Are Matsuura Aya’s singing skills underrated because of her idol image?
Currently limiting her live performances due to suffering from a gynecological condition — Matsuura Aya (25). Many fans are eagerly looking forward to her getting better and seeing her singing on stage again. Matsuura Aya, also known by the nickname of “Ayaya” — with her lovely, gorgeous looks and her constant bright smile, the title of “the last orthodox idol” surely used to describe her well.
Speaking of Matsuura, singer-songwriter Suga Shikao (45) wrote on his blog: “It feels to me like the Meccha Holiday kind of idol image from her past is like a filter on Ayaya’s music itself.“
On a post published March 27th on Suga Shikao’s blog “Kono Yubi Tomare”, he shares his thoughts on Matsuura Aya’s 2010 album “Click you Link me.” Suga says he is recently once again “really into it“, with his reason for originally listening to the album being that it includes a cover of one of his own songs, “Home ni te.”
Suga gives the album — that also includes self-covers — high praise, calling each song and vocal “wonderful!” He said he knew “Ayaya was a good singer, but it’s not just that she’s good, it’s that she has persuasive power.” Although he thinks some songs on the album might be very difficult to sing, he notes that Matsuura is even able to sing them live with no problem whatsoever. “Click you Link me” with its nostalgic arrangements and her vocals that resound in one’s heart, Suga on his blog calls it “especially a good album to listen to at night.“
Fans who read his blog commented in large numbers: “Wait, Ayaya is a good singer? I didn’t know that.” I’m sure we all heard her plenty on music programs and commercials on TV during the golden age of idols, but could it be that, as Suga puts it, we’re blinded by that same “idol image filter“, unable to recognize Matsuura’s skill as a singer and the high level of her expressive power?
After reading his blog post, it seems like I wasn’t the only one who felt like giving her music another listen.
