Kanon Wakeshima - still doll

With his bands Malice Mizer and Moi dix Mois, Mana has proved more than once that he has a knack for catchy melodies, and that while he will always be a rock musician at heart, he is equally adept at writing pop tunes. With his compositions for the debut single of vocalist and cellist Kanon Wakeshima, whose title track is the ending theme of the popular anime series "Vampire Knight," he has ventured deeper into this territory than ever before.

still doll is a delicate, melancholy song, like a waltz in slow motion. Kanon's cello is accompanied by a pulsating electronic rhythm that creates a dream-like, mysterious atmosphere. The protagonist of the song is a young girl who talks to her beloved doll, and Kanon sings her lyrics in a sweet, clear voice. A cello solo in the middle of the song provides another opportunity, albeit a brief one, to showcase her talent as a musician. Then the electronic beats catch up once more and the cello melts gracefully back into the main theme. After another short solo, the song fades out among playful electronics.

With Kuroi torikago (black birdcage), which tells of the need to defend herself against an invisible threat, Kanon shows that she's not only sweet and innocent, but also strong and passionate. Again, her cello is complemented by electronic rhythm, but it is also pitched against a sweetly undulating violin. Kuroi torikago is faster and more intense than still doll, with sudden tempo changes that are reminiscent of Moi dix Mois' style, and ends rather abruptly with a deep piano chord.

The single comes full circle with the instrumental music box version of still doll, reprising the dream-like atmosphere of the title track. Apparently this is a real music box, or at least a very life like imitation, as one can hear the cogs turning as it plays.

still doll is a delightful and highly original debut. As is often the case with Asian vocalists, Kanon's voice sounds rather high pitched to Western ears, but never nasal or shrill. She also possesses an intensity you wouldn't necessarily expect from a 19-year-old. While Mana's signature style is evident throughout, this single should appeal not only to fans of his music, but also to open-minded Jpop fans. Its only weakness is its shortness (both still doll and Kuroi torikago are barely over three minutes long) and the lack of extras: instead of a DVD with the stunningly beautiful PV, the only bonus material is a "Vampire Knight" sticker. Let's hope that the unusual combination of classical music, electronica and pop, which makes Wakeshima stand out from the crowd, will prove popular enough to satisfy Sony's expectations!