News
Aldious new album “We Are” out on November 29!
We Are (limited edition cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Japanese all-female metal band Aldious is releasing their 7th studio album, titled We Are, next month! Slated for a release date of November 29, the album will contain 9 tracks, of which one track is an intro. This is the second album release this year for the busy band. They have been touring every month since April and will continue into December. In the meanwhile, they released their 6th album Unlimited Diffusion in May, and a live DVD earlier this month.
Wagakki Band best album “Kiseki Best Collection” out on November 29!
Kiseki Best Collection (Type A album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Wagakki Band is releasing their best-of compilation album on November 29th! Combining traditional Japanese instruments with “futuristic” music by covering vocaloid songs, Wagakki Band is currently an internet phenomenon. Kiseki Best Collection will contain 17 tracks total, including the covers of vocaloid songs that turned this band into a sensation, “Tengaku”, “Senbonzakura” and “Rokuchounen to ichiya monogatari.” One new song, “CLEAN” is included on the music video DVD; the songs on the album otherwise have been released as singles or on their three prior albums.
HONEBONE new album “Shizuka ni Shiro” out on Nov 15!
Comedy/folk duo HONEBONE is releasing their 4th album, Shizuka ni Shiro on November 15th! Translating to “Be Quiet” or “Shut up”, the released song list with 8 titles promises to be as tongue-in-cheek as their previous albums.
You can preview the songs from the release trailer below the track list.
First-press bonuses are available at different shops: those who get the album at Tower Records or HMV, for instance, can get an extra song, while other shops will carry a sticker as the bonus.
Nakamori Akina new releases “Akina” and “CAGE” out on November 8!
Limited edition covers:
Akina (top), CAGE (bottom)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Singer Nakamori Akina, best known as the “dark diva” of the 80’s Jpop princesses, is releasing a new studio album on November 8th. This release comes about 2 years after her previous album, and is self-titled Akina. The album contains 9 tracks, which all appear to be new songs, and the limited edition will come with a booklet-sized calendar.
Akina is releasing a disco cover album on the same date titled CAGE, which will include “Give Me Up” by Michael Fortunati, “Venus” by Bananarama, and “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by the Eurythmics, among a total of 9 cover songs. The limited edition of this album will come with a DVD containing making-of clips.
Both releases mark Akina’s 35th anniversary as a singer, whose history has been at times sensational and dark, the way her music has often been characterized.
In recent years, both her personal life and public image appear to be more mellow than previously, but she continues to sing more brooding songs than the average Japanese pop diva.
Haigou Meiko new album “Hoshi no Moto” out on November 10!
Hoshi no Moto (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Singer-songwriter Haigou Meiko is releasing her 7th studio album on November 10th! Titled Hoshi no Moto, the album will contain 10 original songs. This album comes 5 years after her previous studio album. She will have a one-man live on November 3rd to commemorate the new release. Meiko may be best known as the voice for the vocaloid MEIKO, the first synthesized voice program to sing in Japanese. In contrast to some of the songs by the vocaloid, the singer Meiko’s songs tend to be warm, gentle, and happy.
Tane Tomoko new album “rolling” out on November 11!
rolling (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Veteran indie singer-songwriter Tane Tomoko is releasing her new album on November 11th! rolling will contain 10 songs, 8 of which are new. “Tokoton shiawase” and “Sokontoko yoroshiku ne” were previously released, the latter on Tomoko’s 30th anniversary compilation album Daily Bread.
The release page on Tomoko’s site notes that the album’s “raw heart” and “cutting words” and melodies will provide a “recording of the soul.” Several dates are listed for the commemorative tour, set to start in November with the album’s release.
May’n new album “PEACE of SMILE” out on Oct 18th!
PEACE of SMILE
(limited edition type A cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
JPop/anime diva May’n is releasing her 5th original album in October! PEACE of SMILE will arrive on October 18th in 4 editions: 3 limited editions and a regular album only edition containing 14 tracks (13 songs + 1 bonus track). Each of the 3 limited editions will contain a bonus CD with 2 new songs and their instrumental tracks, differing by version. Two songs on the album, “Shine A Light” and “BIRTHDAY! ~PEACE of SMILE” are completely new tracks, while the others have been used in various anime and shows.
Michael Kaneko debut EP “Westbound” out on Oct 25th
Westbound (EP cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Michael Kaneko, a Southern California native of Japanese descent, will be making his Japanese debut on the music scene with the EP Westbound. This single/mini album will include 5 songs and has a release date of October 25, 2017.
Even before this release, Michael has already been heard by more than 50 million people, in various commercials and on the radio. His voice may be most famous in the song “Loving eyes” used for that tear-inducing Toyota commercial (scroll down below to see what I mean).
May J. releasing new album “Futuristic” on Oct 25th!
Futuristic (regular edition cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Pop singer May J. is releasing her 8th original album on October 25! Coming 4 years after her previous album, this collection will be titled Futuristic and contain 16 tracks, including a bonus track. Many of the songs have tie-ups to TV shows and games, including “Futari no mahou” (opening theme for Gundam G), “Faith” (ending theme for God Eater 3 Rage Burst), “Have Dreams!” (opening theme to May J’s TV show J MELO), and others.
Guitarist Misa leaving Bridear
Guitarist Misa of the all-female metal rock band Bridear announced yesterday that she will be leaving the band after their October 28th live show. Misa is one of the two guitarists in the band, which is known for its technical “twin guitar” style. Misa’s announcement cited creative differences as the major reason for her departure, and although it did not disclose details, hinted that she will continue to stay active in the music scene. Given her more progressive sounds and solos, I would not be surprised if she goes much, much more toward the progressive end.
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