In a weirdly perfect promotion event for their new single “I’m FISH//“, boy group DISH// ate 109 plates of sushi.
Natalie reports that the event “Sakana, Gyo, GYO de FUNFUN” was held at a new fish-themed pop up store by DISH// and 109MEN’s at the Shibuya109 department store and was attended by 109 slashes, the name of the group’s fan base.
The group’s rapper Tooi Tachibana took to the stage first and proclaimed how hungry he was and revealed that they (minus Daichi) had not eaten all day. After a short talk segment, the audience chanted for the competition to begin.
Perfume is known as much for their eye-catching visuals as they are for their distinctive brand of electropop within the Japanese music industry, but it appears as if these visuals have caught the eye of the K-Pop industry as well.
Cosmic Girls, also known as Wu Ju So Nyeo or WJSN, is a 13-member girl group created by the Korean company Starship Entertainment and the Chinese company Yuehua Entertainment, featuring both Korean and Chinese members. Ahead of the release of their debut album “Happy Moment”, Cosmic Girls released the music video teaser for the album’s lead single, “Happy.” And that’s where the trouble began…
Two very unique idol groups are currently preparing for their debut oversea performance at the famed Japan Expo. Both groups participated in the “Tokyo Candoll” contest, where the winners received the privilege of performing at Japan Expo’s main stage. Over 90 idol groups participated in the contest, but notall and EPIC STAR came out on top.
notall made their debut in 2014 with their concept being an “SNS idol”, an idol group who “everyone can produce”. The groups nicknames, songs, merchandise, and even costume designs have all been decided upon via SNS. Fans have also had the opportunity to submit their own ideas for the identity of the group. Winning ideas have been picked from fans living in over 8 countries outside of Japan. Having fans be so interactive with the group will no doubt keep them happy.
Tamaki ROY is releasing his first album in four years, “Nagi”, on June 21. Ahead of the album’s release, he’s released the music video for the album’s penultimate track, “Furukotobumi.” The song was produced by Arμ-2 and the music video for it takes place on a path in a park. The video is split horizontally, with the top half featuring Takami ROY rapping, and the bottom half featuring the couple of Shimaji Yasutake and Ishibashi Shizuka performing an interpretive dance. Check it out below!
This week’s guests were Doubutsu Biscuits, PPP, and Akasick.
Doubutsu Biscuits x PPP – Yokoso Japari Park e
Akasick – Orange ni Shio Kosho
On June 7, MONDO GROSSO will release his new album, “Nandodemo Atarashiku Umareru”, his first in 14 years. The music video for the album’s lead single, “Labyrinth”, has now been released. The song features vocals by Mitsushima Hikari and lyrics by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra’s Yanaka Atsushi.
The music video is set in Hong Kong at night. Hikari wanders around the maze-like city, reflecting the song’s lyrics about a labyrinth with no exit nor end. Hikari’s dancing was choreographed and supervised by Jillian Meyers, the assistant choreographer for the film “La La Land”, who also appeared in the film. The “Labyrinth” PV was filmed in one take by a single camera. Check it out below!
Riding the wave of the 80’s revival/vaporwave phenomenon, Future Funk is probably the genre that melds past and future sounds in the most enjoyable and effective way. Whereas most projects out there sound as simple revivals or throwbacks to the good old 80’s vibes (not that it’s a bad thing), this particular sub-genre shows a strong will to effectively adapt modern influences into this sound, usually resulting into intriguing and enjoyable compositions.
Yokohama-based producer/singer Mikazuki BIGWAVE – also member of the Pink Neon Tokyo collective – is one of the most representative artists of this fairly recent genre, and with “Watashi no YUME DIARY” she’s bringing her most solid and convincing work to date. Setting aside the fact that with thirteen tracks this is actually more of an album than a EP, this record is pretty much the answer to anyone who’s wondering what Future Funk actually is: a fusion of 80’s Japanese Disco with Funk-imbued instrumentals, put in the frame of a modern execution overflowing with digital alterations.
Rising Pro girl group Fairies Did That™ in the preview for the video of their new single “Koi no Roadshow”.
The video features simplistic yet strong visuals of subdued tones contrasted with saturated hues and playful lighting. In the theme of “roadshow”, the Japanese term for films, the video set features the girls on a stage surrounded by filming equipment.
“Koi no Roadshow” combines a retro 80’s sound with Japan’s interpretation of “modern” EDM, a mixture they are calling Fairies Dance Music (or FDM for short).
