Yuki "Wave" (2006)

Wave
release date: Sep. 6, 2006
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5]

Track highlights: 1. "Nagai Yume" - 2. "Melancholinista" - 5. "Fugainaiya"

Studio album by Yuki. This is a continued journey into synth pop, which suits her voice quite nicely, although it's a stylistic mix. J-pop still is the major style, the production has become more orchestrated in an almost Eurovision-song-contest-kind of way. Also, I think, she challenges her voice more on this release and shows she really can sing and not only use a childlike tone but many tracks are attempts to be indie rock, which fails with her tiny voice and crossings from j-pop pop-songs to more (tempted) aggressiveness.

Yuki "Joy" (2005)

Joy
release date: Feb. 23, 2005
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5]

Track highlights: 2. "Joy" - 4. "Walking on the Skyline" - 7. "Air Wave"

3rd solo studio album by Yuki is her best so far, I think. The style is j-pop art pop and now also with some r&b elements and a more distinct synthpop, which makes it a more danceable and joyful release and a clear turn away from her initial indie pop and art rock-inspiration.

Yuki "Commune" (2003)

Commune
release date: Mar. 26, 2003
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5]

A better album than her solo debut. It's still j-pop and art pop and this time less new wave making it more contemporary. She sounds like someone caught in between a clean pop universe and a need to rebel against the facade. The album lacks good and interesting songs, maybe because I don't get the Japanese lyrics.

Yuki "Prismic" (2002)

Prismic [debut]
release date: Mar. 22, 2002
format: digital
[album rate: 2 / 5]

Yuki's debut as a solo artist. This is clearly j-pop art pop and perhaps an attempt into art rock and indie pop / rock with some new wave style that seems outdated and overall of little interest. Some tracks make me think of inspiration in Breeders / Pixies and the voice of Kim Deal just without the originality and the songs.