[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to BeForU – “Yo Hanabi”

August 16, 2007 by Dennis Amith 

ARTIST: BeForU / CD SINGLE: “Yo Hanabi” / LABEL: avex entertainment / CATALOG #: AVCA-26357/B

DURATION: 18:49 / WEBSITE: http://beatrevolution.i-revo.jp/beforu/

CD TRACKS:

1. Yo Hanabi
2. Moon Bike
3. Yo Hanabi (Instrumental)
4. Moon Bike (Instrumental)

DVD TRACKS (Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 4 minutes)

1. Kagerou (LIVE CLIP)

REVIEW:

BeForU is a six-member female J-Pop group that is known for their music used on Bemani (Beat Mania) video games from Konami for popular games such as Dance Dance Revolution, Drummania and Guitar Freaks fan. Produced by Maeda Naoki (a well-known music producer for Konami), BeForU is a shortened title for (Because you are here, I’ll Be here For U) and also was used as a song for Dance Dance Revolution 4th Mix.

Their 5th CD single “Yo Hanabi” follows the music that many Bemani fans expect from “Be4U”, which is J-Pop influence by Eurobeat, trance and electrosynth pop.

For those not familiar with that, I guess the best comparison I can give is if you are familiar with older works of MAX, D&D and dream or even HINOI team, you will probably enjoy the music of BeForU.

Both tracks “Yo Hanabi” and especially their coupling track “Moon Bike” are two fun, enjoyable and energetic tracks.

DVD:

Typically on a CD+DVD single, you get the music video for the primary track and some off-shot/making of. In this CD+DVD single, you get the live performance clip of their song “Kagerou”.

The group performed in front of a live audience with a live band. The audience was totally into the performance and the choreography was not as sophisticated as what you see from DRM or HINOI team but compared to those live idol performances, the concert clip looked very lively and it was nice to see the six women perform with a live rock band. Songs were sung very well and definitely a positive, energetic vibe.

INSERT BOOKLET:

The insert is just the lyrics, credits and a list of their upcoming performance at Zepp.

JUDGEMENT:

So, the question is if you enjoy this type of music. I’ve literally grown up with avex dance music and enjoy this style of J-POP music. The fact is that with MAX going for more an R&B sound, D&D is no more (with former D&D vocalist OLIVIA now more rock than dance music) , Favorite Blue is no more (although t.kimura is now with m.o.v.e) and dream (now DRM) focusing on a more mature sound, if you crave the Bemani or Eurobeat J-Pop sound, BeForU and HINOI team are the two female groups that continue to push that style of music and “Yo Hanabi” (along with its coupling song “Moon Bike”) are two cool tracks that I enjoy a lot and it’s really cool to get an insight of their live performance with the inclusion of the DVD of “Kagerou”.

Check it out!