Crystal Kay Promotes New Album: Watch 'KnO,' Listen to 'Step by Step' & 'Helpless Night' ft. Jin Akanishi

Crystal Kay performs 恋におちたら for the umpteenth time and I still swoon. She just sounds and looks so good. Love the pose at the end! Of course, Crystal is pimping out her most successful single to date on Music Fair to promote her new compilation album, BEST of CRYSTAL KAY, which is actually selling fairly well. I was a tad nervous when her double A-side After Love/Girlfriend basically bombed, but I guess a catalogue of all her hits along with Jin Akanishi's name on the cover of the CD is providing more of an incentive. As I've mentioned before, the album is absolutely amazing in all its awesomeness, and you should definitely pick it up if your a fan. Check out a couple of the tracks from the new disc below.


Step by Step
Crystal Kay
BEST of CRYSTAL KAY


Helpless Night
Crystal Kay featuring Jin Akanishi
BEST of CRYSTAL KAY

Step by Step must be a lot like crack. I don't know, I'll have to ask Whitney. But, seriously, I start to itch if I haven't heard it over six hours. It's the best result one could have imagined from a collaboration with Yasutaka Nakata; Kuri brought out the best in his style. Love it. Helpless Night is nice, but leaves a little to be desired. I'll go ahead and blame that on Jin; he just doesn't sell it. I would have preferred Wonder to be included instead, but again, it's not a bad listen. Honestly, with the After Love/Girlfriend single and the four new tracks included in this set, Kuri was well on her way to a new studio album. I'm a bit flummoxed as to why all these great tracks and high profile guests are being relegated to a first-press special edition disc, but then again, Crystal is never really promoted well. All we can do as fans is support our girl =D.

Because I can't help myself, I'm throwing in this video of Crystal Kay and BoA in the studio recording Girlfriend. They're so encouraging of one another. And Kuri doing the Eat You Up choreo!! かわいい！！

Crystal Kay & BoA Perform Girlfriend

I knew beforehand that this performance would be done to a backing track instead of a live band with backup singers, but I'm still a bit disappointed. I'm tired of these cutesy performances; these scarce Music Station appearances are really all we get to see of Crystal in the States. Can't we get something with a little more pow? Anyway, Kuri and BoA sound good together here -- both vocal performances were fairly solid. Didn't much care for Crystal's hair or BoA's outfit but, it's whatever I guess. I'm still holding out hope for a proper music video for Girlfriend, but as the single officially dropped this past week, my little hope candle is almost burned out.

(Another) New Music Video: BoA - Energetic

I'll be honest and say I listened to Energetic exactly once when BoA's English debut album had just been released. But, sometimes a decent video can breathe new life into a song you've passed over. This is almost the case with Energetic; while the track may have more potential than I initially realized, I still don't think it has enough of an impact to make BoA's crossover into the American market any more relevant. However, I can definitely imagine getting down to this in a club. I recently heard I Did it For Love at a bar and it knocked like it never did in my home.

Now, onto the bad: BoA is definitely wearing way too much makeup in this MV; it's the worst I've ever seen her. Not that she's ugly, but she looks weird -- I much prefer her fresh-faced. Also, it really annoys me that she's not singing the hook, which is arguably the best part of the song. Can someone offer Sean Garrett a seat? Thanks.

Happy Anniversary, Crystal Kay ♥

This bitch is giving good face! Crystal Kay is officially on the grind; After Love -First Boyfriend- is the latest Crystal Kay song to drop. Seeing her collaborate once again with KANAME from CHEMISTRY, it has been revealed that this track will accompany Girlfriend, Crystal's duet with BoA, on a double A-side to be released on August 12th. After Love strikes me as a more mature, but less catchy Two as One. Unfortunately KANAME doesn't have much of a presence on the song, but I do find the track easy to listen to -- the cutesy beat and smooth vocals have a nice effect. The song will serve as yet another tie-in for the Tully's Coffee chain.

Listen to After Love -First Boyfriend- (damn, how many Kuri songs have 'boyfriend' in the title?!) below.



While the upcoming double A-side will also feature 出会えた奇跡 (Deaeta Kiseki), there is still no word on when or whether Over and Over and Wonder, Crystal's collaboration with Jin Akanishi, will see official releases. However, Over and Over was recently featured in an NTT (a Japanese radio station) commercial and rumors abound regarding Wonder's future release. There is speculation that the single will drop within the year and that Jin and Crystal have formed a unit, aptly christened "Crystal Red." Of course, these rumors fuel those other rumors linking Jin and Crystal together romantically. Time will tell. Both these songs are too hot to sleep on, though, so something better happen. Also, can we get some music videos, please? Kthx.

Finally, there are whispers that Crystal's second compilation album, titled BEST OF CK, will be released this coming September in commemoration of her ten years in the music industry. Congratulations, Kuri! Perhaps Over and Over and maybe even Wonder will find a home in this compilation. Check out the three new commercials featuring Crystal's music below.

Crystal Kay & BoA - Girlfriend (Full)

Yay. My first day back in NYC and Girlfriend drops in full. うれしいいい！

Girlfriend easily surpasses UNIVERSE; Crystal and BoA sound better together this time around. Crystal kinda pulls away, though. She just has more swagger. I'll be pissed if the video doesn't drop soon. Time for Crystal to get on the grind.

Check out Girlfriend below.

Crystal Kay's got songs in the oven - Over and Over, Girlfriend ft. BoA, Wonder duet w/Jin Akanishi

As Crystal's tenth anniversary draws closer, she reveals some of the tricks she has up her sleeve. Sneaky Crystal got a little more out of her collaboration with m-flo and BoA earlier this year than she originally let on. A couple of weeks back it was announced that Crystal had scored the theme song for new show DRESS. Over and Over, produced by Taku Takahashi of m-flo, was later debuted by Crystal herself on Japanese radio. Unfortunately, the radio rip is still all that is currently available but at least you can get a feel for the track while you wait for its release in HQ. Over and Over is a house track. Normally that's a dealbreaker for me, but there's no denying this song's heat. Check out Over and Over below (updated with HQ version).


Over and Over
Crystal Kay
BEST of CRYSTAL KAY

Kuri also revealed today on her website that her following single will be Girlfriend, another collaboration with BoA. Even after UNIVERSE, I have to say I'm still interested to hear what they will sound like together, especially without Verbal's rhymes taking up space. Crystal arguably outshined BoA when she was featuring so I'm sure she'll shut BoA down completely now that it's the other way around. Girlfriend will be a tie-in with the Japanese release of He's Just Not That Into You. The song is supposed to be a girl anthem, we-don't-need-boys sort of thing, sort of like one of her very first singles, Girl's Night. Hopefully we get a video this time. Here's an MQ snippet. Sigh. Even a pretty girl like BoA shouldn't stand next to Crystal Kay.

Update!!: Crystal is even busier than I thought! Jin Akanishi, the sexy and most un-Johnny like member of KAT-TUN, revealed a duet with Crystal Kay during their current tour. The track is titled Wonder and it is hot! During the live performance, Jin worked some choreography and sang his part while what clearly appeared to be a music video featuring both Jin and Crystal played on the monitors. If there's already an MV then there's a good shot that Wonder will get the single treatment! The song has a latin vibe to it, similar to the one Crystal worked on the B-side Girl, Move On. And though I'm not hating on KAT-TUN, there's thankfully nothing KAT-TUN about it. There are also rumors going around that Crystal and Jin have a little som'n som'n going on. If she's smart she'll keep that on the low, though. So exciting to finally hear the fruits of Crystal's labor over the past few months. Unfortunately, there are only fan videos from the tour on YouTube. We need some HQ mp3s, stat!!

Special thanks to LuluJay for the heads up on Wonder!!!

BoA Performs Second Single: I Did it for Love

BoA performed her second single from her English debut album, I Did it for Love, in L.A. She looked hott. The stage was a bit small, but she worked the choreography anyway. This is the image she should have been pushing from jump. No one wants to see her walking around in baggy sweatpants. The song, though, is more than a little whack and does not lend it self well to live renditions. It's way too processed. She may have been better off lip-syncing as there were times when she sounded just plain bad. Anyway! Check out BoA, whooo!

It's March!! - Damn, did I really get this out on time...? Featured Artists: BoA, Utada Hikaru, and Kelly Clarkson

Please, excuse my... promptness? It's been forever since I got a new header out on the first of the month! I'd advise you not to get used to it... >__>

This month, arguably the most popular Asian pop stars are trying their luck in the American market. BoA will release her self-titled debut English album on the 17th. The singles have been nothing spectacular, but I'll be interested in listening to the finished package, not to mention the Bloodshy & Avant productions. I was actually more impressed with UNIVERSE and Eien, her singles for her second compilation album, Best & USA, to be released a day later in Japan. Can't knock the hustle.


Utada Hikaru will be releasing her second English album, This is the One, on the 24th. I really can't say she has pushed hard enough in the States in support of her album, and I'm afraid she'll see the same results she did with Exodus. Come Back to Me has grown on me, but I think it was obvious from the beginning that the track was not going to garner the sort of attention necessary for big success. The tracklist for the album is a bit skimpy for my tastes, but it does include Automatic Part II, reason enough for me to check it out. Automatic is one of my favorite Hikki songs -- an updated, English reworking sounds awesome.


It's true, neither BoA or Utada did the kind of promotion they probably should have to secure big sales, but with Kelly Clarkson releasing an album this month as well, it would not have made any difference. Kelly, redeeming herself from the debacle that was My December, is poised to reclaim her title as American Idol. First single My Life Would Suck Without You has already broken records on the Billboard's Hot 100 and her return to the sound she cultivated on six times platinum Breakaway can only lead to success. I hated My December with a fiery passion, but I'm happy to say 'Welcome back, Kelly!'


Happy March, luhvahs.

BoA, Crystal Kay and Verbal Perform UNIVERSE

うれしい！チェックしてください！

Universe, eyes here - BoA, Crystal Kay & Verbal to Perform UNIVERSE

BoA, Crystal Kay, and Verbal are set to perform their new single, Universe, this Friday on Music Station! This is pretty surprising news because, as far as I know, Crystal and m-flo have never taken to the stage together before, despite their many collaborations. Even their last project, the awesome Love Don't Cry from m-flo's collaboration album Cosmicolor, saw random J-pop ladies filling in for Crystal when performed live. It seems their contractual limitations have been sorted out.

Unlike Crystal Kay tours, performances from Music Station regularly make it over to the States so I'll be sure to post it here as soon as I can get my hands on it. Seems BoA is taking the promotion for Best & USA seriously in Japan. It'd be nice if she could make an appearance in the US, though. I mean, they know who she is over there. Anyways, super excited!! ^_^ Seems I haven't seen a live Kuri performance in ages.

Universe, listen up - BoA, Crystal Kay & Verbal UNIVERSE Single

It has landed. It's been a while since I've looked forward to a single as much as I've been anticipating Universe. It sounds pretty much exactly how you think a collaboration featuring Crystal, BoA, and Verbal would: quirky, yet fierce. I love the chorus. It doesn't knock quite as hard as I would have liked, but I'm holding out hope for the HQ version. BoA took the risk of working with another female artist with more personality and the results were predictable. Crystal takes over. BoA should be shifted to the "feature" spot. Listen to Universe below. Can't wait for the video!!! ^_^

Where's Crystal Kay??? - Tour Info, New Song, & Upcoming Collab

By all appearances, Crystal Kay was gunned down in an alley immediately after shooting the ONE video. Sure, there were rumors of her going on tour in Japan since then, but if the All Yours Tour is anything to go by, no one outside of Japan would ever see any footage. So, as a disheartened Kuri fan, I decided to check her blog and official site to see if I could send flowers to her burial site. To my surprise, Crystal's alive! And apparently kicking...

Kuri did indeed tour in Japan up until the end of November. Her last concert was even broadcast on Japanese television. I still won't hold my breath, but at least that means there's hope that I may see it one day. The tracklist was posted on the TV station's website and it makes my mouth water.

1. I Can't Wait
2. It's a crime
3. Good Times
4. ITOSHIIHITO
5. こんなに近くで。。。
6. トキノカケラ
7. TIME GOES BY
8. 恋におちたら
9. Help Me Out
10. 帰り道
11. 涙のさきに
12. ONE

Crystal has also continued her collaboration with Tully's, a coffee chain, by recording a new track for her new commercial! 出会えた軌跡 [Deaeta Kiseki] (Miracle Encounter), a moody mid-tempo, is quite the departure from her last Tully's song, Dream World. You can check out the commercial here. Check out the full song below.

Finally, Kuri is set to collaborate with BoA, Verbal, and Bloodshy & Avant on the track Universe for BoA's upcoming triple A-side single. Crystal, yes. Crystal and Verbal, oh yes. Crystal, Verbal, and Bloodshy, oh hell yes!! BoA?? She's like the monkey wrench thrown into the gear. True, Verbal and BoA have worked well together in the past, but, to put it lightly, I'll be very interested to hear how BoA and Crystal mix. Kuri seems really excited about it so, here's hoping for good things. The track is slated for a February 18th release.

So, even though Color Change! didn't get the recognition it deserved, I've learned never to count Kuri out! Also, on her blog there's a countdown to her 10-year anniversary in the music business. There's something like 150 days left. I'm sure we can expect something commemorative and exciting ^_^.

Isn't she supposed to be in the States?? - BoA: 永遠 Music Video

So it seems BoA isn't all that focused on crossing over into the States. She recently dropped new single 永遠 [Eien] (Eternity) in Japan, and here's the video. I really like the song, but like most BoA songs, I wish someone else was singing. The video really isn't anything phenomenal, but BoA does manage to look gorgeous in some of the shots, which is more than one can say in regards to her Eat You Up videos. 

BoA is set to release her second greatest hits album, Best & USA, on March 18th in Japan. The album will include two discs, the first consisting of her hit Japanese singles and the second, her English debut album. Why she's releasing the English debut in Japan, I don't know. At this rate, it'll be an 'eternity' before she becomes popular in America. Stay focused, girl.

She'll 'Eat You Up' Again! - BoA: New Video

Not as tight. This is apparently the video that will be released within the US and I'm not feeling it nearly as much. Sure, BoA would have gotten some flack for the Flashdance reference, but the choreography is so much better in the first video. This one adds some sex appeal, though, which I guess you really can't leave out.

She'll 'Eat You Up' - BoA: New Video

I'll say BoA did all she could. The song isn't as hot as it could be, but it's hot enough. And the choreography in the video is fire, even if the overall concept is a tad contrived. I wish her the best.

Best Music Videos!

Though the last thing my last post needs is a supplement, what is music without the music video?
This list is far shorter, thank heaven, because there weren't that many great videos, I don't think. There may be more of a language issue with this list, but keep in mind, music is universal.
Here's my top five.

5. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani



4. Sweet Impact - BoA



3. Love Don't Cry - m-flo L♥Ves Crystal Kay

M-flo loves Crystal Kay - Love Don't Cry
Uploaded by dcbape

2. きっと永遠に (Kitto Eien Ni) - Crystal Kay



1. Candyman - Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera - Candyman
Uploaded by iroonimusic