Kensho Ono returns to the fans with his 4th single titled Against the Wind, which will be featured as the theme song in Kuroko’s Baketball: Last Game. At the moment, Ono has already released Fantastic Tune, Zero, Colors and most recently Story. So without any further ado, let’s get this review started.
More details regarding the single.
Title: Against the Wind Label: Lantis Release date: 05/04/17 Genre: J-Pop/Rock
Tracklist:
| 1 |
Against The Wind
|
| 2 |
FIRE FIRE
|
| 3 |
Against The Wind (off vocal)
|
| 4 |
FIRE FIRE (off vocal)
|
Track by track analysis:
1- Against the Wind
Right of the bat, we can say for sure that this track was really created for the Kuroko’s Basketball series. With all the most remarking/trademark instrumental performances, we can undeniably say that this will be a good track. Guitar riffs and the drums’ performance make one recall one of Ono’s first tracks FANTASTIC TUNE. At the same time, we have to admit that the artist has truthfully merged with the pop/rock genre unlike some of his previous releases., where we could still notice some struggling from Ono’s part in singing some of his tracks. Fast tempo drums and quality guitar and bass performances compose this tracks instrumental piece. To add a different twist to this track we have a melodic piano playing in the bridge. In what concerns the guitar at the ending, we believe it somewhat resembles OLDCODEX’s trademark guitar performance, which is not a bad thing at all.5/5
2- Fire Fire
On the totally opposite side of Against the Wind, Fire Fire is a rather different track, to say the least. Having a funkier feel to it, this track is perfect for summer. The percussion and bass, plus the trumpets make up this track’s instrumental. We must say, Fire Fire is the type of track that one would not expect Ono to release that often, even though this is not the first time that we are faced with this predicament, it can still catch one by surprise. Despite the fact that this track cuts the momentum from the previous one, we cannot disregard the fact that with Fire Fire, Ono once againproves that he is a well-versed artist. 4/5
Final rating:
This single provides us with a lot to discuss, be it for Ono’s improved vocal performance, which by the way we must mention the fact that it would appear that he has gained more control over his vocals, or for the fact that the artist never ceases to amaze us with the feat of being able to adjust so well to different musical genres such as rock or pop/rock and then to a funkier and pop-ish track, such as Fire Fire. This track may come as a surprise for those of you who haven’t been following him since his debut in the music industry, however for those that have been here since the beginning, you’d remember that every now and then he would surprise the us with one of those up-beat tracks. One must say that that is not bad at all, if anything it just comes out to show to the fans that he is comfortable singing different genres.
For any future releases, it is fair to expect greater things from Kensho Ono, especially since he has been showing signs of improvement.
“Against the Wind” is already available for purchase on CDJAPAN for all overseas fans.
