Alright, let’s dive into this gem from 1980—柏原よしえ’s 㐧二章くちづけ. If you’re into Japanese pop with that retro Kayōkyoku vibe, this one’s gonna hit different. It’s like stepping back in time to when music felt raw and full of heart, not overproduced or trying too hard. Released under Philips (yeah, the same folks who made your grandma’s record player), it’s a slice of Japan’s musical history that still feels fresh today.
First off, let me talk about “レディ直前.” Oh man, this track? It sticks. The melody is so smooth, but there’s this quirky energy to it—it’s like she’s whispering secrets right into your ear. You can tell 柏原よしえ wasn’t just singing; she was feeling it. There’s something about how her voice dances around the instrumentation, almost playful yet kinda bittersweet. Like, I dunno, maybe it reminds me of those awkward teenage years when you thought you were grown but really had no clue. That mix of innocence and ambition? Yeah, it’s all here.
Then there’s the title track, “㐧二章・くちづけ.” Wow, okay, this one hits harder than expected. It’s slow, dreamy, and honestly? A little heartbreaking. The way the strings swell behind her vocals gives me goosebumps every time. It’s not flashy or loud—it doesn’t need to be. This song feels like a quiet moment between two people, where everything else fades away except for that single kiss. And yeah, sure, it’s dramatic as heck, but isn’t that what love songs are supposed to be? Over-the-top and unforgettable?
What makes this album special is how unapologetically emotional it is. 柏原よしえ didn’t care about trends or fitting in. She poured her soul into these tracks, and you can hear it. Listening to it now feels like finding an old photograph tucked inside a book—you didn’t know you needed it until you saw it again.
And here’s the thing: albums like this don’t come around much anymore. Maybe they never did outside of Japan in the '80s. But listening to 㐧二章くちづけ makes me wonder if we’ve lost something along the way—like, the art of making music that actually means something instead of just sounding good on playlists. Or maybe I’m just getting sentimental because it’s late and I miss simpler times. Either way, give this one a spin if you ever stumble across it. Trust me, it’ll stay with you long after the last note fades.
Oh, random thought: wouldn’t it be wild if someone sampled these tracks for modern beats? Imagine hearing 柏原よしえ’s voice chopped up in some EDM drop… Okay, maybe not. Some things should stay pure.
