OLIVIA returns with a new mini-album that features a balance of rock and synth-pop tracks.
ARTIST: OLIVIA
ALBUM: Trinka Trinka
LABEL: Cutting Edge
CATALOG #: CD+DVD (CTCR-14597/B) and CD (CTCR/14598)
DURATION: 28:37
RELEASE DATE: September 17, 2008
- Trinka Trinka
- Rain
- Because
- Collecting sparkles
- Miss you
- Your Smile
(Originally reviewed this back in 2008)
NOTE: The following is an advance review provided to us by the label, so we can not give any details on the DVD version or the CD insert booklet contents.
The last time we have heard from OLIVIA, she was involved with the music for the animated series “NANA” and with “NANA” now completed, many have wondered how her music would be. Possibly resuming the hard-hitting rock sound or perhaps more experimental synth-pop music?
But here we are with the latest mini-album from OLIVIA, an esoteric arist, singer-songwriter, illustrator and creator of strange but yet whimsical (and cool) artsy things.
Unsatisfied with the words in the dictionary, she created the word “Trinka Trinka” as a word that encompasses the words EXCITED, LAUGH, GIGGLE and FUN.
Blooming out of her gloom and with joy being her inspiration, she has put together a more energetic, fun and bright sound compared to past releases.
Listening to the first track “Trinka Trinka”, the music features a twist of techno, dashes of electronic, ambient, mainstream rock and melodious vocals.
The song features lyrics by OLIVIA and music by her and brother Jeffrey Lufkin who also overseen the musical arrangement for the track.
I love the wild and enjoyable vocals of OLIVIA singing “I’m feeling trinka trinka, it’s really happening” and the remainder of the chorus is just catch and fun to listen to.
Also, to give some additional rock boost to her music is a collaboration with drummer Murochin and guitars by Sakamoto Azuma, both of the rock band Wrench.
The second track “RAIN” is the “rock song” on the album featuring words by OLIVIA and Kawamura Masumi and musical arrangement by rui and Kansei from fade.
The song is the ending theme for the TV Tokyo drama “Keitai Sousakan 7″(a TV drama from Miike Takashi about a walking cell phone that has been attracting quite a number of viewers on youtube of late). Overall, a pretty cool rock track. The music is as heavy hitting and melodious as past OLIVIA songs.
The third track “Because” is a beautiful, emotional ballad by OLIVIA and Suzuki Tetsuhiko. Featuring music and arrangement by OLIVIA. The song transitions from a slow-paced song with electric guiars and piano and synth to a chorus that quickly features a more punchy rock sound courtesy of Sakamoto Azuma and Murochin of Wrench.
The fourth track “Collecting Sparkles” features a synth-based track with OLIVIA and brother Jeffrey. The track is an all English song. The lyrics are poetic and showcases the artistic side of OLIVIA and her utilization of more synth-based music was well done between sister and brother, but I still await a song between her and sister, music artist CAROLINE which both would culminate to an expression of artistic tour de force if both were to join forces.
The fifth track “Miss you” is another ballad, synth-based with a deep groove and digital beats. Majority of the track is in English with some Japanese. Words by OLIVIA and Karen Aoki. Music by OLIVIA and arrangement by both her and Jeffrey.
The sixth track “Your smile” brings together lyrics by OLIVIA and Kawamura Masumi and music and arrangement by OLIVIA. Another rock track, electric guitars are not as prominent as “RAIN” but the harmonious vocals between OLIVIA and her singing the background vocals were well done. Definitely another favorite track on the album.
The CD version will come with an art and photo book, while the DVD version will contain the music video for “Rain”.
For me, each release by OLIVIA is something I embrace because of her creative and artistic side.
As much as I enjoyed her work ala inspi’ REIRA for the “NANA” project (which I still listen to a lot to this day on my iPod), there is this quirky, beautiful and amazing world in the mind of OLIVIA that I like to see her expression via the form of art that she illustrates to the lyrics that she writes and how the music turns out for its completion.
“Trinka Trinka” was a happy song that I wasn’t quite expecting from here (especially after listening to the rock track “RAIN”) but I just found myself really enjoying “Trinka Trinka” for it’s enjoyable vocals. A very enjoyable track that I’ve listened to more than a zillion times.
And for a mini-album, you get a little bit of the rock and synth-pop tracks and for me, I’m always open to the creativity of her music, whether or not it tackles various genres or stays within what we know of her previous music.
But overall, “Trinka Trinka” is an enjoyable mini-album that has been in my music playing rotation for several days and haven’t even switched my CD yet. If you are an OLIVIA fan and embrace that creative side to her music and songwriting, definitely check this mini-album out.
