Music Corner Week 120: Miram

Miram is a singer/songwriter from Fukuoka who got her start in the industry in 2020. Like other female solo artists of this era, her similarity to the girl with the guitar appeal of Aimyon is apparent. Her unique singing vocals of being a soft cute idol like appeal is just one of the ways that let Miram stand out form the pack.

Another thing to absolutely appreciate is the simplistic way she leads out her composition. From the acoustic guitar lead “Even For Me, In the Summer”, “Low Flying“ and “Oboreru” which really relies on the more smoky side of her vocals, to the more modern pop-rock style of composition of “Warm Shine” and “Ducky”, Miram really can mold to any style for all listeners to enjoy.

Miram has released two albums, six digital singles, and two EPs. You can check out on her official website, Twitter and Instagram along with the music video for her track “Even For Me, In the Summer” below!

Music Corner Week 119: Fudanjuku

Fudanjuku is currently a seven-member idol group that is made of entirely girls but the put on the persona of a male idol group. Fudanjuku got started back in 2006 under imperial records but at the time the group performed under the moniker Nakano Fujo Sisters and Fudanjuku was started as the “alter-ego boy band” for the group. Nakano Fujo Sisters was formed as a comic performance troupe that consisted of gravure models and actresses who thought of themselves as otaku and fujoshi. In November of 2011  Nakano Fujo Sisters went on hiatus but Fudanjuku continues putting out music to this day. In June of this year Fudanjuku released their “Hello Hello” EP, their nineteenth single overall, and they have released a total of five albums. The current members of the group are Hazaki Allan, Kurumizawa Kotaro, Yuki Seki, Hideki Rinku, Akaboshi Yoshimune, Tendou Taiyo, Koushi Jyogen.

Fudanjuku is a lot of fun to listen to. They have a wide range of music that they work with but it mostly standard idol fair. That being said I’ve enjoyed evey minuet with this group and their energy is just fun to take in. Their latest single “Hello Hello” really shows off their fun energy.

Fudanjuku’s official website is where you can go to get all the latest news on the group, along with their Twitter page. Lastly, be sure to check out “Hello Hello” in the video below.

Music Corner Week 118: GLIM SPANKY

GLIM SPANKY is a rock unit consisting of Remi Matsuo (Vocalist/Guitarist) and Hiroki Kamemoto (Guitarist); Remi began the group in 2007 after debuting at a school festival, Hiroki joined the band later and stayed to form the current unit. They made their major debut in 2014 with Universal Music under their Virginia record label with the mini album Shousou. GLIM SPANKY’s unique sound that was influenced by 60s and 70s rock and blues garnished much attention, pushing them into the spotlight. Their covers of Adele’s “Rolling Deep” and Janis Joplin’s “MOVE OVER” specifically received much attention due to Remi’s unique and husky vocal style. GLIM SPANKY’s style not only brought in Japanese listeners but has garnished fans throughout the world. Remi’s vocals and their western style rock influence with Japanese lyrics draw in listeners of all ages, making them a stand out rock unit in this age.

GLIM SPANKY first caught my ear with their album Walking on Fire that released in 2020; “By Myself Again” and “Story ni Saki ni” stood out being slower tracks and hearing Remi’s smokey vocals with minimal compositions made me fall in love - the perfect blend of rock and vocal. “Shousou”, “Homeroyo”, “Odorini Ikouze”, and “Ikari wo Kure yo” have a heavier composition involved and a more aggressive feel, especially with Remi’s vocals making it truly memorable. When you hear songs such as “Love is There”, “In the Air”, and “Utsukushii Ibara”, you get a nice serene feel while listening to them - showcasing GLIM SPANKY’s versatility as a rock unit. Their newest track “I Don’t Need Signal (Signal wa Iranai)”, immediately pulled me in with the aggressive opening, heavier composition, catchy chorus, and Remi’s husky vocals.

As GLIM SPANKY has been in the music industry for some time, they have aquired an extensive discography with seven studio albums: Sunrise Journey (2015); Next One (2016); I Stand Alone (2017); Bizarre Carnival (2017), Looking for the Magic (2018); Walking on Fire (2020); and their latest - Into the Time Hole (2022). They also have eight EPs and twelve singles/digital singles with their latest being “I Don’t Need Signal”. Check out their official website, Twitter, Instagram, and their latest music video “I Don’t Need Signal (Signal wa Iranai)” below!

Music Corner Week 117: Nishina

Vocalist Nishina got her start back in 2020 and is the self-dubbed “New Era Star with a heavenly naturally singing voice”. True to her name, her music is calm, yet has a hint of mysterious madness hidden throughout which attracts all listeners.  One of things that I absolutely love about Nishina is that she has this really soft but show addictive vocals that just can capture anyone. Combined with the sense of lyrical prowess that just spins a tale throughout every track and the nostalgic melody that can relax the listener as well.

Songs like “heavy smoke” and “centi” show off that relaxed style you can drift away in, and Nishina’s vocals add to the atmosphere overall. While slow tempo tracks are her forte, several mid-tempo works also make their way, making her no one trick pony. “Tokyo Marble”, “1999” and “Toumei Nakuro to Tetsubunno Aruaka” present this well, and, while not the strongest releases in her discography, they show that she isn’t afraid to mix it up and experiment outside her comfort zone.

While still young in her career, Nishina has collected an amazing amount of single releases, starting in October of 2020 with her 14 singles, and only one album, 1999, back in July of 2022. Be sure to follow her on her official website, Twitter, and Instagram along with the music video for 1999 below!

Music Corner Week 116: Friends

Friends is a four-member rock group consisting of Emi Okamoto, who goes by Emison does the vocals, Ryōhei Nagashima plays the bass, Tarō Miura does guitar along with vocals, and Rui Sekiguchi plays drums and also contributes to the vocals. Hirose Hirose was the one who formed the group in 2015. Hirose wanted to put together a group for his twenty-fifth birthday. He was a member of the band Nicoten, wanted to work with a female vocalist so he reached out to Emison who, at the time, was a member of the band The Love Ningen, because he had worked with her in the past. Then Hirose invited Nagashima to the group because they needed a bassist. Lastly, they reached out to Sekiguchi to be their drummer. One night out Emison saw the sign for a bar called Philippine Pub Friends and took a picture of it to send to her bandmates. They really liked the name of the bar Friends, so they started using it. Finally in 2016 Miura formally joined the group and that was the full group until last year when Hirose decided to step away from it. In that time the group has released seventeen singles and one album which was released last year. 

The band aims to create friendship, love, and the subtleties of everyday life through a variety of pop sounds, along with exquisitely intertwined originality. The listener hears that in every song. Friends create a nice, fun, upbeat sound that draws the listener in. One of my favorite songs by them is their song “Tokyo Konya”. It has such a fun, delightful air about it and their harmonization is done well. Their latest release is their EP “Superb”, and “Yoru wa Kirai” is a ton of fun as well.

Their Twitter stays up to date with all of the news for the group along with their Official Website. Lastly, be sure to check out their song “Tokyo Konya” in the video below.