Music Corner 135: Maika Loubté

Maika Loubté Is a singer-songwriter, music producer, and DJ who currently lives in Tokyo. Spending her childhood and teenage years in Japan, Paris, Hong Kong and After graduating from high school, she discovered vintage analog synthesizers in which started her musical journey. While based on advanced electronic music, she places importance on authenticity of the "songs" themselves, stripped of their textures that is usually found in a majority of electronica songs.

Loubté is consistently exploring both novel and nostalgic music styles. Connecting numerous dots of sound, she creates original yet subconsciously familiar melodies listeners have an emotional connection to. As a multicultural songwriter, producer, and singer, Loubté takes in global influences as she experiments with sound using a number of vintage analog synthesizers in studio and has collaborated with the likes of Ryan Hemsworth and Miho Hatori. As a performer, she captivates fans with her unique vocals while playing a plethora of electronic instruments on stage while relying on her past experiences by singing in Japanese, English and French.

One aspect that sets Loubté apart from her contemporaries is her hauntingly beautiful voice. Her vocal range and controls are simply mesmerizing, evoking a wide range of emotions in her listeners. Whether she sings with delicate vulnerability or unleashes a powerful crescendo, Loubté's voice has an ethereal quality that leaves a lasting impression. Her vocal prowess is best exemplified in tracks like “Nobara” and “System”, where her evocative vocals take center stage, leaving listeners awe-struck.

Another notable aspect of Maika Loubté's music is her keen attention to production and sound design. She seamlessly blends organic instrumentation with electronic elements, creating a sonic landscape that is both familiar and innovative. This fusion of acoustic and electronic elements can be heard in tracks like “Show Me How” and “Ice Age” where Loubté's intricate production elevates her music to a whole new level.

In addition to her solo work, Maika Loubté has collaborated with various artists, further expanding her musical horizons. These collaborations have allowed her to experiment with different styles and genres, showcasing her versatility as an artist. Whether she's collaborating with a hip-hop artist on an upbeat track or lending her vocals to a downtempo electronic composition, wither it be tracks like “Hakumei” from KIRINJI or her latest release (as of this writing) “Blue Bird” from Shin Sakiura, Loubté's ability to adapt and shine in various musical contexts demonstrates her exceptional talent and adaptability.

As of this writing, she has four albums from 2014,16,19 and 21, along with abundant of singles released digitally. Be sure to follow Loubté on her official website, Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest music video “Ice Age” below!

Luck Life to Release Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5 ED Theme Song “Kiseki” on August 23!

LUCK LIFE Jacket Cover

Four-member rock band Luck Life has released the full music video for their new song “Fanfare,” from their first best album LUCK LIFE, which will be released on July 5 under the Lantis label.

“Fanfare” is a song that encourages you to do your best everyday, and the music video, which was filmed with fans, offers a glimpse into the bond that Luck Life and their supporters have cultivated over a span of 15 years.

Furthermore, Luck Life has announced that they will be performing the ED theme song for season 5 of the TV anime Bungo Stray Dogs. Titled “Kiseki,” the song features Luck Life’s signature powerful sound, indigenous melodies, and lyrics that skillfully evoke scenes and emotions from their own works and personal experiences, creating a perfect complement to the fifth season of Bungo Stray Dogs.

The single will be released in two formats: an Anime Edition featuring a Bungo Stray Dogs illustration on the cover, and an Artist Edition that includes a digest video of the band’s 15th anniversary concert held at EX THEATER ROPPONGI on March 15, 2023. Be sure to check out the music video “Fanfare”, along with the pre-order links for LUCK LIFE below!

Standard edition

Limited edition

LiSA Releases “REALiZE”: The Theme Song for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Japanese Dub), Together with Lyric Video!

REALiZE digital Jacket cover

 Popular AniSong vocalist LiSA has released her latest single, “REALiZE,” along with a new lyric video. “REALiZE” serves as the theme song for the Japanese dubbed version of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the latest installment in the Spiderman franchise, which hit theaters in Japan on June 16. Notably, this marks LiSA's first time performing a theme song for a Hollywood movie.

“REALiZE” is LiSA’s first new release in seven months since her 6th album LANDER was released in November 2022. The song was specially written for the Japanese dubbed version of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. “REALiZE” is a fast-paced rock tune that fully captures LiSA’s heroine energy, mixed by Zakk Cervini, a renowned mix engineer who has collaborated with many international artists. It is a must-listen song that transcends genre boundaries.

In the movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the protagonist, Miles Morales, defies and confronts the “fate” that previous Spider-Men had no choice but to accept. LiSA approached the movie’s world with sincerity, weaving a message into the lyrics that resonates with the story. The jacket photo, depicting “LiSA in the Spider-Verse,” was specially drawn by an animator involved in the movie’s production.

Alongside the release of “REALiZE,” a lyric video has also been unveiled. This video incorporates footage from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, intricately linking the lyrics and the scenes to build excitement for the upcoming movie release. Be sure to check out the track here along with the lyric video below!

On the Anniversary of Their Debut, the Sale of 3 BTS Films Originally Released between 2015 and 2017 Expands to More than 80 Countries and Territories, including America!

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut on June 13th, 3 BTS films originally released by Pony Canyon between 2015 and 2017 are now on sale in approximately 80 countries and regions, including America and European countries.

Originally released in 2015, 'BTS 2015 1st JAPAN TOUR 2015 "WAKE UP:OPEN YOUR EYES"' features recordings from the group’s national tour of Japan, which stopped in 4 cities and featured 6 performances. The film focuses primarily on their concert in Makuhari Messe. As a bonus, special behind the scenes footage and curated clips from each performance on the tour are also included in the package.

In 2016, '2015 BTS LIVE <In the Mood for Love ON STAGE>〜Japan Edition 〜 at YOKOHAMA ARENA' was released, which features a recording of the group’s performance on December 9th, 2015 at the Yokohama Arena. In addition to the captivating live performance replete with a custom stage design to evoke the world of the 'In the Mood for Love' albums, the package also features special bonus videos, such as a documentary that explores what happens behind the scenes, and all of the interviews with members that were played at each venue on the tour during the shows.

Finally, in 2017, '2016 BTS LIVE <In the Mood for Love onstage: epilogue 〜Japan Edition〜> ' was released, which features the full recording of the final performance from the 'In the Mood for Love: Epilogue' tour, which took place at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo. In addition, the package also includes a 'making-of' documentary that is approximately 1 hour long and shares the feelings the members poured into the performances as well as offering a glimpse into who they really are behind the scenes.

To all of the fans overseas who couldn’t get your hands on these shows until now, as well as those fans who have seen these shows many times, make sure to get your fix of the incredible charms of BTS with these 3 amazing film packages. Be sure to check it out in the links below!

◆Blu-ray - BTS 1st JAPAN TOUR 2015 "WAKE UP:OPEN YOUR EYES"

◆Blu-ray - 2015 BTS LIVE<In the Mood for Love ON STAGE>~Japan Edition ~at YOKOHAMA ARENA

◆Blu-ray - 2016 BTS LIVE <In the Mood for Love on stage: epilogue~ Japan Edition~>

YOJI BIOMEHANIKA’s remix of T99’s eternal rave anthem ‘ANASTHASIA’ is back with an all-new 2023 version!

Since the early 1990s, world-class Japanese DJ/producer YOJI BIOMEHANIKA has made an indelible mark on the history of dance music, ranking in the prestigious Top 100 DJs chart by British publication DJ Mag, and performing at major festivals such as Tomorrowland and EDC. Following the November 2022 release of ‘LOOK@THE HEAVEN (A REWORKED MIX FOR agefarre 2022)’, he continues his ‘REWORKED’ series with YOJI BIOMEHANIKA’s ‘ANASTHASIA 2001 (2023 REWORKED MIX)’, released globally last week.

YOJI BIOMEHANIKA’s original remix ‘ANASTHASIA 2001’ was released in 2000, based on T99’s immortal dance masterpiece ‘ANASTHASIA’, which hit No. 14 on the UK singles chart when it was first released in 1991. Now, this timeless classic is getting a 2023 update. 

T99’s original track ‘ANASTHASIA’ captivated music fans around the world with its massive sampling arrangement, and became an anthem on heavy rotation during the peak of Japan’s legendary club JULIANA’S TOKYO. The track is still popular among dance music fans today. This killer tune was then remixed by YOJI BIOMEHANIKA, who was active as a top producer in the nu-NRG genre that was popular in the UK dance scene at the time. ‘ANASTHASIA 2001’ began with a 2-minute-long break that finally erupted into a high-energy sound. Now, some 20-odd years later, this classic has an all-new revival as ‘ANASTHASIA 2001 (2023 REWORKED MIX)’. Following a break that gradually develops into chaos, the dynamic and rhythmic sequencing style that is YOJI’s hallmark kicks in, pulling everyone on the dancefloor and all the listeners wherever they are into YOJI’s world.

The 2000 version, ‘ANASTHASIA 2001’, is also being made newly available on download and streaming services on the same date.

In July, YOJI BIOMEHANIKA will take this new remix on the road, with performances at the Tidyland Weekender 2023 festival in the UK, shows in Vancouver and Calgary in Canada, and more to follow all around the world. Watch out for globally celebrated legend YOJI BIOMEHANIKA as he pushes forward to the next stage with endless energy.

Release information:

Artist: T99 with YOJI BIOMEHANIKA

Title: ANASTHASIA 2001 (2023 REWORKED MIX)

Release date: Friday, June 2, 2023

Format: Digital release 

Label: avex EDM

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Artist: T99 with YOJI BIOMEHANIK

Title: ANASTHASIA 2001

Release date: Friday, June 2, 2023

Format: Digital release 

Label: avex EDM

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■ YOJI BIOMEHANIKA profile

In the late 1970s, the young man who would become YOJI BIOMEHANIKA immersed himself in advanced music such as noise, musique concrète, and overdubs. Later, he resonated with the futurist movement that rolled out in the ’80s amidst the evolution of digital technology in the form of MIDI. He found his identity in its technology-oriented, danceable sound-making opportunities and alternative appearance.

In the early ’90s, he started his career as a dance music producer and DJ under the name YOJI BIOMEHANIKA. He released numerous works on bleeding-edge labels in Germany and the UK as well as in Japan, and quickly gained attention. He rose to stardom as a leading figure in the NU-NRG scene and created a following known as “Hanikers”.

With the arrival of the Millennium in 2000, the NU ERA was filled with expectations for the dawning of a new future. YOJI BIOMEHANIKA expanded the stage of his activities globally, launching the label HELLHOUSE with London as its distribution base, and released a series of 12-inch singles of his original tracks. Each release has made the charts.

He has released many DJ MIX compilations in Japan and abroad, handpicking a list of popular DJs to participate. 

In 2001, he released his first artist album ‘TECHNICOLOR NRG SHOW’ on avex (released overseas by ID&T in the Netherlands) and the first Japanese DJ live DVD ‘TECHNICOLOR NRG SHOWCASE’ in Japan. With a powerful stage presence and a string of original works that have become global anthems, he has jet-set across the globe to Western, Eastern and Central Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, where he broke out with an unprecedented run of performances including Mysteryland, Defqon-.1, Dance Valley, Tomorrowland, In Control, EDC, Creamfields, and many, many more.

He was the headliner at Sensation Black in Amsterdam for a groundbreaking two years in a row, and has frequently ranked in the DJ Mag Top 100, climbing to the 32nd position – unparalleled for a Japanese artist. In 2003, he won the Grand Prix at the Hard Dance Awards, established in the UK in its first year; and in 2011, he won two awards – Outstanding Contribution and Best International DJ Asia – in recognition of his contribution to the scene. His achievement in bringing hard electronic dance music from the underground to the mainstream market is a milestone in music history, and is one of the reasons why he is considered an industry legend.

He began performing under the artist name YOJI (without BIOMEHANIKA) since 2007, advocating a hybrid music style known as Tech Dance that shifts more toward techno. He has had many hits such as ‘SIX HOURS’, ‘TECHY TECHY’, ‘AIRPORT’, and others. After about seven years of musical exploration under this style, he returned to his identity performing a melodic big room sound.

In 2015 he returned to the name YOJI BIOMEHANIKA, rebooting his original persona with a full heart. He released his third album ‘CHAPTER X’ on avex EDM, his first album in 11 years, and all the single cuts from the album ranked highly on iTunes. In 2016, he launched the ‘BANGINGLOBE’ label (under dieTunes) as a platform for his overseas work. Releases from avex in Japan are released overseas on this label, and each release has entered the world dance charts. All three parts of the digital album ‘A QUARTER CENTURY OF YOJI BIOMEHANIKA’, a compilation of YOJI’s musical history released at the end of 2017, ranked in Beatport’s Top 5 albums.

In 2018, a rework of one of his signature tracks, ‘HARDSTYLE DISCO (2018 REVERSE BASS EDIT)’, was released and received a GOLD rating in a review from DJ Mag. The track is a huge anthem that continues to be loved by many artists around the world, and NWYR (W&W) performed a cover of the original track at Tomorrowland in 2017, where it became a scene sensation. The remix by Da Tweekaz and Sub Zero Project was released on avex EDM in Japan and Dirty Workz in Belgium, and became a mega hit. 

In the same year, he supervised the production of Japan’s first major hardstyle compilation, ‘BANGINGLOBE PRESENTS SUPER HARDSTYLE’ (avex EDM), which reached No.1 on the iTunes dance chart on its first day of release.