tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336114110503572427.post5443208503789752499..comments2023-04-12T08:05:54.172-04:00Comments on The Penguin Critic: Sakamoto Maaya: Shiawase Ni Tsuite Watashi Ga Shitteiru 5-Tsu No Hoho/Shikisai (LE) + First Press/External Bonus (01/28/15)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10550340083812481479noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336114110503572427.post-41037098768452913042015-05-12T22:49:48.218-04:002015-05-12T22:49:48.218-04:00Hi! Thank you so, so much for taking the time to c...Hi! Thank you so, so much for taking the time to comment so thoroughly. I enjoyed everything that you kindly shared, though I do apologize for my delayed response. I've been slacking with my blog and I'm disappointed in myself because of it. <br /><br />First and foremost, it's always motivating to hear that my reviews are informative and a pleasure to read. I often find myself hitting roadblocks when I write my music reviews, mostly because I did at one point in time pursue a degree in music until I realized that I could never make sense of the theory behind it. There's always this struggle between me wanting to be on point with terminology, and me wanting to *not* have to dread writing the reviews because I DON'T know all the technical stuff. What I know is what I feel when I hear the songs, and what instruments create those feelings, and I always hope that sharing those simple details won't bore my readers. I really take great comfort in your feedback. ^^ <br /><br />"Kuuki To Hoshi" is actually one of the first three songs I discovered by Sakamoto. I should really write a post on that, now that I think about it. It truly is a beautiful, delicate song (and is haunting in some ways, too). For me, it showcases the emotional well that Sakamoto's voice becomes in the presence of music. Lucy is actually my favorite album from Sakamoto, and my friend has been begging me to write a review on it. I don't know what's holding me back. >_<<br /><br />I've preordered her new single with CORNELIUS. Much like Request, which I also still haven't reviewed (+_+), I don't know how I feel about the A-side. Quite frankly, the main reason I haven't reviewed Request yet is because I have no idea what to say. I wasn't much excited for it to begin with, though. I'm hoping her newest single as a whole has more to offer, but we have just a bit longer to wait and find out. <br /><br />I hope to hear from you again soon! Don't be a stranger :) And, once more, thank you.<br /><br />~nikkiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10550340083812481479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336114110503572427.post-4041306809808476872015-05-10T07:25:58.969-04:002015-05-10T07:25:58.969-04:00Nikki, your reviews are, as always, so accurate! Y...Nikki, your reviews are, as always, so accurate! You are one of my favorite music reviewers because you have a great attention to detail and can thoughtfully express your opinions without coming off like a musical snob, like professional reviewers (Rolling Stone, etc) do. Keep doing what you do!<br /><br />Shikisai I enjoy a lot, but it can be slightly disjoint at times. The beginning of the (first) chorus is where I feel this issue is most prominent. However I enjoy it overall for the reasons you stated. It is very haunting. I was not expecting a song like that, at all! Actually, both A-sides shocked me!<br /><br />I'd agree with your statement that it is probably her strongest post-Kanno single. I think my favorite single of all-time is マメシバ / Mameshiba. It contains two of my favorite Maaya songs, possibly my favorite PV, and is also a huge milestone in her career creatively. Kuuki To Hoshi really touched me when I first heard it...it came across as so fragile and genuine. <br /><br />She has a split single coming up, so again, I look forward to your review when it comes out! It is a collaboration with CORNELIUS, who is a very experimental producer and artist. I'm not a fan of his work but I can appreciate how unique he is. He does a lot of electronic, trippy sounding music where he incorporates and simulates lots of sound effects and echoes in his songs. So I can't imagine why he is collaborating with Maaya? It looks like the A-side is already out:<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1rx5pPH4LE<br />I listened to it and it sounds EXACTLY like his work with Salyu, an album entitled "s(o)un(d)beams". The main feature of that album is Salyu essentially transforms her voice into "multiple instruments". So if you like this, you should try that album, but for me, it's just too out there and not that captivating or memorable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336114110503572427.post-71783430441074116562015-03-08T16:43:28.399-04:002015-03-08T16:43:28.399-04:00Hi Henrique =D I didn't talk much about the PV...Hi Henrique =D I didn't talk much about the PV for "Shiawase," but I agree: it's welcoming and very much like the song in the sense that it looks cheerful and carefree. Very reminiscent of the PVs for "Sayonara Santa" and "Himitsu" for me! <br /><br />I, too, hope for a Best Clips in the future, mainly for "Replica" because I really loved the look of that one but also because many of her PVs aren't coming with her singles/albums anymore, like they used to. Let's hope to be pleasantly surprised! x]<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your thoughts. =)<br /><br />~nikkiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10550340083812481479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336114110503572427.post-57443704751984359202015-03-08T11:29:48.632-04:002015-03-08T11:29:48.632-04:00I really enjoyed Shiawase to be much like marble (...I really enjoyed Shiawase to be much like marble (Megumi Nakajima) commented that it would be. Very cheerful and enjoyable to sing, I wanted to jump into the clip and run with Maaya-san. I agree with the name, super unnecessary to be so great that way. Not really enjoyed Shikisai and Kimi no Suki na Hito because I'm not used to hear this style, but as always the voice of Maaya is perfect for any music.<br />I believe that in the future, Maaya Sakamoto can release another BEST CLIPS with all Pvs from Hajimari no Umi, I hope to be right.<br /><br />Henrique.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com