LADYBABY to release their first single as a four-member unit

Recently, idol group LADYBABY added three new members to its ranks. Now Fuka, Rie, Nana, and Emily have announced that they will soon release their first single as a four-member unit. The currently untitled single will come out on May 30th in two different versions: as a CD only regular version and a CD+DVD limited edition. The news was announced during a LINE live on March 14th.

At the end of last year, The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY cancelled their ‘Kaikou 2017’ tour. Now, with a refreshed line-up, the group will make a new attempt at touring in the Kanto region. In June and July, the idol group will tour in nine cities in the area.

(Via Barks)

Visual kei band RAVE will leave PS Company

It was announced on March 15th that a four-member visual kei group RAVE will leave PS Company. The departure will happen on March 31, when their contract with the label ends.

Unlike A9, former PS Company protégés, RAVE won’t take a leap of faith: the band has secured a deal with another agency. They are moving to 24 RECORDS. RAVE is currently the only band signed to the label in question.

The previously scheduled concerts will be held normally, and the new mini-album ‘Menbure San Toorimasu’ will be released as planned on May 30th.

PS Company, the once-iconic visual kei record label currently hosts a roster of three bands: RAVE, the GazettE, and Kra. In addition, they have four solo artists signed up: Reno (ex-Vivid), ReFrain ReFrain, K (ex-born), and NAOKI (ex-Kagrra,).

(Via: 24 RECORDS, PS Company, RAVE official)

The fin. to Release First New Album in Over 3 Years

On March 14, The fin. will release their second album, “There.” This is the band’s first album since “Days With Uncertainty”, which was release in December 2014.

“There” was recorded in London, where the band is now based, at Dean Street Studios. “There” was produced by Bradley Spence, who has worked with the likes of Jamiroquai, Passenger, and Alt-J. Joe Lambert mastered The fin.’s new album, just as he did with their first.

“There” will come in a limited edition and a regular edition, with the limited edition including a zine chronicling a year in the life of The fin. in London.

The fin. recently released the music video for the moody track “Shedding.” They’ve released a video that is aesthetically in line with the song’s sound. Check it out below, along with more information on The fin.’s new album!

Denda Mao to Suspend Actitivies After Release of New Best Album

Denda Mao has announced that she will suspend her music career on May 2, after her concert that night. This is the final show in a three city tour in support of her new best album, “Eternal Best 2000-2018”, out March 14. Mao says that she is happy to give fans back the songs that she has loved throught her career. She did not state a reason for her leaving her music career behind.

Find out more information about Mao’s new best album below!

DOUBLE Reveals That She Has Breast Cancer

DOUBLE is starting off her 20th anniversary with some unfortunate news: she has breast cancer. She revealed the news on her blog, saying that she will soon undergo surgery to treat it.

She also revealed that she had a parotid gland tumor removed two years ago. She said that due to this previous surgery, she looks forward to her upcoming surgery without worry.

Say hi to COLORFUUUL, Japan’s first all foreign male idol group

Japan’s very first all foreign male idol group is here, COLORFUUUL hopes to bring their own unique twist to the Tokyo music scene.

In the groups infancy and audition stages, they were previously known as Guyjin48. Anyone who was an international student in Japan was eligible to join, but broader applications were later accepted. The aim is to celebrate Japan’s language and culture while showcasing diversity.

Six members in total have been recruited, with each one hailing from a different country. The members nationalities consist of Canada, China, England, South Korea, Philippines, and The United States.

Have our prayers finally been answered, is the second coming of the Cruel Angels here?!

AKB48 sells over 1 million copies in one day again with “Jabaja”

Idol group AKB48 is still going just as strong as ever. Their latest, and first single of 2018 Jabaja has once again sold over 1 million copies in just one day.

AKB48 has regularly continued to sell over 1 million copies in a day for most of the decade now. Their very first single to achieve this feat was Flying Get, released in August 2012. Ever since the release of their 43rd single Kimi wa Melody, all of AKB48’s singles have sold over 1 million in one day. The one exception being their 47th single Shoot Sign, which missed the 1 day million mark by only 60k. 

These high sales only continue the dominance AKB48 has on sales compared to other artists. Back in December 2015 they already became the highest selling singles act in Japanese history, and last year in August they surpassed Ayumi Hamasaki to become the best selling Japanese female artist of all time.

Jabaja is a funky track, with a clear influence from the early 90s Japanese R&B scene. This single marks the very first time that member Nana Okada was center, watch the full MV here.

Rounding out the chart is Kenshi Yoenzu coming in at #2, who impressively sold over 83k copies of his single Lemon. Perfume came in at #3 with their latest release Mugenmirai, selling 29k copies.

(oricon)

4th Annual Moshi Moshi Nippon Festival to Take Place in March

The 4th annual Moshi Moshi Nippon Festival will take place this year on March 24th and 25th.

Previously, the event was held at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Setagaya. This year they’re taking the festival to Shibuya, where the theme will be centered around all things Harajuku!

MMN Festival 2018 will take place across a huge list of shops, venues and more around the Shibuya and Harajuku area. You’ll be able to witness and experience Japanese culture to the fullest – from music to fashion, food, kawaii and traditional culture, it’ll all be there.

The usual festival activities will be featured such as various booths, food, stage events, live performances, ennichi and much more all in that special twist unique to Shibuya.