Album Thoughts: ARASHI / 「untitled」
Title:「untitled」
Artist: 嵐
Release date: 2017.10.18
When they first revealed the album title as "untitled" I literally thought it was because they have not yet revealed the title just like what everybody else thought until they confirmed it and I flipped. I can still remember my absolute disbelief when reality hit me. Titling something untitled is like naming something unnamed. It is the lamest of the lamest titles you can ever think of. It is even worst than that lame-ass hot mess ayumi hamasaki naming her albums five and six, with the 6 x's! What happened to awesome titles like The Digitalian?? And don't give me the Arashi-Debut-Anniversary-Past-Present-Future crap because they say that every single year. Okay, I'm cool with the effortless title now, but the album covers are just pure lazy. They could have a white background with the five guys standing around looking bored and it wouldn't have made a difference.
I was expecting the content to be much better than the lame covers but it turned out to be just as weak. This is just my opinion, though, judging from the better works they released in the past. This album does not do justice, which leaves me in shame and disappointment. Though I see why people would be in to this album. And I wrote "people" because I read somewhere that there were "non-fans" buying this album too which is quite impressive. The only major difference this album has are the unit songs and a song that lasts for 11 minutes and 30 seconds! And even those didn't do much justice lol. Don't get me wrong, I have to commend on them experimenting with new sounds, but come on, did they have to make every track sound the same?
This year, Arashi continue to experiment with different musical genres. Pop, jazz, hip-hop, classical, digital. When you mix all of that up you get a hot mess! Now I'm just getting more and more confused. However, the thing with Arashi is that, no matter how messy their things get, it makes sense.
The first track of this untitled album is Green Light. I think this is a great track to start the album. It's full of energy and catchy. And you need a track like this to capture a listener's attention. I think this track would be great performed live. I get excited just thinking about how Arashi is going to come up with a performance of this song. There is all sorts of ways to bring this song into the concert. Just don't do lame dances.
The next track is Tsunagu (つなぐ), my favourite single of the year. Oh, the ninja feels in this song is strong. I really love the Japanese instrumentals in this song, and the catchy rhythm. It makes me want to bounce with the choreography that dear Oh-chan created. I have no idea why they would put Tsunagu as the second track. Maybe to remind everybody that the album is not a snoozefest yet.
The third track is「Mikan」(｢未完｣), yeah, with the darn brackets. Mikan means unfinished, in which the song is mashed up with pop, jazz, hip-hop, classical and digital that somehow doesn't sound messy. I have to commend on that. But the song is so short. And yet... I love it! It contains Arashi sounds in it and it is a great track to represent the album. The sakurap is a great bonus. It is sakurap at its best. Sho knows how to do that deep sexy rapping voice that makes fans' hearts skip a beat. It's hot. Arashi's vocals also sound so great here. Well, they always sound great, but this song does bring out their vocals. The song also has catchy lyrics, and to me, that's one of the most important things about liking a song. The atmosphere changes so much when you can sing along with it. Do you want to lide, anyone? Lol. Mikan is, I think, my favourite track of this album, singles not included, 'cause Tsunagu is still my favourite.
Let's talk about the PV of Mikan, because that shit is bad-ass. We get extreme close-ups of their incredibly bored faces. What's worst than unsynced lip-syncing? Emotionless unsync lip-syncing. And I thought Arashi is better than that. Sakurai Sho doing his rap with eyes closed was another huge disappointment. I want aggressive rapping with deep eye contact with the camera! Why the heck did he closed his eyes?! Also, although I really liked the members individually dancing with a female dancer, I couldn't help but notice how awkward those scenes were. It's the dance. It is the most awkward dance ever. And I thought those unbearable idol dances were the worst. If they are going to put a female dancer in it, why don't they just do it to the full. I mean, get in it, guys! You're not little boys anymore! Give her eye contact! Hold her hands! Heck, give her a sexy smirk! It's just for show, it didn't need to mean anything. I'm telling you, for such a hot upbeat track like Mikan, there was not a single smile throughout the whole music video. I can just imagine scrapping the whole video and do it again, but better. I'm just saying, they could have done this more professionally. But then again, when are idols ever professional. The producers were probably like, "This is awkward and weird but hey they are idols so it ain't matter!". Even Nino couldn't be bothered lol. Check this shit out, though, it's epic:
By the end of it, I didn't even know if I should be crying or laughing.
Okay, moving on before you hate me. The next track is Sugar. This song is your typical Arashi jazz type of song, where it doesn't really get into your head but it sticks in the background. It's a great song to roll your day with. Next track is Power of the Paradise, the Olympic song from last year. I really like this song, especially when it's performed live. And it fits the Olympic theme very well. The song has a lame choreography, as usual, and the music video looked like Arashi wanted to get out of there ASAP.
The sixth track is Ari no mama de (ありのままで), which contain that poppy, happy sound that Arashi is so good at doing but never sticks to your head. Next is Fuun (風雲), and this track is a jam. If you have high energy and wants to jam to something, this song is one of them. It contain rock sounds which, by the way, many people love. The next track is I'll be there, Arashi's first single of 2017, and the theme song to that very boring drama that stars Aiba Masaki. Okay, the dance is lame as usual, it teaches us how to do arm exercises, but the song is epic. It's one of those really good Arashi songs where I could sing along and it's unforgettable.
The ninth track is Hoyo (抱擁). This song is a jazzy and pop song. Arashi sound very good in this. Also, it contain sakurap. There is nothing else I can say so moving on. Next is Pray, another typical Arashi song. Moving on. Next is Hikari (光), another one of those, seriously, these would pass as those forgettable single coupling tracks. Next is Kanata e (彼方へ). This one has a very nice tune. I'm actually hoping these songs would stick to me more after I've seen the live versions. The last track of disc 1 is that 10 minute song that got everyone talking. Now this shit is an even bigger hot mess. Now I'm not saying it's bad, because Arashi is always good, but it freaking sound like a song they would play in Disneyland. It's so weird.
Disc 2 contain the unit songs. I know these unit songs would be great performed live, but just purely listening to them is horrid. They are that bad. Bazuri Night (バズりNIGHT) was sang by Ohno, Sho and Aiba. Whoever thought the idea of putting these three in a song together should just go home. The song is a fast-paced, upbeat, dance track that gets more annoying the more I listen to it. And we all know Sakurai Sho cannot sing to save his life. Aiba Masaki is meh too in the singing department. Which leaves us Ohno Satoshi alone. The song is basically Ohno singing, along with a lot of loud noices. The second unit song is Yoru no Kage (夜の影), and oh, we get the three members who can actually hit higher notes! We get Ohno again, along with Nino and Jun. But even their vocals cannot save how dreadful the song is. Just listen to it, you would want to shut that thing down as soon as you hear the clap clap clap part.
The third unit song is UB by Nino and Aiba. This track is, in my opinion, the best out of all four of the unit songs. It has a very touching tune that can only be pulled off by Nino and Aiba. I mean, come on, this combi is one of fans' favourites. And they sound so good in this song! The next is Come Back by Arashi's resident leader-like combi, Sho and Jun, also know as the two members with the worst singing. Ever. But hey, at least we get some amazing rapping! I'm going to move on to the last but not least track of the album because this post is getting too long. Kampai Song (カンパイ･ソング) is one of those fans' favourite fun concert ending songs. Literally you could imagine this song being sang live at an Arashi concert. And this song is a great track to end this album. I mean, at least I can end this in a positive note, right?
Conclusion: 6 / 10 stars. I know this album will definitely sound great and fun live. And I know I've exaggerated some of my opinions, so sorry if you got offended, lol, but hey, every review needs different opinions, otherwise it would be pointless. I liked this album. I like that they tried different things like having unit songs, which by the way, was actually something I thought Arashi would never do. But they succeed my expectation. So that earned my approval.
To sum it up, even though I think this album weren't as great as their previous album, it stands out on its own after all, and they were able to pull off different genres put together, which I think it's not an easy thing to do.
P.S. Congrats to Arashi for winning Artist of the Year five years in a row. HA HA HA!
Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Artist: 嵐
Release date: 2017.10.18
Arashi has released another original album in October, per usual, and they went for the Power of the Paradise + Everything cover that look more like singles than an album. I'm still trying to grasp the fact that it has been a year since Are You Happy?, which was not that long ago. Dang, time goes fast when you're an adult.
When they first revealed the album title as "untitled" I literally thought it was because they have not yet revealed the title just like what everybody else thought until they confirmed it and I flipped. I can still remember my absolute disbelief when reality hit me. Titling something untitled is like naming something unnamed. It is the lamest of the lamest titles you can ever think of. It is even worst than that lame-ass hot mess ayumi hamasaki naming her albums five and six, with the 6 x's! What happened to awesome titles like The Digitalian?? And don't give me the Arashi-Debut-Anniversary-Past-Present-Future crap because they say that every single year. Okay, I'm cool with the effortless title now, but the album covers are just pure lazy. They could have a white background with the five guys standing around looking bored and it wouldn't have made a difference.
I was expecting the content to be much better than the lame covers but it turned out to be just as weak. This is just my opinion, though, judging from the better works they released in the past. This album does not do justice, which leaves me in shame and disappointment. Though I see why people would be in to this album. And I wrote "people" because I read somewhere that there were "non-fans" buying this album too which is quite impressive. The only major difference this album has are the unit songs and a song that lasts for 11 minutes and 30 seconds! And even those didn't do much justice lol. Don't get me wrong, I have to commend on them experimenting with new sounds, but come on, did they have to make every track sound the same?
The first track of this untitled album is Green Light. I think this is a great track to start the album. It's full of energy and catchy. And you need a track like this to capture a listener's attention. I think this track would be great performed live. I get excited just thinking about how Arashi is going to come up with a performance of this song. There is all sorts of ways to bring this song into the concert. Just don't do lame dances.
The next track is Tsunagu (つなぐ), my favourite single of the year. Oh, the ninja feels in this song is strong. I really love the Japanese instrumentals in this song, and the catchy rhythm. It makes me want to bounce with the choreography that dear Oh-chan created. I have no idea why they would put Tsunagu as the second track. Maybe to remind everybody that the album is not a snoozefest yet.
The third track is「Mikan」(｢未完｣), yeah, with the darn brackets. Mikan means unfinished, in which the song is mashed up with pop, jazz, hip-hop, classical and digital that somehow doesn't sound messy. I have to commend on that. But the song is so short. And yet... I love it! It contains Arashi sounds in it and it is a great track to represent the album. The sakurap is a great bonus. It is sakurap at its best. Sho knows how to do that deep sexy rapping voice that makes fans' hearts skip a beat. It's hot. Arashi's vocals also sound so great here. Well, they always sound great, but this song does bring out their vocals. The song also has catchy lyrics, and to me, that's one of the most important things about liking a song. The atmosphere changes so much when you can sing along with it. Do you want to lide, anyone? Lol. Mikan is, I think, my favourite track of this album, singles not included, 'cause Tsunagu is still my favourite.
Let's talk about the PV of Mikan, because that shit is bad-ass. We get extreme close-ups of their incredibly bored faces. What's worst than unsynced lip-syncing? Emotionless unsync lip-syncing. And I thought Arashi is better than that. Sakurai Sho doing his rap with eyes closed was another huge disappointment. I want aggressive rapping with deep eye contact with the camera! Why the heck did he closed his eyes?! Also, although I really liked the members individually dancing with a female dancer, I couldn't help but notice how awkward those scenes were. It's the dance. It is the most awkward dance ever. And I thought those unbearable idol dances were the worst. If they are going to put a female dancer in it, why don't they just do it to the full. I mean, get in it, guys! You're not little boys anymore! Give her eye contact! Hold her hands! Heck, give her a sexy smirk! It's just for show, it didn't need to mean anything. I'm telling you, for such a hot upbeat track like Mikan, there was not a single smile throughout the whole music video. I can just imagine scrapping the whole video and do it again, but better. I'm just saying, they could have done this more professionally. But then again, when are idols ever professional. The producers were probably like, "This is awkward and weird but hey they are idols so it ain't matter!". Even Nino couldn't be bothered lol. Check this shit out, though, it's epic:
By the end of it, I didn't even know if I should be crying or laughing.
Okay, moving on before you hate me. The next track is Sugar. This song is your typical Arashi jazz type of song, where it doesn't really get into your head but it sticks in the background. It's a great song to roll your day with. Next track is Power of the Paradise, the Olympic song from last year. I really like this song, especially when it's performed live. And it fits the Olympic theme very well. The song has a lame choreography, as usual, and the music video looked like Arashi wanted to get out of there ASAP.
The sixth track is Ari no mama de (ありのままで), which contain that poppy, happy sound that Arashi is so good at doing but never sticks to your head. Next is Fuun (風雲), and this track is a jam. If you have high energy and wants to jam to something, this song is one of them. It contain rock sounds which, by the way, many people love. The next track is I'll be there, Arashi's first single of 2017, and the theme song to that very boring drama that stars Aiba Masaki. Okay, the dance is lame as usual, it teaches us how to do arm exercises, but the song is epic. It's one of those really good Arashi songs where I could sing along and it's unforgettable.
The ninth track is Hoyo (抱擁). This song is a jazzy and pop song. Arashi sound very good in this. Also, it contain sakurap. There is nothing else I can say so moving on. Next is Pray, another typical Arashi song. Moving on. Next is Hikari (光), another one of those, seriously, these would pass as those forgettable single coupling tracks. Next is Kanata e (彼方へ). This one has a very nice tune. I'm actually hoping these songs would stick to me more after I've seen the live versions. The last track of disc 1 is that 10 minute song that got everyone talking. Now this shit is an even bigger hot mess. Now I'm not saying it's bad, because Arashi is always good, but it freaking sound like a song they would play in Disneyland. It's so weird.
Disc 2 contain the unit songs. I know these unit songs would be great performed live, but just purely listening to them is horrid. They are that bad. Bazuri Night (バズりNIGHT) was sang by Ohno, Sho and Aiba. Whoever thought the idea of putting these three in a song together should just go home. The song is a fast-paced, upbeat, dance track that gets more annoying the more I listen to it. And we all know Sakurai Sho cannot sing to save his life. Aiba Masaki is meh too in the singing department. Which leaves us Ohno Satoshi alone. The song is basically Ohno singing, along with a lot of loud noices. The second unit song is Yoru no Kage (夜の影), and oh, we get the three members who can actually hit higher notes! We get Ohno again, along with Nino and Jun. But even their vocals cannot save how dreadful the song is. Just listen to it, you would want to shut that thing down as soon as you hear the clap clap clap part.
The third unit song is UB by Nino and Aiba. This track is, in my opinion, the best out of all four of the unit songs. It has a very touching tune that can only be pulled off by Nino and Aiba. I mean, come on, this combi is one of fans' favourites. And they sound so good in this song! The next is Come Back by Arashi's resident leader-like combi, Sho and Jun, also know as the two members with the worst singing. Ever. But hey, at least we get some amazing rapping! I'm going to move on to the last but not least track of the album because this post is getting too long. Kampai Song (カンパイ･ソング) is one of those fans' favourite fun concert ending songs. Literally you could imagine this song being sang live at an Arashi concert. And this song is a great track to end this album. I mean, at least I can end this in a positive note, right?
Conclusion: 6 / 10 stars. I know this album will definitely sound great and fun live. And I know I've exaggerated some of my opinions, so sorry if you got offended, lol, but hey, every review needs different opinions, otherwise it would be pointless. I liked this album. I like that they tried different things like having unit songs, which by the way, was actually something I thought Arashi would never do. But they succeed my expectation. So that earned my approval.
To sum it up, even though I think this album weren't as great as their previous album, it stands out on its own after all, and they were able to pull off different genres put together, which I think it's not an easy thing to do.
P.S. Congrats to Arashi for winning Artist of the Year five years in a row. HA HA HA!
Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
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