Koda Kumi – you

Title: you Product Code: AVCD-30892/3 Release Date: 2005/12/07 Debut Ranking: #1 Label: avex trax

After Koda Kumi’s sudden explosive popularity with the release of her best album compilation BEST ~first things~, avex trax launched a new project to further elevate the popularity of this artist at a much higher level. This project consisted to the release of 12 singles, one per week with 12 different covers with Kumi sporting outfits from different countries around the world. Nine singles out of twelve were limited to 50,000 copies which automatically made these singles into collectibles for any Kumi fan.

When I heard that Koda Kumi was going to release a grand total of 12 singles in 12 weeks, I thought avex were literally losing their minds. A project of 12 singles per week is a risky selling technique which might result in a failure. I never was a huge fan of hers, but I enjoyed listening to her music from time to time and this project managed to attract my attention. I admit that though I’m not a huge fan of her extremely sexy image she provided enjoyable music with a distinct flavour.

However her first single, “you” in the series of twelve proves us that Kumiko is not just an artist who uses sex appeal to attract fans. This single has the cover of Kumi wearing an Alaskan outfit with an Eskimo theme and is one of the non limited singles. It shot up in the Oricon Charts getting the position of #1 in the Oricon Weeklies and to date this single is still charting with 178,240 copies sold.

1. you

“you” is a slow and soothing ballad with a melancholic tune which makes it an extremely moving song. The use of the piano is consistent within the song but it is used in a manner that it flows smoothly with the violin piece in the chorus. Kumi’s sorrowful vocals are soft and mournful and managing to blend with the background music in an impressive manner. The chorus is not powerful or overwhelming but manages to convey the emotion within it.

I was really impressed at the quality of this song since Kumi’s ballads have a tendency to sound flat and uninteresting and this song was a refreshing change coupled with heartfelt and moving lyrics which added to the appeal of this song. The lyrics are beautifully crafted in a manner to have a poignant winter feel to it, fitting the Alaska theme perfectly. The heartfelt and moving lyrics added the appeal to this song.

The promotional video is simply stunning and probably the best I’ve seen from her career. It relates a moving story of two lovers, a photographer and a fashion designer and how they eventually get distant from each other to the point that they break up.

“you” is also the GemCEREY commercial song and was performed twice to promote the song on CDTV and Music Fighter.

Rating:

2. Sweet Kiss

I suppose if you would associate “you” to winter, probably you’d end up doing the opposite to “Sweet Kiss”. Myself, I am reminded of warm summer nights. It has a distinct summer feel to it with an exotic touch which makes this song sound so unique and catchy. Sweet Kiss is reminiscent to her older releases especially “Come With Me”. In fact the opening melody is rather similar to this song. However it has the flaw of becoming repetitive especially due to the background music being a little flat at the chorus. Sweet Kiss is also the bubble gum commercial song for Lotte Pure White.

Rating:

Conclusion

I do believe that this single is probably one of the best from her twelve single series. It is balanced in a manner to enjoy two aspects of the single thus the two tracks reflected each other in an impeccable manner. I must say I have really enjoyed this single after being suspicious that it might be of low quality and with no concept behind it. Thus I really do believe that this single is a reflection of Kumi’s hard work and perseverance which made me believe that this single deserved all the attention that it got.

Overall Rating:

1. you<
2. Sweet Kiss
3. you (instrumental)
4. Sweet Kiss (instrumental)

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About the author

Rinoa enjoys spending her free time writing articles, most particularly reviews, biographies and news articles. Her favourite artist is Ayumi Hamasaki but she enjoys listening to a wide range of musical talents from all over the world.