Music Corner Week 56: AliA

AliA is a six-member rock band that formed back in 2018. Like bands such as UVERworld before them, they introduced the masses to a unique sound. The band uses instruments that aren’t usually associated with the rock genre such as the violin.

Out of the gate, AliA doesn’t shy away from a stylized uniqueness by putting violinist RINA front and center with a composition that might be all over the place without her elegant sound to reign chaos. The vocalist AYAME is also able to dictate the pace of any track that the band does with her without the use of vocals. With tracks like “letter” and “Mutsuno Hana” that show off a soft and emotional side, to the high energy tempo songs like “eye” and “Yuto Pia”, there is nothing this band cannot accomplish with the formula they are given.

With only two singles available, “Side Sunset” and “Eye” that released back in 2019 and 2020 respectively, and two mini-albums RElize and AliVe in 2019, AliA is a band that shouldn’t be ignored. Be sure to check out their official website, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, along with the music video for their track “eye” below!

AliA stars:

Seiya: Bass

TKT: Keyboardist

RINA: Violinist 

AYAME: Vocalist

BOB: Drummer

EREN: Guitarist 

Music Corner Week 55: Ryokuoushoku Shakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai is a four-member pop-rock band that formed in 2012 who doesn’t let their genre define them. Standing out from the dime a dozen pop-rock bands that formed during this time, their various music styles and pop sounds created by each member has different roots and personalities. This level of uniqueness is taking this next generation by storm. 

A major part of that is from vocalist Haruko Nagaya’s powerful vocal range which is tough to match. The perfect mesh of that pop style along with her prowess is shown in the track “Shout Baby” where fellow keyboardist peppe creates this intoxicating melody that the listener can’t help but fall in love with. The synchronicity of the band doesn’t stop that as each member has their time in the sun to blend their skills with Nagoya’s which in turn gives off a different feel than the last. When it’s the more electronic style of “Inori”, the high energy feel of “Sabotage”,  the emotionally driven “Omobito”, or the nostalgic feeling that “ 夏を生きる” (“Natsu wo Ikiru”) entices with a dynamic range that Ryokuoushoku Shakai possess is just amazing and is a must listen. 

The band currently has one mini-album in 2018, one EP in 2019, two digital singles in 2019, and one in 2020. Finally, they also have one album titled SINGALONG that is available digitally. Be sure to check out their Official Website, along with their Twitter account and check out their latest music video “Natsu wo Ikiru” below!

Ryokuoushoku Shakai Stars

Haruko Nagaya: Guitarist/ Vocals

Issei Kobayashi : Guitarist/ Chorus 

peppe: Keyboardist/ Chorus 

Shingo Anami: Drummer/ Chorus 

Music Corner Week 54: DREAM MAKER

DREAM MAKER is a male vocal group that comes from Kansai that originally started out as six-members. The group is now made up of 4, with each member writing and composing the songs they perform. They are SHUNGO, YASU, RYOTA, and RYO. SHUNGO is the youngest member who enjoys watching movies while staying current on the news. YASU enjoys baseball while RYOTA enjoys anime, manga, and cafes. Lastly, RYO enjoys driving and looking at new musical equipment.

These guys have a great ability to harmonize and come together as one.  “Passion!” is the catchphrase of the group and the listener can feel that in each note sung. In their song “alive”, each member gets a moment to shine and come together for the chorus where they add their vocals to the melody creating a fun hook that pulls the listener in.

DREAM MAKER has released nine singles and one album since their debut in 2017. They have been busy this year having just recently streamed their tour DREAM MAKER LIVE TOUR 2020 DREAM × DREAM which is currently on their YouTube page. Visit their official website for their latest news along with their Twitter account. Lastly, be sure to check out their song “alive” where you can hear and see their passion for yourself.

Music Corner Week 53: in-d

Japanese rapper in-d got his start as a member, rapper for the hip-hop groups THE OTOGIBANASHI and CreativeDrugStore. THE OTOGIBANASHI formed in 2012 and released their first album that same year. CreativeDrugStore would later form in 2013. This was in-d’s first experience as he joined THE OTOGIBANASHI in high school and worked on two albums with them. In 2017, in-d released a self produced solo mini album titled “d/o/s”, but in 2019, he fully launched his solo project with his first big release titled indoor. The launch of in-d’s early solo work shows off his skill as a solo rapper with his deep voice, catchy lyrics, and old school beats.

Tracks such as “On My Way”, which in-d teams up with industry veteran KREVA, show the hip-hop elements in in-d’s music. “On My Way” incorporates the use of a trumpet mixed in with a mellow beat and the combination of in-d and KREVA together make for a nice mixture in rap versus. In in-d’s latest track “weekday”, the flow in his rap matches perfectly with the beat and the lyrics make it relatable to anyone who listens. It has a beat that sticks with you and makes you want to bob your head in excitement. “Determination” is a track that stuck with me with its heavier beats and how in-d utilizes a more aggressive rap style. This track shows a harder side of in-d and shows what “Determination” means.

in-d currently has 2 studio albums with THE OTOGIBANSH (TOY BOX and BUSINESS FACTORY); a self produced mini album; and three solo project mini albums: indoor, outdoor, and input. You can find indoor, outdoor, and input on all Digital Platforms, with input being in-d’s latest release. Check out his official website and latest music video “weekday” below!

Music Corner Week 52: LUCKY TAPES

LUCKY TAPES is a three-member fusion band that formed back in 2014. Birthed from the five-member band Slow Beach, the band looks to take on the growing trend of bridging the gap of Jazz, Rock and R&B in their own unique twist.  One of things that differentiate them from the pack is their approach towards composition by creating happy go lucky and melancholy works for listeners to enjoy. 

This adds all the great things from Jazz ascetic such as the instruments to the vocal style and highlights it with a rock melody that vocalist and keyboardist Kai Takahashi infuses masterfully. Several examples of this skill lie in the tracks “Lonely Lonely”, “22”, and “Lady Blue” and brings the compositions to the forefront to have the listeners engulfed into the first step of the genre of Japanese fusion. The band on a dime flip the composition on its head by slowing down the pace to have listeners become even more enticed. “Gravity”, “Moon”, “Gun”, and “Ballad” are some of the prime examples of them bringing it down to a mid-low tempo bringing out the best in the band and showing us they are no one trick pony. 

Lucky Tapes currently has three albums under their belt The Show, Cigarette & Alcohol, and dressing in 2015, 2016 and 2018 respectively. They’ve also released five singles “Peace and Magic”, “Touch”, “Moon”, “Actor”, and “Mars” along with three EPS Virtual Gravity, 22, and Live In (Personal) Space. Be sure to check out their official website and Twitter account along with the music video for “Actor” below!