Ironic Clown

Tracklist:
1. Kissing You
2. Sparkling
3. Joyful Smile
4. Kissing You (Instrumental)
5. Sparkling (Instrumental)
6. Joyful Smile (Instrumental)

This is BoA’s 26th single and her first since the release of her Japanese album The Face.

Kissing You opens with a somewhat distorted piano line and strings, which is really catchy. Then comes BoA’s vocals, which sound deeper then her vocals on “The Face.” This song has a constant beat throughout. Cute English lyrics are dotted throughout the song. A very cute song, but the annoying thing is that it gets very repetitive towards the end.

Sparking opens with slow vocals, piano and percussion, but then quickly changes to an upbeat techno song. Once again BoA incorporates cute English lyrics into this song, but BoA also has made this song very repetitive, and her vocals aren’t the strongest, but a decent try.

Ah, finally, this is more like it! Joyful Smile is by far the best song on the single. Its chirpy vocals and lyrics really create a “happy as happy can be” atmosphere, like most of her songs. But be warned: This song is extremely catchy! About three quarters through the piece there is a thoughtful electronic instrumental solo, and a little while after there is distorted beats, which give a great effect. As in most of BoA’s songs great English vocals are added at appropriate times throughout the piece. A great song!

Joyful Smile is the song that pretty much saved this single, but I really liked how this single sounded different from BoA’s previous works. BoA is a great singer, but I don’t think this was the best way to start a new era.

Rating3 stars