Only six months after the release of “AND”, Kōda Kumi has released her new album “DNA” on August 22nd. Using a palindrome effect for the titles,”AND” and “DNA” were meant to complete themselves. On the first hand, “AND” had the purpose to insist on the link between Kuu AND her fans and was a party-ish album with loud sounds. On the other hand, “DNA” is a more personal album which the creed “My music is designed by my DNA” as its description. With this new release, Kōda Kumi started a new nationwide tour and you sure be happy to know it if you like her!
Let’s take a look on this new album and tour!
A new album designed by DNA
Released on August 22nd, 2018, “DNA” is Kōda Kumi’s 13th original album. It is a very well-produced album with several musical genres and has 13 tracks and is declined in four editions (CD only, CD+DVD, CD+Blu-Ray and a CD+3DVD LP-sized Fanclub limited edition). With only “HUSH” already having a single release, on October 10th, 2017, we couldn’t know what to what to expect…
Here is the tracklist:
01. Introduction ～My music is designed from my DNA～
02. HUSH
03. Dangerous
04. WATCH OUT!! ～DNA～
05. ScREaM
06. CHANCES ALL
07. 会えなくなるくらいなら [aenaku naru kurai nara]
08. HAIRCUT
09. Guess Who Is Back
10. HOT HOT
11. 心からi love u [kokoro kara I love you]
12. Work That
13. Pin Drop
“DNA” introduces the deep sense of music by Kuu by providing songs that suit all tastes!
If you are into urban or hip-hop loud and intense sounds, you will love “HUSH” or “Dangerous”.
If you are more a pop songs lover, then “CHANCES ALL” and “Work That” are for you! A bit more powerful? Let’s do some playback and pop-star dances in front of the mirror, listening to “HAIRCUT”, “Pin Drop or the surprising multi-styles “ScREaM”.
Oh, you prefer beautiful ballads? No problem, please listen peacefully to “会えなくなるくらいなら” and “心からi love u”.
A little sexier?“HOT HOT”.
Is there also some pop-rock? YES! Enjoy “Guess Who Is Back” the more you can!
Only three words. Listen.To.It.
A video games inspired tour
The two concerts in Tokyo took place on October 6th and 7th at the Tokyo International Forum and it was stunning! With a perfect vocal performances and powerful dance parts Kuu is really the Queen of live.
The theme of this tour has been inspired by retro visual and video gaming; the interlude videos introducing new parts of the concerts were very good, with sometimes the appearances of the dancers for some impressive work! Mario, Splatoon, classic shot ’em up and fight games and more, there were plenty of references and it was a real pleasure to mix J-POP with gaming!
The setlist perfectly fit to show all the power of every song from the new album ; all the songs from “DNA” were sung (except a switch between the two ballads) plus the hit songs “TABOO” and the very famous and loved “愛のうた” [ai no uta] and more for a totally exciting two hours and a half long show!
As at every pop star concert, there were a lot of beautiful, cool and sexy outfits, going from a futuristic pink suit, then a very sexy light kimono’s style one piece, a classy white dress, to a colorful streetwear ensemble, illustrating very well the scenes depicted by the songs.
Explosive up-beats songs
As to warn the audience for the addiction hazard, the concert starts with “Dangerous”, followed by the very strong “Pin Drop”. Then comes a medley of dynamic and dancing songs like the hit song “TABOO”, announcing a great moment of fun and excitement in the audience.
With only six dancers with Kōda Kumi on stage, all the set, with multiple tall screens showing animations, is enjoyable. There are a lot to see and you cannot help being wowed by her voice, the choreographies and the succession of very well-designed parts.
No time to rest, the show is a huge party. Shouting and jumping, all the audience is in buzzing and Kuu makes sure you have a VERY good time with her!
Whether you know her songs by heart or just has just discovered her work, you are forced to admit that it is a giant explosion of music… and that you LOVE it!
And it goes on and on…
After successfully achieved her Sarting from September 14th at Shizuoka Sun Palace, the tour will end on December 29th at the Kagawa Prefecture Kenmin Hall with rumors about a countdown live on December 31 in Osaka. Kuu’s concerts are a great experience of J-POP shows so it is a very good way to discover her music and universe.
You can still get tickets for the shows in Hiroshima, Yamanashi, Fukushima, Kobe, Fukuoka and Nayoga but be careful, the show come sold out fast!
In addition, since Kuu will soon celebrate her 19th anniversary, on December 6th, as a singer so we can expect a lot from her! Don’t forget she is the Queen of live!
Give a look at how she performed at Tokyo Dome by watching one of her live DVD:
After Word
It has just been said Kuu will celebrate her 19th year under the Avex Trax label on December 6th so you know what will be coming next!
Always seeking for the best, Kōda Kumi will surprise us without a doubt. Maybe with a new album or some best-of album J-POP stars know very well? Maybe a new tour too?
In any case you don’t want to miss that. Kuu knew how to renew herself year after year, always keeping the same DNA in her music, and that is why whatever what you could think of her at first sight, you still have the chance to be surprised!
You still hesitate?Find some of her previous works, as live DVD, at Buyee:
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