The Rain at the End of the Spring Creates A Brighter Sun in Kimura Yuka's 'rainy' (Mini-Album Review)

*The usual applies: All thoughts and opinions written within this post are my own, unless otherwise stated. Of course, your opinions, thoughts, feelings are all your own, and it is fine to disagree. We are human and do not share the same sentiments in regards to music, but please do respect my opinion and I in turn will respect yours. Thank you for your understanding.

**Of course, I am human and therefore subject to mistakes. This post is most likely riddled with them, so if you notice any, feel free to call me out on them. Thank you once again.

In which Chiima decides to take on the summer heat with a little end of Spring rain...

In her first physical release for the year of 2020, Kimura Yuka brings rainy, a mini-album packed with songs perfect for the end of Spring. From vibrant and energetic tracks to refreshing sounds that will soothe your soul, rainy is the perfect release for those who want something a little more simple in sound, but is still packed full of colour and delight.

Once again I have found someone new to write about on my blog, despite Kimura Yuka having been active as a singer since 2014. So, much like other posts that I have created this year, my review of rainy will serve as an introduction to her music and voice, and my overall thoughts on this mini-album and what it offers me as a listener. Of course, the impending question is - as always - this: is rainy worth the listen, and will it hold up until the end of the year?

Now is the time to talk about rainy and the kind of experience it delivers. Though we are now in the season of Summer, it's nice to think about the rain and look back at the beauty that Spring delivers. So, without further adieu, let's turn back time and return to a cooler time of the year. Oh, and don't forget your umbrella's, dear readers.

Listen with me on Spotify.

The 10-Year Entertainer - A Look at 'Oguma Ayame Full Best Mini Orchestra Album' by Oguma Ayame (Album Review)

*Calling out my mistakes, typo's and spelling errors is appreciated here. Call that shit out, help me a little bit, and make this blog a better place. Thank you.

With 10 years of entertainment under her belt and a desire to perform, Oguma Ayame currently has one physical release to her name, as well as a handful of digital releases. Despite this small pool of songs to her name, Ayame has a dedicated following thanks to her ability to create laughter on and off the stage.

And though we may not have a chance to see her perform, we can instead take a look at her style of music. It's time to experience the tunes of a 10-year entertainer in all her glory. Are you ready to listen to some music?

It has been a while since I yearned to review a single or album this strongly, but ever since receiving Oguma Ayame's first studio mini-album as a gift some months back, I have felt a weird pull and desire to talk about Oguma's music on my blog. Sure, my thoughts regarding her music may not be well-structured when I get to talking about this album in full, but I'm excited to talk about it, nonetheless.

Having owned Oguma Ayame Full Best Mini Orchestra Album for a few months now, I have had my fair share of time to listen to each track more than once, which has in turn allowed me to form a solid opinion of the release in its entirety. And yes, I want to share these very thoughts with you because, dear readers, sharing is caring, and also because I can post what the heck I want on here. So yes, it's another album-esque review, from me to you. Because I can.

And before I spew even more lacey nonsense, let's chitter a little bit about Oguma Ayame herself:

From what has been recorded so far, Oguma Ayame has been active within the entertainment industry for 10 years, starting out as a Maid in Akihabara where she would perform on a small stage for the customers, before deciding that she wanted to take on a live-house stage and act as an idol. In May 2011, Ayame began her idol-career with the group Chocolate☆Whip, where she acted as a 3rd generation member and completed the 4-member lineup. In 2013, Ayame began her solo activities, and in March 2014 went solo full time after Chocolate☆Whip's disbandment.

When she isn't singing live, Ayame also works as an ear-picking and massage specialist, and promotes her work-place to fans on Twitter. Despite holding down a second job, Ayame is serious about performing and not doing anything half-way as an idol, which may be why she has continued going strong for 10 years, despite the set backs she may have faced in her journey as a chika-idol.

And with that short blurb out of the way, it's time to delve into the album itself. It's time to give Oguma Ayame Full Best Mini Orchestra Album a chance, but what will the final verdict be?

Read on and find out~

The Knock-Off Compilation - A Look at 'Hatachi no Morning Musume' by Morning Musume 20th (Mini-Album Review)

You would think that, after seeing how much effort H!P put into making this cover, I would be well aware of the effort they put into compiling and creating this album? Well, clearly I was blind with faith, because I honestly did not see this shit coming.

Way to throw yourself in the deep end after a 3 month absence, Chii. URGH.

After being away for this long, it's weird to come back to reviews. I really don't know where to begin, how to write, or how to word, even. I just feel lost, and because of that feeling, it took me a fair while to actually complete this piece. That, and I didn't want to sit through the songs all over again because...

Well, I don't like this mini-album. I doubt I'll ever keep that a secret, either.

I'm not going to get into the nitty-gritty until the review itself, but honestly, I wanted to come back to this blog in such a positive way, only to decide 'Yeah! Let's review the mini-album I hold contempt for!' because, why not? It seems I thrive on being negative, yet in actuality, it's because I really did want to review something a little negatively after being so positive with reviews on Selective Hearing recently. So the desire to review this came to me and here we are. Reviewing this.

I put myself through so much pain -sobs-

Actually, I admit that I had high hopes for this album. I really wanted it to be good, and when it was released I was so excited, which is probably why my disappointment and disgust for it is so high now. If I hadn't set my standards to the sky, I feel like I would have been a lot more lenient with it, but... no. I just had to want it and crave it, to a point where I was practically gnawing my arm off in anticipation for the damn thing. So, when it did drop, I dropped, too.

It's a long fall from the sky, y'know.

Kay, I need to stop talking now, because I'm boring you, and I'm boring myself.  Hopefully I don't piss too many people off with this review, because I know that a lot of people adore this mini-album, with me being one of the few exceptions to that rule. So in advance: This is only my opinion, so don't take it to heart. I only wish to express it as best I can, without neglecting the good points as well. But, don't expect me to change my mind, either - I can hear the songs loud and clear, and for me, they just never worked out. At least a majority of them didn't. Some definitely shined here, but the ones I don't like, it will be pretty clear. You have been warned.

Right, it's time to kick-start this review. I'm ready to get through this and end my time with the mini-album, but the question is this: Are you ready?

Let's march on and read. Any bets for the songs I'll love? Place them now, or forever hold onto your cash. (Actually, that's the better choice. Don't bet, kids)

[predia week] The Viola's Trance - 'Byakuya no Viola ni Idakarete' (Mini-Album Review)

The week dedicated to much that is predia continues, with our third day dedicated to one of the groups two mini-albums! Though this post was originally supposed to be dedicated to another single, I requested a change from the list given to me by my dear Ashley, whom this series is dedicated towards, because the song in question would have been used three times, max, in up-coming reviews. I kind of didn't want that, because it lacks in diversity, and just feels repetitive.

Still, I'm guessing it's a favourite of hers, which isn't a bad thing; it's just that for a blog, it's nice to throw in something else every now and again. I doubt y'all wanna see repeats every few days. This isn't cable TV!

So, with the change made and a mini-album now in my list of reviews for predia week, let's get into the review, and check out even more predia! Have you strapped those headphones on nice and tight?

I'm surprised that, when creating the list for predia week, my dearest Ashley didn't add predia's latest mini-album, Byakuya no Viola ni Idakarate on there, before I queried her about it. I mean, I love mini-albums, for one; they're a lot easier to sit through than a full-length album, and just as charming as any other release. Plus, she likes this mini-album, too, but honestly, I don't fault her~ She is a busy bee, and when I suggested I review this instead, Ashley was quite pleased by the decision. So, it's resolved, and today, this is the review of choice!

... Well, the one choice I do get in this list of reviews. And boy, am I glad I spoke up! This is a cracking mini-album!

Returning for another day into a world of elegance and maturity, it's time to be transported into a sound that is so distinctly predia, filled with wonderful vocals and beautiful music! I'm ready to dive right in, and hopefully, you are, too! For our third day of predia week, let's check out Byakuya no Viola ni Idakarete, and fall further in love! Are you prepared to fill your ears with such divine tunes?

A Chilly Tune to Conquer the Summer Heat - Trident's 'Blue Snow' Mini-Album Review

All thoughts and opinions typed within these blogging walls are my own. I don't expect others to follow or like what I say, and I would hope someone would not find offense in my words. I try not to hate, I simply try to critique to the best of my abilities. Yet, if you dislike what is said, you know... you don't have to read it, right? That is all, for now...

Whilst rummaging through music files to look at what songs have come out this year for a list I am compiling, I happened to stumble across a mini-album that I had, admittedly, listened to once or twice, only to forget about it thereafter. 

And now that I have listened to it once again again, I think that it's time for a little review, don't you?

Trident is a group that I am rather unfamiliar with, one that I found simply by stumbling across a music video of theirs for this very mini-album that they released back in January of this year. I remember enjoying it and wanting to hear the rest of the songs that were included, and I eventually did come across the mini-album itself, but after those few listens... well, I obviously ceased listening to them and forgot that this release even existed.
 By chance, I just so happened to find it again and thought to listen to it, wondering what it sounded like.

My immediate thought after listening to the first three songs; why, and how, did I ever forget you?