HARU NEMURI and New Yorks Frost Children release "Daijoubu Desu" from upcoming collaboration EP 'Soul Kiss'!

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Japan’s HARU NEMURI has teamed up with New York City’s Frost Children for the upcoming collaboration EP titled ‘Soul Kiss’ out October 4. Today, fans can hear the new song across all streaming platforms and watch the music video for "Daijoubu Desu". The hybrid-genre song also features cheeky vinyl scratches from A-Trak

“There are times when people reassure me by saying “It’s going to be ok”, when I am overwhelmed, drowning in anxiety and melancholy, when I am stuck in an unforeseeable reality, or when I am at a loss not knowing how to even handle my own soul,” says HARU NEMURI on the lyrics of the song out today.  “Though I deeply appreciate the kindness and the reassurance itself, there are still times when I feel like screaming, "What's going to be okay!!!" (Though in reality, I never actually do that. Instead, I usually suppress all those emotions and with an awkward smile I would just say thank you.) Climate change, inequality, exploitation, discrimination, patriarchy, conspiracy theories, and with all the other various evil constructs created by humanity continue to hold sway in this trash-like world, we are not always ok (Daijoubu).”

HARU NEMURI and Frost Children initially met on tour in 2021 and experienced an instant and surprising musical connection. Subsequently toured together and made plans to reunite in Berlin to record this project. The sessions, initially quite open-ended and experimental, led to internet collaboration/co-writing and then the completion of the tracking in a hyperspeed series of sessions in Tokyo, and ultimately Lulu putting finishing touches in their New York studio (while occasionally testing out works in progress in DJ sets).
The final product has become a five track EP called ‘Soul Kiss’ - a peak moment of both of their efforts. The songs encapsulate hardcore, EDM, pop, post-rock and indie. A really unique and surprising Soul Kiss transcending borders, genres and preconceived notions.

Be sure to check out "Daijoubu Desu” across all streaming platforms here along with he music video below!

 ‘Soul Kiss’ Track listing

  1. Daijoubu Desu

  2. Burn

  3. Supernatural

  4. Bad Thing

  5. Get Well Soon 

HARU NEMURI will return to the United States with six shows kicking off at the end of September into early October. Frost Children are currently on a nationwide tour with support from julie and her new knife. Tour dates for both artists can be found below.

HARU NEMURI Live Dates

September 28 - Seattle, WA @ High Dive

October 1 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall

October 6 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo

October 9 - Dallas, TX @ RBC

October 12 - Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere

October 15 - Chicago, IL @ Reggies

 

Frost Children Live Dates

October 23 - Philadelphia, PA @  Brooklyn Bowl Philly

October 24 - Washington, DC @  9:30 Club

October 26 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

October 27 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement East

October 29 - Dallas, TX @ Trees

October 30 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall - Downstairs

October 31 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk

November 2 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom

November 3 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom

November 6 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent

November 7 - Berkeley, CA @ The UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall

November 12 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre

November 13 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre

HIRAIDAI releases the 3rd ‘LUCKY BAG’ series EP ‘Summer Princess’.

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Since this June, Japanese singer-songwriter HIRAIDAI has been releasing a series of monthly EPs titled ‘LUCKY BAG’, with each EP including a mix of new songs, past songs selected by HIRAIDAI to match the new ones, and sometimes even home demos recorded in one take on an iPhone. The 3rd EP in the series, ‘Summer Princess’, was released back on August 14.

This 3rd EP includes the new song ‘Summer Princess’, along with five older songs specially selected by HIRAIDAI, with the beach-friendly theme of “songs that will make you feel the waves”.

The EP features six songs in total, including the classic summer tune ‘Summer Queen’ from his 2015 album ‘Slow & Easy’, the bittersweet broken-hearted love song ‘GIRL FRIEND’ from 2020, and the timeless track ‘Thinking of You’ which was released in 2014.

▼ EP ‘Summer Princess’

1. Summer Princess

2. Summer Queen

3. RIDE THE WAVES

4. To the Beach

5. GIRL FRIEND

6. Thinking of You

The brand-new title track ‘Summer Princess’ is a sweet, refreshing summer love song for the princess with whom the singer walks on the journey of life. The modern neo-acoustic sound and endlessly smoothing vocals blend perfectly to create a song only HIRAIDAI could make.‘Summer Princess’ is currently airing on radio stations across Japan, along with comments from HIRAIDAI himself.

To coincide with the ‘LUCKY BAG’ series, HIRAIDAI’s official LOSL app is currently offering monthly calendar-style wallpapers that show such as his tour schedule and release information, so don’t miss out. 

▼ Comment from HIRAIDAI

“I decided to create the ‘LUCKY BAG’ series as a way to share my latest songs along with a selection of older songs that suit the new material when heard together, and demos that I have created as rough works at home. I hope you’ll enjoy seeing what’s in the bag each month.”

lynch. Reveal Details of Ferocious New EP 'FIERCE-EP!

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lynch., the trailblazing Japanese rock band renowned for their electrifying performances and genre-defying sound, is poised to set the music world ablaze once again with the release of their latest EP, FIERCE-EP on 26 June, 2024. The reveal of the cover art and tracklist has only heightened the anticipation, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come.

Hailing from the vibrant city of Nagoya, lynch. has carved out a unique niche in the rock music scene with their powerful sound and magnetic stage presence. Fronted by the dynamic vocalist HAZUKI, whose commanding shouts and exquisite vibrato captivate audiences, the band seamlessly blends heavy basslines with versatile rock melodies, earning them a dedicated following among rock enthusiasts and international fans alike.

Despite facing a temporary hiatus in 2021, lynch. made a triumphant return to the spotlight. November 2022 marked a milestone in their career with their first-ever performance at the iconic Nippon Budokan, a testament to their enduring appeal and resilience. This resurgence continued with the release of their highly anticipated album REBORN in March 2023, their first in nearly three years, solidifying their comeback and showcasing their evolved sound.

As they celebrate their 20th anniversary, lynch. continues to push boundaries and inspire a new generation of rock lovers, proving that their journey is far from over. Their story is one of passion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to their craft, making them a formidable force in the world of rock music.

KAF Returns With All-New EP “GSA” The Virtual Artist Explores A Dizzying Array Of New Sounds On Latest Release!

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Vocalist KAF has released her EP GSA across all streaming platforms, her first new collection of solo material since 2023. The three-song set finds the pioneering virtual artist exploring new terrain, as this set marks the first time the 20-year-old creator has worked on a solo release with producers besides longtime collaborator Iori Kanzaki. The resulting tracks find KAF dabbling in a variety of uptempo sounds, placing her emotional singing against a fresh sonic backdrop.

GSA zips into dizzying musical mash-ups right away on opener “Gestalt.” KAF dashes over speedy guitar and piano melodies, while detouring into trap-accented passages and festival-ready EDM, her voice matching the mood of the mutating sounds around her. It’s one of her most ambitious works to date, and one of her most urgent. “Swimmer” plays out as a ballad with electronic touches, placing the emphasis on the versatility of KAF’s singing as she moves from a whisper to a soar. Closing number “From Apocalypse” picks up the pace once more, KAF finding reasons to push forward despite emotional challenges, set over a rippling beat.

With GSA, KAF offers a hint at where she will go next as she preps more music for release in 2024, while also reminding that one of her defining characteristics as an artist is an openness to experiment. She’s musically curious, and open to challenge new sounds in order to grow.

Be sure to check out GSA here!

ABOUT KAF:

Debuting in 2018, KAF uses an anime-style avatar to present herself to the world, while creating music centered around her versatile and powerful voice. She’s become one of the most prominent virtual singer’s in Japan, with her original songs and covers earning millions of views. In March 2023, she released her third full-length album, further showing her artistic growth and ability to capture the complexities of growing up in 21st century Japan. She’s performed at some of the country’s most celebrated venues, including a sold-out night at the historic Nippon Budokan in Tokyo and the first-ever arena show by a virtual artist in January 2024. 

ARKTA Brings Fans A Brand New EP!

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“From Where the City Lights Burn” Jacket Cover

International hybrid alternative rock unit, ARKTA has released their 1st Full EP titled “From Where the City Lights Burn”, which is available to listen to now on all digital platforms. The 5 track EP includes their lead single “The Lily” that had been released last month along with its music video.

Marking it as the bands ‘Phase 1’, most aspects of the production for the EP, including recording and mixing, were all done DIY. It reflects the raw and genuine essence of ARKTA at this moment. The EP title “From Where the City Lights Burn” had been decided with hopes of their voices and music to reach the world from both the cities of Tokyo and Los Angeles, where the two members of ARKTA reside.

The common theme running through the entire EP is the transience of the present reality and the fleeting nature of the life we are currently living. The band explains that the term 'transience' is not solely negative; it carries the sentiment that something vague, fragile, and easily crumbling can be beautiful and precious. While some songs touch upon unrequited feelings and eternal farewells, the emotions of longing, yearning for life, and thoughts towards companions on the journey of life are also scattered throughout the five songs. The difficulty in expressing emotions through words alone is why, as ARKTA, they wanted to convey them through sound and it's the meaning behind creating and singing songs for them.

To celebrate the release of their EP, ARKTA will also be having two shows/events in Tokyo, Japan on April 28 and 29. Tickets links.

“On the year of 2020, when 'freedom' was taken away from all around the world, two individuals, despite being distant in Tokyo and LA, gave birth to ARKTA. They turned adversity into strength and packed their own identity that had been cultivated over time into these five songs. The conclusion of 'Phase 0' with this EP marks the beginning of ARKTA. May the emotions woven by ARKTA, in overdrive, reach beyond Tokyo and LA to the entire world with this EP” - ARKTA (Tak, kenken)

Be sure to check out the music video for ‘The Lily’ below along with the streaming link for the EP here!