Ongaku Cafe (The 2000s): May – Kizuna (2007)

For those who want to hear good music, an artist who works her ass off to promote her name, please give MAY’s “Kizuna” a try.

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ARTIST: MAY

CD SINGLE: KIZUNA

LABEL: avex io

CATALOG #: IOCD-20218

DURATION: 18:16

RELEASE DATE:  December 19, 2007

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1. KIZUNA
2. Toki wo tomete
3. KIZUNA (instrumental)
4. Toki wo tomete (instrumental)

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Reviewed in January 2008

In December 2007, avex io music artist MAY released her 7th CD single “KIZUNA”.

Among one of the few Korean’s on an Avex related CD single, MAY’s musical style is inspired by her favorites such as JEWEL and THE CORRS.

In 2007, MAY has literally been back and forth promoting her Korean and Japanese musical works but I really enjoy this artist’s music. Typically photographed along with her acoustic guitar in Japan, “KIZUNA” features a mellow rock song that highlights MAY’s high voice (along similar artists such as YUKI of JUDY AND MARY and CHARA) and her guitar playing.

Listening to her seventh CD single though, it kind of invokes similarities to various artists in Asia. Which is not a bad thing, mainly because for example, “KIZUNA” means “friendship” and the song actually reminds me of the “peace” songs that come from the Philippines or even J-Friends (a special group which combines Johnny’s Jimusho groups and artists to benefit a charity).

The song is very peaceful and features the child choir singing in the background. It’s a friend family friendly song and no surprise as its used for the children’s animated film “Nezumi Monogatari” from Sanrio.

As for the coupling track “Toki wo tomete”, the song is a ballad that at first starts out sound like the Carpenters “Sing” and starts out with just a piano and then slowly includes the drums and then later, other instruments. The song is beautifully done and enjoyed her vocals on this track.

The CD insert features a bi-fold with lyrics inside and not much else.

I enjoy MAY’s music and so far, I haven’t been disappointed with her release. She has great music but among the other Korean artists from Avex, typically they are promoted as R&B artists with a strong dance background.

MAY is a musician that can sing and whether it be in Japan or Korea, she doesn’t get the push as someone like BoA or Tohoshinki.

Her seventh CD single “KIZUNA” was used for a children’s film and the song has that strong quality with the children’s choir in the background of being a family friendly song. The coupling song “Toki wo Tomete” is a beautiful ballad and another CD single that I have enjoyed from the artist but know that somehow her music gets lost within the shuffle of other releases.

She has a beautiful voice (which might be a little to high for some) but so far, I’ve really enjoyed her musical work and I think others would as well.

Nevertheless, for those who want to hear good music, an artist who works her ass off to promote her name, please give MAY a try.

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