StylipS - Prism Sympathy

Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya ED

Tracklist:

1. Prism Sympathy

2. Tsunagu Kizuna . Tsutsumu Kodoku

3. Brand-new Style!! ~Mahou Mitai na Show time~

4. Prism Sympathy (Inst.)

5. Tsunagu Kizuna . Tsutsumu Kodoku (Inst.)

6. Brand-new Style!! ~Mahou Mitai na Show time~ (Step Two/Inst.)

1. Prism Sympathy

Silent, synthy rotations open the first track, bursting into an upbeat, technopop idol track followed by a series of cheerful voices. As expected, besides the various electronic elements, rarely any other instrument is used in the arrangement, except perhaps the barely noticeable electric guitar. Although, no matter the instruments or the genre, everybody seems to use a dubstep breakdown somewhere in the song, even StylipS, though it's well-hidden behind the filtered unison of the vocals which barely do any soloing. Usually nothing more is expected of them, as the melody is somewhat simple and easy to perform. Hyper-kawaii isn't usually my style (well, besides Yukarin) but it's not that boring, and I can get around to listening to it more eventually.

Rating: 7

2. Tsunagu Kizuna . Tsutsumu Kodoku

More like usual anison, the piano and the violin make an introduction with a strange, off-key single note hidden in the melody. The track gains some tempo with an acoustic guitars, and several solos from different members, until the touching and catchy chorus unravels, being especially effective since it's sung in unison and dreamlike bells. I haven't really expected to hear such a song from StylipS (whom I have never heard a song from before), but it seems the classic anison element is present as well. Every verse ends with a piano chord, before everything climaxes into the effective middle eight breakdown with a rocky guitar involved. How can it be possible that this isn't a tie-in?

Rating: 8

3. Brand-new Style!! ~Mahou Mitai na Show time~

Finalizing the single, a more energetic start opens, being much more idol-like and... cheerleaderly (?) with all the bright, happy, diabetes-inducing unison of voices. Like a mix of the previous two tracks, Brand-new Style uses both light electric guitars but also recurring anison elements like the violin. With, once again, almost no solo vocal usage, every member overly aims for the perfect kawaii voice, but only ends up with too much nasal usage and a sugary, unmemorable colour. For some strange reason, which very well may be the chord progression in the chorus, this song reminds me of Minorin (but, lately, everything does).

Rating: 7

If it were any other idol-pop group, I'd probably frown at the very idea of reviewing a single of theirs, but StylipS fortunately managed a good debut here at Japanese Melodia. Of course, I am hoping for more material alike to the second track, which was my favourite. My overall rating is: 7

T.M. Revolution x Nana Mizuki - Preserved Roses

Valrave the Liberator OP

Tracklist:

1. Preserved Roses

2. Preserved Roses (T.M. Revolution Only) - Regular Edition

3. Preserved Roses (Nana Mizuki Only) - Regular Edition

4. Preserved Roses (Anime Ver.) - Limited Edition

1. Preserved Roses

Mecha anime always have, and always will have the best music for some strange reason, and Preserved Roses reaffirms the rule in a very impressive fashion. Even after numerous listens, the track feels energetic and uprising, being quite synth-heavy electronic and upbeat. Two of the strongest and most dramatic voices collaborate here, and while the title suggests that both have an equal share, the reality is that most of the time Nana is leading the main melody while T.M. Revolution just serves as harmonic background. Still, the chorus almost negates any drawbacks on both of their singing roles, as the signature vibrato dominates the short but enjoyable 3 minutes. The only flaw one might find here can be the lack of complexity for something called the greatest anime song duo, but it is modeled after the mainstream flow of J-pop which doesn't necessarily imply the lack of artistry in it.

Rating: 9 ½

2. Preserved Roses (T.M. Revolution Only) & 3. Preserved Roses (Nana Mizuki Only)

Unfortunately, instead of having each artist sing the whole song, both tracks are a bit empty since the gaps T.M. or Nana are supposed to sing are just plainly left out in one song or the other. It does not make for real listening I thought we will get, and it is still not a full instrumental (which would be nice), but I imagine it would be good for maybe... karaoke purposes? Imagine singing alongside either one of them; personally, I find Nana's part to be easier. Be free to comment your preferred version.

Rating: Unrated

Seeing as an actual web site was opened regarding the two major musicians collaborating, I won't be surprised, and actually will be very happy if they announce some future work together. The question is, can it live up to the high standards Preserved Roses set?

My overall rating for this single is: 9 ½ - RECOMMENDED

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