Weekly Vocaloid Ranking # 200 (July 25-August 1, 2011)

[fascinates]

This week doesn't have as much new ones as last week's but there are still quite a few worthy of a listen. There are some Ps which are new to the rankings, too, so I think everyone should check out what kind of awesome songs they uploaded. :) Since it's 1AM here, this post is going to be short and sweet ♥.

↑# - the song moved up from a previous top 30 rank
↓# - song moved down from a previous top 30 rank
↵ - song is a re-entry to the top 30 rankings

original nicovideo link

Songs are arranged from 1-30.

( top 30 under the cut )

Producer Spotlight: Kous

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Since this month is kind of special for me, I'll play biases and post about my favorite composers/utaite who haven't been featured before. :)

kous

mylist | piapro | site | karenT page

Kous is a very prolific Vocaloid producer, having uploaded more than 30 songs in Nico Nico Douga. He started uploading songs in 2008 and is still very much active. Because of his composing/uploading speed, he has earned the dub "shoukan kous" (weekly kous) among listeners. His first pen name was actually "kou". However, due to multiple people with the same name, he decided to change his name to "kous" to make it more distinct.

Kous's music is a bit hard to define, as it seems to be within boundaries of many genres. Most of the time, it's labeled as rock, yet it is quite different from most rock songs. For this spotlight, I preferred describing his songs as easy-listening electronica, with ambient, progressive rock and jazz influences. Most of his songs have emphasized electronic beats, reminiscent of Sasakure.UK. However, he also uses a somewhat orchestraic backdrop within his melody, creating a multitude of sounds which fills the ears, in a good way, which is kind of similar to whoo's style. He also used to be a member of a band as a drummer, which is probably why his songs are intensive on repetitive beats and rhythms. Unlike other producers, kous's songs are distinct and can be identified to his name once you hear them. Unique in his songs are his way of using drum-like electronic beats to make repetitive, quirky rhythms as well as the heavy use of echoing bass melody. The lyrics of his songs are almost always melancholy reflections on different emotions.

He almost exclusively uses Hatsune Miku in his songs, although he has also made songs using Megurine Luka and the Kagamines. His Miku is tuned solid and high, but not too high to hurt the ears. She's also very flexible with tones and can shift from high to low pitches without apparent breaks or lilts. His Luka is also tuned higher than she is usually made to sing, a little shakier than Miku, probably because the high notes make her a bit whispery. He rarely uses the Kagamines, but they are tuned high, too.

Most of the time, Kous collaborates with artist/video-maker hie in his uploads. He has also collaborated with various utaite and other producers in other projects. A few of his utaite collaborations involve ShoshinshaF (unit name is "in focus") and Ef. He also released a split album with monaca:factory called Monokuro Sekai no Tsumiki Asobi

He has released a number of albums/singles like 01, SIGH-Ep, Ii ko, Warui ko, etc. , and has contributed to a number of compilation albums like mighty works, Sequence, Vocarock Collection II, etc. Last June, he has released his major debut album Kikai no Hana Laboratory under the U/M/A/A label. It has a twin CD released during Vom@s 16 called Kikai no Hana Sanatorium. Involved in his major debut project are singers Ef and Lasah, as well as Vocaloid producers DECO*27 and Sasakure.UK who remixed some of his songs.

sample songs
A. Vocaloid originals:
• Toki no Owari / The End of Time (Hatsune Miku)
• Yuuyake Sunset (Kagamine Rin and Len)
• Ii ko, Warui Ko / Good Child, Bad Child (Megurine Luka)
• Nakimushi to Hanataba/ A Crybaby and a Bouquet of Flowers (Hatsune Miku)
• Gypsy (Megurine Luka)
• ○＋● / Truth and Lies (Hatsune Miku)

B: Utaite Collaborations
• Hitokage, Kasaneru (feat. ShoshinshaF)
• Tsubaki (feat. ef) [comm-only]


nikki says
If you've been reading a lot of my spotlights, you'd realize that I'm biased towards rock songs, specifically folk and progressive rock. Which is probably why I'm drawn to Kous's music the first time I heard his works. Surprisingly enough, the first song from him that I heard is his only Kagamine work in NND ^^;. Eventually, I ended up listening to Nakimushi to Hanataba and fell in love from there. I like most of his works because they're easy on the ears despite the various sounds. His Vocaloids also do not sound shrill or hard-edged. Unfortunately, I don't have most of his earlier albums/singles he released sometime 2009/2010, but his major album is really beautiful (along with the twin Vomas release). These albums contain not only his recent works but his earlier ones (remastered) as well. It's like a collection of the musical styles he has developed over time and is a good way to get acquainted with his music.

PS: It was so hard thinking of songs to put in the sample list ;;. I wanted to put a lot, like Sakana and Shiro to Kuro and...yeah, a lot.