Frascotation Paints a New Palette with Their First Album!

Four-member rock band Frascotation announced that they will release a brand new album, 呼吸の景色 (Kokyu no Keshiki) on July 15th. This will be the latest release done by the band since their 人の為の愛、人の憂いに謳う (Hito no Tame no Ai, Hito no Urei ni Utau) E.P. back in October of last year and will be their first full-length album. Kokyu no Keshiki will come with fifteen tracks and will be available in a CD-only standard edition. To build up hype for the release, Frascotation has released the music video for their track “function” on A High Beam Records official YouTube channel. Directed by Marico Matsufuji, its masterly constructed compositions were put front and center and encapsulate everything the fans love about them. 

Check out the music video for “function” along with the pre-order links for Kokyu no Keshiki below!

Standard edition

Frascotation「Kokyu no Keshiki 」

01. スノードーム
02. 愛と殺意
03. function
04. 三角形
05. まどろみ
06. 水明
07. dress
08. 23:58
09. vivid
10. 光陰
11. 行間
12. 生きてゆく
13. 夕闇エスケープ
14. センチメンタル
15. ドライフラワー

Kat McDowell and MiChi Team Up for Paralyzing New Song!

Vocalists Kat McDowell and MiChi have teamed up for the first time ever for a new song titled “Paralyzed”. “Paralyzed” was released on May 20th is currently streaming on AppleMusic, Amazon, and Spotify. You can also purchase it on Kat’s website along with iTunes and Amazon! “Paralyzed” is an English track and incorporates lyrics that reach to everyone struggling to find themselves. It’s a beautiful song that gives you hope and brings awareness to mental health issues that many struggle with.

Kat McDowell is a pop singer-songwriter born in Tokyo and was raised in New Zealand. She has a successful career with four albums and five mini albums under her belt. MiChi is a electronic-pop singer-songwriter born in England and raised in Japan. She also has a successful career with four albums and many singles. Both ladies were under the major record label Sony Music at one time but now are currently independent artists. Kat and MiChi encompass Japanese and English in their music, bringing the East and West together.

Check out the music video for “Paralyzed” below!

AIMYON Shares Her Sixth Sense Story With Live Blu-ray!

Japanese pop vocalist, AIMYON is bringing fans a special treat with her latest live tour, AIMYON TOUR 2019 -SIXTH SENSE STORY- IN YOKOHAMA ARENA」coming to Blu-ray/DVD on July 8th! The tour took place on December 18th, 2019 at Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa Prefecture. AIMYON’s Shunkanteki Sixth Sense album was a big hit last year on the Oricon as it included the chart topping track “Marigold”. This tour will also include the hits “Haru no Hi”, “Manatsu no Yoru no Nioi ga Suru”, and her latest physical single “Sora no Aosa wo Shiru Hito yo”.

「AIMYON TOUR 2019 -SIXTH SENSE STORY-」 will come in four editions: a Blu-ray & DVD Limited Edition and a Blu-ray & DVD standard edition. All editions will include a setlist of 22 tracks, an off shot movie, and audio commentary for AIMYON’s final performance at Hyogo Memorial Hall, as well as her Yokohama performance. The Limited releases will contain a special packaging and a 56-page photo booklet. Check out the track listing, pre-order links, cover art, and special trailer below!

「AIMYON TOUR 2019 -SIXTH SENSE STORY-」

Blu-ray Limited Edition

DVD Limited Edition

Blu-ray Standard Edition

DVD Standard Edition

Track Listing:

01. ら、のはなし
02. 今夜このまま
03. ふたりの世界
04. 愛を伝えたいだとか
05. 真夏の夜の匂いがする
06. 二人だけの国
07. わかってない
08. ハルノヒ
09. ひかりもの
10. 生きていたんだよな
11. tower of the sun
12. 恋をしたから
13. おっぱい
14. from 四階の角部屋
15. 鯉
16. 夢追いベンガル
17. 貴方解剖純愛歌～死ね～
18. マリーゴールド
19. 空の青さを知る人よ
20. 満月の夜なら
21. 君はロックを聴かない
22. GOOD NIGHT BABY

特典映像 (Bonus Contents)

・OFF SHOT MOVIE
・オーディオコメンタリー (Audio Commentary)

Necry Talkie - ONE Album Review

Aiming to be Number ONE

Necry Talkie is a five-member pop rock band formed in 2017. They recently made their major label debut under Sony Music this year with their album ZOO!! which was released on January 29. However, the album I will be breaking down today is ONE, the group’s debut album which was released on December 5, 2018. Unfortunately it did not make it to the Oricon Top 10 but it still made a huge impact on their career. I am going to dissect ONE song-by-song. Let’s get started.

1.  “Rainy Rainy” This starts out the album with a bang with its fun and upbeat, energetic tune. The guitar and drums going back and forth give it a fun touch. Vocalist Mossa has such a unique voice that fits perfectly with its kinetic track.

2. “Konogaragatta!”Necry Talkie does not slow down as this one brings in the same intensity as “Rainy Rainy”; however, this track has a very interesting addition instrument wise. The keyboard in this reminds me of a xylophone. Mossa’s vocals are cute and fun as she brings a fluffiness to this unique composition. Tambourine is also heard in the background, giving it a nice extra spice. This is one of my favorite songs on ONE thanks to Mossa’s vocals and the composition and I can listen to it on repeat.

3. “Mechaa Kawaii Uta” This song starts off with Mossa’s lovely vocals and adds the same interesting melodies Necry Talkie normally infuses their tracks with. Mossa’s vocal style changes from cute to more rock and the melody becomes heavier before changing to light. This switching they do throughout the track makes for a memorable composition. Near the end, the song dramatically picks up, becoming very high paced and more sonically chaotic. It's a fantastic and unique way to end it.

4. “Typhoon”A fun summer tune that utilizes the keyboard, drums, and guitar. The usage of the keyboard makes it stick out from the other songs and adds a fun-loving emphasis. Mossa’s vocals are suitably very upbeat, making for an enjoyably poppy track to jump around and bop to. Two minutes in, Mossa’s vocals slow for 30 seconds before jumping back up to the usual beat, providing a satisfying transition of pace.

5. “Yurusei Hattori” When I first heard this I thought this track was part of a video game soundtrack; it sounds like something akin to a Mario and Legend of Zelda fusion with the kickoff to its introduction. Mossa’s vocals are extremely fast and this is the first time you hear the whole band chime in. “Yurusei Hattori” fluctuates between goofy and rock with its unique style and composition. Despite the odd video game sounds, you also hear music rock influence with their heavy use of the guitar.

6. “Oshare Taisakusen” Mossa’s vocals and the high energy this track possesses make it another favorite and also the first song I heard by them. I love the use of keyboard and drums at the beginning; it pulls you directly in and makes you want more, and it also shows off Mossa’s vocals and how much fun Necry Talkie has making music. Every time I hear it, I just cannot sit still.

7. “Gakkari saretakunaina” The first track that does not have a high energy feel to it and is a different style than the first six. It brings a slow pop rock composition and Mossa’s vocals are woven perfectly into it. This is another favorite of mine as it shows how versatile Necry Talkie is and that they are no one-trick pony through the change of style and Mossa’s vocal capabilities showcased.

8. “Dakejanai Baby” A more simplistic feel here with the use of the keyboard and the mid-tempo pop rock style. It is sung in an interesting fashion with how the guitar is being utilized with Mossa’s singing. As this is a more mid-tempo, slower paced song, Mossa’s vocals are brought out to shine.

9. “Yuuna” The first and only ballad on the album--and does this shine! It starts off with just Mossa singing until the guitar is slowly integrated in. This is where she shines the best, as her vocal range and skills are nicely showcased. In the chorus the whole band joins in and Mossa exhibits the true power of her voice here. I cannot express enough how amazing this track is. This is how a power ballad is done.

10. “Touboeno Sunset” This one starts off with the bass guitar on point with Mossa’s toned down vocals. Once you make it to the chorus the melody picks up then settles down slightly with the verses.

11. “Ashita ni Data” This is a real head-bopper and a foot-tapper. The melody catches you from the start and once you get to the chorus you are entrapped by its catchy beat and Mossa’s memorable vocal style. The ending to this song gives you the idea that it also sounds like it could serve as a great opening for another track.

12. “Natsu no Raimei” This is the second slow song on the album. It starts out with a very simplistic composition of just Mossa’s vocals with no music at all until the guitar is slowly added in. Her vocals also sound a little higher than in “Yuuna”, which shows how amazing her range is. I love how 1 minute and 30 seconds into the song the piano gets added in, then the whole band follows. The soft rock simplicity exhibited here fits perfectly and flows in melodic bliss. This is another example of what Necry can do with their music and a great way to end the album.

Since Necry Talkie was first introduced to me with “Oshare Taisakusen” in our Indie Corner Special, I was hooked. ONE was an album I anticipated when it was first announced back in 2018 and it did not disappoint. It gives you everything you wanted, expected, and more. ONE includes your expected high energy tracks, mid-tempo pop rock ones, and an unexpected ballad. Necry Talkie shows they are no one-trick pony, giving a variety of fantastic, memorable songs that you cannot get out of your head.

Luna’s score: 4.5 out of 5.

Support Necry Talkie and pick up their album ONE!

CD-only standard edition

Kiyoshi Hikawa Says Hello to Galileo With Upcoming Album!

Enka industry staple Kiyoshi Hikawa announced that he will be releasing a brand new album, Papillon -Bohemian Rhapsody-, June 9. His album cultivating the theme of “living on the preciousness of life”, Hikawa looks to shake things up for the upcoming decade. Popular tracks include hits like “限界突破×サバイバー “ (“Limit Break X Survivor”), which was performed at the 2019 NHK Kohaku Uta, along with “碧し” (“Aoshi”), which popular music group GReeeeN wrote and composed for Hikawa. Of course, as the title of the album implies, Hikawa will also take on the daunting task of covering legendary band Queen’s hit track “Bohemian Rhapsody”. 

The album will be released with fourteen tracks and two editions lovingly called Type A and Type B. Type A will be released with a CD and DVD which will include music videos of various tracks on the album while Type B will be a CD-only release. 

Check out the preview for his track “Papillon” along with the pre-order links for both editions of Papillon -Bohemian Rhapsody- below!

Papillon -Bohemian Rhapsody- Type A

Papillon -Bohemian Rhapsody- Type B

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Kiyoshi Hikawa「Papillon -Bohemian Rhapsody- 」

CD

01. Papillon

02. 不思議の国

03. キニシナイ

04. 確信

05. 限界突破×サバイバー

06. 青い鳥

07. Love Song

08. This is love

09. 碧し

10. おもひぞら

11. Never give up

12. Going my way

13. 笑っていこうぜ！

14. ボヘミアン・ラプソディ

Type A DVD

01. Papillon

02. 不思議の国

03. キニシナイ directed by HK

04. おもひぞら directed by HK

05. 確信 directed by HK