Watanabe Mayu – Best Regards! Review

Release Date: December 20, 2017

Track Listing

Regular Edition

1. Synchro Tokimeki
2. Otona Jelly Beans
3. Hikaru Monotachi
4. Rappa Renshuu-Chuu
5. Deai no Tsuzuki
6. Sayonara no Hashi
7. Onna no ko Nara
8. Tadashii Mahou no Tsukaikata
9. Mamotte Agetaku Naku
10. Saba no Kanzume
11. Koyoubi no Hohoemi
12. Mayuyuroid
13. Magirashiteiru
14. Triangler (Sakamoto Maaya cover)

Limited Edition A

1. Synchro Tokimeki
2. Otona Jelly Beans
3. Hikaru Monotachi
4. Rappa Renshuu-Chuu
5. Deai no Tsuzuki
6. Sayonara no Hashi
7. Onna no ko Nara
8. Tadashii Mahou no Tsukaikata
9. Mamotte Agetaku Naku
10. Saba no Kanzume
11. Kaze no Violin
12. Yasashiku Sasete
13. Nantai Renai Kuragekko
14. Mayu no Tame ni

Limited Edition B

1. Synchro Tokimeki
2. Otona Jelly Beans
3. Hikaru Monotachi
4. Rappa Renshuu-Chuu
5. Deai no Tsuzuki
6. Sayonara no Hashi
7. Onna no ko Nara
8. Tadashii Mahou no Tsukaikata
9. Mamotte Agetaku Naku
10. Saba no Kanzume
11. Yuuhi no Ijiwaru
12. Mirai no Koibito
13. Koi no Shinpaishou
14. Junjou Soda Sui

Review

Best Regards! is Watanabe Mayu’s first solo album. It contains the singles and b-sides from her five single releases and her solo songs from her time in AKB48. This album comes in 3 editions with her single releases and solo songs taking up the majority of its running time. With that in mind much of this material will be very familiar to followers of AKB48.

For those who have not been indoctrinated into the type of music that Watanabe performs there should be no problem getting in to what she has to offer. Her music leans heavily on the side of straightforward and easily accessible saccharine pop. If you are worried that she might be singing AKB48 cast offs then be assured that it does sound like some thought was put in to tailoring the music to her well crafted idol image.

There are the odd curve balls thrown into her songs to keep the listeners attention such as adding light touches of Ska (Rappa Renshuu-Chuu) making an attempt at being Hatsune Miku (Hikaru Monotachi) and even a visit to the well of Enka (Saba no Kanzume).

It is not just older, well-worn songs present here. What would an idol album be without some new(ish) material? There are three tracks in this category for fans and new listeners to take in. The first pair of songs (Tadashii Mahou no Tsukaikata and Mamotte Agetaku Naru) appear at the mid point of each edition of this album. The final track (Triangler) is included at the end of the regular edition only.

Tadashii Mahou no Tsukaikata is the theme song from the 2016 PreCure film “The Miraculous Transformation! Cure Mofurun!” It is a fun, bubbly piece of pop music that could be a little over the top for those with a low tolerance for high-spirited songs.

Mamotte Agetaku Naku on the other hand is the complete opposite taking Watanabe into a mature adult contemporary direction. Some might find this song somewhat out of place compared to everything else on Best Regards! It could be even be considered a bit boring. It does however show that Watanabe has the ability to perform something other than standard idol songs when given the opportunity.

Triangler is a cover of Sakamoto Maaya’s 16th single. It was used as the first opening theme song for the 2008 anime Macross Frontier. Watanabe’s version does not deviate from the original that much. The only thing that differs is a few minor production changes to add some modern polish on the song.

In the end Best Regards! should be thought of as a “best of” compilation rather than a proper debut studio album. For long-time AKB48 fans this might be an obligation purchase. For everyone else, give this a shot if you are looking for a satisfactory idol music fix.