Yoko Hamasaki "Blue Forest"
In her second solo album, vocalist Yoko Hamasaki from Urbangarde, a Japanese electronic pop band, takes up producing its sounds and the lyrics of most songs, making for minor key electro Showa-era pop that sets her apart from the band, especially when she supremely sings pop singer Asami Kobayashi's Japanese cover version of "I Like Chopin." Another characteristic is that she focuses on love songs like a cover of "Dare Yori Mo Suki Nanoni (meaning I Love You More Than Anyone Else)" by singer songwriter Toko Furuuchi, creating a dence, passionate narrative. It's also noteworthy that multifaceted musician Naruyoshi Kikuchi contributes his lyrics.
