Beyond the Sea ~ The Style. Edition

Tracklisting
1. Canvas (キャンバス)
2. Kimi wa Su・te・ki♡ (君はス・テ・キ♡)
3. Cry & Smile!!
4. Canvas (Piano ver.)
5. Canvas (less vocal)
6. Kimi wa Su・te・ki♡ (less vocal)

This is Ken Hirai’s 28th single and it was released on February 20, 2008. The single reached #6 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 31,988 copies. The first track was used as the ending theme song for the drama Hachimitsu to Clover.

Compared to his previous ballads, Canvas is very ordinary and quite uneventful. However, it’s still a very pleasant and nicely done song. The music features gentle piano and strings that carry the music along with some drums at an relaxing pace. Ken Hirai’s vocals are good as always too. He puts a little emphasis into his voice during certain parts of the song like the chorus, but he stays rather reserved most of the time.

The next track was a total shock though. Kimi wa Su・te・ki♡ is so…OUT THERE, making it one of his most unique efforts. It’s very upbeat and filled with synth, guitar riffs, and rampant beats. Hirai’s vocal style is different than usual, singing most of the song in his higher register and at a faster rate. Despite all the craziness that’s going on this song, the melody is catchy and I found myself putting the track on repeat. Multiple listens might be required for this one.

The 3rd track has an old fashioned gospel vibe to it, opening with piano and fingersnap beats. Cry & Smile!! is a cheery song from beginning to end and it also has some jazz undertones. Once again, Hirai utilizes his upper register for the chorus and it sounds pretty nice. The gospel atmosphere as mentioned before becomes even more evident when the background choir vocals come in and start singing with Hirai starting at the bridge.

There is also a simple piano version of Canvas included and just like the original, it’s laid back and sounds nice. Aside from that, it doesn’t really have much to offer but I did like the arrangement of the piano.

Overall Rating

4 stars