[Single Review] Restart by KOTOKO

Restart is KOTOKO's 19th single released this December 19, 2012 under Geneon Universal Entertainment. The titular track was used as the opening theme for Bushiroad's iPhone/Android game called Renai Replay, while the B-side was used as the ending theme. 

After releasing two singles and an album under Warner Home Video, KOTOKO now released a new single under her previous label Geneon. And this seemingly one-time comeback also merited another collaboration with the I've Sound producers, as one would expect. So, I've fans, to rejoice or not?

Tracklist:

01. Restart

02. Largo

03. Restart (instrumental)

04. Largo (instrumental)

Restart

Lyrics, Composition, and Vocals: KOTOKO

Arrangement: Maiko Iuchi

A dating sim-like game won't usually harbor a rock, badass song, right? And so naturally, we won't be getting something like jihad, or HALLUCINO, or something along those lines, this time. Instead we have Restart more into the usual stuff KOTOKO and I've Sound has come up with, the usual pop-ish and cheery genre. Her pop songs are not bad, though because of the vast variety of KOTOKO songs under this genre, some tend to shine and others not at all.

So to which category does Restart fall? Sad to say it falls somewhere in the middle, in the lower half or so. The composition lacks originality, as if building up on past songs' tunes. It ranges from upbeat to midtempo, and hence, subjected to the same generic issues, previously and repeatedly pointed out in other song reviews in this blog. However, being midtempo is not an immediate excuse for being generic, note that still a lot of such midtempo to upbeat songs end up sounding great (i.e. Wing my Way, *bloom*, thyme).

Unoriginality is one thing, but what's worse is how Restart fares against other songs in its league. It is, undoubtedly, more mediocre. The tune tend to be really repetitive, unmemorable, and KOTOKO's vocals may sound noticeably too cutesy and loud at times.

However, Restart is actually not as bad as it may seem. Looking at it on the brighter side, the song is still listenable and enjoyable while you're at it. The instrumentals and buildup are catchy to a certain extent. KOTOKO's vocals then, are great, as usual, exuding most of the hype and energy and cheerful vibe for the song.

In the end, the negatives and positives almost bear the same weight, making the song quite okay yet average. Not bad that it's unbearable or torturous to listen to, but also not too great and outstanding that it's addictive. KOTOKO and Maiko seemed to play it safe, no risks whatsoever, nor innovations and creative integrations. Restart sounds just like your average KOTOKO eroge theme song.

Rating: 7.2/10

Largo

Lyrics, Composition, and Vocals: KOTOKO

Arrangement: C.G mix

And we have a ballad for the B-side. Unfortunately, Largo equally suffers and prides, perhaps, on similar taints as Restart: unoriginal, generic, unmemorable but still okay, and enjoyable while you're at it.

Largo significantly resembles Kikoeru, a track on Hiraku Uchuu Pocket, in that both songs have pre-chorus verses that fail to hold attention, but the chorus, somehow, makes up for it. Unsurprisingly, both songs are also composed and arranged by KOTOKO and C.G mix. Like Restart, Largo played it safe, not bad but not too good either.

It can be boring, yes. This song is not something where you'll find yourself listening to after the first few takes. Something that can make someone easily tired and fed up of. Again, it is just another song, just another ballad, a flop compared to a ton other KOTOKO ballads.

Rating: 5.9/10

Overall, Restart single is no more than average, quite reminiscent of her past single, of the same nature, U Make Ai Dream, which was the worst nightmare EVER. The former though, is easily better than the latter, but sadly, this single is still among the weakest ones by KOTOKO to date. With a weak tie-up, little promotions, no PV, and weak songs, the single is bound for doom.

Undoubtedly too, most other KOTOKO eroge songs not released in a single or in an album, are even better than this one. Should you buy this single? I don't think so. It's totally not worth your money, but if you have lots of 'em, by all means, go ahead.

Surprisingly though, Restart even debuted at #30 in the dailies. It may be too low of a rank for a KOTOKO single, but it is high and decent enough for such a weak single. Usually, singles tied up with visual novels or eroge or dating sim games, for that matter, don't rank as high as #30, or even not at all. Moreover, the single even reached as high as #17 on its second day. This proves how KOTOKO's name alone can get her high up the charts. Right now, she has managed to assume a brand name for herself, that dedicated fans would buy her releases no matter what - a striking characteristic of mainstream artists.

So should I've fans rejoice about this comeback? Not so much. It was not so memorable of a comeback after all. More importantly, her recent eroge songs have mostly been with I've Sound, so we still might get to see more of this KOTOKO x I've collaboration in the future. However, Restart is sad proof of how this tandem can get pretty boring and lame. On second thought, downfalls like these probably can't be helped as KOTOKO has already made a lot of songs with I've, that some will definitely shine and some will flop. I've fans, me included, may only shun this crap aside and wait for better productions in the future.