alan – my life [2nd Studio Album]
alan’s 2nd studio album, entitled my life, was released on 11.25.09. The singles preceding the album are as follows: 久遠の河, BALLAD ~名もなき恋のうた~ and Swear.
The album opens up with reflection ~overture,~ an amazing introductory track as strong as the one of her first album. It begins with the soft sounds of the harp accompanied by an atmosphere that feels very spacey, slowly drawing the listener into a whole new world before the vocals come in. Here, the instrumentation takes a slight change and suits the vocals quite well. It’s kind of hard to understand what she is singing but the combination of the music and her voice makes it irrelevant. In the last fifteen seconds, the song takes on a very cool dance feel that is really intriuging. It’s a fantastic way to start things off and this could have made an amazing full song.
The first full song on the album is Swear, the last single released beforehand. It features a tiny difference in terms of beginning from the single version before part of the chorus comes in. alan’s voice sounds heavenly and the instrumentation features a beauty that only enhances it. Then comes the first verse and there is a very natural atmosphere that comes through alongside a certain cuteness that fits alan very well. This positive vibe of the music matches the lyrics perfectly, instilling something special inside of the listener. The pure instrumental sequence features probably the most grabbing part of the entire song. There is just someting almost magical about the way the music sounds at this point that the listener can’t help but fall in love. Swear hasn’t lost even a touch of its twinkle since its single release and it keeps the strength of the album rolling.
Up next is One. Beginning the song is a nice and calming instrumental that gives the atmosphere of a relaxing night. After a few vocalizations, alan comes in on the first verse. There is something particularly capturing about her voice on this song that really draws the listener in. She sort of whispers some of the words, giving a more intimate feel that really suits the atmosphere and ties the whole song together. The chorus smoothly continues the flow from the verses and the vocals here a little more prominent to make sure it stands out. The pure instrumental section is absolutely beautiful and the sounds of the guitar really instill a strong change for the listener to enjoy. One definitely has the intimate sort of atmosphere that alan works well with and keeps the flow of the album as a whole.
The sounds of the piano compliment the gracefulness of the next song, 見つめていたい. That opening instrumental is probably the strongest part of the song as whole. There is just a delicate beauty that comes through and captures the essence of the song. Following is the first verse and immediately alan’s vocals communicate a deep sorrow for the listener to feel and empathize with. It would have been nice to have a little more variety in the chorus because it comes off as a little repetitive with her repeating the song’s title so much. Nonetheless, it still holds that soothing element that the listener can enjoy. The pure instrumental sequence is nice just for the slight change in the music and we are treated to some very beautiful and high notes from alan. This then follows through on the last chorus and that slight change in tone makes a world of difference. Just as the song began with beautiful instrumentation, it also closes the song for a perfect finish. It may be simplistic but that is part in why the song is so charming.
涙, a B-side of the first album’s era, was remixed and given the name 涙 (Smooth Jam Mix). It begins a nice and soft instrumental that
feels very relaxing, much like the previous track. Then comes the first verse and as usual, alan’s vocals are wonderful although it suffers from a lack of power behind the instrumentation. It’s nice but it’s missing that extra “oomph” to really draw in the listener. On the chorus, there is more of an upbeat feeling than the one from the single release. Unfortunately, the song sounds better as a straight ballad so it feels like this new mix is somewhat “off.” The choice to include this song on the album seems strange and they would have been better off including a new song in its place. It’s not bad but it’s really not album material.
Lost Child appears as the sixth song on the album. There is such a pretty refreshing instrumental in the beginning that it feels like taking a deep breath of the calm wind. It stands out with the beat that comes through, continuously catching the listener’s attention. On the verses, alan’s vocals are fantastic and it feels like she’s telling a story, lulling the listener into the world of the song. The chorus keeps up the song’s strength, particularly with the English phrases “so crazy” and “crazy for you.” Lost Child doesn’t seem like the song alan would come with coming from her first album but she pulls off the style perfectly and definitely should try more songs like this in the future.
Butterflies follows with a very pretty uplifting sound. The song starts off with the sounds of the harp before other instruments are added, all working together to form a cohesive and natural sound. Soft music like this really compliments alan’s voice, highlighting the heavenly traits that make her so amazing. The backing vocals in the hook actually add something to the song, giving it just that extra bit of magic. Overall, the chorus is nice but it’s nothing spectacular and this can be saidof the song as a whole. it’s a very pretty song but it would have been nice to push the song a little more past “just pretty.”
Things take a very interesting turn with the following song, Essence of me. The focus of the song is on the music, which carries a cool trance element to it that alan has never explored before. The vocals are mostly modified or altered in terms of pitch so they run secondary to the music and that’s actually an okay decision. The music here is just so addictive that it draws the listener into a whole new world. Plus, it’s one of alan’s more creative works so it really does stand out on the album.
Following in the same vein of Essence of me, Call my name keeps the energy going. The opening instrumental introduces an enjoyable dance atmosphere before alan comes in with the hook. She repeats “are you ready; across the border” before diving into the first verse. Her vocals are great on the first verse and are complimented by the music. English phrases like “all my love” and “fall my love” stand out near the ends of the verses, as does the last vocals, which echo in perfect introduction of the chorus. As expected, she sounds great on the chorus and provides vocals that continue to capture the listener. For showing that alan can handle this dance sound without problems, Call my name emerges as one of the strongest songs on the entire album.
Then things slow down with the next song, 白い翼. It begins with a calm instrumental with the sounds of the acoustic guitar as the focus, creating a nice natural sound. alan’s vocals on the first verse and very nice and fit perfectly with the music because there is a sort of whimsical element that comes through. The chorus stands out as the msuic builds a little more as does alan’s vocals but it would have been nice to put a little more power behind the instrumentation. If it was a little grander than the song would have really shined. This is where the pure instrumental section succeeded so well. The beauty really comes flowing forward to entice the listener. If the song had carried more of this atmosphere, then it would have been one of the stronger songs. Overall though, it’s a nice listen that fits with the calm atmosphere of alan’s heart.
That grand sound comes beautifully with Nobody knows but me. After a gorgeous piano instrumental that immediately introduces the sorrow, alan sings the first verse. her vocals fit with the music wonderfully, bringing that sorrow to life with every syllable. The English phrase “my love” adds a nice touch to things and those final vocals of the verse really stay on the listener’s mind. Strength continues on the chorus, especially when she goes lower for one note and then builds upward to finish. That range really catches the ear and prepares the listener for the hook, which is in all English. She sings “nobody knows but me that sometimes I cry” and while that sounds somewhat awkward, it does keep the sorrow in check. With wonderful vocals and an atmosphere that touches the listener, Nobody knows but me is one of the album’s diamonds.
BALLAD ~名もなき恋のうた~ comes up next. After a hauntingly beautiful opening of heavenly vocalizations, alan puts some more power behind them and the first verse starts. The verses are quite calming and feature a relaxing sound that is accentuated by the piano. But on the choruses, that haunting atmosphere comes back and demands attention. This effect is particularly achieved on the second chorus, when she sings the title of the song. Following is the pure instrumental section which higlights the beauty before diving into the chorus one final time. It’s a great song that finds home on the album.
The album’s semifinale is the grand number 久遠の河. The song begins with an amazing instrumental that has a fairy-tale tone to it
that will grab the listener’s attention. This fits with the rest of the song because the rest of the song feels like a tale being brought to life by alan. Her vocals on the verses are calm but carry lots of emotion, particularly on the last ones whic are held so well. This introduces the chorus well and spotlights the first line, which is one of the standout members of the entire song. And alan brings back her wail on the third chorus, which is the only time it appears on the album. This song was dazzling when it was released as a single and it hasn’t lt any of its magic.
The album’s title track is the one that brings the package to a close. alan sings with such grace and beauty on the first verse, complimeted by the simplicity of instrumentation. With the calm sweetness of the verses, they make the chorus stand out all the more. It’s on the choruses that alan is allowed to belt out her emotions and really capture the listener’s heart. The grand magic will leave an amazing impression. Overall the song is somewhat simple but it’s so beautiful that the listener will definitely feel chills.
Album Ranking: A +
There has been a lot of criticism of alan’s second album, particularly in relation to her first. But there is a lot on this album that makes it shine. alan experiments with new sounds on songs like Essence of me and Call my name, both songs two of the strongest numbers on the entire album. There are a lot of calming songs that really suit alan’s mood and there are grand ballads that are undeniably beautiful. Swear and Lost Child have a nice upbeat pace to them that alan should try more of. Perhaps this album isn’t as strong as the first one, which had a greater variety but felt more cohesive in terms of style. But my life is certainly nothing to just write off as a sophomore slump. In my opinion, alan has yet to fail.
Top 6 Memorable Tracks: Swear / Essence of me / Call my name / Nobody knows but me / 久遠の河 / my life
alan – Swear [11th Single]
alan’s 11th single, entitled Swear, was released on 11.04.09. While the title track was used as the theme song for Bourbon’s Blanchul Mini Series CM, Beauty was used as the Yomeishu’s Nutrition Drink CM song.
Swear takes a lighter than the previous two singles and a softer uptempo beat to compliment it. The song begins with a twinkling sound before the chorus starts. alan’s vocals are very calm and pretty here, suiting the relaxing music perfectly. The verses feature more smooth vocals that give a sort of lullaby efffect. The combination with the music makes for a very nice and natural atmosphere, which brings out alan’s strengths. The choruses provide a little more energy and more vocal strength from alan to keep the song interesting the whole way through. What really makes the song so addictive is the pure instrumental section, leading the listener deep into the world of the song. The music is spotlighted with a few fantastic vocals from alan to make this part easily the best section of the entire song. With its beautiful and mellow nature, Swear emerges as one of alan’s stronger singles and a very good lead-song for her second studio album.
The B-side, Beauty, maintains a sense of calmness but with a slower pace. The opening instrumental has a very calm sound that gives the image of water before alan comes in for the first verse. The piano really suits alan’s voice here and the two make an unforgettable combination. She sticks to a higher register for the chorus and with her heavenly vocals, this makes for a very enjoyable section. Right before the pure instrumental section, alan gives a few stand-out vocals and the music does change it up a little bit to keep the listener engaged. While it’s not as strong as the A-side, Beauty definitely compliments the single and adds to the cohesiveness of the package.
In order to promote the single, a PV for Swear was made. It features a refreshingly beautiful atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of the song. Essentially, the PV consists of three different alans (all in different outfits). They each look into a glass apple before taking a walk around the garden and return to their spot. It may not be particularly eventful but everything about the video just fits together for the perfect result. alan looks beautiful a the scenery is absolutely breahtaking, making the Swear PV definitely one to watch.
Single Ranking: A +
With a string of amazing singles, Swear does not fall short of its predecessors. In fact, it comes out as one of the better singles in alan’s discography. It’s nice to see her try new things and Swear is a nice change from all the powerful ballads. Beauty also stands strongly to make this a truly star package worth buying.
alan – BALLAD ~名もなき恋のうた~ [10th Single]
alan’s 10th single, entitled BALLAD ~名もなき恋のうた,~ was released on 09.02.09. The title track was used as the theme song of the movie with the same name. Also included in the single is 幸せの鐘, which was prior released as a digital single.
BALLAD ~名もなき恋のうた~ is a gorgeous longing love song. The song begins with some beautiful and angelic vocalizations from alan, introducing an almost haunting atmosphere that instantly draws the listener in. Then she gives some of her signature wails to build the anticipation even more before moving into the first verse. She sounds great on the first verse, her vocals staying a little low but portraying such emotion that cannot be ignored. The chorus brings out the emotions even more as alan’s vocals become more powerful and the music becomes more dramatic. The lyrics of the song speak of wanting to see someone precious once more because there is distance that weighs on alan’s heart. Thus the story of the lyrics is definitely brought alive through her strong vocals and the fantastic instrumentation. It’s a great song and one that hits the heart of the listener without fail.
The B-side is 幸せの鐘. Opening the song is some soft and calming instrumentation and then alan sings the first verse. Her vocals here are soft and soothing, really suiting the calm atmosphere established by the instrumentation. Right before the chorus, the music really stands out and offers the perfect transition into the chorus. The chorus sounds strong with more emoting vocals but it still maintains that sense of calm, tying the song together. It’s nice to have the song released physically and it serves as a nice compliment to the A-side.
In order to promote the single, a PV for BALLAD ~名もなき恋のうた~ was made. The video is pretty simple, only featuring a few scenes. One has alan standing and singing next to a man playing the piano. The room is simply decorated but done so that it reflects alan’s overall style well. There is another scene in which she is sitting on a couch and singing. Near the end, she cries and it really does feel real so that’s a successful element of the video. The setting outside is absolutely gorgeous and its natural beauty also reflects alan perfectly. It’s a very nice video that suits the atmosphere of the song well.
Single Ranking: A –
alan delivers another amazing single in which she brings the songs to life. BALLAD ~名もなき恋のうた~ is a very pretty ballad that perfectly communicates the feeling of wanting to see someone while 幸せの鐘 carries its own naturalness to it that catches the listener’s ear. With her next single and album on the way next month, I’m sure alan will be able to maintain the high quality music she has been delivering thus far.
alan – 久遠の河 [9th Single]
alan’s 9th single, entitled 久遠の河, was released on 04.08.09. The title track was used as the theme song to the movie RED CLIFF (Part II). Much like her previous single, RED CLIFF ~心・戦,~ this single includes the Chinese version of the song and instrumental. Also included in this package are the Japanese and Chinese versions of RED CLIFF ~心・戦.~
久遠の河 is very reminiscent of RED CLIFF ~心・戦~ and has a similar arrangement that captures the listener. The song begins with an absolutely beautiful instrumental that has those traditional elements that give the track an element of grandeur. There’s just something so magical and dazzling about this part that it stands out very strongly and the whole song should have followed this sort of sound. Then the instrumentation slows down a bit and becomes softer, drawing on the flutes and other instruments to givve a calm feeling. On the verses, alan provides the emotions through her vocals and the music generally stays in the back so the focus is on her. The chorus sounds more grand as the instrumentation steps up to meet alan’s vocals and the combination of the two sounds great. She shows off her traditional Tibetan wail at the end of the song and it really fits with the atmosphere of the song.
In order to promote the single, a PV for 久遠の河 was made. The video is basically a collection of clips from the movie with scenes of alan interspersed here and there. The two scenes featuring alan show her as what appears to be a princess and another wandering the beach, wrapping a blanket around herself. In both scenes she looks absolutely gorgeous, particularly when she is wearing the elegant green dress that makes her look like a princess. It would have been nice to have more alan but it’s still a great video.
Single Ranking: A –
This is the theme song to RED CLIFF (Part II) and it does bear some similarities to RED CLIFF ~心・戦.~ They both have a similar grand arrangement and use traditional elements to spur a wonderful instrumental. One thing notably different about this song though is that it is quite shorter, roughly half the time of its preceding song. It gets the job done within a reasonable time and intrigues the listener very nicely. As usual, her vocals are strong and the song comes out as a success.
alan – Voice Of EARTH [Debut Studio Album]
alan’s debut studio album, entitled Voice Of EARTH, was released on 03.04.09. The album comes after a slew of singles including all 5 singles of the Elemental Single Project as well as other ones. The singles released before the album are as follows: 明日への讃歌, ひとつ, 懐かしい未来 ~longing future,~ 空唄, 風の手紙, RED CLIFF ~心・戦,~ 恵みの雨 and 群青の谷. Liberty was used as the theme song for the dorama Hikon Doumei. The bonus track, Together, was composed by alan herself.
天女 ~interlude~ opens up the album perfectly, introducing the listener to traditional Tibetan influences. The interlude begins with a very calming sound that really calms the listener and soon alan comes in with her vocals that reach beyond the sky. These sudden vocals do come as a bit of a surprise but they’re actually one of the best parts of the entire song. There’s just something so natural and mystical about them that the listener can’t help but love them. Then the song’s proud Tibetan influences come in and with the clear focus on the instrumentation rather than vocals, it is very reminiscent of sign, a B-side from alan’s second single. When she does sing, she actually does so in Tibetan, adding a certain flavor to the song. With more wonderful vocalizing in the background, everything is tied together perfectly. It may not feel much like an interlude, clocking in at over three minutes, but there could be no better way in opening up this album.
Following is alan’s debut single, 明日への讃歌. Opening the song is a little singing part which introduces the song beautifully. alan’s vocals are very smooth and pacifying and there is certain element of mystery to the instrumentation, which centers around traditional instruments. Then there is a small section of pure instrumentation in which the music becomes slightly more powerful and it makes a smooth transition into the first verse. She continues to give wonderful vocals so that a very natural atmosphere is established. But the best part of the song is the chorus, which might come as a surprise to the listener since alan’s stellar vocals seem to come out of nowhere. She holds her note with ease and her ability to communicate emotion is framed here. One part that stands out the most in this song is the end of the second chorus when she sings the title of the chorus. Those notes are just heavenly and have a way of sticking in the listener’s mind.
alan picks up the pace with the beautiful upbeat number, 空唄. The song begins with a great little section of 
instrumentation, decorated by Indian influences, which stand out to the listener. alan does a few vocalizations here and there that carry, really fitting with the image of the sky which the song represents. Next comes the first verse and between the calm instrumentation and alan’s smooth vocals, the listener really falls into a dreamy state. Before the chorus is one line and it serves as the transition between the verse and chorus. alan holds that last note and there is a little fanciful instrumental ascent, making way for the energy of the chorus. The English phrases “I can fly away” and “try again” really stand out as they are some of the few attempts alan makes at English and add to the overall free feeling that the more uptempo beats establishes. Things take a very interesting path on the pure instrumental section as the listener can alan’s fragmented voice repeating “I gotta…” and the usual levity of the music is brought down. It then comes shining brightly again when the chorus comes back again and alan gives more great vocals. The song ends with alan singing two lines and she sounds great as usual. The last word is sung without any musical accompaniment so that the focus is on her voice, which is a fantastic way to end. 空唄 was the one of the best releases from the 5 Elemental Single Project and it fits perfectly on Voice of EARTH.
懐かしい未来 ~longing future~ communicates the element of Earth through a very natural instrumentation and soothing vocals. The song begins with the sound of some people laughing and what sounds like kids running around as a very pretty instrumental tracks slips through. alan then sings the first verse and her vocals are great as usual, maintaining that smoothness and beauty that stands out to the listener. On the chorus, she gives a stronger vocal performance as the emotions come through more strongly and in her voice alone, the listener can feel an atmosphere of hope rising. She then adds a little flavor to the song by doing her beautiful wail, matching the tone of the song perfectly. The pure instrumental section is absolutely amazing as alan plays the erhu and there’s just something very natural and true about that instrument that belongs with the song. Continuing the string of strong single tracks, 懐かしい未来 ~longing future~ hasn’t lost any of its magic from its single release. If anything, it sounds even better in the course of the album and sounds kind of like an album theme song.
ひとつ follows the same sort of mindset as alan sings about being connected to people around the world: that we are 
one. The beautiful sounds of the piano open up the song and quickly alan comes in for the first verse. She sounds great here and there’s a certain fragility in her vocals that really capture the listener, directing their attention to the emotional level of the song. As usual, the chorus offers alan the opportunity to show off those amazing vocals and she takes the chance in her hands well, particularly at the end when she sings the line including the title of the song. Following the chorus is a little section of pure instrumentation and the relaxing atmosphere really shines through. Finishing off the song is more pure instrumentation, to take the listener out of the song perfectly. It’s a great song with filled with emotion and beauty for the listener to enjoy from start to finish.
風の手紙 follows and is actually slightly edited from its release as a single. Beginning the song is a mysterious sound that inrigues the listener because of a coldness to it that evokes the picture of desolation. Then alan arrives and she sings part of the chorus over a cool instrumental track that does have a certain way of communicating the element of wind. Following is a section of pure instrumentation and that’s where the rock tints come out and spice up the music, which is welcomed because it stands out in alan’s discography. She then continues onto the first verse and gives more great vocals to catch the listener’s ear. More emotion emerges on the chorus as she gives stronger vocals. She closes the chorus with “the answer is blowing in the wind” and again, the English is very ear-catching. Near the end of the second verse, she sings “taxi driver” before going into a section of pure instrumentation. Here’s where the song was slightly edited because there is a small but noticeable cut of some of the music, which is really a shame because it’s one of the best parts of the entire song. She finishes the song off with some vocalizations, which do work with the whole element of wind quite well. For those last notes, it would have been nice if she reached higher and it would have been very effective as a final climax of sorts. It’s the final song in the slew of single tracks and it’s one of the most memorable and diverse songs on the album.
Probably the most intriguing track on the entire album is the uptempo number, BRAVE. With exotic elements driving this instrumental masterpiece and alan’s copious use of English, this song is incredible. Opening the song are a few very interesting moments of pure instrumentation before alan dives in part of the first verse. She sings “don’t you know? I just dreamed, oh by your side” and there’s something very magical both in her vocals and the instrumentation here that the listener can’t deny. Then the energy comes full force with some Indian influences driving the instrumetnation and a slight distortion that really works with alan’s vocals as she reaches a little higher. She continues on with great vocals and with the addictive nature of the music, it proves to be a truly dangerous combination. The hooks are interesting because of the English phases that finish off each line such as “long time” and “one love.” She sings these phrases with a certain freedom that sounds great. The hook features a calmer instrumentation and the English lines “I miss your voice” and “please! anyone reach for me,” which show the theme of longing. Featuring even more English, the chorus stands out strongly as the uptempo beat comes strongly again. She finishes with “I believe me, fighting for you” and there is something so powerful in that one statement that it cannot be ignored. The song finishes with the same distorted vocal section that proves so addictive throughout the song. Without a doubt, BRAVE, is one of the best offerings on the album and one that cannot be missed.
The beautiful 夢のガーデン is up next. Beginning the song is a very mysterious yet entrancingly beautiful instrumental that soon becomes associated with coldness. Instantly, so much emotion comes through and creates a dreamy state for the listener to enjoy. Then is the first verse and alan’s vocals go perfectly with the music, once again proving her ability to communicate so much through her voice alone. The chorus really stands out as the electric guitar has another chance at partaking the instrumentation and it creates a climax effect. She continues that at the end of the chorus when she holds that note with perfection. The erhu makes another appearance after the second chorus and it belongs here, adding to the unimaginable beauty of the song. This is another one of the album’s best offerings and an amazing new ballad album track.
群青の谷, the final single released before the album, is the following song. Beginning the song is a sweet section of soft instrumentation and very pretty vocals from alan. Then the tempo picks up and the instrumentation becomes more diverse, for the listener to really fall into. She gives strong vocals and the uptempo beat tied in with traditional influences really suits alan’s voice. She gets to show off those great vocal chops on the chorus and the emotions hit the listener strongly. The pure instrumental section is wonderful because the gorgeousness of the music is shown off for all to hear. In the final chorus, alan gives some vocalizations that make this song so memorable. The song ends with a similar soft instrumental that began the song, tying the whole song together. This is one of the best singles released before the album and it’s a perfect fit on Voice of EARTH.
And things are slowed back down with the next track, my friend. A very simple but sweet instrumentation begins the song and there’s something very natural that the listener can connect with at first listen. With the acoustic guitar serving as the primary instrument, the atmosphere drowsily comes alive just like a story. alan sounds strong on the first verse since her vocals are calm and match the relaxed atmosphere of the music. The chorus is nice as well altough there is no particular instrumental change to really build it up. When she sings “my friend,” it’s a phrase that stands out to the listener very nicely. The pure instrumental section is great because the music takes a slightly different turn and has a cool feeling to it. my friend may be the simplest offering on the album but there’s something very likeable and relatable about the song that makes it an enjoyable part of the album.
Liberty takes cues from the previous track although there is a lighter feeling to this one. Opening the song is a sweet instrumental that bears a striking similarity to the opening instrumental sequence of my friend. Moving into the first verse, alan’s vocals are at their usual smooth and pretty state, complimenting the overall music well. There’s something lighter and slightly more upbeat about the music in here that creates a noticeable difference between this song and the previous one. She holds a note sweetly and then she goes into the chorus. The instrumentation has a little bit more life in it and alan’s vocals are still great, catching the listener’s ear. There are a few notes from the electric guitar in those few seconds of pure instrumentation and they definitely don’t go unnoticed. They really come out to play on the pure instrumental section, which is probably responsible for making this song so memorable and wonderful as it is. There’s just something about it that makes the listener want to smile and that fits with the overall theme of the album. Liberty is a great track and although somewhat similar to my friend, it’s still quite the enjoyable number.
Up next is the gorgeous ballad, 月がわたし. With the piano starting the song off, immediately the emotions come rushing out and touch listener’s heart. Then alan sings in the first verse and just like always, alan does a great job of portraying emotion in her voice while keeping the smoothness that supports the music. During the verses, there are little strings of piano in descent of key, which evoke the image of water to suit the beautiful and graceful overall sound of the song. The chorus brings in a few traditional influences here and there and it’s just so magnificent that it might very well bring the listener to tears. Lyrically, the song is a masterpiece as the metaphor of alan being the moon is consistent throughout the entire song. Essentially, she sings that she is the moon watching over the person she loves (which can actually be interpreted as everyone in the world, fitting in with the theme of the album) and how she wants to take the pain away, lighting up the road to the future. It’s just an absolutely beautiful song that is one of the album’s best offerings.
RED CLIFF ~心・戦~ is the song representative of the fire element in the form of a beautiful ballad. The song begins 
with alan doing some vocalizations and the fragility and peacefulness is almost haunting in combination of the ominous instrumentation. Following is a small section of pure instrumentation which continues that slightly haunting atmosphere, which leads perfectly into the first verse. alan’s vocals are wonderful and really stand out to the listener. What makes the song so grand and epic is the chorus, in which the emotions come pouring out. Just from listening, it’s clear that alan is singing from her heart and that’s something that is unforgettable. After the second chorus, alan gives her signature wail to beautifully calm the listener even more. More pure instrumental lead the listener out on a good way. It’s another wonderful ballad and one of alan’s most memorable numbers.
恵みの雨 is the song representing the element of water. Beginning the song is a very delicate instrumental, prompted by the sounds of the erhu. Then comes alan and her vocals here are very pretty and already, the emotional atmosphere of the song comes alive to really resonate with the listener. But those emotions are even stronger on the chorus as alan provides stronger vocals. Although she doesn’t go particularly higher, she manages to push the emotional envelope and make the listener take notice. Things take a slightly different turn on the final chorus as the instrumentation is higher and more powerful, matching alan’s even stronger vocals. With a true emotional contect, it’s no wonder that 恵みの雨 was included as the semifinale for the album.
Together, a song composed by alan herself, is the album’s finale as the first press limited edition bonus track. The song starts off with the sound of a drum and quickly, the instrumentation snakes its way into the track. alan provides some great vocals that are probably some of the smoothest on the album. Traditional elements also find their way to the music and they add a little flavor to the instrumentation. Probably a part of what makes this song memorable is that alan speaks and the listener can hear such calmness in her voice that suits the song perfectly. She shows off her vocals after the talking section and they add a little variety to the song. alan definitely deserves a round of applause for composing such a song herself and it’s a great way to close the album because it gives a true atmosphere that comes through the title.
Album Ranking: A +
Voice of EARTH is a collection of songs meant to unite the people of the world through the common thread of music. With the themes of peace and love surrounding the songs, alan’s personal philosophy is reflected so that a piece of her heart is really the cornerstone of the package. Eight singles were released before the album and offered some of the album’s best gems from the upbeat pop sensation 空唄 to the traditionally based 明日への讃歌 to the rock-influenced 風の手紙. From the new album tracks offered on Voice of EARTH, alan certainly proves her unmistakable talent. BRAVE is probably the album’s best song and it’s a great opportunity to see alan take on more upbeat sounds and be completely in her element. 夢のガーデン and 月がわたし are both beautiful ballads, each with their unique sound to really reflect alan’s heart. The only problem with Voice of EARTH is that is definitely could have had more diversity to it. It would have been nice to see more upbeat tracks to balance out all the ballads to give alan a more diverse repertoire. Nonetheless, Voice of EARTH is an amazing collection of songs that lives up to the long wait it’s taken to get here.
alan – 群青の谷 [8th Single]
alan’s 8th single, entitled 群青の谷, was released on 02.04.09. With lyrics written by Cocco, the song was written specially for victims of the Sichuan 2008 Earthquake. That location is also the setting of the promotional video.
群青の谷 is one of the strongest songs from the Voice of EARTH era. After back-to-back ballad single releases, this song is a breath of fresh air, taking elements of breathtaking traditional sounds and a more uptempo pace. The song begins with a very sweetly as the emphasis is on alan’s voice as she sings from the heart. Here, the instrumentation is very simple, just being the sounds of an acoustic guitar and a certain “doll-like” sound that stands out to the listener. Then the song’s true sound comes through as the pace picks up the instrumentation becomes more diverse. Again, alan’s vocals are amazing as usual and carry a certain freedom to them that will touch the listener’s heart. They’re even stronger on the chorus as she pours out the emotions, particularly on those notes which she holds with beauty. 
Since the music is so wonderful, it’s no surprise that the pure instrumental section really gets under the listener’s skin and pervades throughout. Near the end, alan effectively shows off her vocal range as she reaches high and hits those angelic notes that only she can. Closing the song is the same sweet and more relaxing sound that begins the song and it’s the perfect way to round out the song and tie it together. It’s a fantastic song and alan sounds so natural and comfortable on it that the listener can feel it.
In order to promote the single, a PV for 群青の谷 was made. alan shot the video in Sichuan and the video is a visual masterpiece. It begins with alan playing the erhu for a group of people and you can tell that everyone is into it as they are slightly swaying back and forth. At this scene (and throughout the entire video), the view is incredible and is a breathtaking experience. The rest of the video features two primary parts: alan wandering the town in a very pretty wihte sweater and alan essentially singing to nature, wearing a gorgeous red dress and a magnificent cover to keep her cool. With its various colors, it really reflects the ultramarine valley of the title. It’s an absolutely magical video that suits the song perfectly.
Single Ranking: A +
With a string of singles under her belt, it was a challenge for alan to deliver a song that would make itself memorable from the other seven ones. However the challenge proved to be very easy for alan as 群青の谷 is one of the best singles released thus far. It ties together traditional elements and an upbeat tempo to make a very standout track that touches the listener. alan’s vocals are no less than amazing as usual and she really brings the song to full blooming life.
alan – 合唱[懐かしい未来 ～longing future～] + Together [PV Review]
In order to promote alan’s new album, Voice of EARTH, two new PVs were made: one for 合唱[懐かしい未来 ～longing future～] and one for Together (included only on First Press Bonus Track editions of the album).
The PV for 合唱[懐かしい未来 ～longing future～] is pretty simple, just featuring alan going to a school and accompanying the children in singing the song. alan kind of wanders the school and at the end, she’s in the middle of the crowd of children singing. alan looks great and the children are adorable so it’s kind of nice despite its simplicity. It would have just been better to make a PV for one of the new tracks but I suppose it’s no harm, no foul.
PV Ranking: B
Much like the other PV, the PV for Together is extremely simple. The central image is of alan in an empty house and just singing. The thing that is very noticeable about her here is the natural look. She’s not wearing makeup and her hair looks very simple and natural. Another scene features alan on a beach and singing. There were some strange animated effects that came off as a little cheesy. It does communicate the simple nature of the song perfectly but it could have been nicer.
PV Ranking: B –
[Part Seven] Artist Of The Year
We all wish we could be as talented as alan but sadly we cannot. However, we can celebrate the amazingness of this newcomer as I crown her “Artist of the Year” for Oricon Year 2008.
alan has been one busy girl this year. She’s released a total of six singles this year, each one showcasing the talents of this girl. The first single of the year was the sweet ballad ひとつ. At first, I didn’t really care for ひとつ but after the 5 Elemental Project started, I fell in love with alan again and decided to go back and give this single a chance. My opinion definitely changed. The title track is a beautiful ballad with alan’s vocals really supporting the music, as always. 君想フ空 and sign are really good songs and stand out as some of alan’s most memorable B-sides. I absolutely love the little instrumental section in 君想フ空 since there is such a natural and warm feeling behind it that I feel whenever I listen to it. sign has such a mysterious atmosphere to it and even though it’s basically an instrumental track, it’s definitely worth listening to. 東京未明 is a nice song although I don’t really listen to it that much. But it does compliment the single’s package nicely. This single was really good and it was nice to have four strong songs on one single.
After that, she began the 5 Elemental Single Project. She released five singles for five months (one each month) with each single correspoding to one of the 5 Godai. The first single was 懐かしい未来 ~longing future,~ which was the Earth single. This single really got me interested in alan and I think that this single really represented its element well. The title track featured that signature alan wail that gives me goosebumps and the instrumental section sounds absolutely gorgeous with alan playing the ehru. Seed of Green is also a very nice B-side, complimenting the A-side and the overall Earth theme of the single well. So she definitely started the project off with a bang. Then things got even better with the second single, 空唄, representing the element of sky. 空唄 really stood out to me because it was an upbeat poppier song, which makes it special within alan’s discography thus far. alan still showed off her vocals and the instrumentation was gorgeous. My Stage was this single’s B-side and it’s one of my favorite alan songs to date. This song stands out even more for its cheery and light tone and even use of some English phrases such as “organization” and “summer vacation.” This song is absolutely perfect and necessary to listen to if you haven’t 
heard it yet. Without any doubt, this was my favorite single of the project. alan kept the momentum strong with 風の手紙, which represented the element of wind. Both 風の手紙 and かごめ were great songs that took on a rock vibe, similar to that of labelmate Hamasaki Ayumi. alan pulled that new sound perfectly and continued to show her versatility as an artist. 風の手紙 emerged as my second favorite single of this project. RED CLIFF ~心・戦~ was the next single and is currently her best selling single. This single corresponded to the Godai element of fire. The title track is a very beautiful ballad, certainly deserving to be the theme song for a movie. What actually grabbed me more from this single was 明日への讃歌 ~Orchestral Version.~ This new arrangement was absolutely gorgeous and while it wasn’t as strong as the original version, it certainly was worth the listen. Finally came 恵みの雨, representing water. I was really excited to hear this single and I admit I was a little disappointed because I was expecting something prettier. Overall, this project was fantastic and produced some of alan’s best songs. It also always kept me anticipating what she would do next, a factor which helped me be crowned “Artist of the Year.”
alan looks to be wasting no time with 3 singles to be released next year as well as her debut album, which is scheduled for a March release. The three singles to be released are as follows: Liberty, 群青の谷 and 久遠の河. All I know is the album better come out in March because I’ve been waiting too long for that album!
Well this has been the 7th and final part of our Oricon Year 2008 Review. Congratulations to alan and her accomplishment of being named Amai Wana’s Artist Of The Year! So I leave with you with the current blog stats. Normal reviews will be again tomorrow and will run until December 31st. After that, only reviews from Oricon Year 2009 will be featured.
Total Views: 85,292 Views
Busiest Day: 923 [December 2, 2008]
[Part Six] Oricon Year 2008 Top PVs
With all the PVs released this year, there have been some real standouts. We’ve seen some amazing dancing, sad love stories, cuteness and pretty lights. So here is the list of the best PVs released this year.
01. Koda Kumi – TABOO PV
02. Hey! Say! JUMP – 真夜中のシャドーボーイ PV
03. Koda Kumi – Under PV
04. Suzuki Ami – ONE PV
05. Perfume – Macaroni PV
06. NEWS – 太陽のナミダ PV
07. Hey! Say! JUMP – Your Seed PV
08. Ito Yuna – miss you PV
09. Jyongri – Winter Love Story PV
10. Hamasaki Ayumi – (don’t) Leave me alone PV
11. Koda Kumi – anytime PV
12. alan – 空唄 PV
13. Tohoshinki – 呪文-Mirotic- PV
14. alan – RED CLIFF ~心・戦~ PV
15. alan – 風の手紙 PV
16. Koda Kumi – 秘密 PV
17. Hamasaki Ayumi – Marionette PV
18. Koda Kumi – Moon Crying PV
19. Arashi – Beautiful days PV
20. Otsuka Ai – クラゲ, 流れ星 PV
21.Tegomass – アイアイ傘 PV
22. Leah Dizon – Vanilla PV
23. NEWS – SUMMER TIME PV
24. Koda Kumi – 恋の魔法 PV
25. Koda Kumi – 甘い罠 PV
26. Hamasaki Ayumi – Mirrorcle World PV
27. Arashi – One Love PV
28. DOUBLE and Amuro Namie – BLACK DIAMOND PV
29. Amuro Namie – Sexy Girl PV
30. AAA – Crash PV
31. Ishida Yuko – Changes PV
32. Morning Musume – Resonant Blue PV
33. aiko – KissHug PV
34. Tanimura Nana – SEXY SENORITA PV
35. Tanimura Nana – If I’m not the one PV
36. Shiraishi Kikyo – BLACK PV
37. C-ute – 涙の色 PV
38. Tohoshinki – Beautiful you PV
39. alan – 恵みの雨 PV
40. Suzuki Ami – can’t stop the DISCO PV
41. BoA – be with you. PV
42. Nishino Kana – I PV
43. Leah Dizon – Under The Same Sky PV
44. Utada Hikaru – HEART STATION PV
45. Amuro Namie – WHAT A FEELING PV
46. Tohoshinki – Purple Line PV
47. ayaka x Kobukuro – あなたと PV
48. Koda Kumi – MORE PV
49. C-ute – 江戸の手毬唄 PV
50. Koda Kumi – あなたがしてくれたこと PV
[Part Four] Oricon Year Top Singles
Well there have been a lot of singles out this year. Some of them have been amazing and have made me fall in love with certain artists while others made me feel very disappointed. Which single took the number one spot? How many Johnny’s singles and H!P singles made the countdown? You’ll have to continue to find out.
Hey! Say! JUMP has definitely impressed me this year, much more than I thought they would. I can’t even describe just how great their music has been but I’ll try anyway. The group’s fourth single, 真夜中のシャドーボーイ, wins title of “Single of Oricon Year 2008.” If there is one thing that these guys know how to do it, it’s make an upbeat single that makes the listener take notice. 真夜中のシャドーボーイ uses Spanish and Arabian themes to push their instrumentation over everyone elses. Except for Kei, Keito and Ryutaro, everybody has a real turn to shine. Yamada, Daiki, Nakajima and Chinen all have this center role (Yamada having the actual center role) since this song was used to promote their new drama Scrap Teacher so it was nice to see different people getting the time to shine. Everything about the song was perfect. With the constant repetition of the word “チェリー,” the listener is taken to another world. These boys really pull off the mature sound strongly and Chinen’s voice sounds different on this song than the others ones. Daiki, Nakajima, Yabu and Takaki all sound great too. With the multitude of live performances the song has gotten, the guys have looked hot and they sing the song with such confidence. It’s an amazing single that reigns above all the others so they should be very proud to have “Single of the Year.”
It was very hard to choose a first place winner and this single was so close to taking the top spot. Second place though 
is something to be proud of too though and the runner up for “Single of the Year” goes to Koda Kumi with TABOO. After the controversy, Kumi went for a more conservative approach with MOON. However there’s something magical about Kumi when she does the sexy thing. She exutes confidence and it really makes for an enjoyable time when you can get up and move with Kuu. TABOO is the sexy anthem of 2008 as Kumi provides smooth vocals that lay over the hot instrumental. The verses are what make this song so addictive, particularly the last lines when she sings “drive away.” Kumi uses a certain cleverness with these lyrics using various metaphors to describe secret love and they come across to the listener perfectly. Plus I’m sure this single has given many others faith that Kumi will always have that sexiness in her because people have been worried that it’s been declining. Always is a nice compliment to the A-side even though it’s pretty forgettable. TABOO is the hot dance track that Kumi delivered and is just too good to pass up. Even the PV for the song was perfect. They really made sure this would be a strong single from all angles. This song single-handedly has me assured that TRICK will not be an album to forget.
Third place was also really close to nabbing that top spot. The moment I heard the title track, I was instantly addicted and I knew the album that would soon follow would be amazing. That is why third place goes to Suzuki Ami with can’t stop the DISCO. It’s no secret that Ami and Nakata make a dream team because every single they release together just shines. I loved ONE but the moment I heard can’t stop the DISCO, I fell in love with the team. I first heard the chorus when it was used for the Mister Donuts CM and couldn’t get enough of it. But then when I heard the verses…I was blown away. Ami really pulls off the cool vibe here and she’s given me one of the most addictive lines of 2008: me to me no kakehiki (love tactics). I can’t get enough of this song and it’s definitely one of the highlights of Supreme Show. Even the B-sides were amazing: climb up to the top and SUPER MUSIC MAKER (SA’08S/A Mix) were extremely strong numbers that helpe make this one cohesive single from start to finish (and that includes having each song have perfect transition into the next).
In case it wasn’t clear already, Hey! Say! JUMP has put out some fantastic music this year. So does it really come as a 
surprise that they have two singles in the top 5 best singles of 2008? I didn’t think so. Hey! Say! JUMP takes fourth place as well for their 3rd single, Your Seed / 冒険ライダー. It was with this single that I officially became a fan of these guys. Your Seed is the first time they really brought a mature song and the difference from Dreams come true shocked me. Everyone sounded great on this song and the rap section is absolutely infectious. I still haven’t found out who is doing that but the first person that came to mind was Nakajima. Was it actually him? Probably not but ya never know. It’s hard to really put my love for this song into words so let’s just say everything about this song was perfect. Not one thing could have made it any better. 冒険ライダー also had a kind of mature sound while having that fun-loving breezy atmosphere that just makes you wanna smile. I particularly like the chorus when all the boys come together and harmonize so perfectly. Also Yabu shines on his few solo lines before the final chorus so good job to him. So it’s the single that made me a Hey! Say! JUMP fan and one of the best releases of the entire year! The boys are on fire!!!
Johnny’s Entertainment was definitely on a roll at the beginning of the year. NEWS’s first single of the year, 太陽のナミダ, comes in fifth place of Single of the Year. The title track uses Spanish and Arabian influences to really make the instrumentation addictive. Everybody sounded great on the song and personally, Massu’s voice stood out a little more than everyone else’s. Nonetheless, everyone sounded fantastic and their vocals really were smooth over the instrumental. バンビーナ and Lady Spider were also amazing, really catching my ear. It was actually Lady Spider that made me a real fan of NEWS because it just really sparkled in my eyes. It’s so catchy and one that could have been an A-side. バンビーナ really shows the sexy side of the boys. The lyrics have that dirty edge to them and they might even make you blush. Tegoshi can friggin sing and if you had any doubts about it, listen to バンビーナ. They did a magnificent job on this single and it’s certainly not one to pass up. As an overall package, it’s their strongest single to date so give it a listen if you haven’t already and fall in love with these boys like I did.
Suzuki Ami and Nakata really are the dream team. can’t stop the DISCO was amazing as was this year’s 6th best single, 
ONE. The moment I heard ONE, I was addicted and I began following Ami thereafter. The song features a more aggressive instrumental with some perfect vocals from Ami to give it that extra flavor. When the song first opens, we are treated to the best part of the entire song: キラキラの the one. This one line makes the song fantastic but the rest of the song nicely follows this section. The chorus also stands out with the English phrases like “I love music and this world” and “I love your smile.” It’s absolutely perfect in every way so it’s the perfect way to introduce the formal come together of Ami and Nakata. Originally the B-side, A token of love, did not really impress me but after giving it some time, I fell in love with it. A token of love also features that aggressive sound that supports Ami so perfectly. I really like that last line of the chorus, the title of the song, because she says it with such edge and sleekness that it sticks in your head. Plus that ending instrumental sequence is fantastic, really standing out to the listener. Overall, this is definitely one of the strongest singles of the year, without question. It shows Ami’s cool side and is the perfect product of the dream team.
alan has had a smash year with her Element Project. Each single repesented one of the 5 Godai elements and the best one to emerge of the five: 空唄. The title track is a beautiful upbeat song in which alan claims she can fly away. I think because this is the real upbeat number chosen to be an A-side, it stands out from all the other singles she has released. It really portrays the element of the sky well and lets the listener believe what she is singing. If you want even more amazingness, then turn to the B-side, My Stage. This is definitely alan’s most cheery and infectious song because the instrumentation is so light and heavenly, prompting the listener to just smile while listening. Honestly, I think I would have preferred My Stage to be the A-side since it’s a real standout in alan’s discography. I hope that she’ll be doing a similar song to this on her album…whenever that will be coming out. It shows the versatility of alan as an artist and proves that she can do music closer to mainstream music while still having that special touch that only alan can bring.
Perfume also had a strong year, releasing various singles that showed Perfume’s quirky and fun nature. However they 
really stood out when they released Baby cruising love / マカロニ. They’re really the best examples of electrpop ballads as the instrumentation is strong and the girls’ voices suit them perfectly. Baby cruising love was nice because it still had traces of that unforgettable Nakata aggressiveness. However the real star of the single and the reason it placed so high on this chart was because of マカロニ. It is the prime example of how to slow down an electropop song and still maintain the quality. There is such a relaxing and natural atmosphere about this song that when I listen to it, I can just smile and drift off into another world. And having an emotional connection with a song just makes it all the better, which is why this is Perume’s best song to date. It was released at the end of the winter and I can see that there are some wintery traces hidden in the instrumentation. I’m hoping that the girls will bring another strong song like this for their next album, which looks to be strong looking at the singles released thus far. Good lucks girls and I hope the future brings you luck!
If you want the best winter song released this year then you definitely have to look at 24 Xmas Time by Kuraki Mai. I was blown away when I first heard the song because there is something so natural and fun about this song that I can’t help but love. The song kind of goes back to her older style with songs like Love, Day After Tomorrow, which is always a good thing because I adore that song. Okay, let’s be truthful, the song isn’t that wintery or Christmas-like but that’s okay because it’s just a fantastic song. The verses are what make it so addictive and those moments where the instrumentation changes to set up Mai for a strong line (such as my favorite line in the whole song which translates to “kyou mo, watashi wa sekushii.” The B-side was nice, although a little generic but it compliments the whole wintery theme of the single nicely. I can’t believe Mai put out such a great single after a few that were questionable. I’m already anticipating her new album, touch Me!, because of this one song.
I love Tanimura Nana. She’s talented; she’s fun and she’s ready to go! Her 10th single, If I’m not the one / SEXY 
SENORITA, featured two different songs that show off two different sides to her. If I’m not the one is a very beautiful ballad with Nana lamenting that she needs to know if she can’t be her admired’s one and only. She really portrays her emotions strongly and it keeps the listener focused and sympathetic towards her. However the star song on this single is SEXY SENORITA, a fun song that shows off Nana’s sexy and playful side. Her vocals here are strong and the chorus stands out proudly. She portrays attitude and sass, which is perfect for making the listener believe her. I really like the English phrases such as “call me, call me” and “crazy crazy.” I’m still waiting for an album to be released from her since I know I’m going to love it but she’s going to school (she’s attending one of the most prestigious law schools in Japan so go Nana!) so I can’t blame her. I just want any piece of news of a new release soon and it better be an album. Congratulations Nana for being such a threat with your fourth single, If I’m not the one / SEXY SENORITA, which rounds out our top 10.
11. Misia – Catch The Rainbow [Digital Release]
12. Morning Musume – ペッパー警部
13. Leah Dizon – Love Paradox
14. C-ute – 江戸の手毬唄 II
15. alan – 風の手紙
16. Perfume – Dream Fighter
17. Tohoshinki – 呪文 -Mirotic-
18. Arashi – One Love
19. Morning Musume – リゾナント ブルー
20. Ito Yuna – miss you
21. Koda Kumi – anytime
22. Perfume – love the world
23. Tanimura Nana – JUNGLE DANCE
24. V6 – 蝶
25. Kinki Kids – Secret Code
26. NEWS – SUMMER TIME
27. Leah Dizon – Vanilla
28. Aira Mitsuki – チャイナ・ディスコティカ
29. Berryz Koubou – 行け 行け モンキーダンス
30. alan – 懐かしい未来 ~longing future~
31. MEG – HEART
32. AAA – MIRAGE
33. Ishida Yuko – Changes
34. Hey! Say! JUMP – Dreams come true
35. Tohoshinki – Runaway / My Girlfriend
36. Tohoshinki – If…?! / Rainy Night
37. Tohoshinki – Purple Line
38. Utada Hikaru – HEART STATION / Stay Gold
39. Tegomass – アイアイ傘
40. Takasugi Satomi – ありがとう
41. Ito Yuna – 恋は groovy x2
42. BONNIE PINK – Ring A Bell
43. Shiraishi Kikyo – again
44. Shiraishi Kikyo – BLACK
45. Shimatani Hitomi – 泣きたいなら
46. Hamasaki Ayumi – Mirrorcle World
47. ayaka x Kobukuro – あなたと
48. alan – RED CLIFF ~心・戦~
49. Amuro Namie – 60s70s80s
50. Berryz Koubou – MADAYADE
51. Nakashima Mika – ORION
52. Crystal Kay – 涙のさきに
53. Jyongri – Winter Love Story
54. C-ute – 涙の色
55. Kuraki Mai – 夢が咲く春 / You and Music and Dream
56. Arashi – Step and Go
57. Arashi – Beautiful days
58. V6 – LIGHT IN YOUR HEART / Swing!
59. AAA – MUSIC!!! / ZERO
60. Aoyama Thelma – 守りたいもの
61. Koda Kumi – MOON
62. NEWS – Happy Birthday
63. Kitahara Aiko – その笑顔よ 永遠に
64. Shibasaki Kou – よくある話～喪服の女編～
65. Milky Way – タンタンターン!
66. Kuraki Mai – 一秒ごとに Love for you
67. C-ute – FOREVER LOVE
68. Otsuka Ai – クラゲ, 流れ星
69. Aira Mitsuki – ロボットハニー
70. ayaka – おかえり
71. Utada Hikaru – Prisoner of Love
72. Shimatani Hitomi – WAKE YOU UP / 雨の日には 雨の中を 風の日には 風の中を / Marvelous
73. Hirahara Ayaka – 孤独の向こう
74. Milky Way – アナタボシ
75. alan – 恵みの雨
76. BoA – be with you.
77. BoA – VIVID
78. Fukui Mai – アイのうた
79. V6 – VIBES
80. Hirahara Ayaka – さよなら 私の夏
81. EXILE – LAST CHRISTMAS
82. Tohoshinki – Close to you / Crazy Life
83. Nishino Kana – Style
84. Arashi – truth / 風の向こうへ
85. KAT-TUN – White Xmas
86. GIRL NEXT DOOR – Drive away / 幸福の条件
87. GIRL NEXT DOOR – 偶然の確率
88. TOKIO – 雨傘 / あきれるくらい 僕らは願おう
89. Tohoshinki – Beautiful you / 千年恋歌
90. SMAP – そのまま / White Message
91. Angela Aki – 手紙 ~拝啓 十五の君へ
92.Tackey & Tsubasa – 恋詩-コイウタ / PROGRESS
93. AAA – BEYOND~カラダノカナタ
94. Kawashima Ai – カケラ / Flag
95. SMAP – この瞬間, きっと夢じゃない
96. EXILE – The Birthday ~Ti Amo~
97. Buono! – ガチンコでいこう!
98. Berryz Koubou – ジンギスカン
99. Buono! – Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!
100. Buono! – ロッタラ ロッタラ
Amai Wana 