The Official Kuraki Mai Thread

[Chiharo]

^She has released 4 albums since DIAMOND WAVE (ONE LIFE, touch Me!, FUTURE KISS, OVER THE RAINBOW).

As for recommending you an album, it all depends on what you actually like, as always. I personally love all of the above, and think they all offer something different and unique. If you like more diversity and upbeat music go for FUTURE KISS. But if you like more consistent albums, encouraging lyrics and ballads, go for OVER THE RAINBOW (I'm not saying this album is 100% ballads, it actually has some pretty amazing upbeat songs). touch Me! and ONE LIFE, for me, took quite a bit of time to grow so those might (in my opinion) not be the ones to go after right now. Even if they are amazing albums themselves.

[x-megumi-x]

Ok, I'm gonna try FUTURE KISS and OVER THE RAINBOW first. Thank you

[Chiharo]

^You're welcome! Tell me how you liked them after you listen to them, if you want to of course!

[x-megumi-x]

So, both albums were really nice to listen to, but I think I like FUTURE KISS better maybe because there are more upbeat tracks and they are catchier than those on OVER THE RAINBOW...
My favorite songs, so far, are I Scream!, Revive, wana, FUTURE KISS, anywhere, boyfriend, Strong Heart, Sayonara wa Mada Iwanaide, brave your heart and Love one another <3

My favorite album still is delicious way (NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP is my ultimate favorite from her ). PERFECT CRIME is great too!
I will listen to touch Me! and ONE LIFE later

[Chiharo]

I'm really glad you liked them! And you really have a great taste. And yes, OVER THE RAINBOW does take a lot more to grow too, and it is definitely not as upbeat as FUTURE KISS.

delicious way is still the only album I haven't heard yet. I did hear NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP and I can see why it's your ultimate favorite by her. It's such a great song and it makes me impatient to listen to delicious way. Tell me, do you like all the tracks on that album or? And yes, I really loved PERFECT CRIME. Especially Tsumetai Umi, What are you waiting for, always, Stand Up and think about. All other tracks are great, too.

I hope you'll like touch Me! and ONE LIFE as well. There are some nice gems on those albums.

[Utena]

my favs are Touch Me! and FUTURE KISS <3 I do like OVER THE RAINBOW overall, but the album tracks are kinda boring..

[Chiharo]

To me, album tracks from OVER THE RAINBOW like Sun will shine on u, La*La*La, another day*another world and Love one another are mildly said masterpieces. The only tracks I'm not too big on (but still kinda like) are Mou Ichido and Stay the same. I really had lots of trouble in getting into touch Me! at first, for some reasons. I used to only like the title track, break the tone and Catch. Other songs were kinda boring at first but now I adore all of them.

As for FUTURE KISS - I love all of the songs except I only find SUMMER TIME GONE, Drive me crazy and I promise a bit bland at times.

Even though, to be honest, all of her songs are great, they just really DO take time to grow. But once they do, it's completely worth it. So I do encourage you guys to re-listen to her albums more than a few times.

[x-megumi-x]

I like most of the tracks off delicious way
It was one of the first j-pop CD I listened to... If I remember well, it was in 2004, that's probably why it's kind of special to me

What are you waiting for is awesome! Definitely one of the best from PERFECT CRIME!

[Chiharo]

You must have some great memories with that album then! I've only just recently discovered Kuraki's music. I mean, I did like some of her singles and a few songs but never really gave much effort towards going for an album. That's different now, of course.

Oh, yes. Actually, What are you waiting for is kind of very unique in her discography because it sounds so... well, sexual. Mostly because of the intro and other parts where you can hear that guy in it (is that Africk or not? Kind of sounds like him and kind of doesn't), the lyrics themselves are not sexual though. I guess it was just to give it a more R&B feel, but still it kind of caught me off guard, haha.

[Kaiouforever]

FYI TRY AGAIN is at #6 today (which is up from yesterday). Looks like another top ten hit for Mai!

[Damita]

It's an absolute travesty she is on her first thread still. The woman with the most top ten consecutive hits since debut, and still growing!

My best Mai-K memory was between Touch Me~All My Best era. That was an awesome comeback, and Beautiful cemented itself to my favorite Mai-K single. Too bad she was robbed her first #1 years by that silly avex band who got "avex magic" on the very last day

[rookies]

I just listened to TRY AGAIN, and it sounds different from her other songs. Especially with the autotune. I really like the song.

[Delicious n Bold]

Delicious way is my jam

[Kaiouforever]

Just an fyi, on July 3 Mai is releasing her first "Mai Kuraki Symphonic Live -Opus 1-" which looks awesome if you like arrangements like that. And she has the voice to pull this off for sure. From her site:

Mai Kuraki Symphonic Live -Opus 1-

2013.7.3 Release
品番：VNBM-7016～17
価格 ￥6,800(税込) / ￥6,476(税抜)

◆DISC1
- 1部 -

PRELUDE
Stay by my side
わたしの、しらない、わたし。
冷たい海
another day＊another world
Time after time ～花舞う街で～
儚さ
Reach for the sky

Extra stage. 1000万回のキス

◆DISC2
- 2部 -

Danse de la Fée Dragée 「くるみ割り人形」より
Can't forget your love
Love, Day After Tomorrow
恋に恋して
Special morning day to you
明日へ架ける橋
Stand Up
BE WITH Ü

EC1. chance for you
EC2. always
Extra stage. Secret of my heart

■ミニプログラム封入
ライブ来場者にのみ配布されたプログラムを今作用に再編集して特別封入！

[Damita]

So that's already out now then. I don't understand the price, there aren't very many songs based on that tracklist. Her symphonic lives are amazing, so I guess it's worth it!

[rookies]

New DVD Single, "Wake Me Up", release date is Feb 26th.

Covers, Tracklisting, and other info: http://www.generasia.com/wiki/Wake_Me_Up_(Kuraki_Mai)

[Kaiouforever]

Thanks for the update!

This is her third single since OVER THE RAINBOW, so does that mean we can expect a summer album release? *crosses fingers*

[rookies]

Hope so. I want new album too.

And since this year is her 15th anniversary year, maybe we get a new BEST album.

[Chiharo]

A new single is listed at CDJapan. "無敵なハート/STAND BY YOU" The first song translates to "Mutekina Heart; Invincible heart". It seems to be released in three editions: with DVD type A, with DVD type B, and regular CD only version. Release date is August 27th.

Can't wait.

[rookies]

That's really good news! Can't wait to see the covers, and hear the new songs!