[news] NEW アンジェラ・アキ ALBUM 『TODAY』

NEW Angela Aki ALBUM 『TODAY』

NEW ALBUM
『TODAY』
アンジェラ・アキ
Release Date: 19 September 2007

Tracklist:
1. サクラ色
2. Again
3. TODAY
4. 愛のうた
5. たしかに
6. Silent Girl
7. モラルの葬式
8. 乙女心
9. One Melody
10. 友のしるし
11. 孤独のカケラ
12. On & On
13. Surrender
DVD Tracklist:
1. サクラ色 PV
2. 孤独のカケラ -special ver.- PV
3. たしかに PV
4. Again (Live 2007.04.30 in NHK Hall)
5. サクラ色 (Live 2007.04.30 in NHK Hall)
6. 孤独のカケラ (Live 2007.04.30 in NHK Hall)
7. サクラ色 (Making Of)
8. 孤独のカケラ (Making Of)
9. たしかに (Making Of)
10. TODAY Recording Document

The album, coming in limited CD+DVD and CD only versions, is to include her latest singles and "Again", which is the Mezamashi Terebi theme song.

[news] NEW 東京事変 ALBUM 『娯楽(バラエティ)』

NEW Tokyo Jihen ALBUM 『Variety』

NEW ALBUM
『娯楽(バラエティ)』
東京事変
Release Date: 26 September 2007

Tracklist (To Be Confirmed):
1. ランプ
2. ミラーボール
3. 金魚の箱
4. 私生活
5. OSCA
6. 黒猫道
7. 復讐
8. 某都民
9. SSAW
10. 月極姫
11. 酒と下戸
12. キラーチューン
13. メトロ

The album comprises of songs composed by the band members, unlike other albums where Shiina Ringo was composing most of the music. The first press of the album features a sack case and special jagged packaging. 金魚の箱 was used as the ending theme for the film Mouryou no Hako.

[news] NEW 宇多田ヒカル SINGLE 『Beautiful World / Kiss & Cry』

NEW Utada Hikaru SINGLE 『Beautiful World / Kiss & Cry』

NEW SINGLE
『Beautiful World / Kiss & Cry』
宇多田ヒカル
Release Date: 29 August 2007

Tracklist:
1. Beautiful World (「ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：序」テーマソング)
2. Kiss & Cry (日清カップヌードルTVCM FREEDOMシリーズ新テーマソング)
3. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) -2007 MIX-
4. Beautiful World [Original Karaoke]
5. Kiss & Cry [Original Karaoke]
6. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) -2007 MIX- [Original Karaoke]

Beautiful World is the theme song for the first of the "Rebuild of Evangelion" films called "Evangelion: 1.0 You are (Not) Alone" (ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版:序 [Evangelion Shin Gekijōban: Jo] - The English translation is Rebuild of Evangelion New Theater Edition: Preface).

Kiss & Cry (which reached No. 1 on the iTunes Download Charts) was first announced in late April, and is the Nissin's Freedom Cup Noodles commercial theme song. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) is a another mix of the version on her Wait & See ~リスク~ single.

[news] NEW BONNIE PINK ALBUM 『Thinking Out Loud』

NEW BONNIE PINK ALBUM 『Thinking Out Loud』

NEW ALBUM
『Thinking Out Loud』
BONNIE PINK
Release Date: 25 July 2007

Tracklist:
1. Gimme A Beat
2. Broken hearts, citylights and me just thinking out loud
3. Burning Inside
4. 慰みブルー
5. Imagination
6. A Perfect Sky (Philharmonic Flava)
7. lullably
8. 坂道
9. Water Me
10. Catch The Sun
11. Chances Are
12. Anything For You

DVD Tracklist:
1. Anything For You PV
2. Water Me PV
3. Sweden Internet Live Performances: A Perfect Sky, Gimme A Beat, and Tonight, the Night

This is BONNIE PINK's first album to include a CD+DVD version and a CD only version. First pressing for both versions include the AD/password to reserve tickets for her upcoming "BONNIE PINK TOUR 2007 "Thinking Out Loud" Final at Nippon Budokan".

[news] NEW 東京事変 SINGLE 『キラーチューン』

NEW Tokyo Jihen SINGLE 『Killer Tune』

NEW SINGLE
『キラーチューン』
東京事変
Release Date: 22 August 2007

Tracklist:
1. キラーチューン
2. BB.QUEEN
3. 体

[news] NEW 浜崎あゆみ SINGLE 『glitter / fated』

CD+DVD

CD only

NEW Ayumi Hamasaki SINGLE 『glitter / fated』

NEW SINGLE
『glitter / fated』
浜崎あゆみ
Release Date: 18th July 2007

Formats: CD+DVD and CD only version

CD/DVD tracklist and cover to be announced soon.

『glitter / fated』will be the first double A-side single for Ayumi Hamasaki after her release of A BEST 2s.

*updated with official covers

[news] NEW 中島美嘉 SINGLE 『LIFE』

NEW Nakashima Mika SINGLE 『LIFE』

NEW SINGLE
『LIFE』
中島美嘉
Release Date: 22 August 2007

Tracklist:
1. LIFE (main) (フジテレビ系新ドラマ「ライフ」の主題歌)
2. LIFE (ballad)
3. IT'S TOO LATE (KATE TV-CFソング)
4. LIFE (Instrumental)
5. IT'S TOO LATE (Instrumental)

LIFE is Fuji TV's new drama "Life" theme song, while IT'S TOO LATE is the commercial music for Kanebo Kate cosmetics.

On the same day, FILM LOTUS VI (not including LIFE) would also be released! It features the making of some of her PVs, namely My Sugar Cat, Mienai Hoshi, Sunao Na Mama, I LOVE YOU and Hitoiro (NANA starring Nakashima Mika) from the movie NANA 2.

*Updated with official covers

[news] NEW 絢香 SINGLE 『Jewelry day』

NEW Ayaka SINGLE 『Jewelry day』

NEW SINGLE
『Jewelry day』
絢香
Release Date: 4 July 2007

Tracklist:
1. Jewelry day
2. I'm alone
3. Start to 0 (Love) (Acoustic Ver.)
4. Jewelry day (Instrumental)

This is single has been used as the theme song to the movie Last Love.

[news] NEW 東京事変 SINGLE 『OSCA』

NEW Tokyo Jihen SINGLE 『OSCA』

NEW SINGLE
『OSCA』
東京事変
Release Date: 11 July 2007

Tracklist:
1. OSCA
2. ピノキオ
3. 鞄の中身

This single features songs written by other members of Tokyo Jihen. OSCA is a fast, wild rock tune, while ピノキオ is a ballad.

[news] NEW アンジェラ・アキ SINGLE 『たしかに』

NEW Angela Aki SINGLE 『たしかに』

NEW SINGLE
『たしかに』
アンジェラ・アキ
Release Date: 11 July 2007

Tracklist:
1. たしかに (au "LISMO" CM song)
2. たしかに -piano version-

This single has been described as a summer pop tune.

[single] My Generation / Understand - YUI

My Generation / Understand - YUI

This is the first double A-side single by YUI, featuring My Generation and Understand (which obviously has taken everyone by storm by topping the Weekly Chart Single Sales in its first week of release).

It is an amazing release as both A-side songs are fantastic. Both songs are very "YUI", even though the songs are of different genres. My Generation is one of those rockin' out songs, very much to what she has done so far. Understand brings out a little of her rougher, "unplugged" sounds (not hoarse!) of her voice, which sounds great as well. Thumbs up for its originality, uniqueness to YUI and it's amazing tunes. CHE.R.RY sung with an acoustic guitar instrumental rocks just as well too, albeit the slower tempo. The whole single (A-sides and B-sides) just shows more of YUI's guitar skills and versitility.

The only thing I cannot stand about her releases is her crappy looking CD covers. Oh please, give her more sophisticated and expensive looking covers to this rising star! The only CD cover that looks passable with such a criteria would be her previous single, CHE.R.RY.

Rating: 4.5/5

[news] NEW 伊藤由奈 SINGLE 『Mahaloha』

NEW Yuna Ito SINGLE 『Mahaloha』

NEW SINGLE
『Mahaloha』
伊藤由奈
Release Date: 27 June 2007

Tracklist:
1. Mahaloha (Yuna Ito with Micro of Def Tech)
2. Shining On
3. stuck on you ~Reggae Disco Rockers Kiss & Tell Remix~
4. Mahaloha -Instrumental-

Mahaloha is a term coined between Micro and Yuna Ito, which is a blend of two Hawaiian words "Mahalo" and "Aloha". This A-side song, meaning Thanks and Love, is sung to an upbeat Hawaiian summer tune.

[news] NEW 大塚愛 SINGLE 『PEACH / HEART』

CD+DVD

CD only

NEW Ai Otsuka SINGLE 『PEACH/HEART』

NEW SINGLE
『PEACH/HEART』
大塚愛
Release Date: 25th July 2007

Formats: CD+DVD and CD only version

Tracklist:
1. PEACH
2. HEART
3. 恋愛写真 -春-
4. PEACH (Instrumental)
5. HEART (Instrumental)

DVD Tracklist:
1. PEACH Music Clip

Ai's 15th single will include "PEACH" which is an upbeat song and "HEART", a mid-tempo track.

*updated with official cover

[news] NEW 安室奈美恵 ALBUM 『PLAY』

CD+DVD

CD only

NEW Namie Amuro ALBUM 『PLAY』

NEW ALBUM
『PLAY』
安室奈美恵
Release Date: 27th June 2007

Formats: CD+DVD and CD only version

Tracklist (To-be-determined):
1. Hide＆Seek

2. Full Moon
3. CAN'T SLEEP,CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK
4. It's all about you
5. FUNKY TOWN
6. Step With It!
7. Hello
8. Should I Love Him?
9. Top Secret
10. Violet Sauce
11. Baby Don't Cry
12. Pink Key

DVD Tracklist:
1. Hide & Seek

2. CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK

3. FUNKY TOWN

4. Hello

5. Baby Don't Cry

SPECIAL CLIP 安室奈美恵 x The World of GOLDEN EGGS

SPECIAL MOVIE GUSHIケン バンド feat. 安室奈美恵

First pressing for both edition comes with a original "PLAY" police badge sticker.

Namie Amuro's new album in 2007. To contain post-"Queen of Hip Pop" singles like "Baby Don't Cry", "CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK" and "FUNKY TOWN".

*updated with cover art and official tracklistings

[news] NEW 宇多田ヒカル Single Release Date!

NEW Utada Hikaru Single Release Date!

The highly anticipated (and possible double A-sided) single release by Utada Hikaru would be released on 29 August 2007, according to her official website as of 4 June 2007.

It would feature 3 songs, including "Kiss & Cry", the current TVCM Nissin Cup Noodles theme song. However, the title of the single is still undecided. Do expect the other A side song to appear sometime soon in late June/early July.

[preview] Kiss & Cry - 宇多田ヒカル

Kiss & Cry-Utada Hikaru

LISTEN: Windows Media Player / REAL Player

"Kiss & Cry" is Utada Hikaru's brand new song. However, it is not the leading A-side song for the single as stated by Hikki herself. Thus, Hikki's 19th single will most likely be a Double A-side release.

[news] Wedding Bells Ring for Angie

Angela Aki has announced on her blog that she is getting married! She also mentioned it would be her second marriage.

おめでとうアンジェラさん!

Ding dong ding dong!

[single] Never Again - Kelly Clarkson

Never Again-Kelly Clarkson

Can someone give Kelly a happy pill? She seems to be very bitter about her ex-es as shown in this song, "Since U Been Gone", "Behind These Hazel Eyes" and "Because Of You". Come on, you are now a platinum artiste now, sing us some happy songs.

The lyrics to "Never Again" feels like a continuation of "Since U Been Gone" and the sounds like something off her last record "Breakaway". The song is entertaining but it is nothing refreshing. Well, at least she knows not to fix something that ain't broken by following the style of the past album.

Good song but no wow factor.

Rating: 3.5/5

[single] Earth Intruders - Björk

Earth Intruders-Björk

It seems like whatever Timbaland touches, it turns into gold. Take Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake, their singles went straight to #1 with the help of Timbaland. And now he is producing some songs on Björk's latest album "Volta".

I am, however, not expecting this single to top the charts, although it is a great song. Björk is not to everyone's taste just yet, but she is as close to a musical genius on this planet. Yelping, screaming and whispering are some of the techniques Björk uses in her songs.

"Earth Intruders" feels almost "Maneater"-ish. It has a very catchy, dark pop sound, which is unlike Björk has ever done before and that is the beauty of her music, she constantly changes her style to keep us interested.

For people who want something VERY different, try this one.

Rating: 4.5/5

[single] What I've Done - Linkin Park

What I've Done-Linkin Park

One of the world's biggest band dropped their latest album "Minutes To Midnight" today and this is the first single off that album, "What I've Done".

Personally, this is a great comeback song. But somehow, this song does not feel like a Linkin Park song, this sounds like a mash between Maroon 5 and Good Charlotte. Sure, there are some good ol' rock in it but this is way lighter then their darker and heavier past songs like "Crawling" or "In The End".

In any case, watch this single and the album top the charts everywhere.

Rating: 3.5/5