It sounds like nandemo, it is ok song. These days CK plays safe. It is so sad that people lose interest in her music, she really delivers nicely even the most boring song with her voice.

I can't really pull any significant numbers to support this statement, but I think, like you, that she had some success with Nandodemo and her label/management wants to replicate that, and thus we get the very similar-sounding Shiawasette which also has a drama tie-up (well, almost all her singles since 2015 have had drama tie-ups - except for Revolution, which had the apparently much more effective Namie tie-up, and Sakura).

By the way, I separate her label/management and CK herself in my previous statement very intentionally because, at the risk of assuming too much, I think her music is much more corporate-made these days. Ever since she transferred to LDH management, almost all her singles have been these extremely prototypical, safe drama ballads, and it feels like she is made to kiss up to the audience more than before. I also can't help but feel that she's not quite as invested in her current music as she used to be - I've seen her talking about VIVID and delicious Fridays on twitter so many times years and years after their releases, it's obvious she loves that era and was super into it when it was happening, and I don't think the same thing has happened (or will happen) with Kimi ga Ita kara or Nandodemo. I'm sure she still puts work into her music and is invested in advancing her career but I don't feel like she loves her newer songs as much as some of the older ones.

All this talk around Shiawasette, and I haven't even mentioned how I feel about the song. I think it's very ok. I'm happy it's not another drama ballad, I've fully had it with those. I hope she has some gems as album tracks. Shine was also weighed down by boring singles, but there were still some real gems in there.

---

On a completely different, somewhat happier topic: as I was browsing Youtube to look at the views on her newer videos, and for the first time, I found videos of her performing in New York back in 2014! I'll link them all below, in case someone else hasn't seen them either. She sounds completely flawless in them, even when the guitarist accompanying her is off and she messes up her lyrics lmao, she's amazing.

It seems that "Shiawasette" is theme song for the tv series.

I found the song online but the person didn't post the password for the rar file omg this is ridiculous lol

According to Instagram she has a song called “For You” coming out? Maybe I read it wrong (I don’t read Japanese anyway LOL)

Maybe she can make pv for song. She didn't made pv for long time.

That's the album title, and the picture she shared with the title is the album cover. :)



Absolutely lovely! :heart But a little nitpick: they didn't really need to spell her name and the album title sideways on the edge of the image.

Can you put the image in a spoiler? It’s stretching the screen. Thanks!

Didn’t know it was an album! I expect nothing but boring and bland so... lol

Done; sorry about that, I didn't realise how big the picture actually was. Also added the CD-only cover, which is very different.

I'm not really expecting much better than bland either but I hope for a couple of killer tracks.

Covers look amazing. Only songs that like is for now is "Waiting for you" and "すき" from "Loving you" single. But i doubt that they will put that song on album.

The covers both look nice, but completely devoid of any personality. Same as the title.

I only like Lovin' You from the songs we have so far. Like Kacku, I hope the album will have some great songs, because even Shine had some gems. Kimi To Futari Nara :heart

I love Kimi To Futari Nara and #HEARTMELT, although I think that #HEARTMELT belongs to VIVID era.

Harsh but true. :laugh

I didn't even remember how Kimi to Futari Nara sounded, but since both you and Sky High mentioned it, I went back and listened to it and yes, it's so good! I listened to the other gems from Shine for the first time in a long while as well; #HEARTMELT is even better than I remembered, I think it's actually one of her best ever, and I haven't seen anyone else mention this song but I've always loved I'm Beautiful.

The rap part ruins #HEARTMELT a bit. But it's a tune, just like KTFN.

I agree, but is far better than singing duet with Imaichi Ryuuji (Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE) "Very Special".

I don't think the rap ruins the song at all, but it is the weakest element of the track. But everything else is just so fantastic: Crystal's vocals (the emotion! the power! her ecstasy-inducing trills in the background of the chorus!), the arrangement, the melody...

Ugh, that song is one of her worst.

I'm probably the only person who likes their version of Very Special :laugh

^ nah, I like it too haha. I listened to it a lot at the time of release.

"Devoid of personality" is probably the best way to describe what's happened to her music.
Considering she was never a huge seller even in her peak, you'd think they'd let her have a bit more freedom in the music she makes...

I miss FLASH so much haha

FLASH is sooo good. I love PV for that song. :luv2

I don't really like FLASH, but Victoria is my jam. That song got me thru so many gym hours lol

The whole FLASH mini album is great, I love pretty much everything except Happy (which is not a bad song, I just don't love it). But I think I love I pray the most, it's such a sweet, warm, ageless tune. :love

FLASH - mini album, is really good one :). I found article from Random J pop about upcoming Crystal kay album art and tracklist. Fans are not happy about this :(

https://randomjpop.blogspot.ba/2018/...y-for-you.html

^ Random J's tireless praise of Crystal Kay is what actually got me into her, and I've been following his blog for years (since before VIVID... oh god it's been six years what is happening), so I'm really not surprised about his opinions. And the general consensus here is very similar. I'm just still praying for hot album tracks that show what Crystal is really capable of. :dead2

^ Me too (I am following RJpop for years, he is always on point, and also very funny :D ), I hope she makes wonder out of this new album of hers. But I am sceptical. :keepingmyfingerscrossed:

They released pv for Shiawase tte:

Forever Young snippet sounds amazing!

They also released a little teaser for the album on her Facebook page! Based on that, the tracklist seems to be:

1. 幸せって。 (Shiawasette.)
2. わたしたち (Watashitachi)
3. I Just Wanna Fly
4. Talk To Me
5. Summer Fever
6. Can't Stop Me
7. Forever Young
8. Lovin' You
9. Faces
10. サクラ (Sakura)
11. Waiting For You

Interesting how both of the new songs previewed here (I Just Wanna Fly and Talk To Me) sound very modern and current, makes me think that most of the new songs would follow this sound as well. I keep wondering about their choices with her music releases: why not feature this side of her output on actual singles more prominently alongside the many ballads?

^I think they did it because ballads (traditional arrangement/safe option) generally sell well in Japan. But her sales are not that good anymore.

"Summer Fever" and "Can't Stop Me" could sound modern also as "I Just Wanna Fly" and "Talk To Me" . I think that they are going for summer feeling - more upbeat songs. "Waiting For You" is also good song (I am glad that they included that song on album).

^I'm pretty sure that is why they've released so many ballad singles too, but what I'm saying is that they could and should also feature Crystal's other styles more prominently: if they still have to lead with ballads to please the public, couple upbeat songs with them and release some double A-side singles, don't just hide them away as b-sides and album tracks. I think having most of her promoted songs be of the same style is doing some harm to her image, it makes her seem limited, predictable, and boring. But I'm no marketing expert, these are just some musings from a fan.

I forgot to comment on the Shiawasette. PV earlier, but all I have to say about it is that it looks pretty and Crystal looks beautiful, as always.

By the way, she also announced an acoustic tour, 「クリカフェ “For You”」 (Kuri Café), to follow the album release! Tour schedule:

- Motion Blue Yokohama, July 10-11, two shows on each day
- Blue Note Nagoya, July 14-15, two shows on each day
- Blue Note Tokyo, July 16, two shows
- Billboard Osaka, August 5, two shows

Further tour information: https://www.universal-music.co.jp/cr...ws/2018-05-11/

I was thinking about Talk To Me but I wrote Forever Young :rolleyes blonde moment.

So as predicted, this is Shine 2.0. Safe, bland singles and some great album tracks.

I agree with you about promoting other styles:yes, they should do that, it is tarnishing her image. I wish that she has more control over her music. But it is, what it is. Also I agree with ayumi_croatia, "For You" is going to be Shine 2.0.

Shiawasette is really nice pv, she looks stunning :love. It looks little bit like Nandemo pv.

I am glad that tour is going to have acoustic arrangement, it makes the atmosphere more intimate with the audience.

for those who are interested on Shiawasette, here's the full song, in iTunes Plus quality:

https://dbr.ee/3I9s

please don't post it outside of ahs

^ Thanks for sharing. Mind if I ask where you got it?

^ through someone on baidu. I guess they didn't want it outside of there so... :P

^thanks for the song :)

Ah, I see. Thank you for doing the digging!

The snippet for Can't Stop Me reminds me of It's A Crime *goes to listen to Color Change*

The album is already out digitally!

the album is her weakest so far for me...

Grrrr why don't we have Spotify or iTunes

I'm afraid I have to agree. The only songs that made any impact on me were Forever Young (which I REALLY didn't appreciate enough when it originally came out) and I Just Wanna Fly (which really surprised me because though I usually dislike very drop-heavy pop songs - I'm just more of a chorus lover - this one did things right, as Crystal and the production have enough power to carry the song through the drop and not just let all the build-up lead to nothing). The rest of the new songs were all kinda nice, and more interesting than most of her singles from this era, but still not quite there, almost a bit too basic. I might find some appreciation in me for Talk To Me and Can't Stop Me, but after the first two listens, those tracks are not giving me enough.

My expectations for this album weren't high to begin with but I still feel a bit let down. :( I really hoped I'd like this better.

However, I have to say the album made me appreciate Lovin' You a little more, it really works well coming after Forever Young! It's still not an amazing song, but I'm liking it better than I used to.

(By the way, whose idea was it to split the album so heavily and obviously between new songs and singles? I'm not sure that a different order could do much to salvage the album, but it still feels off and lazy and really makes the second half of the album very... uninspiring.)

^ I thought the same thing about the track order.

Also, yeah. I really don't find any of the new songs inspiring... the single songs are still the strongest for me. Which isn't saying much...

So I'm finally done with uni for this year and I can listen to this...as predicted, it's basically Shine part two. A lot of bland safe J-Pop songs. Thankfully, there are some great album tracks that save the day - Can't Stop Me, Summer Fever and Talk To Me are great. I Just Wanna Fly is cute as well and I enjoy old school R&B vibes of Lovin' You. Forever Young also grew on me.

I decided to tack acoustic version of Suki at the end - it fits sonically and it's basically one of my favorite things CK has ever done.

I found full version of pv

For you debuted at #30 on the Oricon charts with sales of 1933 copies in the first week. I'm surprised it did this poorly.

I'm surprised she still has a contract lol

OMG, it is going to sell less then VIVID. She needs to do more risks, she got nothing to lose. :(

Lol ... Sorry but this Album ist just boring!

chile... I screamed

I went to listen to Take It Outside like I do every day and I just found out VIVID is gone from Spotify, at least here in Brazil.

I'm not surprised. :D But I am definitely sad for her. She deserves more, but not with this music.

It's gone from Japan as well

I mean, I'm not surprised the album didn't do well, but I wasn't expecting the sales to be THAT low. Shine literally sold more than four times as many copies during its first week, even VIVID did considerably better. But then again, there was no Namie single or small hit song this time around, and I guess her Japanese fans are feeling frustrated with all the fluff material as well.

VIVID is gone from Spotify in my region as well, but the singles from that era are still up, I wonder what's up with that.

Her team failed to use the momentum she gained with Shine. I think that was the biggest problem. And that may have been her last chance...

After a long period of silence and starring in musicals, Crystal is teasing a cover album!

Finally something new!
Can't wait

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ETSeyy2U...g&name=900x900

Finally some more cover album news! Crystal announced today that the album would be releasing in the autumn, and the first song off of it, a cover of Remioromen's 3月9日 (Sangatsu Kokonoka), will be released digitally tomorrow, March 18th.

It’s lovely :heart

It reminds me of her early work so much!

I love what she did with the song! I’m very excited for this album.
I’ve missed her voice

Music Artists Across the World: We're postponing the release of new material until we can adequately promote it.
Kurikay: Hold my gold, I'm gonna get a #1 while there's no competition.

lol

3月9日 is such a good song! also Ichi ritoru no namida forever!!

3月9日 is really sweet, and Crystal sounds so good on it. I hope some of the other covers will hit me harder, but I'm happy with this one as well. :)

Crystal (and other LDH management artists) will be going live on Youtube this Friday! SPRING SONG LIVE will be streamed on the LDH Japan Official Youtube channel at 8PM JST on March 27th. The announcement promises cover songs and themes of spring and graduation, so I'm expecting to hear 3月9日 at least.

https://www.universal-music.co.jp/cr...18-768x768.jpg

Oh I didn't know she was doing a cover album! Really looking forward to this!

She recently released this song from the cover album :)

Crystal recently did an interview in English on the Jinjja Cha podcast. It's over two and a half hours long. :laugh She talks about the upcoming cover album (still in the works, might also include self-covers), getting her back catalogue available for streaming (doing what she can about it), how she REALLY feels about her biggest hit Koi ni Ochitara, her favourite songs and album and tour, and performing on Pippin. You can hear the whole episode on Soundcloud, Spotify, or other podcast platforms.

Also, she recently appeared on a Live x Live stream where she performed Eternal Memories and an acoustic version of Forever, playing the acoustic guitar herself. Check out the video here.

Crystal released Utautai no Ballad, the second song from her upcoming cover album, recently, and now the song has a music video. Still no word of the album release date.

it's a nice song and I'm normally don't listen to that kind of music

Crystal did another interview in English! In this podcast episode, she talks about her early career, being a mixed-race artist in Japan, and her time in NYC among other things. She also talks briefly about the upcoming cover album (all covers of songs originally sung by male artists, except for one) and her intentions after that release. Still no release date for the cover album though...

She also announced a Christmas tour! She's touring Billboard Live venues in three cities, four performances in each venue.

Crystal Xmas 2020

9.-10.12. Billboard Live Osaka
19.-20.12. Billboard Live Tokyo
24.-25.12. Billboard Live Yokohama

Third digital single from the upcoming cover album (title and release date still TBA...) will be released on Dec 11th! This time, she's covering Official HIGEDANdism's I LOVE... with a Christmas ballad twist.

Crystal's I LOVE... cover is now out! A great addition to any Christmas playlist.

Also, her full back catalogue is now available on Spotify! Unfortunately, some essential songs (Kirakuni, FLASH, It's A Crime, LOST CHILD) remain blocked, we can only hope they'll also become available later.

Rain on me!
 

It looks like Kuri is involved in a Covid-19 charity project called ALL FOUR ONE with Sumire, Ukico, and Tigarah with all proceeds from goods going to mental health support lines.

https://youtu.be/8BTwD4FoOLU

(BTW, how can I get the video to embed directly instead of just showing as a link?)

I tried looking it up but couldnt find anything on her upcoming cover album. Are details still to be announced? The pandemic must have messed her schedule, a pity ):

^ Yes, the release is still TBA. I think she's said in interviews that it's exactly as you said, the pandemic messed up the production schedule, she was apparently still recording in December. I hope we'll get the announcement and details somewhat soon!

FINALLY new details on the cover album!

The title is I SING, the release date is April 21st, and the tracklist is as follows:

1. 楓 (Kaede) [Original: Spitz; Producer: Kazuhiko Maeda]
2. ただ…逢いたくて (Tada... Aitakute) [Original: EXILE; Producer: Masanori Shimada]
3. 3月9日 (Sangatsu Kokonoka) [Original: Remioromen; Producer: Yaffle]
4. I LOVE... [Original: Official HIGEDANdism; Producer: Daisuke Kawaguchi]
5. なんでもないや (Nandemonaiya) [Original: RADWIMPS; Producer: Masanori Shimada]
6. すき (Suki) [Original: DREAMS COME TRUE; Producer: MANABOON]
7. 天体観測 (Tentai Kansoku) [Original: BUMP OF CHICKEN; Producer: Akihisa Matsuura]
8. 瞳をとじて (Hitomi wo Tojite) [Original: Ken Hirai; Producer: Shin Kono]
9. 歌うたいのバラッド (Utautai no Ballad) [Original: Kazuyoshi Saito; Producer: Akihisa Matsuura]
10. サウダージ (Saudade) [Original: Porno Graffiti; Producer: Masanori Sasaji]
11. One more time, One more chance [Original: Masayoshi Yamazaki; Producer: Masanori Sasaji]
12. 白い恋人達 (Shiroi Koibitotachi) [Original: Keisuke Kuwata; Producer: UTA]
13. I LOVE... (Uptempo Ver.) [Producer: Kan Sano]

Source

I'm happy to get more details! But can't say I'm super excited with the tracklist... It's a lot of songs that I feel are on every cover album, I wish it didn't feel generic. I hope CK brings a positive surprise and turns it out with her versions!

I'm really sad with this tracklist too. It's not bad, but I really feel it's very generic :/

Previews for I SING.

Many of my favorite classics!!

Crystal is back with new single "Hitori Ja Nai Kara (Because I'm not Alone)" for the horror movie Dancing Mary.



She's also doing some adorable promotion for it, such as a live performance and dance session with Naoto of Exile (the video won't show here, but if you click it, you can see it on YouTube).





BTW, Crystal does a weekly bilingual live chat on her Instagram that she calls "Makenai Monday."

She's done a great job becoming a working singer/influencer, communicating with her audience and doing all kinds of fun advertisements and projects like the continuing All Four One charity project and her glamorous and funny appearance in a recent Roger Vivier video.

I wasn't a fan of Crystal back in the day. But I've come to love her these past few years, her glamour and her comfort in her own skin. :love

OK, but real talk - why are KuriKay's covers on The Masked Singer Japan so much better than her actual cover album?
https://randomjpop.blogspot.com/2021...ger-japan.html

Omg I had no idea!! All of those covers are so good!! Yuming’s song in particular where she used her deep register was AMAZING! Seriously why couldn’t her cover album just be this??

Crystal Kay and Daichi Yamamoto drop a whole new attitude for us to enjoy with their song, Gimme Some.