Mai - MAISELF

MAISELF is Mai's debut album, though it’s not the first album of the young vocalist in general, considering that she had already released two albums under the name Ruppina before she started to use her own name in late 2005. At the first glance, it seems that for the first time since she’s been using the name Mai, that she is actually wearing clothes on the CD cover- on the three preceding singles she was always posing naked. But upon closer inspection, we find that the cute green/white pinstriped bikini is actually body paint and only the roller-skates she is wearing are real! The booklet starts with a note of the art director, in which is explained how the concept 'nude' was chosen again for the artwork, as well as the theme of girls from the 60's, hence the roller-skates.

The album kicks off with the song Reborn, Mai’s debut single. It starts with gentle electronic sounds, twinkling and fluttering as Mai’s distorted vocals join in. Soon a heavier, more thumping beat joins in, though still sounding quite gentle and happy in general despite the techno elements, something that is a trademark for Mai’s songs.

It’s a little luck follows and it seems like the electronic instruments are joyfully skipping their way through the song, working together with Mai’s voice very well. In an almost a-cappella break she is able to show off her vocals without any other instruments distracting the listener, but somehow it seems that her voice is missing a some power. It's nearly as if she’s holding back from singing passionately, singing instead in a 'neat', almost careful fashion.

Next up is a slower song, Precious moment. Mai’s voice shows to a better advantage with this slow pace and also the lower pitch adds to this as she draws out the notes more passionately. The song itself has lost all joyfulness which was displayed in the first two songs and has instead a very melancholic feeling to it.

Rosy Rosa Lollipop is next and is one of the very few songs in which Mai hasn’t written the lyrics. It starts off with a thumping beat which is soon joined by a guitar playing a catchy and laid-back riff. The song is also a bit slower paced, though still danceable and the thudding rhythm certainly encourages one to do so. It's definitely one of the highlights of the album and it is a shame that this one was not chosen to be released as a single.

Princess∞Candy is a familiar song, being her most recent single. It’s an attractive mix of pop and techno and it’s no surprise that this song was chosen to be released on a single seeing as it’s exactly Mai’s style. Bye bye blues follows, which isn’t really a blues like the title indicates. The song is a cover, the original being by the band Hicksville. The overall feeling of the song and the lyrics are indeed sad, bluesy, but instead of an actual blues song, the medium-paced rhythm is closer to a rumba.

The album soon picks up speed again with Here we go again, a quick dance-song that seems to be excellent for clubbing and has potential to put everyone in a party mood. Somehow it gives off a more 'serious' vibe, but the playfulness is back again in Sincerely yours. In a number of songs there are a few lines in English here and there, and although not all are grammatically correct, Sincerely yours takes the cake with the ending lines "I’ll be wiz U, U’ll be in me!"

The previously released single Eyes is also quite good for clubbing with a pumping rhythm, though Mai’s voice almost sounding too sweet for the techno background. However, despite the contrast, it's a very enjoyable track. It seems the best is saved for last: Te o tsunagou. Starting slightly somber, with only Mai singing and some strings humming quietly in the background in the first verse once the first chorus starts, the song bursts into life. As the song leads on, Mai starts to sing more and more passionately, somehow putting more of herself in it which sounds absolutely brilliant.

Mai shows with MAISELF how much variety one can create by mixing techno and pop styles together and how cheerful-sounding and playful the result is. The album contains ten very strong and interesting compositions that showcase just what Mai has to offer perfectly, which is definitely more than just some sexy girl ‘au naturel’. The only downside to the album is that sometimes her vocals lack a little bit luster, though we’re sure that with a next release she will have no trouble urging you to your feet once more!