heidi.’s Kumorizora ni wa koimoyo Brings Heartache and Fresh Romance

Kumorizora ni wa koimoyo. In the cloudy sky is the visage of love. The bitter part of this bittersweet title doesn’t come across so well in English but this is one truly bittersweet single. From the lovelorn title track, heartbreak steeps into regret for things unsaid in “Namida ame” yet “Mu yu” seems to hold an air of moving on to a new and exciting romance.

Featuring lyrics written entirely by vocalist Yoshihiko, the single is composed primarily by guitarist Nao with the final track accredited to both bassist Kohsuke and drummer Kiri. The music contains elements that are typically “heidi.” yet there’s a new sense of maturity to the sound. Meanwhile, though the cover art doesn’t seem to have much in common with the music itself, it certainly makes an impression and brings a new type of image to the heidi. section of the shelf.

Beginning with “Kumorizora ni wa koimoyo,” the lyrics are very simple and straightforward, in this track detailing the feeling of loving someone who has left you behind. The theme: despite the pain, the cloudy sky is comforting. Similar in musical feel to “Star Rain” from the album Senkou Mellow, the melody is touching and easy to sing along to with guitar and an upper vocal harmony keeping things interesting. “Kumorizora ni wa koimoyo” is not one of those songs with an immediate impact but one that slowly warms the heart.

“Namida ame” is a funkier tune more reminiscent of heidi.’s Panorama era. Drums and guitar team up to start things off, though bass leaps up to the fore with the vocals. Throughout, Yoshihiko sings of frustration at being unable to convey certain feelings once and for all while the rain batters down and drowns tears. The track has a solid helping of the usual heidi. riff techniques, varied rhythms keeping the number fresh and easy to remember. Of the three, this is the track that really gets stuck in your head.

Bringing the single to a close is the flirty “Mu yu” which contains an intriguing theme. In perhaps his best lyrics to date, Yoshihiko exclaims that it’s okay to sing and dance to your heart’s content because this is a dream and “I don’t hate your singing/dancing.” Though as simple as the previous numbers, the lyrics take on a brand new theme and spruce up the single with an upper of a finale. Groovy bass and a swinging melody give it a sexy appeal and become impetus to dance after the heartbreak and frustration rampant in earlier numbers.

Kumorizora ni wa koimoyo is an appealing single with three differing tunes revolving around a theme. The simplicity of the lyrics makes it easy to understand for those in the throes of learning Japanese while the emotional imagery remains true to the source of heidi.’s music.

Available for pre-listening on August 15, Kumorizora ni wa koimoyo will be released on August 22 followed shortly by the full album Alpha in September.

 3 track CD

Track list

1. Kumorizora ni wa koimoyo
2. Namida ame
3. Mu yu