Always
Mika Nakashima · 2010
31 min · 6 tracks · J-pop
A lush blend of orchestral pop and electronic elements, showcasing Mika Nakashima's emotive vocal range over sophisticated arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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ALWAYS Start here — The title track features sweeping melodies and poignant lyrics that encapsulate the album's emotional depth, highlighting Nakashima's powerful vocal delivery.
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BABY BABY BABY — This upbeat track contrasts the album's more somber tones, showcasing Nakashima's versatility as she shifts from introspection to lively exuberance.
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SPIRAL — With its intricate layering of sounds and heartfelt lyrics, this track illustrates the thematic complexity of the album, allowing listeners to connect deeply with its narrative.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong vocal performances and orchestral arrangements but is limited by its short length and inclusion of instrumental versions.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature lush orchestral arrangements that complement Mika Nakashima's vocal delivery, while the last three tracks are instrumental versions of the first three.
- Each of the vocal tracks showcases a different emotional tone, with 'ALWAYS' being particularly dramatic and 'BABY BABY BABY' offering a lighter feel.
- The album has a total runtime of approximately 25 minutes, maintaining a concise format that emphasizes the strength of each track.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- ethereal melodies for dreamy afternoons
- heartfelt vocals evoke deep emotions
- instrumental versions for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Solid entry in her catalog but not a standout for new listeners or critical acclaim.
- Career context
- By the time 'Always' was released in January 2010, Mika Nakashima was already a well-established figure in J-pop, known for her distinct voice and emotional performances. This album followed her successful album 'Voice' from 2009, solidifying her position in the genre while exploring more cinematic soundscapes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aimer· Lisa· Yuki Kajiura
Tracklist
- 1 ALWAYS Start here 5:13
- 2 BABY BABY BABY 5:42
- 3 SPIRAL 4:40
- 4 ALWAYS (instrumental) 5:13
- 5 BABY BABY BABY (instrumental) 5:42
- 6 SPIRAL (instrumental) 4:37
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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