Hiro - Itsuka Futari De

After leaving SPEED, Hiro went solo and released some very solid stuff. That's why we're proud to bring to you a review of Hiro’s latest opus. It won’t break any molds, but will definitely give fans a run for their money, seeing as it’s consistent with all of her previous stuff. Containing two tracks and two remixes to each (yes, that’s six tracks. Math is fun!), Hiro-heads will find that while the selection of fresh material is thin, the overall quality behind the whole package is more than what most pop releases offer.

Things start of with Itsuka Futari De, a typical pop song that sounds great, where acoustic guitar abounds and sounds as clear as a bell. I Will Take You (a title that conjures up images of vampires/UFOs/both, but really has nothing to do with them) fares the same. It goes without saying, but the production on this CD is amazing. Keep in mind though, that I Will Take You doesn’t come off as a pop song, but more of an acoustic ballad (that just happens to feature some incredible vocals). Its remix, however, found on track 4, does a better job at entertaining the bubblegum-music loving masses.

Seapking of which, remixes and instrumentals are a big trend on J-pop releases and this one comes with four. Is that a good thing? Not really, unless you like overkill. I must admit, however, that Itsuka Futari De’s NS Late Time Remix had me enjoying what it had to offer. It really does feel like something you’d listen to while driving down Tokyo’s busy streets late at night. The only way to describe it would be… “Blade Runner” meets Hiro. It’s very ambient and futuristic sounding. Think of any cyber-punk anime you’ve ever watched and you’ll get an idea of what’s in store. A very cool track that wins.

The whole single comes off as a great package if you’ve ever enjoyed Hiro’s stuff, let alone anything that tops the Oricon charts. It's a great listen that gets your mind off the drudgeries of life for a little while, full of catchy tunes and a most excellent remix that deem this one worthy of my thumbs up. Check it out, it will put a smile on your face.