aiko
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if you’ve never heard of aiko before, well, neither have i, but seeing that this is her 17th studio album over the years definitely intrigues me. like a small puzzle piece of Japanese music lore that i’ve uncovered, ready to decipher. despite being her 17th album, For the last moment, spending passionate days with thoughts that's driven me crazy (For the last moment) is surprisingly agile. the album reminds me quite a bit of a rock-focused version of Round Table feat. Nino’s bossa nova sound. which i really like the idea of. my greatest offense being that the album lasts as long and is nearly as forgettable as its own overly long title. her legacy may be long established as a household name in Japan, but will struggle a bit to earn that same respect with Western audiences with this current release.
to rip off the Band-Aid, my largest complaint is the 59-minute runtime. where the first handful of songs really pique my interest in her style and her obvious proficiency, the rest of the album feels like it could have used some good old-fashioned editing. which is a tough criticism to make for me. i recognize how pivotal each piece of a work can be for one artist, what it takes to give, yet, as the receiver, there is certainly another type of give and take. i won’t let this drawback oversaturate the review, but it certainly felt like the detractor for me. a friction to enjoying her style in its fullness.
not everything is a loss, don’t get me wrong. especially before runtime fatigue sets in, i was pleasantly surprised to hear how aiko feels immediately accessible as an artist. it must be her tenure in music, resulting in the album feeling both natural and effortless. in the way that someone long familiar with a medium finds a natural attunement with their craft. i found that aspect of the album to be apparent quite fast, even without much prior knowledge of her work. pair that with her voice work, which rides that line between unique and too unique, and i think the idea of “aiko” and her music come together. it relies heavily on her ability to produce, and i do think she does an admirable job. especially in how familiar her performance feels, a tertiary appendage to herself.
songs like “Cry High Fly” are clear standouts for the album. expressing the various instrumental qualities of the album, electric guitar, buoyant drums, hoppy piano, and giddy trumpets line the song as aiko gets into her groove. it feels like the album coming together at one point, showing off just what it intends to be.
“Darling” reminds me a lot of what i enjoy so much about Round Table feat. Nino. that carefree, seaside nu jazz style that feels a bit cozy. the downtempo atmosphere with xylophones and meandering vocals really puts me in a place of tropical getaway. it’s at points like this that i see the shine of the album. where i wish it would reside a bit longer.
between the two styles of music is a subtle spectrum of adjustments and styles. i simply think there isn’t enough to justify the runtime of an hour. For the last moment is an intriguing peek into an artist well established in her abilities, and it feels like it too. i just wish for some variety to create enough contrast to help the album feel more distinguished. for all its lovely instrumentation and skill, it simply feels a bit too linear.
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Highlights
Darling
Cry High Fly
Kimi no Iu Toori 「君の言う通り」
Tracklist
Kimi no Iu Toori 「君の言う通り」
Awai 「淡い」
Cry High Fly
Darling
Capsule (カプセル)
Anata no Hana no Iro 「あなたの花の色」
Gummy (グミ)
Ase to Namida 「あせとなみだ」
Momomizuiro 「桃水色」
Wasureso 「忘れ荘」
Cinema (シネマ)
Seishun Shuka 「青春朱夏」
My Sweet Piano (マイスイートピアノ)
