倖田來未 – Love Me Back
Artist: 倖田來未 (Koda Kumi)
Single: Love Me Back
Release Date: 11.30.2011
I have to admit that initially, this single didn’t inspire me at all. I’ve always been ecstatic over Koda Kumi releases because she’s one of my favorite artists of all-time, but lately this drive has worn out a bit because of the highly systematic releases she has been putting out. I think that an artist can release the best quality material in the world, but if it’s in intervals of 2 in 2 months, it automatically overexposes the artist and I find it a little bit boring and uninspiring. Unfortunately I started feeling like this right before the amazing single that is Love Me Back. But I have been listening to it lately and it’s definitely a very enjoyable release! All the singles for this era have been extremely well-rounded and full of personality and I think her 10th studio album will definitely be her best since Kingdom! (especially since it follows a very similar release pattern, but an upgraded version of it that seems to be overflowing with quality from top to bottom!)
The single’s title track, Love Me Back, is an extremely fun, sexy song with a little bit of playful and fierce added to the mix! I just hate the
Diamonds and sapphire and you, oh my!
part… I don’t know what it is about that verse that gets on my last nerve (perhaps this comes from every single Kumi listener who quoted this sometime in their lives and it made it sound cheap to me), but the rest of the song is amazing! The chorus is catchy, Kumi sounds very convincing in her role as a cop in love and it has just that touch of feeling that makes this song a very fresh one. It’s not that long a song, but it feels so complete that I don’t mind it at all! Kumi sounds amazing and strong, and yet vulnerably sexual. I love it!
Say Her Name took me a while to get used to, since the last thing I would have guessed was that this song would be an R&B midtempo! I thought it was going to be a cocky, heavy electronic track but it’s a very interesting slower song! It has some similar elements to Love Me Back, so the style is extremely cohesive and it makes the single a lot more well-rounded than if it was as upbeat as I had imagined. I love this song and it’s just as great in quality as the previous one!
Love Me Back is definitely a short single, but full of style and personality and a solid concept that I love. If this had been released a few months back I would have gone crazy over it (as I normally do), but I’m glad it was released now because it’s the perfect release to dust off my fanboyism and catch up on my Kumi obsession!
The great part is that JAPONESQUE is right around the corner and this single definitely helped me sooth my soul until February 2nd comes along! The new album looks bombastic and I can’t wait to check out the concept in its entirety!
Final Score:
98 / A
倖田來未 – Love Me Back
Personally, I wish she came out with a video for Say Her Name. Since it’s somewhat of contrast from the uptempo and sexual atmosphere than Love Me Back.
I completely agree! If she would have gone with an a-side format for this release it would have been even more amazing :D
I actually really like R&B Kumi so I enjoyed Say My Name. Looking forward to Japonesque~
Me too! :D I think it’s the Kumi album I’m most looking forward to!
My favorite part of the song is actually that part you don’t like hehe. I’ve been longing for some song like “Cherry Girl” so I’m really happy since “Love Me Back” is so good. It’s her best since “TABOO”.
The covers and the PV previews of “JAPONESQUE” got me really excited! I’m getting the CD+DVD version since I don’t really understand what the other DVD is lol.
On the other hand, she’ll finally have a break after all these years. I’m happy that she’s going to be a mom! She seems like someone who’ll take care of her family and value it. I’m happy for her. :)
hahahaha many people have that part as their favorite! I have to admit that it’s a very striking verse in the song, it’s just that I’ve seen it everywhere too many times :’( hahaha
But I totally agree with you! :D She seems like the sort of woman who would really cherish her family and that’s what makes me the happiest for her! She’s a very loving person and she’s going to rock it as a mom! :D hahaha