Review | TOWA “Wonderland”

TOWA’s “Wonderland” is a delightful and soothing song, embracing an acoustic pop-rock sound that fits perfectly with Gakuto Kajiwara’s clear vocals.

This release features Towa (CV: Gakuto Kajiwara) and Sora (CV: Yuto Uemura). Towa is the only one performing the song on this CD.

Title: Creation 2 TOWA・SORA
Label: eternal voyage
Release date: 23/09/2022
Genre: Acoustic pop-rock

Tracklist:

1 – Wonderland

Towa (CV: Gakuto Kajiwara) takes the lead for “Wonderland“, song that embraces sweet, gentle dreamy vibes.

The verses are all about their chill, carefree vibes with a rhodes piano leading the way in the composition. Slowly, pizzicato strings, a piano, and guitars join in, taking you by the end to the chorus.

The soundscape is cozy, with a bassline, laidback guitar riffs, and simple drums joining in the chorus. For the first part – as you join in the chorus -, I feel there is too much going on and the mix made it so that Gakuto Kajiwara’s vocals were challenging to find (or even clean enough) in the middle of the instrumental.

Although that is never fixed – meaning it is intentional -, by the time the second chorus kicks in, you will be focused on the vocals and as such, that part will feel less confusing. Still, I would have appreciated the vocals not being buried at the center with the drums as the guitars and bassline were also slightly pushed to the center instead of pushed to the sides in the soundscape.

I can understand the cozy vibe demands the sound to be closer to the listener but still, the vocals could have been clearer. I feel like not many will truly enjoy the amazing work that Kajiwara is doing in this performance.

As far as the vocals go, I’ve said it countless times but I will say it again: I love Kajiwara’s singing tone. 

His performance feels naturally cozy and welcoming but that is only an add-on to the fact that he is a genuinely good singer (and quite the technical one if needed). 

In “Wonderland”, Kajiwara sounds like he is in his element and the truth is, the sound in this song doesn’t stray that far from what he is doing as a solo artist.

All in all, “Wonderland” is a sweet, carefree song that is perfect to relax to. Its murky mixing in the chorus makes it slightly drop in my enjoyment of the song but still, I believe you will enjoy it a whole time.

What is TOKYO COLOR SONIC!!

Tokyo Color Sonic!! is the name of the mixed-media franchise created by sprout and featuring character designs by the popular illustrator Ryo Fujiwara.

This franchise includes a star-studded 10 main character cast, with characters split into 5 different “buddy” units of singer + songwriter.

Tokyo Color Sonic counts with a balanced mix of drama CD + music.

To know more about this project, make sure to check our quick guide to it.

“Creation 2 TOWA・SORA” is available for purchase at CDJAPAN.

Tokyo Color Sonic!! Growing Creation 2 Towa Sora

Drama CD (Gakuto Kajiwara, Yuto Uemura, et al.)

“Creation 2 TOWA・SORA” is available for streaming on Spotify.

Do not support piracy. Remember to support the Tokyo Color Sonic franchise by streaming via official outlets.