Serena Kozuki (上月せれな) Single Review (Saikyo Melody 2 / VISION)

Serena Kozuki (上月せれな) is an idol we've talked about in the past (Look here for another review), but we're still not done getting through some of her great singles from last year. She recently released a new one and before we cover that we're going to cover her first two that were released following her move to youthsource records! These are "Saikyo Melody 2" and "VISION".

Saikyo Melody 2 (2015)

Track List
1) Saikyo Melody 2
2) Onaji Sora no Shita de
3) Saikyo Melody 2 (Karaoke)
4) Onaji Sora no Shita de (Karaoke)

First up on "Saikyo Melody 2" is the title track itself, which is essentially a re-recording of the original "Saikyo Melody" released in 2014. Everything I said about that song before still stands, though this version has MUCH better production and the song sounds much cleaner. This most likely came about thanks to a shift to a different label that coincided with the release of this single. It also has a ska-like element to the instrumentation this time around which sounds fantastic and adds to the song's infectious quality. It'll have you singing along in no time!

The B-side to this single is a SUPER pretty piano-driven ballad called "Onaji Sora no Shita de". This is something of a departure for Serena and it's a welcome shift as her voice lends well to this type of song. I also love the violins that kick in later on the track, it's a nice touch that once again reflects on the new higher level of production present in this release. Everything on this track in general is really well-composed and beautiful. Serena Kozuki once again proves that she has a wonderful singing voice.

The single closes with the instrumental tracks of these two songs.

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Saikyo Melody 2 (Live)

Onaji Sora no Shita de

VISION (2015)

Track List
1) VISION
2) Guru Guru Hajike-tion
3) VISION (Karaoke)
4) Guru Guru Hajike-tion (Karaoke)

The second single we're going to look at is "VISION". "VISION" is a Serena Kozuki single which was released in 2015, which is the year much of her best work thus far was released. In keeping with the trend, "VISION" is one of the better songs in her catalog. It's a little more downtempo than the stuff we've covered previously from Serena, but it's a really nice song that takes the fun parts of "Saikyo Melody 2" but keeps the track itself nice and simple. This isn't a bad thing as it makes it a song that a crowd can really get into at a live. Add to this the fact that the chorus is cute and bouncy and you have a hit on your hands. I love it.

The B-side to this one is "Guru Guru Hajike-tion", which is a colorful and bright techno pop song. It reminds me of something you would hear in a game of Pop'n Music, to be honest. Maybe channeling a little bit of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, even. I'm definitely a fan. Where "VISION" moved slow and steady, this song throws that all out the window and gives us a song that is a bit more along the lines of what we've been hearing from Serena in her previous releases. The production shines through on this track as songs of this type can sometimes be hard to make sound clear, but this one does so perfectly. Another outstanding release from one of our favorite indie idols!

The single closes with the instrumental tracks of the aforementioned songs.

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VISION (Live)

Serena is one of our favorites idols at A-To-J Connections and we hope that you can find songs you like too! Keep an eye out here for more on Serena in the future!

-Justin

For More Information:
Blog: http://ameblo.jp/sere7-kozuki/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Serena_Kozuki