Rinka - MARIA/smile

The double A-side single MARIA/smile is Rinka’s second self-produced work. In December 2007, the item came out in two different versions, and now no one can doubt the singing model's rock style. MARIA was used in the movie “Kanna-san taisei kou desu!” and smile was used as the CM song for “Puré."

After a few seconds of play, MARIA is more than only a bit familiar. This is no big surprise because a few years ago, the Blondie version was being played all over the radio. Rinka’s cover of the classic is rock as well. Deep sounding and bright guitar chords come together with her deep, pleasant voice, and due to the sparkling solo this version becomes a catchy tune in and of itself. The mixed English and Japanese lyrics are a bit unusual at first as you'll probably still have the original lyrics in your mind, but you'll soon warm up to the cover.

The second track is more casual and dreamy in nature. You could also say that smile has a childish yet adult character. To create this impression, electric instruments and classical instruments like trumpets, percussion and an organ were mixed together. Last of all, there are the instrumental counterparts of both songs on the CD-only press. Here, the actual compositions can be focused on.

Everyone who liked MARIA by Blondie will love Rinka’s version as well. The single can especially be recommend to the middle aged generation because the pop-rock mix will remind them of their younger days, giving the single a bonus nostalgic factor.