At this point in ZARD’s prime we are hitting the back half and this album is definitely a surprise. I’ll also note not all surprises are good. After a couple of listen throughs there was only one track I was familiar with and was "Konna ni Soba ni Iru no ni" as it was one of the singles the others never stuck for me. That probably should have been a warning sign. Izumi Sakai handled all her own lyrics. Tetsuro Oda and Seiichiro Kuribayashi split the album with Michiya Haruhata handling one track near the end. Masao Akashi and Daisuke Ikeda handled most of the tracks and collaborated one one with Takeshi Hayama tackling one (the same one as Michiya Haruhata).
Some odd bits of trivia. The album cover is a little funny too, it is from around the time of her third album. This was the last album to use the stylized Z with a wavy line. "High Heel Nugi Sutete" was a give away single in a lottery.
If I had to have a feeling after a couple of listening's, “forever you” feels like the tracks that could not make the cut for ZARD’s prior two albums. But is that still a cut above the JPop rest? Press on and find out!
Track 1. "Ima Sugu Ai ni Kite" (今すぐ会いに来て)
Izumi Sakai / Seiichiro Kuribayashi / Masao Akashi (Lyrics / Music / Arranger)
I guess this is a love song maybe a little tongue in cheek? I could easily see "Ima Sugu Ai ni Kite" buried somewhere on the back half of an album as very nice filler. As the opening track for ZARD… I have questions about that choice. Sakai’s vocals do not really stand out. The music sort of matches the tone so it is a lighter sounding song, but it is also nothing special. I will give some credit the track is well produced.
Vocals: 2.5 Music: 2 Production: 3.2
Track 2. "High Heel Nugi Sutete" (ハイヒール脱ぎ捨てて)
Izumi Sakai / Seiichirou Kuribayashi / Masao Akashi
Getting back on track with "High Heel Nugi Sutete" which is a wistful love song which from what I can determine. Sakai’s vocals a quite nice on this track and very on point. The music is ok, maybe even a little dated for the JPop scene. The synth and sax portions are a little much, the rest of the music is a nondescript framework to hand Saka’s vocals on. Production here is again good, it is very clean.
Vocals: 3.25 Music: 2.25 Production: 3.25
Track 3. "forever you"
Izumi Sakai / Tetsurō Oda / Masao Akashi
Another very Sakai love song. Her vocal delivery is a powerful midrange accented by her low to high accents. This is definitely Sakai flexing her vocals. Tetsuro Oda’s arrangement is simple, but well matched until it gets guitar heavy which changes up the tone of the song. That is an interesting transition. Akashi’s production is nice, there are some subtle depths especially with the violins.
Vocals: 3.4 Music: 3 Production: 3
Track 4. "Mou Nigetari Shinai wa Omoide kara" (もう逃げたりしないわ 想い出から)
Izumi Sakai / Seiichiro Kuribayashi / Masao Akashi
The opening is dated and not in a cool retro style in this bittersweet former relationship song. Sakai’s vocals are okay at times, but they don’t land. Music is not great, though I will give some props to the bass, that is nice. It dives me crazy to say that the best part of the track is Akashi’s production.
Vocals: 2 Music: 1.75 Production: 2.5
Track 5. "Anata wo Kanjiteitai" (あなたを感じていたい)
Izumi Sakai / Tetsurou Oda / Tetsurou Oda
A wintery wonderland wistful love song. The track opens up ok, then steps up the pace with a synthesizer heavy part. There are also some really interesting changes of pace. Sakai’s vocals are pretty good here, but the high parts are definitely at her top range and maybe stays there overlong. This definitely feels like a Tetsuro Oda song, which of all composers pairs well. His production is also very good and completely different than Akashi. I have always though Sakai and Oda had a unique working relationship but no idea how true that is. End result is one of the better tracks on “forever you.”
Vocals: 4.25 Music: 4 Production: 4
Track 6. "Kiraku ni Ikou" (気楽に行こう)
Izumi Sakai / Seiichirou Kuribayashi / Daisuke Ikeda
Whoa, this track opens up very strong maybe more a song of the times and a touch dated. I still like it. A more straightforward Sakai love long. Seiichirou Kuribayashi’s music is great here. Daisuke Ikeda’s production is much less layered but its really good. Sakai’s vocals are on point and she keeps well within her range.
Vocals: 4.25 Music: 4 Production: 4.25
Track 7. "I'm in Love"
Izumi Sakai / Tetsurou Oda / Daisuke Ikeda
Kind of a slow intro to the song, then its way over engineered (even for Being) but picks up speed as a power poppy love song. Sakai’s lyrics are a little washed out, but she does deliver nicely and in spots very interesting. The backing vocals are a bit assertive. Overall music sounds dated and while I can appreciate we finally have more up tempo music… this could have been a better track.
Vocals: 3.5 Music: 3.25 Production: 2.75
Track 8. "Konna ni Soba ni Iru no ni" (こんなにそばに居るのに)
Izumi Sakai / Seiichirou Kuribayashi / Masao Akashi & Daisuke Ikeda
Sure it is heavy 90’s synth hits, but it works. Sakai’s singing is really good here, like a loving whisper in my ear. It’s definitely a sensual love song in mood. The music is interesting and different, the drums are assertive but not over so. Production is very good, though more Akashi or Ikeda? Not sure. Maybe a big of an egregious flex of a guitar solo. I’d argue this is the best track on “forever you” and an odd duck on an album I have some problems with.
Vocals: 5 Music:4.5 Production: 4.25
Track 9. "Just Believe in Love"
Izumi Sakai / Michiya Haruhata / Takeshi Hayama
Another starts slow to overwrought music then kinda fall into a loud mid tempo song. Sakai’s singing is alright but feels like she is fighting the music which means the production here is as much the issue. It’s kind of a mess of a track. Not terrible, just I know Sakai can deliver better.
Vocals: 3 Music: 2 Production: 2
Track 10. "Hitomi Sorasanaide" (瞳そらさないで, originally performed by Deen)
Izumi Sakai / Tetsurou Oda / Masao Akashi
A bit of a melancholy self cover. I think if you took Sakai’s vocals and married them to Deen’s music this would be a great track, but as is it is an okay ZARD song. In the context of this album it is one of the better tracks. The music is just kind of jumbled and uneven, not bad just how it is layered makes the sound a little muddy.
Vocals: 3.5 Music: 3.25 Production: 3
Overall Album Score:
Vocals: 3.47
Music: 3
Production: 3.22
Overall Score: 3.22
Adjusted Album Score: 3
I took it a tick down because the tracks that miss outweigh the few that hit.
“forever you” is a frustratingly average album. I guess I came into ”forever you” expecting more as this is in the heart of Izumi Sakai’s career and came away disappointed. Not so much so that I hate it, but it is not an album I would seek out. It contrasts interestingly with “Oh My Love.” Here it is mostly average songs that felt like leftovers from the prior few albums versus good songs that were left over. “Konna ni Soba ni Iru no ni" is definitely the strongest song. "Kiraku ni Ikou" and “Anata wo Kanjiteitai” were also songs I like.
