For audiophiles & ZARD fans: Essential. The 20th anniversary remaster in FLAC is the best digital version of these singles currently available. It strikes an excellent balance between clarity and warmth, honoring Izumi Sakai’s voice.
For casual listeners: The same tracks in 320kbps MP3 or AAC will sound 95% as good. Only buy FLAC if you have good headphones/speakers and a trained ear.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
Half-star off for missing B-sides and occasional early-recording noise.
Recommended if you want the cleanest, most complete ZARD singles collection without hunting down original CDs. Avoid if you already own ZARD BEST The Single Collection (2006) – the 20th anniversary remaster is a noticeable upgrade.
The ZARD SINGLE COLLECTION ~20th ANNIVERSARY~ is a definitive anthology released on February 10, 2011, to celebrate two decades of the iconic Japanese band led by vocalist Izumi Sakai. ZARD - ZARD SINGLE COLLECTION20th ANNIVERSARY -FLAC
This collection is highly sought after in FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) format because it utilizes full digital remastering of the entire catalog, providing superior clarity and depth compared to original 90s pressings. Key Highlights of the Collection
Comprehensive Scope: Features all 45 singles released by ZARD, ranging from their 1991 debut "Good-bye My Loneliness" to late-career hits.
Massive Tracklist: The box set includes 100 songs across 6 main CDs and one bonus disc.
Legendary Hits: Includes chart-toppers like "Makenaide" (Don't Lose), "Yureru Omoi" (Wavering Feelings), and anime classics from Detective Conan and Dragon Ball GT. For audiophiles & ZARD fans : Essential
The Bonus Disc: Contains rare collaborations with other artists and special versions not found on original single releases.
High-Fidelity Experience: Listening in FLAC preserves the "transparent and clear" quality of Izumi Sakai’s vocals, which reviewers from Amazon Japan describe as a "cleansing" auditory experience. Why It’s the "Gold Standard" for Fans
Unlike standard "Best Of" compilations, this collection presents the songs in release order, allowing listeners to track the evolution of Sakai’s songwriting and the polished "ZARD Sound" of the 1990s. The physical release was notable for its LP-sized special packaging and a deluxe booklet filled with rare photos, emphasizing the "mystique" that defined the band's career.
For anyone building a high-resolution Japanese pop library, this 20th Anniversary collection serves as the essential pillar of the ZARD discography. For casual listeners : The same tracks in
Most streaming services offer compressed formats (AAC or MP3). While convenient, they strip away sonic data to save space. FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is different.
Here is why you want the FLAC version of this collection:
Izumi Sakai had a uniquely tender yet powerful voice. In lossy formats (128kbps or 256kbps MP3), the "air" around her voice is clipped. In FLAC (usually 16-bit/44.1kHz or 24-bit/96kHz), you hear the natural reverb of the recording studio and the subtle breaths that give her performances an emotional, human quality. On tracks like Oh My Love, the difference is night and day.
ZARD’s sound relied heavily on crisp guitar riffs (courtesy of members like MICHIHIRO or AKIRA) and tight synth pads. In FLAC, the stereo imaging is precise. You can isolate the bass line from Nemurenai Yoru wo Daite from the shimmering cymbals. This separation is usually the first thing lost in compressed formats.
In 2011, five years after the tragic passing of Izumi Sakai (at just 40 years old), Being Inc. and B-Gram Records released a monumental box set: ZARD Single Collection 20th Anniversary. This physical box was a behemoth, containing 40 CDs and several DVDs, chronicling every single release from the band's debut in 1991 up to 2011.
But for the digital age, the most important subset of that box is the ZARD Single Collection 20th Anniversary digital album—a curated collection of A-sides spanning two decades. When fans search for ZARD - ZARD SINGLE COLLECTION 20th ANNIVERSARY -FLAC, they are looking for this specific master recording in a lossless format.