Multi-talented seiyuu Daisuke Namikawa is back with a new single. After the release earlier this year of his impressive mini-album “Ring”, “Jump Out Loud” is the newest release for the Tokyo native.
Info regarding the single:
Single: Jump Out Loud
Label: Kiramune
Genre: J-pop/rock
Release date: 09/10/13
Tracklist:
1. Jump Out Loud
2. なりたい ありたい
3. はろー☆ぴ~ぷる
Track by track analysis:
1. Jump Out Loud
A rock song very reminiscing of Porno Graffitti’s work with “Mugen”. A funny song with great instrumental work blending perfectly with Namikawa’s vocals that we’re so used to. A great solo before the outro on a song that will be a great one to present on a live setting since it resorts to a lot of background vocals to support the chorus. A great song as usual by one of the best seiyuu in the industry. Namikawa’s vocals are as good as in his mini-album “Ring”, released earlier this year and the song is as catchy as some of his previous songs. A rock song but one almost reminiscing of a more 70’s/80’s pop-rock oriented sound. A breath of fresh air in Daisuke Namikawa’s catalog. 4/5
2. なりたい ありたい
A laidback rock song with hints of country-like guitar playing. Almost sounding like a ballad “Naritai aritai” is one of those songs that simply makes us feel good by only listening to the instrumental piece. Simple work with acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums and the bass all harmonizing together this song and making this overall piece incredibly enjoyable. Namikawa’s voice sounds almost like he’s singing a lullaby with a tender and sweet tone in this beautiful song. 4.5/5
3. はろー☆ぴ~ぷる
Typical japanese instrumental with taiko drums and the traditional flutes. But when you think “Maybe this song will keep the genre to the very end”, well I’ll have to warn you that the traditional intro is just that: an intro. Quickly the song changes its genre from traditional to pop. Funny and quick song but just fails to impress after that great intro. Vocal wise there are no complaints but the song as a whole fails miserably to be either catchy or consistently good. 3/5
Final rating: 4/5
The single comes as something refreshing but doesn’t impress comparing with the mini-album “Ring” released earlier this year or even some of his earlier mini-albums. Something is amiss on this one. I’ve gone through all of Namikawa’s releases and I concluded that maybe is that rock “edge” that his releases all had. For example “I.D” was incredibly rock-oriented and the next mini-albums almost followed the same formulae until this one. It’s a rock album but a quieter one compared to his previous works. Not a bad job, just failed to impress like “Ring” impressed. Without comparing it to his other releases: “Jump Out Loud” comes as an interesting and upbeat single with good guitar work, now with Namikawa on the guitar too, and great vocal work. A single with potential for much more but that didn’t develop to something more impressive.
The single is available in two editions: regular and limited (comes with a DVD), both editions are still available with the bonus exclusive KG-size portrait on CDJAPAN. More info about it on the links below.
