Break a spell is Mami Kawada's 14th single released this February 26, 2014 under NBC Universal. The titular track was used as the second ending theme for the anime Tokyo Ravens.
It has been a year since the release of FIXED STAR, and Mami is yet to wow us with a good single. Borderland did great, and so were the singles before that, relatively. Did this long-awaited release finally remind us of Mami's glory?
Tracklist:
01. Break a spell
02. remaining snow
03. Break a spell (instrumental)
04. remaining snow (instrumental)
04. remaining snow (instrumental)
Break a spell
Lyrics: Mami Kawada
Composition: Ozaki Takeshi
Arrangement: Ozaki Takeshi, Nakazawa Tomoyuki
The song features a tad slow start, outright offset by a quick progression with rhythmic beats and we are then off to these catchy and melodic guitar riffs. This formula gives the song intro quite a personal touch and a stand out vibe, setting it apart from other Mami Kawada songs. While a stand-out, Break a spell is surely not a lone star. The happy pop elements combined with rock elements, all set in an overall trance effect produce a mixture able to grasp attention right from the start. The great intro composition is refreshing and feels like something new coming from the usual composers Mami work with.
The song verses are dynamic. The harmonic highs and lows, falsettos, deep vocal parts, all mesh together to bring out a subtle charm to the song. A charm that flows smoothly right into the bridge perfectly and seamlessly to give coherence. It all goes a bit downhill though in the chorus. Albeit more background instrumentals, layers, techno beats, and a bit more lively, the momentum sort of declines in this part of the song, perhaps because it feels more detached to the verses' nifty charm.
The chorus also goes midtempo, probably the dangerous kind of midtempo, and here we are again - faced with issues of being generic. The chorus kind of puts the whole song in between "going for it" and "meh, let's lay back a little", giving most listeners' the feel of typical anison music. Though technically speaking, looking past this, Break a spell is definitely not your typical anison. One thing's for sure, here is where the song splits opinions.
It is apparent how the verses outshine the chorus, in terms of novelty and appeal. The Mamibrato also works out great, breaking monotony. The song in its totality may have flaws that cannot simply be overlooked, but Break a spell is the type of song that grows on you and it is never too hard to find the chorus' own charm. Indeed the song was able to break a few norms on I've music production, and that is already a feat in itself.
Rating: 7.8/10
The song verses are dynamic. The harmonic highs and lows, falsettos, deep vocal parts, all mesh together to bring out a subtle charm to the song. A charm that flows smoothly right into the bridge perfectly and seamlessly to give coherence. It all goes a bit downhill though in the chorus. Albeit more background instrumentals, layers, techno beats, and a bit more lively, the momentum sort of declines in this part of the song, perhaps because it feels more detached to the verses' nifty charm.
The chorus also goes midtempo, probably the dangerous kind of midtempo, and here we are again - faced with issues of being generic. The chorus kind of puts the whole song in between "going for it" and "meh, let's lay back a little", giving most listeners' the feel of typical anison music. Though technically speaking, looking past this, Break a spell is definitely not your typical anison. One thing's for sure, here is where the song splits opinions.
It is apparent how the verses outshine the chorus, in terms of novelty and appeal. The Mamibrato also works out great, breaking monotony. The song in its totality may have flaws that cannot simply be overlooked, but Break a spell is the type of song that grows on you and it is never too hard to find the chorus' own charm. Indeed the song was able to break a few norms on I've music production, and that is already a feat in itself.
Rating: 7.8/10
remaining snow
Lyrics: Mami Kawada
Composition and Arrangement: C.G mix
The B-side features irony - bit heavy techno synths in a lighter vibe. The irony works out somehow, but it seems C.G mix did good only up to that point.
The way the verses and chorus parts demanded vocal work was horrendous. Robotic, almost completely devoid of interesting dynamics. Mami Kawada was still able to bring out more of the core of the song - cheerful pop song. But you can only do so much with such a repetitive and lousy compositional work. The instrumental version clearly reveals so, where one part was looped 8 times for the chorus and it destroys everything. If you think it was enough, well sorry to say but this very part was looped once again for various other parts of the song. It was like C.G mix thought about a "striking" base melody lasting for 4-5 seconds and only had so little time (he still has to go out to groom his hair) and creativity that he decided to loop it endlessly throughout the song and see how it works. He may have heard it and thought it sounded bad, dry, and deathly repetitive but didn't care anyway and left the rest of the work with Mami because he still has a party to attend to that night. Again, you can only do so much with such a crappy song composition.
remaining snow evidently lacks more of the pop element the song is aiming for. Well actually, it is uncertain if the song is aiming more of idol-type of music, vocaloid-type of music, or techno/pop. The song also lacks energy. While some songs work out fine without that much energy (ex. ballads), not all genre work out with a little less than optimum energy. In all, the song is one confused (in itself) and confusing listen.
The song shows up the weak affinity between C.G mix and Mami. Given the monstrosity that is remaining snow, he should stay away from Mami's repertoire, for all the sake of I've and Mami fans. Taking it a notch higher, he must be burned at the stake for his work in this song. Just because it's a B-side song, doesn't mean exertion of less effort is allowed and forgivable.
Rating: 2.1/10
So did this release remind us of Mami's glory? Sadly, no. At least, not as expected. Break a spell is undoubtedly Mami's weakest single by far, and that doesn't pay attention to the single's saddeningly low rank, but to the songs' mediocrity. remaining snow is Mami's worst B-side by far, and Break a spell also does not fare too good relative to Mami's previous A-sides. It was all just heart-breaking.
It is true that there will come a time when an artist hits rock bottom, the lowest point in the career, and by far it seems this is such time for Mami Kawada's career. Take note, however, that once at the lowest point, there is no other way but up. So let this not be a time for mourning, but instead be a time for anticipation at the next attempt to rise up and live up to her brand. Break that dry spell, Mami Kawada!
The B-side features irony - bit heavy techno synths in a lighter vibe. The irony works out somehow, but it seems C.G mix did good only up to that point.
The way the verses and chorus parts demanded vocal work was horrendous. Robotic, almost completely devoid of interesting dynamics. Mami Kawada was still able to bring out more of the core of the song - cheerful pop song. But you can only do so much with such a repetitive and lousy compositional work. The instrumental version clearly reveals so, where one part was looped 8 times for the chorus and it destroys everything. If you think it was enough, well sorry to say but this very part was looped once again for various other parts of the song. It was like C.G mix thought about a "striking" base melody lasting for 4-5 seconds and only had so little time (he still has to go out to groom his hair) and creativity that he decided to loop it endlessly throughout the song and see how it works. He may have heard it and thought it sounded bad, dry, and deathly repetitive but didn't care anyway and left the rest of the work with Mami because he still has a party to attend to that night. Again, you can only do so much with such a crappy song composition.
remaining snow evidently lacks more of the pop element the song is aiming for. Well actually, it is uncertain if the song is aiming more of idol-type of music, vocaloid-type of music, or techno/pop. The song also lacks energy. While some songs work out fine without that much energy (ex. ballads), not all genre work out with a little less than optimum energy. In all, the song is one confused (in itself) and confusing listen.
The song shows up the weak affinity between C.G mix and Mami. Given the monstrosity that is remaining snow, he should stay away from Mami's repertoire, for all the sake of I've and Mami fans. Taking it a notch higher, he must be burned at the stake for his work in this song. Just because it's a B-side song, doesn't mean exertion of less effort is allowed and forgivable.
Rating: 2.1/10
So did this release remind us of Mami's glory? Sadly, no. At least, not as expected. Break a spell is undoubtedly Mami's weakest single by far, and that doesn't pay attention to the single's saddeningly low rank, but to the songs' mediocrity. remaining snow is Mami's worst B-side by far, and Break a spell also does not fare too good relative to Mami's previous A-sides. It was all just heart-breaking.
It is true that there will come a time when an artist hits rock bottom, the lowest point in the career, and by far it seems this is such time for Mami Kawada's career. Take note, however, that once at the lowest point, there is no other way but up. So let this not be a time for mourning, but instead be a time for anticipation at the next attempt to rise up and live up to her brand. Break that dry spell, Mami Kawada!
I would not say Kawada Mami and C.G mix have a weak affinity. They've done great works like in answer, HISUI, Lythrum and L'Oiseau bleu. He's got the right to commit mistakes sometimes (and I don't think remaining snow was bad; it was just weak). C.G mix gets extreme results in his songs: some of his songs really rocks, and the other half deceive.
ReplyDeleteKuya, maganda naman ang Break a spell. Pero ang Remaining snow, yuck *pukes*.
ReplyDeleteSayang nga yung rank niya. Imagine, natalo pa yung rank niya nung mga ibang single ng di ganung kasikat na artista! Nakakahiya talaga sa I've Sound.