Contemplating from afar

In the middle of all the art related articles, here is one on music. I think that people discovered Shikata Akiko with Umineko no Naku Koro ni‘s opening, either the anime or the sound novel. In fact, the anime opening is the first anime related single she has ever released. Her previous works involve commercial album, OST of Ar Tonelico, and doujin music under the name VAGRANCY. Since it was requested by icie, I released a torrent of what I have from her, and I really like it so I hope you will enjoy, and I’m also taking the opportunity to make a blog post about her compositions and some of my favorite tracks. Samples are included, so get your favorite headphones, and the torrent for the FLAC! [Torrent]

For starters, listen to the Umineko’s single. Usually I download an anime single for the opening I heard and liked. I just give a try or two to the other tracks but it’s really rare that I catch my attention. When it comes to music I’m quite picky, and my MP3 player is just filled with tracks I like. Now with the Umineko’s single, it’s simple, I like the other vocal, and even more than the opening.

VII

This composition is greatly reminiscent of Kanon Wakeshima, with the presence of the cielo. It’s also quite eery. If I had to image the song, it would be a girl with her doll, walking in the street by a cold night of winter in a dark creepy town, and suddenly, it lights up. Of course I have no idea of the lyrics but that’s the image I have. What I find very nice is that the music is clearly cut in part, the slow beginning which extends for 2 minutes, then a beat up part to finish with another slow one, rewinding the doll.

Kin-iro no Choushou ~Uruwashi no Bansan~

Katakoi

These are the 2 tracks which came with the game opening. Kin-iro got another clear cut composition, with a slow dark lamenting beginning, with impressive vocal, then mid-way the tone changes. Does it remind some witch laughter?

Katakoi is a bit the intruder here, as it’s not as dark as the other two, and fits the jpop category. But it’s a very nice song, one of my all time favorite. I first prefered Kin-iro in this single but Katakoi slowly grew within me. In fact, Shikata Akiko’s style is far wider than what you might have heard from Umineko.

Let’s rewind time to her oldest work now. I have already covered Haikyo to Rakuen a long time ago, and some of the tracks got remixed over time. For instance Se l’aura spira. A short song which I greatly like and noteworthy is the Italian lyrics, which can be found in several of her songs. The song got instrumental remix in VIRIDIAN, a music box album, and Hanakisou Symphonic.

Haiko to Rakuen – Se l’aura Spira
Viridian – Se l’aura Spira
Hanakisou Symphonic – Se l’aura Spira

It’s really a simple music, and that’s certainly what I like the best about it, total opposite of VII in term of atmosphere. Through all her doujin album, she has made several remix from Haikyo To Rakuen and other, and I recommend to listen to them as it’s another take. Haikyo to Rakuen and Kalliope’s Radio Yohou/ラヂヲ予報, Hanakisou Soundtracks and Hanakisou Symphonic Winter/Kuroto/玄冬のテーマ, Hanakisou’s theme. In fact I have never totally dug in these albums as I need time to appreciate music; not as a background noise, but truly for what it’s. As I’m writing this post, I’m completing my collection as well.

Hanakisou Soundtrack – Kuroto
Hanakisou Symphonic – Kuroto no Thema

Haikyo to Rakuen – Radio Yohou
Kalliope – Radio Yohou

Shikata Akiko as I discovered her 1 year ago certainly placed herself within my favorite list of composer and vocalist. She has several unique style, which I hope listeners will appreciate as much as me.