Beyond the Sea

SINGLE REVIEW
YUI - Namidairo

1. Namidairo
2. I wanna be…
3. LOVE & TRUTH ~YUI Acoustic Version~
4. Namidairo ~Instrumental~

This is YUI’s 12th single and it was released on February 27, 2008. This single reached #3 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and it has sold 115,168 copies. The title track was used as the theme song for the drama Yonshimai Tanteidan.

YUI returns to the strong acoustic sound of her earlier works with Namidairo, a downer of a song. I meant that in a good way because this is a good track that’s performed quite well. YUI’s vocals sound more vulnerable than usual, adding some emotion next to the saddening strings in the background. These strings play a big part in the music’s overall melancholy atmosphere, which picks up a little when some drums kick in during the 2nd verse.

The B-side is in the same vein as Namidairo, but it’s more upbeat. I wanna be… is her best B-side in quite a while after a string of disappointing ones starting from the Rolling star single. The music is strong on the acoustics with some electric guitar flaring up every now and then, but other than that, the arrangement is pretty simple.

When it comes to YUI’s acoustic versions, they’re all pretty straightforward and faithful to their original counterparts. The acoustic version of LOVE & TRUTH is probably the most rearranged of the entire bunch, since the original is perhaps one of her most complex songs. The lone guitar adds an interesting twist to the song and the way it opens the beginning is kind of spooky. Later on, an electric guitar provide some backup with some minimal chords.

Overall Rating

4 stars