It has been announced that Hiroji Miyamoto, better known as the lead singer for rock band Elephant Kashimashi, will be starting a solo career. His first track, titled “Fuyu no Hana”, is currently serving as the theme song for drama “Gosaigyou” and will be released as a digital single on February 12th.

“Fuyu no Hana” sees Miyamoto working with producer Takeshi Kobayashi for the first time in nearly two decades, since they collaborated on Elephant Kashimashi’s album “Life”. Together, Miyamoto hopes that he and Kobayashi will be able to create a song with the appeal of a kayokyoku track – something which the former has always wanted to do.

You’ll find a lengthy preview of “Fuyu no Hana” below, and look forward to additional information about Miyamoto’s activities as they are revealed.

Towards the end of 2018, we reported that blues rock band GRAPEVINE will be releasing a new longplay titled “ALL THE LIGHT” on February 6th. As the record’s release draws near, the group have chosen to upload the PV for album track “Koboreru” to their YouTube channel.

Originally streamed live on services such as Line Music and Space Shower TV, this one-cut music video focuses on singer Kazumasa Tanaka’s emotive performance of the song. Things conclude on a symbolic note, as Tanaka pours an entire bottle of water into a glass that can’t possibly contain it (“Koboreru” means ‘to spill’ or ‘overflow’).

You’ll find the full version of this weighty music video below.

Back in December we reported that soul singer ORIGINAL LOVE would be releasing his latest album “bless You!” on February 13th. As this date approaches, he has now chosen to publish the short music video for album track “Zero Set” to his YouTube channel.

This PV was directed by young filmmaker Spikey John and shot using both an 8mm camera and a high-tech digital model, the contrast meant to bridge the gap between ORIGINAL LOVE’s past and present. Of note, “Zero Set” also features a guitar solo courtesy of Petrolz member Ryousuke Nagaoka.

You’ll find this striking Short PV right after the cut.

There is a new group on the scene: LNoL. This new project with a new sound was created by VERBAL, Shinichi Osawa, and Yaeko Takemura. The three artists have had a close relationship over the years, and have created LNoL to break out of the mold of traditional classical piano music by incorporating newer, contemporary sounds. Yaeko plays the piano, while Shinichi is the producer, and VERBAL is the creative director. On January 30, LNoL will release their debut album, “Equanimity”, digitally.

The theme of “Equanimity” is “Classical but Future.” The album achieves this goal by melding the sound of classical piano music with that of electronic music. The album will also feature raps by VERBAL and RHYME (who will also recite poetry on one track), as well as vocals by Crystal Kay.

A music video for Crystal’s collaboration, “TAYUTAU”, as well as another song, “Sprinkloop”, have been released. Check them out below, along with more information on LNoL’s new album!

This week’s guests were Fujifabric and Dire Wolf.

Fujifabric – Tegami

Dire Wolf – SHINKA

This week, V6 topped the Combined Single chart with their new single “Super Powers / Right Now”, with 100,010 points in its first week.

Little Glee Monster topped the Combined Album chart with their new album “FLAVA”, with 55,382 points in its first week.

V6 also topped the Single chart with “Super Powers / Right Now”, selling 100,010 copies in its first week.

Little Glee Monster also topped the Album chart with “FLAVA”, selling 52,321 copies in its first week.

Yonezu Kenshi topped the Digital Single chart for the 21st non-consecutive week “Lemon”, selling 51,252 copies in its 49th week.

Queen topped the Digital Album chart for the third non-consecutive with the “Bohemian Rhapsody” sountrack, selling 3,558 copies in its 14th week.

Aimyon topped the Streaming chart for the third consecutive week with her single “Marigold”, with 1,698,188 streams in the chart’s sixth week.

Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Aimyon defeat Yonezu Kenshi and Kuwata Keisuke & The Pin Boys. Aimyon and Kenshi are back is back this week, facing off against a newcomer. Find out what Ronald thought of the songs that topped the singles charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

Avex Japanese/U.S boy group INTERSECTION is starting out the year with a brand new digital single. “Twisted” is the groups 4th effort overall, since making their official debut back in the fall of 2018.