Sounds Like Korea: CHEMISTRY’s “Koisuru Yuki Aisuru Sora” Single (Review)

It’s been a pretty cold month (even in San Diego!). Fortunately, CHEMISTRY has this winter season covered with their single, “Koisuru Yuki Aisuru Sora.” The popular J-pop/RNB duo released this one at the end of 2008 specifically as a “winter ballad,” and it’s quite effective even outside the context of winter. It actually reminds me of one of my favorite tracks from one of my favorite MMORPGs that happens to be from Korea… can you guess what it is?

Anyway, while “Koisuru yuki Aisura Sora” is the star here, the single also features the sweet and playful “キスからはじめよう” (KISS Kara Hajimeyou) along with “less vocal” versions of both tracks. Given the stellar music featured in “Koisuru Yuki Aisuru Sora” I was actually happy about the “less vocal” version for once, but more about that later!

Read our review of the “Koisuru Yuki Aisuru Sora” single after the jump.

The title track starts things off with an amazingly sticky sweet belltone melody alongside guitars and some snappy RNB percussion that had me thinking “Prontera Theme” from Ragnarok Online right from the start. Fortunately my first impressions stuck around, as synth arpeggios featured throughout keep up the synthy feel of the piece. And hey, the vocals aren’t bad either, with some great harmonies and great range, but that’s what we’ve come to expect from CHEMISTRY. Of course I prefer the regular version with vocals, but the music is so good that it’s nice to have the “less vocal” version as well.

The second track, “KISS Kara Hajimeyou” emphasizes singing style. The music is fairly minimalistic with simple piano and guitar melodies that play their proper role as accompaniments to the angelic vocals. The vocals are littered with pitch-bends, vibrato, and an impressive range that lend this upbeat track something memorable.

I guess it’s no surprise that “Koisuru Yuki Aisuru Sora” sounds like a Korean production to me, as CHEMISTRY is also known there for their collaborations with several artists from Korea. The packaging features the two wandering around in the snow at night, and I must say that Kaname Kawabata’s red plaid cape and matching red hat are pretty amazing. Overall, this is a solid effort from the two, and another great release from DefSTAR Records. Head over to CD Japan or Play Asia to pick up a copy if you’re interested!

Do you have a favorite release from CHEMISTRY? Do you wish you could look as cool wearing a plaid cape?