[Single Review] See visionS by Mami Kawada

See visionS is Kawada Mami's 10th single released this February 16, 2011 under Geneon Entertainment. The song was used as the second opening theme of the anime To Aru Majutsu no Index II.

As a successor to her previous hit single No buts!, See visionS carry much of the burden to continue on the streak. Was it worth it?

Tracklist:
01. See visionS
02. Don't interrupt me
03. See visionS (instrumental)
04. Don't interrupt me (instrumental)
05. PSI-missing -2011 remix-

See visionS

Lyrics and Vocals: Kawada Mami
Composition and Arrangement: Maiko Iuchi

A Maiko Iuchi-produced A-side this time. Her previous Index OP masterpiece proved how great she can be at what she does, that she can be at par with NakaZaki.

See visionS is of the same case. A mid-tempo, progressive rock song. Starting out with lone guitar riffs and progressively building up the rhythm. The arrangement was definitely softer than masterpiece, in a good way, solidified by drum beats.

Iuchi did a good job with See visionS, making it sound softer and more uplifting as possible. More somber and emotional than the first OP No buts! but almost just as great.

Another plus point for Iuchi's work on this song is her deviation from her normal I've releases. The added violin sounds and lighter strings set the song apart from the others, making it unique. The hybrid of tunes from the light guitar, violin and drums brought forth a somewhat experimental song like See visionS.

The vocals is much softer too, the type reminiscent of her 3rd album's titular track Linkage. The fine vocals was vibrant, calming, and makes one feel like floating on air. Definitely evokes a lot more emotions than her previous Index theme PSI-missing, accused by many as being completely devoid of feelings.

See visionS, as a whole song, is easy to listen to. Its semi ballad-y nature makes it a good song to listen to when fed up with the louder ones.

Calming, soft, light. The A-side is a proof at how well a Mami x Maiko combination could work out so well. See visionS and masterpiece are fine examples.

Rating: 9.0/10

Don't interrupt me

Lyrics and Vocals: Kawada Mami
Composition: Tomoyuki Nakazawa
Arrangement: Tomoyuki Nakazawa, Ozaki Takeshi

If No buts! went for coherence, See visionS went for contrast. A soft titular track was matched with a rock coupling track. Don't interrupt me sounds like something an arrogant person would say.  And definitely, the song lived up to its title.

What the A-side lacks, the B-side compensates. Don't interrupt me is more upbeat, has heavier guitar riffs and more rockier stuffs going on. Groovy and dance-able, yes. However, the song sounds like anything NakaZaki would come up with.

The good thing is that the song didn't turn out to be totally generic, after all. Then what makes it any different? The vocals. Those vocals have that spiced up flavor of arrogance and angst, a rare case for a Mami song but is very much welcome.

Indeed, Don't interrupt me is exactly what its title says. Rude, rock, ragged. Another show-off of what Mami's vocals can do. Not really explosive or outstanding but at the very least, it's something new.

Rating: 8.9/10

PSI-missing -2011 remix-

Lyrics and Vocals: Kawada Mami
Composition and Arrangement: Tomoyuki Nakazawa

And onto the fifth and final track on the single.

The original version of PSI-missing was leaning more towards techno sounds. The remix version by Nakazawa then made it more into Mami's kind of stuff: rock, with the introduction of heavy guitar synths and beats. The type of treatment C.G Mix's under the darkness received.

The intro was catchy, the instrumentals were solid though not really original-sounding. More on the positive part, the genius Nakazawa's work on this remix version almost made it sound like a totally different song. Techno traces were almost completely eliminated, making it seem like the song was crafted without the original version as its foundation.

The composition was not overdone and overpowering, unlike most of the tracks from the infamous master groove circle. Plus points too for not altering the vocals too much. However, it seems the vocals do not match the instrumentals of the remix version more than the original did; and that this blog's author still thinks the original version is better.

In general, PSI-missing -2011 remix- may not beat the original one, but it's definitely a great version. 

Rating: 7.8/10

See visionS single came out great with all its tracks sounding pretty decent and like-able. Was it a worthy predecessor to No buts! single? Yes. Certainly. It may not have ranked higher but at least the single broke into the top ten too, continuing the top ten breakthrough streak.

A first week sales of 9,313 copies was also a great achievement. It may well be a cue for I've Sound to continue on taking risks and experiment with their style.