EXILE - I Believe

The single I Believe by the R&B/pop group EXILE was released in November 2007. Next to the normal version, a CD+DVD version of the single was also released. This version has an extra track, HERO, and the DVD contains the PV for the title track.

I Believe starts with bells, giving it a Christmas feeling, and with that it also calls to mind a winter setting with snow. A pulsating beat falls in and the vocals start, hitting the beat just right. The beat and lyrics create a nice rhythm. The beat can be heard throughout the track, but after the intro the vocals become a bit more laid back, turning the song into a bit of an upbeat ballad. The Christmas atmosphere, unfortunately, is a bit lost during the rest of the song. Except for the jingling sounds that can be heard every now and then, there is nothing else in the music that reminds us of Christmas. Overall it's a nice song, but except for the beginning and ending, it cannot really be called a Christmas song. The song ends nicely with the harmonious a cappella vocals of the EXILE members.

The second song on the single, Kimi ga iru kara, starts slow and calm; it promises to be a beautiful ballad. It's slower and a bit more sentimental than the first song. The main focus of this song is on the vocals, and EXILE gets the chance to show their vocal skills. As a ballad, it's not very special, since the entire song keeps the same pace and style. The only change is the guitar solo towards the end. It would be a good song to play during a romantic evening.

The instrumental versions of both songs are also included on the release. The songs go well together on this single. It's nice for the fans that love ballads, but if you like a bit more upbeat R&B, you might want to pass on this release by EXILE.