UA - スカートの砂

Review by Love Vivah

Album Review: スカートの砂 by UA – A Timeless Fusion of J-Pop and Dub Released in 1999 under the Speedstar label, UA’s スカートの砂 (Skirt no Suna) is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. It’s a genre-blurring gem blending pop sensibilities with reggae grooves and dub textures. The result? An album that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly ahead of its time. The record dives deep into two main tracks—"スカートの砂" and "リンゴ追分"—each remixed multiple times to explore different moods and vibes. This isn’t just filler; it’s an exercise in creative reinterpretation. If you’re looking for something polished yet raw, playful yet thoughtful, this is your ticket. Let’s zoom in on "スカートの砂 (Version)." From the first beat, Hirofumi Asamoto’s production shines through. The bassline has this rubbery bounce, almost like stepping on warm sand barefoot—it’s grounding but also kind of wobbly. UA’s vocals float over the mix effortlessly, her lyrics painting vivid imagery without hitting you over the head. You can tell she means every word. What sticks out most is how organic everything feels. Even though there are layers of electronic tweaks, it never loses its human touch. That balance between tech-heavy dub and soulful singing makes this track unforgettable. Then there’s "リンゴ追分," which flips the script entirely. It leans more traditional compared to the rest of the album, almost like a nod to Japan’s folk roots. The melody feels bittersweet, carried by sparse instrumentation that lets Kyoji Takahashi’s photography-inspired vibe come alive audibly. There’s no need for flashy remixes here—the original version speaks volumes. Listening to it feels like flipping through old photo albums, where moments from years ago suddenly feel close again. One thing worth mentioning is the art direction by Mitsuo Shindo and design work by Ryoji Ohya. The visuals tie perfectly into the music’s duality—modern yet timeless, bold yet understated. And let’s not forget Masao Nakazato’s mastering or Tohru Kotetsu’s lacquer cut, ensuring the sound hits as crisp as possible. Now, why does this album stick? Maybe it’s because it refuses to be boxed in. One moment you’re vibing to a radio-friendly remix, and the next, you’re lost in an acapella version that strips everything down to pure emotion. Or maybe it’s because UA herself seems so unapologetically authentic throughout. She doesn’t try too hard to impress—you get the sense she made exactly what she wanted to hear. Ending on a random note: I couldn’t help but laugh when I noticed “スカートの砂” appears twice on the tracklist. Was it intentional? A happy accident? Either way, it kinda works. Like revisiting a favorite beach spot—you notice new details each time around. If you’re into J-pop with a twist or just love albums that dare to experiment, give スカートの砂 a spin. Trust me, it’s still got legs after all these years.

Artist: UA
Album: スカートの砂

Japan

1999

Rating: 5.0

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Download

Filename: ua.zip

MP3 size: 57.6 mb
FLAC size: 330.4 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
リンゴ追分 (Version)	8:13
リンゴ追分	5:17
スカートの砂 (Accapella)	5:47
スカートの砂 (Boys Meet Girls Mix)	7:03
スカートの砂 (Real Life Mix)	6:11
スカートの砂 (Radio Mix)	6:16
スカートの砂 (Version)	6:17
スカートの砂	6:17

Video

UA - ¹«üÈnࠂ

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UA LIVE 2004~¹«üÈnࠂ

Images

Catalog Numbers

VICL-35056
VIJL-60033

Labels

Speedstar

Listen online

écouter en ligne
ouvir online
lyssna på nätet
ascolta in linea
online luisteren
escuchar en línea
lytte på nettet
kuunnella verkossa
online anhören

Formats

CD
Maxi-Single
Vinyl
12"

Companies

Role	Company
Manufactured By	Speedstar Records
Distributed By	Victor Entertainment, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p)	Speedstar Records
Copyright (c)	Speedstar Records

Credits

Role	Credit
Art Direction	Mitsuo Shindo
Design	Ryoji Ohya
Lacquer Cut By	Tohru Kotetsu
Mastered By	Masao Nakazato
Music By	Hirofumi Asamoto (tracks: 1, 3), Masao Yoneyama (tracks: 2, 4)
Photography By	Kyoji Takahashi
Lyrics By	UA

Notes

Tracks 2, 4: Cover song of Hibari Misora

Barcodes

Barcode: 4988002384884

About UA

Born in Suita, Osaka, March 11, 1972. Simply known by the stage name UA, is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She debuted under Speedstar Records in 1995 with the single "Horizon".

Real Name

շషෝୌ๔ (Kaori Hasegawa) née උୌ๔ (Kaori Shima)

Name Vars

uauaua.jp

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? The 1999 Japanese album *スカートの砂* (Skirt's Sand) by UA is a hidden gem blending J-pop and reggae vibes. It’s got this cool dub twist that sets it apart. The album features multiple versions of the title track, including a radio mix, an acapella version, and even a remix called "Boys Meet Girls Mix." Behind the scenes, it had some serious creative talent—like art direction by Mitsuo Shindo and music composed by Hirofumi Asamoto. Fun fact: the lacquer cut was done by Tohru Kotetsu, adding that extra layer of analog warmth to the sound. A true piece of late '90s Japan’s musical creativity!