Music Corner Week 125: Salmon Pinknows

Born from the mind of freelancer music designer MIZ-C, the Salmon Pinknows is his solo-music project that started in March of 2021. They have a wide range of music, being a fusion of 80s city pop, dance music, soul music from around the world, and modern Japanese rock. The refreshing cutting guitar, the technical lead guitar, the moving bass, and the drums that bring them all together are exquisite. Sticking to the theme of wanting listeners to experience the joy of “musical instruments and bands,” with a new birth of sounds, it will have everyone jiving to the compositions throughout.

One of things that I absolutely love about MIZ-C with this project is that he just oozes style throughout all his tracks. Whether it be the more guitar-heavy compositions of “1056194”, the more pop-rock feel of “Meteor is Shining” and “I am a city popper”,  or the bass tones of “Keep Running To The End”, the Salmon Pinknows project shows a wide array of compositions that is for everyone.

Currently, the Salmon Pinknows project has two EPs (both in 2021), 14 singles, and three albums. You can also request work from him on his webpage (Japanese Only). Be sure to check out their official website and Twitter, along with the music video for “I am a city popper” below!

Music Corner Week 124: Raisan

Raisan is a newly formed pop rock band consisting of the vocalist/singer-songwriter CLR, Bansan on Guitar, Hi on Guitarist, Kasugayama on Bass, and foot vinegar(Dr) on Drums. Raisan brings a unique flavor to their music with all members having been in/currently are in bands. From the first listen, you get a funky fresh pop rock sound with the experience and knowledge of music. CLR’s vocals bring out the best in each member as each knows how to match her vocal style and vice versa. Their musical style pulls the audience in with their unique composition, CLR’s vocals, and their catchy lyrics.

Members:

CLR: Vocals (Saya of Lalaland)

Bansan: Guitar (Enon Kawatani of indigo la end, Gesu no Kiwami Otome, and Genie High)

Hi: Guitar (Satoshi Kinoshita)

Kasugayama: Bass (Kyujitsu Kacho of DADARAY and Gesu no Kiwami Otome)

foot vinegar(Dr): Drums (GOTO of DALLJUB STEP CLUB)

Raisan showcases how they know how to compose and capture audiences with tracks such as “TRUMAN”, “NO SWEAT”, and “Guro” with their fun compositions that showcase CLR’s vocal talent. “TRUMAN” delivers a upbeat track that keeps you entertained throughout the listen, as the beat gives off a jazzy rock vibe, catchy chorus, and steady vocals. “Guro” brings a different vibe with CLR’s use of rap to start off, and is more heavy on the guitar, making for an interesting mix before jumping into the vocals for the chorus. “NO SWEAT” goes back to a more pop-funk sound that is more vocal heavy. Raisan shows that each member is familiar with each others talents and brings out the best in each other; the track “Bye Bye’ shows this, as it has the perfect flow between guitar, bass, and CLR’s vocals; all meshing together with the perfect melody.

Currently, Raisan has one digital album, WHOOPEE (2023), and five digital singles (2021 - 2022) with two of them being demo versions. Check out their official website, Twitter, Instagram, and latest music video for “TRUMAN” below!

Music Corner Week 123: My Hair Is Bad

My Hair Is Bad is a three-member rock band that was founded in Joetsu City, which is in the Niigata Prefecture. The group consists of Tomohito Shiiki who does vocals and guitar, Cho Daiki Yamamoto, also known as Baya, does the base, and Jun Yamada is the drummer. All the members of the group attended the same high school, and it was Shiiki who invited the other two to form the band. The name of the band comes from when the group was founded. Yamamoto stated, “My Hair is Bad!” and the name took, so that is what they have gone by ever since. In February 2013 the group debuted with their mini-album “Kinō Ni Naritakute”, and in May 2016 had their major debut with the release of their single, “Jidai o Atsumete”. Since then, they have gone on to release two singles, four albums, and two digital singles with their latest release being “Hitomini Mezemete”, which was released in October of 2022.

My Hair Is Bad has a lot of energy that shines through in their music. Their latest release, “Hitomini Mezemete” has a really nice build-up to the chorus. What draws my attention to this track is that, while it’s definitely a high-energy track, a sense of longing comes through the melody and vocal work. Shiiki does an excellent job working within his strengths in this track. On their latest album there is a track, “Mikata,” where they slow it down and a different side of the group comes through. There is a gentleness that is really felt throughout the song. “Mikata” has become one of my favorites on their angels album. My Hair Is Bad has tracks like “Lil Fin Lil Fin” that have a bit more of a grunge feel to them. I can see not everyone liking this, but it shows how they mix things a bit and try new things.  

My Hair Is Bad has a very active Twitter where you can stay up to date on all the latest news along with their official website. Lastly, be sure to check out their song “Hitomini Mezemete” in the video below.

Music Corner Week 122: Kana Adachi

Kana Adachi is a singer/songwriter from Gifu prefecture who made her debut back in 2017. She claimed fame back in 2014 via the LINE X SONY MUSIC audition event which Adachi ended up being a Grand Prix finalist. Throughout 2017 she worked with LINE on various projects such as commercials and variety shows, in which she had also debuted as an actress as well. In August of that year, Adachi had signed with SME Records with her debut single “Kimuchi Egaono Tsukurikata/ Kikuchi Kokoro” and has been wowing listeners through her amazing vocal and composition usage ever since.

Dabbling with the ‘girl with the guitar’ bit from time to time, Adachi brings that traditional style with a more modern flare with this cheerful style of vocal range that is rarely used to make her stand out. Tracks like “Good Day”, “No make”, “WALK”, and “Hitoyogari” brings out the best of her style to show individuality in the genre that is currently in a resurgence. While I do love a lot of her solo stuff, it has be said, her collaboration work is absolutely fantastic and brings out a side that I really like seeing. “Like it” “Wings to fly” and recently “Yurari Futari” from artists like Tani Yuki, MaRuRi, Mizuki and fellow Music Corner alum Rude α bring the best out of her and are some of the things I wish I could see more of.

Currently, Kana Adachi has seven physical singles, eight digitally released singles, and three studio albums. A fourth album, Seeker, is coming out in February of 2023. Be sure to check out her Official Website, Twitter, and Instagram along with the music video for her digital single “WALK” below!

Music Corner Week 121: AAAMYYY

AAAMYYY is a female electronic musician born Honami ‘Amy’ Fukuhara and began her music career when she came back from Vancover, Canada. She began an electro-pop group with her friend Shiori, called Go Retro in 2013. Once their group disbanded, AAAMYYY began the group Eemie with DJ Takuma, where they produced mainly English language music. The group debuted in 2015 and peformed at the Summer Sonic festival, from there AAAMYYY met the group Templay and joined as a supported member performing at the SXSW festival. AAAMYYY began her solo career in 2017 after becoming a Radio DJ; her debut song was '“8PM”. As she had did mainly English produced music, she decided to switch it up to Japanese as a way to reach more listeners in Japan. AAAMYYY western meets eastern style, her inspirations such as M.I.A. bring a memorable style of electro pop style music to Japan. Not only in AAAMYYY’s music career, but also her experience helped boost her audience range worldwide with the ability to sing in both English and Japanese.

AAAMYYY’s debut track, “8PM” drew me in with its catchy electric beat, fun lyrics, and smooth vocals that make you want to get up and dance. This is the type of track I play on a Friday night to get me in the mood for the weekend. “Swim In” has a consistent beat that delivers a nice chill vibe feeling you can’t help but bob your head or tap your feet to, plus AAAMYYY’s vocals perfectly flow with the beat which is steady yet pulsating in a good way. AAAMYYY’s collaboration tracks are perfection as the acts she works with know how to match her style such as tracks like “Z feat. Computer Magic”, “Island feat. MATTON”, Eyes feat. CONYPLANKTON, and KAMERA feat. TENDRE to name a few. These collaborations provide unique musical sounds with AAAMYYY’s pleasant voice along with the collaborating acts. One of AAAMYYY’s latest tracks, Ano emi feat. ano immediately caught my ear due to its composition being a mixture between electronic and alternative plus AAAMYYY’s vocals take a different tone than most of her tracks giving it a unique feel making it very memorable. AAAMYYY’s utilization of her vocal skills plus having a composition that stands out and lryrics to bolster all that made it easily a favorite.

AAAMYYY currently has three studio albums, MABOROSI WEEKEND (2018), Body (2019) , and Annihilation (2021); two EPs, ECHO CHAMBER (2022) and ETCETRA (2018); and eleven digital singles. Check out AAAMYYY’s official website, Twitter, Instagram, and one of her latest music videos “Ano emi” feat. ano below.