Ai commits blasphemy by flippin' a Namie classic with "Baby you can cry" *Lightning strikes*

J-R&B singer Ai is celebrating her 20th anniversary in the game and so, of course, she's released a Best album, titled Kansha!!!!! -Thank you for 20 years New & Best-. The album features a disc of new songs and covers, and a disc of 17 selected songs from her discography. For a Best release and one commemorating 20 years, this shit is pretty light.

But the best album is not what we're here for. It's one of the new songs, "Baby you can cry" - a flip on Namie Amuro's popular 2007 single "Baby don't cry". Ai really chose to touch what is considered to be a beloved song amongst the Naminions.

She a brave bitch.

I'mma try and check my love for the original at the door. Especially considering that Namie doesn't sound too wonderful vocally on the original and that the bridge section is a badly mixed mess.

Now. I don't hate this song. But I still feel that we could have done without it. I get that AI was probably paying a homage to Namie Amuro, with whom she's collaborated with on at least 3 occasions. And AI is probably a fan of Namie, just like many of us are, and she clearly really fucking likes "Baby don't cry". But I would have liked this more if it were a completely original song or if she just outright covered the original. I like that she flipped the lyrics and she sounds nice on it. But "Baby don't cry" is one of those songs where covering it or using so much of it as AI has done is going to make people feel a type of way if you don't really own it and make it your own, which AI did not. AI's version does is make me ask 'Why tho' and want to go and listen to the original.

"Baby you can cry" isn't bad. It's kinda just 'whatever'. But good for her. She'll get those clicks and views. Because, Namie's impact.

📝 Album review: Wa to yo
🔊 Random J Pop playlist: J-R&B
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