Tracks:

1. DAYS

2. PRECIOUS

3. TELEPHONE

4. LIES

5. STAR

6. STAND

7. WHY

8. JOKER

9. SKIN

10. BEAUTIFUL

BEAUTIFUL is MEG’s 6th album, and it was released on May 27th 2009. It reached #10 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and has sold 11,440 copies.

Opening up MEG’s 3rd Nakata album is DAYS, a really twisted sounding opener. This track has really weird synth that sounds all out of tune. Speaking of out of tune… in comes MEG sounding as out of tune as can be. After a while, this opener gets on my nerves, and it gives me a headache as well.

Our first full track, and the only single track off the album is PRECIOUS, our first single of the era. Even though this song is kinda old, I still very much like it and I think it’s one of MEG’s best songs to date. And whenever I listen to this song, I always think of the dancing cats from the PV… XD

I think TELEPHONE might be my favourite new track off the album. I really like the prominent use of synthed-up acoustic guitar and the fast paced beats that never let up, not even for one second! Even though it sounds a little repetitive, I really like it… and even MEG sounds alright. ;D

What’s a Nakata-produced album without an aggressive track? Well, that’s exactly what LIES is! I thought this was another great track from MEG, since I like the aggressive tone of it. I also like the elongated ad-libbing lines too.

When I first heard STAR, I was immediately reminded of SEARCHLIGHT, from her last album, STEP. Mainly because this track has a prominent use of piano. It’s nice to hear a slower track after all that fast, aggressive craziness. The chorus is definitely my favourite part because it’s so light and cute and has a nice transition.

Speaking of slower songs, in comes STAND, a light club track. Since this a club track, it’s full of acoustic guitar and club-like synth. MEG sounds so much better with slower or happy songs, to be completely honest.

WHY reminds me a lot of LIES, since the style is pretty similar. It also has its fair share of aggressive synth. Though, I hate when MEG talks in her songs since I can never understand what she’s saying, that’s when the bridge comes around.

Finally another upbeat track. Unlike the title implies, JOKER isn’t all that crazy. It’s a cute club track. Since it sounds cute, MEG sings in a playful matter to fit with the song, and it totally works.

Hmmm… I’m still kind of skeptical when it comes to SKIN. Some days I like the song, some I don’t. Anyways, what’s a Nakata-produced album without a mostly instrumental track with only one set of lyrics? SKIN is one of those. It opens up with MEG singing the only repeated lyrics in the song, among a pretty monotone backtrack. MEG’s voice kind of gives the song flavour since she sings in different tones. After a while I just get bored with this song, so I only listen to it in moderation.

Ending us off is the title track, BEAUTIFUL. While I think the instrumental is… I can’t really say the same about MEG’s vocals during the chorus. I like the cuter synths and it worked well with MEG’s voice, even if it stink during the chorus. But I thought this was a nice title track and overall, fit in with the album, and ended it nicely.

When I first listened to BEAUTIFUL as a whole, I didn’t really like it. But like an anorexic once said, it’s better the second time around. I’m going to have to agree with the general census, that this album is a BIG step up from STEP. MEG finally got this right and I’d really like to hear more songs like PRECIOUS and STAR in the future. Good going, gurl!

Overall Grade: