Beyond the Sea ~ The Style. Edition

Tracklisting
1. Mikazuki (三日月)
2. Kimi no Kiss de… (君のキスで・・・)
3. Yume no Kakera ~Live Version~
    (夢のカケラ～Live Version～)
4. Mikazuki (Inst.)

This is ayaka’s 4th single and it was released on September 27, 2006. The single reached #1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 243,133 copies.

The title track was actually released before her debut single I believe as a PV. Her debut album First Message was postponed so that this single could be released and that was a really smart move on her label’s behalf. Without this single, I honestly think her debut album wouldn’t be the huge success that it is now.

Mikazuki is my favorite ayaka song and for a good reason: it’s AMAZING. It’s one of the best ballads I have ever heard because the overall BGM is beautiful and epic. The high notes that ayaka reaches during the chorus are simply breathtaking as well. I especially love the ending because I really felt that she put all of her heart and soul into the lyrics. The closing piano chords end the song gracefully and with a lot of emotion.

The B-side kind of has a Spanish guitar vibe going on and it’s rather unique for an ayaka song. Kimi no Kiss de… still wasn’t that memorable for me but I thought it was great in the fact that ayaka tried something a little different when it comes to her upbeat songs (which normally have a upbeat pop / rock sound to them).

The 3rd track is a live version of Yume no Kakera, the B-side from the I believe single. Despite being a newcomer to the J-pop industry, she already sounds like a seasoned veteran when she sings live. I mean, her live voice sounds almost INDENTICAL to the studio recording. That’s pretty damn unbelieveable in my opinion but she pulls it off very easily.

Overall Rating

5 stars