Yes, the package for last month is finally here. But I'm not going to touch on that first. For I have work tomorrow and I want to "sleep early", I'll do up everything else by then, but meanwhile... we can do another Klassic Note Review.  A month in the making, and probably a lot more before that for her because you'll notice the release numbering... Mmmmm Nan-chan!!! Haha okay calm down me

So yeah, this time around, we're back to my beloved imouto yet again. Sorry for missing your 3rd single, dear girl, but maybe when you release your 2nd album we'll get back to that again BUT FOR NOW!!! Haha okay I know I love her we're good here lol. Let's get to it then! Even I wonder why this single would be here after what happened around the world this year...

And yes, I know the official title was "Antithese" so give me a break already I don't want to do spell checks all over this post haha

(Don't ask me why let her hold the traffic post which is real heavy according to her, but I'll take the slight closer-up, thank you)

Origin: This, is a single of sorts. This is a single from her own music label and talent company MusicRay'n moving into the new age, in my opinion. It was April 2020, a time of confusion and instability, and that's where Natsukawa Shiina - voice actress and member of unit group TrySail - started her own YouTube channel. And first in her group. In the whole company, even. I suppose it was probably then where she covered songs she liked from rap to modern pop rock tunes that led to this single, I might say. Fast forward a couple of months later, she introduced her new single to us, bringing up much hype to every aspect of it, from the songs, to the music video, behind-the-scenes footage and so on... all produced/edited by yours truly, this is truly an age to live in. I hope that she really enjoyed making this single as much as I listened to it, because I tell you, this is some kind of a release.

(1) Antithesis

From the first chorus:

If this is not the definition of modern day pop rock, I can't find another description. Listening to this within seconds it'll hook you in, as with the intention of the indie composer and producer Surii would intend to do, and even later presented in a lyric video about how rebellious this song might sound, and it's totally on point. The song and music video show the strong and cool type image of Nan-chan we might otherwise not see (all but more, of course), but this makes it even cooler, embodying itself into a song that dabs itself. With a catchy melody and lyrics to remember, this will make a point across, with hype and even fit with anger. So much power, you'll won't even question my criticism of parts of this song I would otherwise dislike, just because.

Rating: 4 stars (Crazily Above Average)

(2) RUNNY NOSE

From the first chorus:

And as if one hype song isn't enough, the B-side will make you never put down this release. Apart from the fact that the solo artist singer herself came up with the lyrics which are hard to read even if I have read Japanese for the past decade, the music itself will be enough for you to bop your head, let alone shake it like it's Saturday night. It's also this that brought in a great first impression when she revealed this on her YouTube channel, just days before release date. The whole song itself is even more impressive than I thought, though I did hesitate in giving the song mostly because it'll take some time to get used to, considering the genre and obvious extension of melody to keep up with the lyrics. As much as this is a weakness of having separate composer and lyricist, this won't stop you from cheering with the background vocals, and shaking your head up and down in the chorus. This truly is a wild song inside out.

Rating: 4 stars (Rocking High on Average)

Conclusion: Everything done here might be an experiment. To suit Shiina's tastes, to test out modern day social media, to go into a genre the company itself hardly explores... all in the name of an emergency. I guess that's how we will have something good in our hands right now. If you are a fan of her, I'm not going to convince you to do otherwise, but if you have heard any of the songs on YouTube and thought this was cool? You're only hitting the tip of the iceberg, my friend. Nan-chan can do so much more, you'll think her cuteness is getting her way, and I love her efforts for that. This single will go down as something to remember, even for her as an solo artist.

- Kaineng, on the Klassic Note

[TL:DR; This single got me through depression from work haha BABYMETAL got nothing on this lol]

(So... how was the review? I put in all my literary skills to praise her I can't even) (haha) (This single is really good though imo)

THE PACKAGE (FOR THIS CD)

Haha don't ask me why they don't even bother to put in the seal for that photo with an oversized wrapping lol. Let's see... that was from? (Forgive me it has been a month) Yes, Toranoana because since she's not that popular (oops) and I can take my time to order this at any time, I ended up choosing the one I liked most with that combination of close-up and you know, maybe a different expression of her. Well, her smiling is the best, isn't it? Haha my inner fanboy is showing. Other good ones include from (why are they so big OMG) Gamers to ANIPLEX+ to Rakuten Books (please kill me with that cute face), if you think I may not have chosen the best. I may be regretting but I got it from this store also because of...!! (See whole package review for answer) (Poor guy buying from Amazon Japan without any bromides haha)

In case you didn't notice even from the disc because I covered it, it's also a first for MusicRay'n to release both instrumental tracks for their singles (normally it's one, unless it's double A-side), which is why I keep emphasising how much has been blessed on us for this particular release.And since Nan-chan is so generous to share pretty much everything of this single to the world, you can click in to see the images, including the one below. You're welcome. *thumbs up*

That shall be it then. Stay tuned for tomorrow where I will unravel the rest of the package I got like, 2 weeks after all of them have been shipped. Or to make this sound worse, planned back in August. Yeah, remember that month? It's gone now. *laughs* So yeah, cya guys tomorrow earliest then, and with bromide photos to scan, you bet my weekday nights this week will be busy haha I really need to sleep early so bye

P.S. About what I mentioned about release number, MusicRay'n ones start with "SMCL", and for comparison (Regular Edition for reference) Asakura Momo's 2nd album released in April was "SMCL-655" and Amamiya Sora's 3rd album released in September a week before this single is "SMCL-675". This single was "SMCL-649". Now you should get the idea: it was intentionally delayed. Or the reverse, so that part of the music can be licensed on YouTube for her videos. Hmm... I'll leave you guys to think about it haha

P.P.S. Considering how this was packaged and especially, consolidated so all of it can come in one piece, I'm highly suspecting how much the staff at tenso.com are enjoying looking at my package hehe more tomorrow I promise