Not since “Shijun no Zankoku” (The Purest Cruelty), the ED for the yuri series Venus Versus Virus, has Yousei Teikoku moved me this much with a song. Admittedly I have not listened to more of their singles or albums than I would have wanted since then either, but “one” is definitely on the same level, perhaps even higher, than Shijun no Zankoku was, as a song.
one is the OP theme song for the recently released PSP game, Queen’s Blade: Spiral Chaos, and in its single was also included the ED theme song for the same game, Gekkakou. However, after listening to one, Gekkakou clearly failed to impress and thus is it not mentioned here in this post.
According to Wiki’s article (I know it is not a good source as information, but it is the closest thing I have to a source) on Yousei Teikoku, their music is produced in the electro and classical genres, meaning they combine both perhaps. Certainly, in what might seem to be a revival of the relationship between spiritual fairy realm and human empire, their music is out of the ordinary and unique, to say the least. I always liked the electro part of their music though, and Itsuki Yui’s voice is well suited to their music type, IMHO.
one is a more upbeat and highly-strung piece than their usual works (if that is even possible) and the rhythm is fast-paced throughout the song. Far as I can gather from the lyrics, it clearly sings of the fight and its requirements to become the “one” (as the Queen’s Blade tournament is all about anyway), and getting Yousei Teikoku to sing the OP was a good move considering their music type and the similarity of Queen’s Blade supposed “action”. I believe Spiral Chaos is a fighting game anyway (someone needs to tell me).
I am clearly impressed by “one”; it is a song that transcends the normal electronic music that I might be used to, and yet sung with breath that one (excuse the pun) will not easily find in other singers of the same genre. one remains one of the songs (unavoidable pun is unavoidable) that is most played right now in my music player, and I suggest that you give it a listen. You might just end up liking it, maybe not as much as I do, but you just might…or rather, one just might.
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Ironically, ever since their signing to Lantis for their first album, “Gothic Lolita Propaganda,” I have lots of tracks under them; I still loop them in my listening playlist.
There’s nothing ordinary about them (in fact, their “classical electro” fusion is probably done to death by other bands such as Versaille), yet the mood in their music invokes a certain fantastical charm that only a few people can appreciate. It’s an acquired taste, so really their music is only for those who have been following them since their indie days or really are into their music style.
I’m definitely am going to take ‘one’ for a listening spiel, although I much prefer an album.
TP´s last blog…TP’s Inferno (Trip to KL)
This is certainly a name that I haven’t heard of in a while. Besides VVV, I think they also did an insert song for Ga-Rei Zero.
I really liked their music, so I think I’ll give this a listen.
Yi´s last blog…The Horror World of Junji Ito
This is probably the first Yousei Teikoku song I’ve really liked. However, I’ve continued to enjoy their music more and more with each release, at least from 2008 onwards.
Their sound isn’t typically the same Jpop I listen to, but I admit it’s unique to me (haven’t heard the similar bands).
TP: Since I am never into albums as I am usually not into individual artistes or bands, I prefer singles like that. There are good and bad songs by every singer or band out there and I only usually like the songs individually, not everything by the singer or band.
Yi: They also did ED of Kurokami in 2008, and had another song last year I believe, that was related to anime.
Shadow: Their music is definitely not J-pop, they are classed as electro gothic or something to that effect. J-pop is rather…common.