I merged two of my previous posts, because, y'know, triple posting would be just rude. But I'm once again resorting to double posting, because I feel these news need to be told.
KOTOKO is leaving I've.
Yeah. I... I don't really know what to say. The explanation she gave was something like "I need to get outside my comfort zone and try new things", but I just can't help but wonder if there's something else behind this decision. She's leaving after over 10 years with I've. Talk about a change.
Also...
KOTOKO is releasing her fifth album. It's called 「ヒラく宇宙ポケット」, "Hiraku Uchuu Pocket" ("Open Universe Pocket"... or something like that?) and will be released on 5th of October. For those thinking this is her last album with I've, I'm going to flat-out say no. The album will be released under Warner Home Video label instead of Geneon or Lantis, which I've is affiliated with. I've producers are still very involved though; over half of the album has them either composing, arranging, or doing both. For convinience's sake (or maybe just 'cause I feel like copypasting stuff), I'm posting the tracklist (and credits) here. Oh, also, all songs are new.
All lyrics by KOTOKO.
1. TR∀NSFoRM
Composition & Arrangement: Takase Kazuya
2. ☆-未来-列車-☆ (☆-Mirai-Ressha-☆)
Composition & Arrangement: kz
3. メーテルリンク (Metal Link)
Composition & Arrangement: DECO*27
4. ラブレター (Love Letter)
Composition: Nakazawa Tomoyuki
Arrangement: Nakazawa Tomoyuki & Ozaki Takeshi
5. 青いジープで (Aoi Jeep de)
Composition: Ozaki Takeshi
Arrangement: Ozaki Takeshi & Nakazawa Tomoyuki
6. mirror garden
Composition: KOTOKO
Arrangement: masayoshi minoshima
7. Command+S
Composition & Arrangement: Hiroyuki ODA Pres. HSP
8. X-kai-
Composition: Ozaki Takeshi
Arrangement: Ozaki Takeshi & Nakazawa Tomoyuki
9. サ・ヨ・ナ・・・ラ (Sa.yo.na...ra)
Composition: Iuchi Maiko
Arrangement: 夏目晋 (romanization pretty please?)
10. beat
Composition: Ozaki Takeshi & KOTOKO
Arrangement: Ozaki Takeshi & Nakazawa Tomoyuki
11. 聞こえる (Kikoeteru)
Composition: KOTOKO
Arrangement: C.G mix
12. 開け！ソラノオト (Hirake! Sora no Oto)
Composition & Arrangement: Saitou Shinya
13. 地球-TERRA- (Chikyuu -TERRA-)
Composition & Arrangement: Iuchi Maiko
Also check out
the special site for the album for a pretty banner, a small preview of the first track and a message from KOTOKO, which might or might not reveal something about her reasons for leaving I've (I still can't figure out why).