Overview

Shining Hearts was headlined by two songs sung by Lia, the opening theme "A Song Reaching the Heart" and the ending theme "White and Shadow ~Dance in the Dreams~". This single features the full-length vocal and instrumental renditions of these songs for those who prefer singles to soundtracks.

Body

Composed by Noriyasu Agematsu, "A Song Reaching the Heart" features Elements Gardens normal vocal theme approach and manages to combine elements of worldly features with more pop and electronic influences. Lia's voice is quite powerful and really fits well with the music. In addition, the song is significantly longer than the soundtrack version, ensuring a rich and fulfilling overall listen.

The album closes with "White and Shadow ~Dance in the Dreams~" by Hiroki Kikuta. Unlike the opening theme, this theme is a ballad that features some Asian influences. However, for the most part, it's light pop with some mystical elements and fits the overall soundscape of the soundtrack. The various elaborations in this full version are welcome and the final result is one of Kikuta's best.

The last two tracks on the single are instrumental versions of the vocal themes for karaoke purposes. While something of an obligatory addition to a vocal single, they shouldn't be of interest to most consumers.

Summary

Overall, both vocal themes for Shining Hearts are well done. While relatively typical in their approaches, both themes feature unique characteristics and fit the game well. The extended parts and instrumental renditions don't bring much to the table, but ensure the single is a well-presented one. However, I'd still cautiously recommend the full soundtrack above the vocal single for most collectors.