First week sales: #4 at 15,284. Beaten by JUJU (#1, 28,987) and a couple of releases from January ("The Greatest Showman" movie soundtrack and EXO)...this is disappointing sales.

What have happened???

4th Position is better than her two previous albums (best excluded)
Not sure about sales though.

Does anyone like her new album?

I can't remember even one song :tired

I still adore Relax. That track alone saves the album for me. I've yet to listen to the whole thing in one go though.

I listened to the new album and thought some songs were good (so at least this album was better than WE, which I outright disliked), but nothing was good enough to make me want to go back and I can't remember the songs anymore. I'm just... where did all her great songs go? She used to have striking, instantly memorable and likable singles, but I've found her recent output mostly a little bland. :/

Oh damn, over a year since the last post? :o

I came here to say that I'm disappointed with her latest album DUO, and saw the posts above disappointed with TIME :P

Has anyone else listened to DUO? I actually prefer TIME to this. and saw her live on the tour supporting TIME (which made some songs grow on me). I've been trying to get into DUO because she's touring again, but I just can't get into it bar a few songs (they aren't even the singles).

Haven't had time to update this, I've been too busy with school. Don't know why there hasn't been anyone else trying to update this in the first place...!

is there a website with all the lyrics translations?

^ Yeah, I'd be interested in that as well.

You can find some on tumblr: https://kimonobeat.tumblr.com/search/ieiri Not much, but still something.

I need new songs from her. I love DUO but I'm craving for her next single

^thanks! I was wanting lyrics from the new album, but if they don't exist then what can you do? (I do not have the confidence to translate them myself, but if I get desperate I might give it a try... :dead2)

So I just listened to DUO and I have to say I quite liked it, at least more than what I remember of TIME or WE. I do think her quality made a huge dip after 20, which is my favorite from her with her debut being close behind. Idk what staying power it will have in my library though. Sad.

Leo is set to release a new single on 29 January titled "Mikansei".



EDIT 6 January: The (short version) music video is out:

^Thanks for sharing!

So I have had more time to Digest DUO and even took the opportunity to listen to TIME. I would be curious to see everyone else rank the albums so I am sharing my below!

1. 20 - This album definitely has her strongest songs, both from a single and album song perspective. She hits it out of the park with both ballad and upbeat songs. Kokoro no Katachi is def my fave on the whole album. The song has a whole new life to it. little blue I think may be my next favorite, which is surprising, but it is just so good!

2. LEO - Is this surprising? I feel like this will either be everyone's 1 or 2. I think LEO has the best singles of any era, Shine being the standout for me. The album tracks are also good, but the only real standouts here are Last Stage, Lady Mary, and Linda. Out of all the tracks, I think Hello may actually be my fave.

3. DUO - I am honestly surprised at how much I have listened and enjoyed this album since I last posted a few days ago. This album seems to be very refreshing and honestly has staying power. Standouts here are Prime Numbers, Whenever, Overflow, Neon Nights, and Sasanqua.

4. WE - I feel like this will be controversial. So there are only about 6 songs I truly enjoy from this album, but for me they are better than the best songs from a boy and TIME. I really enjoy City Boy na Aitsu, Koukotsu, and Bokutachi no Mirai.

5. a boy - To me this is a perfect example of the sophomore slump. I feel like each song only gets about 60% there compared to the magic of 20 and LEO, but the best songs on DUO and WE are better than the best songs on a boy, for me at least. I can't think of a song I routinely go to on this album aside from Taiyou no Megami

6. TIME - I think this will be about the same for everyone, but I can see why people would put WE down here since it was the first album post Nishio Yoshihiko. I think the only song I truly enjoy is Relax... and parts of Binetsu.

a boy was the first album of hers I heard and purchased so its sentimental to me, after that would probably be DUO then LEO. I still don't have the physical copy of her first album. T_T

Leo Ieiri's discography up to "Mikansei" is now up on Spotify and various other music streaming services!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1XErHyc10VN8bfGKma1Yyc

Not sure if it's available outside of Japan though.



Leo is also releasing a new song called "Answer", which will be used for the second series of the "Major Second" anime!

https://twitter.com/major2nd_tv/stat...33777883156480

And..."Answer" is also being released as a new EP, with a single B-side and five cover songs! It will be coming out on 22 April 2020.

https://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/leo-ieiri/news/#news631

I've been able to play her on Spotify in Australia. :)

I got my Mikansei single a few days ago, I got the CD+DVD version with the a cappella lives and its such a cute DVD. Like a cappella PVs of her and some of her band members in a warehouse, so the acoustics are pretty good. :D

Cover songs have been announced for the "Answer" EP:

That, plus:

• Swallowtail Butterfly～あいのうた～ (~Ai no Uta~) (YEN TOWN BAND)
• 悲しみの果て (Kanashimi no Hate) (Elephant Kashimashi)
• 泣くかもしれない (Nakukamo Shirenai) (Shimoda Itsuro)
• 秋桜 (Kosumosu) (Yamaguchi Momoe)

"Answer" EP physical release has been delayed due to the volatile COVID-19 situation. Last week, Japan declared a state of emergency, including Tokyo, and prefectural government orders are shutting down non-essential businesses during this time, including CD shops.

Since CD shops are pretty much closed on the supposed release date of 22 April, it makes sense to delay the physical release of the single until no earlier than 13 May, although that is subject to change depending on what's going on with COVID-19 in Japan overall.

"Answer" song will still be available digitally on 22 April, but the cover songs will have to wait until the physical release.

https://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/News/A023686/641.html

^it makes sense, I hope it doesn't affect sales too badly or anything.