There used to be an anime called RahXephon.
By chance, I happened to see the opening sequence of that anime, and Maaya Sakamoto's "Hemisophia" was playing.
Despite the song's inorganic feel and the vocals, there was something strangely moving about it, and for some reason, I ended up watching all of RahXephon.
I first learned about Yoko Kanno, the composer of that song, through Turn A Gundam, and I've been a fan ever since.
I hadn't known much about Maaya Sakamoto before, but since then I've started paying more attention to her.
(Titles and honorifics omitted below)
One reason was that I simply love the songs that Yoko Kanno composes, but even as she has provided fewer songs, I am still drawn to her singing voice and lyrics, and she has become one of my favorite artists.
I'd like to compile a list of my personal favorite songs by Maaya Sakamoto, album by album.
Monsterkoi / Pixabay
Boy Alice
Look at the sky
It's a song that sounds like it has two choruses.
The way they immediately sing the song title with such force makes it very memorable.
Scrap - A Farewell Poem
A cool, upbeat song.
The song is sung by Maaya Sakamoto, composed by Yoko Kanno, and written by Yuho Iwasato—a golden trio that is guaranteed to be a hit.
夜
This is also a song by the Golden Trio.
This is truly one of my top two favorite songs by Maaya Sakamoto.
The lyrics have a mature, womanly feel to them.
Waiting for the first beat creates a unique pause in the melody, resulting in a passionate atmosphere.
Kazeyomi
Triangler
This is a familiar song from the opening theme of "Macross Frontier".
Because of its simple chorus, it's a very memorable phrase.
The instrumental break after the chorus reminds me of Porno Graffitti's "Melissa."
It rains
This song was used as the ending theme for "Linebarrels of Iron".
As the title suggests, it's a slow-tempo song with a gentle atmosphere.
It's a very pleasant song to listen to, and it's the one I most want a piano solo score of.
Get No Satisfaction!
This is a really uplifting song.
I generally prefer melancholic songs with minor chords to upbeat songs, but strangely enough, I like many of Maaya Sakamoto's upbeat songs as well.
Heartbreak Cafe
The passionate part at the end is good, but the final phrase is melancholic; it's a song that lives up to its title.
I don't usually pay much attention to lyrics, but for some reason, I find myself listening to this song.
SONIC BOOM
This is a beautiful and poignant piece featuring a lovely violin melody.
It's the kind of song that makes you feel like it's the ending theme of a movie.
The way it suddenly becomes quiet when it returns from the chorus to the A section in the second verse is great; it gives a feeling of a fresh start.
The final electric guitar solo is absolutely thrilling.
Peanuts
In stark contrast to "SONIC BOOM" above, this song has a very fun and cute atmosphere.
With its catchy rhythm and lively singing style, it really lifts your spirits.
I sincerely hope this couple isn't connected to the lyrics of "Heartbreak Cafe."
DIVE
pilot
Despite its laid-back atmosphere, the song's tempo is surprisingly fast.
Since it's an early song, the voice and singing style sound younger.
I love the chorus, especially the slightly unusual chord progression right before it.
loneliness
This is a song by the Golden Trio.
The guitar solo in the interlude in the second half is quite impressive.
Although the title is "Loneliness," I felt it was a positive song that conveyed a certain kind of determination.
Single Collection Plus "Hachipochi"
Our History
A song by the golden trio.
It's a cheerful and uplifting song.
Listening to this song reminds me of my student days and makes me feel nostalgic.
Light of Love
A song by the golden trio.
This is a song from "Brain Powered".
In a word, it's a song with a sacred and majestic atmosphere.
It's a very unique song.
The Miracle Sea
A song by the golden trio.
This is a song from "Record of Lodoss War".
This song has an oriental feel, and the triple meter gives it a unique atmosphere.
I think it's a great song that fits the image of the anime.
Lucy
Strobe Sky
The part right before the chorus, where the singing is a little quieter before suddenly building up, feels like releasing pent-up energy, and it's very satisfying to listen to.
Honey bunny
This song showcases a different side of Maaya Sakamoto, revealing that she can sing in this way too.
This might be the only song where I sing in such a languid and adult style.
However, since she has a naturally clear voice,
She gives off the image of a slightly precocious young girl.
It has a jazzy feel, and the piano in the interlude is really cool.
Air and Stars
A song by the golden trio.
From "Earth Girl Arjuna".
Although the song repeats almost the same melody and theme, it is a deeply moving piece that speaks directly to the heart.
Single Collection + NicoPachi
Octave at Dawn
The lyrics seemed mysterious at first, but it's an interesting song full of wit and clever wordplay (though the lyricist is different).
Hemisophia
A song by the golden trio.
The opening theme for "RahXephon".
I felt that the song was about the resignation to one's own powerlessness that is typical of adolescence, and a faint glimmer of hope for the future.
I apologize for my vague and poetic comments.
I think this is a wonderful song that matches the main story of "RahXephon" very well.
Daniel
This is a song from the drama "Midnight Has Another Face".
This is a relaxed song in 6/8 time with a cool guitar sound.
The Song of the Tail
A song from the game "Napple Tale Arsia in Daydream".
Her cute singing style is the complete opposite of the atmosphere of "Honey Bunny."
music
A song by the golden trio.
It's a song with a unique atmosphere, similar to "Light of Love," with a sacred and majestic feel.
Green wings
This is also a song from the game "Napple Tale Arsia in Daydream".
It's a song with a gentle atmosphere.
Light Green
The opening theme for the little-known game "Shirachu Exploration Club".
The transition from a guitar-only accompaniment to the drums coming in is excellent.
tune the rainbow
The ending theme of the theatrical film "RahXephon".
The repeated chorus phrase is really catchy and sticks in your mind.
Toto
This English song is characterized by its languid, repetitive electric piano accompaniment.
The Garden of Everything
The chorus quotes the melody from Borodin's "Polovtsian Dances."
The English and Japanese lyrics are interwoven, creating a unique harmony.
You can't catch me
Eternal Return
It's an energetic song.
This is a series of songs to cheer you up.
Beautiful person
When I first heard it, I thought, "Hmm? This sounds like something Yoko Kanno would do," and it turned out I was right.
This song is sung with great emotion, and I felt it was different from Maaya Sakamoto's earlier work.
I realized that it's possible to sing with this kind of fluctuation.
This is one of my favorite songs.
It's your fault
The cool atmosphere of the A and B sections is more memorable than the chorus.
I really like the phrase, "Is it all the wind's fault? Or is it your fault?"
Stand up, girls!
The song's title, "Girls Who Try Their Best," is exactly what it sounds like.
It's a heartwarming song that conveys the feeling that "being a woman isn't easy either" (lol).
Future Map
This is an upbeat song full of energy and momentum.
This song also has the memorable phrase "It's your fault," so I was confusing it with "Kimino Sei."
others
Teens
The theme song for the little-known game "DEVICE REIGN".
This song was composed by Chiyomaru Shikura.
The fret noise on the guitar sounds incredibly cool.
GATHERING RAIN
A song from the stage play "LETTER -bring to light-".
This is a passionate song with a fierce accompaniment and melody played on the piano.
Folly Fall
"Napple Tale"
This song has a quiet atmosphere, and I get the feeling that there are other languages mixed in besides English.
The string accompaniment creates a sense of tension as the piece approaches its climax.
This is one of the finest songs among the works of Yoko Kanno and Maaya Sakamoto.
With (Whoops!!)
In some of the earliest songs, like "Pilot," his voice sounds quite young.
The way the stereo sounds alternate right before the chorus is quite striking.
Doreddo 39
I really like it; it's catchy, and the lyrics are full of wit.
I feel that the phrase, "I consider that girl's long eyelashes to be one of the mysteries of this universe," is something that couldn't be conceived with ordinary sensitivity.
The transition to the unusual 5/4 time signature midway through is also interesting.