Music Corner Week 100: Omoinotake

Omoinotake is a three-member piano-rock band from Shimane prefecture that formed in 2012 and is signed on with Neon Records. The lead vocalist for the group is Reo Fujii who also plays the keyboard for the group. Tomoaki Fukushima is the bassist for the group, while Hironoshin Tomita plays the drums. Omoinotake started gaining popularity through the live street performances the group would do around Shibuya. Their first release was their album So Far which dropped in January of 2017. So far, this is their only album released to date. However, they have stayed busy, releasing six singles and five Eps, with their latest release being their EVERBLUE EP.

Omoinotake has an interesting and unique sound by incorporating a jazz-style piano in their rock. By doing this, each song has a unique identity, and they have a wide variety of tracks that really stand out. I discovered them by listening to their song “EVERBLUE” which is on their EVERBLUE EP. After hearing that song, I had to listen to more of their work and they have not disappointed me. They also incorporate a lot of saxophone in their music, which is something you used to find a lot in rock, but over the years has been left to the side. Their song “Sunshine Girl” has amazing saxophone in it, and I just can’t get enough. 

Omoinotake stays active on their Twitter, Instagram, and official website so follow them there for updates. Lastly, be sure to check out their song “EVERBLUE” in the video below.

Music Corner Week 99: Harumi

Harumi, who first made her debut in 2013, is a half Japanese and Filipino vocalist who looks to break out in the industry by becoming an artist who “sings from the bottom of her heart.”  With just one listen you can tell that she has that “it” factor to stand out vocally from the rest. Like our former music corner alum, Beverly, Harumi had originally started with a Japanese language barrier, but soon grew into an artist who had that soul feeling to her vocals. Harumi started choir when she was three years old and made a place in the industry by taking part in X Factor Okinawa Japan back in 2013 as well as in 2018 as a part of the UK edition of X Factor as well. 

After one listen you can just tell that she’s a step above the rest with her powerful vocals and range. Songs like “KOE” and “PRIDE” are just a small sample of her vocal prowess, and while several of her tracks are simplistic, composition wise, it’s all to put her vocal power on the front stage. Power-ballad style compositions like “Believe in Myself” and “Hearts Don’t Lie” also brings out the best in her, as you can’t help but get drawn into these tracks more and more. She’s also no one trick pony as her collaboration track “Radio” with Rude-a shows she can tackle any type of composition that can come her way with ease.

Currently Harumi has seven singles from 2018 until her latest single, “KOE,” back in November. She also released two EPs in 2019 and 2020 and one album, CLARITY, in 2019. Be sure to check out her official website, Twitter, and Instagram, along with the music video for “KOE” below as well!

Music Corner Week 98: Novelbright

Novelbright is a five member rock band from Osaka which formed in 2013. The current members include Takenaka Yudai (Vocals), Yamada Kaito (Guitar), Oki Sojiro (Guitar), Keigo (Bass), and Negi (Drums). Takenaka Yudai is the only original member of the band and originally started out of inspiration for ONE OK ROCK. In January 2017 , Yamada, Oki, and Negi joined the band and made their debut with Chandelier on January 27, 2017 then followed up with their mini album SKYWALK in October 2018. Keigo joined the band in January 2019, soon after, Novelbright posted a video of them performing an acoustic version of “Walking with you” live in front of Sendai station garnishing views all over SNS making it go viral. They made their major label debut with Universal in August of 2020 with the single “Sunny drop”. Takenaka Yudai’s vocals that stem from the heart to the unforgettable melodies and unique arrangements helped garnish fans from all over.

“Walking with you” is a power house rock track that automatically pulls you in with Takenaka Yudai’s powerful vocals and lyrics plus the guitar work by both Yamada and Oki is fantastic. Both the original and acoustic versions are unforgettable in their own ways. Tracks such as “candle” and “Hummingbird” have this beautiful melody that you cannot forget, they have this more mid tempo rock feel that gives you hope and makes you feel good inside; both these tracks have this memorable theatrical feeling you cannot help but love and Takenaka’s vocals going in harmony with the band just bring it together. “Love Knot”, “Futatsu no Kage” and one their newest tracks “1ROOM” show off their talent when it comes to ballads. Both tracks are powerhouse rock tracks and stick with you. The vocal range Takenaka displays in their ballad is filled with emotion overflowing from the heart. “seeker” is an uptempo rock track that showcases all the members talents through their harmonies on blending together their instruments, guitar work, bass, and drums. Takenaka’s vocals flow and give off a grand scale feeling track that draws you into the music.

Novelbright currently has two studio albums: WONDERLAND (2020) and Kaimaku Sengen (2021); four mini albums: Chandelier (2017), SKYWALK (2018), EN. (2019), and AcoBright1 (2019); and ten singles with their latest being “seeker/1ROOM”. You can follow Novelbrights activities on their official website, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Check out their latest music video “seeker” below!

Music Corner 97: Nulbarich

Nulbarich is a five-piece rock project fronted by JQ, Jeremy Quartus, while the rest of the “band” changes out as needed, depending on the composition and style of the song. The project formed in 2015 and the name of the band comes from a portmanteau of the word “Null” as in nothing and the word “Rich” and means “nothing but rich filled” Nulbarich dropped their first album, Guess Who? in 2016 and has since gone on to release five albums. Their latest album, NEW GRAVITY, dropped earlier this year.

Nulbarich really has a fun unique style that in some ways gives me an 80’s feel to their music. The music that JQ and the group focuses on beats and grooves which then blend those elements with rock to produce a pretty unique sound. His latest track “A New Day (feat. Phum Viphurit)” is really good and leans really heavy on the synthesizer, but there is a gentleness to it that really pulls the listener in. Nulbarich have a wide range, and their song “Lost Game” shows that he can do really good ballads as well.

Be sure to check out Nulbarich official website stays up to date with their latest news along with their Twitter. Lastly, be sure to check out their track “A New Day (feat. Phum Viphurit)” in the video below.

Music Corner Week 96: Atarayo

Atarayo is a four-member female led band that got started in November of 2020 in Tokyo. Derived from the naming scape of “being a night that is so beautiful that its regrettable to be the dawn”, the band relies on its theme of being “a band that had grew up in the sadness”. Atarayo brings very thought provoking and emotionally driven tracks with vocalist Hitomi. 

While I do admit they might not turn the wheel on innovations with the dime a dozen female led rock bands on the market, something still just stands out with Hitomi’s vocals with Atarayo’s composition that just makes it pop for one reason or another. Works like “Summer haze”, “8.8”,  shows off their mid-tempo range and longing calls me back to more of their songs. While I do think their bread and butter is the more slow-tempo tracks like “Jugatsu Mukauchinakimo Wasureu”, “Usotsuki”, and “Summer haze”, Atarayo does offer impressive high-tempo releases like “Shotsuki” and “Haruru” that show they can tackle any types of melody and show off amazing range. 

Atarayo has five digital singles, all from 2021 and one E.P. Before dawn in 2021 as well. Be sure to check out Atarayo’s official website, Twitter, and Instagram. Also check out their latest music video “Usotsuki” below!

Atarayo stars Hitomi: Vocals/Guitar 

MaaShii: Guitar

Takeo: Bass

Tanapai: Drum