On October 14, Hoshino Gen will release a new digital single, “Same Thing.” The English-language song is a collaboration with the British band Superorganism. The band arranged the song, while Gen wrote and composed it. “Same Thing” made its debut on Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio station 15 minutes ago at the time of this writing. It is now available for streaming worldwide. The “Same Thing” digital single will also see a worldwide release.
The digital single also features three additional songs. The first is the PUNPEE collaboration “Sarashimono”, which will feature Gen rapping. The second is “Ain’t Nobody Know”, which will feature a surprise guest artist. The last is “Watashi”, which features just Gen and his guitar.
Check out more information on “Same Thing” below, including a clip of the song and the teaser for its music video!
In July, Johnny Kitagawa, the founder of Johnny & Associates, died. The new leadership structure of the company was recently revealed. Julie Keiko Fujishima, Johnny’s niece and vice president, will take over her uncle’s former role as president. Takizawa Hideaki and public relations head Shirahase Suguru are now vice presidents. Mary Yasuko Fujishima, Johnny’s older sister and vice president, will now serve as chairman.
Changes are underway at the company in terms of its roster of talents as well. Those whose greatest supporter was Johnny seem to be leaving the company, such as Nishikido Ryo.
According to a reporter, “Nishikido is a friend of former KAT-TUN member Akanishi Jin. Akanishi, who has done whatever he wants since he was a trainee, is still popular in Asia as a solo artist after leaving the company. It seems though that Nishikido wants to succeed in the United States, and he may have been inspired by Akanishi, who is still pursuing his dreams even though he has a family. Compared to actors, who have a lot of work to do in TV dramas and movies, musicians are able to do their work well with just the support of their record company and fans. Also, Yamashita Tomohisa is friends with both Nishikido and Akanshi. He too dreams of working in America and is said to be following Nishikido.”
On October 2, TENDRE will release his new EP, “IN SIGHT.” This release includes the Honda CM song “ANYWAY”, which is a collaboration with YeYe. It will also include the song “SIGN.” The music video for this song was a collaboration with the sandal brand Teva. Check out more information on this release below!
Back in August we reported that singer/songwriter Nagisa Kuroki would be releasing a new record titled “Lemon no Toge” on October 9th. Though she’s already published a PV for lead song “Utsukushii Horobi-kata“, Kuroki has now made an additional video for the album’s title track available on her YouTube channel.
Directed by Jun Nakao, the music video centers around Kuroki’s emotional performance of the song, a scenario meant to represent its themes unfolding around her. Of particular note is the complex interpretive dance, performed by Kae Ishimoto, which undergirds the entire affair.
You’ll find the full PV for “Lemon no Toge” right after the jump.
As we’ve reported previously, popular rock band Spitz will be releasing a new album titled “Mikke” next week on October 9th. Ahead of the longplay’s street date, the group have chosen to publish the PV for its lead track “Arigatosan” to their YouTube channel.
The video, directed by videographer Daisuke Kitayama, focuses of the band’s performance of the mid-tempo number in a cramped apartment room. The location was a particular request of the group, who felt that the track suited such an enclosed space.
The full music video for “Arigatosan” – plus a radio-rip of title track “Mikke” – can be found just beneath the fold.
Back in August veteran pop-rock band Southern All Stars released a new digital single titled “Ai wa Slow ni Chottozutsu”. This track has now been selected as the theme song for upcoming Fall drama “Nippon Noir”.
To coincide with this announcement, the group have chosen to publish the full PV for the song to their YouTube channel. The video includes a mixture of scenes from both their past concerts and their more recent live at the Tokyo Dome, as well as special behind-the-scenes footage.
You’ll find the full music video for “Ai wa Slow ni Chottozutsu” right after the cut.
This week singer/songwriter TK from Ling Tosite Sigure released his latest track “melt” as a digital single. Of note, the song features suis from the popular music duo Yorushika as a guest vocalist, marking the first time that she’s appeared in this capacity.
In conjunction with the track’s release, a music video for “melt” has also been uploaded to TK’s YouTube channel. Directed by Kentaro Saisho, the clip merges striking live-action footage with equally enthralling CG visuals.
You can find the full PV for “melt” below.
On October 2, Ayumi Hamasaki turns 41 years old. But she’s giving her fans gifts instead!
After years of pleas, Ayu has released all of her music videos, in full, on her YouTube channel! This is a departure from the short version videos fans have been stuck with.
The second gift is Ayu’s first fragrance! It is named “æternal un.” It opens with a crisp and beautiful neroli floral note, followed by an elegant mixture of jasmine, rose, and iris. It finishes with with a semi-sweet oriental chypre for a calm and luxurious end.
The top notes are neroli, hyacinth, grapefruit, and galbanum. The middle notes are jasmine, rose, iris, lily of the valley, ylang ylang, and carnation. The base notes are sandalwood, vetiver, amber, chypre, musk, leather, and moss. Pre-orders are open now through October 31. The pre-orders will ship in late December. The visuals for the perfume can be found below along with pre-order information!
