Arashi – truth/Kaze no Mukou e

Arashi in Popolo, September 2008

Artist: Arashi Product Code: JACA-5109/5111/5113 Release Date: 2008.08.20 Highest Ranking: #1 Label: J-STORM Limited Edition: DVD, special cover and tracklist

In the summer of 2008, Arashi’s leader Ohno Satoshi was given the starring role in the summer TBS drama Maou. At the same time, member Sakurai Sho was given the honor of covering the 2008 Beijing Olympics for NTV. Arashi contributed “truth” as the theme song to Ohno’s drama and “Kaze no Mukou e” as the theme for NTV. The two songs were released as a special 3-version double-A side single. The B-side on the single was also used in CMs for Tongari Corn snacks, with Arashi as the spokesmen.

“truth/Kaze no Mukou e” became a huge commercial success. With 467,288 copies pushed in just the first week, it quickly sold 600,000 copies in just two months. The single eventually sold 622,829 copies by the end of the year and became the best selling Japanese single of 2008.

1. truth

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“truth” is, simply said, epic. It starts off with dramatic timpani roll, strings, and piano melody that set a high tension lasting for the entire song. With a powerful synth beat paired with a grand orchestra and a simple piano refrain, the song is both powerful and haunting. The members switch off vocal parts constantly and there are two strains during the chorus, but it sounds good no matter who is singing. The song pairs together disorder with structure: it takes a quick beat and matches it with delicate piano strains, and has some members sing grandly in the chorus while others sing a quick, almost frantic second line at the same time. Yet with all the differences, the different parts of the song blend together into five minutes of a exciting, suspenseful, and unforgettable song.

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2. Kaze no Mukou e

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On a complete turnaround, “Kaze no Mukou e” is a simple and laid-back mid-tempo. The instrumentation depends strongly on acoustic guitar, brass band, and piano. The tune is simple and catchy. Sakurai Sho penned the rap part into the song, and it is nice to see rapping back in Arashi’s songs. The vocals are spot on in parts and simply fantastic in others – Ninomiya and Ohno’s vocalizations sound terrific. Arashi’s music usually has intricate instrumentation, but “Kaze no Mukou e” is more acoustic. The simple sound is very refreshing.

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3. Smile

Like it’s name suggests, “Smile” is a cheerful song. It starts off sounding slow and laid back with tropical sounding chords, turns loud and poppy in parts, and switches around to mellower sounds, with fun touches to the beat and synth sound effects. The vocals aren’t as refined in this song as the other songs but are generally done well. Overall, it’s a catchy song with a toe-tapping tune and quirky, fun touches.

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Conclusion

This single has one dramatic, one uplifting, and one fun song, all of which are catchy and intricately produced. “truth” is out of Arashi’s normal range of cheerful songs but turned out excellent, while they also do a great job on “Kaze no Mukou e” and “Smile.” Arashi demonstrate their ability to sing songs of different genres on this single, and they do an amazing job on all of them. “truth/Kaze no Mukou e” is a single with music worthy of its immense success.

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Regular Edition

Limited Edition A

Limited Edition B

CD Tracklist

1. Truth
2. Kaze no Mukou e
3. Smile*
4. Truth (original karaoke)*
5. Kaze no Mukou e (original karaoke)*
6. Smile (original karaoke)*

* Only available on regular edition

DVD Tracklist

1. Truth PV*
2. Kaze no Mukou e PV**

* Limited edition A only
** Limited edition B only

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About the author

oroitsme loves Japanese music and loves writing about them, both here and at her other blog, She likes a variety of j-pop, from Johnny's like NEWS and Arashi to female artists like Otsuka Ai and Perfume to rock bands like chatmonchy and a picking of everything in between, and hopes you can enjoy them with her.