Soundscan Chart for the Week of 3/16 – 3/22

On the single side, Nogizaka46 topped the chart with “Inochi wa Utsukushii”, with its CD+DVD Type-A selling 51,486 copies. Three of the 4 editions of this single took the top 3 spots on the chart this week. Between its 4 editions, “Inochi wa Utsukushii” sold 145,782 copies, making it the best selling single this week.

On the album side, Yoshii Kazuya took the top spot with “STARLIGHT”, with its CD+DVD Limited Edition selling 23,256. It is the best selling album this week.

ayaka Releases Details on Her New Album “Rainbow Road”

On April 15, ayaka is set to release her 4th studio album, “Rainbow Road.” This will be her first album since 2012’s “The beginning.” The album will be released in 4 editions: a CD only edition, a 3CD edition, a 3CD+DVD edition, and a 3CD+DVD fanclub edition. The 1st CD on these editions will have the actual “Rainbow Road” album. The album will include the singles “beautiful”, “Chiisana Ashiato”, “number one”, and “Nijiiro”, as well as the digital singles “Tsuyoku Omou” and “Arigatou no Wa.” The 2nd and 3rd CDs will have songs from ayaka’s tour “Nijiiro Acoustic Live Tour 2014 ~3-STAR RAW~.” The non-fanclub edition DVD will have music videos for the album, while the fanclub edition DVD will have footage of ayaka performing songs live.

Ahead of the album’s release, ayaka has released the short music video for the albums’ 4th track, “No end.” “No end” is an upbeat, funky song with a colorful music video that matches it well. Check it out after the jump along with the covers and tracklists for the album!

Nogizaka46 and Koda Kumi top the Weekly Oricon Charts! 3/16-3/22

The weekly Oricon physical music sales charts for the week of  3/16-3/22 have been released

Nogizaka46’s eleventh single “Inochi wa Utsukushii” shot to the top of singles chart this week with over 500,000 copies sold. For the album charts Koda Kumi’s twelfth studio album WALK OF MY LIFE compiling her hit singles “HOTEL” and experimental Oculus Rift audio visual experience “Dance in the Rain“, comes in first selling 39,346 units.

Check out the rest of the top 10 charts below!

YU-A Releases PV for “Fried Potato”

On March 18, R&B singer YU-A released her 4th studio album, “PURPLE.” She has now released the music video for the song “Fried Potato.” The video for “Fried Potato” find YU-A going through the process of making french fries. In true locavoric fashion, she digs up the potatoes, chops them up, and then fries them. Check out the video after the jump!

Soundscan Chart for the Week of 3/9 – 3/15

On the single side, KAT-TUN topped the chart with “KISS KISS KISS”, with its CD+DVD Limited Edition 2 selling 51,071 copies. The 3 editions of this single took the top 3 spots on the chart this week. Between its 3 editions, “KISS KISS KISS” sold 145,890 copies, making it the best selling single this week.

On the album side, Sexy Zone took the top spot with “Sexy Power3”, with its CD+DVD Limited Edition B selling 28,808. Two editions of this album took the top 2 spots on the chart this week. The 3 editions of this album sold 60,151 copies, making it the best selling album this week.

KAT-TUN and Sexy Zone Top the Weekly Oricon Charts! 3/9 – 3/15

The Oricon physical music charts for the week of 3/9 to 3/15 have been released!

For the singles chart, KAT-TUN come out on top with their 24th single “KISS KISS KISS”, selling 153,547 copies in its first week. For the albums chart, Sexy Zone come out on top with their 3rd album “Sexy Power3”, selling 101,350 copies in its first week.

Check out the top 10s of each chart below!

iTunes Releases This Year’s Edition of “NEW ARTIST Spotlight”

For the past few years, iTunes has released a list of acts that they think users should look out for in the coming year. Acts that have previously made this list include Passepied, tricot, USAGI, Charisma.com, and Yasuda Rei. iTunes recently revealed this year’s edition. What acts do they think you should look out for in 2015? Find out after the jump!

EMI MARIA Releases PV for “91”

On March 18, R&B singer EMI MARIA released her new digital single “91.” The song is a bass heavy midtempo number in line with things that are currently happening on the more progressive end of the genre. The song features a rap by EMI MARIA’s husband, SEEDA. She has now released the music video for the song. The music video features the couple in a snowy forest. Check it out after the jump!