Yuiichiro Umehara sure knows how to impress with a stellar vocal performance representing SolidS on their take of the “kaze” theme for Tsukino Pro‘s “Kachou Fuugetsu” series. If anyone had doubts Umehara could deliver a top vocal performance, “Squall -冷たい衝動-“ will certainly erase them.
Single: Squall -冷たい衝動- Label: Tsukino-Pro Release date: 26/08/16 Genre: J-Rock/Alternative Rock
Tracklist:
| 1 |
Squall -冷たい衝動-
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| 2 |
Squall -冷たい衝動- (off vocal)
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Track analysis:
1 – Squall -冷たい衝動-
Dramatically, this power ballad leads us into a pool of awesomeness with a frail piano melody and strings as the main appetizers. But that isn’t all. Squall -冷たい衝動- gets the help of heavy guitar riffs and powerful drums as well as the slapped bass to up the deliverance in this emotion-packed tuned. If the instrumental’s quality wasn’t enough to surprise you (it’s the best of of SolidS‘ own take on the “Kachou Fuugetsu” series), Umehara gives you even more reasons to love it and be in awe.
Usually more prone to making use of his low toned vocals, Umehara tends to blend well with his peers in SolidS, but he’s never stood out to a point that we would have our jaws dropped in awe. Maybe because the group is full of talented individuals, he tends to go unnoticed even though he’s also full of talent to showcase. It’s no lie that he’s improved a lot his singing within this year. Although he was initially vocally unstable, Umehara has managed to overcome it, and this release is the best proof of that. Falsetto? Vibrato? Umehara never showcased anything like this… up until now. His falsetto caught us by surprise just right before the chorus, but if that wasn’t enough, he fully showcased his vibrato for the first time, proving skeptics wrong with this performance. In the midle of the tension rising chorus, his stable high and mid tones proved that he’s got a lot more going on in him. His fast growth is outstanding and we can only expect + hope that he’ll start to do more than just being the one in charge of the low notes for future SolidS’ releases.
After this performance a bow is in order from us. This was flawless.
Final rating: 
Squall -冷たい衝動- is available for purchase on CDJAPAN for all overseas fans.
[…] notice it when we listen to this song. He had already impressed us when he performed the stunning Squall -冷たい衝動- back in 2016 for the Katchofugetsu hen series, but that performance pales today in comparison with […]
Yasss~ it’s Ume-chan’s turn to be in the spotlight!! Woot!!
*ehm* lol, sorry
Anyway, this song is a pleasant surprise, I know Umehara’s voice isn’t bad but in most SolidS’ songs so far, his voice never stood out. I’m glad SolidS’ Kachoufugetsu is a series of solos instead of a unit like the other two groups.
And he took the spotlight and made the most out of it! He’s starting to show why he’s a part of SolidS. Expect good things from him in the future!