MiChi - PROMiSE

Name: MiChi
Song: PROMiSE
Label: Sony
Released: 2008
Genre: Pop
Style: Electronic
Language: Japanese
Format: MP3 / 320kbps
Version: Single
Time: 5:01

Sony has definitely been trying to recruit some new "it" artists, but most of them have barely bleeped on the radar. MiChi was indies for a short while before being picked up by a major label. Her first cut is this effervescent electropop tune aligned with confident and assured vocals. While the song isn't groundbreaking by creative means, it breaks the mold of current solo female J-pop singers and is bracing. Will MiChi stick around for a second single? I'll keep my expectations low just so I'm not disappointed.

Tiffany - You and Me

Name: Tiffany
Song: You and Me
Label: MCA Records
Released: 1990
Genre: Pop
Style: Synthrock
Language: English
Format: MP3 / 128kbps
Version: Album
Time: 3:45

If you've seen the early '90s revisioning of the Jetsons movie, you'll probably agree that it's not very good. Aside from better animation, it suffered from the fact that, well, it's The Jetsons. The original cartoon was no Flinstones. The most memorable thing about it was the soundtrack. Namely Tiffany's (who voiced Judy) contributions. This one is the faster paced teenybop pop rock "You and Me". The saccahrine quality along with the electric riffs are made for solo karaoke in my car at night.

Anggun - Tentation

Name: Anggun
Song: Tentation (Temptation)
Label: Warner Music France
Released: 2008
Genre: Pop
Style: Electronic, Hip-Pop, Orchestral
Language: French
Format: MP3 / 320kbps
Version: Album
Time: 3:18

Anggun's new album is out this month. I must say, it's... not what I expected. Luminescence was going in a different direction for Anggun - electronic, surreal and a little more accessible to the mainstream. Elevation, on the other hand, is similar, but several tracks have a very noticeable hip-hop influence. Not the dirty south or 'hood variety. More like bass rich, upscale and fanciful hip-hop. No, Anggun isn't spilling rhymes or changing her singing style. The arrangements are just elaborate and lively. "Tentation" is a sample of what I mean - dramatic with strings, and heavy and rhythmic beats.

BoA - Eat You Up

Name: BoA
Song: Eat You Up
Label: SM Entertainment USA
Released: 2008
Genre: Pop
Style: Dance, Electronic, Hip-Pop
Language: English
Format: MP3 / VBR
Version: Single
Time: 3:11

Bloodshy & Avant take on the hefty project of recording BoA's first international song. Yes, her staff finally decided to give it a go. Not sure why now, but what's done is done. "Eat You Up" is a poptastic piece of dance fluff that has a beat that will bore into your head. The lyrics are weak, but BoA's thick accent keeps them at bay. Most of BoA's new Japanese songs are mostly miss for me, but I shamelessly like "Eat You Up".

Battles - Atlas (Radio Edit)

Name: Battles
Song: Atlas
Label: Warp Records
Released: 2007
Genre: Rock
Style: Electronic, Experimental, Indie
Language: English
Format: MP3 / VBR
Version: Single
Time: 4:10

Battles is an American band that I'm not the most familiar with.  It's made up of several former members of other bands, and the lead is Anthony Braxton's son.  "Atlas" is a barely coherent track comprised mostly of electrorock.  The lyrics are muttered and repetitive, hardly audible.  There's an energy throughout this song that just grabs you.

K's Choice - Not an Addict

Name: K's Choice
Song: Not an Addict
Label: Sony Records
Released: 1996
Genre: Rock
Style: Alternative, Post Grunge
Language: English
Format: MP3 / 128kbps
Version: Album
Time: 4:48

K's Choice is a Belgian duo that is known stateside for the hit "Not an Addict". It's a moody track that's been labeled as a metaphor for love, but it's actually about drugs. The imagery is beautiful, stark and real.

hellphish - Fantastische Farben

Name: ECBM
Song: Fantastische Farben
Label: N/A
Released: 2005
Genre: Electronic
Style: 8 Bit, Indie
Language: N/A
Format: MP3 / VBR
Version: Album
Time: 4:20

My friends and I watched this really compelling yet overzealous documentary called The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. It was about two guys competing for the highest recorded score ever for Donkey Kong. One of the DVD's special features was 8 bit themed art, backed by some original 8 bit inspired music. One of which was this bass-tastic electro track from an obscure artist named hellphish. It sounds like it's straight out of a vintage video game and really adds something nostalgic to dance music.

Divine - One More Try (Radio Edit)

Name: Divine
Song: One More Try
Label: Pendulum
Released: 1999
Genre: R&B
Style: Cover, Pop
Language: English
Format: MP3 / 320kbps
Version: Single
Time: 3:42

Divine, known for its #1 song "Lately", scored one last top forty cut from their only album. It was a George Michael cover. Michael's presence was already familiar with the Billboard's R&B chart so it's a pleasant surprise for these three girls to give tribute to the king of contemporary blue eyed soul pop. The arrangement is not too distant or remarkable, but is just right. Divine's performance is controlled and rich.

MiChi - Fxxk You And Your Money

Name: MiChi
Song: Fxxk You And Your Money
Label: Independent Label Council Japan
Released: 2008
Genre: Electronic
Style: Dance, Electropop, Indie
Language: English
Format: MP3 / 192kbps
Version: Album
Time: 3:42

MiChi is a newcomer to J-pop. Born in England, MiChi migrated back and forth between there and japan. She's bilingual and has an active role in her songwriting. She released an indie EP in Japan this past summer. It was half covers and half original material. Now, she's signed to Sony and is going to be releasing the single Promise in mid-October. "Fxxk You And Your Money" is an electropop track from the aforementioned album. It samples the 90210 theme song and is a little vulgar at times. MiChi is no squeaky clean J-pop songstress. She's got some flavor and is just getting started.

Billy Joel - Why Should I Worry?

Name: Billy Joel
Song: Why Should I Worry?
Label: EMI
Released: 1989, 1996
Genre: Pop
Style: Musical, Rock
Language: English
Format: MP3 / VBR
Version: Album
Time: 3:34

Oliver & Company was the precursor to Disney's return to musical animated movies, but it wasn't as much of a hit as The Little Mermaid the following year. Still, it has some great songs. Billy Joel scores big with this fun musical number full of energy and soul. It's nowhere as cheesy, lyrically or musically, as most Disney songs nowadays.

Five - When The Lights Go Out (Radio Edit)

Name: Five
Song: When The Lights Go Out
Label: BMG Records
Released: 1998
Genre: Pop
Style: Dance, Teenybopper
Language: English
Format: MP3 / 192kbps
Version: Single
Time: 3:50

The '90s were ripe with boy bands and Backstreet Boys and 'N SYNC dominated. However, "When the Lights Go Out" is such a classic that I cannot deny its wonderful cheesiness. I especially adore that break "rap". If I recall correctly, Shinhwa's "Hey Come On" samples this song just a bit. There were two versions of the song - the British and the U.S. version, which has the rap performed by Abs instead of J. This is the original mix.

IU - Mi Ah

Name: IU
Song: Mi Ah (Lost Child)
Label: Seoul Entertainment
Released: 2008
Genre: Pop
Style: Ballad, Electropop, Orchestral, R&B
Language: Korean
Format: MP3 / 192kbps
Version: Album
Time: 3:41

While I don't keep up with most K-pop anymore, I found something about this new song to be intriguing. IU is a fifteen-year old girl with a budding voice, and probably draw similarities to Joo. Her first single is "Mi Ah", a contemporary power ballad fused with strong pop elements. Much like Onerepublic's "Apologize", "Mi Ah" explodes with an electronic chorus seeped in subtle R&B. While you wouldn't expect this from the Lee Soo-Young like sound overall, this track is an emotional and eye opening debut.

[announcement] return

So, I disappeared for about a month or so. I was getting a little frustrated with a visitor who was ruining the experience for me. I added the star ratings just to make it easier for people to "comment". However, someone thought it would be funny and rank every entry with 1 star. It's childish and maybe they didn't mean for it to be so harsh, but it just fueled my lack of interest in pursuing updates.

Well, I'm gonna give it a go again. No ratings as for now. But I would appreciate if people could leave comments.