MIYAVI - Afraid to be cool / Raise me up Single Review

I personally haven't listened to MIYAVI since his 2010 album "What's My Name?", though he's been active since then with a handful of albums, singles, and even his international acting debut in Angelina Jolie's "Unbroken". To be honest, the reason this review is almost a month late is because this single flew under my radar as well. I only gave it a listen after the "Afraid to be cool" MV dropped, and the neon caught my eye. It's a great video, too, check it out!

This song singlehandedly reinvigorated my interest in MIYAVI. It's just... so catchy! I love MIYAVI's signature funky guitar slap style, and the chorus on this song...? There's nothing here to possibly dislike. Not for me, anyway. The melody here is actually very K-pop in its composition as well. Everything about it is very commercial and upbeat, which probably owes a bit to MIYAVI's current residence in Los Angeles. The lyrics are in English as well.

The second song on this double A-side single is "Raise me up". I... actually don't like this one much, to be honest. It's an electronic dance piece, bassy and repetitive. It's got that unmistakable MIYAVI guitar slap again, but that's about the only personality that can be pulled from it. I will admit the chorus is catchy. I don't HATE the song, but I wish this chorus had been put to better use. The verses are just a bit boring and generic.

The other tracks on here are remixes, they sound about the way you expect remixes to sound. I don't hate them or particularly like them. Overall, I'm disappointed in this release as a whole. "Afraid to be cool" is AMAZING, I absolutely love this song with a white hot passion. "Raise me up" is just ultimately forgettable, and I could care less about remixes. I'll probably give MIYAVI's upcoming album a listen, but no promises there. If nothing else, I do recommend you listen to "Afraid to be cool". I really love it. I want to like MIYAVI again, so here's hoping his output keeps up that level of quality. I can sit through as many bad songs as it takes for a gem like that!


-Justin

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