1. It’s My Life
2. You’re Heaven
3. Rain ～YUI Acoustic Version～
4. It’s My Life ～Instrumental～

When it comes to the music of YUI, you come to expect nothing but great music from the young music artist.

YUI returns with a new single to kick off 2011 with her 19th CD Single “It’s My Life/Your Heaven”.

The first track “It’s My Life” features an upbeat track that showcases YUI’s acoustic guitar playing but also features a good amount of brass. Produced by HISASHI KONDO, “It’s My Life” has a vibrant style because of the addition of teh brass. But it’s an upbeat single that is another fun, catchy track from YUI.

But it’s the second title track that won me over with this single. “Your Heaven” featuring keeps things simple with the acoustic guitar and piano and a single that best captures YUI’s style of music. The song starts off a bit slow but transitions to a more upbeat, passionate and catchy track as it progresses. Just a wonderful song from YUI.

And like all YUI CD singles, the third track features the acoustic version of the previous single released. In this case, an acoustic version of her 18th single “Rain”. And the acoustic version is just as wonderful as the original. And it also gives the listener time to focus on YUI’s vocals. Just a beautiful Christmas ballad!

The single ends with the instrumental version of “It’s My Life”.

As for the insert, you get the lyrics and production credits for both “It’s My Life” and “Your Heaven”.

Overall, YUI’s 19th CD single “It’s My Life/Your Heaven” features three enjoyable tracks. While I do enjoy the lively, upbeat “It’s My Life”, “Your Heaven” was the song that I kept playing over along with the acoustic version of “Rain”. Just a wonderful single and if you are a YUI fan, you won’t be disappointed by this single at all.

Definitely recommended!

BUY THIS CD SINGLE:

It’s My Life / Your Heaven [Regular Edition]

YUI

1. to Mother
2. Tonight
3. GLORIA ～YUI Acoustic Version～
4. To Mother ～Instrumental～

One again YUI receives her fifth straight consecutive #1 song on the Oricon Charts with her single “to Mother”. A slower-paced, piano-driven song written by YUI to her mother.

If anything, it’s known about how YUI has a strong bond but difficult time with her mother who raised her without a father and YUI’s challenges as challenge as a teen as she quit school to pursue music as a career. The song is more or less, memories of her mother and moments they shared together. And even possibly a moment at times when YUI was younger, running out of the house after an argument with her mother and the two getting into argument. While listening to the lyrics, I often wonder if the song was one of the songs she wrote when she was younger. But definitely a heartfelt song. And I believe this is the first song which showcases the piano over the acoustic guitar.

The second track “Tonight” is a fast-paced rock track sung by YUI and features an arrangement by Yu Odakura. The overall track is pretty awesome and I like the electric guitars playing through the background. Overall, an awesome rock track from YUI.

And the third track continues YUI’s acoustic versions of her previous released singles and in this case, an acoustic version of her hit single “GLORIA”. Once again, another awesome acoustic version that really showcases her beautiful vocals.
The fourth track features the instrumental version of “to Mother”.

The CD single insert features a bi-fold with lyrics to all three tracks and production credits. On back of the single is a flap that features a sticker of YUI playing the piano.

Overall, another wonderful single from YUI and once again, a single that showcases her talent as a singer/songwriter and musician. “to Mother” is highly recommended!

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to Mother [Regular Edition]

YUI

1. YUI – GLORIA
2. Kumi Koda – Can We Go Back
3. Mika Nakashima – ALWAYS
4. Choshinsei – Last Kiss
5. John-Hoon – Rainy Flash
6. Rosia – Hetaria Character-CD Vol. 7 Rosia
7. Guardians 4 – Going On!
8. the pillows – Rodeo star mate
9. Do As Infinity – Kimi ga Inai Mirai
10. Mimi Kitagami (CV: Mana Ogawa) with MM Gakuen Gasshobu – Genki ni Nare!

As for the #1 Indies release on the Oricon Indies Daily Charts, it goes to SEEDA for “WISDOM feat. ILL-BOSSTINO, EMI MARIA”.

For Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, please click here.

SOURCE: Data was translated from Oricon CD Single Daily Charts

For rankings comparison, please compare to Oricon’s NINKI Poll predictions for Album Sales.

1. GLORIA
2. Muffler
3. It’s all too much ～YUI Acoustic Version～
4. GLORIA ～Instrumental～

When it comes to the music of YUI, you come to expect nothing but great music from the young music artist.

YUI returns with her first single to kick off the New Year 2010 with her 15th CD Single “GLORIA”, her fourth consecutive #1 single and sixth single to debut at #1 on the Oricon Charts.

“GLORIA” is a single that features wonderful vocals and music (featuring lyrics and music by YUI and arrangement by Hisashi Kondo). Upbeat, catchy and for the most part, I love the acoustic guitar playing but mostly how well it’s performed. “GLORIA” is a song of lost hope and dreams and being lost in life . Definitely love how she sings the chorus for the song.

Maketenai yai yai yai yai?
Kagayaku saki ni GLORIA
chikadzuiteru hazu sa

Cry yai yai yai yai?
Mou dare no sei ni mo shinai yo

The coupling track “Muffler” (which is a Japanese term for “scarf”) is a smooth, mid-tempo acoustic guitar and percussion driven track featuring an arrangement by northa+. Very awesome song and beautifully written and sung by YUI!

The third track “It’s all too much ～YUI Acoustic Version～”, an acoustic guitar version of her 14th single “It’s all too much”. I love YUI’s vocals for this song and her acoustic guitar playing is well-done. The song features an arrangement by YUI and Hisashi Kondo but overall, a wonderful acoustic version of her previous single.

The fourth track is the instrumental version of “GLORIA”.

As for the CD insert, it’s a bi-fold featuring lyrics by YUI and production credits.

Overall, “GLORIA” continues YUI’s streak of awesome music. She’s a wonderful vocalist and musician and definitely one of the performers that stands out in Japan for her raw talent! Highly recommended!

BUY THIS CD SINGLE:

Gloria [Regular Edition]

YUI