Let's Go Karaoke!!!(カラオケ行こ!) Japanese Manga Thoughts

 

   Let's Go Karaoke is new manga creator Yama Wayama second release outside of Japan. She's only twenty seven years old and already, her books are starting a storm in the book community due to the male friendships between two completely different people.  

    A young student who is in the school choir, helps a Yakuza prepare for a karaoke contest. 

      Karaoke has the same elements as captivated by you. Expect this time around, this isn't different stories that connect. Instead, it's one story that deals with the issues of growing up and facing reality. No matter how hard the actual reality is, you still will have to face it head first at some point. This is the main idea that this manga is trying to covey to the reader. Let's Go Karaoke isn't a Yaoi Manga... Neither is her other release. She creates relationships that could enter the idea of it being a romantic relationship but she doesn't focus on that aspect. Yama instead lets the over all main idea of her story flow through the character relationship. There's a lot of comedic moments that make you laugh at people's impressions of others based on stereotypes. I enjoyed this follow up just as much as I enjoyed her first manga. 

    Yama Wayama's work might not be for those who think that seeing to guys on the cover of a manga means automatic Yaoi(boy's love). I hope that people can read her work and understand the message that she's trying to convey. I recommend knowing a little bit about Japanese pop culture too. 

Eric Nam(에릭남) - There and Back Again Album Thoughts(K-Indie)

 

      I didn't know much about Eric Nam's true origin story. He being a Youtube cover singer or him competing on a singing program in South Korea. I just checked out his very first mini album "Cloud9". this mini album still has one of my favorite tracks(Where Are You Hiding?) from the Atlanta Georgia born singer. A lot of people at the time told me they didn't like that album and that his Korean pronunciation wasn't crystal clear but I always saw the talent for Eric to be a big star one day. Fast forward years later and the guy is selling out shows with his own record label. Did I mention that he's also a big media personality? "There and Back Again" is Nam's second English album and his first under his own record label: The Nam Nation. 

Tracklist

1. "Lost On Me" - 2:54
2. "I Don't Know You Anymore" - 2:46
3. "Any Other Way" - 2:48
4. "Wildfire" - 3:16
5. "What If" - 2:44
6. "Admit" - 2:21
7. "One Way Lover" - 2:59

   Eric comes around again with a pop acoustic album. One that shows growth in maturity for the singer.  While "I Don't Know You Anymore" is the most danceable grove number on the album and one of the album's title tracks. This track still  sets a tone for an album that feel more personal in lyrics as well as production. For one thing, all the tracks are produced so that they can be performed acoustically if need be. I can actually picture Eric Nam performing this tracks around a campfire as his adoring fans watch him.  "Lost On Me" is the second title track that adds a new meaning to Pop Acoustic fusion. It's a nice dance pop track that feels chill but the lyrics tell of a rocky relationship. Bittersweet is what that song should have been called. [Insert me laughing] Wild fire was another album highlight with it's slow flowing build into that vocal layered chorus. I'm glad that Eric is taking the time to find out who he is as an artist. His releases float closer and closer to him really learning what works for him musically. My only cons for the album is that I believe he's still too afraid to shake that teenage pop boy image that he's been known for throughout the years. Some of the tracks sound like those songs that you would hear from a teenage singer in the early 2000s. They're very sugar sweet to the point of being a bit cheesing, especially in lyrical content. I want Nam to continue to grow away from this trop that's been ingrained in him for years. I know that he will show us something fresh and new for his next album. I'll be here waiting.... 

     Eric's vocals have grown a lot. I'll admit that I don't listen to ever song that he puts out but I noticed he's range improvement in Wildfire. He gets up there during the chorus and it's impressive. Maybe I'll watch him live one day just to see what he can do during a performance.  

    Eric Nam is an all around talent. I've watched him work his ass off over the years to really give his fans all that he can. The guy's personality is gold. Then, on top of that he makes good music for the most part.