Friday, May 25, 2018

J-Idol/J-Rock - recent MV releases

Minna no Kodomo-chan
Nakunaruwatashi
Kicking this list off is my MV of the week and it comes highly anticipated as I have really enjoyed everything I've heard from Minna no Kodomo-chan so far and this is no exception. Musically, a grinding synth beat paves the way to a slow but sinister haunting vocal intro that quickens to a venom infused tongue lashing accompanied by potent beat drops throughout. Visually, the MV feels like a DMT trip filled with psychedelic imagery including a colorful pallet with an emphasis on neon pinks and blues. Aside from the acid trip visuals we are also treated to disturbing scenes of the duo being drowned and submerged in water in more ways than one, it adds a nice demented touch to the overall package. Highly recommended, watch it now!


GANG PARADE
来了 (Coming)
GANG PARADE has shot its way up to become one of my favorite idol groups and I was beyond stoked when I saw a new MV from them was uploaded to youtube this past Thursday. Musically it's catchy as ever fueled by great vocals by the entire group and it's definitely a fun upbeat listening experience overall. Visually, we are treated to the girls in cute pink outfits surrounded by a beautiful backdrop of  temples via Taiwan as they bust occasional kung fu kicks and punches. A highlight being the hopping Chinese vampire move they incorporate in their dance choreography, loved it. Watch it immediately! 


You'll Melt More!
Freestyle Zenbu

Another treat which graced my youtube feed this past Friday was the latest MV from You'll Melt More! which is another one of my fave idol groups. Musically, this one is a feel good head bobbing jam, filled with cute vocals by the girls and tight raps courtesy of DOTAMA, this formula mixes together very well. Visually, we have the girls donning baggy kawaii urban wear and each one in different locales before coming together towards the end of the vid to a nice backdrop of the city and neon lights at night, simple but effective. Lots of Kechon too, my oshi! This song has grown on me the more I listen to it so watch this for sure!

milcboy
Eienekizokicchu
This is only the second video I've witnessed from milcboy and I gotta say, I'm a fan. Musically the vocals by syam are upbeat and very kawaii, the band is solid too adding a dash of funk to the overall feel of the jam. Visually this video treats you to a dancing panda, I'll leave it at that. Watch it!

Ena Fujita
Blue Heart
Last but not least is Ena Fujita and her impressive vocals and guitar skills, enjoy the yellow bikini clad beauty shred as she gushes blue blood for your enjoyment! Watch this now!


Friday, May 11, 2018

J-Idol/J-Rock - recent MV releases

LADYBABY
ホシノナイソラ
LADYBABY has gone through a couple of incarnations including a name change in the past, so when this MV dropped this past Thursday it took me by complete surprise. It seems the duo is now a quadruple threat and will definitely usher in "wows" from their fan base and beyond. Musically this track is laced with guttural growls and a  heavy metal resonance intertwined with uptempo idol vocals. Visually the video gives us a healthy dose of the band in color and in black and white shots accompanied by frantic editing that never loses its edge. Give it a watch!

CHAI
フューチャー
CHAI keeps on releasing new videos via youtube and I couldn't be happier, their latest video receives MV of the week honors. If you have never experienced CHAI before, your ears are in for a treat as this track will leave you in hypnotic trance of cuteness and adventure. Visually the MV is short and sweet and kicks off with a Back to the Future DeLorean opening its doors as the girls, Mana, Kana, Yuki & Yuna jump in and out of the shots like a superhero and even resort to flying at some point. Highly recommended!

Attain Music
Because of you
Attain Music is a group I know little about but I have been following them for a short time and have even caught a shorter MV edit of this track release in the past. Regardless I was pretty stoked to watch this updated full version MV release of  Because of you, because musically it's very catchy and has grown on me. Visually the video makes the most with what is available, so despite the low budget feel there is never a dull moment. The girls rock out to very artistic blood splattered backdrop and even fight over a stuffed panda bear. Give it a watch!

Mardelas
Wold vs Honor
When this MV from Mardelas (who I had never heard of) dropped this past Monday, I was a bit skeptical at first but as soon as the short intro faded and the main track kicked off, I was completely blown away. Musically this is a solid rock production, highlighted by Marina Hebiishi's vocals and Kikyo Oikawa's killer guitar riffs, you will be sucked in and beg for more by the songs end. Visually the video is a manhunt of sorts as each member is individually seeking out the same target with his demise as the common goal. Give this a watch!

cana➗biss
真っ赤なパーカー
Last but not least, canabiss is a group I have never heard of but after giving this MV a shot, I was pleasantly surprised and thus I had to share this last minute entry. Watch!




Thursday, May 10, 2018

EMPiRE - THE EMPiRE STRiKES START!! - album review

EMPiRE has really captured my attention as of late, once I saw the MV for Buttocks beat! beat! a few months back I had to hear more and I didn't have to wait long thankfully. As I've been following them they have gained two new members, MAHO and MiKiNA and have also lost a member, YUiNA. This transition seems for the better and the group has been dropping a good amount of  videos to help promote their recent album release. After being sick for a week it's finally time to check out their new album THE EMPiRE STRiKES START!! courtesy of spotify. As always I'll rate each song by a 5 star system and then give my overall score for the album.

track #1 - FOR EXAMPLE?? (5)
track #2- Buttocks beat!beat! (5)
track #3 - Black to the dreamlight (5)
track #4 - MAD LOVE (5)
track #5 - Don't tell me why (4)
track #6 TOKYO MOONLIGHT (3)
track #7 - EMPiRE is COMiNG (3)
track #8 - DEADBODY (3)
track #9 - LiTTLE BOY (5)
track #10 - コノ世界ノ片隅デ (4)
track #11 - アカルイミライ (4)



OVERALL
8/10

FOR EXAMPLE?? kicks off the album quite nice with its solid production and overall execution which is followed by the ass shaking party song Buttocks beat! beat! that will definitely ramp up your listening experience by 100%. Black to the dreamlight is a different kind of  beast as it slowly builds into a monster of a song accompanied with great vocals and chorus. MAD LOVE gives you some more uptempo goodness with an overall fun vibe and catchy lyrics. My favorite track on the album is the powerhouse LiTTLE BOY, fueled by a solid production and it takes no prisoners, you'll be blown away. コノ世界ノ片隅デ provides some good "up in the club" atmosphere with its great use of synth and pounding bass beats. Lastly, アカルイミライ is a vocal and instrumental showcase, this track has grown on me the more I listen to it. Overall this debut album is pieced together very well and provides enough variety musically to never get dull or feel one dimensional, I highly enjoyed it.
 EMPiRE's album THE EMPiRE STRiKES START!!  
comes highly recommended and is available to listen in entirety on spotify.
link to the official EMPiRE website:
official twitter link:
EMPiRE video playlist link courtesy of avex youtube channel:

MAYU ❤

EMPiRE - FOR EXAMPLE?? (official music video)

Friday, May 4, 2018

J-Idol/J-Rock - recent MV releases

Band Ja Naimon! 
恋する完全犯罪 (Perfect Crime in Love)
This May 1st was a treat for fans of Band Ja Naimon! as they dropped two MVs the same day to my delight! I discovered this group late last year and I've enjoyed every video they've uploaded to youtube. The first MV titled 恋する完全犯罪 (Perfect Crime in Love) is a treat musically, great rock vibe enhanced with awesome vocals by all the lovely ladies, after my third listen it's really grown on me. Visually the video doesn't disappoint as each group member is wearing different cute outfits related to the diamond heist story line and it's pulled off brilliantly. Definitely give this a watch! 

BURST GIRL
GREAT FXXKING MY WORLD
My MV of the week is an easy pick, as I've been anxiously awaiting this video to drop since first hearing about it last weekend. This past Wednesday all hell broke loose as BURST GIRL debuted their first MV and I celebrated in fanboy fashion giving this continuous views. Musically, it's like a kick to the balls as it's punk with a capital P. Visually this video captures a fun story of each individual girl sporting a cute outfit in a variety of predicaments before coming together to don their patched leather jackets and rock out on stage to a lively rowdy crowd. Watch it!

EMPiRE
FOR EXAMPLE??
This past Friday, EMPiRE dropped yet another MV from their awesome new album THE EMPiRE STRiKES START!! and this one features their two newest members, Maho and Mikina. I'm working on a review for their album at the moment so definitely give this video a watch!

SHINGEKI
新世界エクソダス (New World Exodus)
Last minute entry but yes I highly recommend watching this as it just may change your life! 

Band Ja Naimon!
BORN TO BE IDOL
Last but not least is the second MV Band Ja NAimon! dropped on May 1st and it's a winner! Extremely fun 90's throwback atmoshere with cute and catchy vocals that will have you in slumber party mode, watch it and let the kawaii take over you.


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