Tracks:

1. Elegy

2. Kiss

3. POP STAR ~winter lover version~

4. Elegy ~less vocal~

Ken Hirai’s Elegy was released on January 17th, 2007. It’s his 25th single and peaked at #5, selling 46,894 copies in its first week. It was also used as the theme song for the movie Ai no Ryuukechi.

The first time I hear Elegy, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! The beginning starts out softly with the piano, but when the chorus comes in drums, violins, and a more louder voice are present. After the song slowly builds up, adding more and more instruments each chorus. The end is spectacular when everything comes into play, along with some electric guitar. Finally, a single key ends the song. Simple, yet dramatic, wouldn’t you say?

Personally, I preferred hug. But Kiss is still a good quality track. It’s got a soft feel, making it a feel-good song. It’s got some electric guitar and a somewhat R&B beat. Hirai’s vocal are amazing as well.

The winter lover version of POP STAR is interesting to say the least. It takes away all the elements that make POP STAR a pop song, and make it a somewhat slow jam R&B song. I liked the original version because of it’s burst of energy, but this is still an interesting take on a completely different styled song.

Overall Grade: