He did it!

When young and pretty gets a music contract it`s always interesting if it´s because of the looks, or can´t she/he eventually even sing. I have to admit I loved Yuma from the moment I first saw him in "Battery". And not just because he is looking so good (he really does!), but also because of his charismatic acting. No matter whether Battery, Samurai tenkosei or Koishite akuma, there is always an air of mystery in his acting, of aloofness that surrounds him and makes him so irresistibly interesting. I´m pretty sure he will be a real big actor in Japan in years to come.
But can this guy also sing? I was very curious and couldn`t wait to hold the CD in my hands. And I was surprised in a quite positive way. "Akuma na koi" is a song with a really pretty melody that easily finds it´s way into your head and stays there - and it´s a good choice for Yuma`s (for a japanese singer) rich and deep voice - a voice that gets to me. And so I hope that Yuma will continue to get solo projects and not get stuck in a group - I would like to hear HIS voice. "NYC" is quite catchy too and for a dance tune has an interesting melody that also sticks in your head - but like so many japanese boygroup-tunes it always sound s like a choir and it´s hard to make out individual voices. I like the song, no doubt - but for Yuma please more Solo tracks!
Another thing I noticed about Yuma: in "Akuma na koi" there are quite a few english words in the lyrics - to pronounce english correctly is often a weak spot with japanese singers - Yuma does that surprisingly well. Makes me wish that he would study english so hard that he could from time to time record an all-english tune as well. Wouldn´t it be a nice idea to finally get a japanese singer that also sells good in the US and Europe. Arashi could well have achieved that goal if they just recorded an album in english. Regrettably they never did. Go Yuma, go! Here´s you´re chance!
The third song on the CD "Dial up" is neither bad nor good - it´s pretty much something to play in some disco to dance to (that purpose it serves well, with a kind of latin twist in the percussion and rhythmn) - but no melody worthwhile remembering.
The video-clips on the limited editions are quite interesting too. "NYC" has the typical dance arrangement studio scenery - well danced but not really a thrilling idea or story for the clip, just pretty guys dancing to an admittedly catchy song. I can`t help the feeling that Yuma doesn´t feel totally at ease with those dance routines and one can see that Yamada and Chinen have a little more routine in that regard.
However the clip to "Akuma na koi" is homeplay for Yuma - that clips has a nice idea and is told as kind of a story - and acting is Yuma´s territory. He totally feels at ease here and radiates that - the clip came out as very pleasing and full of atmosphere. And for the technical aspect: it also has anamorphic 16:9, not always a secure thing with Johnny´s clips (Tegomass latest clips for example a as good as it is otherwise - is presented in ancient 4:3 - whoever is responsible for that should apologize). And I like the coloring of this clip.
Conclusion: Yuma, you made a real good music-career-start with this CD-sets. I will treasure it and wish you many successful returns to CD, TV, DVD - and hopefully the silver screen one day. To be honest, I have no doubt you will :-) .