China Discotica

Single Review
Aira Mitsuki – China Discotica

China Discotica is Aira Mitsuki’s 1st major single, and 2nd overall. It was released on March 5, 2008, and was a respect song to the Beijing Olympics.

tracklist:
1. China Discotica
2. ROMANTIC ROPE
3. China Discotica (Substance remix)
4. China Discotica (digital mp-3 mastering ver.)
5. China Discotica (instrumental)

I am going to admit that after Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO.9, I was expecting so much from her 2nd effort, which is China Discotica. Even though I am not that crazy about this song, I can say that China Discotica has met and satisfied my expectations. It doesn’t disappoint, and actually, it isn’t far from how great her debut was. It is as catchy as Colorful Tokyo Sounds, and it is as high in quality. However, this song is bumpier than her previous single. This song has strong beats jumping all over the place. It’s not a bad thing actually, it’s quite good because it gives the song a certain hype to it that preserves the song from being too much. Anyway, like any other single from her, it’s a recommended track, and it’s definitely worth a listen.

With an energetic treat like China Discotica, lies a more laid-back song which is ROMANTIC ROPE. The song contains a lot of playful synth everywhere, which is good because it avoids making the song sound too old. Out of all Aira’s B-sides, I have to say that this one is the best because it nearly has the quality of all her A-sides. Which is why I ask myself sometimes why the song just became a B-side when this it’s this great. Anyway, It’s a really good song, and it’s really worth the listen.

The Substance remix of China Discotica removes all the heavy beats present in the original, an replaces them with softer ones and claps. It also features a more sparkling compostition that leads the song into a shinier version of the original.  You can always count on this song if you’re craving for a more glittery and sparkling arrangement.

Just like in the Digital mastering version of CTSN.9, I didn’t notice anything  different from the digital mp-3 mastering ver. of China Discotica. Seriously, I don’t get why they keep on putting these version in here when It doesn’t even make any sense at all.

Favorite Track:
China Discotica

shuffle rating!
A

Colorful Tokyo Sounds No. 9

Single Review
Aira Mitsuki – Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO.9

Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO.9 is Aira Mitsuki’s 1st single. It was released on August 8, 2007 and was used as an image song for  “Transformers Cafe”.

tracklist:
1. Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO.9
2. Candy Light Mode
3. Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO.9 (LAVA’s Electrip Remix)
4. Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO.9 (Disco-Punk Remix)
5. Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO.9 (Mp3 Senyou Digital Mastering Ver.)
6. Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO.9 (Instrumental)

Wait, Am I listening to the 4th group member of Perfume?
No, seriously. In Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO. 9, Aira sounds like a member of Perfume. Even though she is produced by Oonishi Terukado, Not Nakata Yasutaka , Her voice sounds so Nakata-produced and the background music sounds like Perfume’s Polyrhythm. It opens with a woosh-sound fading in followed by some fast synth, which we all know, is the same way Polyrhythm opens. I could even make a mush-up of it if you like because they sound so similar. It has the same counts and has almost the same accompaniments. Well, to say it in the shortest form, It’s almost like a carbon-copy of Polyrhythm. Despite knowing that, I still enjoy this song. It’s so catchy and every instrument they used in it was really really helpful in making the song sound so groovy! I think that this song is a great treat to J-pop techno fans and is definitely a worth listen!

Now we move on to the super-cute and more up-beat song, Candy Light Mode. It opens up immediately with Aira singing the chorus only with half of the instruments. Try to listen closely to the song. What do you hear other than Aira’s voice, the beats and the techno-instruments?…
…Give up? The one I’m talking about is the guitar in this song. I’m surprised to hear guitars because I never really thought those instruments would turn out good with techno. Despite that good guitar, I think this song is still pure B-side material because I didn’t feel so amazed when I listened to it. I feel like it’s missing something.

The LAVA’s electrip remix of Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO. 9 is amazing! It has more guitars and is more slower-paced than the original. Aira’s voice really fits the newly-arranged accompaniments and really gives a more relaxing yet fun feel. I also liked the piano solo in the middle because it sounds so interesting. It really joined the beats, the other techno elements and Aira’s voice perfectly. Every second of it is also a must listen.

The Next Track, The Disco-Punk Remix Of Colorful Sounds NO.9, sounded repetitive. I admit, I do like the way they remixed this song but, I hated the way it gets so repetitive. It’s 6-minutes long and All I hear is the “Tokyo Sounds No.9″ line every 5 seconds.

Nest Up is the Mp3 Senyou Digital Mastering Version of Colorful Sounds NO.9. To tell you guys honestly, I don’t see any difference in it. That’s why I asked myself what got into their minds to include this track. But, I Still like it because it sounds like the original version.

Favorite Track:
Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO.9

shuffle rating!
A