JASMINE / 1st album "GOLD"

Grade: A

"GOLD" is the debut album from upcoming J-R&B singer, JASMINE. It was released on July 21st, 2010 and reached a peak position on the Oricon chart of #3. JASMINE has been described by some as the next Utada Hikaru and cites Utada as one of her major influences herself. The album begins with a powerful, piano backed, intro called PRIDE. Thoughts after hearing PRIDE are that this album is definitely going to be a good one.

The first full track on the album, sad to say, also serves as JASMINE's first single. It's a light, R&B ballad that is definitely reminiscent of the sounds of Utada Hikaru's first two albums (making one understand the description of JASMINE as the next Utada.) sad to say has a catchy chorus which makes use of some English lyrics, something not at all unfamiliar in the J-Pop world. The piano in this track is quite simple, but also very attention grabbing. Not to mention the fact that it accents JASMINE's voice very well. The combination of PRIDE and sad to say are definitely a solid way to start off this album.

With the third track, L.I.P.S. (the b-side on the Dreamin' single), "GOLD" starts to take a turn for the more upbeat, and JASMINE sings that she wants you to "to kiss my L.I.P.S." While some fans were upset that this b-side was included on the final tracklist for the album, I'm glad because L.I.P.S. is definitely a really fun, danceable track with a wonderful bridge that features JASMINE rapping and verses that showcase her vocal range. Following L.I.P.S. is the fourth track and fourth single, JEALOUS. This heavy, R&B song is definitely one of the most standout tracks on the album (my personal favorite.) JEALOUS is unique because while clearly an R&B song, it also features a lot of influence from traditional Japanese enka, music (something not too common in the J-Pop world.) If JEALOUS doesn't get stuck in your head, I might have to say that you're a bit unimpressionable. Jealous is so dangerous / Jealous is so scandalous.

"GOLD" keeps trucking along with the mid-tempo ballad, Bad Girl. If you ask me, this is one of those tracks on the album that is just lacking something. Don't get me wrong, it's a good song, I just think it could use a stronger chorus. Bad Girl is unique for JASMINE because it's her only ballad that features noticeable elements of rock. Next, another mid-tempo ballad, dear my friend. In an interview, JASMINE stated that she wrote this song for a friend who helped pull her out of a depression where she contemplated suicide. With that in mind, dear my friend becomes even sweeter than it sounded at first listen. It's definitely a song that one could dedicate to a close friend, earning itself a fitting title.

With stage ~interlude~ we roughly reach the half-way point of the album and the listener (or reviewer) isn't even close to bored. stage ~interlude~ does an absolutely wonderful job opening for THIS IS NOT A GAME (JASMINE's third single.) The latter even starts with the same lyric that the prior ends with; This is my stage. THIS IS NOT A GAME is another one of the standout tracks from "GOLD." For some reason, I'm reminded of a combination of Utada Hikaru's Automatic and Movin' On Without You here, but with JASMINE's more modern R&B sound's twist. Just like JEALOUS, this song is unimaginably catchy and will make you want to play it on repeat, for sure.

The next track, CLUBBIN", keeps the spunky feel of THIS IS NOT A GAME and reminds me vaguely of the classic American song, I Love Rock'n'Roll. CLUBBIN" was the b-side to JASMINE's second single, No More. CLUBBIN" is followed up by 恋 which can only be described as an alluring rhythmic tune. One can imagine sirens singing 恋 if sirens had inhabited Neo-Tokyo instead of ancient Greece.

what you want? comes next and is the only other song besides Bad Girl that I felt to be a tad-bit underwhelming. I think the problem with song is really just the arrangement. It feels a little bit dated and little to jazzy when compared with the rest of "GOLD." No More, the lead track on JASMINE's second single, directly follows what you want? and totally makes up for the lack of quality of its predecessor. No More is an awesome power ballad, again accented with a simple piano melody. In No More, jazz elements can also be felt so it makes sense that it follows what you want? in the tracklist, but by contrast it really works on this track. Another standout.

The end of the album arrives with Dreamin', the next to last track and the last of the singles (JASMINE's 5th.) Dreamin' is a wonderful ballad that showcases JASMINE's vocal quality wonderfully. The first part of the track is backed by nothing but piano but as the second half arrives more and more orchestral elements flow in and eventually JASMINE's backed-up by a full choir. Definitely an extremely powerful song. "GOLD" ends with a track called Why and leaves me thinking "Why is this album over?!" When listening to "GOLD" from start to end, Why might feel a bit underwhelming because, well, it's kind of hard to follow what already felt like the perfect ending that was Dreamin'. Standing alone though, Why, is another good track and a nice, mellow way to close this album.

Overall, I'd say this is a stellar debut for JASMINE and I hope to see and hear a lot more from her in the future! Here's to hoping she can live up to the title "the next Utada Hikaru!" I think if anyone can, it's definitely JASMINE.

This was my first review, so if you liked it, please leave a comment! And please keep coming back!