Anna Tsuchiya
Anna Tsuchiya Inspi' Nana (Black Stones)

A short introduction is necessary: Anna Tsuchiya is a singer of Japanese-Russian-American descent, born in 1984 in Tokyo. She gained popularity when she was chosen to perform the songs for the anime “Nana” by Ai Yazawa, very famous in Japan, alongside Olivia. The album I am about to review, released in 2007, is essentially a kind of compilation of the tracks used in this context, and it is titled "ANNA TSUCHIYA inspi' NANA (BLACK STONES)," characterized by a distinct hard rock influence.

The album opens with the guitars of “Rose,” a song sung in English and Japanese by the talented Anna Tsuchiya, who immediately impresses with her distinctive voice, gritty yet very pleasant and catchy. The lyrics were entirely written by the singer. We then move on to “Without You,” perhaps a less impactful song than the previous one, but always of good quality. “Zero” and “Scream” are two of the album's most intense tracks, particularly the second one which, with its almost metal influence, proves to be very captivating. “Take Me Out” is a rock ballad that prepares the listener for the following “Kuroi Namida” (Black Tears), undoubtedly the gem of the album: a heart-wrenching song with lyrics entirely in Japanese, though a translation can easily be found online, it is skillfully interpreted by Tsuchiya, who, transitioning from the sweet notes of the verse to the powerful ones of the chorus, evokes emotion and moves the listener. We return to the hard rock of the initial songs with “I'm Addicted To You” where the guitars and Anna's sensual voice take center stage. Next is “Lucy,” another rock track although much more cheerful than the previous ones. Lastly, there are live versions of “Rose” and “Kuroi Namida,” with which we can ascertain the singer's skill even in live performances.

Tsuchiya has a good command of English pronunciation, given her mixed background, and in fact, most of the tracks are sung in this language. I also recommend watching the music videos of the songs released as singles, particularly the one for “Lucy” which is very fun and showcases the singer's wild side.

A more than deserved 8.5.