I’m reviewing my first Aimer album. I was very impressed with the songs she collaborated with Hiroyuki Sawano for Gundam Unicorn. It actually made me wanna start watching Gundam now (believe it or not, I love anime but I’ve never watched that mecha). I need to find time for that, I already have a huge backlog of anime and dramas to catch up with. So the first thing I noticed about Aimer is obviously her vocal. She has a somewhat unique haunting voice (sometimes like whisper?) which might not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, she has no problem expressing a wide variety of emotions be it happy, sweet, sad or bittersweet. I’ll say it’s probably an acquired taste for most people who are not used to her vocal but once you get past it, you’re good, especially if you’re already used to the countless types of vocals present in the world of JPop.
The album starts with a prologue, When You Wish Upon A Star (the famed Disney soundtrack for Pinocchio). I think it was a nice touch because Aimer’s soft voice works well here with the piano. The first real track of the album is Nemuri no Mori, a very nice midtempo about eloping/escaping to the forest, away from the bustling city, leaving everything behind. The lyric does sound bittersweet especially the part where she sings about putting herself or someone to rest in the forest (hence, Sleeping Forest).
Shichi Gatsu no Tsubasa is a good follow up too, it’s similar to the previous track but I think this is more of a ballad. It’s a poignant song as she yearns to meet someone, if only she has wings, she’d fly across the sky. It’s definitely a potential drama theme song. words is another ballad, relaxing and beautiful. However, the verses seem stronger than chorus and I prefer Shichi Gatsu than this. There’s something about the chorus that kind of bugs me a bit (most probably I’m the only one feeling so anyways). I’m indifferent about VOICE.
The album gets a little groovy and R&B-ish at the 6th track, AM03:00. I actually really like this together with Chiisana Hoshi no Melody. She sounds lovely and cute in this bubbly song. The line “This love + YOU + I = Love too?” makes me smile.
The standout tracks for me personally are definitely none other than the Gundam twin RE:I AM and StarRingChild. I love strong beats, basically, I’m a sucker for these type of songs. Having Hiroyuki Sawano behind these tracks, it’s a given to be beloved almost instantly. When I first heard RE: I AM I almost burst into tears towards the end of the song, so liberating!
Hoshi no Kieta Yoru ni is so pleasant to my ears, I don’t know whether it’s the melody or the twinkling sounds plus synthesizers in the background. It said, “Re-echoed by Genki Rockets x give me wallets” in the description. I checked and forgive me, I didn’t know there was an original version that comes with the RE:I AM single. I prefer the Re-echoed version although the original is great on its own.
Iris serves as the last real track before she closes with again, When You Wish Upon A Star. This time, there’s I think, a clock ticking in the background compared to the quieter prologue. My guess as to why she chose this song to open and close the album is because she has quite a number of tracks, singing about stars, no?
Highlights: RE:I AM, StarRingChild, Nemuri no Mori, Chiisana Hoshi no Melody, AM03:00, Hoshi no Kieta Yoru ni.
Score: 8/10
*I actually listened to this right after it was released and I thought it was mediocre. But having listened to it again, I have newfound love for most of the tracks. That said, I loved it more than the first time.
Ritsu no Jpop Land 