Aimer(エメ) - Daydream Album Thoughts(J-Rock)

Tracklist:

1. insane dream
2. ninelie with chelly (EGOIST)
3. twoface
4. Higher Ground
5. for ロンリー with 阿部真央
6. 蝶々結び
7. カタオモイ
8. Hz
9. 声色
10. closer
11. Falling Alone
12. us
13. Stars in the rain

     THE ROCK QUEEN OF ANIME ROCK THEME SONGS IS BACK WITH HER FOURTH ALBUM!!!! whew...... ok ok ok! I was out of breath there but i'll be alright because Aimer is one of my favorite female singers right now. She's been releasing amazing single after great single that I knew this album was going to be epic. So epic that I would have to sit down in a chair to keep from falling over. 

     Aimer has hired a bunch of other Japanese artists to help her with the creation of "Day Dream". Some artists I saw it coming. Such as One Ok Rock's frontman Taka, who has expressed great interest in Aimer after the release of her last album "Dawn".  Others were a surprise because Aimer is getting huge in Japan right now and you think she would work with only A list artists.(One Ok Rock and Rabwimps are headlining acts but yeah...) Aimer's vision must be foremost in her mind.

       "Day Dream" contains four new tracks along with previously released singles and a track contained on a single. Aimer's albums are known for their dream like artists themes only she can produce. If you look at each of her album covers, you will see different set themes that range from landscapes to abstract images. Her album titles all also relate to the process of sleeping and waking up. For example: Sleepless Nights, Midnight Sun, Dawn, Daydream etc. She's a musical artists that likes to express emotion with imagery. Not one of her music videos has ever had her in it until recently.  Knowing all of this about Aimer, I couldn't help but wonder what direction she would go with her next album.  The direction is  a lively road that sends damage to everything that gets in the way. "Insane Dream" is the baby that was born from Taka and Aimer jumping on the mic together. An American listener might think of the song "Bring Me To Life" by rock band Evanescence when listening to "Insane Dream". The melody for both tracks are different but the vocal pattern of Aimer and Taka during the chorus puts me in mind of the classic hit rock jam. Taka brings a edge to the song with his screams that Aimer couldn't do by herself. She does help bring a dark vide with her mid tonal deep range. "Twoface" is Aimer entering into puck rock territory with high energy guitars and a touch of Aimer's signature piano playing in the background. A new risk was taken with this album as Aimer worked with such fierce bands who are defiant and bold. An aspect of each artist is present in each track. I could tell you who produced what track without looking just based on how the track sounds. She allowed a change to take place with her music while keeping bits and pieces she felt would work well with her new sound. The qualities she's know for are her ability to create solid beautiful melodies no matter if the style is rock, ballad, or Jazz. Daydream is a lot more hard hitting than her other three albums and I'm I'm not complaining. I did kinda of miss Jazz Aimer that seemed to appear in the mist of her other albums. Jazzy her didn't make the cut this time but instead you get ballads and mid tempo songs that are in noway boring. In fact, She shines the most during her calm moments where she regroups and goes all out again. The track "HZ" was the closest we get to a Jazz number and this is still different for Aimer. Its more jumping up in the air fun than sitting down lounging and drinking coffee. TK from the band Ling Tosite Sigure( He did the opening theme for the anime Tokyo Ghoul season one.) produced "Us" for Aimer and this was the biggest shocker collaboration for me. TK and Aimer always seemed to be in different worlds so to see that they would be working together was a real treat. "Us" is a Tk song from beginning to end. The part where she starts to sing/ chant sounds like "Unravel". TK would be singing "Us" if Aimer wasn't. The key it goes in is totally TK's range because his vocals are high but Aimer proved that she had the vocal chops. "Falling Alone" was produced by Taka. I could say with confidence that this is the best track on the whole album. I loved it when it was released as a digital single and I love it even more as apart of "Daydream". Taka produced the perfect song for Aimer. It sounds like it would be put in a series with her other songs like "Brave Shine", "StarRing Child", "Last Stardust" etc. Its so hard hitting but calm in all the right places. 

          Aimer's voice is like a half burnt waffle that still taste good even though its burnt. The voice consist of a deepness but not too deep that you can't tell that its a female. I heard she had vocal issues in the past and thats why her voice has that unique tone quality. She sings in a very controlled manner and sometimes if she holds a note too long, a charming shaky vibrato comes out. The high part of her voice is where all those pretty sounds come from. Each album seems to show improvement in range compared to where she began. another quick thing that I noticed is recently she uses mostly male background singers. She already as a stand alone type of voice but hearing a man sing behind her seals the deal. "蝶々結び"has a duet toward the end with a male singer that was a surprise at first listen along with the tempo change. Loved every bit of what I heard. "カタオモイ" is also another track that is harmony city. Gosh, this girl is too talented. 

       My only dislike about the album was Aimer's English Pronunciation. She sounds very clear at times and I understand what she's saying then at other times I have no idea what she's saying. I don't like when people say the term "Engerish" because its rude and you have to understand that English is not always a person's first language. But if your going to sing in English, Your pronunciation should be good enough that a native speaker can understand what the song's lyrics are. Japanese people love English so they don't care if they can understand what she's singing about or not. I'm just nitpicking a little bit. She sound really good during songs like "Closer" and I love that she's going for of more bilingual sound.(If she actually speaks or is learning English that is.)

"Daydream" can't be anymore solid than this. Aimer continues to show that she never disappoints. I hope she keeps this streak up! Does anyone else know what she looks like? I have a mental image from the pictures that I've seen but she seems to be more mysterious than anything.