Jun Shibata Bring Back the Joy with Upcoming Album!

Singer-Songwriter Jun Shibata announced that she will be releasing a new album 蓮の花がひらく時(Hachisu no Hana ga Hiraku Toki) On December 23. This will be the latest album since Brinicle back in October of 2018 and will be her thirteenth album overall. Akihito Matsuura and Toshiyuki Mori, who have supported Shibata's previous activities, will be handling the arrangement. It will come with ten tracks total, including songs that bring emotions to the forefront and will clearly produce a beautiful world with multiple choruses.

The album will drop with two editions, both of which are CD-only. The limited edition will come with a SHM-CD with LP size jacket for high sound quality and an additional CD containing instrumentals for the album. Shibata commented on this work, "I've become so confident that it's the first time I've been so confidently recommended to listeners!"

Be sure to pre-order both editions of Hachisu no Hana ga Hiraku Toki below!

Standard edition

Limited edition

Jun Shibata「Hachisu no Hana ga Hiraku Toki」

DISC 1

01. はじまりはじまり
02. ループ
03. ハイウェイ
04. 紫とピンク
05. 真っ白な真っ黒
06. 私が居てもいい世界
07. シャンデリアの下で
08. 珈琲の中
09. 可愛いあなた
10. エンディング

DISC 2（※Limited Edition Only）

01. はじまりはじまり（Instrumental）
02. ループ（Instrumental）
03. ハイウェイ（Instrumental）
04. 紫とピンク（Instrumental）
05. 真っ白な真っ黒（Instrumental）
06. 私が居てもいい世界（Instrumental）
07. シャンデリアの下で（Instrumental）
08. 珈琲の中（Instrumental）
09. 可愛いあなた（Instrumental）
10. エンディング（Instrumental）

May J. Commemorates 15th Anniversary With Best Album!

Pop vocalist and icon May J. is commemorating her 15th Anniversary with a new best album titled May J. W BEST 2 -Originals & Covers- and is set to release on January 1st, 2021! This album marks the beginning of May J.’s 15th Anniversary year and begins where her May J. W BEST -Originals & Covers- left off in 2015. This album begins with the single “Faith” that was used as the ending theme song for the popular game and anime GOD EATER 2: RAGE BURST along with “Futari no Mahou” that was used as the opening theme to the anime Gundam Reconguista in G. It also includes the popular duet with Yashiro Aki “10,000 nichi -Mirai no Tobira-” and was composed by Angela Aki. Disc 1 includes all of May J.’s original tracks while disc 2 will include all her covers. It will include a total of 26 tracks.

May J. W BEST 2 -Originals & Covers- will be released in three editions: 2CD + 4DVD limited edition, a 2CD + 2DVD edition, and a 2 CD standard ediition. The 2CD + 4DVD limited edition will include music videos for May J.’s original and cover songs, May J. Tour 2019 -New Creation- at Zepp Tokyo with audio commentary, and 15 nen wa furikaeru BAKURO TAIKAI (bonus video: looking back at 15 years) which will all be housed in a box with 3 face digipak packaging and will include a lyric book, 40 page photobook, and an anniversary collectible. The 2CD + 2DVD standard edition will only include the music videos for both original and cover songs. Check out the pre-order links below along with the track-listing and latest music video “M” below!

2CD + 4DVD limited edition

2CD + 2DVD standard edition

2CD standard edition

May J「May J. W BEST 2 -Originals & Covers-」

Disc 1 - Original Best:

01. Faith（Japanese Ver.）
02. ふたりのまほう
03. Have Dreams!
04. 母と娘の10,000日 ～未来の扉～ duet with 八代亜紀
05. My Star~メッセージ~
06. HERO
07. 絆∞Infinity
08. Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! feat. 村上佳佑
09. Wishes come true -咲き誇る花たちに-
10. Wish Forever
11. 嘘つき、嘘つき。
12. ロンド
13. SIDE BY SIDE

Disc 2 - Covers Best:

01. Another Day of Sun（with Miracle Vell Magic & Beverly）
02. RIDE ON TIME
03. ひまわりの約束
04. 深呼吸
05. I Will Always Love You
06. 春よ、来い
07. 異邦人
08. 愛が生まれた日
09. M
10. 糸
11. Time To Say Goodbye
12. Can't Take My Eyes Off You
13. Garden（NEW Remix）

DVD:

Disc 1 - Original Music Video:

01. Faith（Japanese Ver.）
02. Have Dreams!
03. 母と娘の10,000日 未来の扉 / May J. duet with 八代亜紀［真野恵里菜主演 ドラマVer］
04. 母と娘の10,000日 未来の扉 / May J. duet with 八代亜紀［Studio Sessinon］
05. My Star ～メッセージ～
06. Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! feat. 村上佳佑
07. Wishes come true -咲き誇る花たちに-
08. Wish Forever
09. SIDE BY SIDE

Disc 2 - Covers Music Video:

01. RIDE ON TIME
02. 深呼吸
03. 春よ、来い（Studio Session Clip）
04. 異邦人（Studio Session Clip）
05. M（Studio Session Clip）

Disc 3 - LIVE:

May J. Tour 2019 -New Creation- @Zepp Tokyo
副音声収録：「橋本さんと愉快な仲間たちによるオーディオコメンタリー」

Disc 4: Bonus Video

「デビュー15年を振り返るBAKURO TAIKAI !」(Debut 15 Nen Furikaeru BAKURO TAIKAI)
May J.とマネージャーによる座談会 、インタビュー、未公開の海外オフショット映像含むスペシャルコンテンツ ※収録時間未定

FAKY Shows us a Little More with Latest Music Video!

Five-member female dance group FAKY, has released a music video for their latest song "little more". Taking into account the social background of 2020 which forces a lot of people to refrain and restrict themselves to prevent from the ongoing crisis. This music video expresses that conflicting feeling of frustration which they believe should be channeled as it is a feeling that is just one step away from becoming a feeling of empowerment. This is their second single following the release of "Darling (Prod. GeG)" produced by GeG from Hentai Gentlemen's Club and their dance single trilogy. Expectations were high for the release of this music video since this is their new dance tune in a while ever since the release of their single “NEW AGE” that was released in November last year.

To answer their fans expectations, this music video will let fans enjoy FAKY’s dance to the fullest and will show an even more powerful FAKY. Particularly the scene where FAKY came out of the mirror to confront FAKY in the real world by having a dance battle that visually expresses the lyrics of the song which represents the conflict that everyone has with themselves. The dance for this music video was choreographed by a Norwegian dance crew "Quick Style". They have choreographed for global artists such as BTS's "Boy With Luv" and NCT 127's "Kick It" and this is their first time to choreograph a Japanese group. Their delicate and bold choreography along with beautiful canon formations accompanied by fine beats is a must-see.

Quick Style commented about the project “…We are very excited to work with a female group for the first time.  This will be different from previous groups we have worked with such as NCT, SuperM, and BTS, But since we already have a close relationship to Japan it felt very natural for us to work with FAKY. FAKY and avex made this experience even better by putting all their trust in our craft and vision for the girls. We believe in Japanese pop music and the potential in its presentation value. That is why our mission is to make sure J-POP reaches the international level in artistry, choreography, presentation, and quality. We hope we will be able to work more with the Japanese music industry in the future and be a part of the artistic development.

Be sure to check out the music video in question below, along with the digital streaming link here!

Miliyah Kato Reveals Details On New Album!

Pop singer-songwriter and fashion designer Miliyah Kato revealed the detailed information on her upcoming album to be released on November 25th. The title was revealed as COVERS -WOMAN & MAN- and will be Miliyah’s first cover album. This will be a two-disc cover album with a total of 15 tracks and will include songs by popular artists such as Shiina Ringo, Koda Kumi, Utada Hikaru, Amuro Namie, Aoyama Thelma, RADWIMPS, Cocco, Nakashima Mika, and many more! This release comes a month after a tribute album titled INSPIRE, dedicated to Miliyah Kato released on October 28th.

COVERS -WOMAN & MAN- will be released in two editions: a 2 CD + DVD limited edition and 2 CD standard edition. The 2 CD + DVD limited edition will include a Special Acoustic Session -Uta no Au 2020- . More details on bonus items will be announced as the release date draws closer. Until then, check out the pre-order links, track listing, cover artwork, and latest audio video track below!

2CD + DVD limited edition

2CD standard edition

Miliyah Kato「COVERS -WOMAN & MAN-」

CD:

Disc 1:

01. 本能 / The original song by 椎名林檎 / Produced by ALI
02. Can You Keep A Secret? / The original song by 宇多田ヒカル / Arranged by SUNNY BOY
03. Don't wanna cry / The original song by 安室奈美恵 / Arranged by 理貴
04. そばにいるね / The original song by 青山テルマ feat.SoulJa / Arranged by Carlos K.
05. STARS / The original song by 中島美嘉 / Arranged by Shingo.S
06. TAKE BACK / The original song by 倖田來未 / Arranged by Matt Cab
07. 強く儚い者たち / The original song by Cocco / Arranged by トオミヨウ

Disc 2:

01. Teenager Forever / The original song by King Gnu / Produced by 常田俊太郎
02. 花束のかわりにメロディーを / The original song by 清水翔太 / Arranged by 清塚信也
03. 優しさ / The original song by 藤井風 / Arranged by Nao Tanaka
04. me me she / The original song by RADWIMPS / Arranged by トオミヨウ
05. BABY BABY / The original song by 銀杏BOYZ / Arranged by 長岡亮介
06. いかれたBaby / The original song by Fishmans / Arranged by Reggae Disco Rockers（RDR）
07. 百合の咲く場所で / The original song by Dragon Ash / Arranged by TSUTCHIE（SHAKKAZOMBIE）
08. OH MY LITTLE GIRL / The original song by 尾崎豊 / Produced by Chaki zulu（Husky Studio、YENTOWN）

DVD:

・加藤ミリヤ presents Special Acoustic Session -歌の会 2020- (Kato Miliyah presents Special Acoustic Session -Uta no Au 2020-)

XANVALA Welcomes Fan to their World with Upcoming Single!

Up-and-coming five-member visual kei rock band XANVALA continues to break into the scene with a new single titled “XANADU” to be released on December 16. “XANADU” is a dynamic song with a catchy rhythm, vigorous guitar riffs, and high-powered vocals that will captivate many people! This energetic single will come with a CD-only standard edition with two tracks.

The band started activities this year with a strong pace and didn’t surrender to the unfortunate ongoing crisis. The good response from the audience led to their album compilation Roku jyuusou and previous singles to be sold out quickly. Since these past works were put on sale exclusively by mail order and during concerts, “XANADU” will be the first release from XANVALA to get distribution in physical shops.

Like other artists in Japan, XANVALA has been able to come back to perform in front of an audience slowly, with reduced capacity and sanitary measures in place. Nevertheless, the band has not stopped to do paid and free online concerts to reach more people. Recently, Japanese and international fans were able to enjoy a Halloween theme online live on YouTube. This was premiered on October 29th.   

Be sure to check out the music video for “XANADU” along with the pre-order link for the single below!

Standard edition

XANVALA 「XANADU」

CD:

01. XANADU

02. Mikado [帝]