This Armor
Chihiro Onitsuka · 2002
51 min · 10 tracks · pop music
Ethereal pop melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundscape that resonates deeply with listeners.
Top tracks — play these first
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ROLLIN’ Start here — The opening track sets an energetic tone with its driving beat and catchy chorus, encapsulating the album's blend of pop sensibility and heartfelt emotion.
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everything, in my hands — This track features poignant lyrics that reflect on personal struggles and resilience, showcasing Onitsuka's ability to convey vulnerability through her powerful vocals.
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CROW — CROW stands out for its haunting melody and evocative imagery, addressing themes of loneliness and searching for identity, making it one of the album's emotional highpoints.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This Armor showcases strong songwriting and production, with emotional depth that resonates but may not fully reward repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving beat in 'ROLLIN’', then shifts to more subdued arrangements in tracks like '茨の海' and 'everything, in my hands'.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that create an ethereal quality, particularly in 'Our Song' and 'CROW'.
- The lyrics often explore introspective themes, with a notable shift in tone towards darker emotions in tracks like 'infection' and 'Arrow of Pain'.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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 progression with resolution
- introspective listening during solitude
- haunting melodies for deep reflection
- captivating emotional immersion
- thoughtful moments of quiet introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party atmosphere
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This Armor solidified Onitsuka's presence in J-pop, achieving significant commercial success.
- Themes
- personal struggle· search for identity· introspective resilience
- Career context
- Released in 2002, This Armor served as Chihiro Onitsuka's sophomore album, following her critically acclaimed debut, Insomnia. At this point, she was solidifying her presence in the J-pop scene and exploring deeper emotional themes in her music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aimer· Yuki Kajiura· Lisa
Tracklist
- 1 ROLLIN’ Start here 5:08
- 2 茨の海 5:06
- 3 シャドウ 5:43
- 4 everything, in my hands 4:46
- 5 Our Song 3:50
- 6 流星群 5:14
- 7 LITTLE BEAT RIFLE (album ver.) 4:54
- 8 Arrow of Pain 5:17
- 9 infection 5:47
- 10 CROW 5:15
What to play next
Sugar High
2002
Continues the ethereal sound while introducing more upbeat elements for variety.
Insomnia
2001
Sets the stage with similar introspective themes and haunting melodies.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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