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

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!

Japanese voice actor idols i☆Ris New B-sides collection ‘i☆Ris Coupling Best’ has been released with 36 songs! Long-awaited official TikTok account open now!

‘i☆Ris Coupling Best’ Jacket Cover

Credit: 🄫API•81P/Full Energy!! Production Committee

‘i☆Ris Coupling Best’ is a new compilation of the freshly remastered B-sides from all 24 singles by Japanese voice actor idol group i☆Ris! Through these remasters, new discoveries from the original recordings can be found across all digital music streaming platforms. Also, group leader Saki Yamakita has written brand-new lyrics for a newly recorded five-person version of ‘Sensu•of•Wonder☆Zoku’, which was performed during i☆Ris 8th Live Tour 2023 ~Wasshoi!!!!!~. The album also includes ‘DIVE TO LIVE’, the killer tune that is guaranteed to make any concert erupt.

In addition to the release of ‘i☆Ris Coupling Best’, the group have finally opened their long-awaited official TikTok account. In addition to past short videos from the group’s official YouTube channel, their TikTok account will also include concert clips that showcase their awesome skills as voice actor idols, and vertical videos that are exclusive to TikTok.

Be sure to check out ‘i☆Ris Coupling Best’ here!

MindaRyn to Release Long-Awaited 2nd Album Across Miles Featuring Numerous Anime Tie-Up Songs on August 21!

Across Miles Standard Edition

Across Miles Limited Edition

In 2020, MindaRyn, the Thai anime song singer, achieved her major debut under the record label Lantis. It has been announced that she will release her highly anticipated 2nd album, Across Miles, on August 21, 2024, marking the fourth anniversary of her debut.

The album’s tracklist includes various anime theme songs she has contributed to, such as “HIBANA,” the opening theme of Sengoku Youko World Reform Siblings Arc, “Way to Go,” the opening theme of By the Grace of the Gods 2, “SURVIVE,” the opening theme of Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion, “Fireworks,” the episode 6 ending theme of Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion, and “Shiny Girl,” the opening theme of SHY. Additionally, the album features tie-up songs with other media, including “BLACK STAR,” the part 1 ending theme of the drama Ultraman Blazar, and “THIRD PARTY,” the theme song of the arcade game Gundam Arsenal Base UNITRIBE.

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Comment from MindaRyn:

The time has gone by in a flash since I released my first album in December two years ago. I’m thrilled to announce the upcoming release of my next album. As the title suggests, my debut album, My Journey, reflects my personal journey. It was the result of pressing forward despite uncertainties while living in Thailand and traveling back and forth to Japan. Looking back, it was a journey of exploring various genres and finding my own style. After releasing this first album and gaining some more experience, I could finally envision the path beyond this journey. Above all, those who listened to my music and got to know meplayed a big role in helping me find my true colors.

I’ve taken on various new challenges, such as playing the electric guitar with the band, singing while playing the guitar, and organizing solo shows. Amidst these experiences, the songs that have always been by my side have strongly connected me with the people I’ve met, those I’ll meet in the future, and everyone around the world.

This 2nd album is filled with those experiences, my encounters with things and people, and the “Miles” I've covered. Moving “Across” those miles has shaped the person I am today. Moreover, the motivation behind these challenges is to put a “sMile” on everyone’s faces. I think of my performances as a party to enjoy with everyone, and I want to deliver the songs of “Across Miles” to create a party overflowing with “sMiles”!

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Be sure to pre-order both editions below!

Standard edition

Limited edition

Dance-music legend Shinichi Osawa’s duo RHYME SO release new lyric video for ‘UNFOLLOW YOU’, featuring rare sample of Seiko Matsuda’s classic hit ‘Akai Sweet Pea’

IAFB Jacket Cover

RHYME SO, a duo comprising Japan’s leading dance-music producer/MONDO GROSSO member Shinichi Osawa and Australian poet, DJ, trackmaker and performer RHYME, have released a lyric video for ‘UNFOLLOW YOU’, taken from their 2023 album ‘IAFB’. 

The song includes samples from the 1982 classic hit single ‘Akai Sweet Pea’, which was originally performed by Seiko Matsuda, with lyrics by pioneering Japanese rock musician and Happy End member Takashi Matsumoto, and music by singer-songwriter/national treasure Yumi Matsutoya.

This is the first time a Seiko Matsuda song has ever been sampled, which was made possible by Osawa sending letters directly to lyricist Matsumoto and composer Matsutoya to personally request their permission.

The chorus to ‘Akai Sweet Pea’ features the lyric “I will follow you”, which back in 1982 was meant as an expression of affection for someone special. In the modern age of social media, a “follow” is simply a number to show popularity. RHYME SO’s track leans into this wordplay to warn of an era in which human beings and entertainment alike are at the mercy of the cynical pursuit of follows and likes.

Comment from Shinichi Osawa

“This song is intended to sound an alarm about the current state of the music scene. How can we express individuality in an era where everything is being standardized by algorithms?

With these thoughts in mind, I wrote letters to Takashi Matsumoto and Yumi Matsutoya, and against all odds, they gave me permission to sample their song ‘Akai Sweet Pea’. I hope you will take a deeper look at the meaning behind the lyrics.”

◆ Check out RHYME SO’s recent album ‘IAFB’ to hear their musical take on the modern zeitgeist RHYME SO / ‘IAFB’ here!

GENIC’s members show their songwriting skills on new album!

N_G Jacket Cover

Seven-member multi-gendered group GENIC have released their third album, ‘N_G’, on March 6, 2024 across all music streaming platforms.

The album’s title N_G comes from the “SeveN_Gifts” of its seven talented members, and is also a reference to the Japanese phrase “Negai_Goto”, which means a wish from the heart. With songs based on these themes, the album is filled with the type of vocal harmony that is unique to this seven-member co-ed dance and vocal group, and all the excitement and playfulness that J-pop brings.

The album includes 15 songs. Seven of these were created through a combination of the seven members’ individual talents, from composition to lyric writing to choreography, and others were produced by artists including Taiki Kudo from boyband Da-iCE, 2023’s Best Global Music Album Grammy Award winner Masanori Takumi, and Jazzin’park hitmaker Shingo Kubota.

From the deep meanings underpinning the album’s title to the worldbuilding of its songs, NG is the perfect introduction to GENIC and their music. Be sure to check out NG on all streaming platforms here along with the music video for ‘N_G’ below!

About GENIC

GENIC are a new-generation seven-member co-ed dance and vocal group, who formed in Japan in 2020. The group’s seven members are ATSUKI MASHIKO, JOE NISHIZAWA, KAKERU AMEMIYA, MAIKI NISHIMOTO, MARIA KANEYA, RYUKI KOIKE and YURARI UI. Recently, MASHIKO has also been pursuing a career as an actor, attracting attention from fans around Asia after starring in the hit drama series ‘My Personal Weatherman’; and since March, he has appeared as Haku in the stage adaptation of ‘Spirited Away’, taking his popularity to new heights.