Shine [w/ Blu-ray, Limited Edition]

Shine is packed with many great songs from the singles to the brand new album tracks. It's also an even bigger step up from her previous album "Vivid", which I also enjoy. CK has amazing vocal capabilities, which she really puts to great use on this album. There's honestly no filler whatsoever. I love EVERY track. However, some of my favorites are "I'm Beautiful", "REVOLUTION", "Shooting Star", "#HEARTMELT" and "Everlasting". The opening song "Nando Demo" and "Present" both have a very December holiday season sound to me, and "Someday" has a very 60's oldies sound to me as well, yet still sounds so fresh and fun. "REVOLUTION" got a fair bit of attention merely for having Namie Amuro included on the track. I am a BIG fan of hers, but I still feel that CK's vocals outshine her on this song. The bonus track remix of this song is quite different. I really like it, but I still feel the original is better. Then the "Kimi ga Ita Kara" MV is kinda sweet but due to the amount of reading necessary to follow parts of it, I had a little trouble trying to figure out exactly what was going on through the entire thing. The "Nando Demo" MV is very simplistic and pretty, yet also a tad bland. "REVOLUTION" is more upbeat and features CK and Namie Amuro in a club setting on a high up stage with a ton of people below jamming to the song. The bonus live content is wonderful. She's wonderful live, but I feel like they could've been put on the album in a better order sequence. Lastly, the packaging. It's flat out gorgeous. The title on the cover of the booklet has the letters raised up and inside are several beautiful photos of the singer along with the lyrics all very neatly organized from page to page. The booklet and obi are also printed on a strong yet soft and silky paper, which I just adore so much. I HIGHLY recommend this album be given a try.