This is pigstar’s 3rd single released on the 7th November 2008. Like :君＝花 before it, the title track 衝動 was used as the opening to Junjou Romantica.

衝動 is like a new rendition of 君＝花. Immediatly you press play and the song launches itself as fast paced soft-rock, although it has a more prominent thumping beat and slightly different feeling to it- whereas 君＝花 felt bittersweet this one has a more upbeat and hopeful feeling. There’s also some really interesting little synth parts throughout the song that again make it alot different as well as a subtle but effective piano (probably keyboard) part. It’s actually a calmer song at times too, still fast paced and energetic but the verses are less aggressive and more relaxed. The bass in the verses is really cool. I do love how the song then builds up becoming more aggressive, building a fuller sound for the chorus.  As the song moves along it really establishes it’s own unique identity and feeling. Still a really great soft-rock number with a really upbeat and romantic feeling.

The B-side with you is a very relaxed and laid-back ballad. It starts very quiet and gentle with a beautiful guitar part and reserved vocals. I love the rythmns and different dynamics of the song. It moves calmly along with subtle variations, only becoming slighlty more aggressive for the bridge before falling back. I also love how when you think it will build up for the chorus, it stays calm for the lovely chorus of “I want to be with you”. Such a romantic and gentle love song, although there is something slightly sad about it. It doesn’t have the same power gore has, but it’s beautiful and relaxing in it’s own right.

Overall rating: 5/5 (highly reccomended)
Favourite Tracks: 衝動

Overall this is another great single from pigstar. Although personally in many ways I prefered 君＝花, if I just stop comparing then on it’s own Shoudou is a strong single by itself. 衝動 is an upbeat soft-rock number whilst with you is a reserved and gentle ballad. Both tracks are beautiful and relaxing, and just as memorable as kimi=hana and gore were. pigstar are really talented.

I couldn’t resist reviewing this. It’s a great single. I first heard kime=hana as the opening of Junjou Romantica, and kind of fell for it after a few listens. The B-side is also really good: in many ways it’s actually better than the A-side.

The first track Kimi=Hana is an upbeat pop-rock song. It’s fast with aggressive vocal parts and romantic (well, bittersweet) lyrics. I like it. The instrumentation is really good, and the vocalist sounds really good too. His voice is beautiful, and he puts enough emotion into it. The song is pretty long, but thankfully got enough variation to keep it interesting. After a while the verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, chorus gets old then the bridge comes in. The guitar solo is decent and the repetition of the vocals gives a good feeling. I really like the ending too. It’s a pretty good song.

The B-side is polar opposite to Kimi-Hana. gore has a very strange name, but is a beautiful rock ballad. The instrumentation is beautiful, as is the use of strings. The guitar part is really good too. The vocalist sounds wonderful, and his voice carries a lot of emotion- his voice is filled with sadness which only makes the song more sorrowful. I love the emotion in the song. It’s so sad but not over the top about it. The way the song builds up the chorus is wonderful. The use of different dynamics also helps add to the emotion. It’s very beautiful, emotional and powerful ballad.

Overall rating: 5/5 (Highly Recommended)
Favourite Tracks: gore

Overall once again I’m thankful to anime for introducing me to new, and excellent music. This single is amazing. The vocalist has a nice voice, similar to the vocalist of LAST ALLIANCE. Kimi=Hana is a fun and upbeat pop-rock number, and gore totally surprised me by being a beautiful and heartfelt rock ballad. You should check it out! You know they really remind me of LAST ALLIANCE- and that can never be a bad thing. Hopefully because of the tie-in with Junjou they’ll get more attention, and I’ll be able to find more of their stuff (or later releases)