Music Corner Week 71: Yuuri

Yuuri is a singer-songwriter from Makuhari, Chiba who got his big break in 2019 through SNS. Yuuri started posting videos to Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube and it spread Yuuri’s powerful music all over SNS attracting attention from all over. In December 2019, Yuuri released his first digital singles titled “Kakurenbo” and “Kagome”, with both tracks making it in the top ten on iTunes. Yuuri continued his streak of hits with “Peter Pan” but his next digital single “Dry Flower” would push Yuuri into the spotlight even more with the success on all digital streaming platforms and charts within Japan. Yuuri’s powerful voice, moving lyrics, wondrous composition, and his utilization of SNS make this artist a one of a kind talent.

Yuuri’s debut digital single “Kakurenbo” carries a beautiful and simple composition that fits perfectly with his powerful and soulful vocals. When the chorus comes in and the guitar picks up, it pulls you in and you get lost in the song. “Peter Pan” is an upbeat pop rock track that starts off with a kick - between the guitar and Yuuri shows off that he can easily pull off rock vocals. You hear a little bit of raspyness in his soulful voice that matches perfectly in this track. “Dry Flower” is the first track I heard by Yuuri due to making it to the Oricon. This song shows his vocal capabilities and has a serene and sad feel to it. It moves you with with its lyrics and beautiful composition leaving you wanting more. Yuuri’s latest track “Sakurabare” is a full out ballad with the piano starting off the track. Yuuri shows off he can pull off ballads with his vocal skills, both powerfully and softly.

Currently, Yuuri only has six digital singles: “Kakurenbo”, “Kagome”, “Peter Pan”, “Dry Flower”, “Infinity”, and his latest “Sakurabare” that released on February 12th! Be sure to check out Yuuri’s official website, Twitter, Instagram, and his latest music video “Sakurabare”!

Music Corner Week 70: Beverly

Beverly, is a really special artist in the Japanese music industry. She was born in the Philippines in 1994 and lived there until 2015 when she moved to Japan. Beverly is the third child of four and has always had a knack for singing. She sang throughout her childhood and once out of school, Beverly began to pursue her singing career by joining various amateur singing competitions. She would go on to compete in the World Championships of Performing Arts where she won first place and putting her to work with composer Vehnee Saturno. As a child, Beverly also developed a love for Japanese music from having watched a lot of anime and J-dramas while growing up in the Philippines.

Beverly had always wanted to travel to Japan and Saturno had a business partner that worked out of Japan. Saturno had his business partner give a listen to her and that led to her getting an audition. Finally, in 2015 Beverly made it to Japan and started attending singing and dancing workshops, which led to her signing with Avex Trax in 2016. Since signing on to Avex, she currently has released three albums, one live album, a mini-album, and a total of seventeen singles that are a combination of physical and digital releases. Beverly has also gone on to provide several openings for many anime and dramas such as Fruits Basket, Pokemon, and Kamen Rider Build just to name a few. 

Upon hearing her awesome vocals, the listener can tell how long she has spent honing her craft.I first noticed her last year when she released her version of “Endless Love” which I found to be a stunning performance. I was familiar with “Be The One” but until recently I wasn’t the biggest fan of that song and I feel like that song doesn’t really show off her talent. Her song “Everlasting Sky” is used for Kamen Rider Build: Be The One (The Movie) which had me captivated. I loved this song the very first time I heard it. Beverly has a great range with an amazing voice.

Beverly provided the opening theme to the latest Pokemon movie, Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle “Coco” which came out on December 25 of last year. Be sure to check out her website to stay up to date with all her latest news and her Twitter. Be sure to check out her short video for her song “Everlasting Sky” posted below.

Music Corner Week 69: Natsu Summer

Natsu Summer is a vocalist from Ehime in the southern region of Shikoku who appeared on the scene back in 2016. Growing up listening to the genres of city pop and reggae, she takes on the interesting genre blend as a city pop and reggae singer. She was drawn toward this blend because ever since her childhood living by the sea, she wanted to create this natural composition and lyrics as a style for listeners that love music and nature.

While it might seem like both genres would clash against each other, this new twist is refreshing and is a unique sound for listeners of all ages. It’s easy going reggae composition mixed with her soothing city pop vocal style is something that entices the listeners to keep listening on as the next track starts. “Tropical Christmas” and “恋のタイミング” (“Koi no Timing”) are just two tracks that serve as perfect examples of the balancing act that Natsu Summer does for her songs. With just the right amount of synthesizer mixed with keyboard, it sets the scene for the music style that she has brought to the industry.

Currently, Natsu Summer has two singles, “Cool Down” (2017) and “Time Distance” (2019) and two Eps, Natsu Natsu Natsu and Tropical Winter, both released in 2016. She has also released three mini-albums, Hello, future day (2017), Natsu Summer & Dub Sensation (2018), and HAYAMA NIGHTS in 2020. Be sure to check out her official website along with her official Twitter and latest music video, “Koi no Timing,” below!

Music Corner Week 68: TEARS OF TRAGEDY

TEARS OF TRAGEDY is a three member melodic power metal band that formed in 2008 and consists of HARUKA (Vocal), TORU (Guitar), and HAYATO (Keyboard). When originally formed, the band only consisted of TORU and HAYATO; HARUKA did not join until 2010. A year after Haruka joined, they would go on to release their first full length album ELUSIVE MOMENT. TEARS OF TRAGEDY gives off a powerful performance in all the music they create with a melodic yet heavy composition mixed with HARUKA’s deeply dominant vocals. TORU’s guitar work is phenomenal when he goes on riffs and you hear the impressive skill he has. HAYATO’s talent shines bright here with her mesmerizing skill on the keyboard.

In their latest digital single “Nonsite”, HARUKA’s vocals are dominant and smooth mixing perfectly with the composition and the chorus just pulls it all together. HAYATO’s keyboard moments are mesmerizing as he just takes over in many parts of this track. TORU’s guitar riff leading up to the final verse is ear pleasing. “Astrea” is a powerful track that starts right off with HARUKA’s impressive vocals and both TORU and HAYATO intermixing the guitar and keyboard make this track flow so well. “Void Act” is an impressive and heavy track that shows off TORU and HAYATO’s skills right off the bat leading right into HARUKA’s mighty vocals then mixing right in. In “Void Act”, it is easy to get lost in this tune as the guitar and keyboard just suck you in and HARUKA’s voice leads the way.

Currently, TEARS OF TRAGEDY have two singles, “Astrea (2017)” and “Nonsite (2020)”; and four albums, ELUSIVE MOMENT (2011), Continuation Of The Dream (2013), STATICE (2016), and their latest TRINITY that released November 2020! Be sure to check our their official website, facebook, HARUKA’s Twitter, and TORU’s Twitter along with the music video for “Nonsite” below!

Music Corner Week 67: Mukai Taichi

Mukai Taichi is a 28 years old singer, songwriter, and started with his music career in 2010 when he joined the funk band Modio, however, Taichi only stayed with the band for a year before starting out on his own with the record label Miya Terrace as a solo artist. Taichi released his first solo song on SoundCloud, titled “Kimi ni Kiss shite.” On June of 2015, he started to write a blog on the website of one of Japan’s most famous men’s fashion magazines, Men’s Fudge. On March of 2016, he released his first EP, Pool, which featured a total of six songs and was posted on his SoundCloud page. On November of 2016, Taichi released his second EP, 24, which was praised by music critics. This was followed by his performance at the Summer Sonic Festival of 2017. In 2020, he started to garner more mainstream attention by working with more famous artists and groups such as m-flo and Katori Shingo, who is a former member of the Johnny’s boy group SMAP.

Mukai Taichi has a commanding voice that he uses to full effect in his songs. His song compositions tend to feature a wide array of instruments that all come together to create a memorable sound. In his song “Michi” the listener really hears the strength of Taichi’s vocals and the breadth of his compositions. The piano work in “Michi” is also really captivating and expertly done.

Mukai Taichi recently put out his song “Get Loud” on all digital platforms. Be sure to keep up with all the latest news with Taichi by following his Twitter and checking out his website. Lastly, check out the video for “Michi” posted below.