It has been announced that Johnny’s group NEWS will be releasing their 9th studio album EPCOTIA on March 21st, 2018.

Concept wise the album serves as a continuation of their last release NEVERLAND, which came out in 2017. The songs will focus on the theme of “space travel”, and spreading their message all around the world. 18 songs will be on the regular edition of the album including the single LPS and the song KINGDOM which was used as the theme song for the TV series FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2017.

Vickeblanka will release his first single “ULALA” on April 18th. This is his first single following his debut album FEARLESS, released July 2017.

The single will include 4 songs ranging in genre from “spring pop” to ballad. It is rumored that the new songs can be heard in the background of Blanka’s 5 minute LINE radio show, but fans can expect an MV release as well as more information in the coming weeks.

ULALA will be released in two versions, CD+DVD and CD only.  The CD+DVD edition will include the sold-out final performance of the FEARLESS tour at Akasaka Blitz, from last October. Blanka’s personal comment on the announcement is as follows:

“With this timing, I’ve been able to create something that says ‘doing anything for the first time is confusing, but it has to be this!’ I’d like it if people say things like ‘Its weird, but somehow its good’. I hope you all will listen with that in mind. Let’s have a good start to the spring!”

Following the release, his solo tour “Vickeblanka ULALA tour” will run 6 different dates in June. Further details for the single release can be found below:

Last month popular rock band Mr.Children released their newest song “here comes my love”, which is currently being used as the theme song for drama “Tonari no Kazoku wa Aoku Mieru”.  Now, in order to further promote the single, the group have created a short film based around the song’s lyrics and uploaded it to their Youtube channel.

This special video project was directed by Kyoutaro Hayashi of DRAWING & MANUAL and storyboarded by screenwriter Kouji Karatsu, both aiming to depict the story of a man’s life in line with the track’s worldview.  For those curious about the scenario and the characters involved, more information can be found on the single’s promotional website.

You’ll find the full ten minute video for “here comes my love” right after the jump.

Ready to kick off their year with a bang, folk/pop duo Yuzu have announced that their new song “Uta Yell” has been picked up as the latest CM track for insurance company Nissay (Nippon Life).  Yuzu have frequently been tapped for this role in the past, with songs such as “with you” and “Hikare” both having been used to promote the brand before.

Nissay’s latest campaign, titled “Anata ni Yell wo”, is meant to tie in with the year’s Olympic competition in Pyeongchang, with 2018 Japanese citizens joining Yuzu in order to cheer on the nation’s athletes.  In addition, the duo have also made the full song available for download on most of Japan’s digital storefronts.

Read on below to find the 60 second version of Nissay’s latest commercial, and look forward to seeing “Uta Yell” included on Yuzu’s upcoming album “BIG YELL” in April.

Actor Masaki Suda has released a new MV for his latest musical project SAYONARA ELEGY. His third single overall, the song is featured as the main theme for NTV drama series Todome no Kiss starring Kento Yamazaki and Mugi Kadowaki.

The single will only be released in one version, a CD only. The b-side is an acoustic version of the title track, and fans who purchase the single from select retailers will receive a special B-2 size poster while supplies last.

On February 7, LILI LIMIT will release a new work titled “LIB EP.” The title is a reference to liberation and freedom, as well as to the band’s new creative attitude. Check out more information on LILI LIMIT’s new release below!

On February 7, Yasutaka Nakata will release his long-anticipated debut solo album, “Digital Native.” The album will feature his two previous singles, “Crazy Crazy”, featuring Charli XCX & Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, and “NANIMONO”, featuring Yonezu Kenshi. “Digital Native” will also feature collaborations with ROSII, Mashiro Momo, banvox, and MAMIKO from chelmico.

The album will be released in a limited edition and a regular edition. The limited edition will feature a second CD, which will contain remixes Nakata has done for Western acts such as Kylie Minogue, Zedd, and Steve Aoki.

Nakata recently released the teaser for the music video for the album’s opening track, “White Cube.” Check it out below, along with more information on the album!

On February 7, MONDO GROSSO will release a new digital single, “Itsuwari no Sympathy.” The song features vocals from BiSH’s Aina The End, and serves as an insert song in the TBS drama “Kimi ga Kokoro ni Sumitsuita.”

“Itsuwari no Sympathy” will also appear on MONDO GROSSO’s new album, “Attune / Detune”, out March 21. The album will feature 10 other songs, and feature vocals by the likes of ACO and Ohashi Trio.

Check out more information on both of these releases below!