Shuffle And Repeat

Single Review
Yuna Ito – trust you

trust you is Yuna Ito’s 13th single. It was released on March 4, 2009, and reached #5 in the oricon weekly charts. It sold a total of  45,682 copies, and charted for 9 weeks, making it Yuna’s best-selling single since Mahaloha in June 2007.

tracklist:
1. trust you
2. Brand New World
3. Koi wa groovy×2 -DJ-PASSION MORE PASSION REMIX-
4. trust you -GUNDAM00 Version-
5. trust you -instrumental-

I wasn’t really surprised to see this single doing so good a the charts and stuff, because for me, the best single released for the DREAM era is trust you. It has the best, and most polished arrangement out of the 3 released singles, and Yuna’s vocals were never this outstanding. Her voice sounds so powerful and strong, that it makes the song sound more beautiful. Another factor for this song’s beauty is the elegance in the strings arrangement found in this song. The message carried by the lyrics were quite good too, and is helped a lot by Yuna’s fluency when singing the “I love you, I trust you” lines in the chorus. Despite this song being all formal and stuff, there is still catchiness found all over the song, especially during the bridge interlude where she sings the “you’re the one that I love, You’re the one that I trust” line. Actually, Nothing really is left to say about this song, except that it’s effing BRILLIANT. Epic win for Yuna!

While I was so hyped with the A-side, I was so pissed with the B-side.  I like Yuna, but I don’t know why I just don’t like Brand new World. I think it’s because the lyrics were quite corny, and the arrangement was unflattering. The most irritating part about this song was that it was chosen to be included in the album. Oh come on. Mafuyu no Seiza was so much better, and it really kicks this song’s ass.

I think the best remix Yuna has put up since the Mahaloha remix, is the DJ-PASSION MORE PASSION REMIX of Koi wa groovy×2. There’s still the carribean feeling in this version, but most of the elements on the original version was removed and replaced with fiesta-esque ones. This verison still contains some of the brassy parts, but was mixed along with whistles and heavier percussion. Which I think, fitted the song really well.

The first version of the title track that was released to the public was the GUNDAM00 Ver. of trust you. Actually, I love the original trust you, but you know what, I kinda like this version better. There weren’t much intro at the beginning, and the way this version handles the first verse was quite great. I just wish this song had a full version though. But still, this track was a nice addition to the release. ^^

Favorite Track:
trust you

shuffle rating!
A

Single Review
Yuna Ito – Koi wa groovy×2

Koi wa groovy×2 is Yuna Ito’s 12th single. It was released on November 26, 2008, and reached #42 on the oricon charts. It sold a total of 5,080 copies and charted for 2 weeks.

tracklist:
1. Koi wa groovy×2
2. Mafuyu no Seiza
3. miss you -Hawaiian Breeze Remix-
4. Koi wa groovy×2 (Instrumental)

Boy, I gotta tell you, Yuna is definitely stepping things up with her new era, and Koi wa groovy×2 proves it. It’s an irresistible, Caribbean-inspired dance tune that gets you up on your feet, everytime you hear it. There are heavy beats, and powerful rhythms all around, and there are lots of highlights scattering. One of those are the catchy melodies you hear once the background vocals sing “NANANA..” with Yuna following them. Once it enters your ears,  You’ll automatically get caught by those infectious segments. Yuna has obviously done some work over her voice too because it sounds so whole, and round. Although, some parts may sound forced, they were kept to a minimum. All those catchy parts covered the loss of some weaknesses. With everything bumpin’ and jumpin’ in, this song indeed is groovy, groovy!

On the wintery, and easy-going road, is Mafuyu no Seiza, My favorite Yuna Ito b-side. Yuna’s voice is more gentle in this song, which is one of the biggest reasons why this song is just mind-blowing. How the background blends with her vocals are just heavenly, which gives the song a sort-of angelic atmosphere. But wait, the angelic atmosphere is not the best part of this song yet. Yes, things get better when the breaths and piano goes right in with everything. The laid-back feeling gets enhanced, and dominates the whole song with it’s relaxed arrangement. In conclusion, this song definitely adds up to Yuna’s best b-sides in her career.. better yet, Yuna’s best songs in her entire career.

Next up is the worst, and most-boring Yuna Ito remix in the entire planet. The calm, laid-back atmosphere of the Hawaiian Breeze Remix of miss you was too much for me to appreciate it, and the fact that those laid-back feelings I’m talking about goes on for 8 minutes, makes me want to grab the keyboard and hit my head with it. That’s how boring it was.

Favorite Track:
Koi wa groovy×2, and Mafuyu no Seiza

shuffle rating!
A-

Single Review
Yuna Ito – I’m Here

I’m Here is Yuna Ito’s 7th single. It was released on March 14, 2007, and reached #15 on the oricon charts. It sold a total of 36,634 copies. The A-side was used as the theme song for the movie version of UNFAIR, while the B-side was an insert song.

tracklist:
1. I’m Here
2. Reason Why
3. Faith -Teardance Remix-
4. I’m Here -Instrumental-

To be completely honest, I don’t get why people seem to not like I’m Here so much. I mean yeah, her voice may seem a little louder than usual in some parts of the song but, the song itself is really really cool. In fact, I’m Here is one of Yuna’s best up-beat songs. The cool, aggressive feel that instrumentals give this song, especially the strings, makes the song look really dark at times, which isn’t a bad thing actually. In fact, It’s one part of the song that makes me really like it more because of this thrill it gives me whenever I listen to it. Even after the song ended, I wanted to hear more of  the aggressiveness this song gave me, which was quite fulfilled by the next track.

Yes, Reason Why continues the sort-of dark, aggressive feel the previous song has. Come to think if it, I’m Here and Reason Why sounds alike. Both songs used a lot of common instruments, which I’m not surprised to know because both songs were produced by the same person. Anyway, The song is really good. It’s not as awesome as I’m Here but, It can still give the listener a decent listen.

The Teardance remix of Faith is quite good. Actually, I wouldn’t have liked the original version if I did not listen to this remix because I listened to this song first before completely giving the original version a proper listen. Sadly, this remix doesn’t create a soulful atmosphere that the original version had but, It’s still nice.

Favorite Track:
I’m Here

shuffle rating!
A-

Single Review
Yuna Ito – stuck on you

stuck on you is Yuna Ito’s 4th single. It was released on August 9, 2006 and reached #20 on the oricon charts.  Same with losin’, It was released, limited only to 70,000 copies. It sold 15,980 copies, which sold a bit higher than losin’. stuck on you is Yuna’s “hot summer” single in the hot and cool limited edition single releases project.

tracklist:
1. stuck on you
2. These boots are made for walkin’
3. These boots are made for walkin’ -STUDIO APARTMENT Impulse Groove-

To describe stuck on you with one word, it’s EXCELLENT! You’ll most probably think it’s silly at first but, once you take the chance to listen to it carefully, you’ll love it, just like I did! It begins at a jazzy start with all those brass-y instruments at the intro but, it doesn’t stay like that for long because the atmosphere suddenly changes to a poppier one. The lyrics obviously says something about being in love with a person, and just doesn’t seem to get that girl/guy out of your mind. The whole song is about love but, it’s a good thing they avoided to make this a ballad because it enabled Yuna to show her more up-beat&happy side. Yuna sounds like she’s having loads of fun than before while singing this song, which is mainly why the listener haves fun too. The song is also very catchy with it’s english phrases like “kiss me baby”, “one-sided love”, and “uh good-night”. I love the phone-line effect that ends the song because I thought it sounded cool, and I also loved the ending line Yuna says “I’m in love, I’m in love, Baby..” Okay, hands down, this HAS GOT TO BE THE BEST SONG for the HEART era. It’s good in terms of everything, and is very catchy even though the cute-type of songs aren’t what you like. RECOMMENDED!!

Yuna’s Cover of Nancy Sinatra’s These boots are made for walkin’ was good. It gave the original version justice, and Yuna showed a lot of attitude in it, which was surprisingly good. The jazzy atmosphere suited Yuna’s vocals, and the instruments made her voice shine too. I just felt a bit bored at times but, the rest of the song is good. It’s not that much of a mind-blower but, it definitely is a good version.

The STUDIO APARTMENT Impulse Groove mix of These boots are made for walkin’ was PERFECT! I definitely had no problem with it, and I absolutely loved the new, laid-back atmosphere it has, and the Smooth way Yuna’s voice sounded. This song’s style went well with everything, and the easy-going, groovy music was awesome! Definitely a hundred times better than the original, and of course, is a RECOMMEND!

Favorite Track:
stuck on you

shuffle rating!
A

Single Review
Yuna Ito – miss you

miss you is Yuna Ito’s 11th single. It was released on September 3, 2008, and reached #20 in the oricon weekly charts. It sold a total of 5,593 copies, and charted for one week. miss you was used as the Ito En Vitamin Fruit CM song, and the theme song for the cell phone novel, “Tenshi no Koi”.

tracklist:
1. miss you
2. BREEEEEZIN!!!!!!!
3. Urban Mermaid -Bittersweet Movement Blood-I Riddimix-
4. miss you (Instrumental)

I thought Yuna’s WISH era flopped but, I’m glad to see her rise again with miss you, an inspiring, love ballad. I have to admit that, when I first heard this song on the the Ito-En Commercial, I thought it would be another disappointing release just like WISH but, I’m glad to say that it isn’t. It’s actually a refreshing song, that stuns you with the relaxing accompaniments, and the beautiful vocals Yuna has offered us. My favorite part of this song would have to be the chorus with the “ooohhhs…” at the background, because for me, it’s the most relaxing part of this song. Actually, I think the vocals in miss you are so good. So good that I think it’s one of the best Yuna has showed us these days, because In Urban Mermaid, and other songs in the WISH album were sort of average. In all, a great song from Yuna, and definitely a recommend!!!

The cheery b-side, BREEEEEZIN!!!!!!!, was a great offering too. It sounds so up-beat that it makes you want to dance along with the music. It’s very catchy, and everything about it was great! Yuna’s voice was awesome too, and the summer-themed atmosphere definitely helped in making this a good song. In all, another great one, and definitely is another recommend!

the next track, Urban Mermaid -Bittersweet Movement Blood-I Riddimix-, was okay. It wasn’t that much of a mind-blower but, it gave the original version some kind of justice. I just think the accompaniments were overshadowing Yuna’s voice but, the rest were good. The added piano and other instruments were very cool, but, I still prefer the original version because it matches my tastes more than this track. In all, a beautiful remix, and definitely is a great addition to the single.

Favorite Track:
miss you

shuffle rating!
A-

Single Review
Yuna Ito – Faith / Pureyes

Faith / Pureyes is Yuna Ito’s 2nd single. It was released on March 1, 2006 and reached #6 on the charts. It sold a total of 56,359 copies and charted for 14 weeks, making it the 160th best-selling single of 2006. Faith was used as the ending song for the Japanese drama, UNFAIR.

tracklist:
1. Faith
2. Pureyes
3. Faith -instrumental-
4. Pureyes -instrumental-

Faith never really did catch my attention back when it was released on 2006. I thought it was just a plain ballad, with a boring feel to it. Now I know that I was 300% wrong! It’s actually a great song, full of emotion, with sad but inspiring lyrics in it. This song starts with a piano, that is soon joined by some of Yuna’s ad-libbing. Later on, The first verse comes in, followed by the RnB-beats, leading us to the catchy chorus, ending with the piano. As you can see, the structure of the full song is uniquely piano-based, twisted with an excellent RnB flavored sound, which is the main reason why I absolutely love this song! I consider it unique because it remains to be an emotional song, even though it is fully surrounded by heavy beats and RnB elements. Strangely, The song is very catchy. I don’t know why but, whenever I hear this song, I wouldn’t even notice that I’m already singing with Yuna. I guess it’s because of the great melody Faith has and the stunning vocals Yuna offers us in this song. Overall, Faith is a great RnB ballad, and a very nice follow up to her big debut, ENDLESS STORY. It actually might even be greater.

The other A-side, Pureyes is the opposite of Faith. It is a catchy RnB/pop song that’s very up-beat, really carefree and shows the happier side of Yuna. I like the energy this song has because it’s something new from Yuna. From the first 3 singles Yuna released, Pureyes was the only up-beat song out of the 3… which we all know, is just from a double A-side single. Overall, Pureyes is a nice offering from Yuna but, Faith in my opinion, is still 50x better. XD

Favorite Track:
Faith

shuffle rating!
A-

Single Review
Yuna Ito – losin’

losin’ is Yuna Ito’s 5th single. It was released on September 6, 2006 and reached #19 on the oricon charts. It was released limited only to 70,000 copies but has only sold 10,484 copies.  losin’ is Yuna’s ’cool fall’ single in the hot and cool limited edition single releases project.

tracklist:
1. losin’
2. Stay for Love
3. losin’ -Simplicity Mix-

I don’t really understand why the sales of losin’ was low. I mean, It was “off da hook!” and all, yet, it only sold 10,000+ copies. What’s not to like about this song? It’s absolutely an amazing and enjoyable RnB treat, with a catchy tunes, mix of guitars, strings, and an awesome dance beat! Actually, the only problem I had with this song was that it’s awfully bad in terms of lyrics. In my opinion, this song had catchy phrase lines but, the lyrics was corny and actually had no sense. On the brighter side, The corny lyrics was actually perfect for the this song! At first, I expected losin’ to be a great song with kickass lines because of it’s somehow “interesting” title but, in the end, I did get the “great song” part but, the “kickass lines” part, nah… i didn’t even get a single bit of it. But, WHO THE EFFIN’ CARES? losin’ was overall, a great track, and will absolutely have my love FOREVER!!

The B-side, Stay for Love was quite good. I mean, people just seem to hate this song but, I think it’s great. It’s not as solid as losin’ but, overall, the song was really enjoyable with it’s crazy dance beat, club synth, and catchy tune. In my opinion, It’s definitely one of Yuna’s better B-sides.

The Simplicity Mix of losin’ was dull at the first but, after you stick around with it for a couple more seconds, you’ll get the hang of it. This remix was kind of boring at first because there aren’t any “melodic” instruments used… they just used basic club elements such as synths, techno sounds and a dance beat but, after a long time, You’ll get used to it as I did. It’s still actually catchy and really good but, the original version was 1,000,000 times better.

Favorite Track:
losin’

shuffle rating!
A