The FLARE - INNER CHILD

author: Scottie Wolfe

Wow. Just wow. The new Yuna/Sugizo project starts off with an incredible bang, and ol' Sugizo's managed to create yet another awesome sounding record. Believe me, this one pleases the eardrums.

01- Inner Child
This tune makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside (in a manly kind of way, of course). Starts off with a guitar melody that could only come from Sugizo's mind, fused with a drum/bass beat. The piano kicks in afterwards and it's at that point that you know you're listening to a masterpiece.

I don't know who this Yuna dude is, but man o' man does he ever have what it takes to sing along with Sugizo. A soothing voice if I've ever heard one! Oh and watch out for that chorus, it'll bring a tear to your eye.

02-Lyra
Blues-rock is what this song is all about. Its got groove.

Sugizo has his usual resonance effects going around throughout and Yuna has a little Ryuichi thing going in certain areas. This song is sure to please most LUNA SEA fans. Oh and of course Sugizo throws in some violin for good measure here and there.

03-Forgive
This is something I would've expected from Sugizo and the Spank Your Juice for some reason. Great song that has a nice positive vibe. Total feel-good music!

The chorus is violin-filled, which works to add to the "happy" feel mentioned above. Also, there's a part in the main riff that reminds me of Pata's solo work, believe it or not. But just for a few seconds.

So folks, I totally recommend this single. I wonder when they're gonna release a full-length album? Because that'll DEFINITELY be on my "to purchase" list.

OVERALL SCORE: 9/10 for being a varied yet consistantly beautiful single that reaches into your soul and maybe even your own inner child.