Singer-songwriter Kanayo, originally from Kagawa Prefecture, will digitally release her 1st full album 『Fairytale』on February 25, 2026. Kanayo is an artist who draws influence from classical music, jazz, film scores, and Nordic sounds, constructing a sonic world through her crystalline voice that feels like stepping inside a picture book. She covers artists ranging from Thom […]
Tag: Japan
GIRLFRIENDZ Interview: Japanese Indie Pop’s Third-Gen Goth Revival
Emerging band GIRLFRIENDZ is launching their first live show in Okinawa just one month after formation. Their meeting was through something rare today: a member recruitment bulletin board. Ido Kyo, who holds goth as a life goal, Spanish producer Miguel with experience working on the music for “METAL GEAR SOLID V,” guitarist Hitomi with unusually […]
Nikaido Kazumi’s ‘Chou-Seki’ Review | A 14-Year Journey Returned
As 2025 was wrapping up, I was presented with the then-latest release by singer-songwriter Nikaido Kazumi. On that occasion, it was her single 「BILLIE」, which anticipated the upcoming release of her first album in what had been a long period of silence in the artist’s catalogue. This silence was not a representation of her life, […]
GIRLFRIENDZ Debuts with Raw Indie Pop Anthem ‘Tonight’
When you observe the music scene for a long time as a media outlet, you occasionally encounter moments that stir your heart beyond reason. This doesn’t happen when you discover meticulously calculated artists. It happens when you find raw diamonds—awkward yet luminous once polished—where impulse has taken direct form. What is GIRLFRIENDZ On January 21, […]
the hatch『333』Interview – Chaos Crystallized into Pop
There are bands that are difficult to describe in one word when asked, “What kind of music do you play?” the hatch from Sapporo is exactly that kind of band. Just when you think it’s intense hardcore, beautiful piano resonates, and Latin rhythms move your body. Their new album『333』has become an album where their chaos […]
Tokyo Band xiexie: Asian Tour to New EP “zzz” Interview
Since the release of their debut EP “XIEXIE” in 2021, we’ve been following the remarkable journey of Tokyo’s four-piece alternative band, xiexie. Building on a foundation of lo-fi indie pop while incorporating elements of psychedelic, chill, and soul music, they have achieved remarkable success through their distinctive musical additions and subtractions. Their activities extend far […]
DYGL’s Kohei Kamoto on ‘Dangle Candle’ & Space and himself
Working in parallel with band activities to create solo work is not merely an expansion of expressive outlets—it’s also a process of facing oneself and distinguishing what one can and cannot do. What DYGL’s Kohei Kamoto reveals in his debut solo album “Dangle Candle” is a record of just such a contemplative journey. Encouraged by […]
Nitroday’s yagihiromi Drops First Solo Album ‘lemma’
yagihiromi, a member of Nitroday who has also gained attention as a support musician for ART-SCHOOL, will release her debut solo album 『lemma』 on November 19. Inspired by Showa modernist literature, the seven tracks combine ethereal beauty with experimental elements, traversing electronic, folk, abstract, and avant-garde territories while weaving her inner world into sound. Additionally, […]
Sisters In The Velvet on “Mother’s Octave” and Physicality
It’s been a year and a half since their last release. Sisters In The Velvet have finally dropped their highly anticipated new EP, “Mother’s Octave.” For this release, they took on the thrilling challenge of recording in one take—without even using a metronome. Jazz-like improvisation was added to the mix, along with a statement against […]
flip-flops Releases 5th Album ‘catch me up’ Oct 15!
Two-piece band flip-flops, based between Hokkaido and Tokyo, has announced the release of their 5th album ‘catch me up’ on October 15. This latest work further evolves the “far-east emo” concept established in their previous album, featuring alternative tunings on all tracks and incorporating songs that blend Japanese and English lyrics. An exclusive preview held […]
