Monday, June 27, 2016 at 5:06 AM with
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Release Info:Date: 10/23/2013
Name: 0
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Ichiko Aoba [青葉市子]
Background: Singer songwriter Ichiko Aoba's 4th album and first major release after graduating her status as indie.
Tracklist:
(1) いきのこり●ぼくら
(2) i am POD (0%)
(3) Mars 2027
(4) いりぐち でぐち
(5) うたのけはい
(6) 機械仕掛乃宇宙
(7) 四月の支度
(8) はるなつあきふゆ
Other:
preview
Album Commentary:
Ichiko Aoba gives us another peek into her fantastical mind with the album '0'. As usual, all her lyrics are based off of her dreams (both awake and asleep) giving them a special whimsical and mystical edge most songwriters don't seem to have these days.
[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
Ichiko Aoba is one of my favorite singer songwriters of all time. She's painfully unique in her musicality and composition skills as an artist and musician. She manages to produce quality dream-pop tunes with (usually) just an acoustic guitar and she expertly pairs them with lyrics born from the depths of her own consciousness as an artist and human being.
Labels: acoustic, album, mini album, singer, singer songwriter, soloist
Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 4:54 AM with
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Release Info:Date: 5/13/2015
Name: Ima wo Ikinuku Otometachi [今を生きぬく乙女たち]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Rick Rack
Background: female rock band Rick Rack's first major mini album.
Tracklist:
(1) アトリエ
(2) ソルジャーガールズ
(3) 迷い星
(4) 夢追いバク
(5) 寂しがり病
(6) カラフル
Other:
music video
Album Commentary:
This is a very good mini album; especially considering the average age of this band is 17 years old. It's on a pretty high level considering these girls don't have much experience in the business and that they compose their own songs. My favorite track is number 3, probably because I can sense some faint anisong material vibes from it.
Labels: band, mini album
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 10:29 PM with
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Release Info:Date: 6/3/2016
Name: Nice to meet you.
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Koeda [こゑだ]
Background: Solo debut album of famous band supercell's vocalist Koeda.
Tracklist:
(1) おやすみ
(2) DanSin’
(3) w.t.s.
(4) Lovism
(5) NoName
(6) 学校
(7) Happy☆Day
(8) Endless end.
Other:
music video
[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
So Supercell has been MIA from the music scene for quite some time and then just as fans were really getting worried/ irritated with this unannounced absence, Koeda comes and drops a solo debut right on our heads. Koeda is, the vocalist of supercell and the voice behind the popular anime Guilty Crown's icon soundtrack songs such as the famous opening theme My Dearest and the in-show lullaby Euterpe. I was hyped to the moon when I found out about this. My Dearest is one of my favorite anisong of all time and to hear that same singer was coming out with her own original material as the start of a solo project....I totally lost it. Solid album from a solid artist. Nothing not to love.
Labels: band, debut, mini album, soloist
at 5:29 PM with
0 comment(s)
Release Info:Date: 1/14/2015
Name: HIMITSU
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Karasu wa Masshiro [カラスは真っ白]
Background: third mini album of funk-pop band Karasu wa Masshiro aka 'the crow is pure white'.
Tracklist:
(1) HIMITSUスパーク
(2) 正義とアクチュエータ
(3) シャイ・ルック・ホームズ
(4) 9番目の
(5) 革命前夜
Other:
music video
Album Commentary:
Karasu's music style if electronic sprinkled colorful funk-pop (kinda like Shiggy Jr.). This album is just that; a pure reflection of their advertised musical genre. Nothing really much else to say. It's a solid release and the band stays true to their roots. I like that.
Labels: band, indie, mini album
at 4:24 PM with
0 comment(s)
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
at 3:30 PM with
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Release Info:Date: 5/20/2015
Name: tamago
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Aimyong [あいみょん]
Background: newcomer singer-songwriter Aimyong's debut mini album.
Tracklist:
(1) 貴方解剖純愛歌～死ね～
(2) 分かってくれよ
(3) お互い様やん
(4) ○○ちゃん
(5) 夜行バス
(6) 幸せになりたい
(7) 強がりました
(8) ナウなヤングにバカウケするのは当たり前だのクラッ歌
Other:
music video
[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
So...putting track 8's title length aside I really like the simplicity of this album. It's not 'basic' per say, but it's very....classic almost in an acoustic singer-songwriter kind of sense. Yet it also contains Aimyong's own little spice to it; mostly in the form of the lyrics. It's a beautiful album and the lyrics are very intriguing listen.
Labels: debut, mini album, soloist
Sunday, June 19, 2016 at 5:56 PM with
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Release Info:Date: 5/11/2016
Name: heavenly
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: SpecialThanks
Background: Rock ska band SpecialThanks' new mini-album entirely of all new songs.
Tracklist:
(1) DOUNARUNO!?
(2) Sweet
(3) KOKOKARA
(4) heavenly
(5) Nothing
(6) Please Watch Me
Other:
album preview
[Extra] Writer's Thoughts:
ST's previous album 'missa' was my favorite album from this specific band, but now I think I might have a serious contender for number one. It's a powerhouse for a mini-album and the title track (track 1) is deserving of it's place on the list. SpecialThanks is a band to look out for!
Labels: band, mini album
at 1:25 PM with
0 comment(s)
Release Info:Date: 5/11/2016
Name: Ai no Katachi [愛のかたち]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Uemura Kana [植村花菜]
Background: Uemura's second mini album
Tracklist:
(1) なんてことない日々
(2) ただいま
(3) 輝く時間の中で
(4) ママ
(5) マウナケアの流れ星
(6) 愛のかたち
(7) Contigo
Other:
music video
Album Commentary:
Uemura has a very clear voice; one that's very suited for folk and acoustic melodies. She seems to know this and be satisfied with it as she has yet to rely on any electronic instruments in her entire career of about four years now.
Labels: acoustic, mini album, soloist
at 10:00 AM with
0 comment(s)
Release Info:Date: 5/24/2016
Name: CANDY
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: FAKY
Background: After the departure of four out of five members and a consequential two year hiatus; dance and vocal group FAKY is back with a new sound and member lineup.
Tracklist:
(1) Pretty
(2) Afterglow
(3) Are You OK?
(4) You
(5) Candy
(6) Better Without You
Other:
music video
Album Commentary:
FAKY is back and they're taking the JPOP scene by storm with this powerful re-debut release. Pretty is a definite club banger with little lyrics and more focus on the pumping beats and rhythm. The real star however, is indeed the title song Candy. It's their first 'new' song with the new members and it shows of everything you could ask for form this talented group. Each member gets time to shine; Akina gets her English and dance, Mikako and Anna get a very fairy amount of lines and spotlight in the MV, and of course we have Lil busting out them crazy high notes near the end. Beautiful.
Labels: group, mini album
at 4:26 AM with
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Release Info:Date: 4/13/2016
Name: Life is Wonderful
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Qaijff
Background: Female led pop-rock band Qaijff's second mini-ablum. The title track; Wonderful Life, was used as the theme song to a TBS drama show.
Tracklist:
(1) Wonderful Life
(2) 未完成ワールド
(3) 光を探しに
(4) Re:Answer
(5) ソングフォーミー
(6) グッドナイター
(7) Don't Stop The Music
Other:
music video
Album Commentary:
Wonderful Life was my new bop for a very long time when I first heard it. As soon as release day came around I purchased it so fast. It's a beautiful song heavy on the piano and cymbals which gives it a classical-pop mix kind of feel.
Labels: band, mini album
Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 9:31 PM with
0 comment(s)
Release Info:Date: 6/1/2016
Name: Bokutachi no Mainichi ga Eien ni Naru [僕たちの毎日が永遠になる]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: LAGOON
Background: Girl band LAGOON's first mini album. Each member was responsible for writing the lyrics to one song for a total of five tracks on the final CD.
Tracklist:
(1) 僕たちの毎日が永遠になる
(2) あの日の青空、君と
(3) my home ~心が帰る場所~
(4) サヨナラ
(5) Red eye ~1人の時間が教えてくれたこと~
Album Commentary:
The title track (track 1) is probably my favorite LAGOON song so far. LAGOON debuted as a rock band, and they're sticking to it by picking up on the electric guitar in later songs, but track 1 is a more relaxed band style ballad kind of song. It gives off a nostalgic and thoughtful vibe, like someone immersed in a book on a rainy day. It's a nice feel-good type of song and I am honestly very impressed because it makes me feel like they upped their game. Getting the members to contribute more was a great move apparently!
Labels: band, group, mini album
at 7:03 PM with
0 comment(s)
Release Info:Date: 5/25/2016
Name: Kimi to Hour [君とアワー]
Format: CD / MP3
Singer: Potari [ポタリ]
Background: Quartet girl band Potari's 11th release and second mini album/EP.
Tracklist:
(1) 君とアワー
(2) 明日へ
(3) tell me
(4) レディーGo!Go!
Other:
music video
Album Commentary:
Kimi to Hour is a mini album consisting of four boppy pop-rock tunes. It's two tracks shorter than their first EP but just as good in my opinion. I'd say my favorites are the title track (track 1) and tell me (track 3). Tell me is more on the melancholy side than their other three songs, but it's good enough to stand alone as a single or even as the title song itself.
Labels: band, group, mini album, quartet
at 5:22 PM with
0 comment(s)
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