自身が立ち上げたレーベルから2年半ぶりの復帰作をリリース。6曲収録のコンパクトな内容だが満足度は十分で、マーク・ド・クライヴロウによるエレガントなジャジー・ミッド“I Want More”や、サンディー・トム作の味わい深い表題曲、mabanuaとEMI MARIAが共作した幸福感の溢れるほっこりR&B“WASABI GREEN”など、豪華制作陣による楽曲は粒揃いだ。そして充電期間を経た福原のヴォーカルは、シャウトなどのわかりやすいパワフルさは控えて、歌詞を噛み締めながら湧き上がるような力強さで聴き手を温める。白眉はピアノ主体のシンプルな“Broken Heart”で、寄り添うような歌声が優しく涙腺を刺激する、母性さえ感じさせるスロウだ。彼女の新章を飾るに相応しい作品が誕生した。
[English Translation]
Miho Fukuhara "Something New"
2.5 years from the previous, the newest from the pop star with the three-octave vocal range, Miho Fukuhara, is now available from her own label, Happy Field. Compactly packed with 6 quality songs including an elegant jazzy mid-tempo by Mark de Clive-Lowe “I Want More”, Sandi Thom-created tasty title track “Something New”, or the co-work by mabanua and EMI MARIA, - the happy and warm feeling-filled R&B “WASABI GREEN”, the album offers brilliant tunes by a grand lineup of prominent producers. After taking her own ‘recharging’ time, her vocals seem somewhat reborn, conveying less shouting or obvious powerful approaches, and instead, demonstrating a deeper strength from within, like carefully relishing each lyric more, sure to make listeners feel all warm. Of the entire great lineup, the simple piano tune “Broken Heart” especially stands out as this fantastically slow number features her extremely sweet, almost maternal voice that’s like cuddling right next to you, bound to bring tears to you unconditionally. A piece perfectly fitting for celebrating her new chapter is born right here.
