Valor A wrote: ↑ Really, I'd just start with Schwarz Stein's "New vogue children" album. People say his vocals have improved since then, but the music counts for something too.
Maybe compromise and give 'Queen' (2011) a listen. It has some ok songs on it. In terms of solo career, he peaked at Hyakki Yagyou though imho. Though, as Hanachan stated, nothing compares to New Vogue Children, matured vocals or no. (unless, of course, you like chansons, and then go crazy with his newer stuff)
I'm going to echo everyone else and give two cyber sexual thumbs up for 'New Vogue Children'. As far as the solo stuff goes, I only liked 'Gothic', so your mileage may vary.
I think everything Kaya did from the beginning of his solo career to Gothic (2013) was good. After that, dunno, bit too poppy with some exceptions. Kaya's vocals have always been pretty solid. "Kugutsu" is probably my favourite song by Kaya and his vocals are great in it. I also love his voice in "Sink", a b-side on the "Awilda" single. I'm pretty sure that song was never on any of his albums, which is a shame as it's one of my favourites. I do also love when Kaya does something new with his voice, like "Sorcière" or "Sugar Rose". With Schwarz Stein Kaya had to sing more or less in the same style constantly, so it's nice that he does other stuff during his solo. New Vogue Children has such an unique athmosphere to it and Kaya's voice is such a perfect fit with the music. However, his vocals are just buried under billion different effects, which works on the album perfectly, but sadly makes it a bit hard to judge them. With the newer SS releases Kaya's vocals are a bit clearer, but that's one of the reasons why it doesn't sound like the old SS anymore. I have to admit, though, I've recently warmed up a bit to the later SS releases. Immortal Verses especially. Also, I got the Kaya calendar for 2021. The tradition continues!
My ex boyfriend used to say that he recognized when I was listening to Kaya/SS because it was the “guy singing slowly over fast dance music”
Hampo wrote: ↑ I was hoping against hope that this was a Fats Waller cover, but it seems not to have been the case. You never know, he does all those chansons and whatnot.
I tried placing an order from Kaya's store but my credit card was denied... (on top of that I later got a text from my bank saying a transaction was canceled and that I have to contact them...I think that was Kaya's fault...). Does anyone have any experience with his online store? Does it deny all foreign cards?
Madmoiselle_Silk wrote: ↑ I'm not sure, are you in Japan or ordering internationally? I've never ordered from there before but I'd probably just use a middleman service.
