Japanese Music - Recommendations/Discussion

Mr. Children to release new album on October 3rd

Mr. Children will release a new album entitled "Jouryoku to Kokyuu" on October 3rd.

The album will have a total of ten tracks including "himawari", "here comes my love", and "SINGLES".

On the day of the album release, Mr. Children will also a lyric book called "Your Song" which contains the lyrics of every song from their debut album "EVERYTHING" up to "Jouryoku to Kokyuu".

Jouryoku to Kokyuu

01. Your Song
02. Umi ni te, Kokoro wa Hadaka ni Naritagaru
03. SINGLES
04. here comes my love
05. Hakoniwa
06. addiction
07. day by day (Aiken Kuru to Monogatari)
08. Aki ga Kureta Kippu
09. himawari
10. Hifu Kokyuu

Source: natalie

Kana Nishino to release 2 best-of albums

Kana Nishino will simultaneously release 2 best-of albums "Love Collection 2 - pink" and "Love Collection 2 - mint" on November 21st.

The two albums will include her hit songs from 2013 to 2018 as well as a couple of brand new songs. The Limited Edition will come with a DVD containing music videos and a special booklet with photos of previous jacket covers.

Love Collection 2 - pink

01. Have a nice day
02. Torisetsu
03. Anata no Suki na Tokoro
04. A-gata no Uta
05. We Don't Stop
06. I Love You
07. Kimi ga Suki
08. Sayonara
09. One More Time
10. I wanna see you dance
11. New song
12. New song
13. Koisuru Kimochi
14. Dear Bride
15. Stand Up
16. HAPPY HAPPY (10th Anniversary version)

Love Collection 2 - mint

01. Pa
02. Darling
03. Moshimo Unmei no Hito ga Irunonara
04. Tomodachi
05. No. 1
06. Girls
07. Te wo Tsunagu Riyuu
08. Suki
09. LOVE & JOY
10. UNZARI
11. Happy Time
12. Bedtime Story
13. New song
14. New song
15. You & Me
16. Together (10th Anniversary version)

Source: natalie

gaijinmark wrote:
Ikimonogakari to halt their activities and enter a 'grazing period'

And now they're done 'grazing'.

Ikimonogakari to resume their activities

Ikimonogakari have announced that they will be resuming their activities on their anniversary date, November 3rd.

The band commented, "We will make a fresh start and face each day so that everyone will enjoy our music and our activities."

Fans who remained in Ikimonogakari's fan club during the 'grazing period' will receive a CD with one song, entitled "Taiyou" which is the first song the group composed as Ikimonogakari. They will also hold a fan club tour starting in the Spring of 2019.

Source: natalie

Every Little Thing's Kaori Mochida to release mini-album to commemorate 10th anniversary

Every Little Thing's Kaori Mochida will celebrate her 10th solo anniversary in January. To commemorate the occasion, she will be releasing a mini-album entitled, "Tontoten" on February 27th.

The mini-album, consisting of five tracks will be produced by Masato Suzuki.

Tontoten

- Tontoten
- Sorya Kenka mo Shimasushi
- Enseigne'dangle
- Atarshiku Yoru
- Kimi to Boku no Shoushitsuten

Source: natalie

If this isn't the record for longest time between album releases, it's got to be close.

Jinnai Takanori's band TH eROCKERS to release first first new album in 38 years

Jinnai Takanori's band TH eROCKERS will release a new album, entitled "Rock 'n Roll" on April 17th.

TH eROCKERS made their debut with their first album "WHO TH eROCKERS" in September of 1980. After that they released one cover album and then disbanded in June of 1982.

Their first new album in 38 years will consist of new songs as well as covers. They also plan to hold a nationwide tour to promote the albums release.

Rock 'n Roll

01. Sanryu no Koigataki
02. Shumatsu wa Kono Zama sa
03. Koi no Fanfare
04. Suspicious Mind
05. HEAT WAVE
06. Itoshima no Taiyou (California Sun)
07. Hail, Hail Rock 'n Roll
08. D-D Rock 'n Roll
09. Kuroda-bushi
10. License Number
11. Yoru ni Toketyuku
12. Kawaii Ano Musume

Source: natalie

Itou Ran going back to her roots.

Former Candies member Itou Ran releasing solo album

Former idol group Candies' member Itou Ran will be releasing her first solo album "My Bouquet" on May 29.

Itou has been focusing on her acting career after Candies disbanded in 1978. Her solo debut album "My Bouquet" will contain a total of 11 songs from a variety of genres including pop, bossa nova, and swing music. Itou was also in charge of writing the lyrics for three of the songs.

In addition, Itou will hold solo concerts at TOKYO DOME CITY HALL and NHK Osaka Hall in June.

Source: natalie

^ I thought Ito Ran was good in "Kokoro" even though the drama wasn't.

ashley juggs wrote:^ I thought Ito Ran was good in "Kokoro" even though the drama wasn't.

Yeah, my critque of "Kokoro" was "Itoh Ran can act, Noriko Nakagoshi can't".

HY to release 20th anniversary album

As the first part of their 20th anniversary project, HY will release a new album titled "RAINBOW" on June 12.

The group gave the album its title as they hope that today will "become a rainbow that bridges us to the future." It will feature a total of 14 songs, such as "no rain no rainbow," "Daisukidamono," and "SESSION."

The album will be released in both limited and regular editions. The limited edition will come with a DVD containing footage from the Okinawa stop of their 47-Prefecture tour held last year.

Then as the second part of their 20th anniversary project, HY will set out on a nationwide tour called 'HY TOUR 2019-2020.'

[Track List]

CD:

Oh! AIWO
HAPPY SHOWER
Sekai
Totsuzen
Anata e
PARTY
MAX
Island
no rain no rainbow
SESSION
Maa Iika
Itsuka
Daisukidamono


Limited Edition DVD:

"HY STORY TOUR Usagamisore Mensore Sore Sorezore Yukuimisore" in Okinawa9/22/2018

Takashi Fukumaru
Tutan
HY SUMMER
AM11:00
Tegami
mirai
canvas
366 Nichi
Saa Ikou
Kaze ni Natte Hana ni Natte
HAPPY
Kaeru Basho
Street Story
33 Number
Yell
Gajumaru Beat
White Beach
Tabidachi

Music Video
366 Nichi MBS music ver.
366 Nichi Hiroshima Home TV ver.

Source: natalie

Since band leader Sho Wada is married to Juri Ueno, maybe this should go in the Juri Uneo thread. :hehe:

Triceratops to resume band activities

TRICERATOPS will hold a one-man live titled 'THREE HORNS IS BACK 2020' on October 16 at Zepp DiverCity TOKYO.

After wrapping up their nationwide tour 'MIRACLE GLITTER TOUR' in April of 2018, the members had been focusing on their solo work. This will be their first live in two and a half years and will mark the restart of the band's activities. While the live will be held with an audience, they will also stream it for those who are unable to physically attend.

Source: natalie

But no word if they will be working on a new album anytime soon. :puppydog:

I guess he finally decided to call it a career.

99 year old rapper Hiroshi Sakaue announces his retirement

Hiroshi Sakaue, who is known for being the oldest rapper, has announced his retirement.

Sakaue made his major debut in 2009 with the album "Sen no Kaze ni Naru Mae ni." On October 21, he announced on Twitter, "I am now 99 years old. I have decided to retire." He added, "Depending on everyone's support, I hope to sing again. Thank you very much."

:bow:

Ikimonogakari to release new album in March

Ikimonogakari will release their new album "WHO?" on March 31st.

The band will be celebrating their 15th major debut anniversary this March. It will feature a total of nine tracks including their digital singles "Ikiru" and "Kira Kira ni Hikaru," as well as their upcoming single "BAKU" to be released next month. The album's limited edition will come with a DVD containing a documentary and footage from their online event held last September. In addition, the first press editions will enclose a serial code that will allow fans to view a special online live.

Source: natalie

Kaori Mochida to release mini-album in June

Kaori Mochida (Every Little Thing) will release a mini album entitled "Sen" on June 23rd.

It's been over 2 years since Mochida released her last mini album "Tontoten" in February of 2019. The upcoming album will feature 5 songs including "Mada Swimmy," which was the theme song for the 2019 drama 'Mada Kekkon Dekinai Otoko,' and "Jasmine," which was used in the CM for Menard's 'Fair Lucent.' All songs are produced by Clammbon's Mito.

The mini album will be available for purchase in 2 types: CD+DVD and CD-Only. The DVD will contain making-of footage and an interview.

May J has a show on NHK (J-Melo), now she has her own YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj3bqdjLL0Y

Spitz to release special album in September

Spitz will release a special album titled "Kacho Fugetsu +" on both CD and vinyl on September 15th.

"Kacho Fugetsu +" will be a compilation of the band's 1999 album "Kacho Fugetsu" and their indies album "Hibari no Kokoro."

Spitz will also release their 2004 album "Iroirogoromo" and 2012 album "Orutana" on vinyl on September 15th as well.

And then there were two.

Hotaka Yamashita leaving Ikimonogakari

Hotaka Yamashita will be leaving Ikimonogakari this summer.

The band is currently in the middle of their nationwide tour 'Ikimonogakari no Minasan, Konni Tour!! THE LIVE 2021!!!' Their last live with three members will be the tour finale on June 10 and 11 at Yokohama Arena.

After leaving, Yamashita will focus on creative activities such as composing music and writing. As for Ikimonogakari, they will continue their activities as a duo with Yoshiki Mizuno and Kiyoe Yoshioka.

The group reached this decision after discussing it many times because they felt that there was a change of heart among the members. "We tried going on hiatus and going independent. While continuing our journey of ups and downs, we felt that Yamashita and the other two members' feelings toward music as well as the group started to differ little by little," they revealed.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Yamashita put in his request to leave the band, and so, they decided to go their separate ways. Yamashita commented, "Who knows what will be created in the future. It would make me happy if you would please watch over me warmly. It will be a little strange to see Ikimonogakari with just two members, but I also look forward to their journey."