AKKIN – Under The March Rain (feat. Sakura Seiko) (Single Review)

Today’s review features the new single “Under The March Rain” by AKKIN.

From our prior review of Akkin’s previous single “Punishment Divine”, which you can read here and his single “Cage of Silence,” which you can read here. “Akkin is an Italian session musician who has frequently played on Asian and Japanese songs and albums, including a wealth of Japanese anime theme songs. After a solo career in rock and metal, Akkin also began working as a session musician in 2021. He has recently released an EP titled ‘Humanoid’ containing 4 of his instrumental prog and metal tracks.”

Akkin is back with a new single “Under The March Rain”, just released on September 20th. The song features guest vocals from Sakura Seiko, an emerging artist known mostly from her appearances on Japanese channels like Nicoco and Bilibili TV.

So let’s have a listen …

The new single starts with a lovely but short piano vamp, then the full band joins in with the piano. I am taken by the grace and intensity of the vocalist Sakura Seiko’s voice. The song soon climaxes in a rising rebellious chorus. The music is perfectly crafted to allow the singer’s emotive vocals to shine.  The song is sung in Japanese. Even though I don’t understand Japanese, this song is crafted in such a way that you could hear it on US/UK radio. The mix and production on the track is top-notch.

I love how the bridge of the song just adds more power to the mix, creates intrigue, and helps you connect with the vocalist. The song once again gets softer, then explodes again with the powerful vocalist carrying the day and winning over hearts. The song is intriguing to hear. I could definitely hear this song in a movie.

SCORE/Outstanding: Once again, AKKIN delivers a soulful powerhouse of a rock song, sung in Japanese, but appealing to a mass audience beyond that language. The mix, production, and musical performances on the new single “Under The March Rain” put this tune squarely on a pedestal required for major US/UK radio play. I really enjoyed listening to this tune, and you will too, whatever language you speak. The song truly is outstanding. Much love, Beth

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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