Tomonari Sora tops Billboard Japan’s Heatseekers Songs chart for third consecutive week with ‘Demons Banquet!

Demons Banquet Jacket Cover

Vocalist Tomonari Sora’s song ‘Demons Banquet’ has taken the No. 1 spot on Billboard Japan’s Heatseekers Songs weekly chart for March 6 – the song’s third consecutive week at the top of the chart.

The original demo for ‘Demons Banquet’ generated huge buzz on TikTok, and the song was released digitally in January this year. The track went on to rank on Billboard Japan’s Heatseekers Songs chart along with Apple Music’s J-pop chart, Spotify’s Viral chart and YouTube’s Music Video chart, in countries and regions worldwide.

‘Demons Banquet’ layers playful lyrics over a quirky, danceable track, conveying the strange sensation of accidentally stumbling into a beastly banquet.

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Comment from Tomonari Sora

“This is a song about the will to live. Even if others consider you a misfit, you only get one life, so live it to the fullest. These are the demon’s whispered words. I hope that when you listen to it, you can become immersed in the feast and forget about the worries of the world.”

Be sure to check out the lyric video for ‘Demons Bonquet’ below, along with the streaming links for ‘Demons Banquet’ here!

Yuyu to Perform OP Theme of TV Anime Mysterious Disappearances! Music Provided by Mafumafu 2nd Single “Hazard Symbol” to Release on May 15!

Yuyu, the 16-year-old Grand Prize winner in the Next Artist category of the “InuCon!” FlyingDog Artist Discovery Audition held in 2022, is set to perform “Hazard Symbol,” the opening theme song of the TV anime Mysterious Disappearances. The anime is based on a manga by Nujima (currently serialized in Shogakukan’s Yawaraka Spirits magazine) and will premiere in Japan in April. Additionally, “Hazard Symbol” will be released on May 15 as Yuyu’s second single. The music was produced by the popular singer and Vocaloid producer Mafumafu.

This song, which marks Yuyu’s first time performing the OP theme song of a TV anime, combines the dark atmosphere and catchiness that Mafumafu is known for with Yuyu’s singing voice, making it a perfect match for the opening theme of Mysterious Disappearances.

And, starting from this past week, Yuyu will also be kicking off the “Yuyu 100 Video Project” on her official TikTok account. She is planning to post a variety of songs, from original compositions to covers of popular tunes, along with behind-the-scenes moments and more. The first post features “Hazard Symbol.” Be sure to check out the second promo for Mysterious Disappearances below!

GENIC’s members show their songwriting skills on new album!

N_G Jacket Cover

Seven-member multi-gendered group GENIC have released their third album, ‘N_G’, on March 6, 2024 across all music streaming platforms.

The album’s title N_G comes from the “SeveN_Gifts” of its seven talented members, and is also a reference to the Japanese phrase “Negai_Goto”, which means a wish from the heart. With songs based on these themes, the album is filled with the type of vocal harmony that is unique to this seven-member co-ed dance and vocal group, and all the excitement and playfulness that J-pop brings.

The album includes 15 songs. Seven of these were created through a combination of the seven members’ individual talents, from composition to lyric writing to choreography, and others were produced by artists including Taiki Kudo from boyband Da-iCE, 2023’s Best Global Music Album Grammy Award winner Masanori Takumi, and Jazzin’park hitmaker Shingo Kubota.

From the deep meanings underpinning the album’s title to the worldbuilding of its songs, NG is the perfect introduction to GENIC and their music. Be sure to check out NG on all streaming platforms here along with the music video for ‘N_G’ below!

About GENIC

GENIC are a new-generation seven-member co-ed dance and vocal group, who formed in Japan in 2020. The group’s seven members are ATSUKI MASHIKO, JOE NISHIZAWA, KAKERU AMEMIYA, MAIKI NISHIMOTO, MARIA KANEYA, RYUKI KOIKE and YURARI UI. Recently, MASHIKO has also been pursuing a career as an actor, attracting attention from fans around Asia after starring in the hit drama series ‘My Personal Weatherman’; and since March, he has appeared as Haku in the stage adaptation of ‘Spirited Away’, taking his popularity to new heights.

ohashiTrio and THE CHARM PARK release lyric video for ‘Candy’ alongside first album ‘Trio & Charm’

‘Trio & Charm’ Jacket Cover

artist ohashiTrio and Tokyo-based artist THE CHARM PARK released their first album together, ‘Trio & Charm’, on Wednesday, February 28. The album is a collaboration between ohashiTrio and THE CHARM PARK, two successful singer-songwriters who together produce timeless pop music based around acoustic guitar and vocals.

Both musicians are often praised for their high level of musicality, and as a result, the album is filled with simple yet deep arrangements that only this duo could produce. It includes five new songs, such as the instrumental song ‘16mm’, as well as new versions of each musician’s solo songs, and covers of Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and Yumi Matsutoya’s ‘Seishun no Regret’.

A lyric video for album track ‘Candy’ was also released on the same date. This mid-tempo song features warm, playful guitar and a sweet melody, with lyrics written by Kazunori Ichikawa, also known as youmou from the duo youmou to ohana.

Be sure to check out the streaming links for ‘Trio & Charm’ here, along with the ‘Candy’ lyric video below!

BE:FIRST Released New Digital Song ‘Set Sail’ - A Unique Collaboration with ONE PIECE CARD GAME!

‘set sail’ Jacket cover!

BE:FIRST, a captivating seven-member dance and vocal group from Japan, launched their new digital song ‘Set Sail’ on February 26, 2024. Now, it is available for streaming and download on major platforms. ‘Set Sail’ is a glimpse into BE:FIRST’s exciting new single (title TBC), set to release on April 24, 2024. Coupled with the song’s release, a special collaboration video was showcased on the ONE PIECE CARD GAME’s official YouTube channel, amping up excitement for both BE:FIRST and ONE PIECE anime and card game enthusiasts.

‘Set Sail’ was envisioned as a ONE PIECE CARD GAME x BE:FIRST Collaboration Song. Launched exclusively on Monday, February 26, the song marked BE:FIRST’s first digital offering of 2024. The band has been on a hot streak, experiencing rapid success with their first dome performances in Japan this spring, which sold out in a staggering three minutes. The song, blessed with an emotional melody and dynamic tempo, was crafted by the celebrated producer, UTA, Yohei from TinyVoice Production, and SKY-HI. 

BE:FIRST members, SHUNTO and RYUHEI, avid fans of ONE PIECE card game and its original manga and anime, co-wrote the lyrics to ‘Set Sail’ with SKY-HI. The track is a thrilling fusion of futuristic funk and rock, combined with resonating lyrics. It’s a track that is bound to captivate both ONE PIECE card game and anime fans.

The specially curated ‘Set Sail’ video, released on ONE PIECE CARD GAME’s official YouTube channel, showcases exclusive footage of BE:FIRST members performing the song and enjoying the card game. The video also features highlights from the previous ONE PIECE CARD GAME World Championship and regional events.

Be sure to check out the special video that BE:FIRST did for the collaboration below, along with the streaming link for ‘Set Sail’ here!