Make It Your "Choice" to Listen to Mio Yamazaki

Make it your “Choice” to listen to Mio Yamazaki
Do you like mysterious lead singers?
Are you a fan of J-rock?
Do you like Hell Girl?
Then this album may just be for you!

ピ—------: Alright all you Bass fans, this song is the one for you. Combining Mio’s whispery vocals, beautiful bass, in your face guitar, and police whistles. This song’s energy is the perfect introduction for the rest of the tracks to come.
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Taryoku Jibun Honn-I: “Mic check one, two. *clears throat, cue in entire band*” This song hits you with a sudden burst of energy and will remind you of many different anime openings all at once, (arguably it reminded me of Akuma no Riddle’s for whatever reason). However, this song does stand out with its dialogue insert towards beginning. It is given a very scattered feeling before Mio’s heavenly vocals enter and the track cuts itself off with an abrupt ending. Although, the abruptness of the end is not my favorite and perhaps another insert of dialogue before an abrupt end or fade out would have suited better, the song still stands strong.

Uraaka: For about 5 seconds you may feel like you’re not listening to the right album as the good ’ol western cow bells ring in the beginning. Yet, fret not, once the guitars and back and forth dialogue kick in your back on track. The vocals rev up with intensity for the pre-chorus and unleash an anthem with a chorus of voices for the chorus itself. This is song the “round up your friends for a concert in the desert in the middle of the night around a giant bonfire” type of deal.

Byoushin Zenkai Gal: A song very reminiscent of 2010’s Vocaloid, I felt tossed back to my middle school days for a moment with this one. It reminds me of a combination of the songs Poker Face and Two-Faced Lovers (as performed my GUMI and Hatsune Miku Respectively). Although, a very well-done song with lots of energy all I can think of it is that it screams VOCALOID. (Not that that is necessarily a bad thing).

Noise: Also known as the Hell Girl Fourth Twilight Opening, “Noise” is probably one of my favorite tracks on this album. Although I may just be a biased Hell Girl fan, this song does have a unique aspect about it. There is a Japanese AND an English version of it that makes it twice as enjoyable. With Mio’s smooth vocals during the opening to the catchy guitar and drum beat, this song truly takes the cake.

Mio Yamazaki - Noise

Refrain: *cue static noise* The beginning of this song sounds just like you would expect. Compared to the others it seems toned done in terms of energy and toned up when it comes to being dramatic. The song has an addicting feel to it and almost seems as if it ends too soon. *cue static noise*

LINK: Following the pattern of slowing things down, “LINK” slows the albums rapid pace and emits a wave of calm. The emotionally packed slower song takes you to an obscure flower field in the middle of who knows where without a care in the world. Tell me when you feel the rays of sunlight.

0721: Once more the title hints at the feeling of the song. Now you’ve been transported to some ideal high tech future world with a tune that sounds Omori Seiko inspired, especially in the vocal department. In a way it almost reminds me of her “Idol Song.” With this track we hear a different side of Mio’s power vocal in something lighter hearted and fun.

Setsunagu: Following the delicacy heard from “LINK”, initially this song appears as something it is not. While it does pick up quickly and we are able to experience Mio putting more Alto into her voice again with powerful vocals, the song plays between Mio’s innocent and delicate voice and her more powerful and emotional one.

Saito-san: Completely throwing the album for a whirl, we see the band return a similar style that we saw at the beginning. This track is full of an almost perfect combination of drums and guitar on top of the wonderfully aggressive and tastefully scattered vocals you normally would run into with heavier J-rock groups. Let us not forget the high pitches and sharp whispers this song does almost perfectly.

Artist: Relaxing down, we have a song that puts you in some half way run down bar on “that” side of town where the struggling artist attempts to thrive. Listening to this track you can already imagine the band performing on said bar’s stage as the “Artist”. The rapid insert of dialogue later plagued with distortion that squeaks the vocals gives you a sense of what must be backstage chaos.

​Saisai: Out of the bar and on to wandering the dark streets alone, “Saisai” brings you somewhere else. This track is a self confidence anthem when its been a grim day and you need to feel too cool for school again.

Aisaretai Yo: Can we talk about the most beautiful piece of work on here? The vocals are A++ and I would die to listen to this song live. After all the excitement, calm, and disorder, this track perfectly ties everything together.
 
By now I’m sure you’re tired of hearing me going on about Mio’s stunning powerful, aggressive, and most of all versatile vocals backed up with the bands epic guitar, technical bass, and catchy as all knows what drumbeat. So, I will say what I am not a fan of-the abrupt ending to the songs especially featured in the beginning. Maybe it’s because I don’t want the song to end, like ever? Or possibly it could be something more? Overall, I do give kudos to the band for experimenting with a few different styles and I love the imagery many of the songs gave even if you don’t understand a lick of Japanese.

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4.5 out of 5 Stars, make it your CHOICE to listen to this album…. repeatedly.
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Purchase Mio Yamazaki's Choice Album
Listen to Choice on Apple Music
Listen to Mio Yamazaki on Spotify
 
~Jazzichi

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Mio Yamazaki - Noise (English Ver.)