The Koda Kumi Rate: PART IV. All things come to an end, WINNER announced

Which short track / interlude if your favorite / deserves a full version?

  • Introduction ~WALK OF MY LIFE~

    Votes: 6 75.0%

  • Interlude ~Dance~

    Votes: 1 12.5%

  • Introduction ~My music is designed from my DNA~

    Votes: 1 12.5%
  • Total voters
    8
RUNAWAY

RUNAWAY

Staff member
he/him
V3RYP05H said:
I loathe the chorus to this so much. I think it really sours an overall great song.

I love the drama of it all and how it builds, I love the way she sings the verses and prechorus and then.... that chorus... comes like a slap in the face. I’m just taken out of the whole ass mood I was in and am just waiting for the chorus to be over.
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....ANYWAY. I believe this is the first time my eleven has actually done well in a Kumi rate since Chase all the way back in part 1, and I'm so beyond proud of this song getting to the top 10. I thought you guys would destroy it for being partially a ballad (it's on the WINTER OF LOVE ballad album) but it's nice to see taste prevail! I have absolutely no idea what could win now though. I guess we'll see.
 
evilsin

evilsin

I feel you closing in on me, baby








































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9
Like It

Average: 8,71
Highest scorers: 11x1 (@me!), 10x1 (@lalaclairi_), 9,5x1 (@otenkiame)
Lowest scorers: 7,5x3 (@Remorque, @RUNAWAY, @Ana Raquel), 8x2 (@Weslicious, @mi|kshake)
My score: ISSA 11!​

Look at that distasteful lack of 10s! Churls! Produced by Fredrik"Fredro"Odesjo (Tohoshinki's "Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattan Darou?") and written by him, Jared Cotter (Top 24 semi-finalist on the 6th season of American Idol, worked on Jay Sean's "Down feat. Lil' Wayne"), Negin Djafari ("LAST ANGEL", "Physical Thing"), Piox Pirovano (oh look, "You can keep up with me" wasn't their sole credit) and Kumi, the track is officially the best one on "WALK OF MY LIFE". It was used for promotion by receiving a music video, which can as well be mistaken for a sportswear commercial. I have to say that the dance is so perfect for this.

And speaking of perfect, this is perfect. I couldn't stop listening to this when it only just came out back in the day. It's a throwback to Kumi's earlier more R'n'B leaning sound spliced with the quirks of the current trends. It's like a "Kumi 2.0" upgrade to an already amazing fomula. The minimalistic approach for this one was a strong choice considering how every single sound in the arrangement is so poignant and to the point. I can never get enough of the synth. It's like a balloon squeeze, but less annoying and cuter. It's unique enough to add to the track's memorability and it's not overused. It's perfect. The other flavorful element is the latin tinged fanfares that announce Kumi's arrival at the pre-chorus. It's perfect. The beat going in only in the crucial moments is such a nice touch. It's perfect as well. Then we have the gorgeous melodies in all the part of the song. They are perfect. Moreover Kumi's delivery is superb, subtle and seductive. She is a music chameleon, but I always thought that her vocals suit the R'n'B genre the best. Hence why they are perfect. In conclusion I hope that you discerned that this track is indeed perfect. I wish my 11 went all the way, but I got that wish fulfilled in Part III, so I'm just very pleased that it went Top10.​

Basically me everytime this plays.
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​
I think this is about the guy liking Kumi or something.

I know you want me
<the way you're looking>
I'm gonna mislead you
<you don't even know>
I'm fantastic, I know
<wait a minute>
It's the typical case
This is your lead and pace
(c) @otenkiame

Whew, have I mentioned that the lyrics are also perfect?

@Cutlery (8,5) also felt the throwback feeling, "This is great. I love the interpolation, and the chorus beat is so infectious. She gives us classic Kuu attitude/sensuality in it" Interpolation of what though?

@Music Is Death (9) selective hearing didn't let him enjoy this to the fullest, "The verse melody is really nice and I like her voice, but the backing “ha ha ha ha” or whatever takes away from it all. The chorus is fun, but I feel like that backing noise is just an annoying element the song didn’t need." See, I think the arragnement and mastering are so perfect, that they don't distract. I actually forgot about those "ha"'s until you mentioned them.

@Yeziirl (9) finally taught me something, "I like it how each part of the song is cohesive with each other and that most verses are short so you are not falling asleep to some snooze fest. Tho it is a little repetitive, I still LIKE IT! Additional props to the dance routine by Riehata, that was dope!" Don't know who that is, but I didn't know she did the choreo.

And @otenkiame (9,5) wanted more of this, "This track is way too short! It's such an urban bop that I want it to keep going on. I mean, yes to those Spanish trumpets; they are where it's at, but I wish they'd been used more. Still, this track is hot and just up my alley with that heavy bass (no surprise)." I think it's perfect hehe for playin on loop, which I practice religiously.​

This is criminally underperformed live. We only got like one TV performance and one during the "WALK OF MY LIFE" tour. Sad.

Jesus, the quality.​
 
evilsin

evilsin

Yeziirl

Yeziirl

Damn, Like It NEEDS to be performed more! And for me it was also one of the songs which I went “eh?” At first but consequently loved it.

Also I have never seen that live performance, she looks snatched! I think Walk of my life/EXTAPE era was the best for Kumi in terms of looks and styling!
 
mi|kshake

mi|kshake

Like It is one of my favourite PVs of hers from the current era. Outfit, check, choreography, check! One of the best songs from Walk of my Life too (which I maintain should have been a 5 track mini album!)
 
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evilsin

evilsin

hitokoto ii?








































Only 3 likes on the "Like It" elimination?
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8
IT'S MY LIFE

Average: 8,75
Highest scorers: 11x1 (@mi|kshake), 10x4 (@RUNAWAY, @Ana Raquel, @Music Is Death and @me!), 9,5x1 (@Yeziirl)
Lowest scorers: 7x3 (@Remorque, @Sprockrooster, @Weslicious), 7,5x2 (@cookiedough, @Cutlery)
My score: lookie above​

And that's it for "AND"! Produced by Fujimoto Kazunori (Aoyama Thelma's "OH BABY Koishitetai") and written by Kumi, the track appeared on the album as its closing one. Surprisingly, it wasn't a ballad, oh, it wasn't a ballad at all.

I'm very happy with this being the last one from "AND". The album is pretty special to me, since I managed to attend the accompanying tour for it and let me tell you, whoever made the decision to start the show with this song deserves a raise. The way she walked up on stage to those piano riffs and made me realize that she is indeed a living breathing person... I will never forget that moment. And speaking of that piano, I always thought that if a piano keys could kill, they would sound just like that. The sinister vibe is underniable and alluring as fuck. And the trip-hop beat and elements coupled with the aforementioned piano work wonders. On top of that we have a stellar vocal performance from Kumi, which might not be as exciting, but still brings a lot of attitude to the song. No wonder this is the best track on the album.

The message of the song is simple - Kuu just wants to live her life.​

When I was completely at ease
suddenly the blades were swinging
Confidence is a brief thing
Momentary negligence isn't allowed either
Life can't be foreseen
Life is something to cut through
Hey, I don't think it's still to early
I don't want to be told "It's kinda late" by complete strangers
(c) @otenkiame

People should learn to just sit there and eat their food, really.

@Cutlery (7,5) is bound for a round of sharpening, "It's nice enough. I appreciate the low scale piano." You're getting dull, hun.

@otenkiame's (9) commentary, "That piano riff coupled with the high-hats have got me all kinds of happy! It's so dark/mysterious and foreboding - not exactly what I'd expect from her, but totally welcome. I think I'm quite a fan of how there's more focus on the beats after each chorus. Plus, I really dig what she's singing about." Me to this commentary:
​


Turn your location on, @Yeziirl (9,5), "Great epic finisher to an overall good album, tho it does feel like all those AND tracks are just good rejects of previous albums and she kinda scraped all of them in the last moment because she was very lazy to produce something new and, you know, avex probably said “Kumi here is your 5 yen allowance for your next album/tour/singles/outfits/promotions, use them wisely and don’t ask for more!”" I JUST WANNA TALK! I know the location, actually, dddd.

@RUNAWAY (10) is curt, "This quickly became one of my favorite Kumi tracks EVER. I just love everything about this song." I'll take it.

@Ana Raquel (10) would love two 11s, pleas and thank you, "I was about to give this my 11, but then my actual 11 existed in the end. i seem to like songs called it's my life though? good pattern" If only.

Not comment from @mi|kshake, but she probably love this very very much.​


So far this has only been performed during the "AND" fanclub tour, which is a crime.
​
 
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mi|kshake

mi|kshake

Noooo! It's probably no secret that I'm a huge fan of the "current" era (being Walk of My Life onwards) but this song makes it all worth it! More of this please Kumi!
 
evilsin

evilsin

I know that, I know that, I know that
I don't know






































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7
Bassline

Average: 8,86
Highest scorers: 10x5 (@Remorque, @V3RYP05H, @Music Is Death, @otenkiame, @Yeziirl), 9,5x1 (@Sprockrooster)
Lowest scorers: 7x2 (@mi|kshake, @Weslicious), 8x3 (@lalaclairi_, @Ana Raquel, @RUNAWAY)
My score: 8,5​

Now "outside", "DNA" and "extras" all have 2 tracks left, intriguing! Produced by the people of DSign Music (Anne Judith Wik, Che Pope, Claus Holm, Nermin Harambasic, Ronny Svendsen), who also worked on "insane", for instance, and written by them and Kumi, the track appeared on the album as a newer track and it's the only song that didn't have an 11 in the Top10. It also got a music video to go with it, where Kuu looked sultry in a wide-brimmed hat and did a dance with the mic stand.

It's a little scorching number, isn't? I think of it as a bit of a spiritual successor to "feel". Only this one is naughtier and raunchier, while the other one was more on the sensual side. The atmosphere for this one is superb and I appreciate the verses. I wish that the chorus was an actual chorus and not, you know, a sax break. I'm generally a fan of the saxophone, here it's a tad on a screechy side though. Still in the end, Kumi's delivery is what sells the track for me. The little rapping part was also a lot of fun, as it definitely broght variety to the whole thing.

Fans have speculated that this one is about anal sex. I guess "Like It" kinda could have been as well if you look at the lyrics.​

Back's the beginning
A really good taste
After I taste you, still so much more bass
Redden my cheeks
A sinful cherry
Tasting a mouthful
screaming out my name
(c) @otenkiame

No treble.

@Cutlery (9) thought that the song had to be bake in the oven a little bit more, "Such an uncomplicated but sultry jam with the looped sample and all. And she sounds really into it." She really does, though.

@Yeziirl (10) is about to light a candle and sway, "thotty, sultry. Music video was also pretty good, but kinda underwhelming, thanks to the tight budget I guess, or maybe she did try to go minimalistic on it? Anyway this is a very chill piece of art! Bridges really make this song amazing with percussion and sensuality! Also another amazing rap break, wig off! (Queen of rhyming waistline with bedtime)" Also with, you know, "bassline", dddd.

Looks like @otenkiame (10) absolutely adores this one, "There's that sax that I absolutely love. A super sexy track that really gets me in the mood. The lyrics, Kuu's seductive vocals, and then the drop with the sax. God, makes me want to just get all kinda dirty. And the way the song builds up to the hooks? So freaking good. The "whoa" bits are perfection. Oh, and Kuu's rap? She sounds amazing! She totally went there and killed it." Nah, only likes it.​

When it comes to the live performances, Kumi did one for this during the "W FACE" tour. She also brought it back for the "MY NAME IS..." tour.
​
 
evilsin

evilsin

Bring it, bring it on, bitch!






































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5a
HUSH

Average: 8,93
Highest scorers: 11x1 (@cookiedough), 10x1 (@lalaclairi_), 9,5x4 (@Yeziirl, @otenkiame, @RUNAWAY, @Music Is Death)
Lowest scorers: 7x2 (@Sprockrooster, @V3RYP05H), 8x1 (@mi|kshake)
My score: 8,5​

And y'all probably thought we were done with the ties! "HOT HOT" is now the only one holding the fort that is "DNA". Produced by Albin Nordqvist (HINAPIA's "DRIP" R.I.P.) and Louise Frick Sveen (TWICE's "TURN IT UP") and written by Kumi and TEEDA of BACK-ON, the track was first released as 61st single and then later appeared on "DNA". Naturally, as most singles do, this one got a music video where Kumi mostly dances with drawn-on post-production effects.

This one is fun, isn't it? It's a very nice completely realized song that is constantly growing on me. This means that at the time of scoring I only gave it an 8 and a half to this majestic peace of music. Now I would probably give it at least a 9. I love how the track changes all the time and Kumi reflects that with her different delivery. It's very dynamic like that and you never get bored of this in the result. The weird wind-up synth that starts the song and goes through the majority of it is very cute and unusual making it a distinguishing feature of the track. The high cowbell in the beat is also to my liking as most cowbells are, dddd. And of course the horn-filled instrumental is a nice touch considering how the track has this urban feel to it.

It's funny how Kuu decided to title this "HUSH", when all she do is sing about fire.​

Won't make it in time just doing it softly
Blow up ya mind with my hard swag, right?
I got no time to be messin' around
All you sourpusses envious
Hey, mom's boy, playing with fire's no good
But we've played with it, so watcha say, huh?
(c) @otenkiame

Guess we have to say quite about our arson-y tendencies.

Cue some nit-picking from, @Yeziirl (9,5), "I think intro was unnecessary cause it kinda drags for no reason. Also it’s a bit underwhelming after the chorus, cause the melody just disappears and you are left with bass farts. Bridge and rap part are the highlights of this song for me. It is very naughty track and yasss for swearing Kumi!" I like it, dddd.

It's on almost perfect track for @otenkiame (9,5), "This song got me so excited for Kuu's "AND/DNA" albums. Love the heavy bass during the opening so so so much! So freakin' cool. And then the verses come in with some slight horn-like sound that gets me all excited. The rap pre-chorus builds up so well too!!! Though the choruses end up being just slightly less satisfying than I'd hoped, this song really does bring the fire!" It does leave a bit of a scorch mark on my bottom, yes.

And a rare comment from @cookiedough (11) explains they choice of an 11, "An absolute bop. This song rekindled my love for Koda Kumi" Happy to hear about the rekindling!​

Performance wise this is a bit of a forgotten tune, since it only got some on TV and then during the "DNA" tour.


Stumbled onto this mash-up as well, where the drop is pretty satisfying.
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