News
FF15 original soundtrack out on December 21st!
Final Fantasy 15 soundtrack
(regular edition cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Final Fantasy XV is finally set to release on November 29th after 10 years of production, and its soundtrack will be released on December 21st. Composed by Shimamura Yoko, the soundtrack has similarly been in development for a decade. So far, clips and previews of the soundtrack suggest an overall epic, gothic, and darker mood than some prior FF scores.
Ogawa Mayu new album [I am I] out on Nov 30th!
I am I (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Singer-songwriter Mayu OGAWA is releasing her third album I am I on November 30th. The independent artist, who now owns a record label, continues her exploration into sunny, individualistic and unique pop with 10 original tracks.
The full track list has not yet been announced, but will include the songs “Teiten kansoku” “Itoshii hibi (band version)”, “not yet”, “Warumono”, “naked”, “TODAY”, “Happy Soul”, and “Mahou (2016 version).” Previews of tracks from the album and music videos of several songs are available on her official YouTube channel and below.
YURiCa / Hanatan new album [ERiCa] out on November 23rd!
ERiCa (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Singer YURiCa / Hanatan, who rose to fame from the world of Vocaloid songs and Nico Nico, is releasing her fifth album on November 23rd. ERiCa contains 12 tracks, including “Raspberry Monster,” a song used for a Smartphone game of the same name. Limited pressings of the album will include a bonus CD, with content that has not yet been announced.
YURiCa / Hanatan’s official YouTube channel has released an album trailer previewing the track list, which sounds mostly upbeat and hits many high notes in Hanatan’s trademark energetic style. Album trailer video and “Raspberry Monster” HD music previewed below.
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lyrical school new album [guidebook] out on Nov 16!
guidebook (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Japanese female hip-hop idol group lyrical school is releasing their first major label album on November 16th! Titled guidebook, the album will contain 13 tracks including the singles “Magic Hour,” “Summer Foundation” and “RUN and RUN.”
Chara greatest hits collection [Naked & Sweet] out on November 16th!
Naked & Sweet (album covers)
TOP: limited edition, BOTTOM: regular edition
Courtesy of CD Japan
Singer-Songwriter Chara’s first best song collection, after 25 years, will be released on November 16! Titled Naked & Sweet, this 3-CD set will contain 45 tracks in Blu-spec CD2 format. Tracks are selected from songs released since 1991 including singles and rearrangements. The release will be in 2 versions, a limited edition which includes a DVD and the 3-disc only regular edition. Contents of the DVD have not yet been announced.
The track listing appears to be mostly chronological, with earlier songs on the first disc and her most recent work on the third disc. The second disc contains many songs from the late 1990’s, which may have been her most popular era, around the time that she starred in the 1996 movie Swallowtail Butterfly. A fictional band from the movie, called Yen Town Band, inspired songs including “Swallowtail Buttery (Ai no Uta),” “Shanghai Baby,” and “Sunday Park.”
Tainaka Sachi new album [Aoi Senaka] out on Oct 26th!
Aoi Senaka (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Singer-songwriter Tainaka Sachi is releasing her 5th independent album. Titled Aoi Senaka (“Blue Back”), the album will contain 9 tracks on a music CD and include a DVD with clips from her 10th anniversary live, as well as the music video for “tomori.” Tainaka continues moving towards piano-based slow-tempo songs with this release.
Shima Kaori first mini-album [Soredemo Egao de Itai kara] out on October 12th!
Soredemo Egao de Itai kara (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Singer-songwriter Shima Kaori is releasing her first mini-album, titled Soredemo Egao de Itai kara (“Because, Even So, I Want To Keep Smiling”) on October 12th. It will contain 7 original tracks, several of which Shima has performed and are recorded on YouTube.
Shimako, who hails from the city of Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, is something of a regional star who has written and performed cheer songs for the area, including a song titled “Runrun Kurun” to promote tourism to Takaoka. You can watch videos of her live performances below.
NECOKICKS first album [Papa wa New Guinea] out on October 5th
Papa wa New Guinea album cover
Courtesy of CD Japan
Upbeat indie rock band NECOKICKS is releasing their first full length album Papa wa New Guinea (“Papa Is the New Guinea”). I couldn’t resist the pun, either. The album will contain 11 tracks for 2000 yen. Music videos are available for some of the songs; Youtube previews available below.
Tane Tomoko’s 30th anniversary compilation [Daily Bread] out on October 5th!
Veteran singer-songwriter Tane Tomoko is releasing a best-of album on October 5th! Titled Daily Bread, it will contain 31 tracks on 2 discs to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Tomoko’s career. Tracks include singles, live recordings and remix versions. Notable songs in the collection range from her early singles in the 80’s like “Naisho Love Call” to the her well-known anime work “Message #9” and “Broken Wings” used for Gasaraki and Trinity Blood, respectively.
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HONEBONE third album [Funade] out on October 5th
Funade album cover
Courtesy of CD Japan
Japanese pop duo and comedic(?) unit HONEBONE is releasing their third album, Funade, on October 5th. The album will contain 11 original tracks with titles ranging from “Tired of living” to “Why don’t we go to hell?” The music consists of a variety of catchy pop tunes that lean toward the acoustic side.
I’m not sure what to think of this group, because unlike most artists, they don’t seem to take themselves very seriously. Are they the Weird Al of J-Pop? Vocalist Emily has a very visible sense of humor to go with her considerable singing ability. You can decide for yourself from their Youtube videos, with links below the track list.
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