Earlier today, CDTV aired a spring special, CDTV Haru Special Sotsugyou Song Ongakusai 2017. The show revolved around graduation songs and was just under three hours long. It was hosted by Azumi Shinichiro and featured a “graduation song panel” composed of Umezawa Tomio, Chiaki, Morisanchu, and Ryucheru. The performers included Perfume, Nishino Kana, Nogizaka46, NEWS, and Hata Motohiro. Check out the full show below!
Electropop mannequin duo Far East Mention Mannequins, frequently known as FEMM, is releasing a new single featuring American singer LIZ titled “Do It Again”. This will be their first new track since their lastest Double A-Side single “Neon Twilight / Countdown”, even though fans have also had the opportunity to see their contribution to “animus”, recently released by the super-group FAMM’IN. The teaser is pretty scarce in details, as the only information they have revealed is the fact that LIZ is involved in the song, the title, “Do It Again feat. LIZ”, the fact that it’s gonna be released on this year and the concept of its MV: Fake 3D!
That’s not all, as hard fans of FEMM will remember that when the Mannequin Challenge boom occurred last year, FEMM were quick to state that there was no one better at that game than then, using what now appears to be the recording session for the MV as the stage for their Mannequin Challenge. You can listen to almost one extra instrumental minute of the song in the clip! Check both the new teaser and the old Mannequin Challenge just after the jump!
This week, Nogizaka46 topped the Oricon single chart with their new single “Influencer”, selling 874,528 copies in its first week.
NEWS topped the Oricon album chart their new album “NEVERLAND”, selling 124,133 copies in its first week.
The “La La Land” soundtrack topped the Oricon digital album chart for the fifth week in a row, selling 4,282 copies in its 16th week.
For the past six years, Ian Martin of The Japan Times has written a column for the newspaper’s music section, “Strange Boutique.” His column has proven to be insightful, and at times controversial. In his final piece, Martin decided to look back on the last few decades of Japanese music, and the trends that shape it. As has been said before, trends are cyclical, and Japanese music is no different. What has been shown time and time again though is that there is a hunger for artistry.
On March 29, Ryuichi Sakamoto will release his new album, “async.” The album will see an international release on April 28. This is his first studio album since his 2009 album “Out of Noise.”
“async” was mostly recorded in New York City, with some elements pulled from field recordings and museums around the world. According to a press release on the album, “async” plays with “ideas of a-synchronism, prime numbers, chaos, quantum physics and the blurred lines of life and artificiality/noise and music.”
During the album’s production process, Sakamoto conceived the idea of writing a score for an Andrei Tarkovsky film “that does not exist”, while at the same time taking inspiration from “everyday objects, sculpture, and nature.”
Check out more information on Ryuichi Sakamoto’s new album below!
On March 29, Seiko Matsuda will release a new cover album, “SEIKO JAZZ.” Seiko is no stranger to jazz, having been featured on American jazz group Fourplay’s 2012 album “Esprit de Four”, as well as performing at jazz festival TOKYO JAZZ 2012.
“SEIKO JAZZ” was produced by Grammy winner Shigeyuki Kawashima. On the album, Seiko is backed by David Matthews and his groups, The Manhattan Jazz Orchestra and The Manhattan Jazz Quintet.
The album comes in three editions: two limited editions and a regular edition. The limited editions each come with a bonus CD featuring the album’s instrumentals. Limited Edition A features a cover created by Shinichi Ishizuka, creator of the jazz manga “BLUE GIANT SUPREME.” Limited Edition B comes in LP-sized packaging with a poster and photo booklet of the same size.
Seiko recently released the music video for the album’s opener, “Smile.” The song is in English and features Seiko performing the song in a long gown in an elaborate ballroom.
Check out more information on “SEIKO JAZZ” below!
Today, Harajuku fashion magazine KERA announced that it will publish its final print edition on April 15, after 19 years in operation. In addition, KERA’s spinoff quarterly, Gothic & Lolita Bible, will go on hiatus on May 24, after 16 years of publication.
But not all hope is lost! On May 16, KERA will begin publishing content on a newly revamped website. This content includes a digital magazine and social media posts. KERA will continue to run its KERA SHOP online store. The magazine will also collaborate with stores and fashion brands around Japan.
Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Sandaime J Soul Brothers defeat WANIMA. WANIMA is back again this week, facing off against a newcomer and returnee from a previous week. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the physical and digital charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!