The first new song is "Osozaki Musume" and its beginning sounds like it's a cool little opening of some anime or something. The synth is awesome and I like how it's sung. The fourth track "Itsumo Itsudemo" is an okay ballad that perhaps will grow on me (I am already starting to like the instrumentation). It's only made worse by the placement of "LaLaLa-SoSoSo" directly after it as the fifth track. This third indies single probably should not have been on the album, and certainly should not have been untouched. The album version of "Manopiano" is better because of how much better Mano is, but "LaLaLa-SoSoSo" unchanged stands out far too much. They should've put the Kitty song on instead.
Track 7 is "Lucky Aura" and that's why this is the album of the year. It's exactly the same as it was a year ago, and that's how it should be. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/wub.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' /> And that's the only song I need. "Santa no Saxophone" follows next, backed by an awesome horn section. And I therefore love the song. Mano & Brass = Paradise.I guess some people might have already heard "Matsuge no Saki ni Kimi ga Iru" since I think it was performed in her concert which is coming out on DVD soon.
- Risa expresses the thoughtfulness and dreamy quality of this track well.
- If you notice, Risa tongue is just sticking out by a tad, her teeth are gleaming white - exactly what I picture an Oozaki Musume to be. She captures the playfulness and graceful nature of this song.
- Here Risa's playful expression and tilting hand represent the childlike wonder and innocence I felt when listening to this song. It has the same feel as YMCA, something you can't help but make stupid hand gestures while saying PATI PATI. You even want to sing along, which is what she is doing. Perfect representation of my feelings for this song. 
- The pursed lips representing holding back laughter, holding back joy, holding back true emotions. Mano has gave us a restrained song, the only clue is within the contained "La la la" which she belts out her sorrow to the world. Haunting and beautiful, like a princess trapped in a tower. Itsumo Itsudemo....so poignant and meaningful.
- Here Risa's delicate fingers represent Mano's delicate handling of the piano. The smirk reveals her mischievous nature and the hidden layer to the music. It is a side of Mano we have not seen before, one that she exposes oh so rarely. It contrasts the previous track by releasing emotions but she still holds back for personal reasons I'm sure. But all this buildup must have release somewhere. 
- Here we have Risa expressing the determination of the song with the raised fist and and pursed lips. Koi, Koi, Koi, she chants, pumping her fist in the air. It makes me want to cheer for the girl, hoping she achieves the love she so desires. The piano bits are very nice, a brief expression of hopeful schoolgirl, ah, so nostalgic and beautiful.
- Here we have a microphone nearest the most private of places. This represents the Lucky Aura, the urgent pressing feeling expressed in the song, the microphone having a phallus shape and the private place being so private. Dokidokidokiluckyluckylucky. I can only hope that I can capture the intimate excitement expressed by Mano in this song in my own life. 
- Here we have Risa making her "O" face, which is the natural progression from the last song. Mano has done a brilliant job of capturing the elicit expressions of ecstasy. It is here that the buildup of the last four songs have had their eventual release, the highest point of this album.
- After such an uplifting release, only a smile could capture the elation. The secret hilt to her eyes and smile is that of a new confident woman, having experienced the greatest pleasure known thus far in her life. While the song is refined and typical restrained Mano, the brief glimpses of power make me realize that she is a woman behind a mask, and only the briefest glimpses of herself are shown in song. This picture represents the Mano under the mask, the Mano that she tries to hide. Only the longing in her voice reveals the woman underneath. 
- This picture represents the fun of this song. A simple girl having simple fun. 
- While I am sure that Oyasumi does not invoke a smile and a measure of penis size, Risa's yellow teeth can only show the foils of forgetting to brush teeth before sleeping. Despite this, this song retains a positive outlook on life, positive uplifting vocals, dreamy recollections of the day only a song this happy could convey. Sure, she forgot to brush her teeth. But something new will come out of the new day. Oyasumi nasai. 
- While Risa is holding her nose and snorting some indescriptant substance, I must implore a comparison to Manopiano. The refined piano points are something only an illicit substance could release. 
- This picture captures the essence of the album. A smile, the pointed finger of "Shh" or "Secret", the glint of mischievousness in her eyes....It summons the growth of a girl into a woman, the growth that a first love can bring. I hope the followup continues the maturation of a woman, with the inevitable breakup releasing true emotions Mano has been restraining throughout this entire album.
' /> I'd give you 11, except you used Risa, so you have to live with less than better than perfection.[/quote]
' /> It is one of the most unique songs among most of her catalog, it doesn't fit the classic idol mold as much as most of her other songs, but its still a really good song in its own right.
