As Angerme prepares to send off Ayaka Wada -- the last remaining founding member of S/mileage -- we're treated to another of H!P's "ethnic" themed song as the lead to their latest -- and Wada's last -- single. "Koi wa Accha Accha" isn't the first H!P song to borrow Indian influences, but it is the … Continue reading Angerme – Koi wa Accha Accha / Yumemita Fifteen
W Choi Waru Devil EP
When it was announced that Kago Ai would return to the H!P stage as part of their 20th Anniversary celebrations in 2018, speculation for her future was rampant. Was this a one-off? Would she take part in future OG Musume? Will we get a W reunion? W's finished, yet unreleased, 7th single and 3rd album … Continue reading W Choi Waru Devil EP
PINK CRES. – “Bukiyou na Jibun” Video
The follow up to their "Etcetera" video, "Bukiyou na Jibun" finds PINK CRES in a more comfortable place with this R&B-tinged ballad. This is pretty much a Hikaru feature, which is a nice surprise, particularly because she makes the most of it. I had no idea she could sing this well, but she really does … Continue reading PINK CRES. – “Bukiyou na Jibun” Video
ANGERME – “Nakenai ze・・・Kyoukan Sagi” Single Review
Note: This is the second on a series of posts where I catch up with Hello! Project music released during my hiatus. ANGERME’s latest single represents a return to form after an odd video-only triple A-side release. It was odd not only because of the video-only format, but the music was a departure from the … Continue reading ANGERME – “Nakenai ze・・・Kyoukan Sagi” Single Review
PINK CRES – “Etcetera” Video
PINK CRES has dropped the video for “Etcetera”, the first video from their forthcoming sophomore album of the same name. The K-pop R&B that PC toyed with on crescendo is back, and once again it's a bit dated, although perhaps not so much as before. It's a nice hard-R&B stomper with a catchy chorus and … Continue reading PINK CRES – “Etcetera” Video
On the Occasion of Haruna Ogata’s Graduation
I goofed on Ogata earlier by pinning my old “what you wanted/what you'd accept/what you got” joke about her to the top of the blog. It's funny, because it's true, but it's also sad because it's true. I mean Haruna no ill-will, and I wish nothing but the best for her in whatever it is … Continue reading On the Occasion of Haruna Ogata’s Graduation
Kobushi Factory – “Kore Kara da!” Single Review
Note: This is the first on a series of posts where I catch up with Hello! Project music released during my hiatus. When we last left Kobushi Factory, they were in the midst of the single greatest act of self-destruction of any group in Hello! Project history. Over a seven month period covering May to … Continue reading Kobushi Factory – “Kore Kara da!” Single Review
Airi Suzuki – Do Me A Favor
Hello! Project fans of a certain age (old) will remember a time when the ultimate dream of H!P-group idols was to one day debut as a solo artist. To be sure, this was always more true of Morning Musume than other groups, but Berryz Koubou and C-ute were both hatched at a point in time … Continue reading Airi Suzuki – Do Me A Favor
The return of Kago Ai to H!P
Fucking FINALLY! Kago will take part in the Hello! Project 2018 SUMMER ~ALL FOR ONE~/~ONE FOR ALL~ concert tour, specifically, the Nakano shows on August 25 and 26th. On the 25th, she’ll appear with Airi Suzuki in the early show, and with Kanon Fukuda in the late show. On the 26th Kago will appear with … Continue reading The return of Kago Ai to H!P
“Ai no Tane (20th Anniversary Ver)”
The Hello! Project dropped it's 20th Anniversary bomb today; a (slight) reworking of Morning Musume's first recording, "Ai no Tane", originally released on this day in 1997. The group, dubbed Morning Musume 20th, consists of the current MM'17 lineup and the full original 1st Generation. It's a digital-only release, which is understandable, as the target … Continue reading “Ai no Tane (20th Anniversary Ver)”