(POLL) Yuki Kajiura SONGS produced in 2018-2024

Saber said:
Hikaru no Senritsu which Yuki claims to be her "once a decade" magnum opus.
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Oh wow... :swt: How out of tune one can be with the artist they like, lol.

Happy to see some love for "nocturne". I really like the song, though there are days when I can't stand Hinano's singing...
 
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The additio
grunty said:
For shits and giggles since nothing's really happening right now. Let's see how YK's recent-ish STUDIO SONGS fair among our forum users. Thread is obviously aiming for post-SPACE CRAFT works, since that's been one of the popular metas ever since. YK announced at the start of 2018 that she had already parted ways with SC.

Please reply with a post of UP TO FIVE choices and make note of the last option in the list below, if you desire to explicitly express your disappointment with this era. (It can be your only choice, if you so desire; I will also count it as a vote when someone votes on less than 5 songs.)

Try to base your choices on the released STUDIO recordings, rather than live performances. Re-arrangements of haruhayuku and Hibari are included. If I missed any songs feel free to include them in your vote post, I will edit this post.

Full length songs with production by Yuki Kajiura only. (Which means no soundtrack vocal tracks, the still unreleased "fairy game / FictionJunction feat. shuri" or YK's contributions to KEIKO's "Lantana" or Yuriko's "Tokoshie ni" releases.)

I was going to make an actual POLL but the forum only allows 10 options which is, well, not enough for this list. :)

  1. I beg you / Aimer (Movie FSN[Heaven's Feel]II.lost butterfly) listen +3
  2. from the edge / FictionJunction feat. LiSA (TV Kimetsu no Yaiba) listen
  3. Hibari / ASCA (TV Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files) listen +1
  4. haruhayuku / Aimer (Movie FSN[Heaven's Feel]III.spring song) listen
  5. haruhayuku the late spring version / Aimer (Movie FSN[Heaven's Feel] single) listen
  6. homura / LiSA (Movie Kimetsu no Yaiba - Mugen Resshahen) listen
  7. wonderland / Aimer (Walpurgis / Aimer album) listen +2
  8. Umi to Shinju (the sea and a pearl) / JUNNA (TV Fena Kaizoku Oujo) listen +1
  9. Akeboshi / LiSA (TV Kimetsu no Yaiba - Mugen Resshahen) listen
  10. Shirogane / LiSA (TV Kimetsu no Yaiba - Mugen Resshahen) listen
  11. Taiyou no Kouro (the route of the sun) / JUNNA (TV Fena Kaizoku Oujo) listen +3
  12. Asa ga kuru / Aimer (TV Kimetsu no Yaiba - Yuukaku-hen) listen
  13. Kimigamitayumenomonogatari / ASCA (TV Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files Special Episode) listen +1
  14. Hibari winter whisper version / ASCA (TV Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files Special Episode single) listen
  15. nocturne / Hinano (Movie DEEMO - Sakura no Oto) listen
  16. Sokyu no Fanfare / FictionJunction feat. Aoi Eir, ASCA, ReoNa (Sword Art Online 10th Anniversary) listen
  17. KOTONOHOKA YAWARAKAI / FictionJunction feat. KAORI, KEIKO, YURIKO KAIDA, Joelle (PARADE / FictionJunction album) listen +3
  18. YAKOU TORYO / FictionJunction feat. ASCA (PARADE / FictionJunction album) listen +1
  19. Beginning / FictionJunction feat. KAORI, KEIKO, YURIKO KAIDA, Joelle (PARADE / FictionJunction album) listen
  20. MOU KIMINOKOTO WO MITAKUNAI / FictionJunction feat. rito (PARADE / FictionJunction album) listen
  21. KAI / FictionJunction feat. Aimer (PARADE / FictionJunction album) listen
  22. HACHIGATSU NO ORGAN / FictionJunction feat. LINO LEIA (PARADE / FictionJunction album) listen
  23. SORE HA CHIISANA HIKARI NO YOUNA / FictionJunction feat. KEIKO (PARADE / FictionJunction album) listen
  24. moonlight melody / FictionJunction feat. KAORI, KEIKO, YURIKO KAIDA, Joelle (PARADE / FictionJunction album) listen
  25. SEKAI NO HATE / FictionJunction feat. YUUKI AIRA (PARADE / FictionJunction album) listen
  26. Parade / FictionJunction feat. KAORI, KEIKO, YURIKO KAIDA, Joelle (PARADE / FictionJunction album) listen
  27. Koi Kogare / milet x MAN WITH A MISSION (TV Kimetsu no Yaiba - Katanakaji no Satohen) listen
  28. Kazeyo, Fuke / FictionJunction feat. KOKIA (Movie Kazeyo Arashiyo) listen +1
  29. Yuuyami no Uta / KEIKO (TV Sengoku Youko) listen
  30. Sarigiwa no ROMANTICS / See-Saw (Movie Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM) listen +2
  31. Tokoshie / HYDE x MY FIRST STORY (TV Kimetsu no Yaiba - Hashira Geiko-hen) listen +2
  32. DISAPPOINTING_18-24 / I did not like more Yuki Kajiura produced songs in 2018-2024

Edit:
Added youtube links for each song which hopefully work internationally.
If a link doesn't work or is blocked, please mention it in your post. If you could find an official auto generated upload that works for you, that would be amazing, too.
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The inclusion of the links was a very helpful and thoughtful addition and quite welcome to refresh the memory (and give the studio version)! 👍👍👍

My picks:

haruhayuku the late spring version / Aimer | Movie: FSN[Heaven's Feel] single
-> A beautiful arrangement and instrumental performance. Showcases how acoustic arrangements are usually special and support vocal performances more naturally.

KOTONOHOKA YAWARAKAI / FictionJunction feat. KAORI, KEIKO, YURIKO KAIDA, Joelle | PARADE
-> A strong FJ song with strong parts by Kaori especially and also Yuriko spice, with all their 4 voices getting some space to shine (Joelle a bit though Keiko was mainly doing harmony work), and Kajiura got to join in the kajiurago harmony during the bridge too!

Beginning / FictionJunction feat. KAORI, KEIKO, YURIKO KAIDA, Joelle | PARADE
-> Keiko's starting lead and the gentle flow of the entire song with the modulations. It's a sentimental song (and I like Yuriko's harmony coming in before the second chorus). Kaori's underappreciated vocal... I guess I'm just enamored by hearing all their voices together!

Kazeyo, Fuke / FictionJunction feat. KOKIA | Movie: Kazeyo Arashiyo
-> The masterful vocal performance from KOKIA (she recorded all the parts herself and that's always a harmony treat) and the steady accompaniment that never overshadowed her voice with any flourishes.

Tokoshie / HYDE x MY FIRST STORY | TV Kimetsu no Yaiba - Hashira Geiko-hen
-> The vocal performance (the menace and the depth of expression), a true character performance from HYDE), the masterful composition from Kajiura, the tie-in to the cliffhanger episode of KnY and Muzan's entrance... It has too much going for it.
 
For me it's:
I beg you : Completely unexpected composition. Delicious and whack.
Taiyou koro: Both this and Umi to Shinju have this FRESH sound that fit perfectly with Fena. I chose this cuz it's a bit more mellow~
Nocturne: Hinano sucks, but I really luv the melody and arrangement, and muh Joelle sound lovely singing chorus. Mebbe she should've sang the whole thing.
Wonderland: I feel like it's a continuation of whatever inspired IBY. The ending tho... no.
Kotonohoka yawarakai: it has all the elements I love about Kajiura songs.
 
Hi there, I'm new here, I came across this poll recently and wanted to comment:

My list:

taiyou no kouro
I think the melody in the chorus is very original and uplifting as well. I also love Yuriko's bridge. The intro vocal harmonies give the sense of a peaceful faraway place

kotonohoka yawarakai
The verses seem to me to follow a similar structure to Gaika, but then Yuriko comes in for the chorus with a piercing sound that is so pleasing really. Keiko's supporting harmony in that part was so fun to decipher.

kimi ga yume mita monogatari
This is such a unique song, three or four very catchy violin refrains spread out throughout, very nice key changes, and a dramatically spooky slowed-down 'maigo no youni...'

hachigatsu no organ
the transitions to the choruses are so seamless it makes my heart skip a beat. (would have liked for the second chorus not to have that sped-up beat). I do think Kajiura forced to many key changes in here though

yuuyami no uta
the bridge is so elegant, I absolutely adore the three-part harmonies, they are so Kajiura-like
 
We got votes from over 10 people, yessirs! Successful thread is successful! lol. I laugh but there's maybe like 15 of us actively posting on the forum anyways so it really could be considered a success, teehee.
 
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I’m biased bc (1) I haven’t listened to all the listed songs and (2) new KnY here so gravitating for some songs :p

My picks in no particular order:

HOMURA - omg such a perfect closer to S2 of KnY. The MV was also epic IMO - one shot on the beach. GO LiSA. And I never really liked her much, not that I DISLIKED her but she was never too special to me (even in gurenge I was just like huh ok cool)

Kai - possibly the first time I ever appreciated Aimer’s voice. The bridge with the cello… OH MY. YES WE WILL “SAIL ON.” YES.

Parade - it’s SUCH a cheesy song and I’m sure lots of people think it’s a Chiba archive. But I find Kajiura’s generic ass songs to be one of her best, look at Alleluia. It’s such a simple and uncomplicated song yet it managed to be Kalafina’s most popular (according to the 10 anniversary poll). Joelle’s verses…. Can put me to bed with that effortlessly sweet gentleness. And her outtro— SORA NI TODOKE…. Wow. Just wow.

tokoshie - not much comment besides love the powerful darkness magnified by the deep voice of HYDE… the kind of songs I wished she had composed for Keiko and Hikaru

KOTONOHOKA YAWARAKAI - yes yes and yes— I consider this a Yuriko led song 💀 the layers were just so perfect as someone else had already mentioned


There @grunty 🥰
 
Well then this is a perfect opportunity to listen to these songs! ;p

(Did you? Or did you just focus on the ones you already knew?)

(Feel free to amend your votes later. Just make it clear to me that you are changing your votes, so I can modify the results too.)
 
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this is somewhat hard because I could find something I like in most of these songs. When you list them like that, you'll see Kajiura worked hard. DON'T COMPLAIN lol

in no particular order:

I beg you & Hibari : I don't particularly enjoy either Asca's or aimer's voices but they were well sung and the melodies/arrangements are excellent. Hanae and flute/harp/guitar combo always is the best.

Kimigamitayumenomonogatari : incredibly catchy, melodramatic, it gives the feelings of detective work, romance and battle all at the same time. That subtle cello in the beginning, Yuriko's ahhhs, the flute. wonderful blend. the leitmotif is so short and yet a full song with no boring sections (imo).

KOTONOHOKA YAWARAKAI: the muffled radio violin, the beat and (the WIND CHIMES!) in the beginning makes the song's entrance so juicy... and sad. The blend of voices works so well. Hanae's Joelle's ending is like a musical signature from Kajiura stamped at the end of a document.

SORE HA CHIISANA HIKARI NO YOUNA: Keiko sniff. sigh.

If I had more space, I'd put (in somewhat decreasing liking order): Hibari winter whisper version (that cello in the middle ooofff so good); Kazeyo Fuke (Kokia is the best - such a unique voice which sets it apart from every other song); Taiyou no Kouro, umi to Shinju, Parade, wonderland, nocturne, Sarigiwa no romantics, moonlight melody (hate yuriko’s cutesy voice in the beginning but could have been a fun song to wobble your head to). I couldn't really click with the other songs but maybe I was overwhelmed by so much xD
 
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also shout out to Hibari winter whisper version, it might be one of very few songs (vocal or not, excluding cello-only pieces) that fade with a cello at the end.
It's usually either piano, vocal or strings.
wat11 approved xD
 
grunty said:
Kimigamitayumenomonogatari / ASCA (TV Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files Special Episode) listen +5
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OK, this may be a bit controversial (or not), but after listening to this again, and remembering how much I enjoyed the action set-piece vibe of the performance in the KajiFes (my first time hearing it).

With that, I will actually be really interested to hear a cover version by HYDE x MY FIRST STORY, after hearing their "Tokoshie".
 
wat11 said:
@Lorde-Kowz Either I seriously thought it was Hanae or I was thinking of Hibari now I can't tell lol
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That's the versatility of Joelle coming in play. Because she has facility with high head voice (though not as heavy up there as Yuriko).

I remember some instances in the YKL17 where I thought Yuriko was singing light head voice and looked at the screen to see Joelle doing it.

Also during the NHK WORLD-JAPAN MUSIC FESTIVAL in 2023, where Joelle was the high soprano for the songs, and did Yuriko high harmony in "Magia", there was no need for the standard use of Yuriko's backing track like in Kalafina lives, which I loved!

The fact is that Kajiura is confident to rearrange some of these songs because she has another regular vocalist who can also sing up there with Yuriko, and this also gives space for Yuriko to take more leads, and Kajiura should now be able to consider composing new music with Yuriko singing the lead, knowing that Joelle can complete high chorus harmony to support Yuriko for live performances.
 
CloisteredFlame said:
The fact is that Kajiura is confident to rearrange some of these songs because she has another regular vocalist who can also sing up there with Yuriko, and this also gives space for Yuriko to take more leads, and Kajiura should now be able to consider composing new music with Yuriko singing the lead, knowing that Joelle can complete high chorus harmony to support Yuriko for live performances.
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I actually don't think I ever thought about Joelle singing high harmonies (which is what Yuriko normally does) AS A WAY of opening Yuriko for more leading vocals. That's a very nice point that Kajiura hopefully considers. I mean - it's obvious (and probably already happening in tracks like kotonohoka yawarakai or moonlight melody), I just don't think it ever occured to me to think of it this way.

Somehow I was always thinking of it in separates - Joelle being the sole backing vocalist, like Yuriko usually is. Examples being: nocturne or English versions of JUNNA's songs.
 
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grunty said:
I actually don't think I ever thought about Joelle singing high harmonies (which is what Yuriko normally does) AS A WAY of opening Yuriko for more leading vocals. That's a very nice point that Kajiura hopefully considers. I mean - it's obvious (and probably already happening in tracks like kotonohoka yawarakai or moonlight melody), I just don't think it ever occured to me to think of it this way.

Somehow I was always thinking of it in separates - Joelle being the sole backing vocalist, like Yuriko usually is. Examples being: nocturne or English versions of JUNNA's songs.
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Exactly! It's like changing the way we think about Kajiura's vocal arranging. It's also why I am actually curious for what options open to her for arranging without Keiko who is currently on "hiatus" (I don't think working with Kajiura is permanently off the cards for Keiko, just not until the end of the new SC contract, anyway that's my hope).

Part of the reason why I felt like Joelle coming in brought into being a more complete form of FJ (no shade intended on Wakana and her tone) is because Kajiura has all the pieces in place for her vision in her regular vocal lineup, and why I loved the way the seeming "limitation" of a Y+J+K, 3-person lineup actually revealed the strength of all 3 of them as a blend (range- and arrangement-wise) in the Kanagawa YKL20 live.

With Joelle, all of a sudden Kajiura's entire English discography is fully at her disposal like never before, and she also can now give Yuriko rest in places instead of her staying in head voice throughout the concert (not easy), Yuriko can sing more in chest voice and mix bringing her voice to the forefront, and possibly get to lead songs some more, without the high soprano part being missing.

You'll notice also that her Yuriko's voice has been brought more forward in the live mix more recently starting from around YKL17, even when doing head voice. I daresay it's because Joelle's presence is able to allow Yuriko not to be held back as much as in the past (for a better blend in the soprano range with W).
 
An epic thread thanks! It's also a good way to get up to speed on what's going on in the pop front of things. I was familiar with maybe a third of these songs. My list as follows. I've marked with + those that I already have and with ! the ones I should buy (I usually prefer singles but I'll have to see...).

1. Kazeyo, Fuke / FictionJunction feat. KOKIA +
2. The Sea and the Pearl /YUNNA +
3. haruhayuku / Aimer SS +
4. Hibari winter whisper version / ASCA !
5. KAI / FictionJunction feat. Aimer !

Honorable mentions:

6. Sokyu no Fanfare / FictionJunction feat. Aoi Eir, ASCA, ReoNa !
7. Hibari / ASCA !
8. Sarigiwa no ROMANTICS / See-Saw +

It's nice to see how almost every song is good-ish minimum. There are very few "bad" pieces IMO.
 
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