[Remix] Lady GaGa- Poker Face

Here is a remix I made of Lady GaGa’s number one single “Poker Face!”
Enjoy

[Single] Miho Fukuhara- Hanabi Sky

Tracklist:

1. Hanabi Sky
2. La La La FIGHTERS
3. I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker
(With Flowers In My Hair)
4. Hanabi Sky (Instrumental)

Hanabi Sky is Miho Fukuhara’s 5th single and was released on June 15, 2009.

Following the commercial and musical success of her debut album RAINBOW (it’s awesome!!!) Miho follows up with an aggressive rock song “Hanabi Sky.” When looking at her album, RAINBOW, Miho has dabbled in lots of soul and acoustic rock and pop. I’m so glad she has done this song because the power of her voice fits the power of the instrumental. Her astounding voice is backed by sweeping synth, riffing electric guitars, and banging drums. The chorus is especially uplifting!

The first B-side is “La La La FIGHTERS.” This is one of her more aggressive upbeat songs with some blaring brass, aggressive drums, and a catchy catchy beat. This is sooooo Miho for her soulful voice and is a great addition to the single whether it be on her next album or not.

Unortunately, the fun stops here. Her cover of Sandi Thorn’s “I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair)” is….. eh at best. I have never heard her have a problem with English pronunciation despite that she is not bilingual. Except here… Frowers…. KILL ME! The rest of the song mimics the original and her vocals are good, but this cover holds her back…

RATING:

[Single] BENI- Koi Kogarete

Tracklist:

1. Koi Kagarete
2. CRUISE the WORLD
3. FOREVER 21
4. Koi Kagarete (Instrumental)

Koi Kagarete is the third single from BENI and was released on June 10, 2009.

“Koi Kagarete” is BENI’s first mid-tempo track and it sure delivers! This track is very acoustic based as Mou Nido to… was. This really is the best of her A-sides because her vocals are truly superb and this track is very endearing, charming, and well crafted. It adds an R&B flavor adding many beats and claps and snaps and keeps the pop ballad equation by not adding too much and letting BENI sing. This makes me more excited for her album! On a side note… the beat reminds me of “Sexy Love” by N-Yo. Just throwing it out there…

Two B-sides this time!!! The first is “CRUISE the WORLD.” This is BENI’s first danceable track BENI’s vocals are vocoded a little bit and this track has blaring synth and thumping beats. The usual formula. But this track is infectious and addicting as compared to a few of, let’s say, Yuna Ito’s upbeat tracks from early in her career. But I digress…

The 2nd B-side is “FOREVER 21.” This song sounds like a mix of Yuna Ito and Koda Kumi. Here’s why… It has a similar flavor to a lot of Koda’s sugary pop songs with an R&B flair, but the vocals remind me of Yuna’s singing style. These two degrees make for a sweet, light-hearted track. It’s not any bit showstopping, but its a pleasant laid back listen.

RATING:

[Single] Eri Nobuchika- Lights

Tracklist:

1. Lights
2. I Hear the Music In My Soul
3. Lights (Acoustic)
4. Lights (Karaoke)

Lights is Eri Nobuchika’s debut single and was released on December 8, 2004. It reached #78 on the Oricon charts and has sold 7,172 copies.

The minute I heard this song I was hooked on this girl! “Lights” kinda tricks you into thinking its a ever repetitve ballad. It starts that way with some great vocals by Eri with very nostalgic piano chords. But HOLY CRAP! It quickly builds up with shakers and drums until it EXPLODES in the chorus. Eri’s voice freakin soars with the infectious dance beat and nails it. The bridge adds a beautiful string section and really clinches it for me. One of the best songs EVER!

The B-side “I Hear The Music In My Soul” is a REALLY long instrumental with just a touch of vocals. Eri sings the title quite a few minutes in and repeats every now and then. The track is a great dance beat and I would probably like it more if there were more vocals.

If you thought the original was fantastic, the acoustic version of “Lights” is GORGEOUS! The dance beat is stripped as well as the repetive chords and replaces them with a more complex piano arrangement that is so somber and it fits the song so well. Not to mention, they throw some sweeping strings to add a more epic and grandiose feeling. You also notice Eri’s vocals are more pronounced and really take the stage here.

RATING:

Paula Abdul Showdown

Paula’s two comeback singles! Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow was released on January 22, 2008. It peaked at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100. I’m Just Here for the Music was released on May 8, 2009 after her performance of the track on American Idol. It has peaked at #87 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Which is the better track however?? DLTNT has a heavy tone about it, with thumping beats and a very clubbish feel. Of course Paula’s voice has been vocoded, but I honestly don’t care about that. IJHFTM samples Indeep’s Last Night A DJ Saved My Life. It has a more modern ’80s sound, but you can definitely hear the ’80s influence. Paula’s are vocoded here as well.

The winner: I’m Just Here For The Music! While both tracks are great dance tracks, IJHFTM has a more interesting arrangement than the latter, I think Paula’s vocals are better, and there is more dynamics in this track. DLTNT had great beats and vocals, but the whole arrangement stayed the same throughout the chorus until the bridge, without a rise in intensity. Thats my only criticism of the song. Regardless, both songs are fantastic!

Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow/I’m Just Here For The Music
RATING:  / 1/2

Eri Nobuchika is BACK!!!

I have just found out that Eri released her second studio album yesterday, three years after her last album. I’ve heard its very jazzy so thats a little disappointing but in honor of this magnificent event, I will review her last era before I get to her second album, hands.