Amai Wana

Suzuki Ami – Supreme Show [7th Studio Album]

November 24, 2008 at 8:25 pm (Suzuki Ami) (Oricon Year 2008 Albums, Suzuki Ami)

Suzuki Ami’s 7th studio album, entitled Supreme Show, was released on 11.12.08. In order to celebrate her 10th anniversary and her recent work with Nakata Yasutaka, Supreme Show was produced entirely by him. It also comes as her 2nd album of the year (as DOLCE was released in January). Both singles: ONE and can’t stop the DISCO (as well as their respective B-sides) as well as a new mix of previous song SUPER MUSIC MAKER were included on this album. The first track, TEN, was used in a Honda Cars CM.

TEN opens up the album on a strong note. The song is quite simple lyrically speaking but that simplicity in conjuction with the addictive instrumentation makes for a catchy opening number. Opening the song is a fun and cool electropop instrumental that takes the listener into a whole other world and soon the striking part of the music comes in, the piano. Having the piano run through really sets this song apart from various other Nakata songs and it makes this song a standout number on Supreme Show. Getting back to the lyrics, during the verses, it is generally a list of things that Ami can relate to such as “daydream,” “setback” and “lonely.” The chorus stands out as her vocals stand out and show that Ami edge as she sings “dream a happy dream, which way shall we take?” and the final line is so perfectly apt for this song as she chants “transcend the TEN.” TEN really introduces the listener to the genius production of Nakata and the unmistakable flavor of Ami. Although the vocals are heavily distorted, it works very nicely with the music to make TEN an electropop paradise.

The second song on the album, can’t stop the DISCO, is a maginificent sleek electropop wonderland. The song was perfect when it was released as a single and it sounds wonderful on Supreme Show. The song takes off with a mysterious and cool instrumental that takes the listener on a ride and straight into the first verse. The verses are the strongest part of the song as they give off that cool vibe that only Ami can bring. English phrases such as “feel my heart” and particularly “love tactics,” give the verses that special edge. Transitioning smoothly into the hook, the vocals become a little more strong as she holds her notes with flawless ease. The hook really does a good job of connecting the cool verses to the lighter chorus. Ami brings a fun atmosphere for the chorus as she sings primarily in English with phrases like “time trip, time slip” and “No! None of your tricks!” making the listener stand up and notice. The song finishes with more of that dreamy instrumentation that just sounds so great and makes a perfect transition into the next song. can’t stop the DISCO is a perfect Nakata and Ami match and it stands out strongly on the album.

Much like the transition on the single, cimb up to the top follows can’t stop the DISCO perfectly. This song is one of the funnest songs on the album as she sings in all English and it almost sounds like shouting but it works well in the context of the song. Opening the song is a cool instrumental with the sounds of a woman moaning here and there, fueling that sexual atmosphere that makes the song have a little more edge. The English phrases are a little nonsensical at times like “whoop it up, blow one’s top” “what is you up to? out of control!” but they only enhance the song’s fun atmosphere. Similar to some of Nakata produced B-sides (i.e. feel the beat or edge by Perfume), the emphasis is really on the music here since the actual singing is only of the chorus. Luckily the music is so addictive that the times just flies by. There are certain points when the music becomes dark and aggressive and others when the music is light and fun, which makes for a very strong song as the transition between them is flawless. climb up to the top is a great song, one definitely worth checking out.

Up next is SUPER MUSIC MAKER (SA’08S/A mix), which was also released on the previous single. climb up to the top perfectly flows into this song just like on the single. Since its release on the can’t stop the DISCO single, it hasn’t lost of any of its magic. That opening instrumental really grabs the listener in and prepares them for the amazingness to come. Soon Ami comes in cutely saying “yeah! hey you, yeah!” and then the first verse follows. Her vocals here really match the laid-back element of the music and keep the listener intrigued for what is to follow. The chorus is easily the most addictive part of the song as the music becomes more diverse and the “hey you!” line really pops and catches the listener’s ear. This new version of SUPER MUSIC MAKER definitely finds its home on Supreme Show and is another product of the perfect team of Ami and Nakata.

Mysterious is home to a dark and almost creepy atmosphere that makes it one of the best songs on the album. That spooky instrumental begins the song and there is almost a video-game like element to it that really makes it extremely enticing. Ami comes in on the first verse with sleek vocals that support the music strongly, showing off that cool flare. Following each couplet is a couple English lines such as “dance dance dance dance follow me, back step next step give me a beat.” It appears many times throughout the song but it’s so catchy that the listener won’t mind. One line separates the verses and the chorus, beginning with “grab a chance” and it is at this moment that the instrumentation rises high to build up for what is next. The chorus is fantastic, primarily for the drawn-out “mysterious” that Ami sings, separated by that repeated “dance” line. Following the chorus is a small pure instrumental section that takes a listener on a ride through this mysterious world, perfectly representing the song’s meaning. Without a doubt, Mysterious is a knockout on Supreme Show and one of the best Ami and Nakata creations for its infectious instrumentation and cool sexy edge.

Picking up the energy and the mood is the next song, change my life. The instrumentation takes off and instantly the listener feels that lightness. On the verses, Ami gives a very good vocal performance as the distortion on her vocals perfectly fits with the music. The chorus actually is very memorable, primarily for the interesting twinkling world of the instrumentation. Ami’s vocals are pretty good here too, though they could have been a little stronger. English phrases such as “change my heart” and “up to date” do a nice job of popping and catching the listener’s ear. The pure instrumental section is great and has a certain warm feeling about it that just works within the context of this song. It’s a good song and although it may not be one of the most interesting offerings on the album, it’s worth a listen.

It wasn’t the smartest idea to place the next track, LOVE MAIL, right after change my life since they are a little too similar in sound to be next to each other. Similar instrumentation opens this song up but there is something unmistakably different about it, which is hard to describe. On the verses, Ami gives some good vocals again, nicely supported by the instrumentation. Generally it’s the music that makes this song a good listen and there are certain sections of the song (such as right before the chorus), which sparkle in the listener’s ear. The chorus is nice but having Ami constantly reach higher to sing becomes a little much for the song and doesn’t sound as strong as she did on the previous song. One interesting point about this song though is that on the first verse, she sings with a certain rapidity that sounds so fresh and gives the song a nice little edge.

Although A token of love didn’t strike me when it was released as a single on the ONE single, it has shined more considerably since then. The opening instrumentation catches the listener as it’s almost like they are entering another world as it shifts from being light to agressive to a cool. After some vocalizations from Ami, the first verse and there’s somewhat of a cute feeling to it as Ami sings along to the sleek instrumental. The chorus is what makes this song stand out with all English lyrics, she sings phrases such as “make a happy” and “you and me.” When she sings the title of the song, the music also has a momentary change that makes for one perfect split second that is still noticeable to the listener. Closing the song is a fantastic instrumental that takes on more aggressive qualities. A Token of love finds a nice niche on this album and actually sounds better here in the context of the album than its release as a B-side.

TRUE is definitely an album gem as Nakata takes a more relaxing approach with the synth leading Ami through the song. Ami effortlessly follows, showing off her vocal prowess and coolness. The opening instrumentation immediately makes the listener want to follow as it opens the doors to a new world. On the verses, Ami manages to slickly hold her notes and staying in the lower tone allows her to keep that cool edge that she is so good at keeping. The chorus stands out as Ami gives a little more vocally and the music doesn’t have to do anything but remain strong (which it manages to do no problem). This song is truly one to remember and it is a wonderful addition to Supreme Show.

Our last track is flower, an electropop ballad of sorts, which Ami brings to magical life. There is such an immediate draw to this song once the instrumentation begins the song so that the listener cannot escape. She holds her notes wonderfully and there is a layer of aggressive instrumentation that runs through the lighter and more fragile level, perfect for forming unforgettable music. On the chorus, Ami reaches higher but here it works so perfectly with the beauty of the music that the listener could just sleep into a dream while listening. She sings “come into flower,” enticing the listener to hear even more. flower is fantastic and it’s the perfect way to slow things down while still keeping the listener addicted.

Ironically ONE is the album’s last track. It was such a strong song when released as a single and it still maintains that perfect edge. The song begins with Ami singing the hook, probably the most addictive part of the entire song. She sings “number one” over an absolutely fantastic instrumental that catches the listener’s attention. The last line of the hook is the most memorable line of the entire song as she holds the last note with strength. On the verses, there is a very relaxing feeling as Ami’s vocals remain in the lower pitch and they really work with the certain dark spacey atmosphere about the instrumentation. If you listen closely, you can hear her saying “smile and music and this world” at certain moments of pure instrumentation and it’s a very nice touch that adds flavor to the song. Closing the song is addictive music, that makes for the perfect finish for this album. ONE is one of Ami’s best songs to date and certainly an album jewel.

Album Ranking: A

Supreme Show definitely shows the true power of the Ami and Nakata team. All the songs from the singles (ONE, A token of love, can’t stop the DISCO and climb up to the top) sound fantastic here, maintaning their strength from single release. As for the new tracks, Mysterious reigns top jewel with TEN, TRUE and flower closing following. The album provides many different sounds, all of which show Ami’s versatility and appeal, making Supreme Show an album to remember.

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Suzuki Ami – Dolce [6th Studio Album]

February 15, 2008 at 8:38 pm (Suzuki Ami) (Oricon Year 2008 Albums, Suzuki Ami)

Suzki Ami’s 6th studio album, Dolce, was released on 02.06.08. This album is her second of the “Ami joins…” series as every track has her joining someone new to create a highly techno-influenced album. Along with this new sound came a more sexy image that compliments her new musical style. Songs like feel the beat (album version) and MUSIC really capture the essence of her techno experimentation. Other songs such as Bitter… and Stereo Love give some needed variety to the album. Only two songs were released before the album: FREE FREE / SUPER MUSIC MAKER and Potential Breakup Song.

FREE FREE, the opening track, finds Ami joining Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) for a synthesized techno track. The sounds of this song are a good representation of Ami’s new sound and image and are good for the opening track. In order to compliment the highly techno music, her vocals are highly synthesized and truthfully it’s not very appealing. They’re so synthesized, they don’t really even sound like her. There’s no real power behind them so the instrumentation quickly comes to the forefront. The sexiness that Ami is currently using in her image comes across especially through the moments where her breathing is heard. The song clocks in at a little over five minutes and because of the monotony of the song, it does drag on. Although her new sound really is clear in this opening song, it’s not particuarly captivating in any way.

Ami joins Sugiurumn for the second song, feel the beat (album version). The style of the song is somewhat similar to that of FREE FREE with lower-pictched vocals and a strong instrumental presence. Ami repeats “I feel the beat” repeatedly throughout the song, which adds a nice flavor to it and compliments the instrumentation. There really isn’t music lyrical variety and because of the low pitch of the vocals, the instrumentation once again comes to the forefront. Strangely enough it works in the song’s favor since the instrumental is a very hot techno beat with a more relaxed vibe than that of FREE FREE and works with the vocals better. This song should have been the opening track since it displays the new techno flavor and is a strong track at that.

The third song, Potential Breakup Song, has Ami joining Aly & AJ for this poppy track. Although it maintains a very similar flow to the original, the lyrical flow is so smooth, it gives the song its own flavor. The sexiness comes through as she whispers some of the lyrics during the hook and flows perfectly into the chorus. The chorus is easily the most addictive part of the song with stronger vocals and her softer vocals perfectly compliment the techno-influenced beat. Her English pronounciation is pretty good as she sings “this is a potential breakup song…” The guitar that plays a fair role in the instrumentation really brings out the instrumental but doesn’t overpower Ami’s vocals. Overall this is a very enjoyable listen and brings an interesting Japanese twist to an American song.

The album’s fourth song, Bitter…, finds Ami joining STUDIO APARTMENT in a smooth track with energy. A very mellow piano introduction introduces this song but after roughly half of a minute into the song, the instrumentation changes. Synthesizers come into play and give the song more of an uptempo feel while still maintaing the mellowness that. Ami’s vocals stay within the lower range during the verses and blend well with the music. The chorus sticks out to me more as her vocals show some more range and the catchiness factor increases. The chorus is repeated quite a few times just so in that regard, some might perceive it is somewhat monotonous but I don’t think it detracts from the overall feeling of the song until the end when two choruses could have been cut out. The song finishes on pure instrumentation and is an excellent way to end since it opened the song as well, creating a cyclical effect. Bitter… is one of the songs that stands out most on the album and is definitely worth the listen.

Ami joins RAM RIDER for SWEET DANCE, the fifth song on the album. The song opens up with some English in very hushed English vocals and introduces the overall feel of the song very well. Soon her slightly synthesized vocals come into play and and blend well with the mellow atmosphere of the techno beat. There is a very continuous flow throughout the entire song so the chorus doesn’t truly seperate itself from the verses in terms of instrumentation but the feel is established well. The instrumental sections of the song prove to be very enjoyable and show off the techno flare that Ami is capable of. This song is one of the album’s strong tracks with a relaxed sound but is still uptempo with a certain poppish element to it.

CAPTAIN FUNK joins Ami for The WeekeND. The instrumentation of the song is very catchy and is has a wonderful techno influenced sound. Ami repeats “it’s the weekend,” which gives the song a cute element but it’s slightly annoying because of the number of times it’s repeated. The overall atmosphere of the song is cute and her vocals reflect this perfectly using a lower register to go with the beat. The instrumental sections really brings the song’s strength to the forefront. It’s one of the album’s most addictive songs but it’s so long that it’s somewhat distracting. If it were cut to somewhere around four minutes, then the song would be perfect.

Ami joins Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) again for SUPER MUSIC MAKER. With a hot techno flare and a hidden sexiness hidden behind an electronic voice speaking in English, the song emerges as a stronger counterpart to FREE FREE. Like the first track, her vocals are highly distorted but in the context of the song, they work amazingly well. They don’t sound foreign and have some more power behind them. It’s a very enjoyable listen and is one of the strongest songs on the entire album.

Track number eight, MUSIC, has Ami joining RAM RIDER on a hot dance song. It opens up with a very “cool” techno instrumentation and then makes a jump into a second layer where Ami’s sings “music,” while extending the notes of “-ic.” The vocals are a bit simplistic in order to keep up with the instrumentation so it kind of falls to the background while the various nuances of the instrumentation come through. In fact, it is when the pure instrumentation sections come in that the creativity of the song is truly displayed. The second verse has alternating vocals from both singers and the distortedness of their vocals blend together very well. One problem that the song faces is that there is no real distinction between the verses and the choruses so it feels somewhat monotonous. However the instrumentation is brilliant and because it’s in the forefront, the catchiness comes through. The song ends similarly to how it opens with the word “music” repeated various times and finishes on a instrumental bang. Although it’s a bit simple in vocal presence, the instrumentation is so creative that the song is memorable.

Stereo Love, in which Ami joins Tomoe Shinohara, is the cute ninth song on the album. Opening up with a strong techno beat and a feminine sigh, it quickly blends into the true instrumentation. The vocals during the verses are pretty mellow and work well with the music. English phrases such as “happy as joy” really bring home the cuteness vibe the song exudes and this comes across even stronger during the chorus. The chorus opens up with “need and want your love” and from there continues a cute but addictive uptempo section. Her vocals come into a higher register and the rhythm following it has a very child-like cute feeling that works very well. To really end the song with the same atmosphere, Ami’s giggling brings the song to a close. Stereo Love stands out from the album by showing Ami’s cute side and is a wonderful part of the album.

アイノウタ, the tenth song on the album, has Ami joining ROCKETMAN featuring YOU THE ROCK for one of the most creative songs on the album. Using a hot dance beat and a summery sound, the collaboration is not one to be forgotten. What’s interesting about this song is that Ami’s only section of the song is the chorus, which emerges as the strongest part of the song as well. The verses are all raps from ROCKETMAN and still compliment the music. The contrast between their voices is actually what makes them stand strongly apart from each other. It’s a pretty short song but is definitely an enjoyable one as well. This is one of the strongest songs on the album for its catchiness and creativity.

Ami joins Hoff Dylan for 人はPOP, the eleventh song on the album. The song opens up very immediately with Dylan Hoff singing in a somewhat nasally voice. Truthfully, his voice is slightly reminiscent of Otsuka Ai and sounds slightly strange within the context of the song coming from him. The chorus is so basic and the word “pop” is repeated so often that it gets annoying really quickly. The biggest problem that the song faces is over-simplicity. The verses maintain a very basic rhythm that isn’t very catchy and the choruses are very monotonous. The instrumentation is simple as well but there are moments (during pure instrumentation sections) when there is something special hidden behind it. Overall this track is way too basic and monotnous to really catch on but it gets points for having a fun summer sound.

新しい日々is the semifinal track and features Ami joining YO-KING for a guitar driven midtempo song. The atmosphere of the song is very relaxing and has an end-of-summer feel that is perfect to close your eyes and listen to. The only problem is that Ami’s vocals get a little loud during the chorus and don’t mesh as well with the beat as they could have. The verses are more enjoyable as Ami sings in a lower key that creates a balance.The instrumental section is probably the strongest part of the song as without the vocals, the instrumental is able to truly be appreciated. Although the music is very enjoyable, the vocals get kind of annoying and at times seem to strong and deep and act in counterbalance to the music.

The final song on the album, if, is unique in that nobody joins Ami. As the solo song and first press bonus, it’s an okay way to end the album. In this poppish midtempo number, there is a cuteness element to it that fits perfectly with that almost fantasy-like atmosphere of the song. I can’t put my finger on it but there’s something holding this song back from being stellar. I would have preferred another song finish this album but it is by no means a bad song.

For further promotion for the album, a PV for Bitter… was made. Overall the PV is very simple and consists of few scenes. One of the strongest parts of the video was the color contrast between the dreary rain and black she wore in the telephone booth to the bright pink dress she wore in other scenes. Although there could have been a little more excitement in the PV, the atmosphere perfectly matches that of the song and is very strong.

Album Ranking: A –

Ami’s sixth album is notable for showing off her new techno flare and a new sexier image to accompany that sound. The three strongest tracks on the album are as follows: feel the beat (album version), which is the perfect blend of mellowness and her techno flavor, Stereo Love, which shows off her cuter side in an amazing pop track and Bitter…, which shows that Ami can tie in a poppishness with a bittersweet ballad. The biggest problem that this album faces is the lack of overall cohesiveness. It does a wonderful job of flow between the early techno tracks but then the techno magic is lost in the later half of the album. If there was a larger balance then it could have made the album so much stronger.

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