Yoko Hikasa - Owaranai Uta

HAL ED

Tracklist:

1. Owaranai Uta

2. Innocent

3. Owaranai Uta (Instrumental)

4. Innocent (Instrumental)

1. Owaranai Uta

Following the format of her previous single, Owaranai Uta is a slow song as well, starting off with a melancholic piano, but evolving into a real anison ballad. Even with it being a bit unoriginal arrangement-wise, such as the usage of usual instruments like the violin and an acoustic guitar, it isn't boring even at the full time of almost five minutes. This time, unfortunately, the melody doesn't add up and hinders Yoko's powerful vocals, but it still achieves clarity and a great colour. The chorus is the most effective place in the track, utilizing deep transitions and very rich instrumentals, stripping down to the same piano from the introduction at the end.

Rating: 8

2. Innocent

A more energetic and quirky, subdued sequence opens the following song, later on becoming something one can present as very usual anison, ie. the sped up version of Owaranai Uta. Not everything is that black, though, since it has the same relaxing and laid-back atmosphere, making it still an enjoyable listen. Some strange composing decisions are present throughout the track, and even with the violin stunts that tickle my senses, the drums are too weak in spite of the fast tempo, making the song feel superficial to the ear. Yoko's voice really has the chance to shine here, except it is occasionally filtered, although she needs no help like that in terms of vocal strength.

Rating: 7

If you want, you can look at Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai and Owaranai Uta as polar opposites; the first track in both singles is a ballad, and the second track is the more active one. The only thing stopping this single from being on the same level as the previous one is the lack of originality, but Yoko still has plenty of time to build her image, since this is only her second single as a solo artist. My overall rating is: 7 ½

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Yoko Hikasa - Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai

Shingeki no Kyoujin ED

Tracklist:

1. Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai

2. Starting line

3. Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai (Instrumental)

4. Starting line (Instrumental)

1. Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai

A quiet and subdued piano solo makes an introduction to the pretty standard anisong-ballad arrangement, but only when the track unravels it becomes very powerful and touching, perfectly rounding up the polar opposites of triumph and despair, which are featured in the series. Likewise, Yoko's voice follows the strong arrangement in the same manner, being gentle at the verses, but blooming into its full energy at the choruses, accompanied even by some electric guitars and the varied instrumentation. The opening single for Shingeki no Kyoujin is not out yet, but the ending theme is equally as satisfying, if not even more.

Rating: 9

2. Starting line

Surprisingly, the next song is actually quite upbeat and high in tempo, reminding of the signature catchy techno-rock style from the singer Mami Kawada. As a contrast, this track could as well be used as an anime OP with its strength and explosiveness. Again, the vocals are not filtered even in this kind of a heavy arrangement, which is a decision I welcome, because Yoko's voice retains the power from the first song completely.

Rating: 8

Yoko Hikasa fits in the trend with the huge number of voice actresses becoming singers, but rare are ones which have the excellent debut single like this. In only a month, her second single will be released, so this was just the right thing to get my hopes up and wait for more good music. My overall rating for this single is: 8 ½

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