#wakana

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!

IX -Nine- - Psyche (02.02.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with:Vidya (2015)

In about four years of career, IX -Nine- continued to appeal and bring fascination with their ethereal and compelling music. Between side projects and an unexpected success in Europe (especially in Poland), the band brought out a new EP, composed by a pounding metal sound, made of chilling tones, a nice touch of electronic and unique vocals, whose performances go from heavy to melancholic and delivering in each note. It’s extremely hard to find a band whose identity is impossible to define and that at the same time bring on quality works, but IX -Nine- falls definitely in this category.

REVIEWS:Vidya (12.03.2015),Nirdvandva (09.01.2016)

TRACKLIST

1. DIes Irae
2. Na zdrowie (Bless you)
   
3. Kindan no kajitsu (Forbidden fruit)
   
4. Waizatsu no hate (The end of obscene)
   
5. Blood Harvest
6. Ubiquitous

Anyo - Near your ear. (26.02.2020) [★★★★★]

Anyo is one of the latest rising names of the Japanese progressive rock scene. Formed on 2007, the band had few releases, but their sound is slowly getting more and more attention, especially thanks to their live videos, posted on their Youtube channel. Their latest EP shows off what they are capable off, in four different tracks, moving on genres like shoegaze and emo, helped by vibrant and shaded vocals and compelling rhythms. Thanks to their unique and fascinating sound, Anyo is definitely a band we want to hear more about.

TRACKLIST

1. Softener
2. Liquidly
3. In my Emperor
4. Lighting

Hollowgram - Pale Blue Dot (12.02.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with: Wills (2016),Fluid (2018)

After the still suffered dissolution of 9Goats Black Out, Ryo seems to have found another prolific project to work into. Hollowgram always distinguished themselves in their seven years path, thanks to a various and enigmatic sound, which doesn’t fear to go over the limits. Two years after their last work, the band came back with a new album, which exalts more their melancholic and nostalgical side, alternating melodious themes to more paced songs, driven by Ryo’s versatile and astonishing vocals and a refined instrumental work behind each track. Hollowgram is one of the few projects which still make visual kei a scene worth to be followed.

REVIEWS:Malus (20.01.2016),Indecencia (analysis)

TRACKLIST

1. -Pale Blue Dot-
2. Paradox
3. The Deluge
4. Flood of Love
5. Blind Watchmaker
6. Paint in watercolor
7. Ryuuankamei (Willow)
8. Kyoujin (Lunatic)
9. Toonari (Distant roar)
   
10. With you
11. -Primitive Ocean-

Envy - The Fallen Crimson (07.02.2020) [★★★★]

This year has seen one of the most awaited comebacks in the whole Japanese rock scene. We’re talking about Envy, whose sound accompained their wide audience for about 14 years. On 2018 Tetsuya Fukagawa, their historical vocalist, rejoined the band, confirming their awaited return, sealed with their seventh album. The aggressivity which always characterized their style is here reinforced and brought to new levels, made of all the creative struggles experienced by the band, between heavy riffs and melancholic tones. The scene definitely missed Envy’s compelling music and this album brings so much satisfaction under any aspect.

TRACKLIST

1. Statement of Freedom
2. Swaying Leaves and Scattering Breath
3. A Faint New World
4. Rhythm
5. Marginalized Thread
6. Hikari (Light)
7. Eternal Memories and Reincarnation
8. Fingerprint Mark
9. Dawn and Gaze
10. Memories and the Limit
11. A Step in the Morning Glow

Shihori - Shihorism (07.02.2020) [★★★★]

Maybe Japanese pop fans will know Shihori as a pretty popular singer, who released some music under the pseudonym Sena, but actually she is mostly a famous songwriter, especially for anime themes. This behind-the-scenes side of her career is the basis of her latest work, released for the 10th anniversary of her songwriting career, an album which features covers of some tracks composed by herself. The chosen songs are re-arranged with an acoustic approach, driven by Shihori’s charismatic vocals and musicians from New York, the city where she lives in now. So, between anime and melodies influenced by the West, Shihori is reinventing herself in an interesting way.

TRACKLIST

1. Millenario [Elisacover]
   
2. Chinmoku no kaijtsu (Fruit of silence) [Nana Mizuki cover]
   
3. Hatsukoi Cider (First love cider) [Buono!cover]
   
4. Seishunfu (Youth) [Momoiro Clover Zcover]
   
5. Tsubasa (Wings) [Sena cover]
   
6. Don’t Think. Feel!!! [Idoling!!!cover]
   
7. Catalmoa [Yoshino Nanjoucover]

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Wakana - Magic Moment (26.02.2020)

Already appeared with: Wakana (2019)

If you know about the famous female trio Kalafina, you should remember Wakana Ootaki, the singer of the band, who, after the trio’s disbandment on 2019, started a solo career of her own. The first mention of the month goes to her second album, which mixes catchy and positive themes with powerful ballads, all well delivered by Wakana’s beautiful voice, bringing on impressive performances and giving a breath of fresh air to Japanese pop.

TRACKLIST

1. Breathing
2. Yureru haru (Trembling spring)
   
3. Where
4. 442
5. Hirari hirari (Fluttering fluttering)
   
6. Aki no sakura -acoustic ver.- (Autumn cherrytree)
   
7. Myself
8. Kimi dake no stage (Your own stage)
   
9. Orange
10. Happy Hello Day
11. Magic Moment

Hitsujibungaku - Zawameki [Buzz](05.02.2020)

Formed on 2012, Hitsujibungaku is an alternative rock band composed by three girls, who, despite their so young age, managed to grow pretty quickly in musical terms, going beyond the simple lines of pop-rock. Their first release of the year sees a major orientation to shoegaze rock, made by crystalline vocals and piercing notes, which sometimes bring a touch of nostalgia. If you didn’t think that mature female rock bands couldn’t rise in Japan, Hitsujibangaku shows that it’s exactly the opposite.

TRACKLIST

1. Ningen datta (It was human)
   
2. Siren
3. Yuunagi (Calm evening)
   
4. Inori (Prayer)
5. Koi nante (Loving)

Tokyo Gegegay - Kiteretsu Mental World -Black&White-[Queer mental world](05.02.2020)

Japanese music is full of extravagant surprises and the dance&vocal group Tokyo Gegegay is definitely one of them. After being the winners of the dance contest Dance@Hero on 2013, the band went on their career with a dark and curious concept, made in the name of glam and sexual freedom. The double compilation here featured summarizes their best works, adding something new along the road, in a series of electronic tracks all to dance, which is impossible to resist.

TRACKLIST

Black

1. Heart (ft. Reol)
   
2. Tg (2020 ver.)
3. Sayonara Darlin’
4. Yes or No
   
5. Tsumi to batsu (Crime and punishment)
6. Dorobou -ft. Seiya- (Thief)
7. Hikari -Interlude- (Light)
8. Nihon Agegay (Japan agegay)
   
9. Tokyo Gegegay jyogakuin no jyumon -ft. Nukuibayashihozonkai- (Tokyo Gegegay girls college spell)
   
10. Kurome (Black eyes)
    
11. HBD
12. Zutto suki na hito (People liking it all the time)
13. Gegegay no kitaro
    
14. Sense of Immorality
15. Egoist -Mikey remix-
16. Chiheisen (Horizon)
17. Dance ga boku no koibito -long ver.- (Dance is my lover)

White

1. Alarm

2. Kirakira 1 page (Glitter 1 page)
   

3. Kiss me

4. Tensei no hikari -Munetaka ver.- (God’s light)
   

5. Kamisama -long ver.- (God)

6. Byouin -Escape now- (Hospital -Escape now-)

7. Raichi☆Hikari Club (Litchi star light club)
   

8. Arigatou darlin’ (Thank you darlin’)

9. Maigo no Christmas Song (Lost child’s christmas song)
   

10. Goodbye, Snow White

11. Zutto suki na hito -ballad ver.-

12. Soredemo hana wa kitto zutto saiteku (Still, I’m sure I’ll be forever happy)
    

13. Succubus

14. Tokyo Teddy Bear -cover ver.-

15. Sasagetai (I want to give)

TO BE CONTINUED…