Tracks:

1. Darling Wondering Staring

2. STAR FRUITS SURF RIDER

3. Darling Wondering Staring (PLASTIC FANTASTIC remix)

4. STAR FRUITS SURF RIDER (digital mp-3 mastering ver.)

5. Darling Wondering Staring (Instrumental)

Aira MItsuki’s Darling Wondering Staring / STAR FRUITS SURF RIDER was released on May 7th, 2008. It’s her 3rd single and was made in extremely limited quantity. It reached #1 on Tower Records’s store chart and sold out.

Immediately as Darling Wondering Staring began, I noticed the use of piano with the synth beeps and sparkles. Also that there’s a constant use of acoustic guitar in it, plus the fact that the beat isn’t as thumping. It’s more of a light bass sound. I really admire Aira’s experimenting because she does it really well. This song is kind of a mix between EnglishEngrish and Japanese. During the verses you hear birds chirping in the background, and I must say it adds a nice affect to it.

STAR FRUITS SURF RIDER is a cover of the same song by Cornelius. More use of acoustic guitar but this one is more of a faster pace. This is more of a normal Aira song, except she sings it at a lower tone, unlike China Discotica and Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO.9. I really like the chorus because it the instrumentals sound echoey and how she says “staaaar fruuuuuuits surf riiiideeerrr.” I really like the sparkly-sounding synth, it sounds neat.

The PLASTIC FANTASTIC remix of Darling Wondering Staring takes a techno look on the song. It has minimal vocals only “daaaarling”, as well as some of the chorus and has a constant glittery sounding synth sound. Aira usually has good remixes and this one is another to add to the list.

The digital mp-3 mastering ver. of STAR FRUITS SURF RIDER, is the same. Just a few buffs here and there, removing fuzzy-sounding noises.

Overall Grade: