KIRINJI Announces 20 Year Anniversary Compilation Short Movies Created in Collaboration with both Warner Music and Colombia Japan

KIRINJI has released the compilation albums Melancholy Mellow - Amai Yuutsuu - 19982002 and Melancholy Mellow II - Amai Yuutsuu - 20032013 on November 7, to commemorate the 20th anniversary since their major debut. 

In conjunction with these compilation discs, two short movies have also been made available for viewing on YouTube. 

In charge of the directing, editing, and screenplay was photographer Eda Yuka (pictured left), who also directed the film, Shoujo Kaikou, which has been showing in art-house movie theaters throughout the country. The original screenplay was written for the compilations’ release, taking inspiration from KIRINJI’s songs, as well as from the Melancholy Mellow theme which is also the releases title. 

The two girls featured on the album covers (Fukukawa Kotone and Ando Niko) are the main characters. 

Director, screenplay writer, and editor, Eda Yuka gave the following statement regarding the compilations’ release: “I applied to the films, the concept of the band’s desire to present a new KIRINJI to the next generation. The theme of balancing respect for all of their work up until now, as well as their aspirations looking forward was very difficult. However, I think that their work up ahead will probably be something universal that anybody can enjoy. Right now, as the Heisei Period is ending, I would greatly appreciate it if many people would take a look at these films.

Purchase your copy of Melancholy Mellow - Amai Yuutsuu - 19982002 and Melancholy Mellow II - Amai Yuutsuu - 20032013 here and here. Check out the short films below!

Indie Corner Week 24: Mosaïque-arts

Mosaïque-arts is a five-member pop rock band formed in 2018 with one basic premise: to treat each track of their song as one unique piece of mosaic art. Whether it be guitarist Tomotake’s amazing guitar riffs or keyboardist Shotarou’s intelligent compositions mixed in with vocalist Konoha’s outstanding vocals, every song of Mosaïque-arts feels unique. Whether it be a gloomy and emotion-filled melody like “kaze”, a more synthesized heavy rhythm song like “８日”, or a more expression heavy song like”終わらぬ旅路に” (Owaranu Tabijini)", no two songs are thought of the same. 

Currently Mosaïque-arts has several demo songs on their YouTube page with hopes to release a mini-album within the next couple of months.

Check out Mosaïque-arts official site here, and Twitter here. Check out their song “Owaranu Tabijini” below!

Mosaïque-arts stars Shotaro (Keyboard)

Kazuki (Bass)

Konoha (Vocals)

Tomotake (Guitar)

Mitsui (Drums)

SKE48 Announces The Center For Their Upcoming Single!

Super idol group SKE48 announced the title for their 24th single to be “Stand by you”, set for release December 12. “Stand by you” will include Jurina Matsui as the center for the single and it will be the first single in two years to feature a center for two consecutive singles.

Matsui thanked all of the members that had joined SKE48 in the past ten years and she hopes the group stands strong and continues from this eleventh year onward.

Preorder the single here, an check out the announcement video below!

Yamapi Recruits A Special Guest For His Upcoming Album!

Artist Tomohisa Yamashita, more famously know as Yamapi announced today for his upcoming new album titled, UNLEASHED, being released on November 28th, he’ll be joined by fellow Johnny member Kazuya Kamenashi. Kamenashi who’s associated with the group KAT-TUN, will be join Yamapi on the album’s seventh song titled “Dancer”. UNLEASHED will be the first album in four years released by Yamapi and will released with three different editions which will include sin pits from his “Future Fantasy” live tour that he did in 2016. 

Preorder your copy of UNLEASHED here!

Indie Corner Week 23: Ai Namida

Ai Namida is a singer-songwriter who launched her career in 2014 while she was in middle school, getting noticed from her cover songs. While in high school she started performing lives and even published her first song, “虚と花” (“Uso to Hana”), which became Tower Records' number one indie song six weeks in a row.

Her latest song “夢月写” (“Mudezuki Utsushi”) shows off while having a very simplistic singing style and composition. It complements her melodic voice very nicely, just whisking the listener away to a calming state of mind.

Currently she has one mini-album titled,“虚と花” (“Uso to Hana”), which was released late last year. With her latest single titled, “夢月写” (“Mudezuki Utsushi”), that released in September of this year.

Check out her official website here, and her official Twitter here, and check out her song “Mudezuki Utsushi” below!