[blm Revisits...] Otsuka Ai

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Revisits

[blm Revisits...] Otsuka Ai

By johpan ⋅ August 5, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

blm Revisits is a series of posts which attempts to rediscover artists I’ve lost touch with over the years. The goal is to rekindle the interest that was once there and hopefully pull others in along for the ride.

Otsuka Ai - CHU-LIP Album Art

Being one of the most diverse vocalists in Japan, 大塚愛 (Otsuka Ai) is one of my favourite singers of all time. Why I need to revisit her, I don’t quite know… I lost track of her around the time she started doing tracks under her LOVE persona. I came back when she released Rocket Sneaker and am listening to the 愛 am BEST album to relive old times. It doesn’t really seem like a long time after looking through her discography releases but it feels like forever. I stopped paying attention during ユメクイ and 恋愛写真 but stayed tuned in for CHU-LIP then I lost touch for her next two singles, PEACH / HEART and Pocket and her LOVE single White Choco.

From bubbly さくらんぼ (Sakuranbo) and SMILY to punky ポンポン (Pon Pon) and HAPPY DAYS to emotional 大好きだよ。 (Daisuki da yo) and プラネタリウム (Planetarium), and vocally demanding Cherish and Rocket Sneaker (I’m not trying to take away from any of her other songs; I’m sure they’re all vocally demanding, but just after a quick refresher of songs, these two seem the most winding), Ai proves herself to be more than just a one-trick pony like some of her peers and competition. Her high-pitched and (let me stress, not childish but) child-like vocal style is consistent throughout her songs despite being able to rip emotions right out of you, which only few artists do to me. I find her child-like quality to introduce a playfulness to her upbeat, happy, and quirky songs while adding a feeling of vulnerability to her ballads and emotional songs. It all works out quite perfectly. As well as being an accomplished songwriter and pianist (and looking absolutely adorable the entire time), she’s quite the musical package.

I was first introduced to Ai-chin by JPOPSUKI when they translated and subbed the PV for 金魚花火 (Kingyo Hanabi). If you’re familiar with my musical tastes, you’d know that I’m not usually one for ballads. But expanding on what I said earlier, there was something about her voice that you just can’t say no to. Such emotion, such drama, such ear candy, the list goes on. It’s a touching song about a summer romance, maybe unrequited, who knows. All I know is that her vocal delivery just makes me a little teary eyed.

Anyway, I can’t remember the order of singles beyond that but as with all musical interests, I probably acquired her discography and spared no resource. The first single I purchased was the 黒毛和牛上塩タン焼680円 (Black Grilled Cow’s Tongue 680 Yen) CD+DVD which might just be my favourite PV outfit of hers. With a quirky title and quirkier lyrics, this song is quite the earful. I can’t quite put my finger on a genre… help? And don’t say JPop. It’s kinda swing jazzy but not.

Sorry, couldn’t find the PV for it. This live will from the JAM PUNCH Tour 2005 will do just fine.

I also have her CHU-LIP CD+DVD and it probably remains to be my favourite happy and upbeat track. I do believe it to be her quirkiest PV yet. It’s fun, cute, and teaches a few life lessons: most importantly, trust yourself when it comes to love. It even touches on Freud’s Oedipus and Electra complexes, how can’t it be awesome?

Her latest single, Rocket Sneaker, has to be one of the most artistic PVs she’s done and it always trips me out. The song itself is even more interesting after reading the translations and this interview

The Rocket Sneaker PV is nowhere to be found online and I’m to lazy to be an e-pirate.

My most favourite song from Ai-chin is 大好きだよ。 just because it never fails to bring a tear to my eye. The lyrics are so beautiful. I don’t remember the PV as well as I should but it was sad. Nothing like one of those crazy Korean tear jerkers, but it was beautiful. I can’t find words to explain it. I’m sorry. I’m no Shakespeare.

Thanks to writing this article, I’m intrigued to hear Ai’s 4th album, “LOVE PiECE” and catch up on the singles I missed out on. Who knows, maybe I’ll review them… A new single is set to release on September 10th. Hopefully, that’ll get a review on here when it’s out too.