FEMM surprises fans with their last Xmas present: RiRi’s solo MV ‘Living in the Spotlight’

FEMM member RiRi’s first solo MV “Living in the Spotlight” was dropped on Dec 26th. This song was included in their last EP “CHERRY,” which was released on Nov 15th.

RiRi directed and edited this MV herself, and it really shows that she wanted to express her feelings directly to agents. In the video, she showed herself both as a mannequin and also as her human self as Emily Kaiho. From this, we can see that she is embracing her two personas and will proceed with her journey.

FEMM took their final year 2023 by storm. They opened with their Poland performance, and then appeared at major festivals in the UK, Germany, US, and Saudi Arabia. Finally in December they had their last oversea concert “Last FEMM-Isation” in London, and final concert “HIMM&FEMM” in Tokyo with the collaboration with Tokyo’s largest LGBTQ+ organization “fancyHIM.”

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Message from RiRi

“Did you watch my solo MV ‘Living in the Spotlight’ already? Since the process of making this song, I always had a vision that it had to be 100% me. In the beginning it feels like a settle graduation song, but it gets pretty aggressive and also fragile. Emotions can easily get messy with me, and chaotic sometimes, but maybe you agents are the same too.

It was the first time that I did the whole thing, from brainstorming to direction and editing. It really has all my DNA in there. I hope you accept by surprise Christmas present to you.”

Be sure to check out the music video for ‘Living in the Spotlight’ below!

STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION Releases Captivating Single 'Drifters', Along with US Appearances!

“Drifters” Digital Jacket Cover

Rising Tokyo-based musician STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION is set to release his new single, "Drifters" on Friday, January 12th, 2024. This new anime-inspired track seamlessly blends Pop, Piano Rock, and Electro Pop, transcending conventional boundaries of musical genres.

"Drifters" emerges as a captivating anime anthem meticulously crafted with a dance-pop foundation, seamlessly veering towards a pop-oriented style that sets it apart from the ordinary. STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION skillfully integrates a calming ambiance in select segments, intertwining samples and analog synths to create an immersive auditory experience with enchanting vocal processing.

The production of this new song reflects a conscious commitment to the artistry of modulations, deftly playing with passing chords to weave a rich musical tapestry. Crafted with precision, the melody is a testament to STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION's dedication to creating a comforting and enjoyable listening experience.

STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION invites music enthusiasts and anime aficionados alike to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of "Drifters." This single stands as a testament to the artist's prowess in transcending musical boundaries and delivering a sonic masterpiece that resonates on a profound level.

The song is also the official Ending theme of the TV anime series “SYNDUALITY Noir”
RON comments, “This song is perfect for times when you want to unwind, like during a leisurely drive! Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial in living each day to the fullest. It is important to always have a sense of purpose, think consciously, and act with intention as the key to living flexibly."

2024 SHOW INFORMATION

STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION 10th Anniversary World Appearance

2/2 - ANIME EXPO SANTIAGO Santiago, CL: ​EVENT LINK

3/8-3/10 - ANIME MILWAUKEE Milwaukee, WI: EVENT LINK

3/29-3/31 - KAWAII KON HAWAII Honolulu, HI: EVENT LINK

Completed:
10.29.2023 - Anime Weekend Atlanta, GA:
11.11.2023 - KYOANI MUSIC FESTIVAL Kyoto, JP

11.17-11.19.2023- Kumoricon Portland, OR:

11.26.2023 -  Kita Kyushu Pop Culture Festival Fukuoka, JP
12.16.2023 TENSURA 10th LIVE Chiba, JP

Atarayo’s song ‘「I am...」’ selected as anime series ‘The Dangers in My Heart’ Season 2 opening theme song!

“A band that feeds on sadness.” Three-member rock band Atarayo will provide the opening theme song to the second season of the anime series ‘The Dangers in My Heart’, which will begin broadcasting in January 2024. Their song ‘「I am...」’ was written especially for the show, and will be released as a digital single on January 8, 2024.

‘「I am...」’ is a dramatic, emotional song that will pierce your heart, with lyrics that dissect the feelings of ‘The Dangers in My Heart’ protagonist Kyotaro Ichikawa through Atarayo’s eyes, and a melody that expresses the viewpoint of a character whose lonely world is suddenly blown wide open. 

Atarayo vocalist/guitarist Hitomi commented, “The song ‘「I am...」’ presents an unvarnished look at Ichikawa’s perspective and feelings. We created a song that is shot through with the essence of Ichikawa’s personality.”

On Sunday, December 10, Atarayo performed at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA in Tokyo as part of an event titled TV Anime ‘The Dangers in My Heart’ FAN FESTA 2023~karte12.5 Bokura wa Shibuya ni Atsumatta~. At the festival, Atarayo played ‘「I am...」’ live for the very first time. On the same day, the official trailer for the second season of ‘The Dangers in My Heart’ was released, raising anticipation for the upcoming new season to a frenzy.

 Look out for the new season of ‘The Dangers in My Heart’, and keep an eye on Atarayo as they forge forever forward.

Shinichi Osawa and RHYME’s dance music unit RHYME SO release long-awaited first album ‘IAFB’

IAFB Jacket Cover

RHYME SO are a dance music duo featuring pioneering DJ and producer Shinichi Osawa (MONDO GROSSO) and music partner RHYME. Since making their debut with US-based music company 88rising, RHYME SO have explored the artistic processes and pathology of creative work in the modern age, with their innovative electro sound revealing the psychology and conflict inherent to the craft of making music.

Released on November 24, RHYME SO’s first full-length album ‘IAFB’ marks an important milestone for the duo. Throughout the album, the euphoric electro songs are infused with acid house-style modulation and deep bass, folding in the destructive power of industrial hip-hop, the deep low end of modern trap, a tech house vibe, and even classic “parapara” and Eurobeat elements – stretching Osawa’s versatile musicality to new limits. 

Over this, RHYME’s lyrics coolly and sometimes violently describe the conflicts that artists face in modern times, from the ills of consumerist society to the rise of influencers, lack of self-esteem, feelings of despair and emptiness, and an unquenchable thirst for recognition. These themes intertwine via reinterpreted takes on Japanese poetic verse such as haiku and tanka, resulting in a truly unique album. ‘IAFB’ is a love letter to all music fans and cultural explorers, created by a duo who are constantly searching for “that special something that will provide the next wave of Japanese sound with a bridge to the world”. 

The next step in the global evolution of J-pop and dance music has arrived. Check it out and hear it for yourself by checking out the music video for ‘POSEABLE’ below along the streaming link for IAFB here!

Gray's Ongaku Go For November 2023

As the autumn leaves of November have passed us by, that means it’s time for this month’s Ongaku Go! We at OTY would like our readers to know what has been filling our ears for the past month. Each track is available across all digital music streaming platforms, with Apple Music featured on this site, along with our Spotify playlist here!

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“Sundadokei” by White Jam

This is the latest single by White Jam, and it is not only really good but also made me realize how much I’ve missed these guys’ songs. This has been a pretty quiet year for White Jam, but this song shows they are still working very hard in the industry.

Check out “Sundadokei” here and in the video below!

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“WHITE SNOW” by IVVY

A winter song by a boy group is going to be pretty much what you expect from them. Even though this is pretty standard fair for this time of year, I enjoyed hearing these guys belt it out in this track. The whole thing comes together well. This is another group that has been pretty quiet this year, so it was nice to hear something from them.

Check out “WHITE SNOW” here and in the video below!

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“snow love” by tonun

This is a lovely seasonal track with a tonun magic touch. “snow love” has a nice upbeat rhythm to it with a nice hook. It’s quite the ditty and I’ve been really enjoying this one.

Check out “snow love” here and in the video below!

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“chiguhagulove” by lol

Gray liking an lol song is certainly nothing new, but still, I’ve got to be true to myself and put this song on the list. I enjoy the composition work on this, and it just has this lovely charm about it.

Check out “chiguhagulove” here and in the video below!

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“Better With You” by GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE (Ryuto Kazuhara)

While this was released on the latest GENERATIONS’ single, this is a solo track for Ryuto Kazuhara, and it features the best vocal performance I’ve heard all year. Falsetto on men is a bit trickier to hit, and a lot of male vocalists can’t do it well, but Kazuhara nails it here and has completely captivated me. This is easily one of the best songs I’ve heard all year, and I will be talking about it again at the end of the year.

Check out “Better With You” here and in the video below!