DA PUMP Shows Fans a Little Fantasista with Upcoming Release!

Popular seven-member dance unite DA PUMP announced that they will be releasing a brand new single “Fantasista～ファンタジスタ～” on September 30th. This will be the latest single release done by the group since “Heart on Fire” back in March and will be their Thirty-third single overall. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough information about the single at the time of reporting, however, the group is going out as the release will drop with five different editions, a CD-only standard edition,  a CD+DVD standard edition, a CD+Blu-ray limited edition, a CD+DVD limited edition, and a  CD+DVD+VR limited edition. As we look forward to this highly anticipated release check out the music video for the track along with the pre-order links for “Fantasista～ファンタジスタ～” below!

Standard edition 

Standard DVD edition

Limited Blu-ray edition

Limited DVD edition

Limited VR edition

Oresama Gives Excitement In New Single

Music duo Oresama has revealed that they will be dropping a brand-new single titled “GIMMME!” and is set to be released on October 14th. The new single will serve as the ending theme for the upcoming fantasy anime Maohjo de Oyasumi which is set to premiere in October. 

“GIMMME!” is being released in a single CD-only edition, which will feature the title song and another new track titled “Yakō no ame” plus the karaoke version of both tracks. Pre-orders are up and posted below along with their latest video for everyone to check out. Lastly, the full track-listing is posted at the bottom of the page.

GIMMME!

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ORESAMA「Gimmme!」

01. Gimmme!

02. Yako no ame

03. Gimmme!［Instrumental］

04. Yako no ame［Instrumental］

PIKOTARO Teams Up with Pokémon to Premiere Electrifying New Music Video!

Singer-songwriter PIKOTARO’s collaboration song with iconic Pokémon, Pikachu –"PIKA to PIKO"  is now available on digital platforms worldwide, along with a newly-released music video which premiered at the August 31 finale of the "Pokémon Virtual Fest" virtual amusement park event in Japan.

PIKOTARO and Pokémon came together to create something to help people smile and have fun at home this summer. "I’ve always felt a connection with Pikachu," said PIKOTARO. "I was dreaming of a way to collaborate with Pikachu, so I feel very lucky to have this opportunity to create a fun song together."

In "PIKA to PIKO", the internationally famous pair of pop culture icons dance and sing to each other with creative communication and sometimes surprising choreography.PIKOTARO explained, "I interpreted Pikachu's words by myself for this song. Nobody knows Pikachu’s language, but I think I understood it in PIKOTARO’s way. In the music video, I call Pikachu 'Pikataro' when he puts sunglasses on. Pikachu looks cuter with them on so I think his popularity might increase even more!"

Earlier in 2020, PIKOTARO released "PPAP 2020", an updated version of his 2016 hit "PPAP" (“Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen”), adding a new chorus of “Wash! Wash! Wash!” with the mission of helping children and adults wash their hands thoroughly. The video – with the message of “Pray for People and Peace” – made international headlines and has been viewed over 10 million times in more than 150 countries.

To create "PIKA to PIKO", PIKOTARO teamed up once again with arranger KOSAKA DAIMAOU, who produced PIKOTARO's "Stay-At-Home" trilogy ("PPAP 2020, "Hoppin' Flappin'", and "Sukiyaki"). The 2016 viral sensation "PPAP" achieved over 135 million views on YouTube, and the song’s multiple versions have amassed over 500 million views combined. "I would like all the children around the world to enjoy the collaboration between PIKOTARO and Pikachu," added PIKOTARO. "The whole world is in a difficult situation now, but I want to warm it up and entertain many people! KOSAKA-san's sound is really popping, too."

Be sure to check out the music video below!

Gray's Ongaku Go For August 2020

Continuing from Ken and Luna’s lead with another month down from 2020, we at Ongaku to You would like our readers to know what was filling our ears for the past month. Each track is available across all digital music streaming platforms with Apple Music being featured on this site. Here we go!

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“Blue” by LUCKY TAPES

This is such a great and wonderful song. The vocals of Kojikoji are done really well in this number and the lead vocalist Kai has a pretty solid rap game. He rarely breaks out and you get to hear it here in this track. It also has this nice laid back feel to it. My only gripe is that I wish it was longer as I feel like it ends too soon but the artist is in a good place when the biggest problem with their song is it is too short.

Check out “Blue” here along with the music video below!

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“I Believe…” by Hiragana Kamiyado

This is the last song on Hiragana Kamiyado’s freshman album HRGN. This is a slower number designed to show off the vocals of the group. The track does an excellent job giving each girl a moment to shine and the chorus has some really great harmonization. The song convinced me to check out their album and I’m was not disappointed.

Check out “I Believe…” here along with the music video below!

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“Tokyo Skip” by Koudai Yoshida

Here is a small preview for an upcoming music corner I plan on doing. This is the first track on Yoshida’s latest album, 0(Zero), that came out earlier this year. This song comes out of the gate swinging with a fun and unique sound. Yoshida has left a strong impression on me and this is just a small taste of what he has to offer.

Check out “Tokyo Skip” here along with the music video below!

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“In The Summer” by ARASHI

There is something about this song that keeps pulling me back to it. Its got a great medium tempo flow to it with a nice hook and sticks a good blend of the western and Japanese music managing to straddle the line between both. This is a fantastic addition to their discography and I encourage everyone to check out.

Check out “In The Summer” here along with the music video below!

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“Ayumi” by Yu-Ta from IVVY

From the moment the listener hears the opening piano keystrokes they know they are going to be in for one hell of a song. The vocal performance by YU-TA complements the melody very well. I didn’t know it was YU-TA himself who actually also did the piano work on this song and he is very talented. The music video that recently dropped shows off his skills and gave me a newfound respect for his vocal talent. Kento.i was my favorite member until I heard “Ayumi” and now YU-TA is easily my new favorite.

Check out “Ayumi” here along with the music video below!

ST. VINCENT Teams with YOSHIKi to Reimagine New York with Latest Release!

(ST. VINCENT photo credit: Pamela Neale)

Multiple Grammy-winning artist ST. VINCENT has partnered with international rock star/composer YOSHIKI to craft a fresh version of her song “New York”, released August 28 through Loma Vista and Concord in association with Universal Music.

The new version of ST. VINCENT’s bittersweet signature tune originally released on her international Top 10 album MASSEDUCTION features YOSHIKI’s classical-inspired arrangements that infuse the song’s timeless melodies with unpredictable new textures.

ST. VINCENT said, “It was an honor to work with the amazing YOSHIKI on this new version of ‘New York’. YOSHIKI’s arrangement added to the song in the way time or distance transform longtime friends or relationships: the original is still recognizable, but subtly and significantly altered.” YOSHIKI said, “As an artist, I admire how ST. VINCENT approaches music in an innovative and courageous way. Her music breaks the boundaries of genres, which is a mindset I can completely relate to. My band X JAPAN played the Coachella Festival in 2018 at the same time that ST. VINCENT performed, but at that time we didn’t meet. But this year, through mutual friends, we were introduced. In terms of ‘New York’, it’s a great song to start with, and I’m grateful that she trusted me to fully rearrange the song with my classical approach. I hope ST. VINCENT’s fans enjoy it, and that my fans will too.”

Be sure to check out the track across all digital music streaming platform here along with the official audio video below!