ARKTA Brings Fans A Brand New EP!

“From Where the City Lights Burn” Jacket Cover

International hybrid alternative rock unit, ARKTA has released their 1st Full EP titled “From Where the City Lights Burn”, which is available to listen to now on all digital platforms. The 5 track EP includes their lead single “The Lily” that had been released last month along with its music video.

Marking it as the bands ‘Phase 1’, most aspects of the production for the EP, including recording and mixing, were all done DIY. It reflects the raw and genuine essence of ARKTA at this moment. The EP title “From Where the City Lights Burn” had been decided with hopes of their voices and music to reach the world from both the cities of Tokyo and Los Angeles, where the two members of ARKTA reside.

The common theme running through the entire EP is the transience of the present reality and the fleeting nature of the life we are currently living. The band explains that the term 'transience' is not solely negative; it carries the sentiment that something vague, fragile, and easily crumbling can be beautiful and precious. While some songs touch upon unrequited feelings and eternal farewells, the emotions of longing, yearning for life, and thoughts towards companions on the journey of life are also scattered throughout the five songs. The difficulty in expressing emotions through words alone is why, as ARKTA, they wanted to convey them through sound and it's the meaning behind creating and singing songs for them.

To celebrate the release of their EP, ARKTA will also be having two shows/events in Tokyo, Japan on April 28 and 29. Tickets links.

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“On the year of 2020, when 'freedom' was taken away from all around the world, two individuals, despite being distant in Tokyo and LA, gave birth to ARKTA. They turned adversity into strength and packed their own identity that had been cultivated over time into these five songs. The conclusion of 'Phase 0' with this EP marks the beginning of ARKTA. May the emotions woven by ARKTA, in overdrive, reach beyond Tokyo and LA to the entire world with this EP” - ARKTA (Tak, kenken)

Be sure to check out the music video for ‘The Lily’ below along with the streaming link for the EP here!

PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE Collaborates with JP THE WAVY for '99.9 Psychic Radio' EP

99.9 Psychic Radio Jacket cover

PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE's latest track and music video, 'Just Like Dat feat. JP THE WAVY' has reached over 1 million streams since being released on 19 January. "99.9 Psychic Radio" represents a new frontier for PSYCHIC FEVER. This EP is produced in collaboration with Japan’s prominent rapper JP THE WAVY and other notable producers - and features four dynamic tracks that promise to captivate audiences globally. The concept revolves around an imaginary LA based radio station, with the throwback spirit of Hip-Hop music spreading via mixtapes and radio broadcasts. “99.9MHz," symbolises the group's journey from Japan to the world stage. JP THE WAVY, who has supported the group since their pre-debut, has crafted "99.9 Psychic Radio" with a diverse mix of Hip-Hop and R&B sounds, inspiring the group's journey from Japan to the international stage. Each track on the EP is thoughtfully designed and detailed to showcase the artistry and musicianship of PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE.

The first track, "Temperature," is a "Hotline" style love song with an urban beat that incorporates Jersey drills and stylish R&B chords. Since its release, the song along with a Choreography video on YouTubehas been building buzz and anticipation for the “99.9 Psychic Radio” EP.   

The leading track, "Just like dat (feat. JP THE WAVY)”, captures the iconic spirit of 2000's Hip Hop and is about a story of trying to get the interest of a girl you are interested in. Its style is enhanced by JP THE WAVY's unique flow. The accompanying choreography was crafted by KAITA, KAZ the FIRE, and PSYCHIC FEVER member, Ryushin Handa, which the music video can be viewed below!

"Psyfe Cyper" features a freestyle radio-style cypher rap by TSURUGI, Ryoga Nakanishi, JIMMY, and Ryushin Handa, while "Rocket (Take You Higher)" is a heartfelt long-distance love song across the world and Japan - vocalised by Ren Watanabe, Kokoro Kohatsu, and WEESA.

The cover artwork of “99.9 Psychic Radio” by DOPE features the members of PSYCHIC FEVER in "Y2K" fashion style - and is reminiscent of a 2000s US Hip-Hop magazine cover. Sonically, the EP delivers a blend of beats that are perfect for festival performances, and stylish grooves for listening and dancing to. The rap skills of PSYCHIC FEVER are on full display - and their lyrics and delivery have evolved significantly from the guidance of JP THE WAVY. 

PSYCHIC FEVER recently performed for the first time at Hozo Music Festival in Ho Chin Minh City. They also held their first solo performance and fan meet in Thailand on 24 December 2023 and Central World's Year End Countdown to 2024 on 31 December. Be sure to check out the EP here!

Mannequin duo FEMM runs through the world, dropping final EP ‘CHERRY’

CHERRY Jacket Cover

As a closure to their 10-year career, Japanese mannequin duo FEMM release their last EP “CHERRY” on November 15.

In the music video for the lead track “CHERRY on TOP,” they wear iconic costumes from their past. The video reminds us of their whole history, like the twerking choreography from their signature song “Fxxk Boyz Get Money,” and an homage of fan-favorite track “Kill the DJ. They also appear at iconic Tokyo locations where the origin of FEMM first began. By revisiting these scenes that are uniquely FEMM, the video offers a poignant final curtain call that will touch your heart.

The EP also includes each member’s first ever solos. RiRi sings “Living in the Spotlight,” which is strong and vulnerable at the same time. It can really illuminate her colorful character. Meanwhile, LuLa’s “Butterfly to the Moon” shows gratitude to FEMM agents (fans), while embracing her past and still try to move on to a new future. Other songs are “SUN,” which lightens our darkest hour, and “We Flood the Night (MYLK Remix),” a rerub of a classic FEMM track with a new touch.

FEMM has been traveling worldwide to deliver their songs and messages to their agents. This year began by performing in Poland at “Magnificon Expo,” followed by a headline performance at “Hyper Japan,” UK’s largest Japanese-culture festival. Then flew to Germany’s “Geek Festival” and “Anime Weekend Atlanta” in the United States. FEMM will also appear at “Comic Con Arabia,” which will be held in Saudi Arabia from November 30 to December 1, as they make one last farewell lap of the world.

Be sure to check out “CHERRY” here, along with music video for ‘CHERRY on TOP’ below!

FEMM Puts the Cherry On Top with Upcoming Release!

Cherry Jacket Cover

Popular mannequin duo FEMM comprises sentient mannequins RiRi and LuLa. Their first album ‘Femm-Isation’ entered the Top 10 of Billboard’s World Albums Chart and was featured in the Best Indie Albums section at HMV stores across Britain, while their pioneering ’90s-pop-punk-infused track ‘We Got Each Other’ ranked on the influential Mediabase Activator Chart in the United States for 12 consecutive weeks. FEMM have previously declared that they will split up at the end of 2023, the year of their 10th anniversary. Now, FEMM have announced their final EP, ‘CHERRY’, which will be released on November 15.

The lead track is “CHERRY on TOP”, which was selected as the theme song for a rap-battle series Freestyle Nihontouitsu, on TV Asahi. The EP includes production from MYLK, with whom FEMM collaborated on their releases “Plastic” and “80s/90s J-POP REVIVAL”; and Radical Hardcore Clique, who worked with FEMM on “THE SIX” and “ID:T1G3R”. It also includes RiRi and LuLa’s first ever solo songs, “Living in the Spotlight” and “Butterfly to the Moon”.

The lyrics to the lead track and the solo songs were written by the members of FEMM themselves. The EP title ‘CHERRY’ has two meanings: Like the cherry on top of a cake or a parfait, it is a final gift from FEMM to their fans, while it also represents RiRi and LuLa together as one.

“CHERRY on TOP” is a song bursting with feminist power, reminiscent of FEMM’s signature track “Fxxk Boyz Get Money”, which was a smash hit among teens in the United States and Europe. “SUN” is a song about the hope that shines like a ray of light in difficult times. The five songs on the EP are rounded out by FEMM’s first ever solo songs in their 10-year career, ‘Living in the Spotlight’ and “Butterfly to the Moon”, along with “We Flood the Night (MYLK Remix)”, a re-rub of their 2014 track that marked their first meeting with MYLK. 

Riri’s solo song “Living in the Spotlight” is about her determination to live life in the spotlight, even if it is a confined space; while LuLa’s song ‘Butterfly to the Moon’ is about moving on while embracing the things that matter most, and is filled with gratitude to FEMM’s fans, known as Agents.

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As they deliver this EP as a parting gift to the Agents around the world who have supported them over the years, the members of FEMM gave the following comments.

Comment from RiRi

“I’m sure many of our Agents are surprised to hear that the title of our final EP is ‘CHERRY’. We wanted to be ourselves right until the very end, which is why we have created this final EP. Its production brought a series of challenges, as we were involved in writing the lyrics ourselves and we each created a solo song for the first time, but we made it with the hope that it will reach all of you. This may be our last EP, but never forget that our songs will be with you forever. Thank you so much for these past 10 years!”

Comment from LuLa

“As a surprise gift to the Agents who have shown us so much love, we made this EP with all our hearts. ‘CHERRY’ is an EP that we were deeply involved in making from beginning to end, and so it holds special importance for me. I hope FEMM’s songs can give you even just a little strength. On my first ever solo song, I tried to convey the message and the sound that express my feelings right now. I think it sounds pretty different from other FEMM songs, so please check it out ;)”

As we look forward to the upcoming release be sure to check out their latest album Tokyo Ex Machina here!

Vicke Blanka releases new EP ‘Worldfly’! Trailer featuring clips from all songs and ‘Vicke Blanka LIVE HOUSE TOUR 2023’ sneak peek video also out now!

Wordfly Jacket Cover

Popular artist Vicke Blanka has released his new EP ‘Worldfly’ this past week across all streaming platforms

The EP includes a varied selection of songs that immerse listeners in a multi-layered new world. It starts with the urgent, kinetic rock song ‘Kakumei’, and also includes ‘Snake’, whose music video was shot entirely on location in Paris, creating a buzz among fans when it was released on August 30. The EP also includes ‘Bitter’, written for the movie ‘The Pearl Legacy’, starring Manami Higa and Shohei Miura; and ‘Sad In Saudi Arabia’ and ‘Luca’, two songs inspired by Vicke Blanka’s tours in Europe and the Middle East from this spring and the music cultures he experienced there firsthand. Ending with the title track ‘Worldfly’, the EP includes six songs altogether.

The limited first pressing of the physical release includes music videos for ‘Kakumei’ and ‘Snake’, as well as a documentary titled ‘Document of Italy and France Live’ that shows footage from Vicke Blanka’s performances in Europe and the Middle East from this spring. It also features live footage from his performance at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo on July 31, 2023, which was the final date of his Japan tour titled ‘Vicke Blanka LIVE HOUSE TOUR 2023’, along with the audio recordings for all 18 songs from the same concert. This luxury-packed set also includes a special 52-page deluxe photo book and a card sleeve.

The CD-only physical release includes radio-style segments of conversation between each of the songs, in which Vicke Blanka discusses the creation of each song, making it a can’t-miss item for fans. 

Vicke Blanka will present the second edition of his special event series, this time titled ‘Vicke Blanka presents RAINBOW ROAD -Sho-’, which will be held on Thursday, December 28 at Tokyo Dome City Hall. ‘RAINBOW ROAD’ is an event launched by Vicke Blanka as a place where fans can get together once a year. Don’t miss this special headline show by Vicke Blanka, a rare home performance in the midst of his jet-setting domestic and global touring calendar.

Be sure to check out Worldly across all streaming platforms here, along with purchase links for the physical editions below and the music video for “Kakumei”!

Standard edition

Limited edition DVD

Limited edition Blu-ray