Mochida Kaori - to

As one half of pop band Every Little Thing, Mochida Kaori's vocals are already well-known. In between recording with her bandmate Ito Ichiro, she has often taken time out to come up with solo works. Her latest single to is her fifth solo single release. Having been delayed due to the earthquake, it was finally released on the 20th of April.

The single consists only of to and its instrumental version. The titular song itself is a soft but merry affair. The piano, string and glockenspiel that begin the song set the overall upbeat tone. Kaori's relaxed singing style is instantly calming. Her smooth, legato notes are punctuated by some skipping staccato sections for variety, and she manages to deliver the warmth of her positive lyrics to the listener. Her vocal part is not the most complex, and as such it relies on the backing instruments and arrangement to give it more distinction.

During the chorus, the jaunty syncopated beat lifts the song, and as it is also a slightly military beat it gives it more of a marching band sound. This is emphasized by the rapid sections played by the strings which in a way resemble Pachelbel's Canon in D in rhythm and pattern - there are the long, sweeping notes overlaid by faster, repeating bars for a layered effect. It seems to have been touched by a bit of country and western and 70's Japanese pop, and it brings on a strong sense of nostalgia. The mental image that it leaves is of young girls skipping along on a spring afternoon. With its sunny melody, it would suit a stroll in warm weather or even school graduations, which are occurring around the time of the single release.

Although simple in terms of melody, the thoughtful arrangement of the multi-layered instruments brings to to life. It makes for a great springtime tune, and its cheering nature is welcome in these times.