Music Corner Week 107: Mime

Mime is a four member rock band that got their start back in 2014 in Tokyo. It is purely my best vision of what disco has become nowadays, especially Japanese disco by blending the unique style of 80’s funk, boogie with Neo-soul, and R&B with out of this world composition and vocals. Led by vocalist and keyboards Hikari, her cool and dignified vocals set the mood as they invite their listeners into the world of Mime. 

Several of their tracks have me sucked into the beat and I can’t help myself but dance; the last time I felt this way for a female vocalist was with Showmore. Songs like “Headlight”, “Driftin’”, and “Caught in Shower” really shows the masterful way of how they handle composition. One thing that stands out is Hikari’s vocals, as it isn’t overbearing or show-stealing for the over arcing time with the song and jams really well throughout. 

Currently, Mime has two albums from 2018 and 2020, one mini-album from 2016, and eight digital singles throughout their young career. You can follow them at their official website, Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to check out the music video for the track “Headlight” below!

Mime Stars:

HIKARI - Vocal / Chorus/ Keyboards
JUN UCHINO- Guitar / Chorus
KUNIHIKO KONDO- Keyboards/ Trackmaker / Chorus
TiMT- Drums /Trackmaker /Guitar / Chorus

Luna's Ongaku Go For March 2021!

Picking up after Ken we’re another month down in 2021 and we 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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“OH" by CRAZYBOY feat. Shota Shimizu & OZworld

CRAZYBOY has filled my ears all month with many tracks, however, “OH” has been my most played of all of them. Ever since “OH” was released in late February, I was caught immediately by the beat of the track as it makes me want to get up, dance, and party. The collaboration between Shota Shimizu and OZworld fits CRAZYBOY’s style perfectly and that is the other reason I love this track: the composition and how all three come together and make a fun club song.

Check out “OH” here and the music video below!

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“Headlight” by Mime

I am absolutely in love with Mime and it’s thanks to Ken at OTY for that. He sent me the music video for “Headlight” and from those first beats and Mime’s lovely vocals, I was pulled in and in love. I cannot pinpoint what it is about this track, but you get lost in its wonderful melody and Mime’s soft, sweet, and serene vocals. To me, “Headlight” has been a powerful track that has moved me on so many levels thanks to the composition and how Mime’s vocals flow throughout the song.

Check out “Headlight” here and the music video below!

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“Aru Hibi” by Hakubi

As I’ve spent most of this month revisiting past Music Corner’s, many artists and tracks caught my ear, but Hakubi’s “Aru Hibi” is one I have revisited throughout the month. It’s my second favorite track by Hakubi and catching up to my favorite, “22.” “Aru Hibi” starts off slow, composition wise, and picks right up from the chorus and stays that way throughout the song until nearing the end. I love the arrangement as I find it fits perfectly with Katagiri’s vocals.

Check out “Aru Hibi” here and the music video below!

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“Good-bye days” by YUI

With the release of YUI’s fifteenth anniversary self-cover album Natural, I went back and began revisiting YUI’s music. “Good-bye days” has always been a favorite track of mine and I love every versions of this track. I spent the month listening to all three versions. YUI’s vocals, the composition, and the lyrics make for a perfect track. YUI captures the emotions of this song perfectly and every time I hear it, I am moved to tears. “Good-bye days” is always a tune that I go back to and lose myself in it.

Check out “Good-bye days” here and the music video below!

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“WHY” by Miliyah Katou

With the release of Miliyah’s 15th Anniversary MILIYAH Budokan 2020 that released March 17, I began preparing by re-visiting her discography. “WHY” is one of the tracks that I kept listening to on repeat as it has so much power behind the words. Miliyah delivers this track so emotionally and it resonates with you on a level that sticks with you. I always go back to “WHY” for the lyrics but also because of the powerful vocal delivery and the composition. It is more of a mid-tempo pop-rock track, which is different than her usual genre as she usually sticks to an urban pop feel. “WHY” always stood out to me and I am looking forward to watching her perform this live!

Check out “WHY” here and the music video below!