No Man's Land (Koda Kumi song)

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"No Man's Land"
Tokyo, Japan)
Genre
Length4:26
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Kumi Koda
  • Mr. Blistah
  • Pete Kirtley
  • Jorge Mhondera
  • Samiya Berrabah
Producer(s)Max Matsuura

"No Man's Land" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist

Recochoku
. It was re-released as a promotional radio airplay single on January 25, the same release date as Japonesque. The single artwork uses the CD and double DVD cover of Japonesque, which was used exclusively through Recochoku stores.

Musically, "No Man's Land" has been described as a rock song that borrows numerous musical elements such as heavy metal. It lyrically portrays an angry and violent woman trying to escape her lover's life. Self-described as "barren", the song includes several instruments including electric guitars, acoustic guitars, and drums. The song received mixed to positive reviews from most music critics. While critics singled it out as an album highlight and one of the better tracks from Japonesque, it was criticized for Koda's rap and overuse of instrumentation.

Due to "No Man's Land" being released digitally, it was ineligible to chart on the Japanese

merry go rounds
.

Background and release

While working on her then-upcoming album

synthesizers.[2] The song was recorded in early-2011 by Takeshi Takizawa, Makoto Yamadoi, and Masahiro Kawata at Prime Sound Studios and Avex Studios, in Tokyo, Japan.[2]

In December 2011, Rhythm Zone confirmed that "No Man's Land" would be included on Japonesque, and it appeared as the thirteenth track on all formats from Japonesque.

UK radio airplay shows.[10] The single artwork uses the CD and double DVD cover of Japonesque, which was used exclusively through Recochoku stores.[6]

Composition

"No Man's Land" is a "hard" mid-tempo rock song.[11][12] Koda stated on her website that the song was a "violently", "painful", and "destructive" mix of rock and heavy metal music.[8] Koda recognized the musical composition as a "turning point" for her future musical elements and influences.[8] The original arrangement of "No Man's Land" was different from the current version; according to Koda, the original arrangement omitted the rapping verses and didn't include heavy rock instrumentation or synthesizers.[13] Zero from JpopJRock.com commented that "No Man's Land" was the only song on the album that didn't suffer from a "sparse" arrangement.[11]

Lyrically, "No Man's Land" portrays an angry and violent woman trying to escape her lovers life.

rapped in Japanese.[2] The chorus opens with the English lyrics; "I've been running in circles, round and around", carries on with Japanese, and ends with "Welcome to no man's land".[2] The second verse includes the phrases "Zero zero" and "so look at deep", whilst performed in Japanese.[2] The bridge section has Koda singing in English; "No matter where I go, this is still my home" and "my home", whilst performing in Japanese.[2] The song's final English phrase is the interlude break; "Everybody put hands right this", and finishes with the chorus and hook.[2]

Critical reception

After its release, "No Man's Land" received mixed to positive reviews from most music critics. Zero, Jaylee, and Loki from JpopJRock.com highlighted "No Man's Land" as the best track on the album; they agreed that the single had a better arrangement than most tracks on Japonesque, and enjoyed the song's composition.[11] A member from StarRock highlighted "No Man's Land" as the best track on the album, praising its commercial appeal.[10] A staff member from CD Journal enjoyed the song's composition, labelling the verses and second half of the song "impressive".[14]

Music video

Background and synopsis

The video, based in a wasteland and abandoned city, features the dark Koda (above) and Koda in the aftermath (below). Koda's clothing in the video was subjected to controversy, which led it to being banned.[13]

The accompanying music video for "No Man's Land" was directed by long-time collaborator Ryuji Seki.

merry-go-round; the merry-go-round references the lyric in the song.[2][15] As the first hook stars in the song, it features two scenes; Koda singing the track in a distance, and close-ups of Koda wearing a shackle
. The verse has Koda wandering through a valley and singing the song.

The first chorus has Koda walking through the land, and scenes of her singing. She grabs a compass, but it does not function properly. She grabs a drinking bottle, but only filled with little droplets; she tries to drink it, but falls all on her face instead.[15] As she sings the song; by the end of the second chorus, black projectile smoke is scene falling from the sky in the distance and hits parts of the abandoned city.[15] As more smoke falls and black leaves con-stellate, Koda collapses and sings the bridge on the ground. When the bridge section ends, rocks start levitating and the smoke rises, forming a black Dust devil in the distance. As more dust devil's form, they become large and closely devour Koda.[15]

By the last chorus, a close-up of Koda's eyes closes and zooms out, showing Koda in lighter clothes and long hair.

grass with the sun and blue sky beaming above it, still showing the abandoned city and merry-go-round in the distance. The field is then shown to be the distance of a cliff, with Koda standing on the edge and observing a forest at the bottom; these scenes are shot in colour instead of black and white.[15] The final vocal interlude break of the song has inter cut scenes of Koda on the cliff, and Koda walking through the valley from earlier scenes. The final scene has a repeating scene of the first scene; Koda walking through the valley in the distance of a wasteland.[15] After completing the video and watching it, Koda commented that the overall appearance had given her a "personal connection" to the video and song.[13] She stated that the visual effects were "very cool", and declared it as one of her "best" videos.[15]

Release

The music video premiered on Japanese music television channels on January 18, 2012.[15] Alongside with its radio airplay release, StarRock Productions had premiered the music video on UK music television channels on January 25.[10] The music video for "No Man's Land" appeared on the CD and DVD format, and the CD and double DVD formats for Japonesque.[4][5] Koda uploaded the video on her website, in order to promote the music videos from the album.[16] On January 26, Koda hosted a special television show for Nico Nico Live and premiered the music video to "No Man's Land", alongside the music videos from Japonesque.[17] Tetsuo Hiraga from Hot Express complimented the music video's erotic nature, Koda's sexy image, and the video's graphics.[18]

Live performances and other inclusions

"No Man's Land" has appeared on one of Koda's concert tours, this being her 2013 Japonesque tour.[19] The performance was included on part two of the concert tour, where Koda is wearing a soldier's uniform and singing the song in front of her backing band. Koda plays the drums to the ending interlude of the track.[20][21] The performance was recorded live and included on the subsequent live DVD release, Koda Kumi Live Tour 2013: Japonesque (2013). Released as a triple-DVD and double-Blu-ray set, "No Man's Land" appeared on the second disc and first disc respectively.[20][22] The 4 Skips D'n'B remix for "No Man's Land" was included on her Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 5 remix compilation (2013).[23]

Track listing

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Japonesque.[2]

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Japan[6][7][9][27][A] January 18, 2012 Digital download
Japan[29] January 25, 2012
Avex Music Creative Inc.
Australia[30]
New Zealand[24]
United Kingdom[31]
Germany[32]
Ireland[33]
France[34]
Spain[35]
Taiwan[36]

See also

  • Kumi Koda discography

Notes and references

Notes

  1. Recochoku. All digital releases on January 25 were released globally on iTunes Store
    , through the Japonesque album.

References

  1. ^ Koda, Kumi (2006). Candy (Liner notes). Kumi Koda featuring Mr. Blistah. Japan: Avex Trax. p. 11. RZCD-45308.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Koda, Kumi (2012). Japonesque (Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Avex Trax, Rhythm Zone. p. 11. RZCD-59081.
  3. ^ Tokyo Hive Staff (December 7, 2011). "Koda Kumi to release new album Japonesque in February". Tokyo Hive. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Koda, Kumi (2012). Japonesque (CD and DVD; Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Avex Trax, Rhythm Zone. p. 1. RZCD-59080/B.
  5. ^ a b Koda, Kumi (2012). Japonesque (CD and 2xDVD; Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Avex Trax, Rhythm Zone. p. 1. RZCD-59079/B~C.
  6. ^
    Recochoku
    . Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c Mora Staff (January 25, 2012). "Kumi Koda – No Man's Land; Japonesque album". Mora.jp. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c d e f 配信スケジュール [Download schedule] (in Japanese). Rhythm Zone. 2013. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c Dwango Staff (January 25, 2012). "Kumi Koda – No Man's Land single". Dwango.co.jp. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  10. ^ a b c StarRock Staff (January 2012). "A great start to 2012". StarRockMusic. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  11. ^ a b c d JpopJRock Staff (February 4, 2012). "Japon-Askew". JpopJRock.com. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  12. ^ Random J (January 25, 2012). "Kumi Koda – Japonesque (album review)". Random J Pop. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Hiraga, Tetsuo Staff (January 26, 2012). "Kumi Koda's Japonesque wins first place on Oricon Albums Chart; exclusive song commentary meeting". Hot Express; published by Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  14. ^ CD Journal Staff (January 25, 2012). "Kumi Koda / Japonesque [CD + DVD]". CD Joutnal. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "倖田來未 No Man's Land". Space Shower. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  16. ^ "Kumi Koda 10th Album Japonesque Out Now – Music" (in Japanese). Koda's official website; powered by Rhythm Zone. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  17. ^ CD Journal Staff (January 25, 2012). "Kumi Koda Japonesque songs music video viewing Nico students broadcast decision!" (in Japanese). CD Journal. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  18. ^ Hiraga, Tetsuo (January 26, 2012). "Kumi Koda's Japonesque music video lefts ban from 17 music videos" (in Japanese). Hot Express; published by Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  19. ^ "Koda Kumi Live Tour 2013: Japonesque – Koda Kumi" (in Japanese). Koda's official website; powered by Rhythm Zone. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  20. ^ a b Koda, Kumi (2013). Koda Kumi Live Tour 2013: Japonesque (DVD; Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZBD-59496~7/B.
  21. ^ Barks JP Staff (September 5, 2013). "Koda Kumi, the national arena tour final performance weekend is now broadcasting monopoly of gorgeous about 3 years" (in Japanese). Barks.jp. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  22. ^ Koda, Kumi (2013). Koda Kumi Live Tour 2013: Japonesque (Blu-ray; Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZXD-59493/B.
  23. ^ Koda, Kumi (2013). Driving Hit's 5 (Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZCD-59356.
  24. ^ a b "Japonesque – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store JP. January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  25. ^ "No Man's Land – Music Video – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store JP. February 1, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  26. ^ "Koda Kumi Live Tour 2013: Japonesque – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store JP. December 4, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  27. ^ a b Recochoku Staff (March 20, 2013). "Kumi Koda: No Man's Land (4 Skips D'n'B remix) – Album, Single, Ringtones, Uta, Music Videos, Lyrics" (in Japanese). Recochoku. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  28. ^ "Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 5 – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store JP. March 20, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  29. ^ "Japonesque – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store JP. January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  30. ^ "Japonesque – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store AUS. January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  31. ^ "Japonesque – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store UK. January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  32. ^ "Japonesque – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store GER. January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  33. ^ "Japonesque – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store IRE. January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  34. ^ "Japonesque – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store FRA. January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  35. ^ "Japonesque – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store SPA. January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  36. ^ "Japonesque – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store TWN. January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.

External links