Kuraki Mai - Diamond Wave

Mai Kuraki has always been compared to pop-sensation Utada Hikaru. Sure, she sounds a lot like Hikaru-san and even performs the same kind of music and has the same vocal quirks. However, Utada does sometimes sound as if she's lost her voice. Mai doesn't seeing as she doesn't push herself to her limits. She sings calmly and beautifully, as anyone will realize after listening to this single.

01-Diamond Wave
Alright, first thing I gotta say is that this sounds like something straight out of "Dance Dance Revolution". It's disco at its best! A catchy song if I've ever heard one! Mai's voice is smooth and enjoyable to listen to, unlike Utada Hikaru who can sometimes sound like she's out of breath. Speaking of vocals: somewhere in here is that now-typical synthesized reverb voice, kind of like what Cher used in Believe. It adds just the right amount of "oomph" without taking the song over, making the whole piece shine like its title implies.

It also clocks in under 5 minutes, which is good. It's long enough to make an impact without sounding monotonous. You go, girl.

02-Safest Place
This one is very smooth and relaxing, although slightly on the generic side of things. The chorus is nice and catchy though, so I'll give it that. Nice acoustic guitars and piano throughout make it a suitable, if not memorable, b-side. One thing that prevents it from sticking to memory is that damned "sparkle" sound effect. The song has too much of it, especially when one realises how overused it is in pop ballads. It's supposed to make everything feel "magical" but ends up nagging the listener instead.

It won't win any awards for originality, but this tune gets the job done. A solid b-side.

03-Diamond Wave GRAND BLEU REMIX
Wow, a remix that is actually worth listening to is a nice change of pace! It starts off with nice electronica effects, leading into a beat machine that gives everything rhythm, not to mention a pretty decent bass line. The track is nice and refreshing because it feels like a brand new song. It takes away the original's "70s" feel and replaces it with a "millennium dance club" vibe that makes it perfect for those nights out on the town. It's Diamond Wave with a sexy groove!

A good, solid remix that does not feel like filler.

There you have it folks. There isn't much to say, just go ahead and pick it up. You’ll enjoy it, even if you think you hate pop. Trust me on this one, it's addictive.

OVERALL SCORE: 9/10 for being one of the best pop releases in a long time. It's catchy material that doesn't feel like it's been done before. Sure, the second track does sound slightly generic, but it works enough to warrant a listen. The REMIX is actually very good and feels like an actual third track, as opposed to most "remixes" out there that are just filler.