倖田來未 – 4 TIMES
Artist: 倖田來未 (Koda Kumi)
Maxi single: 4 TIMES
Release Date: 08.17.2011
I was extremely excited when it came about that Japanese sex goddess Koda Kumi would be releasing her brand new maxi single, 4 TIMES in time for summer! I was missing some sort of homogeneous release by her, since she’s always so experimental about everything, I feel like her image has been diluting itself, making it difficult to understand what sort of identity she is obtaining as an artist. I was hoping 4 TIMES would break the streak of releases filled with variety but lacking in concept that she had been releasing, and I’m surprised by how much I love 4 TIMES and how heterogeneous and homogeneous it can be at the same time! Kumi managed to keep variety as well as a true concept!
The single begins with Introduction ～sunny time～, an intro very fit for its title! Even though it begins with the relaxing sound of the ocean, it’s soon interrupted by the sound of a noisy car and it just brings about this feeling of morning/daytime! It’s pretty hard to capture a feeling of times of day solely through sound, but it’s a very relaxing and fun introduction to kick right into the first song of the maxi!
Poppin’love cocktail is the typical Kumi summer rock jam. This one is still growing on me, though, TEEDA’s
You looks like horny
can be a real turn off right from the start, and I don’t like the contrast of the aggressive instrumentals with Kumi’s screechy cute voice, but it’s far more enjoyable than any of her previous summer rock songs. TEEDA’s rapping is very cute and enjoyable in a tough guy way, I like him in the song, it’s just Kumi who bothers me a bit, and the chorus isn’t polish enough to catch my attention. The 5-minute span of the song also makes it a little too long for the style it represents, but the song is still growing on me, and I’m liking it better little by little!
Interlude ～sunset time～ is a delicious interlude, full of synth, that relaxing ocean sound, and it’s definitely my favorite in the whole maxi, very representative of the song it’s opening for, and just sweet! I wish Kumi would experiment with this etherial sound sometime, it left me begging for more!
IN THE AIR is one of my favorites! I was a bit worried when it was described as a sweet ballad, since it went against the aggressive/sexy concept, but it really does tie in so well into the single, that without it, it wouldn’t be the same! It truely holds a very sunsetting romantic feel! It’s quite an upbeat ballad, nothing saddening, and that’s partly why it doesn’t break the concept. The chorus is very strong, Kumi sounds amazing, and so does the piano throughout the song. I like how innocent and delicious it can sound at times, before it breaks into a strong chorus! A very unique addition to the single as well as Kumi’s repertoire!
Interlude ～midnight time～ isn’t a very stellar interlude. It sounds like you’re with a group of people outside a club, waiting to get in, while Kumi plays inside, but it doesn’t evoke any particular feeling, I think it would be neat to have experimented with streets sounds better to really channel that bohemian vibe well.
V.I.P. is also one of my favorites! The energy on this song is so contagious, the fierce sounds Kumi makes, the autotuned, synthetic bits of the song, everything holds such an empowerment! Initially I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but after the single came out, I couldn’t stop listening to it! It’s sexy, fierce, very feminine and alluring, catchy, everything a sexy Kumi song needs to be in order to reach the level of perfection only she can bring! Truly lives up to its title!
Introduction ～time to love～ is an interlude that also doesn’t have much working for it, and I feel like the zipper sounds and the sound of pants coming down are too much, not very classy, and not the type of interlude you’d want to be caught listening.
KO-SO-KO-SO is pure sexuality, all wrapped up in a delicious midtempo song! Kumi makes sexual noises all throughout the song that really build up the mood she was aiming for, but the spotlight is still on her vocals! The quality and sexuality really work harmoniously into a perfect song! Possibly one of Kumi’s most controversial! But I love her speaking at the end and it’s definitely the highlight of the maxi! A treat for any fan of sexy Kumi!
4 TIMES is a fantastic new release with a strong concept that does not disappoint! Truly a great 50th single, and a treat to any Kumi fan! I can’t wait for her upcoming ballad single!
Final Score:
96 / A
倖田來未 – 4 TIMES
Comments
5 Responses to “倖田來未 – 4 TIMES”Trackbacks
Check out what others are saying...-
[...] 倖田來未 – 4 TIMES – Plastic Candy While the interludes don’t always please, Alvy finds the overall single to be a fitting fiftieth release. [...]
Ko-So-Ko-So for me is perfection
also In the Air, the build up is amazing and the video is so sweet
I like Poppin’ only live cuz I love Kuu rocking out and interaction with Teeda, the song is fun though not the best
VIP, I like the beginning, but the part where she is screaming with auto-tune thing,I dunno but at like 2:20, I hate tbh but on the whole I actually really like it
this single is my fave summer single ever!!!
That’s awesome! :D I’m really happy you enjoyed it so much! I really love it too! I actually like her auto-tuned ‘screaming’ on “V.I.P.” though ;-;
Oh Alvy! :D
Vou comentar em português, pq se já vou um desastre na minha lingua, imagina em inglês.
Enfim, eu AMEI esse single e já virou um dos favoritos de todos (mas TABOO continua em #1).
Foi como você falou, ela consegue balancear o ritmo e a cada faixa é uma batida diferente. Minha preferida desde os previews é Ko-so-ko-so. E os interlúdios são todos perfeitos. ADOREI tbm.
Parabens pelo review. Ponto de vista sensato como sempre :DD
Abraços Alvy :*
Quê isso! :D Sinta-se a vontade em comentar em qualquer lingua!
Sim, o single é ótimo! :D Tudo nele faz sentido e dá pra ficar ouvindo por muito tempo graças à variedade dele!
Obrigado pela visita! :D Fico feliz que tenha gostado!