[Ken Hirai] The 4th thread ~ 40th single 魔法って言っていいかな？ (22.06)

[nanakopy87]

Sing Forever cover is actually quite artistic.i think his best cover should be sentimentalover,and several single's cover.other than that,its just so-so to me

[NintendoHTF1242]

Originally Posted by KarenPang

I guess you never seen past cover artworks for Ken's material ? JAPANESE SINGER is already not bad to me

You should just google & look at some of his worst ones like Sing Forever & let alone FAKIN' POP & most recently CANDY

then again , Ken never really has good covers for his stuff even though for Ken's Bar II , they were some of his best & also for fake star as well *_*

UMMM AISHITERU KTHXBAI! Lol best cover of...I think that single came out last year...or was it this year? Whatever, Aishiteru's cover was the best of that year. Beautiful.

[KarenPang]

Originally Posted by nanakopy87

Sing Forever cover is actually quite artistic.i think his best cover should be sentimentalover,and several single's cover.other than that,its just so-so to me

also that goes for his PVs as well , I never really enjoy watching them even though songs wise they're still good & have substance

funny enough when he released Ken's Bar II & also his Ken Hirai Films Vol.11 Ken's Bar 10th Anniversary DVD , those covers were some of his best to date

I just like that old school black & white feeling , it was executed really well

[KarenPang]

NINKI index for JAPANESE SINGER

01 513.10 AKB48 - Koko ni Ita Koto
02 139.80 Hirai Ken - JAPANESE SINGER
03 55.90 The Gospellers - Hamorhythm
04 35.30 THE BAWDIES - LIVE THE LIFE I LOVE
05 32.80 Candies - GOLDEN☆BEST Candies Complete Single Collection
06 23.60 Hayashibara Megumi - Hayashibara Megumi BEST ALBUM VINTAGE White
07 19.50 Kondo Natsuko - Kondo Natsuko 1
08 18.20 PUSHIM - MESSENGER
09 17.90 andymori -Kakumei
10 16.80 Hayley Westenra - Hayley Sings Ennio Morricone

Already preordered my copy / Taiwan press CD only last night & I'm looking forward to get hold of it in about 2 weeks's time or so

[ストロボ・EdGE]

That cover would look so much better if his hair didn't look like the texture and color of a used Q-tip.

[KarenPang]

I never like Ken in blonde hair to begin with . I still feel he looked the best when he released fake star , which's incidentally probably my fave single cover artwork of Ken

too bad the PV for it is so .... awakard

[KarenPang]

Hirai Ken to release new single & PV collection



Hirai Ken has announced that he will be releasing his new single, “Kokuhaku“, on May 23rd!

“Kokuhaku” will be used as the theme song for TV Asahi’s upcoming drama, “W no Higeki“, which stars actress Takei Emi. This drama is based on a mystery novel by Natsuki Shizuko that was adapted into a film back in 1984.

Regarding the song, Hirai commented, “I made it with the themes ‘absolute darkness’ and ‘overwhelming despair’, things that everyone holds somewhere in their hearts.” He continued, “Honestly, I’ve wrote a lot of songs, but this was the first song where I felt pain.”

After hearing the song, Takei expressed, “I felt that he wrote it while relating to my character, the protagonist Mako.”

For its coupling track, the single will include “Woman ‘W no Higeki’“, which will also be featured in the drama. This will be an acoustic cover of the theme song that was used in the movie back in 1984.

The single will be released in 2 different versions: Limited Edition (CD+DVD) and Full Volume Edition (CD-Only). The DVD will contain a 30-minute long special footage starring the singer himself. Meanwhile, the Full Volume Edition will feature a special arrangement of “Itoshiki Hibi yo“, called “Itoshiki Hibi yo -the repose of souls-“, and a remix of “Onegai Julie★“.

Along with the new single, Hirai will simultaneously release a new PV collection titled ‘KEN HIRAI Films Vol.12′, which will include 9 video clips from “Kimi wa Su. Te. Ki” to “Yume no Mukou de“.

Fans who purchase both the single and PV collection will have a chance to be invited to Hirai’s annual concert, ‘Ken’s Bar’. This concert will be held on July 7th for 47 people from the 47 prefectures in Japan.

http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/04/hir...pv-collection/



Welcome back Ken , it has been way too long since you come back with something new , I can't wait to hear Kokuhaku !

[PoetGirl]

wow, painful, I can't wait to hear it

[KarenPang]

DFBL-7147
Ken Hirai/Ken Hirai FilmsVol.12 DVD
2800 yen US$34/83.36 Release Date:2012/05/23
Description:Music video collection release from Ken Hirai for the first time in four years. Contains music videos, TV spots, and making-of.
First Press Details:bonus details is to be announced
URL - http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/d.html?KEY=DFBL-7147
*********************************************
DFCL-1891
Ken Hirai/Kokuhaku[w/ DVD, Limited Edition] CDA
1300 yen US$16/83.36 Release Date:2012/05/23
Description:Thirty-fifth single release from Ken Hirai. This time, he sings a ballad song produced by Seiji Kameda, a member of Tokyo Jihen. This edition includes a bonus DVD. *Cover jacket designs corresponding limited edition and regular one are different from each other. *Unless otherwise indicated, DVDs are region-2 encoded (Japan, Europe, and Middle East), and carry no subtitles.
First Press Details:bonus details is to be announced
URL - http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/d.html?KEY=DFCL-1891
*********************************************
DFCL-1893
Ken Hirai/KokuhakuFull Volume Ban [Regular Edition] CDA
1165 yen US$14/83.36 Release Date:2012/05/23
Description:Thirty-fifth single release from Ken Hirai. This time, he sings a ballad song produced by Seiji Kameda, a member of Tokyo Jihen. This edition includes bonus track(s). *Cover jacket designs corresponding limited edition and regular one are different from each other.
First Press Details:bonus details is to be announced
URL - http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/d.html?KEY=DFCL-1893

[KarenPang]

A special website has been launched for Kokuhaku & Ken Hirai Films Vol.12

http://www.kenhirai.net/kokuhaku/

Both releases have been pushed back to a week later on 30th May

Covers for Kokuhaku

CD



CD + DVD



Ken Hirai Films Vol.12



Black & white never goes wrong but man , on 1st look , the covers for Kokuhaku are nice but the back is just very o_O xD

[prussian blue]

Not liking the curly hair, but the monochrome effect is really good

[NintendoHTF1242]

The covers are really beautiful.

[KarenPang]

Bigger covers of Kokuhaku

CD



CD + DVD

[KarenPang]

some PV screencaps of Kokuhaku

http://natalie.mu/music/gallery/show...mage_id/127020

wow o_o

it's very ... JIN inspired ? :O but it looks really promising , considering that Ken's PVs are not really all that to begin with xD

[kotora]

Originally Posted by KarenPang

Bigger covers of Kokuhaku

CD



CD + DVD

I love how they cut of that boobies and makes it PG-rated.

[KarenPang]

The Kokuhaku PV will be aired tomorrow on SSTV

明日18日（金）7:30NEW CUTSは「告白」平井堅ｌ、「オルタナ・ガールフレンド」Chara、「トロイメライ」パスピエ、「強い気持ち・強い愛」でんぱ組. inc、「天使と悪魔」鴉 オンエア

https://twitter.com/#!/spaceshowertv...02344722919424

[AyuGAME]

PV of Kokuhaku already leaked at jpopsuki...

the song is totally different from what Ken usually sings...somehow it made me remember Ayu's WILL...very similar atmosphere...

love the song and the pv though..very cool

[KarenPang]

damn Kokuhaku is awesome & you're right , it's a very different if not extremely unique style Ken displayed in , something that was not present in his previous singles

and yup very strong influences of WILL in Kokuhaku which's really great & it also helps that Kokuhaku is produced by Seiji Kameda who's a member of Tokyo Jihen

That and also , Kokuhaku is selected to be used as the theme song for TV Asashi's drama W no Higeki which stars actress Takei Emi which is based on a mystery novel by Natsuki Shizuko that was adapted into a film back in 1984

anyway awesome comeback Ken & he will be performing Kokuhaku next week on MUSIC STATION *__*

2012/05/25

1. Shine/家入レオ (Ieiri Reo)
2. 真夏の (Manatsu no) Sounds good !/AKB48
3. Bible/GLAY
4. Dream On/ノエル (Eru) ・ギャラガー (Gyaragā)
   
5. 告白 (Kokuhaku)/平井 堅 (Ken Hirai)

really hope Ken will put out a great performance for Kokuhaku , if it's going to be something like what it's shown in the PV , even better !

[AyuGAME]

^AHH!!! Can't wait to watch music station performance...love the song

[KarenPang]

With the theme of “Neo Japonesque Butou(dance)”, old Japanese traditions such as Kabuki, Awaodori and Shishimai have been grafted into a modern dance. In the PV, the dancers, who are in Kimonos, hold fans as they dance around Hirai. MIKIKO, well known as a choreographer of Perfume, took charge of the choreography and created a beautiful and dynamic visual.

Hirai stated, “The PV has been created with high creativity… With both the song and PV, I think I could open up a new ground of my own. Please enjoy it!”

Prior to release, an event called ‘Special screening party for Hirai Ken’s music video’ will be held at Communication Zone OPUS in the Ginza Sony Building in Tokyo on May 21st.

This event will commemorate his new single “Kokuhaku” and the upcoming PV collection ‘KEN HIRAI Films Vol.12′, and feature the “Kokuhaku” PV on large screens. Furthermore, the whole Sony Building will hold this event with a life-size dummy display of Hirai, along with a PV experience zone with BRAVIA’s hometheater. The event will be held until June 3rd.

http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/05/che...ngle-kokuhaku/

Kokuhaku is still ace <3

===

YesAsia description of Kokuhaku

A year after Itoshiki Hibi yo, the hit theme song for the second season of television drama Jin, Hirai Ken returns with another powerful drama theme song. This time, Ken delivers Kokuhaku, his theme song for the new remake of the 1984 television drama W no Higeki. For the single's B-side track, Ken delivers a soulful version of 1984's Woman - "W no Higeki" Yori, originally performed by Yakushimaru Hiroko.

http://www.yesasia.com/global/kokuha...0-en/info.html