ayabie - Aitakute

Aitakute, ayabie’s major debut single, is one eagerly awaited by fans. Released nearly a year after Mikazuki no Kiseki, their last indie release, this single is available in three versions: limited edition, edition A, and edition B.

The title track Aitakute explodes straight into an extremely memorable chorus as its beginning, generating immediate impact. A sensational backdrop filled with strings, drums and soft, metallic guitar chords create a rich and melodic texture. In the verses, guitar arpeggios complement the vocal line sweetly, and the guitar solos played before the bridge fit in perfectly to the song, especially the demisemiquaver pattern which is played with precision and skill. Towards the end comes a totally unexpected key change, which, although unnecessary, is still a nice surprise.

With a bizarre introduction, Masterpiece sounds somewhat aquatic as synths and bass dominate. This is not to say that it is awful, it is merely harder to dive into the song. Even with a less infectious chorus, Masterpeice is still enjoyable, but only once you immerse yourself in ayabie’s world of swirling electronic notes.

Summer Chime is on the regular A edition, and you quickly find yourself feeling an overdose of déjà vu. It is jumpy and it is upbeat, but it is almost as if it’s Masterpeice and Aitakute merged together.

If you purchase regular edition B, Soprano is the third track instead of Summer Chime. Soprano is an aching piano ballad with the classic use of harmonious strings. However, it sounds cliché, and Aoi’s vocals are not soft enough to integrate perfectly with the music. Little structural variation results in this being a rather tedious track.

All in all, both regular editions of Aitakute are rather mediocre. ayabie’s first major single just manages to keep afloat with only a catchy title track. Let’s hope that future releases won’t be a repeat performance of Aitakute.