Release Date: January 30, 2013
Track Listing
- Intro
- Bad Flower
- Tsuioku -Single Version- (追憶 -Single Version-)
- Discord (ディスコード)
- Sore de Ii Jan (それでいいじゃん)
- Taisetsu na Kotoba (大切な言葉)
- Tsuki to Sayonara (月とサヨウナラ)
- Maboroshi (幻)
- Overnight Sensation ~Jidai wa Anata ni Yudaneteru~ (Overnight Sensation 〜時代はあなたに委ねてる〜)
- Futari Kiri (ふたりきり)
- LolitA☆Strawberry in summer
- Yakusoku (約束)
- Outro
- Himawari to Hoshikuzu -English Version- (ヒマワリと星屑 -English Version-)
- Tsuki to Sayonara -Royal Mirrorball Mix- (月とサヨウナラ -Royal Mirrorball Mix-) (CD only)
Review
Over the past 3 years AVEX has taken great care to mold their latest girl project in that of past successes dream and Sweets. With that said, it’s very clear that Tokyo Girls’ Style have a sound that differentiates them from their competition.
Granted, that sound is stuck in a decade gone by but somehow it is rather fitting for this group. For this latest album there is much more of an edge compared to their typical funk infused Urban Pop.
Tracks such as Bad Flower, Discord and Lolita Strawberry in Summer show off this more aggressive side. They are definitely a shock to the system if you’re more accustomed to Tokyo Girls’ Style’s earlier material.
Another detour worth mentioning is Tsuki to Sayonara. For some reason it reminds me of something that might be heard in a smoky Jazz club. It’s definitely territory that should be explored further as this group matures.
There’s also a good mix of what can be considered their bread and butter with all the unfamiliar. So it’s not like they have gone completely off the rails. One can still enjoy vintage Tokyo Girls’ Style with tracks such as Sore de Ii Jan, Maboroshi and Overnight Sensation ~Jidai wa Anata ni Yudaneteru~.
Unfortunately it’s not all good in TGS land as they try to stretch themselves a little by attempting a pop ballad with Tsuioku –Single Version- Obviously AVEX has taken great strides to turn these young girls into a future powerhouse vocal group, but it’s still a few years too early to be trying this kind of stuff seriously.
The English version of Himawari to Hoshizuku is also nice but it’s very difficult to understand the verses with the Japanese accent. I’m sure others who are used to accented Japanese English will probably have an easier time picking up the words.
Overall this continues the hot streak of solid Tokyo Girls’ Style albums. If their evolution continues towards becoming the next big AVEX girl group they probably won’t be considered an “idol group” in the most traditional sense in a few more years.
Personally I think that’s great, while others may not be on the same wavelength. Either way they’re putting out some great material and hopefully that’s something we can all agree on.
