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Nagareboshi (Japan Version)
Nakashima Mika
Nakashima Mika made her debut with Stars eight years ago, and since then, whether coincidentally or otherwise, she has returned to the theme of stars in her music multiple times, including Will, Mienai Hoshi, and Orion. After last month's funky circus-inspired Candy Girl, Mika goes back to the ballad and to the stars for her newest single Nagareboshi ("Shooting Star"). Nagareboshi is the kind of soaring, emotional ballad that Mika has become known for, and this one has particularly sweet and melancholic lyrics about gazing at the same stars and wishing for love. The lyrics are simple yet touching, direct in sentiments: "Look up at the sky, hand in hand/I hope we see the same future." The... [read more]
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COLORS - Melody and Harmony / Shelter (Japan Version)
JEJUNG & YUCHUN (from Tohoshinki)
| Dong Bang Shin Ki (TVXQ)
Dong Bang Shin Ki's "Soulmate Couple" Jae Joong and Yoo Chun offer some hope and music in the midst of the controversy with their new J-pop single COLORS ~Melody and Harmony~. All five members of Dong Bang Shin Ki have tried their hands at songwriting, but Jae Joong and Yoo Chun are thus far the two more notable composers of the group, and they further confirm their talents with this very agreeable self-composed release. Composed by Jae Joong and Yoo Chun, COLORS ~Melody and Harmony~ ranks among the higher echelon of Dong Bang Shin Ki ballads. The title very much reflects the song, which has an almost lulling quality to its easy-going melody, light beats, and gentle harmonization. COLORS... [read more]
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Smilife (SINGLE+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
Stereopony
Girl rock trio Stereopony's fourth single Smilife is, true to its title, a bright and uptempo pop rock piece with plenty of spunky teen spirit. Written and composed by band vocalist AIMI, the energetic song draws fast lyrics and a positive message over a catchy melody and furious beats. The song is close in style to the girls' previous YUI collaboration single I do it, and should appeal to those looking for feel-good pop rock with a kick of youthful honesty and energy. Side track Cupido follows in the same vein with a chirpy pop composition and clapping vigor. Though the song is standard fare, it's dressed up well with interestingly varied drum beats and well-timed sentiments. There is a... [read more]
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Keshin (SINGLE+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
Fukuyama Masaharu
Japan's favorite bachelor Fukuyama Masaharu sports a funny-looking perm on the cover of his 20th anniversary single Keshin, but otherwise he looks almost exactly the same as he did two decades ago. The same could be said of the forever-young singer-songwriter's music, soothing lilting ballads and hearty rock numbers that carry for years without aging. His latest single Keshin is one of his most fun songs yet. Keshin kicks up the energy level straight off with a hyper-fast drum solo and a sprightly detective jazz intro. Keshin seems to take a page from Kuwata Keisuke with its jazzy, catchy rock melody, and the song's lively atmosphere pulls the listener in right away. From the edgy lyrics to... [read more]
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Love Forever (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)
Kato Miliyah
| Shimizu Shota
As a crossover effort from two of Japan's brightest young R&B artists, Love Forever does not disappoint. This remarkably likable R&B number lays romantic lyrics and infectious synth beats over a rolling mid-tempo melody that bounces with positive energy. If this was a solo track from Kato or Shimizu, it would probably sound too commercial, but as a collaboration Love Forever feels fresh, fun, and catchy. Kato and Shimizu's voices harmonize together beautifully, often sounding like they could be one, and combining to turn Love Forever into an outstanding R&B pop number. B-side Looking your eyes is more of a standard-fare R&B ballad. The verse portions of the song are actually quite good and... [read more]
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The Secret Code (Jacket A)(ALBUM+DVD)(Japan Version)
Dong Bang Shin Ki (TVXQ)
Hard to imagine that's it possible for Dong Bang Shin Ki to get more popular than they already are, but the past year turned out to be a massive breakthrough for the group in Japan. In 2008, they released their third Japanese album and a ridiculous nine J-pop singles (including the TRICK singles), four of which became #1 sellers, and ended the year with an appearance on Kohaku Uta Gassen. (Somewhere in there, they also released Korea's best-selling album of the year.) Continuing at their superhuman pace, Dong Bang Shin Ki recently released their fourth J-pop album, The Secret Code, which made its Oricon debut at #2 and has already sold double what T did. With half the album made up of... [read more]
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I Gotta Kick Start Now (SINGLE+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
VAMPS
VAMPS' second single I Gotta Kick Start Now is just about as fun as J-rock gets without losing its edge. While the band's first single Love Addict was already a good indicator that VAMPS would be a different (happier) beast than L'Arc-en-Ciel and HYDE's solo works, I Gotta Kick Start Now really lays in the catchy riffs and growling refrains for a blasting good time. This is a song that's meant to be blasted at high volume in your car, windows down. The track starts loud and tight with ear-piercing guitars and amusing opening lyrics - "I'm gonna try you out / Just shake and move / Not in a nasty way" - and lightens up with the too-catchy repeating title line. This combination of hard and... [read more]
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Voice of EARTH (ALBUM+DVD)(Japan Version)
alan
War, hatred, despair, pollution... all the negativity of existence stands a better chance of finding a cure, if Mother Earth has a mouthpiece like alan. This is the verdict this editor reached after basking in the bliss that is Voice of EARTH, alan's first J-pop album. The emerging vocal revelation has established her position thanks in no small part to her unique background. Born in Sichuan, China of Tibetan descent, and raised in the "Beauty Valley", Alan Dawa Dolma received training in erhu and vocal music growing up. The fairy caught the attention of Japan music giant Avex in an audition, and after graduating from Beijing's PLA Arts Academy, she embarked on the road to international... [read more]
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Ghost (Japan Version)
Gackt
For anyone who's ever suspected that Gackt might be a cyborg - because he's, cough, too awesome to be all human - the suddenly (and thankfully) prolific again rocker answers with his new single GHOST. His second tie-in song for the American sci-fi series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, GHOST is a fabulous follow-up to his December 2008 single Jesus (for anyone who's ever suspected that Gackt might be...). The ghost in question here is not the haunting kind, but rather the ghost in the machine which Gackt gives voice to in this electronic hard rock number. Opening with the sound of creaking machines and techno beats, GHOST jumps into a simple rock melody replete with electronic... [read more]
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Musekinin Hero (Jacket C)(Normal Edition)(Japan Version)
KANJANI8
Oddball idols Kanjani8 are perhaps best known for their ability to talk and laugh up a storm, but this time I want to give due credit to their music. Though definitely the most "un-Johnny's" of the Johnny's groups and populated by members more suited for manzai than idol pop, Kanjani8 has achieved, in seemingly the most casual of manners, something that eludes most of Johnny's other groups - a distinctive musical style. As every Johnny's single is pretty much ripe to be covered countless times on Shonen Club, all the songs from all the groups begin to blend together after a while, which is of course all the better for those Johnny's Jr theme medleys. There is a certain sound and style... [read more]
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I am Your Singer (First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
Southern All Stars
It's hard to think of another artist or group that has given as much to Japanese music over the last 30 years as Southern All Stars has. With a laidback, rugged pop rock appeal that crosses generations and genres, the legendary band has been topping charts and cheering hearts for three decades. Life wouldn't quite be the same without the music of Southern All Stars. Marking the band's 30th anniversary, their latest single I Am Your Singer opens happily with jovial beats and a carefree trumpet, creating a blithe and relaxed mood as Kuwata Keisuke's familiar voice rolls in. The song's opening lines - "I am your singer/My reason for living/Is to see your countless smiles" - brought an immediate... [read more]
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Cupia Vol. 1 (Japan Version)
Japan Various Artists
| Rentrer en Soi
| Versailles
| Dio
In October 2007, Cure and PIA magazines organized a concert at the C.C. Lemon showcasing up-and-coming visual kei bands. Along with the concert, the compilation Cupia Vol. 1 featuring songs from the 14 participating bands was released. As only a casual follower of visual kei, most of the bands featured in Cupia are new names to me, and I found the album to be a great collection for those who want to scratch beyond the surface of the familiar big acts. Catch these bands before they go big, go missing, or go soft for Oricon consumption. Four-man band Nega starts things off loudly with hard rock and creepy whispers in altar (Track 1). While the song's composition itself is average, the... [read more]
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Choice is Yours (Japan Version)
AAA
Although my overall feelings for AAA are fairly neutral, I volley between loving and hating their music with every other single they put out. It's almost uncanny how they keep reeling me in with a completely fun and fresh eurobeat pop dance track, and then scaring me away with their next strangely shrilly, off-tempo, eurobeat-jackhammer dance track. Still, AAA's distinctive style makes them consistently interesting, and compels me to at least listen to every release they put out. Their latest Choice is Yours is a mini album from only the five male members of the group. Although the group has recorded "boys-only" and "girls-only" tracks before, this is the first time AAA has divided out by... [read more]
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Shion (Japan Version)
Mucc
I suspect (okay, I know) that one of the reasons I like MUCC more than other J-rock bands of similar sound and stature is because their name is fun to say out loud. More importantly, the band is also easy to like. MUCC's comfortable reach over hard and soft rock offers something for everyone without coming off as disconnected. Their latest release Shion sees the band going in a moodier and more experimental direction. The album displays the band's usual eclectic range of rock, but the arrangements and genre crossovers are more ambitious and theme-driven, bringing diverse sounds together into a forthright rock album that gets better with every listen. Shion kicks off with a wonderful... [read more]
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Alone Again Wonderful World (SINGLE+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
Plastic Tree
Though I love Plastic Tree at all paces and pitches, I am particularly fond of the band's slower, quieter numbers, and their new single Alone Again, Wonderful World is an outstanding example why. Written and composed by vocalist Ryutaro, the song starts off with steady strokes of repeating guitar chords, setting the stage for Ryutaro's signature melodic, childlike voice which tip-toes in and calmly curls around the guitar. In comparison to many of Plastic Tree's more ethereal mid-tempo numbers, Alone Again, Wonderful World largely employs a straightforward band sound arrangement, letting Ryutaro's singing carry the song's introspective lyrics and sentiments. The combination of the floating... [read more]
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I Scream Party (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)
SuG
Happy and hyper is the way to go for new oshare kei band SuG, which was picked up last year by PS Company's indie label. PS Company has been on a roll the last few years, cornering the market on chart-friendly visual kei with popular artists Miyavi, Kagrra,, Kra, alice nine., and the GazettE. The label seems to have another winner on their hands, because SuG's brand of "heavy positive rock" is undeniably infectious, if on the immature side at times. SuG's first mini album I Scream Party sounds as colorful as the band members' hair, and that's no easy task. Fun and frivolous from the very first note, LOVE SCREAM PARTY (Track 1) has fabulously catchy lead-in chords and a rolling nonsensical... [read more]
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The Blue Hearts (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version)
The Blue Hearts
If you were in Japan during the late 1980s and early 90s, The Blue Hearts needs no introduction. For the rest of us, it might have been Yamashita Nobuhiro's 2005 film Linda Linda Linda and Bae Du Na's endearing screeching that announced the rocking sounds of the iconic 80s pop punk band. The Blue Hearts' albums are a bit hard to track down though when you join the bandwagon over a decade late, making the recent reissues of the band's early albums all the more worthy of belated collection. The Blue Hearts' first three albums - The Blue Hearts, Young & Pretty, and Train-Tain - were re-released in November last year with conveniently minimal packaging and very affordable price tags. Hopefully,... [read more]
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Monochrome (Normal Edition) (Japan Version)
Kannivalism
The great thing about starting young is that it gives you space to start over, as in the case of kannivalism. After baroque disbanded in 2004, vocalist Ryo and guitarist kei quite literally returned to square one and resurrected their short-lived pre-baroque band kannivalism. Considering kannivalism lasted about five minutes back in 2001, the fate of this new old band was questionable, but it has proven to be one of the fastest-rising names in J-rock in 2006 and 2007. What first raised interest in the band is undoubtedly baroque goodwill, but kannivalism is quickly outrunning the achievements of baroque. kannivalism's latest single Monochrome is perhaps the band's most mainstream-friendly... [read more]
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SUMMARY of Johnnys World (Taiwan Version)
KAT-TUN
| NEWS
NEWS and KAT-TUN headline the large-scale Johnny's summer show Summary of Johnnys World. While big Johnny's concerts are nothing new given the agency comes out in full for a New Year's countdown every year, Summary is a bit different as it was presented as a musical/theatrical production and featured a completely new-generation line-up. At the time, NEWS had only recently officially debuted and KAT-TUN didn't have a single to their name, although both groups were already very popular. NEWS and KAT-TUN, along with some 100 Johnny's Juniors, ended up staging 35 shows at the Harajuku Big Top, an appropriate venue name as the whole affair had the sensory overload and chaotically grand atmosphere... [read more]
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aigakikoeru (Japan Version)
KOKIA
There's something inherently cheesy about referring to a singer as a songbird, but that is exactly the feeling KOKIA evokes. Her soft music and beautiful vocals seem to dance in the air like notes at one with nature. Though her compositions are always simple, the delicate variations in arrangement and vocal style make her melodies unique, graceful, and quietly grand. Her songs almost always succeed in creating an encompassing mood, which probably explains why they are so often selected for anime soundtracks. KOKIA's most recent album aigakikoeru ~ listen for the Love was first released in France in November 2006, and then in Japan earlier this year. Title track aigakikoeru (Track 10) is the... [read more]
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