, this would give a better impression of what the composers are really capable of, and as well be a very enjoyable listen, especially with the quite touching melodic sequences in spite of the fast tempo.
Rating: 10
3. Tsukioku no Scarlet
Unsurprisingly, being a game tie-in, Tsukioku no Scarlet is trancelike and very electronic, with striking similarities to most of fripSide's songs. Although I was looking forward to another techno-rock track, the arrangement can pass as usual and generic, featuring only gliding synths and and occasional bell. At least the rhythm is something constantly varying in ups and downs, following her filtered voice. Sayaka is as great as usual, but the song can't really constitute for a unique one, even if you are only looking for a simple, energetic listen.
Rating: 9
4. My Dignity
Breaking the streak of up-tempo tracks, this song follows more of a clubby and jazzy fashion, even with the guitars sometimes reappearing. If Tsukioku no Scarlet was formulaic as fripSide can get, then My Dignity surely must be as original as Perfume, with various instruments featured (even human claps), while creating a chaotic, laid back old anime meets sci-fi atmosphere. The underlying dubstep and 8-bit synths in all their creativeness can draw attention from Sayaka's voice, which doesn't really make any special artistic stunt, but does perfectly add up to the fun surrounding.
Rating: 9
5. RESETLUCK
Pure acoustics make an entrance, only for the gentle vocals to bring some electric guitars in and make this a representative American-like pop-rock song. A mid-tempo and natural arrangement are quite needed as a rest after all the techno craziness, and the listen got from this is very catchy and enjoyable. However, only a tone or two from the strings are needed to remind that it is actually anisong, but it only brings to the infectiousness. Following the surrounding, the vocals are a bit more relaxed and sung lower, and still somehow manage to have a cute texture. It would be great if Sayaka had more pop-oriented stuff in her discography like this.
Rating: 8
6. Ordinary Day...
Well, this would be like an electrified version of RESETLUCK, seeing as it has the American country spirit to it, but wit a somewhat more exotic instrumentation. The song is very slow and simple, with just piano chords and the organ (not in a Gothic fashion, mind you). Her voice is again a grace to listen to, and substitutes for a children's song, especially near the end, where it becomes even brighter and more uplifting.
Rating: 6
½
7. Ryuusei Voice
We are returned to classic anisong from the ventures into the J-pop realm with a vocal solo followed by a synthy ballad. Unfortunately, it is again very bland and unoriginal, although the better use of piano and guitars. Seeing that, her voice also seems lazy and needlessly high, opposed to her normally used deep colour. With something that is too conventional, the 5 minutes this track gives seem like a stretched time, and quite the boredom.
Rating: 5
8. Eternal Wish
A single violin sets up the ambiance just right for the classical arrangement with multiple violins and chello used in a relaxing fashion with the silent drums in the background. Sayaka's good voice colour returns here, being very serene and gentle, but refreshing at the same time with the heights she reaches. In the already complex instrumentation, a piano kicks in and gives even more substance to the march-like tempo which appears in the chorus, but the dreamy melody centerpiece takes the whole spotlight. As the song progresses, the impact is built up until guitars start playing silently and end with a peaceful revelation.
This is how you do a proper ballad.
Rating: 9
9. World end
For such a dark title, World end is an unexpectedly light, simple but upbeat track. A mandatory amount of synths, strings and piano is present, as to make a complete full-on anisong arrangement. With the relatively tame start, the song isn't as epic or astounding as some others in the album, but it can be quite effective in more subtle ways, largely thanks to the amazing vocals and traditional cadences present. The violin-heavy middle eight finishes the track with a high note from Sayaka, and wraps up another great song.
Rating: 8
10. Reason why XXX
I'm not quite sure what to classify this song in genre wise, because if you look carefully enough, anything can be found from 8-bit synths, happycore tempo, dramatic violins and rock guitars. With the colourful arrangement and creative use of most everything, the impression also varies from epic and powerful to cute and pleasing. Even that said, the main plus here is the ability to keep an incredibly tense, restless state, not letting go from the silent, impending beginning up to Sayaka's serious lamenting which is on the verge of slipping into a cheerful whistle that ends with a final guitar riff. Also, unusual melodies are bound to occur when you have to change from melancholic to sugary in a second, and that is perhaps the best hook and addiction this track has. An instant favourite on this crazy song.
Rating: 10
11. Starting Again
In the spirit with the title, an optimistic, happy song ensues. The light guitar and synths are again a feature from J-pop, but still fun, catchy and enjoyable to listen. Sayaka is again cursed here with the "vocaloid syndrome", but, fortunately, it doesn't show much even with her using her higher voice. Perhaps this was to be called "Daybreaker", as it does reflect the feeling of hope, and a new day rising in the skies.
Rating: 7
½
12. Daybreaker
The closing song is, very predictably, a ballad, but it also has the honour to be the titular track. Usual instruments for an anisong ballad appear, with a deep beginning unraveling in acoustics and her soft voice. Guitars drum on in a seemingly retro style, with the mysterious-sounding synths constantly being repeated, but even with all of these quirks, the song doesn't save itself from being cliched and tiring. As with several other pieces in this album, Sayaka Sasaki's vocals, and perhaps the lyrics, are the only thing memorable, which doesn't spell good for material that is supposed to promote the whole album.
Rating: 7
The main drawback is mostly the clear lack of originality, both for the new songs and for previous releases. Sayaka needs to build her own image and style, because she is just being spread all over the place with these different genres, but with that voice, she'll be able to do anything. Of course, not all songs were that bad, since hidden jewels are apparently easy to appear - I am still looping BLAZE MOMENT and Reason why XXX. My overall rating for this album is: 8
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