Koda Kumi – TABOO

TABOO was Koda Kumi’s 15th single. It was released October 8, 2008. It sold 66,569 copies in it’s first week, 80,819 overall and reached #1 on the charts. The title track has been the featured tie-in for music.jp CM, Women’s Wrestling Championships 2008, and Nintendo DS game “Saihai no Yukue“.

Tracklist

1. TABOO
2. Always
3. TABOO (HOUSE NATION Sunset In Ibiza Remix)
4. TABOO (Instrumental)
5. Always (Instrumental)

You can’t ever go wrong(well, most of the time) with Koda Kumi’s sexy releases, and TABOO manages to be one of her(if not the) best efforts yet. While maintaining that American type feeling, TABOO is more dance oriented than her other songs, which is definitely a good thing. It begins with strong sync, promiscuous lyrics and AWESOME vocals that fit right into the music, and her Engrish isn’t bad either. The catchy chorus breezes right by and leads to the danceable(at least for me) chorus. Another thing to note is that in some parts of the song, Kuu’s vocals are distorted, not Nakata distorted but like, well I can’t explain it but it’s an American sounding distortion(if that exists). A really amazing, catchy, memorable song and feels so fresh after her “MOON” single.

Next up is the mild and soft pop song Always. It reminded me A LOT of her “anytime” single, but not as good. I didn’t think I was gonna like it as much as I did as I wasn’t really having very high expectations for it. Luckly, it’s light-hearted atmosphere, repeated guitar chords and arrangement make it a listenable song. I just recommend not listening to it directly after TABOO ’cause your most likely going to be addicted to the former.

By just reading the title of the next track, I was interested in how the HOUSE NATION Sunset In Ibiza Remix of TABOO would sound as the original song itself is dance-y enough. As I imagined, it’s a very deep club song with completely new sounds, only maintaining the same vocals from the original. My only problem is that the music is kinda boring throughout the actual verses. However, it gets exceptionally good as soon as the chorus finishes with some very strong synth and beats. Overall, not better than the original, but a respectable remix nonetheless.

I was really impressed with this new single from Koda Kumi. I find myself listening to her a-side a lot, and there’s a darn good reason for it too. She’s already got a new single planned, and as we know, it’s gonna be a ballad. I’m hoping it’s up to par with this release, at least.

♠Single Rating♠

Koda Kumi – MOON

MOON was Koda Kumi’s 40th single. It was released June 11, 2008, sold 88,309 copies in it’s first week, 132,394 overall and reached #2 on the charts. Moon Crying was used as the theme song for the dorama “Puzzle”.

Tracklist

1. Moon Crying

2. That Ain’t Cool feat. Fergie

3. Once Again

4. Lady Go!

5. Moon Crying (Piano Version)

6. Moon Crying (Instrumental)

7. That Ain’t Cool feat. Fergie (Instrumental)

8. Once Again (Instrumental)

9. Lady Go! (Instrumental)

Moon Crying is your typical piano heavy Koda Kumi ballad. You really gotta like her voice to enjoy a ballad from her(due to the instrumentals taking such a secondary role in them). It starts with some piano and the first verse. It’s pretty much only piano and Kumi during the verses, which are very pretty may I add, and continue like this even until the chorus, where you can tell Kumi is still not giving her best vocal performance. Once the chorus finished, more instruments finally kick in, most notable, the acoustic orchestra. Two more chorus follow, with Kumi’s vocals only gettig better after each one. A very pretty, standard Kumi ballad.

I really can’t stand That Ain’t Cool feat. Fergie. You HAVE to be a Fergie fan to enjoy this track as 80% of the vocals are Fergie and the rest are Kumi. It’s your standard synth heavy/ American sounding “sexy” song with a VERY repetitive chorus which could have proven catchy if Kumi actually sang in them. This song had a lot of potential, but it all went to waste.

Third on the single is Once Again, an island/ Caribbean sounding song with very nice vocals by Kumi, a calm atmosphere and a strong chorus. I didn’t really like this song at first but it really grew on me over time. It’s more b-side material, however.

The second best track on this album(or first for others) after Moon Crying is Lady Go!. It starts with some really great sounding techno-ish piano with some beats kicking in and than Kumi’s upbeat vocals singing the chorus, which is really catchy, fun and danceable. The verses don’t sound weak like a lot of Kumi’s work and manage to maintain the same energy level as the chorus. It’s a really great dance track that you should most definitely not miss.

The Piano Version of Moon Crying is the same track but using only the Piano as the main instrument. It’s a pretty listen, but I still prefer the original.

Kumi’s newest quadruple a-side really doesn’t seem like one. I can’t imagine her releasing but the first track as it’s own single itself due to their quality. Sure, two of them are nice(and one just completely blows) but they just lack a certain flare found in Kumi single releases. There are, however, a lot of different styles of music to be found in this single, meaning there will be something for everyone.

♥Single Rating♥