Release Info:
Date: 7/27/2016
Name: Million Clouds
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Sakamoto Maaya [坂本真綾]
Background: Anisong singer-songwriter Sakamoto Maaya's latest single release. Used as the opening theme song to 2016 anime Amanchu!

Tracklist:
(1) Million Clouds
(2) ロマーシカ
(3) DIVE feat. GONTITI
(4) Million Clouds ~Piano Ver.~
(5) はじまりの海 ~Live Ver.~ (Bonus Track)

Labels: anime, anisong, singer songwriter, single, soloist

Release Info:
Date: 5/18/2016
Name: crescendo
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: eyelis
Background: anisong duo eyelis's first full length major album release.

Tracklist:
(1) CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU
(2) 銀世界
(3) ページ～君と綴る物語～
(4) 絆にのせて
(5) ヒカリノキセキ
(6) 未来への扉
(7) 輝きの欠片
(8) 空の涯て
(9) OUTLAWS
(10) One NEXUS
(11) I see
(12) CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU (reprise)
(13) ナチュラリズム
(14) Celebration

Other:
music video

Labels: album, anime, anisong, duo

Release Info:
Date: 4/11/2016
Name: nowhere
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Kano [鹿乃]
Background: female utaite Kano's first majorly produced album. Contains individually released anisong singles and new material too.

Tracklist:
(1) プリマステラ
(2) Stella-rium
(3) ディアブレイブ
(4) こそあど言ノ葉
(5) 今をかける少女
(6) ヒメコイ
(7) Walk This Way!
(8) JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!
(9) Toy-toi
(10) evergreen

Other:
music video

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
Kano is my favorite utaite out of them all and I've been following her closely for several years. When she debuted as a professional singer and started doing anisongs I was beyond thrilled. Now the time has come....her first major album! I'm a little irked that it consists mostly of past releases (which I of course already own) but the new songs are wonderful enough to make it completely worth it. I never tire of Kano's adorable singing and I've been looking forward to this album for a very long time.

Labels: album, anime, anisong, soloist, utaite

Release Info:
Date: 1/26/2011
Name: Hikari [ヒカリ]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Tamaki [珠妃]
Background: Mysterious student singer Tamaki's debut album.

Tracklist:
(1) チャイム
(2) 夜想曲
(3) The shade
(4) ヒカリ
(5) 嘘の破片
(6) 「い」ないあなた
(7)  光の彼方へ
(8) 教室
Beautiful title song and beautiful album overall. It crushes me that she just 'disappeared' and hasn't released anything since.

Labels: album, anisong, debut, soloist

Release Info:
Date: 12/2/2015
Name: oresama
Format: CD
Singer: ORESAMA
Background: Funk-pop duo ORESAMA's first studio album.

Tracklist:
(1) KARAKURI
(2) オオカミハート
(3) Morning Call
(4) Listen to my heart
(5) ドラマチック
(6) 迷子のババロア
(7) 密告テレパシー
(8) 恋のあじ
(9) あたまからモンスター
(10) 乙女シック
(11) カラクリ

Other:
music video

Album Commentary:
This self-titled album is a really colorful trip. It's a cheerful funky-pop mix with little pinches of electronic effects and disco-like undertones that'll get you dancing. Sometimes it's upbeat, other times it's just plain trippy .Either way you're going to have fun with this album.

Labels: album, anisong, band, duo

Release Info:
Date: 2/24/2016
Name: Sore wa Chiisana Hikari no Yona [それは小さな光のような]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Sayuri [さユり]
Background: Sayuri's new single. Used as the ending theme to anime Boku dake ga Inai Machi. 

Tracklist:
(1) それは小さな光のような
(2) 来世で会おう
(3) 光と闇 (acoustic ver.)
(4) スーサイドさかな (acoustic ver.)
(5) ふうせん (acoustic ver.)
(6) ちよこれいと
(7) ふうせん

Other:
music video

Song Commentary:
A newcomer to the anisong world; Sayuri has created a bit of a sensation with her gimmick of being a self-proclaimed '2-dimensional-singer'. Paired with a beautiful animated and directed PV, Sayuri's expressive singing and heartfelt guitar playing is clearly conveyed through this song. As with all her songs, Sore wa Chiisana Hikari no Yona was completely composed (lyrics+music) all by Sayuri herself. This song is truly befitting song not only for the anime it's being used as the theme song for (which I hear is a bit dark) but also for Sayuri as a rising artist trying to establish an image.

Labels: anime, anisong, single, soloist

Release Info:
Date: 5/11/2016
Name: Redo
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Konomi Suzuki [鈴木このみ]
Background: Anisong singer Konomi Suzuki's newest single. Used as the main opening theme song to anime Zero Kara Hajimeru.

Tracklist:
(1) Redo
(2) Mobius

Other:
music video

Song Commentary:
Anisong singer Konomi Suzuki aka 'Konomin' treats us with her most dynamic and beloved release since 'This Game'; the iconic opening theme song to anime No Game No Life. A solid rocker that relies heavily on the loudness of the electric guitar; 'Redo' has no lack of action and no chill and has also become Konomi's first official music video to reach over one million views on Youtube.


[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
When I saw the music video for Redo I was pleasantly shocked. Konomin has grown to be quite the beauty since her debut and her voice has only gotten more wonderful as well. Redo is the most hyped song she's put out since 'This Game' and for good reason. It's just as explosive, just as dynamic; and just as skillfully sung.

Labels: anime, anisong, single

Release Info:
Date: 3/2/2016
Name: Ketsui no Tsubasa [決意の翼]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Akatsuki Rin [暁月凛]
Background: New anisong singer Akatsuki Rin's debut song. Used as the ending theme song to 2016 anime Kindaichi no Shounen. 

Tracklist:
(1) 決意の翼
(2) クラベル

Other:
music video


Song Commentary:
Rin's debut came out of the woodwork from my perspective but I was still excited to have a look at a newbie. Ketsui no Tsubasa blew me away and gave me shivers from the very first note. Rin's powerful and ever so slightly husky singing voice caught my heart immediately. The lyrics were absolute A+ anisong material (meaning they were kinda generic but whatever) and the melody reminded me of a curtain being drawn open on a dawning sun. A truly fitting setting for a debut.

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
Rin's debut was full of mystery and anticipation; seeing as she chooses to hid her face. Ketsui no Tsubasa quickly became my favorite anisong for the first half of 2016 and still is now. Rin is off to an explosive start and it's wonderful to see the overall quality of anisong singers improving.

Labels: anime, anisong, debut, single, soloist

Release Info:
Date: 5/25/2016
Name: Sail Canvas
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Trysail
Background: rising seiyuu singer unit Trysail's first album. Contains all past anisong singles and new material too.

Tracklist:
(1) Youthful Dreamer
(2) コバルト
(3) sewing dream
(4) Baby My Step
(5) primary
(6) 明日も晴れる
(7) パーリー☆パーティ
(8) ホントだよ
(9) whiz
(10) あかね色
(11) Sail Out
(12) ひかるカケラ

Album Commentary:
In addition to the past singles, the new songs such as tracks 3 and 5 are also very nice. Very...smooth in terms of a seiyuu unit song.

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
Trysail is my favorite seiyuu unit and I haven't had a favorite seiyuu unit in a while. There's just something about their harmonization and lyrical distribution that makes them a real treat to listen too. I'm also a casual Sora fan so that probably has something to do with it.

Labels: anime, anisong, group, seiyuu, trio, unit

Release Info: 
Date: 5/25/2016
Name: STYX HELIX
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: MYTH & ROID
Background: New anisong duo MYTH & ROID continue their viral streak with a third release closely following their explosive debut. STYX HELIX is being used as the ending theme to the 2016 Re:Zero Kara Hajimeru.

Tracklist:
(1) STYX HELIX
(2) STRAIGHT BET

Other:
music video


Song Commentary:
STYX HELIX has a major throwback feel to me; back to the days when Yousei Teikouku and Akiko Shikata were in the top most desires anisong artists and their music was almost everywhere. The fantasy style gothic vibes STYX HELIX produces is very much like Shikata's works. It's gentle, haunting, and pleading. Worlds away from this duo's debut song; which I can certainly appreciate.

Labels: anime, anisong, duo, group, single

Release Info:
Date: 5/25/2016
Name: Zero Ichi Kiseki [ゼロイチキセキ]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Yoshino Nanjou [南條愛乃]
Background: Fripside vocalist and soloist Yoshino Nanjou's newest single and first release of 2016.

Tracklist:
(1) ゼロイチキセキ
(2) Simple feelings

Other:
music video


[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
Finally she's back! I'm a big fan of Nanjou as a soloist. I don't like her in fripside's music, as I personally believe electronic music thins out her voice quite a bit. But I love her solo music as her voice is one of my favorite types to listen to. She hasn't released anything since mid 2015 so this was very anticipated by many, of course me included.

Labels: anime, anisong, lovelive, seiyuu, single, soloist

Release Info:
Date: 5/25/2016
Name: Ripple Effect
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Haruna Luna [春奈るな]
Background: Newest single of anisong singer Haruna Luna. Composed by fellow anisong artist ZAQ and used as the ending theme song to 2016 anime Harafuri.

Tracklist:
(1) Ripple Effect
(2) サイレントカラーズ
(3) Dynamic Dreamers

Song Commentary:
Besides the use of trumpets in this song, Ripple Effect doesn't really give off any special vibes. In fact I found it a bit....'standard' in terms of anisong music. Haruna isn't a singer beloved because of her vocal prowess (though that's not to say she's a bad singer; she's very good; just not very skilled in shaping her voice to fit a song) so her singing didn't really make up for anything.

Labels: anime, anisong, single

Release Info:
Date: 5/18/2016
Name: Kidou -Start Up!- [起動 -Start Up!-]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Ohashi Ayaka [大橋彩香]
Background: Seiyuu and singer Ohashi Ayaka's first album. Contains her past releases used as anisongs and brand new material as well.

Tracklist:
(1) ABSOLUTE YELL
(2) YES!!
(3) 勇気のツバサ
(4) おしえてブルースカイ
(5) ジャスミン
(6) 裸足のままでもこわくない
(7) ENERGY☆SMILE
(8) RED SEED
(9) No Surrender
(10) 明日の風よ
(11) ヒトツニナリタイ
(12) 流星タンバリン

Other:
album preview

Album Commentary:
Ayaka's clear singing combined with anisong worthy pop tunes....that's what this album is in a sentence.

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
Ayaka tackles this release gracefully (if not a bit nervously) in an interview and I must say though I don't know much about her I've become a fan. I mean I've known about her through her seiyuu work but I wasn't much for her music (which up until now only consisted of two singles and character theme songs for individual anime here and there). This album though makes me see her in a new light, because it shows off her singing very nicely and challenges her with different styles.

Labels: album, anime, anisong, seiyuu

Release Info:
Date: 5/25/2016
Name: The Asterisk War
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Nishizawa Shiena [西沢幸奏]
Background: Seiyuu and anisong singer Nizhizawa Shiena's third single. Used as the opening theme to 2016 of the same name.

Tracklist:
(1) The Asterisk War
(2) Brilliant Star
(3) 約束だよ

Other:
song preview


Song Commentary:
The Asterisk War is yet another dynamic song by this underrated singer. Shiena was the singer for the opening theme of the anticipated anime Kancolle. That song was named Fubuki and remains one of my favorite anime theme songs of all time. It's powerful and powered up by Shiena's equally impressive vocals.

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
The Asterisk War is very reminiscent of Fubuki in my opinion though I do still like Fubuki better.

Labels: anime, anisong, seiyuu, single

Release Info:
Date: 5/18/2016
Name: Melody
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Pile
Background: Former Love-Live seiyuu Pile's 4th single. Used as the opening theme to 2016 anime Kyoukai no Rinne. 

Tracklist:
(1) Melody
(2) angel song
(3) ドリームトリガー

Song Commentary:
The Love-Live songstress is back with a slightly melancholy sounding anisong. Melody starts off slow but picks up quickly enough to keep your interest. Angel song is much more rock oriented and has Pile showing off her powerful and smooth vocal prowess.

Labels: anime, anisong, lovelive, seiyuu, single

Release Info:
Date: 5/25/2016
Name: Live Love Laugh
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Hayami Saori [早見沙織]
Background: Seiyuu and singer Hayami Saori's first album. Contains all her past released singles (including her debut song) and all new songs as well.

Tracklist:
(1) NOTE
(2) やさしい希望
(3) その声が地図になる
(4) 水槽
(5) レンダン
(6) あるゆらぐひ
(7) LET'S TRY AGAIN
(8) ESCORT
(9) Installation
(10) ブルーアワーに祈りを
(11) To years letter

Other:
music video


Album Commentary:
Hayami's neutral and firmly grounded voice give the listener a feeling of calmness when experiencing this album, as it consists of many slower tunes. Tracks 1 and 10 are such songs, as they are both ballads that emphasize Hayami's flexible yet overall constant singing style.

Labels: album, anime, anisong, seiyuu

Release Info:
Date: 12/23/2015
Name: Mille Mercis
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: petit milady
Background: best collection album of seiyuu singer unit petit milady; consisting of female seiyuu Taketatsu Ayana and Yuuki Aoi

Tracklist:
(1) azurite
(2) Fantastique♥Phantom
(3) Ma Chérie
(4) アップデートの坂道
(5) Fortune Future!
(6) THE SONG IS…
(7) スキ キライ キライ 大スキ♡
(8) 100%サイダーガール
(9) 恋はみるくてぃ
(10) Trip Trick Trap
(11) 箱庭のヒーロー
(12) YAYAKOSHI GIRL

Other:
album preview

Album Commentary:
Not much to say since this is of course a best album; meaning it's just a collection of past releases and I have no intention of going through all of them. I will however shift your attention to the fact that the very last two song (tracks 11 and 12) are actually new songs exclusive to Mille Mercis. So if you weren't planning on getting this album just cause you already have all the other songs (like me), then think again cause if you're a petit milady fan they just pulled a fast one on you.

Labels: album, anisong, best album, duo, seiyuu, unit

Release Info:
Date: 6/8/2016
Name: Little Trip
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Ray
Background: Solo singer and seiyuu Ray's third full studio album release. Includes several previously released singles used as anime theme songs, and some new tracks as well for a total of thirteen songs.

Tracklist:
(1) Wonderful Catcher
(2) 初めてガールズ!
(3) Wonder Little Trip
(4) Lovely Storm
(5) secret arms
(6) Brand New Sky
(7) 季節のシャッター
(8) a-gain
(9) 星
(10) Confession
(11) 君に会いに行こう
(12) My Future
(13) 約束train

Other:
album preview

Album Commentary:
Ray kicks off her long awaited third album loud and full of energy in the boldly happy Wonderful Catcher acting as track number one. She doesn't really take on many different styles, all her songs sound worthy of official anisong status. But that's what she is; an anisong singer, so this album is certainly one that shows off her time in the business. Much like in the album TRY! by Chigusa Haruka; Ray tones it all the way back down for her last song (track 13). It's not slow or mellow enough to be considered a ballad but it's certainly a few notches down from Wonderful Catcher.

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
Ray was one of the first JPOP artists I stumbled across in the very early days of my newly found JPOP obsession. While she didn't go one to become one of my top ten despite being one of the first for me to discover, she's still a rather nostalgic favorite for me and I humbly admit to owning her past two full length albums as well.

Labels: album, anisong, seiyuu, soloist

Release Info:
Date: 6/2/2016
Name: TRY!
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Chigusa Haruka [千菅春香]
Background: Singer and seiyuu Chigusa Haruka's first full album. Contains all her previously released works and several new tracks.

Tracklist:
(1) Break On Through
(2) プラネット・クレイドル
(3) モモキュンソード
(4) あなたの春香さん
(5) ジュ・ジュテーム・コミュニケーション (6) corolla
(7) リフレイン
(8) 絶滅危愚少女!  
(9) 希望の花
(10) TRY! TRY! TRY!
(11) 桃色ファンタジー
(12) 本当の声をあなたに預けたくて
(13) 愛の詩 -words of love-
(14) あなたのほほえみ

Album Commentary:
Veteren seiyuu Chigusa Haruka finally gets her big break with her first full length album TRY! The cheerfully illustrated album actually starts of on a ridiculously dynamic note with the leading track Break On Through. A rock song with powerful electronic sounds, BOT emphasizes and compliments Haruka's powerful vocals. On a completely different wavelength, the ending song (track 14), is a soft ballad where Haruka shows off her diverse singing by singing in a childish and airy tone; the completely opposite to what she started of with in Break On Through.

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
This album is one of those things that make me marvel at seiyuu all over again like I've just discovered the anime world. The diversity, the skill, the difference in tones they can pull off....it's incredible. Haruka is of course one such seiyuu and this album is a beautiful addition to any anisong lover's music library.

Labels: album, anisong, seiyuu, soloist