Miura Daichi - The Answer

Miura Daichi, dubbed the "Michael Jackson of Japan" for his smooth voice and killer moves, would do well in the US market but hasn't yet ventured into the market. His ninth single, The Answer, offers two original compositions and a cover of a Michael Jackson song.

The first track, The Answer, fades in and a dance rhythm starts. A mix of beats float in the background and Miura's strong voice overlays it all. His voice doesn’t sound nasal like some J-pop artists but is more refined. The track itself has a dreamy mood to it; a billowing sea of dance beats blossom on the distant horizon. A few English phrases slip into the song, which is extremely common among J-pop music.

With the hook “…oh pretty girl, gotta make you mine…” Gotta Make You Mine is surely a hit. A continuous electronic organ in the background keeps the song afloat. A light pop dance track while still sounding natural, Gotta Make You Mine promises just that and is perfect for a night of dancing. The song is a slight notch down from the open wildness of The Answer, but it is still fresh.

A cover of Michael Jackson's Human Nature is included on the single. Sung in fairly good English, Miura’s cover of the 1983 original keeps that retro feeling to it with an over-abundance of synthesizers. Many artists, almost all outside of Japan, have covered this song over the years, but Miura's cover seems to capture the original feel while simultaneously revamping the song.

Overall, the three-track single is a gem in the vast sea of often cutely overdone J-pop and in due time, fans can expect Miura Daichi to produce more hits.