To Commemorate Lupin the Third's 50th Anniversary, Legendary Composer Yuji Ohno's Work is Available Across All Streaming Platforms!

Composer Yuji Ohno’s impressive 1,200 songs have started to be released to the world through music streaming and downloading services. One of his songs, “The theme of LUPIN Ⅲ”  is like a national theme song since every single Japanese person knows it.

Just what is LUPIN III?

LUPIN III is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Monkey Punch. It follows the escapades of master thief Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of Maurice Leblanc's series of novels.

Yuji Ohno is 80 years old this year. He is a composer and a Jazz pianist and is still active in the Japanese music scene. He is a very important figure and can’t be missed in the industry of  accompaniment for Japanese anime, movies, and TV commercials.  He was the pioneer for creating fusion and jazz music before it became very popular in Japan. And his sound is so original and special for its lyricism and its feeling of grandeur. All of his 75 works are being released now. Which includes the soundtrack of LUPIN III TV anime series from part 2 to part 6, and Hayao Miyazaki’s timeless masterpiece movie LUPIN III, The Castle of Cagliostro back in 1979.

Many fantastic artists have worked on his music. The list of artists and singers include Sandii, BOBBY, Sonia Rosa, Hatsumi Shibata, Tommy Snyder (Godiego), Miki Imai, Tomoyo Harada and Miyuki Sawashiro. To commemorate the release, the special playlist of “LUPIN Ⅲ” is now available through various services includes Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.

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LUPIN THE THIRD PART SIX LONDON ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK Jacket Cover

And also to commemorate its 50th anniversary since the manga was animated, the latest TV series of  LUPIN III, part 6 has been broadcasted! The prior release of the “THEME FROM LUPIN Ⅲ 2021” from the latest sound track has started.The arrangement is cool and bold with the influence of jazz and rock. The song is perfect to celebrate its special year along with an album being released later in the year.

The music of LUPIN III has been a hot topic this year. Let’s enjoy the sound of the music with the animation! The song has been loved in the world and it still never goes out of style with the streaming link for Yuji Ohno’s work here!

Kaz Reflects About the Seasons Changing with Latest Music Video!

CODE LOVE Jacket Cover

INTERSECTION member Kaz has released a music video for “Summer is Over”, the closing track on his debut solo EP CODE LOVE, which was released in September. This gospel-inflected ballad features guest vocalist Mai Anna, Kaz’s schoolmate at Harvard University. The song was produced by the two artists together, and is about a passionate relationship that blossoms in the mournful final days of summer.

Kaz commented, “The song has a gentle melody that evokes the end of summer, with a warmth and touch that feels like touching someone’s skin.” 

The music video features a full-length animation created by Mirai Mizue, who has made videos for numerous artists and is renowned for creating abstract and organic animation works called “cell animation”, a play on “cel animation”. The video is attracting attention online thanks to Mizue’s original interpretation of the themes of “Paradise Lost”, playing with abstraction, metamorphosis and trippy psychedelia.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Summer is Over” below, along with the streaming link for CODE LOVE here!

XANVALA Strikes Back with Latest Single!

“Seisen” Jacket Cover

Five-member alternative rock band XANVALA keeps building momentum and brings out a fighting spirit with a new striking single titled “Seisen”. As a result of constantly battling all the obstacles that the pandemic brought to the musical scene, XANVALA has developed a challenging attitude and solid resilience to keep moving forward. This approach is reflected in “Seisen”, which means ‘holy war’ or ‘crusade’. “Seisen” is a thrilling song with a strong beat and fiery vocals that manifests the everlasting fight that life is.

In addition to the title track, the single features the aggressive track “LEGAL” and the emotional ballad “Kuchinashi”. It includes a live DVD with footage from their concert at Takadanobaba AREA that took place on August 26th.

Although the official release date was set for October 18th, the single will hit stores all over Japan on November 3rd, 2021. “Seisen” is already available to pre-order online. There is also a special bundle sold exclusively through their official store that offers access to an autograph session via Instagram on November 2nd and 3rd.

This single follows the sophisticated EP Gayoku no maku and the thunderous single “Janome” released this year. In the meantime, XANVALA has been able to tour successfully within Japan with safety guidelines in place. This has given the band and fans the hope of reaching more areas and enjoying in-person concerts as before.

It is clear that the commitment of XANVALA to fight against all odds is strong. Moreover, it’s paying off as they are getting attention from more and more people in Japan and other countries.

Gear up and join XANVALA on the battlefield and check out the music video for “Seisen” below!

AKINA of FAKY Reflects on Past Love with Latest Single!

“Stupid, Careless, Dumb” Digital Jacket Cover

AKINA, a member of all-girl group FAKY, released her new single “Stupid, Careless, Dumb” on October 15 across all digital music streaming platforms. The lyrics to “Stupid, Careless, Dumb” are based on AKINA’s own past experience of drowning in love. The track was produced by TOSHIKI HAYASHI(%C), the backing DJ for duo chelmico, who has also worked with artists such as Kai Kubota, iri and Awesome City Club. This is a mellow, chill must-listen tune that will seep into your dreams.

AKINA stands out in the world of J-pop, thanks to her mixed American and Japanese heritage and her upbringing that was spent in various countries and cultures, where she developed a unique sense of music. She made her solo debut toward the end of last year with the Yaffle-produced track “Touch”, which was added to the influential Spotify playlists “New Music Friday”, “Girl On Fire” and “Dance Pop: Japan”. In addition, she has been widely praised for the strength and delicacy of her singing voice, while her cover of “Amazing Grace” was used in the movie A Morning of Farewell starring revered veteran actress Sayuri Yoshinaga – just two of AKINA’s exceptional achievements as a debut artist.

Then, on October 6, AKINA collaborated on a song with Tokyo-based duo The Burning Deadwoods, following their highly regarded releases with kiki vivi lily and PEARL CENTER members MATTON and inui. AKINA’s exceptional musical sense has taken her from global activity with FAKY to her budding career as a singer-songwriter, and now to the attention of Japan’s indie music scene.

Comment from AKINA

“‘Stupid, Careless, Dumb’ is about looking back on a past relationship and regretting how decisions were made. Everyone has a love that they wish they weren’t too immature for at the time so I hope you can relate to this one!!” — Akina

With producer TOSHIKI HAYASHI(%C) having traversed the spectrum from high-quality J-pop to lo-fi hip-hop and AKINA’s unique multicultural approach to music, the chemistry is ripe for some amazing results. Check out “Stupid, Careless, Dumb” to hear for yourself on all streaming platforms here!

STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION Becomes A Star in His Latest Release!

“TRISTAR” Digital Jacket Cover

Producer, Singer-Songwriter R・O・N’s project STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION has pre-released its newest single “TRISTAR” this past week October 14 across all music streaming platforms before the actual CD press version that is scheduled to be released on November 24, 2021. The new song is full of new challenges for STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION. As the chorus melody repeats, "Do what I want and do what I need", stimulates the earworms, it draws the charm of the lyrics and the track itself like no other songs he has created. What’s more to pay attention to is the strong melody and arrangement ideas. As the solid beats strongly supports the core roots, with shining synths and the gentle enveloping vocals are intertwined, just listening to the song makes you feel cozy as your heart bounces in the flow. STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION’s unique sound-making technique of treating his vocals as an instrument constructs the song not only as just pop but stylish.
“TRISTAR” is also sung in full English for the first time on a single for all his fans on the globe to enjoy. The English lyrics speak of his determination and positive feelings. R・O・N says, ”There are many times when people have to make choices and decisions, but at such times it became something that can be close to you as someone who gently pushes your back.”

“TRISTAR” has also been chosen as the ending theme song for the anime series “Muv-Luv Alternative”  where the story is about humans who wage a long battle against the extraterrestrial species BETA, with humanoid weapons known as Tactical Surface Fighters.

Japan’s top charting artist STEREO DIVE FOUNDATIONS continues in producing new forms of stimulating progressive music.