[Koda Kumi] The 188th Thread - NEW DOUBLE ALBUM ► W FACE inside/outside

[ALfromHELLSING]

Originally Posted by kaled kalil

Thank you. OMG I almost cried myself. God Bless the Kueen. Go to the top

Originally Posted by kaled kalil

As I said before, the problem is not the money or the time, it's just the execution and the concept.

That's what I though too. If Kimi Omoi was included it would have look so out of place with the rest of the videos. I'm hoping that for the next album she'll go for less videos but with more content in them. I love EX TAPE, On And On, WALK OF MY LIFE, Like It, NO ME WITHOUT YOU, SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA music videos. They are all quite simple but are awesome & very entertaining to watch.

[thinkingoutloud89]

Originally Posted by Corvina

Modelpress interview:
https://mdpr.jp/interview/detail/1670664

- Kuu had troubles choosing an creating songs for inside and doing a track order. She asked a lot of famous producers and artists to write for her.
inside is supposed to be full of representative sounds of Kuu's old hits and nostalgic sounds, but in a more mature way.
- even though most peope are listening on shuffle on their own these days, Kuu wants to keep to make full concepts with songs, their order, the content and the visuals.
- BRIDGET SONG is like an adult version of anytime.
- Yorokobi no Kakera is actually an old song she made in the past and it's from the same writer as Ai no Uta and WIND. So a signature Kuu sound for the public would probably be from him (Kosuke Morimoto).
- outside is full of western urban sounds as she considers those her roots.
- they shot all the 6 PVs in two days.
- she needed a year to produce both albums.
- she went to NY and LA in a short time to watch Beyoncé and lots of other shows to get inspirations for her shows.
- she just chooses songs for those albums she wants to sing live

reading this, the concept really should not have been named inside and outside, cause it gives kind of a wrong impression - both sides are her in the public eye, basically catering two different fan-groups.

[Corvina]

Digital album sales ranking is up for last week (03/06 - 03/12):
http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dia/w/2017-03-20/

inside is at #6 with 1207 sales and outside at #7 with 1095.

[ShiraJemJem]

Originally Posted by Corvina

Modelpress interview:
https://mdpr.jp/interview/detail/1670664

- Kuu had troubles choosing an creating songs for inside and doing a track order. She asked a lot of famous producers and artists to write for her.
inside is supposed to be full of representative sounds of Kuu's old hits and nostalgic sounds, but in a more mature way.
- even though most peope are listening on shuffle on their own these days, Kuu wants to keep to make full concepts with songs, their order, the content and the visuals.
- BRIDGET SONG is like an adult version of anytime.
- Yorokobi no Kakera is actually an old song she made in the past and it's from the same writer as Ai no Uta and WIND. So a signature Kuu sound for the public would probably be from him (Kosuke Morimoto).
- outside is full of western urban sounds as she considers those her roots.
- they shot all the 6 PVs in two days.
- she needed a year to produce both albums.
- she went to NY and LA in a short time to watch Beyoncé and lots of other shows to get inspirations for her shows.
- she just chooses songs for those albums she wants to sing live

I always think W Face -outside- has Beyoncé Lemonade album vibes in it and now I know why.

[Zeke.]

No wonder; I haaaaaaaaaaaaaate Beyonces music.

[ShiraJemJem]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

No wonder; I haaaaaaaaaaaaaate Beyonces music.

LOL. Do you like W Face outside?

[MissElin_]

Originally Posted by CatGirl

So I've been listening to outside a lot, and it's pretty bangin' but I can't help but feel that some of the songs feel unfinished? The arrangements aren't as "full" as I'm used to songs from Kuu. W FACE, Bassline, Bangarang, Insane and Ultraviolet are dope though.

Also, inside is terrible lol. I listened to it once and honestly can't remember what any of the songs sound like. My fun is also super awful and I wish I could unhear that.

I agree on every single word you write here. I feel the exact same way!

[sitara]

does a 320 kbps version exist yet for download?

I haven't listened to the albums yet, waiting for better quality ^__^

[kaled kalil]

@thinkingoutloud89 To me, even after reading the interview, the name still applies to the concept because lyric-wise inside is more of who she is as a person, as Kuu-chan as she usually refers to her own life, and the outside as the Koda Kumi persona, the entertainer. I guess that maybe naming the album "I am... Kumiko" & "I am... Koda Kumi" would be too much of a Beyoncé copy out. haha

Re-watching BSC Tour makes me wonder how the tour will starts. We all know her tours have some sort of a connection, and the last moment of BSC was the "60th single" playing. Well... Ultraviolet playing.

And where is the Driving Hit's tracklist?

--

EDIT: another interview, this time for Billboard: http://www.billboard-japan.com/special/detail/1876

[Gubsi]

^i guess we'll get the tracklist around next week hopefully lol

i knew by the moment she posted in her FC (Beyoncé's concert and bought the CD) that her album will be inspired by this and i'm more than happy with the outcome!
W FACE 〜outside〜 / Lemonade / ANTI
it's like my trinity of that music genre right here, amazing albums!!

W FACE 〜outside〜 / Fantôme / LIBERTY
the only good j-pop albums since probably almost 2 years or even more more tho...

i think i would love inside much more without the rock songs & stand by you...
and adding some songs in the vein of IN THE AIR and Love Technique to it!

[Corvina]

Originally Posted by kaled kalil

EDIT: another interview, this time for Billboard: http://www.billboard-japan.com/special/detail/1876

Oh yeah, this is by far the more interesting interview regarding her insights!
I'm pretty tired now after work, but some interesting points quickly summarized.

- the first idea for the albums came with The Artist.
If she had to sum up her own discography, she'd divide it into pop music and western music. She knows that both are contradicting sometimes, but she likes it like that and just thinks that 's her. So she was curious, what would happen, when she's dividing it firmly. She was also afraid of not being well received and not selling with both albums like that. But she already knew with preorder numbers that there wouldn't be much difference between the two and she's glad fans seem to think just as her that both belong to her.
- she knows that there are people thinking that she's terrible, but she doesn't want to make compromises. She is insecure and weak sometimes, but she wants to make music and perform confidently ( and just showing the emotions she wants to show I assume) E.g. she felt like she couldn't sing Insane at first (cause she's bad at rapping, wtf??) but she wanted to be able to and just went ahead. Also in the past she couldn't go full out with R&B/Hip Hop, but she can now like with Insane and W FACE. Also originally she didn't like plain melodies, but it's letting her focus or something (have to read again, sorry)
- music is like water for her, always flowing, always changing.
- Bassline is one of her own favourite songs.
- the tour this year is more fan participating than last year.
- regarding the videos they're simple on purpose cause of the time and she wanted to challenge if they can make it interesting with just one scene ( guess she didn' succeed for most people, lol). And for BRIDGET SONG she says laughing that she thought she just can't wear a simple jeans and shirt in an expensive PV! But it fits there with the theme.

And there's more, but have to do it another time.
And yeah, inside is her more personal side - the emotional, just like described on her hp. And outside the strong and confident.

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

I think for me though, whether her idea or not, by selling them separately, it kind of loses the concept. If they're both two parts of one whole, then by selling them separately you're in effect stating that the relation between them isn't that important. Because they can stand on their own as two different albums.

But then in the descriptions from her, it's basically saying that they're both part of one "Koda Kumi"--so in terms of a concept, making them a 2 disc album would've been more effective imo. It just seems like an excuse to get more money to me lol.

Maybe I just think too much lol.

I'm waiting until I can rent them from Tsutaya so I've yet to have a proper listen though. I'm expecting a lot of English cringey phrases from Outside... so I'm anticipating that I'll prefer Inside.

[Corvina]

Originally Posted by tokyoxjapanxfan

I think for me though, whether her idea or not, by selling them separately, it kind of loses the concept. If they're both two parts of one whole, then by selling them separately you're in effect stating that the relation between them isn't that important. Because they can stand on their own as two different albums.

But then in the descriptions from her, it's basically saying that they're both part of one "Koda Kumi"--so in terms of a concept, making them a 2 disc album would've been more effective. It just seems like an excuse to get more money to me lol.

Maybe I just think too much lol.

But she's also basically saying, why the sepereated them - cuase they wanted to know, which would be better received.

[thinkingoutloud89]

Originally Posted by Corvina

But she's also basically saying, why the sepereated them - cuase they wanted to know, which would be better received.

which did not quite work, did it? Only if you look at individual songs I guess.
I still think the whole concept is more of a bargain - but so is most of pop-music stuff. It does not mean I don't like the concept however - I really like it and a 20 track album would have been just to much for me, but i can't help and feel that it is kinda forced.

[Corvina]

Originally Posted by thinkingoutloud89

which did not quite work, did it? Only if you look at individual songs I guess.
I still think the whole concept is more of a bargain - but so is most of pop-music stuff. It does not mean I don't like the concept however - I really like it and a 20 track album would have been just to much for me, but i can't help and feel that it is kinda forced.

Why didn't it work? They have seperate sale numbers for both.
And well, the albums are a bit cheaper than usual, though it probably did weaken the message.

Ah, yes, one point she also said - she wanted to make more TV performances this time.

[thinkingoutloud89]

^I mean that it basically sold the same amount.

[orbitalaspect]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

No wonder; I haaaaaaaaaaaaaate Beyonces music.

Let's be fair here... I hate Beyonce's live performances as well. Too much theft. She's like the Apple of musicians. She can't come up with an original idea to save her life. She's either ripping off Lana Del Rey for her tour promos, or ripping off a visual artist for her music videos, or ripping off a dead YouTuber for a soundbite.

Koda, however, always interesting. I only know her next tour will be a story. And that's why I loved the WOML tour. All the interludes showing her discovering herself and her career and reflecting on the decisions she's made. Beyonce's story is like, "My husband cheated on me. I forgave him. Because I'm Beyonce. Sure a bunch of my fans viciously stalked and harassed the lady's TEENAGE CHILDREN, but I don't have to say anything because I'm Beyonce. I forgive. Oh look, I wrote a Green Eggs and Ham about #blacklivesmatter. I recycled some old cliche about making lemonade when life gives you lemons. Doesn't this thigh gap show I have substance? I'm super humble. I was the lead in Destiny's Child, you know that girl group I used to launch a solo career and later leave my 'best friend' behind. 'Second lead vocalist'. Eye roll. I'm just a normal girl."

Koda seriously doesn't need advice from Beyonce on anything. She's a powerhouse performer, actually writes her own songs, actually composes her own shit at times. Don't sink to Beyonce's level. Once you start down that path, you'll have nothing left to call yourself authentic.

Edit: Dead serious. Koda's story is that she started out, flopped massively, and was later told by her label that she wasn't attractive enough to be promoted like Ayumi. So, what did Koda do? She completely changed her image. She went on a drastic dietary change, started working out every day, underwent cosmetic surgery. She never threw a friend or a boyfriend or a mentor under the bus to get successful. There are waves of dignity and respect for the hard work Koda had to put in to become Koda Kumi, the pop star. Beyonce's just waiting around for someone to come up with her ideas for her. And then she rips off another Jennifer Lopez outfit and tries to be the center of attention all over again.

[Gubsi]

i'm more than happy it's seperated...
for me W FACE as a whole would have such a bitter taste when outside is a 9.5/10 for me, while inside is a 5.5-6.5 at best...
and then people would complain how much they hate the other half of the album

the whole "it's money milking" thing is pretty pointless when the whole music industry wants money itself...
i mean look at M(A)DE IN JAPAN having 3 regular versions and 2 FC ones...
but who cares? no one forces you to buy it, just enjoy the music guys and spent money on the things you want...

for example:
-i ordered inside just for my collection
-bought Ayu's Love songs and NEXT LEVEL as CD+DVD and USB Version as well, because i want it
-bought Namie's _genic in japan last time for my collection, but i still wish i havn't spent money on this thing but i won't buy anything she has released before Style
-i have Lana Del Rey's Born to Die as Bonus Track CD, have Paradise as CD and having the Born to Die: paradise edition as special box set and even want to buy both vinyl releases as well
and why? because i can and want it! thank you

and lmao at the weak ass Beyoncé hate here
but it explains a lot, why she got ya'll so pressed?
like lana said recently: have love in your heart

[EndOfTheWorld]

Originally Posted by orbitalaspect

Let's be fair here... I hate Beyonce's live performances as well. Too much theft. She's like the Apple of musicians. She can't come up with an original idea to save her life. She's either ripping off Lana Del Rey for her tour promos, or ripping off a visual artist for her music videos, or ripping off a dead YouTuber for a soundbite.

Koda, however, always interesting. I only know her next tour will be a story. And that's why I loved the WOML tour. All the interludes showing her discovering herself and her career and reflecting on the decisions she's made. Beyonce's story is like, "My husband cheated on me. I forgave him. Because I'm Beyonce. Sure a bunch of my fans viciously stalked and harassed the lady's TEENAGE CHILDREN, but I don't have to say anything because I'm Beyonce. I forgive. Oh look, I wrote a Green Eggs and Ham about #blacklivesmatter. I recycled some old cliche about making lemonade when life gives you lemons. Doesn't this thigh gap show I have substance? I'm super humble. I was the lead in Destiny's Child, you know that girl group I used to launch a solo career and later leave my 'best friend' behind. 'Second lead vocalist'. Eye roll. I'm just a normal girl."

Koda seriously doesn't need advice from Beyonce on anything. She's a powerhouse performer, actually writes her own songs, actually composes her own shit at times. Don't sink to Beyonce's level. Once you start down that path, you'll have nothing left to call yourself authentic.

Edit: Dead serious. Koda's story is that she started out, flopped massively, and was later told by her label that she wasn't attractive enough to be promoted like Ayumi. So, what did Koda do? She completely changed her image. She went on a drastic dietary change, started working out every day, underwent cosmetic surgery. She never threw a friend or a boyfriend or a mentor under the bus to get successful. There are waves of dignity and respect for the hard work Koda had to put in to become Koda Kumi, the pop star. Beyonce's just waiting around for someone to come up with her ideas for her. And then she rips off another Jennifer Lopez outfit and tries to be the center of attention all over again.

This is something I like about Koda Kumi as well. I always admired her determination and work ethic. She knows how to make things happen and get things done. She accomplishes her goals.
I would hate to she her take inspiration from Beyonce. I used to love her back in the 2000s but sometime after the Sasha Fierce album things changed. The worst part is how she is treated as a legit goddess to be worshiped by her cult fans.

[kaled kalil]

I would hate to she her take inspiration from Beyonce. I used to love her back in the 2000s but sometime after the Sasha Fierce album things changed. The worst part is how she is treated as a legit goddeess to be worshiped by her cult fans.

The same thing happen to me, I used to like her music during Dangerously in Love and Deja Vu, but after that it wasn't my thing anymore. I just don't care about her anymore.

I don't share this "hate" for Beyoncé as some people here are showing, and even tho I might not like her persona/music, she's a damn good performer, and Kumi being inspired by her is nothing bad at all. I don't care about what she's singing, what she's trying to sell or her beliefs as a person, I just think that she's a good inspiration for someone who is known as the Queen of Live since she can put on a show.