This week’s episode featured Yumi Matsutoya. Space has been a constant theme in her music; even her new album’s title, “Uchuu Toshokan”, deals with space (translation: “Space Library”). In this episode of SONGS, Yumi speaks with astronaut Takuya Onishi via video while is on the International Space Station. She also performed three songs dealing with space.

Yumi Matsutoya – VOYAGER ~Hizuke no Nai Bohyou~ / Fushigi na Taiken / Uchuu Toshokan

Girl group E-girls is back from their summer campaign of releasing two singles, and they are full of energy! Their newest single is titled “Go! Go! Let’s Go!” and will be released on November 30th. In the eclectic MV they explore different settings and thematics such as Easter Island, Candyland and Victorian Era, though they spent most of the time in a Japanese setting. Check the MV, full tracklists and the unoriginal cover arts just after the jump!

Sony Music has issued an apology statement for Nazi-style costumes of idol group, Keyakizaka46. As previously reported, the group wore the outfits for their October 22nd “Perfect Halloween” concert at Yokohama Arena. The outfits resulted in international backlash and action from the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The international Jewish human rights organization released a statement, demanding an apology from both Sony Music and Yasushi Akimoto.

Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Kanjani8 defeat Hoshino Gen. Gen is back again this week, facing off against a newcomer. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the physical and digital charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

Last month alternative rock band androp released their new album “blue” in stores across Japan.  Starting this week, the record will also be available on digital distribution services such as iTunes, Recochoku, and Ototoy.

To coincide with this ‘secondary release’, the group have also published the PV for the album’s opening track “Kaonashi” to their official Youtube channel.  This cryptic music video drifts between clarity and distortion as the quality of the footage rapidly shifts from one shot to the next, the only constant the blue light that envelops the band as they perform.

You’ll find the full version of this simple, yet striking MV beneath the cut.

Earlier this year pop-rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN held their first stadium tour in support of the release of their new album “Butterflies”.  This series of shows enticed more than 300,000 concertgoers to come and see the group live, the set list a mixture of old classics like the ever-popular “Tentai Kansoku” and newer tracks like Kekkai Sensen theme song “Hello, world!”.

Now the band have announced that they will be releasing the footage from their shows at Nissan Stadium in July on a new Live DVD / Blu-ray on December 21st.  This release will come packaged in four different versions, with the limited variants of both format including a special sticker sheet, a 64-page photo book, a Live CD which contains a selection of songs from the shows, the tour’s opening cinematic, three special music videos, and over 30 minutes of interview and and other behind the scenes footage featuring the band, all of which will be packaged in a specially designed box.

Read on below for a look at the cover and track list for BUMP OF CHICKEN’s latest live release.

Hello ARAMA! readers.

We will be holding an email interview with vocaloid producer Pinocchio-P and want some of your questions! The vocaloid fan base continues to steadily grow overseas and producers like Pinocchio-P are at the forefront of this movement.

Just simply fill out the form below, and as usual feel free to submit multiple questions. The form will be closed on Sunday November 6th at roughly 12AM EST.

On November 2, Kinoko Teikoku will release their new album, “Ai no Yukue.” The album’s title track serve as the theme song for the movie “Yu wo Wakasu Hodo no Atsui Ai”, which opened in theaters on October 29. Kinoko Teikoku’s new album comes in a limited edition and a regular edition. The limited edition comes in a special paper box and includes photocards shot by Okuyama Yoshiyuki. It also includes a DVD from a show the band held this past August at Tokyo’s Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall. Check out more information on the album below!