Music Corner Week 144: GENIC

GENIC is a seven-member co-ed dance and vocal group that debuted in 2020. GENIC came through Avex’s “a-genic PROJECT” back in 2019. Current members of GENIC are Maiki Nishimoto, who is the leader of the group, Atsuki Mashiko, Joe Nishizawa, Kakeru Amemiya Kakeru, Kaneya Maria, Koike Ryuki, and Ui Yurari. The “a-genic PROJECT” was announced in 2019 as part of Avex’s aim to establish a new dance and vocal group that would inherit Avex’s DNA. Initially, 12 members passed the audio, but, eventually, the number of members was whittled down to seven. GENIC officially debuted in May of 2020 with the release of their first album GENEX, and has since released another album, put out two digital EPs, and released 12 digital singles. Lastly, in March of 2024, GENIC will release their third album N_G.  

GENIC does a great job showcasing their vocals in their songs with some great harmonization. I enjoy the sound of male and female voices harmonizing together, and GENIC does a great job with this. “Sayanara no wake” is a great example of this. The composition has this nice, but simple piano, and the music swells to this great explosion in the chorus. The vocals on display are great and pull the listener in. Their song “I’ll Be There” is a fun, upbeat number where, again, their vocals shine through. They also have songs like “Supersonic”, which is a bit more dance-heavy, and showcases some of their rapping skill, which is also well done.

All the latest news for the group is posted on both their official website along with their X account. Lastly, be sure to check out their song “Sayanara no wake” in the video below.

Music Corner Week 143: ACME

ACME is a four piece rock band of the Visual Kei style who formed in 2017. The group consists of Chisa (Vocals), Shogo (Guitar), Rikito (Bassist), and Hal (Drums). Chisa and Shogo had played in a temporary band before they formed ACME, called Chisa & Shogo, which happened to include the future members of ACME, Rikito and Hal. ACME was formed with the concept of ‘delinquent boy in an imaginary world’, which shows not only in their music but fashion style as well. ACME released their debut album, Senkou in August 2017 accompanied by a national tour. In August 2018, a year after their debut mini album, ACME released their first full length album Zesho Oka. In 2019, they made their first overseas and North American performance at Anime Milwaukee, signaling the dawn of more North American tours to come in the future.

ACME means ‘the pinnacle of evoluation’, which this group shows in their music. You hear evoluation throughout each album ACME has released. ACME is not just Visual Kei, Rock, Metal but have evolved their music to include all these types of genres. From their debut album, Senkou to their latest single “Twilight”, you can hear how their music has evolved and how they have evolved as a band since their debut in 2017. Chisa has such a great range in his vocals that can go from singing to screaming depending on the intensity of the track. Listening to the band as a whole, you hear how they started out on the heavier side, such as “Senkou” but in one of their latest tracks, “Senno (Brain washing)”, you hear a more relax and lighter style.

ACME caught my ear a couple years ago when a friend of mine got to meet them and recommended I check out their music, this was back in 2019 during Anime Milwaukee. I had checked out their Zesshou Oka album and enjoyed what I heard - I enjoyed the intensity of their music and Chisa’s vocals, specifically in “Paradox”. “Paradox” is a mixture of screamo, vocals, and showcases that heavy side of the band. Recently, I went back to listening to them and noticed they’ve since released several new digital singles, “Twilight”, “Ulfhednar”, and “Senno”, which show an evoluation in music with the variety just these three offer alone. “Ulfhednar” is my favorite of the three, with its electronic beat then going straight into metal with the guitar, bass, and drum work followed my Chisa’s screamo then leading into his vocal work. I love how this track just takes you on the perfect ride. “Senno” is very stand out as it has a different tone, with its futuristic composition displaying a lighter composition than they usually showcase which makes for a a stand out track. Their newest track “Twilight”, takes you on a ride with Chisa’s vocals and the lighter than heavier style when in between the versus and chorus’, not to mention the use of guitar and bass. Their three newest singles are such a great follow up to their 2022 album Resisted Temptation, which had solid tracks such as “Come Back to You”, “Gekkouyoku”, “Resisted Temptation”, “Kagaribi”, and “Enchanted” to name a few that grabbed my attention. ACME has shown that they hold true to their title in how they are constantly evolving with their music and looking forward to their latest single, “Stand Up” that just released on February 14th.

ACME will be the guest of honor at Kawaii Kon in Hawaii which takes place from March 29th to March 31st at the Hawaii Convention Center.

ACME currently has four albums, Senkou (2017), Zesshou Oka (2018), WE ARE VISUAL KEI (2020), and their latest Resisted Temptation (2022); 17 digital singles including their latest “Twilight”. Check out their official website, X, and their music video for their single “Senno” below.

Music Corner Week 142: Kai Kubota

Kai Kubota is a singer-songwriter and rapper, who started his music career in 2017 by doing freestyle rap along and writing lyrics. Kubota began garnishing attnetion to himself due to lyrics as they contain a wide range of literary and musical influences ranging from Hip-Hop, R&B, and Rock to pop. In December 2019, Kubota released his debut EP “Myojo”. Two songs in particular, “Seikatsu” and “Haru Ni Binetsu” would go on to reach over 3 million views on YouTube. He then released his first album, Raikou, in April of 2021, and his digital singles “Sunset City” and “X-Friend” which released shortly thereafter. Kubota has gone on to release 18 singles digitally and just relased his second album Henji wairanai in October of 2023.

While being relatively young and new to the Japanese music industry, Kubota brings an interesting sound that has captivated me since I first heard him. In particular, his song “nighteater” off his latest album really grabbed my attention the first time I listend to it. “nighteater” shows off his rap skills such as the intensity in which he can weave words together; which to me, is rather impressive. However, his rap is just one side of his music; with the track “Sunset City” you hear a completely different side of what Kubota is capable of. “Sunset City” is a laid-back number that focuses on his vocals which includes a memorable composition that puts you in a good mood, such as wanting to lay back and enjoy the city skyline. Both “Sunset City” and “nighteater” are on his latest album Henji wairanai, but Kubota also has gems like “Haru Ni Binetsu” included on his first album Raikou, that gives off a stupendous synth sound to it.

Kai Kubota posts all of his latest news on both his official website and his X page. Lastly, be sure to check out his song “Sunset City” posted in the video below.

Music Corner Week 141: Marcy

Marcy is a three-member rock band from Fukuoka, that formed in 2018. They were originally named astela and consisted as a four-member band until 2019 when they became Mary. Marcy tugs on the heart strings of their listeners specially with tracks that remind us of those living memories of heartbreak that can never be erased. They have generated a cult following from the Gen Z female listeners, however, the band harkens on that path of introducing the masses to their new style of love songs.

Main vocalist Ukyo Yoshi showcases their style amazingly with thoughtful and provoking lyrics that brings a tear to listeners. Paired with the smooth composition that both bassist Takumi Fujii and lead guitarist Shuji, the boys hit it out of park. While not the most upbeat style that some listeners think of when they hear Japanese rock, Marcy hits that sweet spot for that perfect mix of lyrical composition. Songs like “Forget-me-not”, “Our future”, and “Love Song”, show off just a small fraction on how they are hitting their stride in terms of emotional lyrics and love songs.

Currently Marcy has released 16 digital singles starting from 2020 all the way to their latest hit, “Love Song”. They have also released one studio album titled Memory that was released in June of 2022. Be sure to check out Marcy’s official website, X, and Instagram along with the music video for their track “Love Song” below!

Music Corner Week 140: Sincere

Sincere is a singer-songwriter whom started off lip syncing in the car to her favorite artists. Sincere has a soulful yet delicate voice that stands out and pulls the listener in, which shows in her sytle of music that has a heavy focus on R&B and Soul. She made her debut in 2021 with the digital single ‘Reminder’ but it wasn’t until her 5th single, ‘I’ll be’ until she started gaining momentum. “I’ll be” was selected for ‘NACK’S MONTHLY POWER PLAY’ by listeners and later chosen to be the ending theme for Abema Prime in December. From there on, Sincere skyrocketed to several playlists on amazon prime and Spotify. Due to Sincere’s powerful voice, mixture of Japanese and English, and soulful style, she has garnished much attention not only in Japan but overseas as well.

“Lucky feat. VivaOla” was the first track I heard by Sincere and fell in love with her smooth voice, relaxed composition, and relatable lyrics. From hearing “Lucky”, I instantly submerged myself in her first digital EP, Time and discovered the track “You’re Always Right”, which incorporates all English, plus the composition is a bit more on the mid tempo side. Tracks like “Keeps Beating” and “Are you” showcase an upbeat, poppy yet soulful style in the composition and are a great showcase of Sincere’s vocal range. Sincere’s newest tracks “Water Me” gives off a more R&B-funky vibe while “Our Way” brings a more poppy cute feel but you still feel the soul in it due to the way Sincere carries her voice.

Currently, Sincere has three EP’s, the newest When was that just release on Sept 27, 2023, Just Living (2023), and Time (2022); Nine digital singles with her most recent being “Our Way”. Check out her official website, X, Instagram, and her latest music video below “Our Way”.