LIL LEAGUE Release ‘Lollipop’, Lead Track from Upcoming Album ‘TRICKSTER’, Along with Music Video!

TRICKSTER Jacket Cover

Dance/vocal/rap group LIL LEAGUE have released their new single ‘Lollipop’, the lead track from their upcoming first full-length album ‘TRICKSTER’, along with a music video.

The song title hints at something sweet, but the theme of the lyrics is the contrast between “the surface and what lies beneath”, or the light side and the dark. We all yearn for a world that is sweet and glamourous, but beneath the surface lie bitter and painful experiences. Artists who live public lives in the bright spotlight may be plunged into darkness for saying or doing the wrong thing. The track borrows its melody from 19th-century composer Edvard Grieg’s timeless ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’. This classic piece was first composed to soundtrack a scene in the stage play ‘Peer Gynt’, in which the protagonist is pursued by the troll Mountain King’s minions.

As ‘Lollipop’ explores themes of light and dark, Grieg’s melody creates a thrilling, mysterious atmosphere. Making use of tricks like sound effects and a sudden rhythm change in its outro, the song has a playful sound that is typical of LIL LEAGUE. The music video echoes the themes of the lyrics by contrasting scenes of the group members in the glittering spotlight with darker footage of them as puppets on a string. Going back and forth between these seen and unseen worlds, LIL LEAGUE express themselves as artists, not puppets, who have their own creativity and vision.

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The video was filmed on location in Taiwan at Lihpao Resort as well as at Shitou Park, an abandoned theme park that is now used as a filming location. Look out for the group’s high-speed performance in front of the brightly lit Ferris wheel and giant candy statue in this otherwise desolate, eerie amusement park. It’s a video that perfectly intercuts footage from one resort that is lively and thriving, and one that is deserted. 

LIL LEAGUE made their debut in January last year and won the Best New Artist Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards, while their debut single ‘Hunter’ ranked No.1 on the Oricon Chart and No.2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart. LIL LEAGUE were also selected by respondents in the Next Trend Prediction poll for the second half of 2023, based on the choices of 120,000 Generation Z voters. After a whirlwind debut year that included holding a headline hall tour of Japan just six months after their debut,

LIL LEAGUE are moving into a new phase – and anticipation for their upcoming first full-length album is reaching fever pitch. Be sure to check out the music video for ‘Lollipop’ below along with the streaming link here!

FEMM surprises fans with their last Xmas present: RiRi’s solo MV ‘Living in the Spotlight’

FEMM member RiRi’s first solo MV “Living in the Spotlight” was dropped on Dec 26th. This song was included in their last EP “CHERRY,” which was released on Nov 15th.

RiRi directed and edited this MV herself, and it really shows that she wanted to express her feelings directly to agents. In the video, she showed herself both as a mannequin and also as her human self as Emily Kaiho. From this, we can see that she is embracing her two personas and will proceed with her journey.

FEMM took their final year 2023 by storm. They opened with their Poland performance, and then appeared at major festivals in the UK, Germany, US, and Saudi Arabia. Finally in December they had their last oversea concert “Last FEMM-Isation” in London, and final concert “HIMM&FEMM” in Tokyo with the collaboration with Tokyo’s largest LGBTQ+ organization “fancyHIM.”

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Message from RiRi

“Did you watch my solo MV ‘Living in the Spotlight’ already? Since the process of making this song, I always had a vision that it had to be 100% me. In the beginning it feels like a settle graduation song, but it gets pretty aggressive and also fragile. Emotions can easily get messy with me, and chaotic sometimes, but maybe you agents are the same too.

It was the first time that I did the whole thing, from brainstorming to direction and editing. It really has all my DNA in there. I hope you accept by surprise Christmas present to you.”

Be sure to check out the music video for ‘Living in the Spotlight’ below!

Virtual singer KAF releases music video for ‘My Voice’, the 14th song in her ‘Suite’ series – a collaboration with Shinichi Osawa (MONDO GROSSO)

‘My voice’ Jacket Cover

The ‘Suite’ series by Japanese virtual singer KAF is a series of collaborations with real-life artists and songwriters.

For the 14th entry in the series, KAF’s collaborator is MONDO GROSSO, the solo project of Japanese artist Shinichi Osawa. Osawa is a musician, composer, DJ and producer who has worked with numerous domestic and global artists as a producer and remixer, as well as producing music for commercials, installations and soundtracks, and even producing a music bar focused on vinyl records. The title is ‘My Voice’. The song was released on September 6 – and now, a music video has also been released.

Created in collaboration with VFX artist group khaki, this is the first music video to feature KAF’s virtual human form. KAF plays the lead in the music video, which uses state-of-the-art technology that is unique to KAF, allowing her to show expressions that transcend dimensions. The video was directed by filmmaker Hironobu Nagasawa.

An infinitely real “somewhere that is not here”. As the boundaries fade, KAF’s ongoing efforts to express her own “my voice” from in between the virtual and the real combine with khaki’s worldview that exceeds imagination and reality, resulting in a video that will leave viewers stunned.

Check out ‘My Voice’ across all streaming platforms here, and its music video below, and check out the current state of KAF’s ever-evolving world – a song that stands apart from past entries in the ‘Suite’ series.

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KAF profile

KAF is a virtual singer and founding member of KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO. She made her debut in 2018 at the age of 14, performing via 3D avatars without revealing her true face. Even in a crowded field where a diverse variety of expression continues to be born, she has established her own style as an artist thanks to her unique singing voice and worldview. Several of the collaborations in KAF’s ‘Suite’ project have grabbed the attention of music fans, generating over 200 million YouTube views and counting, and fostering a devoted fan community in Japan and around the world. 

KAF’s partnership with Iori Kanzaki, who has been her main writer since the beginning of her career, has received high acclaim, and in August 2022 KAF held a triumphant headline performance at the legendary Nippon Budokan in Tokyo titled FUKAKAI III/SOU. In January 2024, she will hold her fourth headline concert at Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, titled Kaika; marking the beginning of KAF’s second chapter, this concert follows her Budokan performance to continue the trend of this solo virtual singer playing arena-sized venues. KAF strives to transcend the boundaries between the virtual and real worlds, setting the standard for a new generation of music artists.

Check out more information via their official website!

TRUE Reunites A Ensemble with Latest release for Sound! Euphonium: Ensemble Contest!

Esamble Jacket Cover

Renowned anime singer TRUE released their special edition of the “Sound! Euphonium: Ensemble Contest” theme song “Ensemble” across all digital music streaming platforms on Friday, August 4th.
The 4th main theme in the “Sound! Euphonium” series was composed by Takuya Watanabe of “Soundscape” fame. “Eupho” themes thus far have been upbeat toe-tappers, but this song is a gentle and affirming mid-tempo ballad that supports all those who are working hard towards their dreams. It is also the first to include a string arrangement, which only serves to enhance TRUE’s warm, majestic lyrics. The song is wonderful on its own, of course, but has so much more impact when paired with the movie. Please experience it for yourself in theaters!

A music video for the song has also been released. Blackboard style animation works in concert with real photographs and rotoscoping to depict the hills and valleys of everyday life. The smallest things during our time as students could have sent us over the moon or plunged us into the darkest depths. Although this video focuses on student life, it was designed to give those of us who have graduated a chance to reflect on those days and our current selves in a new light.

Be sure to check out the music video below along with the streaming link here!

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!