Second mini-album of Dai Nagao's (D.A.I) project Amasia Landscape.
Amasia Landscape is one of the projects of Dai Nagao, also known as D.A.I, the former composer and guitarist of the band Do As Infinity. With Amasia Landscape, he is collaborating together with the female vocalist Akico. This mini-album, Flower Crown, is their second release and currently also their newest.
Amasia itself is a possible future continent: Asia and North America together. It seems that the two musicians see it as some sort of utopia, a dream-world, which not only shows in the songs but also in the artwork of the mini-album, portraying a paradise-like landscape. The songs reflect this theme strongly with a dreamy, mysterious air.
The mini-album starts with the title track: Flower Crown. Quite unexpectedly for a song of Japanese origin, it starts with the sound of a bagpipe. Shortly after, piano and Akicos voice join in, playing and singing in a staccato way with a precision one can usually find in classical music.
With bells signalizing the second track Seiyu no Dou it becomes clear pretty fast that this song is a Christmas song. It has a true Christmas spirit, complete with bells ringing and a chorus that bursts into It's Merry Christmas, pray happiness for all complete background vocals that blend with Akicos voice perfectly. A great song with a true Christmas spirit, though a little strange to listen to during other times in the year.
The third track, Uchuu no Kaiga has an air of mystery surrounding it. With synthesized strings humming in the background and a harp with its clear tones, the song creates a mystical, dreamy atmosphere. The harp may remind one of the Irish singer Enya as well, especially in the chorus. The vocals in this song are gentle but intense, adding even more tension.
Kuchihara no Ongaku has a happy, joyous feeling to it, like the ending tune of a movie with a happy end. With an acoustic, jingling guitar and a piano, it has mostly quiet verses, but a cheerful sound to the chorus. Although its not very fast-paced, it may make the listener sway along to the beat. The next track, Kouro is somewhat similar to Uchuu no Kaiga, with a harp melody tinkling through the song again. Again, Akicos voice is lovely, hitting the higher notes in the chorus perfectly.
The mini-album closes with the song Be in Love, in which Akico sings some parts almost completely a-capella. It starts quietly, slowly building up and coming to a crescendo in the chorus in which she is joined by a gospel chorus; Akicos voice soloing over the lower pitched voices and hand claps.
Next to the CD, the album also contains a DVD with the PV for Be in Love and a video for Seiyu no Dou.
In the end, Flower Crown is like a 25-minute journey to a peaceful paradise behind closed eyes; a soundtrack to a movie never made. Its amazing how Dai Nagao has put so much atmosphere and different feelings into these songs, so full of imagination. Seeing as D.A.I is working on a handful of other projects, we hope that this duo will find some time again to work together again!
