Kalafina - Magia

Written and composed by Yuki Kajiura and fronted by three powerful women, Kalafina continues in a path of dark bliss, much like their previous singles. Their ninth single, Magia, proves to be enchanting and takes the punch, so to speak.

The title track, Magia, is undoubtedly beautiful. The combination of a dance base beat, rock guitar riffs that slide ever-so-slightly into metal and haunting alto vocals in a minor key creates one layer of sound across a variety of genres. A second layer of violin with a riveting melody gives Magia an unearthly feel. The concept of the track details a desperate journey of a person who is hidden in the darkness and is fighting for a wish. The backing track alone is a world to be explored and could be listened to on its own, and is also included on the regular edition of the single. The three vocalists harmonise together and even though the track is dark, it's actually hauntingly calm. Magia was also used as the ending theme for animation studio SHAFT's recently aired TV anime “Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magika,” of which the plot contains a similar twisted darkness — very suiting.

The B-side, snow falling, is a slow, mellow track. It reveals the sincerity and enchantment in each of the vocalists that was dampened in Magia. snow falling has a far gentler tone and could easily ease someone to sleep. The track was also used as the ending theme for the OVA "Kara no Kyoukai: Epilogue."

The extremely popular single has hung at #7 for eleven weeks on the Oricon Weekly Singles ranking and is still charting, with over 40,000 copies sold and counting. Magia is available in three editions: regular, limited and an anime edition. The regular contains three tracks and the limited includes the PV for Magia. The anime edition includes a remix of Magia as well as a TV size of the song.

Overall, the single Magia brings out the best in both Yuki Kajiura through her beautiful composition and of course, Kalafina, in the vocals. All four women and their works compliment one another and whatever is to come next will surely be a treat.

Continuing in the path of success, Kalafina will performing at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California on July 2nd.