Kumi Koda releases 19th full-length album ‘UNICORN’! Best singles tour starts soon, ahead of Koda’s 25th anniversary!

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UNICORN CD-only cover

Superstar Kumi Koda released her 19th full-length album ‘UNICORN’ on April 17, celebrating the 23rd anniversary of her debut. The album’s lead song ‘Silence’ was recently used as the theme song for the movie ‘Gold Boy’. The album also features original songs such as the TOKYO AUTO SALON 2024 tie-up song ‘Vroom’, covers of songs that have influenced Koda, and a solo version of ‘Trust · Last’, the theme song from Kamen Rider Geats, making for a varied selection of tracks.

Furthermore, from April 20, Koda will embark on a live tour of Japan titled KODA KUMI LIVE TOUR 2024 ~BEST SINGLE KNIGHT~, which kicks off ahead of her upcoming 25th anniversary.

This unmissable series of concerts will be packed to bursting with performances of Kumi Koda’s countless hit singles. Be sure to pre-load UNICORN here, and be sure to purchase the album here!

Koda Kumi Brings Her Best With Upcoming Album!

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Icon Koda Kumi announced that she will be releasing an “All Time Best Of” album on December 6. This will be used to bookend her twentieth year anniversary since her debut, and fans of Koda know the December 6 release date holds a special meaning, as it’s her debut date as well. This work will be available in three editions: a regular edition, a mu-mo shop edition, and a fan club limited edition. The regular edition comes with a DVD on a 3-CD set containing many singles released by Koda. The mu-mo shop and fan club limited editions come with a 3-disc Blu-ray on an 8-CD set which covers single songs such as the debut songs "TAKE BACK", "you", and "Ai no Uta". Details of the songs will be announced later. In addition, the official fan club site was accepting reservations for a limited edition with a plate featuring the purchaser's name until 23:59 on September 30.

As we look forward to the upcoming release be sure to check out the music video for the track “to be free” below!

Koda Kumi Lets Fans Know It Will Be Ok with Upcoming Release!

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“We’ll Be Ok” Digital Jacket Cover

“We’ll Be Ok” Digital Jacket Cover

Superstar Koda Kumi announced that she will be releasing a brand new single, “We’ll Be Ok” on July 28th across all digital music streaming platforms. This will be the latest release done by the vocalist since “angeL[MY NAME IS...] / monsteR[MY NAME IS…]” back in December of last year and will her first music release of 2021. This single will be part one of a three single consecutive release ending in September. The first single, "We'll Be OK", is a song with a positive message that pushes the backs of people who are in doubt. The lyrics were written by Koda himself. Part two and three will be released on August 18th as "Doo-Bee-Doo-Bop" and on September 8th as "to be free".

As we look forward to the upcoming release be sure to check out the music video for “Killer monsteR” below!

Luna's Ongaku Go For April 2021!

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Picking up after Ken with another month down from 2021, we at OTY would like our readers to know what was filling our ears for the past month. Each track is available across all digital music streaming platforms, with Apple Music featured on this site.

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“Bijin” by CHANMINA

With the release of CHANMINA’s latest single, “Bijin”, I fell in love with this track as soon as the music video was released. Not only is “Bijin” a catchy track as far as composition goes, but the lyrics are what pulled me in as it talks about the meaning of beauty. This song really hit home for me with it’s subject matter as it deals with many struggles that women go through. CHANMINA did a fantastic job putting the lyrics in “Bijin” and making it an upbeat track that also hits home and is easily relatable too.

Check out “Bijin” here and the music video below.

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“Koko de Iki wo Shite” by eill

This is eill’s latest digital single and it is also being used as the ending theme song for the anime Tokyo Revengers. I was so hyped for “Koko de Iki wo Shite” and it did not let me down. This track encompasses the perfect flavor of jazz, rock, and pop all in one. The opening immediately grabs you with its jazzy feel and eill’s vocals fall right into it before the saxophone picks right up. “Koko de Iki wo Shite” flows so perfectly together in its composition between jazz and rock and eill’s vocal range shows.

Check out “Koko de Iki wo Shite” here and the music video below!

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“Dance In The Rain” by Koda Kumi

With Koda Kumi’s release of MY NAME IS….20th Anniversary tour, I went back to her discography after watching her latest tour. “Dance In The Rain” became a top runner on my playlist as it is an absolutely gorgeous track. The opening with the piano is marvelous, the composition starts out slower and when it gets to the actual chorus, it picks up. I love how Koda Kumi’s deep vocals fit perfectly with the composition from deep and quiet then explodes in the chorus. “Dance In The Rain” is the perfect mid-tempo ballad.

Check out “Dance In The Rain” here and the music video below!

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“Torches” by Aimer

With the release of Aimer’s album Walpurgis, I was brought back to her track “Torches”. I remember when this single was originally released in 2019 and I fell in love with it. Going back and re-listening to it on Walpurgis made me fall in love with it all over again. The composition is beautiful and Aimer’s soft yet powerful voice resonates with you along with the lyrics in “Torches” itself. The mixture of Japanese and English lyrics is incorporated so flawlessly as well. “Torches” has a relaxing and summer night feeling to it that it just can’t help but pull you in.

Check out “Torches” here and the music video below!

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“Together When…” by Ayumi Hamasaki

As A BALLADS 2 just released this month, it has been a treat to go back and listen to Ayu’s ballads. “Together When…” is still one of the ballads that has me in tears and pulls at my heart strings each time. I love how it starts out slow, then in the chorus when Ayu starts singing “Aishiteru to”, the composition picks up along with her vocals. You can hear all the power and emotion put into this song and it gets to you. The music break in the middle has that orchestra feel that makes it feel like this song is coming to its climax and it does. You can feel every bit of emotion Ayu is portraying and it sticks with you.

Check out “Together When…” here and the music video below!

Koda Kumi Brings 20th Anniversary Tour to Blu-ray and DVD!

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Superstar Koda Kumi has announced that her 20th Anniversary Tour 2020 MY NAME IS…. will be coming to Blu-ray and DVD on March 10! This release will include the final performance that took place on December 6th at Yoyogi National Gymnasium No 1 and will include a bonus disc that includes the making of footage of the tour. 20th Anniversary Tour 2020 MY NAME IS…. follows up Koda Kumi’s latest release of her two mini-albums, angeL + monsteR [MY NAME IS….] that released on December 2, 2020.

Koda Kumi 20th Anniversary Tour 2020 MY NAME IS…. will be released in four editions: a Blu-ray and DVD standard edition and a Blu-ray and DVD FanClub Limited Edition. The Blu-ray and DVD standard editions will include two discs that includes the final performance of her tour and a making of on the second disc. The Blu-ray and DVD FanClub Limited Editions include five discs - two of which are live CD recordings of the tour, a T-shirt, and a photo book! If you are a part of Koda Kumi’s FanClub, Kodagumi, you must not miss this Limited Edition as the extra features include making of, music videos, and live footage not included in the standard Blu-ray! The track listing has not been revealed, however, you can check out the cover artwork, pre-order links, and latest music video “Killer monsteR -Dance version-” below!

Blu-ray standard edition

DVD standard edition