w.o.d Teams Up with He's Trying Records to Bring Hit Album Internationally!

1994 Jacket Cover

The illustrious three-piece punk band w.o.d. are gearing up for a western release of their critically acclaimed LP 1994 on vinyl. 1994 is now available for purchase through He’s Trying Records. This release marks the band’s first physical record that will be available to a western audience. 

1994 is the band's sophomore release, featuring fan favorites such as “Mayday”, and the title track “1994”. The album was named after the year each band member was born while drawing from the loud grunge that defined the era. With lyrical themes ranging from societal frustration to feelings of anxiety, w.o.d. capture the existential chaos we experience everyday. While rooted in punk, 1994 is like a powder keg going off. The palpable energy of 1994 is infectious and undeniable. 

About He’s Trying Records: He’s Trying Records is a record label based in San Marcos, CA. Founded in 2020, He’s Trying Records aims to bring a variety of Japanese artists to the west through vinyl record releases. 

Be sure to check out the music video for the track “Mayday” along with the order links for the vinyl below!

Standard edition 

Koeda Brings Her Individuality to the Forefront With Upcoming Album!

Vocalist Koeda announced that she will be releasing a brand new album, Individuality, June 23. This will be the latest release from the vocalist since her digital single “Purple” which was released back in April and will be her first album. Set for release with fifteen tracks, Individuality will not only include “Purple—which was arranged by Nob from the band MY FIRST STORY—but also "VIP", which was provided by vocalist Nagisa Kuroki; and "Little Daisy", which was arranged by Yamamoto Shintaro of LEGO BIG MORL and Kazuo Sakai of flumpool in a “who’s who” of amazing talent helping Koeda out. Koeda commented on the various collaborations within this work, "The moment you put your soul into it, the world and the worlds meet. The exceptional personalities collide and merge; this is how this album was made."

Individuality will only be available through a standard edition which will come with both a CD along with a bonus DVD. The DVD will include several extras such as music videos and studio sessions for songs on the album. 

As we look forward to the upcoming release be sure to check out her latest music video for “Little Daisy” along with the pre-order links for Individuality below!

Standard edition 

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Individuality Jacket Cover

Koeda「Individuality」

CD

01. Input

02. パープル

03. Straw

04. Little Daisy

05. 18

06. Middle Finger

07. V.I.P.

08. ふたりで

09. 嘘

10. 毒針

11. 二等辺三角関係

12. ピーポーピーポー

13. 滅亡前夜

14. Output

15. Little Daisy -Individuality- ※CD盤のみ収録

DVD

01. 「パープル」Music Video

02. 「V.I.P.」Studio Session Teaser

03. 「Little Daisy」Music Video

04. 「Straw」Recording Session Music Video

05. 「ふたりで」Live Ver.at Shibuya eggman

06. 「滅亡前夜」Music Video

el:cid Comes Out of the Shade with Long Awaited First Album!→

Four-member rock band el:cid was formed in Kyoto in 1992 and disbanded around October 1996, however before their dissolution a bunch of their stunning tracks which were born in their 4 years of activity remained unreleased by unseen circumstances. Last year ex-BEAST member NAGANO already helped to release “Cry for the Moonlight“, and this time NAGANO is also the exclusive supervising chief of the band’s upcoming album In the Shade.

It is said that el:cid‘s style of music was a foresight in embracing shoegaze and digital ROCK since its activity in the 90’s. Even more than 20 years on, el:cid is still beloved by their fans and their music withstood the test of time to become a timeless classic.

 Originally reported from our friends at JROCK’NROLL, the album will be released on August 18, and will contain 15 tracks and will only cost 2,500yen (tax not included). The album will be available in various web-stores and shops throughout the nation! The release will be published by HAUNTED HOUSE and nationally distributed by our friends FWD.

If you grab a copy via record label the HAUNTED HOUSE official webshop (pre-sale start May 21), you also will receive a bonus CD-R with a few more extra tracks, one of the tracks will be “斜陽” (“Shayou”)[Original Ver) which was originally released on the Rock Tengoku Jack In the Music Box omnibus album. Additionally, you will receive the album earlier then the regular stores will send it to you.

Please note that HAUNTED HOUSE does not ship overseas and is only be distributed domestically in Japan. If you need help to choose a good proxy please be free to ask help in the vkgy discord server or DM JROCKNROLL via twitter.

Because In the Shade will be distributed via FWD Inc. (Free-Will) the album will be also available at Amazon Japan and similar national (web)shops. As we look forward to this highly anticipated release, be sure to check out the trailer for the album below!

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In the Shade Jacket Cover

el:cid「In the Shade」

CD

01.Calling

02.退屈な世界 (Taikutsuna Sekai)

03.dragonfly

04.I’ll be there

05.鉄錆廃園 (Tetsusabi Haien)

06.the world where the stars fall

07.真昼の鼓動 (Mahiru no Kodou)

08.gain[2020 REMIX]

09.芸術の都 (Geijutsu no Miyako)

10.窓辺に咲く花 (Madobe ni Saku hana)

[BONUS TRACKS]

11.Never free

12.2020 (Noise Guitar NAGANO)

13.ペジュマール (PEJIMAARU)

14.Crying Limit

15.Cry for the Moonlight 

[HAUNTED HOUSE – BONUS CD-R DISK]

斜陽(Original ver.) Shayou(Original ver.) from 「Rock Tengoku Jack In the Music Box」 omnibus album.

+ more (TBA)

Ken Yokoyama Turns it Up to 11 With Latest Music Video!

To hype up the release of his upcoming album, legendary guitarist Ken Yokoyama released the music video for his track “4Wheels 9Lives” on his official YouTube channel. A part of the album of the same name which will drop May 26, this will be the first album released by the artist since Sentimental Trash six years prior. It originally aired for the first time on the YouTube distribution program PIZZA OF DEATH RADIO wherein Ken Yokoyama serves as a host. The music video features an uplifting performance scene with four members and a violent drama segment where middle-aged men with pistols shoot one after another at the people they meet.

The album will drop with twelve tracks total and two editions: a CD-only standard edition and a limited edition which will come with a bonus DVD. The DVD will include footage from his Shot at OPPA-LA studio live concert. 

Be sure to check out the music video in question along with the pre-order link for 4Wheels 9Lives below!

Standard edition

Limited edition

(Warning: Viewer discretion advised.)

4Wheels 9Lives Jacket Cover

Ken Yokoyama「4Wheels 9Lives」

CD

01. I'm Going Now , I Love You

02. 4Wheels 9Lives

03. Spark Of My Heart

04. Have Hope

05. Helpless Romantic

06. Cry Baby

07. MyParadise

08. Angel

09. Forever Yours

10. On The Sunny Side Of The Street

11. Without You

12. While I'm Still Around

DVD

「Shot at OPPA-LA」

01. I'm Going Now , I Love You

02. Cry Baby

03. Out Alone

04. Still I Got To Fight

05. Angel

06. Forever Yours

07. Woh Oh

08. Helpless Romantic

09. While I'm Still Around

SANDAIME J SOUL BROTHERS Bring Their Bang to Their Anniversary With Upcoming Single!

Popular boy vocal and dance unit SANDAIME J SOUL BROTHERS announced that they will be releasing a brand new double A-side single, “100 SEASONS/ TONIGHT”, June 16. Announced during their Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS Member Conference that took place on April 22, this release was originally planned for 2020 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of their debut for the third generation of the J SOUL BROTHERS project. It had to be moved to 2021 for the 10th anniversary due to performances and projects being pushed back or cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. This work will be the first single of the 10th Anniversary Year of Debut. "100 SEASONS / TONIGHT" includes the chill pop number "100 SEASONS" which highlights “the desire of spending the season of 100 years together" and is dubbed a ”love summer tune”. "TONIGHT" was produced by ELLY.

The single will come with three editions: a CD-only standard edition and two limited editions which will either include a bonus DVD or Blu-ray. Both limited editions will feature the music video for “100 SEASONS” along with a behind-the-scenes making-of for the video as well. 

As we look forward to the upcoming release, be sure to check out the music video for the track “RISING SOUL” along with the pre-order links for “100 SEASONS/ TONIGHT” below!

Standard edition

Limited DVD edition

Limited Blu-ray edition

Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE「100 SEASONS / TONIGHT」

CD

01. 100 SEASONS

02. TONIGHT

03. 100 SEASONS（Instrumental）

04. TONIGHT（Instrumental）

Limited Edition Blu-ray / DVD 

・100 SEASONS（Music Video）

・100 SEASONS（Behind the scenes）