Shibasaki Kou - Yoku Aru Hanashi ~Mofuku no Onna Hen~
Posted in Japanese Singles | Tagged as: Shibasaki Kou
Tracklist
1. Yoku Aru Hanashi ~Mofuku no Onna Hen~
2. Kaze Yura no Uta
3. Yoku Aru Hanashi ~Mofuku no Onna Hen~ -Instrumental-
4. Kaze Yura no Uta -Instrumental-
Shibasaki Kou’s 16th single was released on June 4, 2008. It peaked at #6 on the weekly Oricon charts and has current sold around 21,000 copies.
Yoku Aru Hanashi ~Mofuku no Onna Hen~ has a very jazzy feel to it, especially with the big band backing up Kou’s quick and rhythmic vocals. The arrangement is so good, energetic and upbeat, but it’s not overboard, though I admit it at times it makes me want to get up and dance to it. =) The chorus is fun and somewhat catchy. I like the quickness of the tempo but also that there’s no hurried feeling to it. The track gives off a nice, carefree summer feeling. It’s interesting to note that difference between the cover art and the feeling of the title track. Kou is dressed in traditional garb and the colorful background makes me think of courtesans a la Anna Tsuchiya’s Sakuran. But the track has a very modern feeling with the brass - also like the contrast in the Sakuran and its soundtrack (by Shiina Ringo and it’s great if you haven’t listened to it).
The b-side is a ballad. Kou uses pretty low vocals and seems to chest the entire song. The arrangement is nice, but the combination of strings and percussion here feels very heavy. That with the low and drawn out notes really weighs down the entire track. It’s not bad, in fact it can be quite nice at times, but generally, the heavy feeling is way too much for me.