Keiko

Solo single from Kalafina member Keiko, “Yuuyami No Uta”, released earlier this year. Produced by Yuki Kajiura, this is an anime tie-in for the show Sengoku Youko: World Reform Siblings Arc. This is a wonderful CD, absolutely superb in every way. I have literally listened to it a dozen times (all 17 minutes of it) since I first checked it out yesterday. Keiko is a great singer. This edition comes with a Blu-ray with the official video and a making of bonus. This has officially opened up a whole new rabbit hole for me.

(My shot of said single)

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Rozen Horizon

Got the 2022 Roselia mini album “Rozen Horizon” delivered this week. Five songs, five minutes each. Roselia is one of the most interesting bands in Japan, rooted in the Twilight Zone of J-Pop, classic rock and anime. I have given some background in an earlier post. Everything is top notch, the playing, the vocals, the songs, production, image etc etc. This is very very Japanese. Got a collectors card with the set. Lovely 24 page photo booklet. You can check out live performances and videos on YouTube. The title track here, “Rozen Horizon” is a classic (bit of Rainbow “Spotlight Kid” in the riff).

(My shots of said release)

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Rebellion

Again, got to put the old Sherlock Holmes hat on for this one as well. In one way or another, this 4 track single from Siegfeld Ongakugakuin Chut (probably translates to Seigfeld Institute of Music Junior High, which is spelled out on the back of the CD), is related to the “Blue Anthem” project. In fact, as I search for information on Project Revue Starlight, which is mentioned on both CDs, I finally unlock the secrets behind all of this. According to Wikipedia then, Revue Starlight, or Girl´s Musical Revue Starlight, is a Japanese media franchise created in 2017 by Bushiroad, Nelke Planning and Kinema Citrus. We are talking about musicals, a 12 episode anime series, two animated films and a smartphone game. Battle Royale type performances on theater stages, set to music (like “Blue Anthem” and this single “Rebellion”). Sadly, my editions do not include the bonus DVDs (which is very common in Japan), but that is out there. I did get a collectors card with this CD though. Again, I like the music and the whole thing. Japanese culture has a lot to offer.

(My shots of said CD and the trading card)

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Blue Anthem

Putting on the old Sherlock Holmes hat for this one. According to iMusic.dk (from whom I bought this 4 track single), “Blue Anthem” is an album by Seiran Sougou Geijutsin released in 2020. I do see the Seiran General Art Institute being mentioned on the back of the CD. If you search for that on YouTube you will find this plus some tv performances. My guess is that this is anime territory, a subject that I know next to nothing about. Maybe a Soundtrack of sorts then? I have no idea. I do know that I find this lovely on many levels. I enjoy the music and the tv performances. And how could one resist a cover like this?

(My shot of said release)

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Blog News (Ongoing Updates)

Busy updating this blog with more tags and 2020-2024 is done (which means 2012-2019 is still work in process). New tags are “220 Volt”, “Black Sabbath”, “DVDs & Blu-rays”, “J-Pop”, “Japanese rock & metal”, “Tarja & Nightwish”, “Vikings”, “Tommy Bolin” and “Xena Warrior Princess”. A tag basically means that you have blogs within the blog. Way easier to find stuff. To follow special interests only, if that suits you. It will probably take a week or two before it is all done.

(My shot of Xena Warrior Princess 2000 Calendar)

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Aimi Tanaka

I discovered Japanese pop singer Aimi Tanaka the other day. Check out the video for “Osaka Loneliness/Namida No River”. Awesome cover. Tarantino could use this in any of his movies.

(Cover is from official platforms)

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Riho Sayashi

Riho Sayashi has a three track CD out titled “Hi(gh) Life”. She is doing concerts and on May 26 she will celebrate her 26th birthday at a Fan Club event called Riho Sayashi Fan Club Meeting – Playground. There is a video for “Hi(gh) Life” for you to check out. I saw her in Stockholm with Babymetal back when she was an Avenger. That was just a little blip in her career though, but it is nice to have seen her perform.

(Cover is from official platforms)

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Nana Mizuki In My Heart

Discovered the renowned Japanese pop singer Nana Mizuki a few weeks ago and my first investments into her wonderful world is these releases, the 2018 four track EP “Never Surrender” and the utterly amazing 11th studio album “Smashing Anthems” (2015). She has had an incredible career in several fields. She has performed in front of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the opening ceremony of the 72nd National Sports Festival of Japan in 2017 and in 2018 she sold out eight concerts at the Budokan in Tokyo. Her Wikipedia is truly amazing to read. Of these two releases then, I first and foremost recommend “Smashing Anthems”. It really is a wonderful album.

(My shot of said releases)

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Busting Out Of Japan

Part of me can appreciate the extreme side of J-Pop that these ladies have launched upon an unsuspecting world, and few sticks out more than Atarashii Gakko! (that is just a fact). Formed in 2015, they have released many singles and two full length albums. The video “Tokyo Calling” has notched up 9,500,000 hits on YouTube in five months. The latest video “Frozen Summer” is connected to the Ghostbusters franchise and is featured in the latest move Ghostbusters: “Frozen Empire”. To their credit, they are fun to watch. The album covers are creative. They do attack the norms. In a sense, they are almost Punk in their own way. The fact that they have reached out successfully outside of Japan is a big deal. Got to give them some well earned respect.

(Seen here is Japanese publication Spa August 2023, and current tour dates)

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Faulieu Album Coming Up

Discovered a band called Faulieu from Japan today as I checked out their new video “Spica”. Lovely song, pop oriented. But the guitars are stunningly beautiful. Pop can sometimes ignore guitars but here they are where they should be. They have a new album coming up in Japan called “As Is” on April 17. Can be pre-ordered at iMusic (see earlier post this week) if you live in Europe.

(Concert ad is from official platforms)

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