Horie Yui「秘密」
10 April 2012
I've had this for over a month now but I thought I would finally do a short review for Horie Yui's 8th studio album 秘密 (Himitsu). I bought the 春夏 (spring/summer) version limited first press edition from CD Japan and as such, it came with a nice 10x15cm bonus photo which you can see in the picture above. I love CD Japan and its first press bonus items. I've gotten some wonderful items by buying from there throughout the years.
Track 1: 秘密～プロローグ～ (Himitsu~Purorōgu~) **** - I've always like the way Horie Yui's albums have had an opening and closing song that served as an intro and outro to the album's songs so I was pleased to see that this album was no exception. This first track is a nice enchanting introduction to the new album and it's theme will be carried on into the fifth and outro tracks.
Track 2: kiss to you *** - The first proper track on the album is a nice upbeat song that makes you think of sunny days frolicking in a flower-filled field. OK, maybe not the frolicking bit but it's a very jolly song that reminds me of the 5th album.
Track 3: Coloring ***** - I loathe that it's spelt the way it is but even that doesn't stop me from absolutely loving this song! It's very similar in sound to Vanilla Salt and the songs Yui did for the 'Toradora!' anime. Definitely one of my favourite songs on the album.
Track 4: True truly love *** - This song have a very similar feel to the 4th album. High-tempo and has a pleasant sound. It's nothing special but it's nice enough to listen to.
Track 5: 秘密～君を見てた～ (Himitsu~Kimi wo Miteta~) ***** - The second of the 秘密-titled tracks and it pretty carries on where the opening track left off. It's a very soothing song that reminds me very much of the 1st album's songs. Brilliant track. I particularly love the piano and violin accompaniment.
Track 6: イマカラキミノモトヘ (Imakara Kimi no Moto e) **** - A very interesting song that has a nice bass line throughout and is very different to what I'm used to from Yui's songs. I really like way she sings on this track.
Track 7: Presenter *** - This was a maxi single released in 2011 for the anime 'DOG DAYS'. Not a bad song, I listened to it a hell of a lot when I was watching the anime; but it's not her best single release.
Track 8: インモラリスト (Immorarisuto) ** - Another maxi single from 2011 and probably my least favourite song on this album (or even out of all of Yui's songs). I don't like the stop-start rhythm of this song and it's all too 'gothic'-sounding for my tastes. It sounds like something that Kurobara Hozonkai would release.
Track 9: MISSION *** - Not a very typical song for Yui but I think she does a good job of singing it. I don't really like or dislike this track.
Track 10: DEAR FUTURE *** - The style of this track reminds of playing Panzer Dragoon Saga with the strange synthesised sounds ringing out between verses. It certainly does sound like it's from the future.
Track 11: CHILDISH♡LOVE♡WORLD ***** - I love the jolliness and playfulness of this song. From the cheerleaders in the background to the piano riffs, it's all very cute and uplifting. This song really cheers me up when I listen to it.
Track 12: YAHHO!! **** - Yet another maxi single which was the ending song for the anime 'Kanamemo'. Another song that is really uplifting and cheerful. Very easy to sing along to too.
Track 13: sky fish **** - Perhaps it's because it's got the word 'sky' in the title, but this track really does sound like it came straight from the 3rd album. Conjures up images of the open sky stretching out over your head for miles into the distance.
Track 14: 秘密～待ち合わせ～ (Himitsu~Machiawase~) **** - The third and final song entitled 秘密. This one doesn't sound like the other two tracks, it's a lot more cheerful and uplifting. It lets you finish the album on a high note.
Overall rating: **** - A nice return for Horie Yui. I hope she continues to release albums for many years to come!
Posted byHocchan at 4:22 am
