Fukui Mai – Ai no Uta (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

“Fukui Mai’s debut CD single is  overall a solid debut showcasing her vocals and songwriting potential”

ARTIST: Fukui Mai

CD SINGLE: アイのうた

LABEL: J-More

CATALOG #: YICD-70053

DURATION: 20:18

RELEASE DATE: August 20, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. アイのうた
2. My Song For You
3. アイのうた (Instrumental)
4. My Song For You (Instrumental)

The story of Fukui Mai is actually quite interesting.

An artist who sent out her demo tape to avex in last Fall and impressed avex so much that they signed her to their J-more label. Just a few months later, the TBS post-production team were impressed by a song offered to them for their upcoming drama “Koizora” and sure enough, Fukui Mai, a new artist has her first song with a drama tie-in.

“Ai no Uta” (Songs of Love) features an elegant ballad which features a beautiful piano and string-arrangment intro.  Words and music are by Yamamoto Katsuhiko.  Yamamoto’s lyrics are quite poetic and overall a beautiful ballad.

A warm voice that blends with the poetic ballad.  Fukui’s vocals in combination with the beautiful string arrangement is well done.

The coupling song “My Song For You” features a song with words and music by Fukui Mai.  A very beautiful song and I have to admit when I listened to this, it had that Kelly Clarkson “Breakaway” vibe.  Nevertheless, the song is more up-beat and still utilizing the string arrangement and piano.  But quite solid.  The song showcases Fukui’s strength as a songwriter.

The remaining two tracks are the karaoke versions of the first two vocal tracks.

The CD insert features a bi-fold and the lyrics inside are handwritten which was cool to see.

Fukui Mai’s shows a lot of promise with her first CD single.  I found both tracks to be vibrant and quite habit forming with each listen.

The CD single featuring a string arrangment and piano worked well in combination with her vocals and I look forward to hearing more from Fukui Mai as this CD single is quite solid and showcases her vocals and songwriting potential.

Definitely keep this artist in your radar and give this CD single a try!

Check out more of our reviews at J!-ENT’s World Groove

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