Kuwata Keisuke - Darling

Kuwata Keisuke is back with his mellow Dad-rock sound in the single Darling. Southen All Stars appear to be on a bit of a break given Kuwata Keisuke's two big single releases last year; the phenomenal ballad hit that was Ashita hareru kana and this new track for the holidays, Darling. The stature of Kuwata's popularity is such that fans never worry he will fail to deliver, and Darling happily doesn't counter this.

Initially Darling can sound a little cheesy and most certainly out of kilter with the season - despite finishing with a round of Christmas bells and wintry lyrics the laid back sound is more suited to the beach than cold Tokyo days and Kuwata's typically gravelly and mellow vocals further add to this 'lazy days' feel. Darling is a song you want to dislike but somehow can't; the track liberally uses brass instruments and bells which do not help the cheese factor, yet it is so very sunny in attitude that what felt embarrassing becomes infuriatingly addictive.

Gendai Tokyo Kitan is very Southern All Stars in style in a song that blends cool piano and guitar-led jazz ballad with Japanese folk. The chorus contains a distinct 1960s eastern sound that almost verges into enka contributed by the melancholy key and Kuwata Keisuke's imploring vocals. It is very much hotel lounge bar music with the accompaniment of a dark dance floor, disco ball and cocktail. While it is not a stunning b-side it has its charms with the retro stylings.

Final song, THE COMMON BLUES~Tsukinami na Blues~ takes a new direction for the single with a sound Kuwata Keisuke is well used to - experimental brass-led jazz with a smoky club atmosphere. It is a style he always sounds like he has fun with and manages very well. This is a very cool piece containing fantastic solos from a 1970s inspired electric guitar and saxophone. It is again retro in feel but these nostalgic trips down memory lane are what Kuwata Keisuke excels in.

Darling may take a while to get used to but it offers rewards if you do, particularly in the final track on the single; a track which fans of cool raw jazz should love.