[single] Hirahara Ayaka: Hoshi Tsumugi no Uta

Artist: Hirahara Ayaka
Single: 星つむぎの歌 (Hoshi Tsumugi no Uta)
Released: 2008/01/23
Label: DREAMUSIC

1. 星つむぎの歌 (Hoshi Tsumugi no Uta): This is a very beautiful song. The intro is just lovely, and I love the instrumentation. Her voice is flawless, and they way she enunciates when she sings gives the song a beautiful effect. There is a good balance between the instrumentation and her vocals, so we can really her how beautiful her voice is. The slow tempo of this song makes it very easy to listen to and enjoy.

2. 今・ここ・私 (Ima.Koko.Watashi): No matter what kind of song, Hirahara Ayaka really gives us a great performance. This song is medium paced and upbeat with some electric guitar, and her vocals are still awesome. This just goes to show her versatility with different types of music.

Rating: 8/10

I really love Hirahara Ayaka's voice. Her voice is very beautiful and I think she is very talented. I always look forward to her singles because I want to hear more of her voice! This single is very good single from her, as her vocals are flawless, the songs are beautiful, and I just really enjoy listening to them. I can't wait more new songs from her!


(image credit to we to U)

[single] SunMin: Another Wish

Artist: SunMin
Single: Another Wish
Released: 2008/01/23
Label: Victor Entertainment

1. Another Wish: This is a lovely R&B ballad. I just love SunMin's voice in this type of song, I think it's perfect for her smoky voice. I love the R&B beat of this song. It's pretty catchy, and the melody and verses flow smoothly. Her vocals are very well done here, and this song lets her display her vocal skills. This song really works well with her voice, and it's a enjoyable song to listen to.

2. Still: The second track on this single is also a ballad. This is also an R&B ballad, yet it feels different from the title track. The melody flows smoothly and really complements her voice. I love how she is able to show the range and versatility of her voice. SunMin's vocals in this song is top notch, and this song really shows how well her voice works with R&B songs.

Rating: 8/10

I love these two R&B songs that SunMin has presented for this single. She has a wonderful smoky voice, and it's just perfect for R&B ballads. These two songs are very well done, and I think they are enjoyable and catchy. SunMin is incredibly talented and has such a wonderful voice that I can't believe how underrated she is in the Japanese music industry. I think her record lable should let her release more songs!

(image credit to Asian Load)

[single] DBSK: Purple Line

Purple Line

Purple Line (SINGLE + DVD)

Artist: DBSK
Single: Purple Line
Released: 2008/01/16
Label: Avex Trax/Rhythm Zone

1. Purple Line: This is a strong R&B-styled dance song, with a strong beat and percussion background. Their vocals are done very well to fit the tone of the song. I really love the overall feel of this song. It's a song that I imagine would be played at a club, because I feel that it's a great song to get people to dance to.

Rating: 8/10

Awesome single from DBSK. Purple Line sound more like something they would release in Korea, but I love this kind of style from them. I think it sounds different than their previous Japanese releases, but I'm impressed that they are able to have different types of songs and do well in it. I don't much care for the remixes of the other two songs, but Purple Line is awesome.

(image credit to Yesasia)

[single] Yuna Ito X Celine Dion : Anata ga Iru Kagiri ~A WORLD TO BELIEVE IN~

Artist: Yuna Ito X Celine Dion
Single: あなたがいる限り (Anata ga Iru Kagiri) ～A World to Believe In～
Released: 2008/01/16
Label: Sony Records

1. あなたがいる限り (Anata ga Iru Kagiri) ～A World to Believe In～: This is the main version of the song, which is the one that is featured in the PV. It's a powerful ballad that Yuna Ito and Celine Dion really shines in. In this version, it seems less like a duet and more like a song that features Celine Dion. Celine Dion does sing about half the song, but I think that Yuna Ito really shines here, especially towards the end of the song with her strong and clear vocals. With Celine Dion backing Yuna Ito up during the chorus, the vocals are really strong and top notch, and their voices blended surprisingly well.

2. あなたがいる限り (Anata ga Iru Kagiri) ～A World to Believe In～ (U.S.A. mix): In this version of the song, the background instrumentals are not as full and prominent, so Yuna Ito and Celine Dion's vocals are the main focus here. This version may not be as grand sounding as the main version with it's full background instrumentals, but I think it does a good job at making their vocals the main focus, which is, after all, both of their strong points.

3. あなたがいる限り (Anata ga Iru Kagiri) ～A World to Believe In～ (Yuna Ito solo version): This is Yuna Ito's solo version of the song and it is all in Japanese. It includes a whole new verse and bridge. Without Celine Dion to back her up, the chorus may seem a bit weaker when compared to the two other versions, but that doesn't detract from the quality of the song. I think Yuna Ito did a great job holding up the song on her own. Her vocals are simply amazing in this version.

Rating: 10/10

I am in love with this single. Whatever my expectations were, this single went above and beyond it. This is probably one of the best collaborations I've seen with a Jpop artist. Yuna Ito has always had fabulous ballads, and this is no exception. All three version of the song are amazing, and it's very hard to pick a favorite. This was certainly a successful collaboration, and I'm glad we get to have a wonderful single from both of them.

(image credit to wikipedia)

[album] Da Mouth: Da Mouth

Artist: 大嘴巴 (Da Mouth)
Album: 大嘴巴 (Da Mouth)
Released: 2007/11/16
Label: Universal Music

1. The Starting 4: This is an upbeat introduction track that introduces the band. I think this track is a great start to the album, because it not only introduces the members of the band, but it also sets the tone for the rest of their album.

*2. Kao Guo Lai / 靠過來: This is such a great song to dance to. There is a lot of rapping in this song, but everything fits together with the awesome beat and rhythm. I liked this song at my first listen, and I still like it.

3. Get You Back: I love the beat of this song! It's a song with an RnB feel to it, and I really like the instruments that they play in the background. The lyrics to the rapping part sounds a bit silly, but otherwise, a pretty good song.

*4. Jie Guo Lie / 結果咧 Intro: An intro to the next song. I don't know why a song needs an intro, because they could have just added it to the beginning of the song. But it's pretty short, and it goes right into the song.

*5. Jie Guo Lie / 結果咧: I love this song. It may have been overplayed, but I still love it. This was one of the first songs I heard from them. It has a catchy phrase, it has a good beat, and it's just so funky and upbeat. This whole song is awesome, from the rapping, the vocals, the beat, and the melody. Even after listening to this song a million and one times, I don't think I'll get sick of it anytime soon.

6. Step On The Beat: Another song that I think follows the funky tone that Da Mouth has set for their album. At first it may not be as catchy as 結果咧 (Jie Guo Lie), but after a few listens, I've grown to like this song. There's just something about the melody that really appeals to me, and I think the rapping is done really well.

*7. Wo Yuan Yi / 我願意: This song has a smoother sound that previous tracks on their album. It's also a slower song, but I think the melody and beat of this song is awesome. I really like the instrumental in the background. I think that's what stands out in this song.

8. Wo Jiu Shi Xi Huan Ni / 我就是喜歡你: When I first heard this song, I thought it was a bit of a departure from their previous songs. It's a bit more pop-ish compared to the previous tracks, and this song really could belong on a boy band's album. My favorite part in this song is the short instrumental in the middle of this song.

9. Mr. Cool Boy: This song starts out with a loud and strong beat. It's a mostly instrumental strong save for the bit of Japanese voice-over at the beginning. I guess this is a song for the DJ Zhong Hua to shine, but too bad it's a bit short.

10. Da Zui Ba / 大嘴巴: This song has a funky beat, and the chorus is pretty catchy. Again, I really like the beat of this song, and the rapping is also pretty well done. I think the chorus the the standout of this song, but I'm also liking the intro of the song.

*11. 119: This song is one of the first songs I first heard from them. I think it may also be overplayed, like 結果咧 (Jie Guo Lie), but the reason for that is because it's so catchy. It's no doubt that the chorus will stay on your mind after listening to this song. I love the beat of this song, it's funky and very well done. I also like the vocals here. I simply can't stop listening to this song!

12. Wu Ke Qu Dai / 無可取代: This song is a nice change from all the faster and more upbeat songs. It's a slow song, and really showcases the vocals of the two main singers. My favorite part would be the last part of the song, where you can hear the two voices together.

*13. Huai Qiu / 懷秋: This is another slow song, and I think the voices of the vocalist really shine in this song. They also make use of good background melody that really complements the vocalists' voices. It's just a really nice song to listen to as well.

*Stephanie's pick for must-hear songs

Rating: 8/10

Da Mouth's first album is a very well made album. I think they've got a really good combination of funky songs that is really fitting with their image, and they've balanced it out with a few slower songs. I am very, very impressed with this album. I think they can really bring something new and different into the Taiwanese and cpop music business. However, I think that their voices are only about average, but this is something which they could improve in time. They also know how to use their voices well in their songs. Also, Aisa's Mandarin really has an accent that can be a bit hard to understand at times, but I think she has really improved on it a lot. They've really made an awesome first album.


(image credit to Yesasia)

[album] SM Town 2007 Winter: Only Love

Artist: SM Town 2007 Winter
Album: Only Love
Released: 2007/12/07
Label: SM Entertainment


1. 사랑 하나죠 (ONLY LOVE) - SM TOWN: For their title song, I expected SM Town's typical but catchy winter songs, but this was a nice surprise. I guess they wanted a change from their usually fast-paced winter songs, so they went with something with a slower pace. This is a nice song, but I have to say that it's not as catchy as their previous winter songs. However, after a few listens, I think that I've really grown to like this song.

2. 12월 27일 (On DECEMBER 27th) - BoA: I think BoA usually has awesome winter ballads, and this song is not an exception. It might not be Meri Kuri or Winter Love, but I think it's a pretty good song.

3. Evergreen - DBSK: I really like the intro of this song and I think they did a great job with the instruments that they used. They have great vocals here, but I have to say this song doesn't really stand out that much to me. It's a nice song, but I think it's easily forgettable, though it might change with a few more listens.

4. 첫눈이 와 (First Snow) - Super Junior: From the first listen, this song reminds me a bit of the typical song SM Town releases for their winter album. It's fast paced, catchy, cheerful, and has a really nice melody. However, I wished Super Junior could have done something a bit different, as I've often heard this kind of song before.

*5. We Wish You A Merry Christmas & Feliz Navidad - CSJH: One word: AWESOME. Their a cappella version of We Wish You A Merry Christmas is just fantastic. They're just so good at singing a cappella, and this song really shows their talents. Feliz Navidad is a good follow up, and their vocals are still top notch here, but to me, We Wish You A Merry Christmas really overshadows it, and I wished it was a bit longer!

*6. Winter Wonderland - Kangta: I may be biased when I say this, but Kangta can do no wrong in my eyes. I love, love, love his version of Winter Wonderland. It's a bit jazzy, and I think it really fits with his voice. I think he really did a great job with this song, and it really puts me in a good mood.

7. Love Melody - Girls' Generation: Like Super Junior's song, this song also reminds me a bit like SM Town's usual winter songs. Also, this song is very much a Girls' Generation-kind of song. I love these girls, but I would love to see them trying out something new. It's a catchy and cheerful song, but I think it's a bit too typical.

*8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Hyun Jin: This is one of my favorite Christmas song, and Hyun Jin sang it so beautifully. She has such a lovely and rich voice which is perfect for this song. I really fell in love with her voice in this song, and she should release more songs!

9. 눈꽃이 날리면 (When snow scatters…) - Choo Ka Yul: I'm not too familiar with this artist, except for the fact that he appears in SM Town compilation albums every year. I would say this a kind of easy-listening song, and I would think it appeals more to adults, but because it has this calming and relaxing feeling, this song is something that everyone can enjoy.

*10. Oh Holy Night - Zhang Liyin: Simply beautiful. She still sings in Korean with bit of a Chinese accent, but I think that's easily overlooked. I think this song is perfect for her strong and delicate voice. The chorus is just breathtaking. She really shines in this song, and I can't help but fall in love with her voice again.

*11. 유년의 크리스마스 (Christmas of Childhood) - Song Kwang Shik: This is an instrumental, and it's very fitting with the winter and Christmas season. The arrangement of this song is very lovely, and I can feel a lot of emotion from this instrumental. Sometimes you don't need words, and this song really touches my heart.

12. [Bonus Track] 여행기 (TRAVELING) - DBSK: They've released this song before, and I really like it. I like their voices here, and this song is just really nice and pretty catchy.


*Stephanie's pick for must-hear songs

Rating: 8/10

I think the songs that really stand out in this album are the traditional Christmas songs. I guess you can't go wrong with the original Christmas carols. They've really done a good job singing their own versions of the traditional Christmas songs, and I have to say those are my favorite songs on this album. I think they've done a good job in picking which song goes well with which artist. And the title song is a nice change of style from their previous albums. Overall, I think this album is worth it for the traditional Christmas songs. I can't help to keep repeating that they really, really did great job singing these original Christmas songs.

(image credit to bww2 forums)

[single] BoA: Lose Your Mind

Lose Your Mind feat. Yutaka Furukawa from Doping Panda (SINGLE + DVD)

Lose Your Mind feat. Yutaka Furukawa from Doping Panda

Artist: BoA
Single: Lose Your Mind (feat. Yutaka Furukawa from DOPING PANDA)
Released: 2007/12/1
Label: Avex Trax

1. Lose Your Mind: This is a great dance song with a strong beat and awesome guitar riffs. I'm glad to see BoA go back to her powerful dance moves with this song. Her vocals are excellent in this song as well. Some may find that the song is a bit repetitive, but I think that's what makes is catchy.

2. Smile Again: This is the B-side of this single, and it's a beautiful ballad. This song shows BoA's vocal skills in singing ballads. Sometimes I wonder why this wasn't released as the title track, as BoA has awesome winter ballads, and this would be perfect for the season. But I'm glad that this song was included, because it really is a gorgeous ballad.

Rating: 9/10

This new single from BoA is awesome in my opinion. Both of the songs are really the type of songs that show BoA at her best, and her vocals are really excellent in both of them. A hot dance song and a beautiful ballad, I think it's a great combination.

(image credit to Wikipedia)

[album] Jay Chou: On The Run

Artist: 周杰倫 (Jay Chou)
Single: 我很忙 (On The Run)
Released: 2007/11/02
Label: JVR Music


*1. 牛仔很忙 Cowboy On The Run (Niu Zai Hen Mang): Who ever thought country music and Jay Chou would ever mix? I don't normally listen to country music, but if anyone can make country music sound good, it has to be Jay Chou. It's a fast-paced song, and it reminds me of the cowboys of the west. This song has really grown on me since I first listened to it. I never thought I would enjoy a Western-country song, it's just too bad it's a bit short!

*2. 彩虹 Rainbow (Cai Hong): The acoustic guitar background at the beginning of this song is lovely. It's a very melodic song, and I really like Jay Chou's vocals here. I think he sounds a bit different; perhaps he is trying out a new method of singing, but I like it! Beautiful song.

*3. 青花瓷 Blue Vase (Qing Hua Ci): Track 3 is his 中國風 (Zhong Guo Feng, literally meaning China wind) song. Each of his albums will have one song with traditional Chinese instruments, it's one which I really look forward to hearing each time. It's a really nice song, and it reminds me of old Chinese films.

4. 陽光宅男 Sunshine Homeboy (Yang Guang Zhai Nan): It's a kind of surprising to hear this type of upbeat pop-rock songs on Jay Chou's album. I say surprising because it's not a type of song you would expect from Jay Chou, but he surprises me! Some people have said this is like a Mayday song, and I do agree with them, it does sound like something they would write. I guess Jay Chou is really into trying new musical styles with this album, and I think this type of song works for him.

*5. 蒲公英的約定 Dandelion's Promise (Pu Gong Ying De Yue Ding): This is a slow song with a melody that breaks your heart. I love the piano in the background and how it complements Jay Chou's vocals in this song. I think ballads are his strong and solid songs, and this is no exception.

6. 無雙 Unparalleled (Wu Shuang): I would say this is a typical Jay Chou alternative-rock kind of song, as he has done something similar in earlier albums. This is nothing new from Jay Chou, but I do like the background melody.

7. 我不配 I'm Not Worthy (Wo Bu Pei): Classic Jay Chou ballad. This is the type of song I would associate with Jay Chou, it's really his style. It's a nice song, but it sounds too much like something from his previous albums.

8. 扯 Pull/Ripping (Che): An R&B track with rapping. I like the intro to this song. The beat is really catchy and I find myself having this song on repeat. I've never really been much of a fan of Jay Chou's rapping, but I really like this one.

9. 甜甜的 Sweetness (Tian Tian De): Like the title of this song, I would describe this song as full of sweetness. It's a very happy, cheery, and upbeat song. I think this song is definitely a pop song, and it just seems very cute. I love the little sound effects of kissing like *chuu*. I would never expect a Jay Chou song to be described a sweet or cute, but I can't help but smile when I listen to this song.

*10. 最長的電影 The Longest Movie (Zui Chang De Dian Ying): I've always loved Jay Chou's piano playing, and I really like it in this song. I like Jay Chou's vocals in this song. The combination of the piano and his vocal just makes me swoon. My favorite type of Jay Chou songs are slow ballads, and I think this is a good one.

*Stephanie's pick for must-hear songs

Rating: 8/10

With this new Jay Chou album, we can see him trying out new musical styles, and it does seem like he is going in a different musical direction as his previous albums. The album as a whole is okay, but the individual songs are good by themselves. I say this because what I've always liked about his albums is that each song in the album really fits like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, and the completed puzzle is his album. While I do like the songs individually, this album doesn't really have songs that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. I do think it's a good album from Jay Chou, and although the songs are good, I feel like he could have done better on this album. Maybe I'm just biased, but his earlier albums are my favorites, and I really, really love his earlier songs. Having said that, I think with this album is still good, maybe not as good as his earlier works, but I think I'll enjoy listening to it for the next few weeks.

(image credit to Yesasia)

[album] Girls' Generation: Girls' Generation

Artist: 소녀시대 (Girls' Generation)
Album: 소녀시대 (Girls' Generation)
Released: 2007/11/01
Label: Seoul Records

*1. 소녀시대(Girls’ Generation): This is their title song, and it's a remake of Lee Seung Chul's 1989 hit song by the same name. When I first heard about about it, I was curious to see how it would turn out, especially since the original singer is a guy and the song is from the late 80's! I think the song was rearranged very well. The song now sounds refreshing, which I think fits perfectly with Girls' Generation's image. I think fans of the original version would also enjoy this remake. The tune is catchy and I think this song is a great choice for a title song.

2. Ooh La-La!: This song is really upbeat and you can just hear the cuteness. I think normally this type of song is too cute or too pop-ish for my taste, but for some reason, I find myself listening to it again and again. Some might describe this as a generic bumble gum pop song, but I find the melodies and beats to be very charming and cheerful.

3. Baby Baby: I think this is one of those songs that you appreciate when you listen to it a few more times. When I first heard this song, I thought it was pretty easy to listen to, but I didn't really think much about it. After a few more listens, I find that it is a very sweet song, and the chorus is especially addicting.

*4. Complete: A mid-tempo ballad that just simply shows the voices of Girls' Generation. It's a pretty song, and their voices are lovely in this. The voices of each member really complement each other. They don't need a song with complicated melodies or beats, just something simple like Complete really lets their voices shine through.

5. Kissing you: The melody and rhythm in this song really makes it stand out. I really like how they sing this song, it's like they are really singing this to a boyfriend. It has a really pleasant melody that when paired with the girls' voices, it makes a really for a sweet and charming song.

*6. Merry-go-round: The harmonization in this song is simply lovely. I think this is a good example of a Girls' Generation song that really shows their charm and what makes them appealing to audiences. When I listen to this song, I can feel the pleasant feeling that this song creates. It's just such a nice song to listen to.

7. 그대를 부르면(Tears): This ballad is nice to listen to, and their voices really evoke the emotions that this song is about. There is a good balance between the melody and the voices of the girls, so their voices are heard clearly in this song. I think it's a typical ballad, but they really performed well in it.

8. Tinkerbell: I really like the intro of this song, it really sets the tone for the entire song. It's a nice and sweet song, which is I fits with the image that Girls' Generation are trying to project to the audience. The way they sing 'Tinkerbell' is really cute!

*9. 7989: A duet between Girls' Generation leader TaeYoun and former H.O.T member KangTa, who both belong to the SM talent agency. This song is really a KangTa-type of song, in my opinion. It's no surprise to me that he wrote, composed, and arranged this song. The song is about a couple with a 10-year age difference, which is also the age difference between TaeYoun and KangTa. It's a cute song about how this age gap really makes a difference in how they interact with each other. Their voices harmonize together very well, and they sound good together. It's a charming song, I really like it! (I may be biased, since I'm a huge fan of KangTa, but still, it's a cute and sweet song.)

10. Honey(소원): This song can be described as a mid-tempo dance music. It was included in their single Into The New World under a different name 'Perfect For You.' I don't know why they changed the name, but it's the same song. The girls' voices sound especially clear and sweet in this song. I really like the background melody, it gives the song a bright and charming feeling.

*11. 다시 만난 세계(Into the new world): This is an energetic pop dance song that was their first single. I can really feel that this song embodies the passion and energy that Girls' Generation wants to bring to their audience. I think this is a perfect song for Girl's Generation, because it's very youthful and catchy.

*Stephanie's pick for must-hear songs

Rating: 9/10

I think Girls' Generation's first album is a good debut album. Some of the songs I think are a bit like generic pop songs, but I don't really have any complains, since their songs fit perfectly with the image they want to project. Their songs really fit within that image: charming, youthfulness, and energetic. Girls' Generation is a group that's targeted towards those in their pre-teen or teenage years, so I think that image is perfect for that purpose. Most importantly, their songs are very catchy and easy to listen to, which I think is important for a first album, so everyone will keep their songs in mind and will want to hear more about them.

(image credit to Shenyue)

About this blog

Welcome to this blog! My name is Stephanie, and I've created this blog so that I can have an archive of the reviews of albums and singles of various artists. All entries on this blog will be about artists in the Asian entertainment scene. You can expect reviews on Chinese, Japanese, and Korean music. I like music from a wide range of different genres, so I'll be reviewing rock bands, pop singers, hip hop groups, and many more.

For reviews, albums and singles will be rated out of a total possible score of 10. All reviews are my own personal opinions, so please don't hate me if I don't think a certain song is the best thing ever.

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