Ayumu Imazu(今津歩) - Pixel Album Thoughts(J-pop)

 

   Ayumu Imazu is a solo singer that got his start singing covers of American songs on Youtube. He was noticed by Jpop idol group Exile Tribe, where he became a trainee under their label. Th plan was to put he in one of the Exile sub branch groups since Ayumu was such a good dancer and vocalist. However, Ayumu decided to leave the label to become a solo artist.  He's now signed under A-sketch label where he has released a mini album and multiple singles online before the release of his first full length album titled; Pixel. 

Tracklist:
1. Tangerine
2. Juice
3. Over You
4. Butterfly
5. Problem
6. ACCHI KOCCHI
7. 薔薇色の夜
8. Unpredictable
9. Stranger
10. 破片
11. Colors

   Listeners will defiantly be able to tell that Ayumu is a dancer, as Pixel is an album that eases into a certain grove, then just stays that way all throughout the album. From the addictive horns in the intro to "Tangerine" or the radio electric dance pop production of "Over You", Pixel flows into itself as a whole body of work. It's something that I haven't heard a male Japanese artists do in a very long time. I enjoyed how all the upbeat tracks contained dance breaks where Ayumu hyping not only himself up in the background but also the listener as the beat layers back into the tracks chorus on final time. Even the slower tracks feel just right as a bit variety to the album. Ayumu sings sweetly in this songs like a young boy who ha found love for the first time. Some moments in the album also stand out as experimental such as the pop rock number, "Stranger". The suddenness of the beat as it slowly builds behind his vocals before coming to an explosive point in the chorus hits perfectly. That guitar solo is just sick... and I could see him dancing during the live performance. Pixel never had a dull moment in my opinion. Ayumu imazu knew what he wanted this album to be. His vision was a good one indeed. 

    Ayumu Imazu has a boy scout sort of voice that has a hint of spiciness too. I believe it's just the tonality in is vocals that give him enough maturity when needed and enough of a sweet cotton candy sound when he wants to sound young. He's a very Jpop ish sort of singer that sounds like himself, while using singing techniques that he most likely learned from training under Exile. There's nothing wrong with using what you learned from one of the biggest boybands to come out of Japan... Not at all. 

    I would say to give his album a listen because its good. He outdid himself compared to his other mini albums, that I though are middle ground at best. I'm excited to see his career continue to take off.