Hana Goto × Ayumi Ishida - "Watashi no Dekkai Hana" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJKV3xJYOYE Super deep cut, lol. Probably because her name is in it, but still. Seriously, though, she's not far away from being ready to debut, if not actually ready. Aside from her performance level -- wh...

Konno's Youtube channel has the best footage of Mikitty's 21st anniversary show yet, including her full three-song appearance. Lots of backstage stuff, too, the funniest of which is Shouji Tomoharu getting his glaze on in the hallway before taking the stage to do his wotagei antics. https://www.yout...

I was today years old when I learned that Ai Takahasahi formed a dance unit called GOKI-GENs with a couple of her... friends? Not sure who they are, but they've been together since 2021 apparently, and are about to drop an original song. No date is given, just "coming soon!!!!" They did re...

This album is starting to click with me. It still sounds more like a J=J album, but a really good J=J album.

BABYMETAL - Mirror Mirror

I love shit like this

Just finished my first run through the new songs, and yeah, this is a confusing album. The only judgment I'll make now is that I don't think it's as good as Rinnetenshou , and there definitely aren't any immediate heaters like "Akai Earphone" or "Mou Ippo." Beyond that, I'm gonna...

ONE PLUS ONE: Yukiho Shimoitani × Rika Shimakura - Takanawa Gateway

Ayano Hamura released a new song, "koi with you" to streaming services. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=VqLwC3xqdxE I'm assuming the shit quality here is because it's from the free side of YT music. At least, I hope it is. As for the song, it's pretty forgettable. Not obnoxiously bad, ju...

Gaki vs Eri is like a 1980s welterweight title fight.

I think you could add MM to the "doing their own thing" group, it's just a thing we're all tired of, lol. Anju, J=J and TF all seem to be morphing into a mixture of each other, though. I personally prefer an overall theme or sound for groups, with deviations here and there to keep it spicy...

Anju has had a formula for a while now -- some combination of hard, funky and dramatic. Almost all of their songs, regardless of style or tempo, fall into at least one of those categories -- often more than one -- and neither of these songs really do. I guess Sister Sister is kind of funky, but it's...

So far this sounds like an awesome Juice=Juice album. Or Tsubaki Factory maybe.

"Forever Friend" preview:

AquaChan wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:46 am This song is so underrated, it's sad that we don't get more performances of this albums songs!
This cover is good :P but I'm biased.

Seems like the vid was pulled, so I uploaded it to DM.

Omizu sounds really great on this. It's too bad that Mao wasn't able to get in on this, because I think it's right up her ally.

The new LGM song and video is straight-up contemporary girl group R&B complete with dance choreography, and as I predicted, miyou is getting big initial push.

Damn, she really is jinxed. I hope she recovers, because seeing idols graduate because of health concerns rather than because they're ready to move on sucks.

DonJuan wrote: ↑Tue Mar 14, 2023 2:39 am ...but honestly, I think it might be the best known out of the list.

Why you gotta harsh my buzz?

ONE PLUS ONE: Akari Endo × Yuka Miyazaki - "Hadaka no Hadaka no Hadaka no KISS" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9m5UZJjaqk It's always great to see Yuka in stuff like this. Like Rena from the last ONE PLUS ONE, dancing is Akari's current strength. I don't think she's as good as Rena yet, ...

Everyone voting for Kei's "Never Forget" makes me happy.

If "Kobushi no Hana" isn't her grad solo, I'll be disappointed.

Mikitty held a 21st anniversary show, featuring a couple of familiar faces.

"Sister Sister" preview.

I wonder which would be worse: having never experienced the energy of a live show with cheers and chants, or having experienced it briefly only to have it taken away for three years? I suppose neither is worse than experiencing it for your entire career, then graduating in an empty hall. Pour one ou...