Last year, Tempalay ventured to the United States for SXSW, and then toured the country as part of the Japan Nite tour. This time in America has had an effect on the band, resulting in their new EP “5 Kyoku”, out February 15. Four of the EP’s five songs are named after cities that Tempalay played in the US. The remaining song on “5 Kyoku” features REATMO, who toured alongside the band.

The EP’s opening track is titled “New York City” and features footage of the city’s sights, along with shots of the band playing their show in the city’s borough of Brooklyn. Check it out below, along with more information on the new EP!

Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Hoshino Gen defeat Kanjani8 and Mr.Children. Gen is back again this week, facing off against a newcomer. 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!

The anison rock band, JAM Project, has released a short preview for their new single, “THE EXCEEDER / NEW BLUE”. Both songs were used as the opening and ending themes for the PS4 game “Super Robot Taisen V”.

The group was formed in 2000 and features five members who are very prolific in the anime, game, or tokusatsu music industries: Kageyama Hironobu (Dragonball Z), Endo Masaki (Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger), Kitadani Hiroshi (One Piece), Okui Masami (Shoujo Kakumei Utena), and Fukuyama Yoshiki (Macross 7). The quintet constantly releases material as their latest single, “DRAGONFLAME”, was released yesterday.

Staying true to the band’s original genre, the metal rock sound in “THE EXCEEDER” will not disappoint diehard metal fans. As for anison fans, you won’t be disappointed as this legendary team hasn’t lost their spark.

Check out a short preview below the cut.

Yesterday, jazz rock artist majiko made their mini album debut, CLOUD 7. Earlier this week they released a music video for it’s lead single “Noctlica no Yoru” with a gorgeous black and white music video that looks absolutely beautiful and suits the classy, smooth sound perfectly. Check it out (and the album information) below!

KAT-TUN’s Nakamaru Yuichi is keeping busy. Last February 14, it was announced that he is appointed MC of the new TV Asahi regular variety show “Sekai Roots Tankentai” (World Roots Expedition) which will start this spring, to be broadcasted at a golden timeslot every Monday at 7PM. Last night, he appeared live in “Kinkyu Namahoso! Nakamaru Yuichi Special” to promote his new show along with his ambush interview with KAT-TUN members Kamenashi Kazuya and Ueda Tatsuya.

Also starting in April is his new drama “Massage Tantei Jo” (Massage Detective Jo) which will air at TV Tokyo, Saturdays 12.20am. Nakamaru will be singing the theme song of his drama as his character Jo. He says that he’ll be singing the theme song since KAT-TUN is in a recharge period and hopes that he’ll be able to enhance the unique worldview of the drama. The song is currently in production and no word yet on its release but according to Nakamaru, it will be available for download.

Earlier this year rock outfit the dresscodes, better known as the solo project of singer Ryohei Shima, announced that it would be releasing a special concept album on March 1st.  Now that the date of its release has drawn closer, all of the details about this album, titled “Heibon”, have been revealed.

“Heibon” is a record based around the ideas of “normalcy” and “mediocrity” and will consist of 12 songs which Shima feels best exemplify these values.  The album will be released in two different versions, both of which come packaged with DVDs:  the Type A release will include footage from the dresscodes’ Christmas Eve live, while the Type B (Regular Edition) release will come with the Music Videos for “Ningen Video” and one of the album’s new tracks.

You’ll find both the cover and complete track list for the dresscodes’ upcoming concept release right after the jump.

The 9th CD Shop Awards 2017 has named its finalists! The seven final albums were selected from a list of 21 albums that were released last year, ten from the first half of the year and eleven from the second half. This list was created via a vote by record store staff members from across Japan. The Grand Prize winner will be revealed on March 13. Check out the finalists after the jump!

Well-known Okinawan rock band HY will be releasing their 12th studio album “CHANCE” next month on March 1st.  This record will be issued in two versions, the Limited Edition planned to include both an additional CD containing a special track and a DVD housing all of the album’s related music videos.

There will be ten songs included on “CHANCE”, such as their previously released track “HAPPY”, plus nine new tracks.  Fortunately, you can find previews of all of these songs on the trailer which was recently uploaded to the band’s official Youtube channel.

Read on below to find the cover, track list, and trailer for HY’s latest album.