Tracklisting
1. FUNKY TOWN
2. Darling
3. FUNKY TOWN (Instrumental)
4. Darling (Instrumental)

( I finally figured out how to do this alignment thing. I’m illiterate when it comes to these editing things, don’t judge me. >< )

FUNKY TOWN is the 31st overall single from Namie Amuro, and the final single in the PLAY era. The title track was used as the Lipton’ Limone CM song, which starred Namie Amuro herself. It debuted at #2 on the daily Oricon charts, and #3 on the weekly charts, and has overall sold 54,030 copies. It was released on the 4th of April, 2007.

Let’s just say that FUNKY TOWN is nothing like I expected. I’m going to admit right here that I at first thought it was going to be a cover version of that old Lipps Inc song, and I KNOW I’m not alone in that. Cover or not, it’s still a good song. I’m not a huge fan of the guy that tries to open this song with his growl, or scream or whatever it is, but it gets better once the synth comes in, as it gives the song a somewhat livelier feeling. Amuro’s voice is alright in the song, but she sounds a bit mechanical either way. This song would’ve been much better had it been a bit FASTER than it is now, as it sounds too slow. The cartoonish sounds you’ll hear halfway through the song can be somewhat annoying, but they aren’t a huge deal. They just sounds hugely out of place. The “break time” segment is pretty odd, though, I don’t see the point. It’s probably the best part of the song though, mainly because the speed actually fits it.

DARLING has one of those openings that can tend to either annoy you, or draw you in. Namie repeats the phrase “Want me, baby” a few dozen times, with distorted sighs and short bursts of synth in the background. When the FULL synth comes in, it gets a lot more interesting. It has an interesting R&B feel to it, which is a lot better compared to FUNKY TOWN. Namie’s higher register voice fits the verses well, too. The chorus brings in Namie’s vocals, a much fuller synth arrangement, and the “Want me, baby” repetition once again, which lasts until the choruses’ outro and a little before the second verse, too. The break-down near the end of the song sounds great, too. And I’m never usually a fan of those. I’ll go as far as saying that I prefer this to FUNKY TOWN, which wouldn’t have been true if I reviewed this right after CSCEIS/Ningyo.

Single Score
A-

Favorite Track
Darling

Compared to her last single, this one features a much larger R&B theme, as both songs are R&B instead of the R&B and traditional mix we got with her last one. The A-side isn’t as good as it could be, but it wasn’t a total flop, and you’ll still get some enjoyment out of it depending on what entertains your brain and such.