Music Corner Week 110: uruwashi

uruwashi is a track maker that started releasing content back in 2020. While still young in his career, he had already made a splash with his amazing compositions that really hook the listeners with nostalgic style of beats and emotional filled rhythms . His compositions are distinguished by their gentle melodies which emphasize the qualities of the guitar＆piano＆synthesizer.

One of the things that I absolutely love from uruwashi is that no two songs sound the same. While not having traditional vocals in his track, it doesn’t distract how you can get lost every single time. “Where Did it Go”, “Fall in Love”, “Night&Day” and “Waiting Around” are some of the great examples of how stylistic uruwashi’s range is without it sounding repetitive. 

While his career is relatively short, uruwashi has various amounts of work for fans to listen to. With over 20 digital singles and one album under his belt listeners will have no problem trying to find a song that sticks. 

You can check uruwashi out at his site along with his Twitter and Instagram. Also check out his track “Waiting Around” below!

Vicke Blanka Goes Through Changes in Latest Release!

“Changes” Jacket Cover

Vicke Blanka’s new single “Changes” was released globally this past week across all digital music streaming platforms.“Changes” is the ending song to ‘La Revanche des Crevettes Pailletées’ (‘Revenge of The Shiny Shrimps’), the sequel to hit French movie ‘The Shiny Shrimps’. The new film was released in France today, and the ending song will also be included when the film is released globally. “Changes” was written especially for the movie; Vicke Blanka delivers lyrics with a message about embracing change, singing a characteristic melody line in his beautiful falsetto voice. In the cover photo, Vicke Blanka has cut his trademark shoulder-length hair short as he touchingly sheds a tear.

Vicke Blanka said of the new single, “It’s a song about change. I wrote the lyrics while reflecting on how all of us want to change, how I want to change, how some things need to change, and how some things need to be changed. I’m honored to be involved in such an important movie.”

During the production process, Vicke Blanka exchanged emails in English with the film’s French directors, Cédric Le Gallo and Maxime Govare, to discuss the details. Of the directors, Vicke Blanka said, “I feel grateful for their clear opinions. The communication went very smoothly – which is probably to be expected, because all of us wanted to make the film as good as it could possibly be.” The directors also praised Vicke Blanka. “Vicke Blanka always put the needs of the film first, and he truly understood the emotions the film required,” said Le Gallo. Govare added, “Following our communication with Vicke Blanka, he provided the perfect song to close the film’s two hours of intense emotion. The song will find many dedicated fans in France!” On the same day, the music video for “Changes” was also released.

As indicated by the word “changes”, the video features magnificent and beautiful imagery that expresses how a change can provide the catalyst to resolve a situation that had previously held us back. Not only does this release act as a bridge between France and Japan, but it also marks a moment of “change” in the career of Vicke Blanka, whose work through music and now film will continue to send a message of encouragement to listeners all over the world.

La Revanche des Crevettes Pailletées is the sequel to The Shiny Shrimps, which was released in March 2019 and was a No.1 hit in France, as recorded by IMDb’s Box Office Mojo. The series depicts the real-world gay water polo team from France, the Shiny Shrimps. The sequel will be released in Japan on Friday, October 28, 2022. The new film follows the uniquely quirky members of the Shiny Shrimps as they travel to Japan to participate in the latest edition of the Gay Games, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ sports and culture festival. It is an exciting road movie filled with hilarity and drama.

In addition, Vicke Blanka will hold a national tour in Japan, titled THE TOUR ‘Vicke Blanka’. It will be the artist’s largest tour to date, taking in seven cities around Japan from August 27 through October 30. It will be exciting to witness the stage performance of Vicke Blanka as he celebrates the fifth anniversary of his major-label debut.

Be sure to check out the music video “Changes” below along with the streaming link for the track here!

“YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X” Join us! You’re the next super star! Go global together! “Nothing is Impossible!”

With the strongest members from Japan to the world, a boy band audition to discover the next superstar - produced by YOSHIKI.

YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X

We’ve got massive response, with some days receiving about 1,000 applications! With number of demands for extension of the application period, we’ve decided to accept additional applicants! Group (multiple-member) application is also accepted!

The detail of the audition is being revealed gradually!Two groups may debut - a dance & vocal group, and a band. Worldclass specialists from different genre will be gathered as a training team! YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X YOSHIKI as a producer, the audition to find and develop the world’s next iconic a boy band will be accepting additional applicants starting noon on Monday, April 11. This time in response to many inquiries, applicant as a band or a group is also accepted. During the online meeting on March 31 between YOSHIKI in LA and NTV audition staff broadcasted live on YOSHIKI CHANNEL, they discussed about the day they received about 1,000 applications in a single day, and also about the messages they were receiving such as “application period is too short,” “I’m not sure what kind of video to take,” and so on. In response, YOSHIKI brought up an idea of additional call for application, and the details were released today.

Also during the program, YOSHIKI expressed his vision about the group saying, “I have a feeling two different groups may debut; a dance & vocal group and a band.” He also said, “After meeting applicants in person, my ideas may change - and in that sense, this audition is a collaboration of applicants and us.” He also quoted about his detailed plans about their debut, “At this point, we’re looking at the timing sometime between the end of this year and spring, and I also want to prepare the right stage for that day.”

About the training team for the group, YOSHIKI says “I’m reaching out to worldwide specialists in various genre: for instance, people like fashion experts and voice trainers.” YOSHIKI has lived in Hollywood for some time and has a wide network of contacts worldwide, and therefore a strongest team possible is planned to be put together. YOSHIKI seems to be gradually watching the performances of the applicants. He comments,“Maybe I can set aside some time to watch all the performances with a hachimaki wrapped around my head (laugh)!” He also shared his surprising episode of him meeting an applicant who was a staff of the restaurant he went in LA.

For upcoming auditions, he’s now trying to set his schedule so that he can meet the applicants in person. As of the selection criteria, according to YOSHIKI, “ I will be cooperating with specialists of each genre, but I am an artist myself and also a producer, and I do wide range of music from rock to classic. So, for instance, I may notice something other great producers may not notice. From the perspective as a rock musician, I may find things in a dance & vocal group which professional dancers may not find. I have confidence in my keen eye for finding new talent.”

To this day, YOSHIKI has challenged “the existing concept of what is normal” and created a new era. With his keen eye to find true talent, this time as a producer, we can’t wait to see how he will deal with the applicants, with what kind of criteria he uses for selection, and finally, what kind of a boy band he will produce – this reality show sets itself apart from the many other audition programs looking for new talents.

With strongest members from Japan to the world – YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X – YOSHIKI as a producer, this competition series will be aired on “Sukkiri” and “Gyoretsu no dekiru sodanjo” (NTV) and also streamed on Hulu.

Please check our official website for details on additional applications, beginning noon on Monday, April 11.

≪YOSHIKI’s comment≫

Thank you for all of you who already applied. We are finding lots of wonderful performances. As I have experienced, going through audition is a tough procedure, forcing you to compete. You need to be strong mentally, and there will be number of challenges you’ll face. It’s so easy to give up, but including myself, I chose the tough way and moving forward on this path. I look forward to meeting such people through this audition.

As in the title “Superstar,” our staff and I are all working together so we can bring out a superstar to the world, so even if you aren’t sure about yourself, please don’t hesitate! I am so excited to meet all of you.

≪Audition Outline≫

Audition name: “YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X”

First recruitment for a boy band: March 1 ~ March 31, 2022 (application now closed)

Additional recruitment for a boy band: Monday, April 11 noon ~ Friday, May 20 23:59

Official website: https://yoshikisuperstar.com/en/

Official Twitter: @ yoshiki_s_star

Official Instagram: @yoshikisuperstar

Official TikTok: @yoshikisuperstar

Ken's Ongaku Go For March 2022

Picking it up after Luna and Gray, w e at OTY 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 featured on this site.

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“Flannel” by Ghost like girlfriend

It was so good to see Ghost like girlfriend come back with this release. After the unceremonious release of his EP From the Window by 2020, back in 2020 I had really thought that this solo project was gone. So to my surprise this was a back to form and reintroduction to both Ghost like girlfriend’s and his style, which I had absolutely loved. The wonderment and enticement that he does with the composition is absolutely amazing and just made me miss him even more. I really hope that “Flannel” isn’t a one off and will have more releases by Ghost like girlfriend in the near future.

Be sure to check out the lyric video “Flannel” below along track here!

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“Superpower” by SIRUP

SIRUP kicks off his 2022 with this amazing original track. Going back to his roots of having more of a rap feel with his releases, “Superpower” brings it back to basics so to speak and really shows off his skill as a vocalist and rapper. While the composition might not be the most original thing in his discography, it still shows off how he can appeal to the main stream crowd and still keep his hardcore fans as well. If this is the next step for SIRUP, I really can’t wait to see what is in store for him.

Check out the music video for “Superpower” below along with the song here!

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“Blue Star” by Mahiru

I honestly can’t believe that I missed this artist before this month. Mahiru is amazing vocalist with only two singles under her belt and is looking to be the new and upcoming star for this era. Her vocals are absolutely amazing. Mahiru is someone that I will definitely have to keep my eye on for a future music corner. “Blue Star” really brings out the best of her vocal range and with a more upbeat shift from her first single, “I Need You”, it is absolutely perfect. 

Check out the lyric video below with the track here!

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“Gal” by OHAYO feat. Shake Pepper. and Yvngboi P

Honestly I really blame tiktok for this, because of how popular this song is on the platform for the Japan sphere. The rap is very impressive and once you hear that first chorus, you can’t help but sing along to it because of how infectious it is. While the lyrics are NOT SAFE at all, the style of rap is bound to make its way around. While I don’t expect this to be making any list at years end, I can’t deny on how popular the current trend for this song is. 

Be sure to check out the lyric video for “Gal” below along with the song here!

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“SABOTEN” by Absolute area

In my struggles of trying to find rock this month, the lovely Apple algorithm lead me to Absolute area with their release of “SABOTEN”. Released back in July of last year, this is another song that I’m sad to have missed out on in the past months. Its composition is that sweet middle point of upbeat in pop-rock genre that I haven’t really felt since Polkadot Stingray. While I won’t say they are the male version of Shizuka’s style and vocals, it is a very close second. I honestly can’t wait for their next release and will look forward to their career with much promise. 

Check out the live version of the lyric video for “SABOTEN” below along with the track here!

WARPs UP Holds First Online Concert & Fan Meeting on April 23!

Japanese-Chinese boys’ collective WARPs UP will follow their hit January 14 single ‘POWER_xin’ with their first ever online concert, titled WARPs UP First ONLINE SHOW -Light UP Miracle-, to be held on April 23.

The show will feature many of WARPs UP’s original songs, presented with freshly arranged performances just for this concert. It will be followed by a fan meeting held exclusively for live viewers, while participants will receive a special background wallpaper featuring the stage set. Fans should not miss this exclusive event!

Event title: WARPs UP First ONLINE SHOW -Light UP Miracle-

Ticket purchase link: https://warapsup-live.zaiko.io/e/warpsup-live1st

Ticket sale period: April 5, 2022 thru April 23, 2022 at 19:00 JST

Concert date and time: April 23, 2022, from 19:00 JST

Ticket purchase benefits: Post-performance fan meeting, WARPs UP First ONLINE SHOW -Light UP Miracle- original wallpaper 

Also, to commemorate this debut online live event, original merchandise will be on sale for a limited time only!

Purchase link: https://warps.avex-shop.jp/

Sale period: April 6, 2022 at 22:00 JST thru April 25, 2022 at 23:59 JST