Release news
Hirahara Ayaka 15th anniversary album “Dear Music” out on May 9!
Dear Music (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Singer and saxophonist Hirahara Ayaka is releasing a vocal new album to commemorate the 15th year of her music career! Dear Music will contain 15 tracks total. Several new songs, “Korekara” and “Smile Song”, will be included, along with her well known debut “Jupiter” and selected recordings from musicals that feature her performances, including “Beautiful”, “You’ve Got A Friend”, “Look With Your Heart”, and “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” The listed musicals are Mary Poppins, Beautiful, and Love Never Dies.
RiViNi first mini album “Resistance” out on May 9!
Resistance (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
RiViNi, an all-female 4 member band, is releasing their first mini album on May 9th, titled Resistance. The band’s own description of the album is “emotional rock” starting from a pop sensibility. Of the 6 tracks listed, the first song “Gensou Platonic” and title song “Resistance” have been released with music videos on the YouTube channel of the band’s label. Scroll down below the track list to view.
RiViNi was started by Rie a.k.a. Suzaku, one of the best known female guitarists in Japan. The other members, who also contribute syllables to the band name, are Vivi (drummer), Nicky (vocalist), and Ami (bassist).
Wagakki Band new album “Otonoe” out on April 25.
Otonoe (limited edition +MVs on DVD)
Courtesy of CD Japan
The most popular fusion band of traditional and modern instruments in Japan is releasing their fourth album on April 25th! Titled Otonoe, the album will contain 12 tracks total, including the single “Yukikage boushi.” The other 11 tracks are all original new songs.
Like Wagakki Band‘s, previous albums, Otonoe will be released in a variety of editions: 2 limited editions containing live clips (one with a DVD, the other with a Blu-ray disc), 2 limited editions containing music videos (choice of DVD or Blu-ray disc), and a regular CD-only edition. Previews of songs from the album have been posted to their music label Avex’s YouTube channel.
KOKIA new album “Tokyo Mermaid” out on April 25th!
Tokyo Mermaid (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Veteran singer-songwriter KOKIA is releasing a new album on April 25th, titled Tokyo Mermaid. This is the second release this year to commemorate the artist’s 20th anniversary of her musical career; the first release was her EVOLVE to LOVE greatest hits compilation which came out on February 28th. Tokyo Mermaid will contain 14 tracks, some of which have been used as theme songs for animated shows.
EARNIE FROGs releasing second album “Character” on April 11.
Character (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Indie rock band EARNIE FROGs is releasing their second album on April 11th! Titled Character, the album will contain 9 songs. The band has released a music video to one of the advance singles, “Cinematic,” and two other tracks are also digital singles: “Carve Out” and “Catch Ball.” They have also announced their “Character” tour through Japan in May.
The 4-member alternative rock band hails from Nagoya, and vocals are sung by guitarist Masaaki and bassist Ogata. Thus far, the band has released several digital singles, a prior full length album, and a mini album.
Goose house new album “Flight” out on April 11!
Flight (limited edition cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Musical group Goose house is releasing a new album in April! Flight will contain 11 songs total, including the single “Egao no hana” and its coupling track, “Nanimo kamo ariamatteiru konna jidai mo.” This is the first album featuring 6 members, as one of them recently graduated before “Egao no hana” was released as a single in November 2017.
The group originally came to fame through their rearrangements and song covers on their YouTube channel. They continue to release covers, along with frequent tours. They will be releasing a DVD of their live tour in Tokyo in 2017 on the same date as their new album, and have announced their “Flight” tour for May 2018 to commemorate the album’s release.
AIMI new album “AIMI LION” out on April 4!
AIMI LION (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Singer and musician AIMI is releasing her first solo album AIMI LION in April! The former singer of popular rock band Stereopony has come back as a solo artist with a poppy, electronica sound. The album will contain 13 tracks total, including the song “FAKE” which was used for the TV drama series Chase. The lead single from the album, titled “#Brand New Choice” was released online on 3/7. The record will be released by an independent distributor.
YUKA & CHRONOSHIP shipping new album on April 4!
SHIP (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Progressive rock band YUKA & CHRONOSHIP is releasing their 4th album on April 4th! Titled SHIP, the album draws inspiration from the Argonauts, with 7 out of 11 tracks titled from the Greek myth of the Golden Fleece. The album will be released in Japan by King Records, and a worldwide release in May will follow on Cherry Red Records, based in the UK. Previews of all tracks are available on YouTube; scroll down below the track list to listen.
The band was founded by Funakoshi Yuka, the keyboardist.
BRIDEAR mini album “HELIX” out on April 11th!
HELIX (album cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
All-female metal band BRIDEAR is releasing a new mini album on April 11th! Titled HELIX, the disc will contain 7 songs total. This release features BRIDEAR’s newest member, guitarist Misaki, who joined the band after the previous guitarist Misa left. Thus, BRIDEAR continues to be a 5-member band with two guitarists, a drummer, a vocalist, and a bass guitarist.
Release notes suggest that with BRIDEAR’s new lineup, they are evolving toward hard rock from their previous niche of speed/power metal. It is unclear after Misa’s departure whether death growling will continue to be featured in the band’s vocal repertoire.
Hayashibara Megumi new album “Fifty ~ Fifty” out on March 30!
Fifty ~ Fifty (limited edition cover)
Courtesy of CD Japan
Veteran seiyuu/singer Hayashibara Megumi is releasing her 14th studio album at the end of March! Titled Fifty ~ Fifty, the album will contain 14 total tracks, including her most recent singles “Usurahi shinjuu,” “Imawa no shinigami,” “Shuuketsu no sono e” and “Sanhara ~seinaru chikara~.” Other notable songs on the album include “Mint” which was an unreleased collaboration of Megumi and her good friend Okazaki Ritsuko who passed away, and Megumi’s cover of Okazaki’s song “Regret.”
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