Namie Amuro - Queen of Hip-Pop

Namie Amuro: Music Royalty

Namie Amuro has had quite a successful career as a musician and in my opinion, this is her strongest album to date. It has the hip-pop songs and has some great ballads as well. If you're trying to get into J-Pop, I would recommend this CD for you.

1. Queen of Hip-Pop: The title track has Namie declaring that she is the queen of hip-pop and you can definitely agree with her. The song kind of (vaguely) reminds me of WoWa in terms of the beat but I think this one is worse. It's still a pretty good song but it's nothing that will blow you away.

2. Want Me, Want Me: This is the best "hip-pop" song that the album has to offer. With a looming sitar sample throughout the song, Namie shows her sexual side on this one. The lyrics are kind of dirty but that has no ill effect on the song. The chorus is catchy and this song will have you dancing in no time.

3. WoWa: This song has that element of cuteness that a lot of Japanese pop songs have. Pronounced "ooh-wa," this song is definitely a catchy one. It focuses more on a pop sound than the "hip-pop" vibe that the rest of the album has.

4. I Wanna Show You My Love: I personally think this is one of the best songs on the album. Namie thanks her fans by showing them her love for supporting her all these years. She sings "This is for all my fans... You're the ones that make it happpen... I'll show my world." I think this would have been the perfect last single from the album and I would definitely reccomend people to buy this song.

5. Girl Talk: This was released as a single alongside "The Speed Star" but honestly, this was the worst of the two songs and I think it should have been left off the album in favor for "The Speed Star." I'm not sure why but this song just isn't the magic that the rest of the album is.

6. Free: Once again Namie returns the "hip-hop" sound on this great track. This track oozes single appeal. If this was a single, I think it would go over very well. Usually the chorus is the strongest part of the song but I think the two verses are really what show the strength of the song along with the little instrumental sections that sound really cool.

7. My Darling: The "hip-pop" sound also has presence on this one. I'm not really feeling this song for one main reason: it has a man similar to Lil' Jon making annoying noises. You wouldn't think that he could make things that bad but he can and he does. Otherwise, the song isn't that bad but it's nowehere near what Namie is capable of.

8. Ups And Downs: Teaming up with Nao'myt on the only real ballad (of two) on the album. The two make a nice team on this one and make beautiful music. The music sounds very cute so I'm assuming the song also has a cuteness to it as well. Not one of Namie's best efforts but still very good.

9. I Love You: This song also has the cuteness factor to it like WoWa. With the "hip-pop" sound or a hard R&B sound looming through the album, this song doesn't really fit in. As a Namie Amuro song, it's okay and it's not as if it's a bad song but I don't think it really fits in with the rest of the album.

10. All For You: This is the best ballad (of the few) that this album has to offer. I don't speak any Japanese but I can hear the emotion in her voice and when I listen to the song, I translate the lyrics into English. This is also one of the greatest songs that Namie has done in her career and deserves praise as her best ballad.

11. Alarm: With the "hip-pop" sound back again, Namie strikes gold again with this ultra-catchy single. The chorus is definitely the strongest part of the song as she sings "tick-tock lady, tick-tock baby... etc." If you're looking for a great song to dance to, this is it.

12. No: "No" is another great song to dance to. It has this vibe to it that I can't describe but it's basically a fun song to dance to. I think this would have made a nice single as well. Although it's not the strongest one on the album, it still holds a spot for itself.

A hidden track is included in the album which is a remix version of "No," in the form of a ballad. It's a pretty good listen but the original triumphs over the remix.

This is Namie's best work to date. Although you don't get a huge variety in the album, you do get an amazing ballad and some awesome "hip-pop" tracks. Continuing this streak of "hip-pop," it seems as if Namie's next album is shaping to be similar with the new singles she has released. They are all fire so expect even greater things from Namie in the future. March 26, 2007

Hip Hop with J-Pop sensibilities

This is the sort of album Kelli Ali might make and probably the sort of thing many Western Pop singers wished they could make. This album features a very effective mix of J-Pop with Hip Hop styled drum machine beats and some very pungent and rhythmical instrumental playing, particularly from the synthesizer players and the bass guitarist. In some respects, it reminds me of Chaka Khan's popular "I Feel For You" album - Namie Amuro's production values are similar, although much "tangier" and "twangier" because of the use of digital machinery.

Those who have a fascination for and/or love of Japanese contemporary popular music, Namie Amuro's album presents us with some very catchy, rhythmical, danceable and colourful music.

March 10, 2007

This cd is awsome!

I can not get enough of this music and the artist is so good! I love all of the songs! Every single one of them. I play it over and over and it hardly leaves my car cd player! It's exotic and intoxicating, and I can't say enough about it. The rythms are intoxicating and you just can not stay still, you want to get up and dance. July 13, 2006

Cool

The Queen of RNB is back.
Songs are enjoyable to listen.
Couple of favourite songs, Free, Girl talk and Ups & Downs.
A must for all Amuro fans :) January 12, 2006

Namie Takes Her Crown

This Cd has some of the best songs I have ever heared. WOWA is infectious, Want Me, Want Me is exotic, and All For You is emotional. Namie Never misses. Not one song on this CD is below a 10 out of 10. The best song is by far NO, in which she mixes a fast, party ready hook, with a smooth slow dance ending. A must buy for anyone who loves pop, hip hop, or Namie! January 5, 2006

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