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
Author: JPope
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)”
Oh HELL Yes!
If this is the only thing to come of the Morning Musume 20th anniversary, well, I'll still be disappointed, but this is a surprise. Just watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThUHrBnBBnQ This makes me happier than this guy right here: I can't put into words how happy I am that Asuka was able to put aside her differences with … Continue reading Oh HELL Yes!
Rena Ogawa Leaves Kobushi Factory and Hello! Project
And another on bites the dust. Kobushi Factory's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Year continues apace with the announcement of the retirement of Rena Ogawa today (Japanese). She had been diagnosed with anxiety disorder back in July, around the same time it was discovered she had been dating a boy (OMFG, a 17 year-old … Continue reading Rena Ogawa Leaves Kobushi Factory and Hello! Project
Morning Musume ’17 “Wakaindashi” – First Impressions
The first song of Morning Musume '17's new single has been radio-ripped to Youtube. If you haven't heard it yet, here's your big opportunity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px4rBfIGIeA I know this is only half the song, but I really hate this. It's musical pabulum. The arrangement feels mailed-in and directionless, which is odd for a Tsunku production. It … Continue reading Morning Musume ’17 “Wakaindashi” – First Impressions
Postmodern Jukebox Takes on BABYMETAL
Is there any more irrefutable confirmation of having made it in today's music world than having Postmodern Jukebox cover your music? They are the modern-day "Weird Al" Yankovic in that respect, so it's cool to see them take on BABYMETAL's "Gimme Chocolate" and confirm BM's place in the not-Japan music scene. Going with 20s-era jazz … Continue reading Postmodern Jukebox Takes on BABYMETAL
Speaking of Mash-ups…
Henkka's Tsubaki/Wonder mash-up reminded me the one I did about three years ago, that is possibly the most ridiculous mashup ever: AKB48's "Beginner" and 80s one-hit-wonder Kingdom Come's "Get It On". Don't ask how this popped into my head -- genius can not be explained, but merely accepted. Set aside such uncomfortable questions and just … Continue reading Speaking of Mash-ups…
“Shuukatsu Sensation” / “I Wish” Mash-up
No, not that "I Wish". Henkka over at Wota In Translation did this quick-and-dirty mashup of Tsubaki Factory's "Shuukatsu Sensation" and Stevie Wonder's "I Wish". He had to lower Stevie's voice substantially to match the key, but this is pretty clever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKXP2KHL798 You nasty boy. I love that people are re-mixing and mashing-up H!P songs … Continue reading “Shuukatsu Sensation” / “I Wish” Mash-up