Ongaku Cafe (The 2000s): AAA – Natsumono (2008)

This CD single is definitely fun for the Summer pop songs and I’m sure if you are an AAA fan, you probably own one, two or all versions of the CD singles already. But nevertheless, the CD single features a variety of fun, up-beat pop songs that J-pop fans will enjoy.

GROUP: AAA

CD SINGLE: Natsumono

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-31246/B (Group), AVCD-31247/B (BOYS), 31248/B (GIRLS)

DURATION: 25:18

SUNSHINE
No End Summer
Hanabi
SUNSHINE (Instrumental)
No End Summer (Instrumental)
Hanabi (Instrumental)

DVD: Region 2, 4:3

(AVCD-31246/B) – GROUP – Music Video for “SUNSHINE” (4:08)

(AVCD-31247/B) – BOYS – Music Video for “No End Summer” (4:01)

(AVCD-31248/B) – GIRLS – Music Video for “Hanabi” (4:49)

Reviewed back on April 2008:

With the weather beginning to warm up, I thought about AAA’s “Natsumono”, the title of the 15th CD single which features three vocal tracks – “SUNSHINE”, “No End Summer” and “Hanabi” (and their instrumental tracks).

To celebrate the Summer, avex trax has released four different releases of “Natsumono”. The normal CD release would come with a remix of “Hurricane Lily, Boston Mari” while the DVD versions will each come with a music video for one of the songs.

“SUNSHINE” is a fun CD single that embraces the Summer scene with a pop song and a video showcasing the group performing in the beach and embracing the Summer may it be hanging out the beach, lighting fireworks at night or enjoying the food such as soba or ice cream and just having fun. Also, showcasing three heavy-weight men kicking it at the beach, getting some R&R and the girls accidentally dropping their ice cream and shaved ice on them. All in all, a fun AAA track and fun music video.

“No End Summer” features the guys of AAA for their Summer pop track. The music video features the guys performing and dancing with two blondes in a bikini in the background.

“Hanabi” featuring the girls of AAA is actually a very cool but sad mid-tempo track by Uno Misako and Ito Chiaki. The video focuses on the children in traditional Japanese outfits sad and waiting for their parents to take them out. In a melancholic type of setting as sunsetting and the women looking very sad. The kids being taken by their parents one time but then the next, the time the parent is no longer there. The song can be interpreted as reminiscing of the days of going to a Summer Festival with your parent(s) or loved one and that person no longer being there.

The CD inserts for all three CD+DVD singles features the lyrics to the songs and track credits.

During the time this CD single first came out in 2007, I was still a bit bummed that Goto Yukari retired from the group weeks before the release of the CD single. One of the reasons why I enjoyed AAA was because of Goto’s bubbliness but looking at how AAA has done a year later with their career, the group is doing very well in the charts and are about to release their 18th CD single in May.

All in all, this CD single is definitely fun for the Summer pop songs and I’m sure if you are an AAA fan, you probably own one, two or all versions of the CD singles already.

But nevertheless, the CD single features a variety of fun, up-beat pop songs that J-pop fans will enjoy.

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