Manten: It sounds kinda weak, but I dunno if that's because of volume or quality difference or something else. It reminds me of Toki no Mukou in how subdued it is, which is a shame, 'cause I kinda like the violin melody and despite the similarities I think I would like it if it sounded stronger, but it just feels... lacking.
Also, I
much prefer Hikaru to Kaori, so Manten v.01 is still the master in that regard. Hikaru's voice has
oomph, while I feel like Kaori's voice is more suited to songs that don't need much belting and more control, which is pretty much Wakana's forte, so it's like double smoothness with none of the raw power that Hikaru slams on the table.
Then again, Keiko solo, which is a pretty convincing argument.
etsanarr buruuuuuu: Yet again, it has a pretty pathetic sound. It's like they didn't even
try to put any bang to their buck, and it sounds pretty quiet and unimpressive. The weird transition from Kaori to Wakana is a bit jarring and unfitting, like there should be a bridge building up the chorus-y bits instead of just KAORIKAORIKAO--
SUDDENLY WAKANA!!!
It feels like this should be a boss single, but listening to it gives me the impression that it's really unpolished. The instruments don't really sound like they're supporting the singers and they sound more like they're trying to goad them into a shouting match to see who's loudest instead. That's probably why the voices don't feel to me like they have a lot of strength to them, even though the singers themselves sound pretty awesome, Wakana and Keiko especially.
But I'm biased.
Certainly not worth the year wait.
imo.
Edit: Maybe it's my headphones? But Parallel Hearts and Stone Cold and all the other songs save for Toki no Mukou sound like they've got a lot of wham in the delivery, so idk.