Have some tea or have some espresso, it's time for this week's Charlotte music update! Here's hoping all of you have seen the final episode of Charlotte! While the reaction to this episode, and the series as a whole, was pretty controversial, I'm sure most of you loved the track
Well since nobody else is, I might as well post my track-by-track review of Smells Like Tea, Espresso
Hatsunetsu Days - We already heard this with the single so I’ve had some time to let this track sink into me. This was one of those “didn’t like the preview, but loved the full version” songs for me. The full version just adds so much more depth to the song. I especially love how Maaya Uchida has that short breath at the last “are you”
Real - This is a pretty hype song, and feels like a very Girls Dead Monster-ish track. I couldn’t help waving my hands and shouting “KU DA SA I” at the end of every chorus. This’ll be super fun to watch live, I just know it!
Singer Days - Ah yes, the very first How-Low-Hello song. The guitars in this song are pretty intricate, and I can just appreciate the song for that alone. If any song would be enjoyable as an off-vocal version, it’s probably this.
Keep on Burnin’ - Arguably the best track on the album for me. The intro is amazing as it starts with something that sounds a loooot like something from Little Busters. I tried checking, and it kinda feels like a sped up version of Slow Curve (which was also by maeda lol). It then goes on to the full song with a pretty hip feel. And the way the guitars play are just amazing. This track adds more oomph with those synth-trumpets in the chorus. So good~
Hashire - This one sounds a bit different from the style of the others. I remember even joking how it sounded like a more Misa song. What I love about this song is the amaaaazing guitar solo.
Dancin’ on the border - Another hip song, in the vain of Keep on Burnin’, but a bit more forgettable I think. The chorus at the end was pretty sweet tho~
Miwaku no Beam - This is a very very cute song~ If anything this song sounds the most like an idol song, heh. Also sounds familiar to some other stuff I’ve heard before, just can’t put my finger on it.
Hand with Blood - Spicaaaaaaaaaaa! Sure, it’s a rehash of an old composition, but it’s a good one! And the arrangement is just great. That pronounced bass guitar they put in the second verse makes the song a lot more powerful. I might even like it as much as the original~
Rakuen Made - Ah the classic. Also released a long time ago, so I’ve already listened to this one sooo many times. It’s definitely one of my favorites, and I love the chorus part especially.
Tabibito - When I first heard this in the preview, I thought it was pretty boring. After hearing it in full, I gotta say, it’s a very solid track! A lot slower than the rest, but the whole How-Low-Hello vibe is still intact 
Bravely You - What can I say, it’s a How-Low-Hello version of Bravely You, and done very well I might add. The distinct guitar they put instead of the more orchestral-like original complements Maaya Uchida’s performance really well.
Yake Ochinai Tsubasa - I reaaaaally like this one, maybe even more than the original. I feel as if the composition of this song just complements the guitar style of the HLH version so much more. Again, some more intricate guitar arrangements, thanks Maeda.
All-in-all this is an amazing album, and I adored every track on it. Solid work on both arrangement and vocals, and this makes me hope and pray stronger that I can get into that mini-live T3T
UPDATE:
ZHIEND preview up now! GET HYPE
Nothing else even matters about Charlotte anymore.
Give me this album. Right fucking now.
