Release Info:
Date: 6/08/2016
Name: MCpero no Hitori Asobi [MCperoの一人遊び]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: MCpero
Background: 23-year-old female rapper and soloist MCpero's first album release.

Tracklist:
(1) intro
(2) SKIP
(3) 天使と悪魔
(4) Everyday is journey
(5) spring runaway
(6) LIVE!
(7) もどかthinking
(8) THCとperoの喋り場
(9) MY WORLD
(10) KATAOMOI
(11) 天の川
(12) OYSAUMI
(13) outro

Other:
music video

Labels: idol, indie, rap, soloist

Release Info: 
Date: 7/20/2016
Name: Spotlight
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: GEM
Background: Idol entertainment group GEM's newest single. First release after departure of vocalist Mayu.

Tracklist:
(1) Spotlight
(2) fRiEnDs
(3) one

Other:
music video

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
I've been a bit on the fence about this group for a while. I've known them since their debut but I've been sort of ignoring them because up until now I haven't been really impressed by their releases. Well that certainly ends now. interestingly enough, it wasn't the title song that wowed me, it was track three; 'one'. One has a very unorthodox sound as far as idol music goes, but what caught me and dragged me in was the choreography (which you can behold in the music video linked above). It was simply captivating and the most expressive dancing I've seen from an idol group to date. It was also, of course, very very well done and beautifully executed. After keeping this PV on repeat for about two days I decided to check out the group's live performances and I was pleasantly surprised to find them all very skilled dancers with most having a strong suit in vocals as well. The title song itself ('Spotlight') is also very good and it's nice to see their momentum going strong despite the loss of one of their stronger vocalists.

Labels: group, idol, single

Release Info:
Date: 6/29/2016
Name: confession
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: callme
Background: idol trio callme's third single.

Tracklist:
(1) Confession
(2) Take my Time
(3) summer of love

Other:
music video

Song Commentary:
I was absolutely wowed by this song. It's completely different from anything I've ever heard from an idol group of any kind. Actually I have heard similar concepts/songs preformed by idol groups but none have been able to pull it off as well as callme has done with 'confession'. It's a stunning song and absolute bop!

Labels: group, idol, single, trio

Release Info:
Date: 12/8/2015
Name: Happy Lucky Kirakira Lucky
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: POP (Period of Plastic 2 Mercy)
Background: new alternative idol group POP's major debut single. The group is led by ex-BiS member Saki.

Tracklist:
(1) Happy Lucky Kirakira Lucky
(2) Alarm

Other:
music video

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
Probably my favorite song by POP so far. It's a bit more generic than I thought it would be for an idol group led by Saki but it's still a little non-uniform so I suppose that's okay.

Labels: group, idol, indie, single

Release Info:
Date: 5/11/2015
Name: Fanfare [ファンファーレ]
Format: MP3
Singer: kotofolic
Background: first single of indie idol KOTO's band project 'kotofolic'

Tracklist:
(1) ファンファーレ

Other:
music video
*only available on OTOTOY*

Song Commentary:
For her band's debut KOTO strays from her normally more cute idol image and goes for a more daring look and vibe for Fanfare. This song does what her normally more 'idol' oriented past releases don't. It shows off her vocals and even gives her a more professional feel. Fanfare is without a doubt my favorite KOTO song and I hope to hear more from her band soon.

Labels: band, idol, indie, single, soloist

Release Info:
Date: 2/24/2016
Name: Mr.Wednesday
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: PASSPO☆
Background: band-themed idol group PASSPO☆'s first single release under a new record label and management.

Tracklist:
(1) Mr.Wednesday
(2) Musical Party

Other:
music video


[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
I was a bit worried after hearing PASSPO☆ was switching labels. When a group or artist switches labels, it means they switch management, and all these changes usually mean they get a whole different sound than from what they had before (at least in my experience). So as PASSPO☆ being one of the first idol groups I ever heard of, I was worried they might sound really different. And they do....but thankfully in a very good day. Mr.Wednesday is my now my favorite PASSPO☆ song in a very long time and I know I have the new label to thank for that. Thank goodness these girls are still going strong!

Labels: group, idol, single

Release Info:
Date: 4/6/2016
Name: Paradigm Shift
Format: MP3
Singer: Color Pointe [カラーポワント]
Background: 'futuristic ballet entertainment group' Color Pointe's first mini album.

Tracklist:
(1) 星屑Stairway
(2) アストロガール
(3) ダンシングパレード
(4) Antique circus
(5) Sugar pianist

Other:
music video
*available on USA iTunes store*

Album Commentary:
This album is very intriguing because despite being an indie idol group that only debut a little over a year ago, Color Pointe has managed to recruit some very famous composers for this release. Producers behind hit anisongs and SMAP music have been pulled into helping with this album's composition and the result is clearly visible. It's a beautiful album with a very clear 'gothic' or 'dark circus' style kind of theme. One very befitting of a group that specializes in ballet.

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
Love it.

Labels: alternative, idol, mini album

Release Info:
Date: 4/6/2016
Name: No.825
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Honey Gorun [ハニーゴーラン]
Background: Indie idol duo Honey Gorun's first album release.

Tracklist:
(1) raise
(2) LITHOS
(3) 桜トレジャー
(4) 粉雪
(5) あさぎり
(6) シロイツキ
(7) Parallel lines
(8) エメラルド
(9) Brand New Shine
(10) My Fiction
(11) HERO
(12) Knock on!!!
(13) Place

Other:
music video


Album Commentary:
Honestly for an indie idol duo coming out of the woodwork I think this album is very well put together. All instruments and effects used in the songs are electronic and in some songs the girls' voices are tunes as well. But overall it's a very strong album for a debut and I'm glad I have it in my collection.

Labels: album, duo, idol

Release Info:
Date: 5/1/2016
Name: sgrks
Format: CD
Singer: Yandoll [病ンドル]
Background: Yami-kawaii themed idol group Yandoll's debut single release.

Tracklist:
(1) 死んだ彼女にだした手紙
(2) sgrks
(3) ミライセカイ

Other:
music video

Song Commentary:
I would prefer the girls' voice to have been left in a more organic state but the song is still good. Honestly for a debut it's pretty solid.

Labels: alternative, idol, single

Release Info:
Date: 5/12/2016
Name: online 1st
Format: MP3
Singer: BPM15Q
Background: First major release from yume-kawaii idol duo BPM15Q; made up of ex-BiS member Rinahamu and idol DJ Nicamoq

Tracklist:
(1) BPM15Q!
(2)ドキドキパリラルラ
(3) はくちゅーむ

Other:
music video

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
BPM15Q is a yume-kawaii themed idol duo. They supposedly have no 'limits' and do whatever they want (like smoking as you see in the music video) and giving their fans the middle finger with a smile. Their debut demo track wasn't very impressive to me; it lacked substance. But the girls are finally picking things up and going all out and I'm glad to say I really really like this single. Hope to see more soon.

Labels: debut, duo, group, idol, single

Release Info:
Date: 5/24/2015
Name: Tea For Three [ティー・フォー・スリー]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Negicco
Background: Indie idol trio Negicco's third full original album.

Tracklist:
(1) ねぇバーディア
(2) RELISH
(3) マジックみたいなミュージック
(4) 恋のシャナナナ
(5) Good Night ねぎスープ
(6) 江南宵唄
(7) カナールの窓辺
(8) 虹
(9) SNSをぶっとばせ
(10) 矛盾、はじめました
(11) 土曜の夜は
(12) おやすみ
(13) 私へ

Other:
album preview


Album Commentary:
Tea For Three has an overall much more retro feel to it compared to this trio's past albums, which were more on the traditional idol-pop side.

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
I'm not a big fan of retro or 90's/80's style pop music but for some reason I like Tea For Three just as much as Negicco's previous album Rice&Snow. Maybe it's because their voice combination is very airy so that makes up for it for me.

Labels: album, group, idol, trio

Release Info:
Date: 5/18/2016
Name: ALIVE
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Q'ulle
Background: Q'ulle; the idol group produced by Vocaloid composer DECO*27, has released their first single of 2016. The release also marks the start of the group's Asia tour.

Tracklist:
(1) ALIVE
(2) 再生論

Other:
music video


Song Commentary:
This is the first time Q'ulle has challenged themselves with a completely inorganic sound. All 'instruments' used in their new release are clearly electronic; and I'm not just saying that because of the dubstep.

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
I honestly really like track 2 a lot better than track 1. I do like track 1, a lot actually. I just like track 2 even more. There's also a music video for the second track so I recommend watching that for a nice kick.

Labels: group, idol, single

Release Info:
Date: 2/10/2016
Name: Gemini
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: WHY@DOLL
Background: Indie idol duo WHY@DOLL's first full length album and first major release.

Tracklist: 
(1) Gemini
(2) Game
(3) Ringing Bells
(4) シグナル
(5) Tactics
(6) ベクトル
(7) shu-shu-star
(8) 曖昧MOON
(9) セツナSHOOTING STAR
(10) ありがとう。
(11) 秒速Party Night
(12) CANDY LOVE
(13) clover
(14) LOVERS on EARTH

Other:
*album available on USA iTunes*

Album Commentary:
This album is quite interesting to me because while all the songs are obviously in the pop or pop-rock genre, the girls have managed to pull off songs that capture different styles of said pop or pop-rock. It's still a very idol-like release but it's reasonably diverse; as if the composer was tied down to only one genre so he tried morphing it into different shapes and sizes. The album cover art is gorgeous as well, which I read was drawn by a British cartoonist....

Labels: album, duo, group, idol

Release Info:
Date: 5/25/2016
Name: Antino未deology [AntinoMideology]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Yukueshirezu Tsurezure
[ゆくえしれずつれづれ]
Background: Alternative idol trio Yukueshirezu Tsurezure comes in with their first EP. Features all past official releases with including ones with collaborating artists.

Tracklist:
(1) Ideology
(2) 凶葬詩壱鳴り[feat. ぜんぶ君のせいだ]
(3) 群青
(4) つれづれ賛歌
(5) 新宿シネマコネクション [feat. ましろ愛海]
(6) 鏡想唱二鳴り

Other:
music video

Album Commentary:
Yukueshirezu Tsurezure jumps into the scene with a memorable mini-album which switches between soft and whispery vocals, haunting talking, and startling hard-metal style screaming. It's an interesting mix to be sure. Two of the six total tracks also feature collaborating artists; such as a fellow rising alternative idol group Zenbu Kimi no Sei (track 2).

[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
none.

Labels: alternative, group, idol, mini album, trio