HIRAIDAI releases music video for new song ‘Lovely Day, Lovely Place.’ and ‘Surf ’n Turf’, unveiled at beach festival THE BEACH TRIP 2023!

Surf & Turf Jacket Cover

Singer-songwriter HIRAIDAI has released music videos for ‘Lovely Day, Lovely Place.’ and ‘Surf ’n Turf’, two tracks taken from his EP ‘SURF & TURF’ released on June 25.

The EP was produced to coincide with a beach festival produced by HIRAIDAI, titled HIRAIDAI presents THE BEACH TRIP 2023, which was held in May at Sennan Long Park in Osaka and in June at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba. ‘Lovely Day, Lovely Place.’ became a highlight when it was premiered at these shows, performed live in front of 15,000 fans in Osaka and 30,000 in Chiba.

The EP ‘SURF & TURF’ contains five gems that reflect the very essence of HIRAIDAI, taking in genres such as country and surf music. The pop melody and fiddle hooks on ‘Lovely Day, Lovely Place.’ give it a country flavor, while the lyrics flit seamlessly between English and Japanese, resulting in a supremely listenable song. The music video for ‘Lovely Day, Lovely Place.’ includes live footage and behind-the-scenes footage from THE BEACH TRIP 2023, with 8mm film footage also interwoven to create a warm, analogue feel. Be sure to check out the music video for ‘Lovely Day, Lovely Place’ below!

In addition, a music video for ‘Surf ’n Turf’ with full English subtitles has also been released. Photographer Lady Brown Pictures, HIRAIDAI’s partner both professionally and privately, helmed the camera. She films casual scenes from HIRAIDAI’s daily life in a natural way, interwoven with evocative images of places they have visited together, making it an intensely personal work that could only have been created by them. Check out the nostalgic and heartfelt imagery that perfectly complements the song. Check out ‘Surf ‘n Turf’ below!

The release of the EP was accompanied by a new HIRAIDAI artist photo. The photo was also taken by Lady Brown Pictures, and shows the singer-songwriter in a natural pose. Be sure to check out the EP here across all digital music streaming platforms!

Yamato Shows His Essential with Latest Release!

Essentials EP Jacket Cover

DJ/producer Yamato is dropping his biggest release of 2022 in Essentials EP. Having worked for Pioneer as a technical developer of Pioneer CDJ series, he has an unrivaled competitive advantage few other artists can touch. A keen sense of songwriting, a brand-savvy skillset, and an ability to surround himself with the right team makes it clear as to why he’s achieved so much in his internationally acclaimed career.

With over 30 million views on YouTube, Yamato not only began uploading to the platform early, but showcased clever live DJing video themes which resulted in the attention of a worldwide audience. Showcasing his incredible long-form DJ sets in a gorgeous setting using a multi-camera set up, Yamato was able to create lucious eye-candy videos that kept YouTubers coming back for more and demanding more of this content. The series has become one of several breaking points in a chain of successful stages this artist has journeyed through.

With the lockdown era coming to a close globally, Yamato’s goal with Essentials EP is to stir up energy within the listener and close the secluded, adverse chapter of their recent past.  Featuring vocal collaborators Mike Macdermid and Poe Leos, the experience is jam-packed with uplifting, positive melodies while still sticking close to the roots of Yamato's signature sound.

Featuring Mike Macdermid, title track “Essential,” launches with a shining, heavenly disposition. Piano House and electro-inspired sound design backs up a moment capturing mood brought about through the lyrics. A build up hits and transitions the song to a melodic drop, taking the single to a peak moment. The section showcases deep house influences, as the previous sections rinse and repeat, giving Macdermid an ability to continue onward.

Yamato also released a music video for “Essential” which you can check below along with the streaming link for Essentials EP here!

Fujii Kaze Invites Remixers from 4 Different Cities in Asia for His Track "Kirari"!

Fujii Kaze made his sensational debut with his first album HELP EVER HURT NEVER in 2020. After gaining attention, he made a performance called Fujii Kaze, “Free” Live 2021 at NISSAN stadium during the covid pandemic. He performed on the outside stadium in the rain in one of the biggest stadiums in Japan with only a piano and his song. And this performance was released via live streaming on YouTube to the entire world. He went on an arena tour inside Japan and he appeared on NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen at the end of 2021. NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen is a legendary TV program which air’s on New Year's Eve. It is considered to be an honor to be chosen as a performer on the national music program, which has a long history in Japan. He has established his very unique identity in the music scene.

Fujii Kaze is getting so much attention for his activity. His 1st release of 2022 is a remix EP of “Kirari”, which was his big hit from last year, with more than one hundred million streams. ‘Kirari’ is a song with the message about how important it is to think about shining (Kirari) moments in daily life. His original song which had a funky disco feeling has been arranged into a new modern and pop sound by his best friend Yaffle. This new track shows Fujii Kaze’s new side. The remix EP includes Fujii Kaze and Yaffle’s remix version as well as other versions from remixers from 4 cities in Asia. Please check it out. The birth of the remix EP with talented artists from all over the world shows evidence that Fujii Kaze has established himself as a unique artist bringing his originality to pop music on a global scale. The album cover of this EP was done by graphic designer Kosuke Kawamura. Fujii Kaze started 2022 with new creations of his original song “Kirari’ with other Asian artists. This project will definitely propel him into his next step of being active worldwide with it here!

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Kirari  Remixes (Asia Edition) Jacket Cover

Fujii Kaze「Kirari  Remixes (Asia Edition)」

01. Kirari (Original Remix / Tokyo)

02. Kirari (Daul Remix / Seoul)

03. Kirari (FunkyMo Remix / Taipei)

04. Kirari (pxzvc Remix / Jakarta)

05. Kirari (Kaze & Yaffle Just For Fun Remix / Tokyo)

06. Kirari (Knopha Remix / Amoy)

07. Kirari (Naken Remix / Jakarta)

08. Kirari (Yaffle Remix / Tokyo)

09. Kirari

Kaz Brings A New Type of Code with Latest EP!

CODE LOVE Digital Jacket Cover

Kaz from the boy group INTERSECTION has released his very first solo EP, CODE LOVE across all digital music streaming platforms. Kaz himself was directly involved in the production of every song on the new EP. Its release follows the June 2021 single “White Stallion”, which broke records on its release in China, becoming the first song by a Japanese artist to simultaneously hit No.1 in four separate category charts on Chinese download sites.

Kaz is currently studying at Harvard University. With roots in jazz and classical music, He is expanding his horizon so the new EP takes in such diverse genres as alternative, chill, trip-hop, lo-fi rock, lo-fi pop and more, to create music that is not tied to stylistic boundaries. It is a challenging work that will surprise listeners with Kaz’s musical essence. Producing this EP at the age of 21, Kaz has set a new standard for Generation Z artists, and this release proves he is well on his way to becoming an icon himself.

Kaz commented on the work stating 

“The title of this EP ‘CODE LOVE’ explores the sentimental and subtle emotional complexities of love. I wanted to express my thoughts about life and love outside of stereotypical expressions of romance by exploring the various feelings that surround love that stay in people’s hearts for better or worse. For this EP I got to work with many talented artists and musicians, and it represents my musical journey specifically expressing a wide range of genre-blending musicality. I hope everyone is able to feel and relate to all of the new dimensions of my sound as I continue to grow and develop as an artist and continue my journey of discovering myself.”

The release of the EP was preceded by three single releases. “White Stallion” broke the sales record for a Japanese artist in China on its first day. “Drown feat. Hikari Mitsushima” was released last month. Most recently, he released “Summer is Over feat. Mai Anna”, which attracted attention from revered media outlets such as The Associated Press and Sweety High.

Be sure to check out the streaming link for CODE LOVE here, along with the music video for “Drown” below!

XANVALA Unravels a New Vale with Latest EP!

Promising five-member rock band XANVALA has released a first EP titled 我慾之幕 (Gayoku no Maku) on June 2. This work contains six tracks plus a DVD featuring the music video for “ヒトリ舞台” (“Hitori butai”).

Since the formation of the band in 2020, XANVALA has proved to be a must-listen for any rock music fan. Their fresh and energetic essence is showcased through the songs presented on this EP. The promotional track, “Hitori butai”, stands out with catchy riffs and a vibrant rhythm combined with the emotional voice of Tatsumi. In contrast to the ferociously loud single “Janome” that came out in January, XANVALA presents a brighter sound for this work. Despite this, tracks like “ratchet” or “Tragedy wa gitaisuru” are proof that the aggressive side is still present.

Prior to this release, the music video for “Dare ga tame no koufukuron” (from the singles compilation Roku jyuusou) was unleashed in March for the delight of fans of their earlier songs. The unstoppable race of XANVALA is underway as a new limited single has been already announced. The single Bamby will be available to purchase only at concerts from June 7.  

XANVALA has been forced to slow down the pace due to the outbreak of the pandemic, but they are still aiming to reach more areas in Japan as far as the circumstances allow, and of course, hoping to tour internationally in the near future as well. For the time being, the band will be doing a Japanese one-man tour in August that includes Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Sendai.

As the curtain rises, witness the act that XANVALA has put on for the world to see! Be sure to check out the music video for “Hitori Butai” along with the order link for Gayoku no maku below!

Standard edition 

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Gayoku no Maku Jacket Cover

XANVALA 「Gayoku no Maku」

CD

1. Hitori butai [ヒトリ舞台]

2. DROID

3. ratchet

4. Tragedy wa gitaisuru [トラジェディは擬態する]

5. Nemuru byoshin [眠る秒針]

6. Shumaku [終幕]

DVD

1. Hitori butai (MV)

2. Hitori butai (MV Tatsumi Angle)

3. Hitori butai (MV Yuhma Angle)

4. Hitori butai (MV Souma Angle)

5. Hitori butai (MV 70. Angle)

6. Hitori butai (MV Tomoya Angle)

7. “Gayoku no maku” Audio Commentary