綺女 -ayame-

Pleiades

Various Artists

[Regular BSPJ-1017]

Date of release: September 29, 2011

Seventh cover album…5 years later I still sing cover songs, what do you think of this ? I am recording moments in my life, I love it, it cannot be helped ! Of all the stars in our neighbourhood, the Pleiades constellation is my favourite. The Seven Sisters of Greek Mythology always inspired me to recreate this holy world. As I planned to record a new cover album in the summertime, I could not resist doing this Greek Muse inspired photoshoot. My lovely Sabina took all the pictures, props to her ! We went to a park next to my house, it has such a nice feeling there, it is on a little island. Unfortunately, I almost broke my wrist when I decided to climb into a tree and fell, but no biggy, it was just very scary ! When I think of the Pleiades, I think of the possible planets living among its stars. When I think of those, it conveys a green world with a purple sky in my head…this was the image I wanted to share with you all. As for the song selection, I chose some songs based on the feelings I had recently and my desire of exploring new territories, a whole new voice that was hiding deep inside me all this time. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do ! <3 Tracklist: M1. Madoromi no Rinne (Sleeping Samsara) Comment: I wanted to debut the album with an emotional piece. This song really touched me as its singer died not so long ago, and I think it genuinely matched the feeling and meaning of the lyrics. A Samsara is the cycle of birth, life and death in Hinduism, Buddhism and other religions. We all go through our own Samsara, and this is an important thing to remember as mortals.

Lyrics/Comp./Original Artist: Hata Aki/Itou Masumi/Kawai Eri (R.I.P. 2008) M2. Fuyu no Mushi (Insects in Winter) Comment: I have been falling in love with VOCALOID songs recently, I admit it… My favourite one is, of course, Gakupo (haha) and when I heard this beautiful song, I could not resist. Although its reference to “winter” insects, it strangely reminded me of summer instead ! VOCALOID fan composers truly are talented… Lyrics/Comp./Original Artist: Nata P/Kamui Gakupo (VOCALOID) M3. Letters [From 24th Single "Beautiful World"] Comment: I was going to chose “Beautiful World” as my single-related track, however, I felt more attached to “Letters” to be honest… Its melody is so profound, it never fails to move me. When I listen to it, I remember a lot of good and bad things… Lyrics/Comp./Original Artist: Utada Hikaru M4. Shangfu Yume (SHAMPOO DREAM) (Dream of an Affluent Upperclassman) Comment: I am a real Kuroshitsuji fan. As I was listening to its collection of character songs, I stumbled on Lau’s single and fell in love with both songs. Plus it was in my vocal range… I HAD to record it ! This song is pretty mischievious, I liked this aspect. Don’t you feel like you are being pulled into a new world during the chorus ? I do ! It had a Chinese influenced theme and name, hence “Shangfu” (no this song is not about shampoo, it is just due to the Japanese romanization). Interesting fact, did you know that the Pleiades are named the “Hairy Head” constellation in Chinese astronomy ? Haha ! Lyrics/Comp./Original Artist: uRy/Nagatani Takao/Lau (CV: Yusa Koji) M5. Itoshii Hito yo (My Beloved) Comment: This is Soubi’s character song in the BL anime “LOVELESS”. Ah…Soubi…I fell in love with his voice actor’s singing voice with this song. The beat reminds me of old 70′s rock, I like it ! It has a very frenzy-like feeling, it is about being ready to sacrifice yourself for someone, in a sexy way ! We all have our sexy side, don’t we ? I sang this song at Otakuthon Idol 2011, in Montreal, being judged by Halko Momoi’s manager Suzuki-san was very stressful, but I managed to end up runner-up in the finals ! Yay ! <3 Lyrics/Comp./Original Artist: uRy/Nagatani Takao/Agatsuma Soubi (CV: Konishi Katsuyuki) M6. Addictive World Comment: The second song from Lau’s character image single. This song was a challenge vocally, I even had to lower its pitch to be able to sing it correctly. I am pretty happy with the result at least ! It talks about something that everyone know about, drugs. In the old days, drugs was very taboo, like Opium in England (you see the link with Lau right ?), however people were still gravely affected by them. I like the end of the song: “Unnoticed by anyone,/I’ll slip some poison./A transient pleasure is a sweet illusion!/Yes, are you giving up?/Just fall into a slumber.” Lyrics/Comp./Original Artist: Onoda Hiroyuki/Nagatani Takao/Lau (CV: Yusa Koji) M7. No ni Saku Hana no You ni (Like the Flowers that Bloom in the Field) Comment: This was one of the first song from Gackt that really hooked me up. It is a very peaceful and soothing ballad, representing very well my image of the “Pleiades” world I had in my head. Gackt has such a powerful yet sweet voice…how could I resist ? It is a very cute piece, like those you would listen to cheer you up. Just close your eyes and imagine you are in an eternal grass field in some remote land. You can hear the wind blowing through the trees…I really think this is the main song of this album ! Lyrics/Comp./Original Artist: Gackt C. M8. Starry Waltz [From 23rd Single "Starry Waltz"] Comment: This song was unexpectedly popular after all ! This rejoices me as I love its original singer, kukui, and its feeling. You can imagine the big starry sky don’t you ? When I listen to “Starry Waltz”, I feel like I can achieve anything, like tomorrow is an adventure ! Lyrics/Comp./Original Artist: Haruka Shimotsuki/myu/kukui M9. Musouka (Song of Dreams) Comment: A cheery song. “Musouka” speaks of freedom and listening to one’s honest child heart that will guide them through their dreams. Lovely isn’t it ? It feels like a playful child’s song, I think it gives a nice contrast to the previous more serious tracks. You can just dance innocently with it, I am still attached to my childhood it seems ! Haha ! Let’s play games together <3 Lyrics/Comp./Original Artist: Sutani Naoko/Kinugasa Michio/Suara M10. Taiyou to Tomo ni (With the Sun) Comment: This song was Ritsuka Aoyagi’s character song from the anime LOVELESS. When you think of the cosmos, you think of a silent, cold and peaceful place, do you ? I do. The serenity of this piece got me right away. However, it has such a melancholic feel. Solitude is something everyone can feel…I decide to embrace it ! When I feel lonely and think of the stars, it just makes me peaceful, even if my heart is aching. We are mere star dusts, as astronomer Hubert Reeves mentions it…We are living from the Sun and will terminate with it, someday. Lyrics/Comp./Original Artist: Hirota Yuka/Minagawa Junko -Ayame-

Beautiful World

c/w Letters

[Regular BSPJ-1016]

[Limited BSPJ-1016A]

Date of release: November 15, 2010

After having to go through a month of sore throat and catching colds, I am back on my feet to finish my next cover single!

24th single already…wow, it almost sounds pathetic! T_T;

However I still love it as much as my first one <3 So I will keep going untill I get tired of it (which will probably be in a hundred years from now…; )

This song, “Beautiful World”, written/composed/sung by the almighty Hikaru Utada, is a good cheer! It feels like a fresh breath of air going deep down into your lungs, only to be after unleashed as spreading dreams and emotions~

Now did I just sound fancy or something? Hahaha! (lame… T_T; )

What do you think of the cover?

The alternate limited edition cover was made by a graphic designer, Melissa Fiorentino, who also appears to be my friend <3 Thanks to you~!!

I am looking forward to complete this song~

-Ayame-

Hello everyone!

I am pleased to present my very own, and first ever blog!

I must thank my friends Val and Alex for the blog design (isn’t pretty??!!) and for hosting me! (because, really, I am not talented with those things ><; )

I will try my best to update this place frequently and keep informing you guys of my new releases and such!

Thank you for your kindness <3

-Ayame-