SANTA releases intense new rap song ‘CHAOS’, building on huge success in Asia!

‘Chaos’ Jacket Cover

Vocalist SANTA, who has a huge fan base across Asia, released his new single ‘CHAOS’ on February 26 across all digital streaming platforms. ‘CHAOS’ is a satirical view of how so many of us struggle every day to balance our work and personal lives. The song starts out as a cheery, euphoric J-pop tune, which is interrupted by the sound of a man screaming and then a sudden shift to SANTA’s aggressive rap. Just like the light and dark sides of life, this carefully crafted sequence and collage of tracks creates a sudden twist that can offer a source of hope to inspire listeners in this era of extreme change.

The music video for ‘CHAOS’ was released today. The video is a collaboration with CHIBI UNITY, a world-renowned dance team that has scored multiple consecutive wins at top-scale US contest VIBE Dance Competition and won the Golden Buzzer on ‘America’s Got Talent’. It was directed by Kazuaki Seki, who has worked with Perfume, Sakanaction and Gen Hoshino. The edgy, arty video is set in Tokyo and focuses on its salaryman protagonist, using dance to depict life under oppression and the conflicts that lie deep within.

Be sure to check out the music video for ‘CHAOS’ below, along with the streaming links for the single here!

LIL LEAGUE release first album ‘TRICKSTER’, with all tracks streaming now!

‘TRICKSTER’ Jacket Cover

Six-member boyband LIL LEAGUE have released their first full album, ‘TRICKSTER’, with all tracks available on download and streaming services now. The album ‘TRICKSTER’ includes the song ‘Lollipop’, which began advance streaming on February 5, and whose music video is fast approaching 4 million views, as well as the up-tempo song ‘FeiLong’, which became a fan favorite at concerts and a much-requested release.

The album also includes ’15 Minutes’ and ‘Okay’, both of which were unveiled during the group’s LIL LEAGUE LIVE TOUR 2023 ‘LIL GATEWAY’ hall tour held in Japan last summer, as well as new bonus tracks ‘Tungsten’ and ‘I don’t care’. ‘Tungsten’ was performed by the group’s senior vocalists Sena Iwaki and Tatsuhiro Nakamura as a duo. The song’s title refers to tungsten metal, which is so hard it can only be cut by diamonds. In a world where it can be so difficult to show individuality, the song expresses how we can overcome the barriers in society if we have determination and bonds as tough as tungsten.

‘I don’t care’ was sung by group members Kodai Yamada, Matora Okao, Haima Momoda and Sora Namba. Over a piano and cowbell accompaniment, the members recount a time when they were forced to overcome feelings of hopelessness and apathy, creating a vibe that is different from LIL LEAGUE’s previous poppier, more upbeat songs. The song was written by Yusuke Saeki, who has provided songs for many different artists, and British hitmaker Kevin Charge. The ‘LIVE’ version of the album includes a Blu-ray packed with footage from the Tokyo performance of LIL LEAGUE LIVE TOUR 2023 ‘LIL GATEWAY’, as well as a behind-the-scenes movie from the tour, while the ‘MV’ edition includes the music video for ‘Lollipop’ and behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot, along with music videos for other LIL LEAGUE singles to date.

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LIL LEAGUE made their debut in January last year and won the Best New Artist Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards, while their debut single ‘Hunter’ ranked No.1 on the Oricon Chart and No.2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart. LIL LEAGUE were also selected by respondents in the Next Trend Prediction poll for the second half of 2023, based on the choices of 120,000 Generation Z voters. The results of the poll can be seen here (in Japanese):

After a whirlwind debut year that included holding a headline hall tour of Japan just six months after their debut, LIL LEAGUE are moving into a new phase – and anticipation for their upcoming first full-length album is reaching fever pitch.
Be sure to check out ‘TRICKSTER’ here, along with the music video for ‘Lollipop’ below!

ARKTA Brings Fans A Brand New EP!

“From Where the City Lights Burn” Jacket Cover

International hybrid alternative rock unit, ARKTA has released their 1st Full EP titled “From Where the City Lights Burn”, which is available to listen to now on all digital platforms. The 5 track EP includes their lead single “The Lily” that had been released last month along with its music video.

Marking it as the bands ‘Phase 1’, most aspects of the production for the EP, including recording and mixing, were all done DIY. It reflects the raw and genuine essence of ARKTA at this moment. The EP title “From Where the City Lights Burn” had been decided with hopes of their voices and music to reach the world from both the cities of Tokyo and Los Angeles, where the two members of ARKTA reside.

The common theme running through the entire EP is the transience of the present reality and the fleeting nature of the life we are currently living. The band explains that the term 'transience' is not solely negative; it carries the sentiment that something vague, fragile, and easily crumbling can be beautiful and precious. While some songs touch upon unrequited feelings and eternal farewells, the emotions of longing, yearning for life, and thoughts towards companions on the journey of life are also scattered throughout the five songs. The difficulty in expressing emotions through words alone is why, as ARKTA, they wanted to convey them through sound and it's the meaning behind creating and singing songs for them.

To celebrate the release of their EP, ARKTA will also be having two shows/events in Tokyo, Japan on April 28 and 29. Tickets links.

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“On the year of 2020, when 'freedom' was taken away from all around the world, two individuals, despite being distant in Tokyo and LA, gave birth to ARKTA. They turned adversity into strength and packed their own identity that had been cultivated over time into these five songs. The conclusion of 'Phase 0' with this EP marks the beginning of ARKTA. May the emotions woven by ARKTA, in overdrive, reach beyond Tokyo and LA to the entire world with this EP” - ARKTA (Tak, kenken)

Be sure to check out the music video for ‘The Lily’ below along with the streaming link for the EP here!

BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE release third album, ‘Back & Forth’!

‘Back & Forth’ jacket Cover

As they continue their musical activities in Japan and overseas, Japanese boyband BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE have released their third album ‘Back & Forth’, two years and three months since their previous album release. The lead track ‘In My Head’ is the group’s most emotional song to date, with lyrics about an unforgettable love written by the band members themselves. The music video includes story scenes that echo the song’s message, while shots of the group members performing show a more sensitive side than fans usually get to see, making it a must-watch video.

 Meanwhile, the song ‘God Mode’ is a cool hip-hop tune that reflects the spirit of delinquent team SIGUMA SQUAD from the anime ‘Bucchigiri?!’, for which the track is currently being used as the theme song. Another song on the album, ‘N.E.X.T.’, was previously performed on the group’s BALLISTIK BOYZ LIVE TOUR 2023 “N.E.X.T.”; the song was written by the members of BALLISTIK BOYZ, exploring their feelings about what can be gained by pursuing their dreams – and what must be sacrificed along the way. 

In the two years and three months since the release of their previous album ‘PASS THE MIC’, the group has been through significant change. The members of BALLISTIK BOYZ moved to Thailand for about six months, from August 2022 to February 2023. In addition to performing at Big Mountain Music Festival 12, one of Southeast Asia’s largest music festivals, they collaborated with Thai artist TRINITY on the song ‘Drop Dead feat. TRINITY’ and with popular Thai actor GULF KANAWUT on ‘All I Ever Wanted feat. GULF KANAWUT’, steadily expanding their footprint in Asia.

The new album’s title ‘Back & Forth’ is a reference to the way the group overcome all obstacles in their way and deepen their bonds as they go to and fro together, while always pushing forward. The album explores the group members’ deepest thoughts and feelings, so why not check it out?

Be sure to check out their latest music video for ‘In My Head’ below long with the streaming link for the track here!

Nissy and SKY-HI to Release Single “Stormy” Theme Song of Blue Lock -Episode Nagi-

At an exclusive fanclub event “10th Anniversary LIVE VIEWING TOUR 2023 -Nissy Meets You-” held at the Okinawa Convention Center Theater, it was announced that the collaborative song “Stormy” by Nissy and SKY-HI will be released as a single on April 17, 2024. This song was specially written for the upcoming movie, Blue Lock -Episode Nagi-, scheduled for release in Japanese theaters on April 19, 2024. It marks the second collaboration between SKY-HI and Nissy, following their previous work on “SUPER IDOL.”

Blue Lock, serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine, is a highly popular manga that has surpassed 30 million copies in total circulation. The anime adaptation, which aired in 2022, drew attention with its intense character portrayals and death game narrative, set in a fierce environment where “only the world’s most egotistical player can become the greatest striker,” and gained global popularity as “the most passionate and craziest soccer anime in history.” The egos of the protagonist, Seishiro Nagi, and his indispensable partner, Reo Mikage, converge in this first-ever theatrical adaptation of the series, and the stoic musical composition portrays the intense human drama as they fiercely compete for a single crown.

Co-created by Nissy, SKY-HI, Ryosuke “Dr.R” Sakai, and Daisuke Nakamura, this song combines an iconic refrain and a powerful beat with Nissy and SKY-HI’s exceptional vocals and rap, along with lyrics that express the charm of Blue Lock.