More fresh faces in my Wednesday series. This time we have Kaneko Rie from The Idol Formerly Known as LADYBABY. I was really trying to fight them off for a while to no avail. These are good some looking girls.
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Ogura Yui in Young Gangan 2017 No.13
The Wednesday series picks up some new faces here with Ogura Yui. Yui’s been in a few groups associated with Up Front, the most notable of which was probably YuiKaori. You know I’ve often though Yui was darn near perfect, and I think I got the pictures to prove it.
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Notes from the Idol PV Couch– Week 26 2017 (0702-0708)
Over at New School Kaidan, I write a few words about some of the recently released promotional videos. At times, this is a bit of a grueling task, and all of my thoughts can get a little scattered when multiple PVs are released on the same day. But, I always try to present the promotional videos in the best light possible, and I try to remember that each of these pieces of entertainment for your a me is actually the manifestation of a dream for some young girl or girls out there in Japan. Here then is a collection of those write-ups, with a few words sometimes added after a week+ of viewing.
This week, we come back with a vengeance with Promotional videos from:
Niji no Conquistador – Kimi wa Mujaki na Natsu no Joo
I don’t think I’m going to need to convince you to give Niji no Conquistador’s new promotional video a good watch. For their summer release, “Kimi wa Mujaki na Natsu no Joo”, 2zicon takes you to sunny Guam, where the beaches of Tumon Bay play gracious host. The song is upbeat and fun with some interesting rhythmic breaks, some slap-and-pop bass guitar, and a double-time chorus that resolves itself interestingly. The palm trees, tropical sun, and turquoise waters scream summer vacation. The colorful tutus and floral hairpieces that adorn Niji no Conquistador keep the tropical theme alive; and man, don’t we need a vacation right now? There’s even a double rainbow (it’s so beautiful)! But, if nothing I’ve said so far convinced you to check out this September 5 release, then I have three words for you: 2zicon in bikinis.
Kyouka in Young Gangan 2017 no. 8
Notes from the Idol PV Couch– Week 25 2017 (0625-0701)
Over at New School Kaidan, I write a few words about some of the recently released promotional videos. At times, this is a bit of a grueling task, and all of my thoughts can get a little scattered when multiple PVs are released on the same day. But, I always try to present the promotional videos in the best light possible, and I try to remember that each of these pieces of entertainment for your a me is actually the manifestation of a dream for some young girl or girls out there in Japan. Here then is a collection of those write-ups, with a few words sometimes added after a week+ of viewing.
This week, we come back with a vengeance with Promotional videos from:
PINK CRES. – Pretty・Cute・Future
Filmed during their opening slot at the last Buono! concert, “Kirei Kawai Mirai” starts with an introduction of the girls (so when I gush over over Kobayashi Hikaru you’ll know who I’m talking about). With electric guitars forming the backbone of the arrangement, seems like it might be at odds with the conception of PINK CRES. This isn’t really the case, with the song providing a nice slice of pop alongside the guitar solos. Visually, “Kirei Kawai Mirai” is the compliment of “fun fun fun” with onscreen graphics over live shots comprising the majority of the video. Maybe the song is just a step behind the infectiousness of “fun fun fun”, but “Oh oh oh chu chu chu, Your baby girl” is every bit as catchy. Also, Hikaru gets more chances to sing, so this is my jam for that. “Pretty Cute Future” from PINK CRES.’s debut release “crescendo” goes on sale June 28, 2017.
Asakawa Nana Special Photobook in Young Gangan 2016 no. 14
As promised, here is the special photobook of the lovely Asakawa Nana. You know, I really like her smile. I know this is probably not what you were expecting, but Naapon’s smile was the thing that first caught my eye with her …
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Notes from the Idol PV Couch– Week 24 2017 (0618-0624)
Over at New School Kaidan, I write a few words about some of the recently released promotional videos. At times, this is a bit of a grueling task, and all of my thoughts can get a little scattered when multiple PVs are released on the same day. But, I always try to present the promotional videos in the best light possible, and I try to remember that each of these pieces of entertainment for your a me is actually the manifestation of a dream for some young girl or girls out there in Japan. Here then is a collection of those write-ups, with a few words sometimes added after a week+ of viewing.
This week, we come back with a vengeance with Promotional videos from:
E-girls – Love ☆ Queen
The new look E-girls test their luck in none other than Las Vegas in their new protional video “Love ☆ Queen”. Filled with the dichotomy of the desert wastelands and the glamorous neon lights, the E-girls show their best sides with fun choreography emphasized with some spot-on camera work. The vignettes along the strip, in the casinos, and along downtown Vegas all lead up to a red flooded dance break that only sees an introduction in this short version. So, as the girls converge on sin city, you should consider whether to test your luck when “Love ☆ Queen” hits stores on July 26, 2017.
Asakawa Nana in Young Gangan 2016 no. 14
SUPER☆GiRLS’s Asakawa Nana, who you should probably recognize by now, gives us more. Much more. Make sure you’re around next week for the Asakawa Nana special photobook from this same issue!
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Mogami Moga in Weekly Young Jump 2016 no. 02
Dempagumi.inc’s resident shortcut blonde gives us a nice look at her first photobook “Moga”!
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Notes from the Idol PV Couch– Week 23 2017 (0611-0617)
Over at New School Kaidan, I write a few words about some of the recently released promotional videos. At times, this is a bit of a grueling task, and all of my thoughts can get a little scattered when multiple PVs are released on the same day. But, I always try to present the promotional videos in the best light possible, and I try to remember that each of these pieces of entertainment for your a me is actually the manifestation of a dream for some young girl or girls out there in Japan. Here then is a collection of those write-ups, with a few words sometimes added after a week+ of viewing.
This week, we come back with a vengeance with Promotional videos from:
ANGERME – Meg the Little Witch
To round out the group’s 23rd single release, ANGERME present their contribution to Aidorusai 2017 ~Idol Matsuri~, “Meg the Little Witch”. The opening theme to the 1974 anime of the same name, “Majokko Megu-chan” preserves much of the verve of the Showa-era arrangement while simultaneously adding some surf rock guitars that sound right at home (see 1974 opening). ANGERME plays up the budding sexuality inherent in magical girl anime with some short shorts, sly looks, and letting the youngest member, Kasahara Momona, sing that line … you’ll know the one. For my 2¢, I appreciate a bit of levity on a single that seems incredibly sober for the young group of girls. ANGERME’s “Ai Sae Areba Nanni mo Iranai / Namida Iro no Ketsui / Majokko Megu-chan” hits the record store racks on June 21, 2017.
ANGERME – I don’t need anything but love
Violins over an electro beat seems to be a staple sound for ANGERME, as evidenced by their new song “Ai Sae Areba Nanni mo Iranai”. The group uses a stately European-style manor for the setting, which appropriately fits the sounds. Keeping with the theme, a quick waltz-time pre-chorus breaks up the 4/4 beats, and I can almost see ballgowns twirling. The washes of pink lights over pink clothes make the themes of love and distance visible, while physical distance between the members on the fabulously Baroque love seat give flesh and blood the that same theme. “Ai Sae Areba Nanni mo Iranai / Namida Iro no Ketsui / Majokko Megu-chan” goes on sale June 21, 2017. Save those tears.
~theNumber244~
ANGERME Official Links
Web Site | Blog 1 2 3 | Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | iTunes
BiSH – GiANT KiLLERS
You can call “GiANT KiLLERS” a promotional video if you want, but I like to think the new BiSH video as a manifesto (MANiFESTO?). Locked up in the attic in pretty white dresses, eyes open yet not really seeing, isn’t this how you see idols stuck in the traditional idol world? Well, BiSH have had enough. They open their eyes, take the weapons in their hands, and dominate or destroy the entire system. It seems nothing is worth saving. Their oppressors enforce the system under the guise of love, but it’s not really the type of love that BiSH wants. Destroy the system and burn down the house; this is how change comes about. KiLL the GiANT.
Buy BiSH’s “GiANT KiLLERS“!
BiSH Official Links
Web Site | Line | Twitter | YouTube | iTunes
Yurumerumo! (You’ll Melt More) – Sukiyaki (O-EAST Live Version)
You might remember “Sukiyaki” from Yurumerumo!’s 2014 release “Electric Sukiyaki Girls” as a synthy track over grilled meats. For the live version in 2017, the song’s arrangement has been mostly transplanted to guitar work, and electronic blips are replaced with palm-muted rhythms which creates a real mood of tension and anticipation. The chorus remains an joyous, emotional outburst- like the silky meat texture hitting your palette. “Sukiyaki” can be found on the live DVD “Kodoku to Gyakushuu ~Te Henda! Teihenda ~ Tour at TSUTAYA O-EAST” released on June 28, 2017.
Buy Yurumerumo!’s “Kodoku to Gyakushuu ~Te Henda! Teihenda ~ Tour at TSUTAYA O-EAST [DVD]”!
~theNumber244~
Buy Yurumerumo!’s “Electric Sukiyaki Girls”!
~theNumber244~
You’ll Melt More! Official Links
Web Site | Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | iTunes
CY8ER – Kakushemu
The third CY8ER single sees the group explode from six members to their current six-piece lineup. More lively than their previous release “Te to Te“, “Kakushemu” sees the group around the Lazy Susan for an upbeat meal. The girls perform and eat in the inner sanctum to the jumping rhythms from Yunomi, and solo close-up shots present the lineup immersed in light. Especially if you found “Te to Te” too dreamy for your taste, you should get a good look at “Kakushemu”. CY8ER’s third single goes on sale on June 28, 2017.
Buy CY8ER’s “Kakusemu“!
~theNumber244~
CY8ER Official Links
Web Site | SoundCloud | Twitter | YouTube | iTunes
Maneki Kecak – Dodemo Iiya
Starting with a ballad piano, Maneki Kecak quickly pick up the pace for their new single “Doudemo Iiya”. The story through the PV shows the four girls pursuing their artistic dreams. Nakagawa Miyuu, Miyauchi Rin, and Matsushita Reona passionately work the theater while Fujikawa Chiai busks for a dollar on the street corner. Their paths meet, and it’s up to us to finish the story. “Dodemo Iiya” follows a great musical path with some left turns that make it the most uplifting thing I’ve heard today. The chorus flows with beautifully lyrical lines powered with more than enough talent to see them through. Maneki Kecak’s “Dodemo Iiya / Arikitari na Kotoba de” hits record store shelves on June 28, 2017.
Buy Maneki Kecak’s “Dodemo Iiya / Arikitari na Kotoba de“!
Maneki Kecak Official Links
Web Site | Twitter | YouTube | iTunes
Sakura No Yume。 – Dream☆Road
The limited time group for @JAM EXPO 2017 is Sakura No Yume. The trio of Ando Sakura from Tsuri Bit, Ichinose Mika from Kamiyado, and Abe Yumeri from SUPER☆GiRLS absolutely shine in this upbeat clip. Wearing their pure whites, we see the girls onstage performing, backstage in photoshoots, and recording their song. Sakura No Yume。 is a limited time group that lasts only from @JAM 2017 to @JAM EXPO 2017- roughly the summertime of 2017. Sakura, Mika, and Yumeri look great together, sound great together, and seem to have some amount of chemistry, so I’ll be a bit sad when the group wraps up their activities in late August. But, then again we’ll have another great @JAM EXPO to end it all, so we’re all the better for that. With a lineup that featured 165 acts last year, @JAM EXPO should be on everybody’s radar. Get yourself ready by following the links below.
@JAM Official Links
Web Site | Twitter | YouTube
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the number 244 