The sixth major single from Tsubaki Factory is so Tsubaki Factory, and I mean that in a positive way. Sure, they're channeling "Teion Yakedo" on "Dakishimerarete Mitai", which shouldn't be too surprising considering both were written by the same team (Kodama Ameko and Ohashi Riko), but "Dakishimerarete Mitai" is more subtle and restrained in terms … Continue reading Tsubaki Factory — “Ishiki Takai Otome no Dilemma / Dakishimerarete Mitai” single
Author: JPope
Ningen Isu – “Heartless Scat”
If you've visited this blog with any regularity, you know that the focus here is on idol-pop, and on Hello! Project idol groups in particular. Today, we're getting our metal on, because I need to talk about Ningen Isu. I opened up Youtube last week and saw an odd video recommendation. The thumbnail was of … Continue reading Ningen Isu – “Heartless Scat”
Riho Sayashi to join Babymetal?
Did Riho Sayashi join Babymetal? Maybe. No one knows at this point. What we do know is that the ex-Morning Musume ace performed with the metal-idols at their June 30th Glastonberry Festival performance, with no announcement or introduction made prior to or during the show. Sayashi's appearance made the group a trio again, and allowed … Continue reading Riho Sayashi to join Babymetal?
PINK CRES. — “Tokyo Confusion” single
Not sure how this release passed me by -- this being the Foremost English Language PINK CRES Blog, and all -- but I'm glad I found it. I'm happy to report that PINK CRES has finally arrived to the current day music scene! After two full albums of mostly re-hashed 3rd-wave Kpop, our girls have … Continue reading PINK CRES. — “Tokyo Confusion” single
PINK CRES. — Etcetera album
Remember 2017? It was a particularly painful year for fans of Hello! Project and associated acts, which was made to feel even worse as it followed one of the absolute best years in 2016. This plugged-toilet of a year saw the end of C-ute's 15-year run, the Country Girls/KSS Divestment Draft, Kobushi Factory pushing the … Continue reading PINK CRES. — Etcetera album
Angerme – Koi wa Accha Accha / Yumemita Fifteen
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