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New album out 3 December, 2014! Really enjoying their lyrics (though really, that Superhero thing…). Romanji here, English under the cut as usual. Got it from here.

Nakidashi sō na machi o se ni
TV no nyūsu de wa
atarashii seimei no tanjō o
minna ga iwai waratteru
konna kaze ni boku datte
umarekawaretara to omotteru

yarinaosu koto mo
Kuririkaesu koto mo
kantan janai kara

sukoshi nayande iru keredo
ashita wa umaku yarerutte
seimei no tanjō
kokoro no dokoka de omotteru

sutoppu deki nakara shinchō ni imēji shite asa o matsu

me o akere ba atarashii boku ga iru
ima kara nandatte egaite ikeru
hakinareta kutsu de itsumo yori keikai ni
fumidaseba nani demo tobikoerareru

imēji shita risō wa genjitsu yori muzukashii ga
itsu datte atarashii sutoppu wa kireru

naganen kie nai nayami goto
chīsana koro mi ni tsuita kuse
butsuketa kioku mo nai no ni dekita aza mo
kizukeba issho ni ikite kitanda
kyō ga subarashii to ienai tadda ichinichi tatoshite mo

mada mi nu ashita ni arāmu o setto shite
namida o gutto kotaete yume o miyou
tsuki ya hoshi wa kumo ni ooware te mo
kawara zu ni kono machi o terashitsuzukeru kara

mezashiteita mirai ga ima to chigatteite mo
daijōbu donna basho e mo mada jiyū ni ikeru

ima made no jibun o shinjite imēji shite asa o matsu
me o akereba atarashii boku ga iru
ima kara nan datte egaite ikeru
hakinareta kutsu de itsumo yori keikai ni
fumidase ba nani demo tobikoerareru
imēji shita risō ga genjitsu o nurikaete iku
itsu datte atarashii sutoppu wa kireru

~~~~

In the back of a town that seems on the verge of tears
On the news on TV
Everyone is laughing and congratulating
The birthday of a new life
And like them, even I’m
Thinking of how it’ll be like if I were to be reborn
The things I’d do over
The things I’d repeat in the same way
It’s not easy so
I’m a bit troubled but
I tell myself I’ll do well tomorrow
The birthday of a new life
I’m thinking somewhere in my heart
Since I can’t stop I’ll continue carefully, as I wait for the morning that I imagine
When I open my eyes, there’s a new me
From this moment on I can depict anything I want
The shoes I’ve had experience putting on, I put them on and
If I take more steps than I usually do I can overcome it all
The ideal I’ve imagined is even harder than reality but
New stops always break through long years of unending worries
The habits I’ve gotten used to since I was little
I have no memories of them but when I notice my birthmarks
I know we’ve come this far living together
Even if we can’t say today if a wonderful day, and just appreciate the day for what it is
We’ll set an alarm for the tomorrow we can’t see, firmly bear our tears and dream.
Even if the moon and the stars are covered by the clouds, they’ll still like always, continue to shine on the town
Even if the future we were pointing to is different now, It’s alright
Whatever place it may be, we can still freely go there
I’ll believe in the me I was until now and wait for the future I imagine
When I open my eyes, there’s a new me
From this moment on I can depict anything I want
The shoes I’ve had experience putting on, I put them on and
If I take more steps than I usually do I can overcome it all
The ideal I’ve imagined is even harder than reality but
I always through new stops.

Original entry as appearing at Ink to Screen.

There are a few songs that will always remain close to my heart. Not because of their popularity, but because they came at a time when I needed it the most. Oddly enough, I’m usually captured first by their rhythm and emotion, then only by words (this is where having a lot of people translate a song you love comes in handy).

God Knows by Aya Hirano reminds me of the time I broke up with my ex. For a long time when I heard that song, I’d resonate with: yamete uso wa anatara shikunai yo (Stop it, it’s not like you to lie) but as time went by, I was drawn instead to yowasa yue ni tamashii kowasareru you ni (My weakness will not shatter my spirit).

It came into my life at a time when I sorely needed it. The breakup took a toll on me emotionally, spiritually and in some ways, physically. I had awesome friends who helped me through it, but I wasn’t quite the same. God Knows became an anthem of sorts, a song I’d scream my heart out when I was depressed or alone.

Yui’s Again was another song that hit close to my heart. For one, there was that depressing anime series called “Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood” that was nothing but owowowowow hit me in the heart again why don’t you but what resonated with me the most was Kaeru basho mo nai no, which translates to “I have no home to go to.” Which fucking hurt because I just lost my grandmother. It was an outlet to my heart, emotions. And gave me a place to hold on when I had long drives home.

Years go by, and whenever a song comes up and holds me by the heart and doesn’t let go, I know it’s usually a sign that something’s coming. It’s been a long time coming, but I think the next one might just be One Ok Rock’s “The Beginning.” The reason’s simple:

Just give me a reason
To keep my heart beating
Don’t worry, it’s safe right here in my arms.

At least I have good warning with this one. With that, good night.

Original entry as appearing at Ink to Screen.

This remains one of my favourite Vocaloid songs, if only because the lyrics describe how I feel about my words, or what I think my words would mean. Here, have a video:

Source here.
Romanji:
Itsu datte kimi wa kiraware-mono da
Yaru koto nasu koto Tsui tenakute
ageku ni ame ni furare
Okiniiri no kasa wa kaze de tonde tte
Soko no nora wa gokurō-sama to ashi o fundzuke tetta

Itsumo dōri kimi wa kirawa re monoda
Nani ni mo sezutomo tōzake rarete doryoku o shite mirukedo
Sono riyū nante `nantonaku?’ De
Kimi wa tohō ni kurete kanashin deta

Nara atashi no koe o tsukaeba ī yo
hito ni yotte wa rikai funōde
Nante mimizawari, hidoi koe datte iwa rerukedo
Kitto kimi no chikara ni nareru
dakara atashi o utawa sete mite
Sō kimi no kimidake no kotobade sa

Tsudzutte tsuranete
atashi ga sono kotoba o sakebukara
Egaite risō o sono omoi wa darenimo fure sasenai

Garakuta no koe wa soshite hibiku
arinomama o bukiyō ni tsunaide
Seiippai ni dai koewoageru

Itsu kara ka kimi wa ninki-mono da
Takusan no hito ni motehayasare atashi mo hanagatakai
Demo itsu kara ka kimi wa kawatta
Tsumetaku nattedakedo sabishi-sōdatta

Mō kikai no koe nante takusanda
boku wa boku jishin’na nda yotte
Tsuini kimi wa osae kirenaku natte
atashi o kiratta
Kimi no ushiro de dareka ga iu
`toranoiwokarukitsune no kuse ni’ tte
Kimi wa hitori de naitetan da ne

Kikoeru? Kono-koe
atashi ga sono kotoba o kaki kesukara
Wakatteru hontō wa kimi ga
dare yori yasashi itte koto o

Garakuta no koe wa soshite utatta
Hoka no dare demonai kiminotameni
Kishinde ku genkai o koete

Futari wa don’nani takusan no
kotoba o omoitsuita kotodarou
Dakedo ima wa nan hitotsu omoitsukanakute
dakedo nanimokamo wakatta
`Sō ka, kitto kore wa yumeda.
Eien ni samenai, kimi to aeta, son’na yume’

Garakuta wa shiawase-sōna egao o shita mama
dore dake yon demo mō ugokanai
Nozonda hazu no ketsumatsu ni
kimi wa nakisakebu usodaro usodaro tte
sō nakisakebu

`Boku wa muryokuda.
Garakuta hitotsu datte sukueyashinai’
Omoi wa namida ni potsuripotsuri to sono hoho o nurasu

Sonotoki sekai wa totan ni sono-iro o ōkiku kaeru
Kanashimi yorokobi subetewo hitori to hitotsu wa shitta
Kotoba wa uta ni nari kono sekai o
futatabi kake meguru kiminotameni
Sono-koe ni ishi o yado shite
ima omoi ga hibiku

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Original entry as appearing at Ink to Screen.

Credits go to Wingom

Romanji:

“kono yubi ni tomare”

deai gashira deatta no wa deguchi
hikare aezu hiite mo hiite
ushiro sugata wa ushiro metai no ushiro kara
mae kara namae maemuki ni shiritai

dou sureba kono kimochi todoku kana
mitsumeteru mitsumetai kono mama anata

“kono yubi ni tomare”
“ushiro yubi sasare”
aishiteru aishiteru aishiteru aishiteru

“kono yubi wo nigire”
“ushiro yubi kidzuke”
aishiteru aishiteru aishiteru wa anata wo

fui ni fuita fuyu no kaze wa fukuzatsu
surechigaeba sukima wa susabu
shinjitsu shinji shitsuyou ni shiku shinchou wa
oeba ou hodo okomari ni okizari

dou sureba kono kimochi todoku kana
mitsumeteru mitsumetai kono mama anata

“kono yubi ni tomare”
“ushiro yubi sasare”
aishiteru aishiteru aishiteru aishiteru

“kono yubi wo nigire”
“ushiro yubi kidzuke”
aishiteru aishiteru aishiteru wa anata wo

furi muku furi wa furi na dake
dokidoki arigatou dakara

“kono yubi ni tomare”
“ushiro yubi sasare”
aishiteru aishiteru aishiteru aishiteru

“kono yaiba saware”
“senaka kara sasare”
aishiteru aishiteru aishiteru wa anata wo

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Original entry as appearing at Ink to Screen.

If you want to test just how versatile and diverse a music library supposedly is, you must ensure that they have Malaysian artists. And they must have these artists/songs:

Sheila Majid
Man Bai’s Kau Ilhamku
Mawi
Pop Shuvit

I am blown away by the fact that Grooveshark has all these (of course, that they have smaller JPop artists is no biggie). Seriously, wow. In summary too, according to (who recc’ed the site to me in the first place), you can create playlists from songs that aren’t your own but are in the library, so that’s always means you can compile a playlist to be listened to on your comp later.

Note though, to listen to these songs on other devices means that you have to pay a subscription fee of at least USD6 monthly but if it’s just PC, that’s free. Also, having Adblock Plus is a godsend when surfing that site. :D

ETA: Well well, they also have game OSTs. Including Gyakuten Kenji and Saiban. @@

Original entry as appearing at Ink to Screen.

Been listening to this song over and over again. I love the feel and the promise it makes.

Performers: Sound Horizon
Concert: Dream Port Live
Music: Yuki Kajiura, Revo
Lyrics: Yuki Kajiura, Revo
Arrangement: Revo
Vocals: Yuki Kajiura, Revo, Remi, Kaori Oda, Wakana Ootaki, Keiko Kubota, Yuuki Yoshida, Yuriko Kaida
Narration: Ike Nelson

Romaji:

[Ike: Beyond the dust storm,
an extending horizon.
Within each wave,
everlasting melody.]

tabibito no kisetsu wa tsune ni,
kako e to ima wo ubau kedo
ano hi kasaneta utagoe wa
ima mo mada hibiiteru

kizuato mo iyasezu ni
bokura wa nani
wo matsu no darou
GOOD TIMES FOR BLEND
mou ichido meguru to shinjiteitai

suna no umi de
mizu ni kogare
tsume wo hai demo
inori wa ido no soko

kimi no na wa DREAM
hakanaki MELODY
kuchibiru ga fureru hodo ni
touzakaru

nari yama nai mune no RHYTHM
ato hitotsu dake oka wo koe
suna ni inori wo uzumete mo
kono te wo nobasu kara douka
FLY ME…

[Ike: Dream port]

ashiato mo nokosazu ni
bokura wa doko e yuku no darou
GOOD BYE, DEAR FRIEND
mou ichido aeru to shinjiteitai

suna no umi ga
kure yuku koro
subete no sakebi ga
mezasu kagayaki
kimi no na wa DREAM
haruka na MELODY
kuchibiru ni uta wo hitotsu
tomoshite

furueru no wa yoru no HARMONY
kodoku wa koe wo kouraseru
tsuki ni sakebi ga todoku nara
kono mi wo sasagu kara douka
FLY ME…

fly me and take me
to the forgotten realm
take me there…
fly me…

[Ike: Dream port]

subete no oto ga itsuka
kieuse ta seijaku no naka de
boku tachi wa furue nagara
ai no uta wo utai dasu

kaze wo koe te tooi kishibe e
kokoro wa yukeru no darou
tooku sazameku eien no ongaku ga
bokura wo maneku kara

suna wo koete tooi kishibe de
bokura wa deau darou
ano hi kasaneta utagoe
wo kono mune ni
sajin no kanata e
lalala…

As usual, English under the cut.

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Original entry as appearing at Ink to Screen.

I was watching First Wives’ Club with the parental units when this song came on. It was the ending song, and I remembered it because it was haunting. Not just haunting for the vocals, but the way she sings it. It’s a wonderfully empowering song, and a poignant reminder for me.

That in the days when I need strength, it is there, within me. That I am in control of my own destiny. That there is no one else responsible for the choices I make than I am. Here, have the song. It’s Over and Over by Puff Johnson. Lyrics under the cut. :3

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Original entry as appearing at Reach Into Your Soul.

Title: Complication
Performed by: Rookiez is Punk’d
Source: Gendou

nakidashisou na kao de ureu hikui sora
suru koto mo naku toki o kezuru
hakidasu ba no nai omoi o nomikonde
iradachi majiri no tsuba o haku

nani mo kamo ga kowaresou na fuan daite asu ni obie
asatte bakka miteta tte kotae wa denai koto datte wakatteru

kagirinaku hirogaru masshiro na ashita ni nani o egaku
genjitsu ga someiku makkura na ashita ni nani o egaku
mogaki kagayaku

nayanderu jibun ga nanka DASAkute
jitto shiterannakute BAKKURE
yaritai koto sonna mon nai ze
okujou de kossori kuwaeru MAISEN
nanka tanoshiku nee kyou no SAIZE
shinpai sou na me de miteru MAIMEN
naite nai ze nante haite
tsuyogatte mite mo MAJI tsurai ze
kayoinareta usugurai douro
yatto no omoikatta I-POD
uwabe dake no usupperai RAP
nazeka omoi usuppera no BAG
yasashiku atatakai hazu no basho
omokurushikute akehanatsu mado
juuatsu ni oshitsubusaresou de
nigekonda itsumo no kouen

nani mo kamo ga koware sou na fuan daite asu ni obie
asatte bakka miteta tte kotae wa denai koto datte wakatteru

kagirinaku hirogaru masshiro na ashita ni nani o egaku
genjitsu ga someiku makkura na ashita ni nani o egaku
mogaki kagayaku

kagiri aru wazuka na toki no naka
HETAKUSO na jibun egake
ima wa mada sore de ii

kagirinaku hirogaru masshiro na ashita ni nani o egaku
genjitsu ga someiku makkura na ashita ni nani o egaku
mogaki kagayaku

kagirinaku hirogaru masshiro na ashita ni nani o egaku
genjitsu ga someiku makkura na ashita ni nani o egaku
mogaki kagayaku

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Original entry as appearing at Reach Into Your Soul.

When AFA announced that they had an Angela in their Anisong lineup this year, the first thought that came to mind was “OMG ANGELA AKI IN SINGAPORE???” Then I realised that it was for a band called Angela.

In the words of Ganaesh, pfft.

Angela Aki’s one of those singers whose songs will never go out of style. She’s like a bowl of good soup on a rainy day; whenever you’re feeling sad or lonely, she’s there to pick you up. Her songs have a certain sincerity that’s not very common in many songs, at least not English songs (the only one that comes to mind is Eminem’s Love the Way you lie).

Life, Angela’s latest album, is a mixed bag. There are some songs that are technically there but not the soul, but more than her previous album, you get the feeling that she’s finally experimenting. I feel like I’m seeing a more complete picture of her than I did before.

Notable songs include Kagayaku Hito (which is still heartbreaking to me for that single line) and Ai to Bansoukou, which is new and shows off Angela’s vocal prowess. Bop Bop Bop, despite its name, doesn’t quite bop but makes you smile. Haha Naru Dachi and Sign are Angela experimenting with various instruments. You can hear the influence of her mentor Janis Ian in these tracks.

But the one, kick-ass, must buy reason for this album?

Every Woman’s Song. The album version is so much better than the Youtube version, there’s just no comparision. Her vocals here are more nuanced, there’s a choir and overall, it’s simply epic.

Every Woman’s Song is a song from every woman, to every woman out there. I’m in love with this song. The first time I heard the Youtube version, I teared in public. I’m glad I decided to listen to the album at home, because the tears just. wouldn’t. stop.

Definitely a keeper.

Original entry as appearing at Reach Into Your Soul.

Kanji: 恋の果実
English: Love Fruit
Lyrics: TOMOMI
Music: MASTERWORKS
Performed by: SCANDAL
Source: Cherryblossom Garden
Translations: Translation.

I love the beats of this song. It reminds me of the Archies’ Sugar Sugar for some reason, but I like the drums and the general upbeatness of the tune. Romanji as usual, then Kanji and English under the cut!

Romanji:
Sekai wa konna ni mo hiroi no ni
Aru hi kimi to deaeta kiseki
Kagiri naku chiisa na unmei de
Kagiri naku ooki na kono kimochi

Kimi no kotoba no hitotsu hitotsu ni
Taishita imi nanka nai keredo
Sasayaku you na itsumono koe ni
Boku wa anshin shite irunda

Mawaru mawaru kisetsu no tokei no
SUPIIDO ga dandan hayaku naru
Ki ga tsukeba nandomo iro kawari
KARENDAA wa usuku natte yuku

Tada “koi” toiu hitomoji wa
AH boku wo komaraseru yo

Donna keshiki datte mannaka ni wa
Kimi no sugata dake ga atte hoshii
Aishiteru nante terete ie nai keredo
Kokoro saita hana ni warai kakete
Amazuppai kajitsu wo hoho tatte
Dokomademo tsuduku boku no egao

Kimi no koto dareka ni hanashite mo
Arifureta koi dato iu darou
Demo kitto sore de iin da yo ne
Tada kimi no koto ga suki nanda

Hora itsudatte ki ga tsukeba
AH mata omoidashiteru

Donna keshiki datte mannaka ni wa
Kimi no sugata dake ga atte hoshii
Furi dashita ame mo naze ka tanoshii kanji
Kokoro saita hana ni warai kakete
Amazuppai kajitsu wo hoho tatte
Itsumademo tsuduku boku no egao

Donna keshiki datte mannaka ni wa
Kimi no sugata dake ga atte hoshii
Aishiteru nante terete ie nai keredo
Kokoro saita hana ni warai kakete
Amazuppai kajitsu wo hoho tatte
Daisuki da nante
Terete ie nai keredo

Donna keshiki datte mannaka ni wa
Kimi no sugata dake ga atte hoshii
Furi dashita ame mo naze ka tanoshii kanji
Kokoro saita hana ni warai kakete
Amazuppai kajitsu wo hoho tatte
Dokomademo tsuduku boku no omoi

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Original entry as appearing at Reach Into Your Soul.