Artist VK Blanka releases ‘Knightclub’, his first new album in nearly three years!

Japanese musician VK Blanka has released his first new album in nearly three years, ‘Knightclub’, back on Wednesday, September 4 across all streaming platforms!

This is VK Blanka’s first album since the release of ‘FATE’ nearly three years ago. In addition to previously released singles such as ‘Fortress’ (his theme song for the TV Asahi drama ‘The Woman of S.R.I. (Season 24)’and ‘Never Run’, a song inspired by the beats and arrangements VK Blanka experienced firsthand during his North American tour in February, the album also includes brand new song ‘Yomigaeri (with Noriyuki Makihara & Ayaka)’ in collaboration with fellow artists Noriyuki Makihara and Ayaka, and ‘Old Rivals [A Self-Cover of “Rivals!”]’, a new version of his song ‘Rivals!’ that blew fans’ minds when it was featured as part of the ‘Hypnosis Mic’ multimedia project.

Formats of the album packaged with video content include the music video and behind-the-scenes footage for ‘Never Run’, the lyric video for ‘Fortress’, and live footage of Vicke Blanka presents RAINBOW ROAD -TEN- ’, a special concert that was held as Festival Hall in Osaka on May 4, 2024.

About VK Blanka
VK Blanka began to gain attention with his 2018 single ‘Masshiro’, which was featured in a TV drama series, and went on to reach No.2 on the Japanese iTunes album chart. ‘Black Catcher’, his opening song for the ‘Black Clover’ anime series, became a phenomenal long-running hit, entering Spotify’s Top 10 chart of songs by Japanese artists played by overseas users for three consecutive years since 2020 and accruing over 1.5 million monthly listeners. With over 500 million plays across streaming platforms, VK Blankaʼs music has truly captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

VK Blanka has performed at events in Saudi Arabia, Italy and France, attracting over 10,000 fans to his overseas shows. Then, starting with a show in Vancouver on January 31, 2024, VK Blanka undertook his first solo tour of North America, with performances in a total of nine cities. In July, this was followed by the VK Blanka Latin America Tour 2024 in Chile and Mexico.

VK Blanka hosted his third self-produced event, RAINBOW ROAD -TEN- (The Legend), at Festival Hall in Osaka on May 4, 2024. He has also announced the VK Blanka HALL TOUR 2024, which will visit six cities across Japan, starting with a performance in Nagoya on September 27.

Be sure to check out his latest album ‘Knightclub’ on all streaming platforms here, with the lyric video for “Fortress” below!

MAKI GOTO celebrates 25th anniversary with long-awaited new original album ‘prAyer’, her first in 13 years, out now!

2024 marks the 25th anniversary of J-pop star MAKI GOTO’s CD debut, and she has been announcing a number of anniversary projects to mark the occasion. Following the digital release of GOTO’s long-awaited new single ‘CLAP CLAP’ – her first in around 13 years – she has now released a completely original mini-album, ‘prAyer’, on September 4 across all digital streaming platforms.

 ‘prAyer’ is GOTO’s first long-play release since her digital covers album released two years ago, and her first all-new original work since 2011. This mini-album, which contains seven songs, marks the full-fledged return of MAKI GOTO on her 25th anniversary year, and is sure to thrill fans old and new.

From the album title ‘prAyer’ to the strong yet delicate psychological lyrics and GOTO’s own outlook on life, she sings beautifully about her experiences past and future. While incorporating a new approach to her sound that mixes multiple genres without clinging to the past, it is an ambitious album that shows she has evolved to something more powerful than the catchy sound of her idol days, as showcased by the single ‘CLAP CLAP’.

Be sure to check out the streaming link for ‘prAyer’ here, along with the music video for the track “prayer” below!

 About MAKI GOTO

MAKI GOTO was born on September 23, 1985, in Tokyo. Over the course of her career, she has been a successful singer, YouTuber and model. She joined the legendary J-pop idol group Morning Musume as a third-generation member after passing their second supplementary audition in 1999. After she joined, the group’s single ‘LOVE Machine’ was released, selling over a million copies. In 2001, she made her solo debut with the single ‘Ai no Bakayarou’. She graduated from the Hello! Project collective in 2007 and joined a new agency in 2008. After this, she released ‘SWEET BLACK feat. MAKI GOTO’ in 2009. On YouTube, GOTO’s channels include Gomaki no Guild, which focuses on video game “let’s plays”, and Gomaki to Ouki☆, which provides lifestyle and beauty information, with both channels drawing a large number of subscribers and viewers. In September 2024, she will hold a special solo live tour to celebrate her 25th anniversary.

FIRE BOMBER to Release First New Song in 12 Years, “BURN! BURN! BURN!” Alongside the Vinyl Edition of “ULTRA FIRE!!” Best Album

FIRE BOMBER, the rock band that appears in Macross 7, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, announced during the Basara Nekki birthday event streamed by SHOWROOM on August 15 that they will release their first new single in 12 years, along with a vinyl edition of the Macross 7 ULTRA FIRE!! FIRE BOMBER BEST ALBUM on October 30.

The new single will be titled “BURN! BURN! BURN!” The title track is an upbeat rock tune featuring a passionate exchange between Basara Nekki and Mylene Flare Jenius, designed to get listeners shouting along and pumped up. The single will also include new solo tracks from both Basara Nekki and Mylene Flare Jenius. The jacket will feature a new illustration by Haruhiko Mikimoto, the character designer of Macross 7. The initial production run will come with special packaging, so be sure to pre-order early.

Releasing on the same day, the Macross 7 ULTRA FIRE!! FIRE BOMBER BEST ALBUM will be available in vinyl format for the first time. The initial production will feature limited-edition colored vinyl. Disc 1 will be designed with a color scheme inspired by the VF-19 Custom Fire Valkyrie, while Disc 2 will feature a color scheme inspired by the VF-11 MAXL Custom Mylene Valkyrie. The large gatefold vinyl jacket will capture the passion and intensity of the album.

Get Ready to Rock: NEMOPHILA's Third Album EVOLVE Drops Overseas with Exclusive Bonuses!

EVOLVE Jacket Cover

Heads up, metalheads! NEMOPHILA, Japan's electrifying all-female metal sensation, is gearing up to dazzle international fans with their latest album, EVOLVE, now making its grand debut outside Japan courtesy of our friends at JPU Records from 5 July 2024. Brace yourselves for an unstoppable wave of energy, mind-blowing riffs, and powerhouse vocals that define this next chapter in NEMOPHILA's epic journey.

What's in Store?

HYBRID Bundle: This isn't just any album drop—it's a full-blown metal experience. The HYBRID bundle includes two electrifying concerts available on demand with English subtitles. Relive NEMOPHILA's explosive performances in Kobe, celebrating their 4th anniversary with a two-hour set, and a set taken from their first-ever overseas tour, recorded at the iconic House of Blues in San Diego.

Exclusive Bonuses: The HYBRID bundle and the retail version both feature the same special edition CD with a unique cover design, an additional booklet featuring English lyric translations, and romaji transliterations. Now you can belt out every word, whether you're fluent in Japanese or not!

Sonic Masterpiece: EVOLVE is not just an album—it's an adrenaline-pumping journey through the realms of metal. From the intense opener "Enigma" to the anthemic finale "YELL ~locus~ ", every track showcases NEMOPHILA's raw talent and fearless creativity. This album isn't just pushing boundaries; it's shattering them.

Meet the Band: Leading the charge is the dynamic vocalist mayu, backed by the blazing guitars of SAKI and Hazuki, the thunderous bass of Haraguchi-San, and the powerhouse drumming of Tamu Murata. Together, they create a sonic storm that's impossible to ignore.

Global Rock Phenomenon: EVOLVE cements NEMOPHILA's place at the forefront of the global rock scene. With its infectious melodies, searing solos, and relentless rhythms, this album is a testament to the band's passion and dedication to their craft.

About NEMOPHILA: NEMOPHILA has taken the world by storm with their high-octane performances and genre-defying sound. This all-female powerhouse from Japan, led by the charismatic mayu, continues to captivate audiences with their dynamic presence and musical prowess. EVOLVE, their third album, marks a significant milestone in their evolution and solidifies their status as modern rock's most thrilling act.

Get ready to crank up the volume and let NEMOPHILA take you on a wild ride with EVOLVE. This is more than music; it's an all-out metal revolution!

Ikimonogakari’s new single ‘Unmeichan’ releases today An additional tour date this weekend will be broadcast live overseas for the first time!

Unmeichan Jacket Cover

Popular duo Ikimonogakari’s 35th single ‘Unmeichan’ was released this past week across all streaming platforms.
This new track was used as the theme song for the anime series ‘Mission: Yozakura Family’. This up-tempo track evokes the worldview of the series while bursting with intense color and personality.
A preview video of their ‘Amazon Music Live: Ikimonogakari’ performance from October last year which includes the single will also be made available on Youtube. A performance of ‘Koisuruotome’ exclusive to this event is included in its entirety in the release, making this disc a must-buy for fans. And that’s not all, there are also four tracks recorded for the Youtube channel ‘THE FIRST TAKE’ included. Performed in December last year, audio from ‘Blue Bird’, a massively popular track both inside and outside Japan, and ‘TOKIMEKI’, the opening theme of the TV anime ‘Kibou no Chikara Otona Precure ‘23’ are included in the package, along with ‘Kimagure Romantic’ and ‘Kyoukara Kokokara’ from a previous performance on the same channel, for a total of four tracks.
Moreover, an additional tour performance to take place this weekend ‘Ikimonogakari’s Hello Everyone Tour!! 2024 –You, Me, Everyone, Let’s Sing! - Yokohama Good Job Performance’ will now be streamed online. Centered around tracks like ‘Blue Bird’ and ‘SAKURA’, there are many songsincluded which are popular with overseas fans, making this the long awaited first headline performance by Ikimonogakari that will be streamed overseas. 

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For details on live streaming abroad, check out the special site below:  
〇https://w.pia.jp/a/ikimonogakari24engpls/

‘Ikimonogakari’s Hello Everyone Tour!! 2024 – You, Me, Everyone, Let’s Sing! - Yokohama Good Job Performance’
Date of the Performance: Sunday, May 26   Doors: 16:30  On stage: 17:00　※No recording
Ticket price ¥5,000

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event@linkst.jp

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