#mai yajima

Concerto Moon - Rain Fire (09.12.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with: Tears of Messiah (2017)

Concerto Moon is one of the most renowned metal bands in Japan, despite their several member changes and their link with a older era of the genre. In their fifteenth album, the fourth work since Watashi Haga joined the band, the band shows that they didn’t lose their fiery energy, bringing a powerful and compelling sound, driven by animated vocals and notable guitar riffs. Concerto Moon is definitely something Japan should be proud of.

TRACKLIST

1. Long Way to Go
2. Rain Fire
3. Run for the Light
4. Waiting for you
5. The Night Tells Thousand Lies
6. Burnt Society
7. False Confidence
8. Rise and Fall
9. The Next Moment of Grief
10. Mirror Design

Junna - 20x20 (09.12.2020) [★★★★★]

At just 20 years old, the pop singer Junna has already shown of possess an incredible talent and much charisma, a rare thing for Japanese female voices. Debuted in the idol band Walküre, she went beyond her limits, delivering a series of releases, one better than the other. Her second album fortifies her style, in a mix of pop-rock, dance, electronic and ballad, where Junna’s living and fierce vocals always stand up in each theme featured. Junna has all the skills for becoming even more relevant in the scene and deserves to be more recognized.

TRACKLIST

1. Ware wa shousetsu yori mo kinari (I’m stranger than a novel)
   
2. FREEDOM -Never End-
3. Sleepless
4. La vie en rose
5. Iru imi (Reason for being)
   
6. Namiuchigiwa (Beach)
7. Now or Never
8. Kono yubi tomare -20x20 ver.-
9. Abayo Yesterday (Goodbye yesterday)
   
10. Sky
11. Ima (Now)

Sugizo - Ai to Chouwa [Love and harmony] (23.12.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with: Oto (2016),Oneness M (2017)

Well, Sugizo doesn’t need to be introduced, but his work is always well appreciated and enjoyed, since it embraces each possible musical horizon. In his latest album he brings his own inspiration and creativity within ten different tracks, going from sumptuous and ethereal instrumental compositions to several duets with other Japanese musicians, giving a vast choice of talents to look into. Sugizo manages once again to communicate unique emotions with his music, reflecting also the hard times we’re living into.

REVIEWS:Truth? (19.11.1997)

TRACKLIST

1. Nova Terra
2. Childhood’s End
3. A Red Ray (ft. miwa)
4. Tsuioku (Reminiscence)
5. Endless -Yami wo koete- (Endless -Beyond the darkness-) (ft. Ohguro Maki)
6. The Gates of Dawn
7. Mindfulness
8. Charon -Shichi no Bongo-
   
9. Hikari no hate (Light of life) (ft. Aina The End from BiSH)
10. So Sweet So Lonely

Masaharu Fukuyama - Akira (08.12.2020) [★★★★]

Maybe some of you have heard the name Masaharu Fukuyama related to Japanese pop music, but few people knows that he is actually the best-selling male solo artist in Japan, an aspect which could raise his interest for his music. His latest album, released for celebrating his 30th anniversary, features a cheerful and nice pop sound, mixing catchy rhythms to more passionate ones and accompained by Masaharu’s skilled vocals, making his popularity in Japan quite justified.

TRACKLIST

1. Akira
2. Kurayami no naka de tobe (Fly into the darkness)
3. Kakumei (Revolution)
4. Popstar
5. Hyouryuu seyo (Whether dritfing)
6. Tomoe Gakuen
7. Shippai-gaku (Failure study)
8. Koshien
9. Bou-tsu (Dawn)
10. Shinon (Heart sound)
11. Shiawase no salad (Happy salad)
12. 1461-nichi (1461 days)
13. Seiiki (Sanctuary)
14. Itterasshai (Welcome)
15. Rei -Zero-
16. Hajimari ga mata hajimatte yuku (The beginning begins again)
17. Kanata de (Beyond)

Majiko - Sekaiichi shiawase ni hitori bocchi [The happiest loner in the world] (02.12.2020) [★★★★]

Starting her career as a cover singer on Nico Nico Douga, Majiko saw her career flying quite high, thanks to a bunch of albums made of a peculiar sound, quite unusual to find. Her latest album brings on a mix of dancing themes, alternative rock melodies and simpler pop tracks, driven by Majiko’s clear and shaded vocals, confering also an indie-ish vibe in each track. If you are looking for

TRACKLIST

1. Sekaiichi shiawase ni hitori bocchi
2. 23:59
3. Kamisama demo arumaishi (I am not a god)
4. Once upon a time in Tokyo
5. Escargot
6. Katte ni shi yagare (Do whatever you want)
7. Majo no rule (Witch’s rule)
8. Hoshi ni tatoeba (A star for example)
9. Ichiou watashi mo naita (I cried too)
10. Grim
11. Angel number

-HONORABLE MENTIONS-

Mai Yajima - Heaven Knows (02.12.2020)

The first mention is for the Japanese metal artist Mai Yajima, who has already unleashed her own energy nine months earlier. Compared to the previous release, in this mini-album there’s a major focus on Mai’s vocal skills, driving compelling and refined metal themes, made of passion and virtuosism. Mai Yajima is an unstoppable force and we hope to hear more of her.

TRACKLIST

1. Vermilion Crime
2. Kagerou (Ephemeral)
3. Mother
4. Magnolia
5. Circus
6. Phoenix

Damian Hamada’s Creatures - Kyuyaku makai seisho dai II sho [The Old Testament of Hell -Chapter 2-] (23.12.2020)

The second mention is for Damian Hamada’s solo project, which already shown its potential in the previous month. While in the first part their sound works quite well to introduce the band and the members’ skills, in the second one there are several tracks lasting more than four minutes, a good ground for showing what each member is able to do, between powerful riffs, complex rhythms and sustained vocals, in an exquisite style variety.

TRACKLIST

1. Angel of Darkness
2. Deepest Red
3. Shingetsu no minuet (New moon minuet)
4. Megami to shinigami (The goddess and the death god)
5. Ma koujou kourin -Birth of death, Death of birth- (The Advent of the Demon Princess -Birth of death, Death of birth-)
6. Which Do You Like?

Wakana - Wakana Covers -Anime Classics- (09.12.2020)

The former Kalafina member Wakana makes into the third mention of this last month, after having already featured about ten months earlier. This time she shines herself into a series of covers of famous anime songs, all fulfilled with Wakana’s unique grace and a noteworthy melodic component. This album is ideal for breaking with all the pumping and energetic music we listen to every day.

TRACKLIST

1. Toki ni wa mukashi no hanashi wo (Sometimes old stories) [Tokiko Katou]
   
2. Yasashisa ni tsutsumareta nara (If wrapped in kindness) [Yumi Matsutoya]
3. Rain [Yui]
4. Inochi no namae (Name of life) [Yumi Kimura]
5. Yatsura no ashioto no Ballad (Ballad of their footsteps) [Kaori]
6. Get Wild [TM Network]
7. Kaze no toori michi (Road of the wind) [Joe Hisaishi]
8. Kimi wo nosete (Carrying you) [Azumi Inoue]
9. Ai ni dekiru koto wa mada aru kai (Is there still anything you can love?) [Radwimps]
10. Yume no yukue (Direction of dreams) [Emiko Shiratori]

That’s all for the last year’s album selection! Continue to follow me here on Tumblr and on my Youtube channel, for more exciting reviews!

Thanks for all the follows/likes/reblogs!

Downy - Dai nanashukin shuu “mudai” (18.03.2020) [★★★★★]*REVIEW*

Whoever is into the Japanese musical scene, can’t but have come into contact with the mysterious and complex music of Downy. The band came back for their 20th anniversary with a brand-new album, the first work since Aoki Yutaka’s death, building up a musical product which is impossible to define with the typical canon, but made of being experienced in all possible ways, thanks to a melancholic and dynamic sound, transporting the listener in a powerful and emotive journey. Few bands manage to break the limit between music and emotions and Downy with this seventh album has once again overcome such barrier.

BAND REVIEW

REVIEWS:Dai nisaku kinshuu “mudai” (22.05.2002),Underground (analysis)

TRACKLIST

1. Contra-post
2. Shikai furyou (Scarce visibility)
3. 36.2° 
4. Good News
5. Kazukatou (Sugar cube)
6. Geranium
7. Sajou, moyu. Zankou (Dune, scatter. Persistent vision)
8. Pianoid
9. Azayagu shiten (Vivid perspective)
10. Adaption
11. Stand alone

Yousei Teikou - The Age of Villains (25.03.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with:Shadow Corps[e] (2015)

Yousei Teikou brings back their fairy and gothic concept to their audience after several years of absence, between member changes and a new musical awareness. Their latest album is composed with an unique and riveting structure, with an energetic and virtuous metal sound, empowered by Yui’s bright voice and a great work by the other musicians, providing the right energy song after song.

TRACKLIST

1. A Treatise of Villainy: The Seventy-Two Villainous Truths (And One Blasphemy)
2. Autoscopy
3. Hitoya no maboroshi (Hell is not an illusion)
   
4. Iron Rose
5. Phantom Terror
6. Ransho Aion (Overrun eternity)
   
7. Eclipsed
8. Hell in Glass
9. Zetsu (Absolute)
10. Paradiso ≒ Inferno
11. Aru tsuioku, bouchou uchuu ni okeru shinkai sunawachi suiten (Memories, mandara and deep sea)
    
12. Sousou Friedian (Friedian funeral)

Kiyoharu - Japanese Menu/Distortion 10 (25.03.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with: Soloist (2016),Elegy (2017),Yoru, Carmen no shishuu (2018),Covers (2019)

It seems that Kiyoharu’s music is a fixed presence in our radars. His will to experimentate, to surprise the listeners and to enchant with compelling and powerful performances allowed him to bring solid works each year and in 2020 he was no less. His tenth album, released for the 25th anniversary of his career, mixes up all his styles, going from energetic notes to melodious themes, featuring a bit of exotic and rebel vibe. Kiyoharu knows how to bring romanticism and potency with his sound, which is a must for true Japanese music fans.

REVIEWS:Poetry (08.03.2004),Under the Sun (07.11.2012),Yoru wo, omou/Charade (09.02.2017),Slow (analysis)

TRACKLIST

1. Survive of Vision
2. Geretsu (Vile)
3. Outsider
4. Greige
5. Sakkaku Refrain (Illusion refrain)
   
6. Ryoujoku (Rape)
7. Senrei (Baptism)
   
8. Uso to oroka (Lies and stupidity)
   
9. Yume oi (Dream chasing)
   
10. Romantic
11. Boukyaku no sora -25th anniversary ver.- (Oblivion sky)

Mai Yaijma - Hell on Earth (25.03.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with: Vampiress (2018)

Mai Yajima is a rising phenomenon within the Japanese metal scene, whose style doesn’t go unnoticed. Being active since 2014, she started a band two years later, going on with her powerful and obscure sound, which led her to release several EPs. Her first work of this year goes straight to the darkest side of her style, bringing on dynamic and powerful metal themes, driven by her charismatic voice. Mai Yajima has all the cards to shake off things in the metal world and we’re ready to experience it.

TRACKLIST

1. Dominator
2. Phantom Pain
3. Chimera
4. Bloody Sword
5. Shinen (Abyss)
6. Absolute Moon

Aldious - Evoke 2010-2020 (18.03.2020) [★★★★]

Already appeared with:Radiant A (2015)

Staying in the Japanese metal scene, there’s another band ready to bring something new. Aldious was already estabilished as a cornerstone for the genre in the past years, but they recently gained a new singer, R!N, on 2019, who substituted Re:NO after five years. The new vocalist has definitely brought a Western influenced approach in the band’s sound and before going on with this new phase, they decided to going back to the past, reworking their hits in a refreshing way, with deeper riffs and more energetic vocals, as shown in this first part of the compilation.

REVIEWS:Deep Exceed (13.10.2010)

TRACKLIST

1. Spirit Black
2. Yokazura (Cherry flowers by night)
   
3. Ground Angel
4. Kochou no yume (Butterfly dream)
   
5. Eversince
6. Ultimate Melodious
7. Utopia
8. Dominator
9. Absolute
10. Bind
11. Dearly
12. Deep
13. I Wish for You

-HONORABLE MENTIONS-

Hana Sekitori - Kitto watashi wo matte iru [I am sure you’re waiting for me](04.03.2020)

The first mention of the month goes to Hana Sekitori, young Japanese singer who mainly grew up in Germany. She had her debut on 2010 and released some EP, two albums and few singles. This year she brought up a mini-album, composed by six tracks exalting her simple and bright voice, accompaining melodious and enjoyable pop themes, making her sound fit for everyone.

TRACKLIST

1. Touhikou (Escape)
2. Ao no gosenfu (Blue staff)
3. Hajimari no toki (At the beginning)
4. Machi wa usukurenaiiro (The city is light red)
5. Kangaeru dake (Just think)
6. Ieji (Home)

Fake Island - Cell Division (04.03.2020)

A metal band fronted by two female vocalists is quite unusual, especially in Japan, but Fake Island has shown that they shouldn’t be underrated at all. With a rebellious concept and a gritty metalcore sound, the band started their path on 2017 with a mini-album, followed up by their first full work three years later. The sound offered in the release is adrenalinic and pumping, empowered mostly by the coupling made by Erica and YuuriBJOUX’s voices, creating a perfect contrast between aggressive and clear tones, along with a pounding instrumental work. Fake Island have a bright future next to them and we can’t wait to hear more of them.

TRACKLIST

1. All at Once
2. Fortune
3. Who The Hell Made This?
4. Just Wanna Live
5. Hang Onto My Dream
6. Throw Down
7. No Trust
8. My Tranquilizer
9. No Solution

Develop One’s Faculties - Inverse Яeverse(11.03.2020)

Already appeared with:Bukkakou na machi boku to kimi (2018)

Develop One’s Faculties is definitely one of the most remarkable visual kei bands of the recent times, thanks to an unpredictable soul, allowing them to approach each song with a unique and impressive style. Despite Detto, their historical bassist, departed on 2019, substituted by Hiromu, ofLack-Co.andMerry Badend fame, the band didn’t lose their extravagant style and in the second album their sound changes in each song, featuring electronic, deep bass lines, rhythmical changes and vocal versatility, bringing up a tune for each kind of listener and pleasing the visual kei audience.

REVIEWS:Hope (13.05.2015), I Want my Freedom (02.11.2016)

TRACKLIST

1. Inverse
2. SevenStars
3. Uitenpen wa yononarai (The meaningful change is a world tradition)
   
4. Y
5. Borderline
6. “Taihaiteki” (Decadence)
7. Boutoku (Blasphemy)
8. Ephemeral
9. Schadenfreude (Malicious joy)
   
10. monochro
11. Shinjitsu no kuro (True black)
    
12. Henken to shouken (Prejudice and correctness)
    
13. My Name is R&R
14. Jun (Tour)
15. Ao to sora (Blue and sky)
    
16. Яeverse

TO BE CONTINUED…