CD
CD + DVD A
CD + DVD B
The group's latest single was released about 4 months + since the release of their previous single Another Future .
Regarding Thank you Jan ! , member Tamamori Yuta commented , "We want to thank the fans who made Kis-My-Ft2 2014 Concert Tour『Kis-My-Journey』 possible ."
After being a bit disappointed with Another Future , in comes Thank you Jan ! which thankfully is more stronger/memorable . In addition , it's a lot more light-hearted & fun which's perfect during this festive period .
The video for Thank you Jan ! gives off quite a Winter feeling to a certain extent even though I still don't really consider Thank you Jan ! as Winter inspired unlike the guys' past Winter singles such as SNOW DOME no Yakusoku .
A total of 3 B-sides are available in the single . Kimi ni Aeru Kara was picked to be used in the ads of KOWA Nukunuku Touban while Holy night with you & Christmas Kiss are only available in the CD only edition of Thank you Jan ! .
Before I listened to the B-sides , I already had a feeling they were all going to be Christmas inspired & true enough it was . Kimi ni Aeru Kara is a really nice ballad while Holy night with you is heartwarming .
On the other hand , Christmas Kiss embodies the spirit of the holiday season in a good way .
Celebrate the achievements of another year with Kis-My-Ft2's Thank You Jan ! ! The group's latest single is a lively dance song that encourages everyone to give thanks all the events that happened over the course of the past year and wish for a great upcoming year .
2014 has been a really great fruitful for the guys & already the 1st week sales that Thank you Jan ! obtained is now their personal best which's really good for them .
I can't wait to see what else they have in stores for 2015 but for now Thank you Jan ! is worth checking out during this festive season , especially the B-sides which're all highly recommended .
1) Zutto...
2) Last minute
3) Walk
4) Zutto... (-Instrumental-)
5) Last minute (-Instrumental-)
6) Walk (-Instrumental-)
ayumi's latest single release comes in about 2 months + since the release of her previous single Terminal .
Zutto... / Last minute / Walk is described as a Winter ballads trilogy . ayumi's last Winter ballad single release was 2009's You were... / BALLAD while her last triple A-side single release was 2003's & .
The fanclub edition of Zutto... / Last minute / Walk includes a remix track titled WINTER BALLAD MEDLEY (Days ~ CAROLS ~ No way to say ~ JEWEL ~ You were... ~ momentum ~ POWDER SNOW).
Despite Zutto... / Last minute / Walk being a triple A-side single , only a video was made for Zutto... at this point in time .
Prior to the physical CD release , Zutto... / Last minute / Walk was released digitally on 17th Dec .
Each A-side are ballads but they're quite different from each other . Zutto... is quite a standard Winter ballad while on the other hand , Last minute is a rock ballad .
Lastly , Walk is a ballad that was composed by Komuro Tetsuya .
Generally , I like all the 3 songs but if I have to pick a fave , Last minute has my vote . There's just something about this track that reminded me of Memorial address to a certain extent . I'm not sure why but I find it quite nostalgic to a certain extent .
While Zutto... is pretty , the ending for Walk was a bit awkward which took me quite a while to get used after a few listens .
Before staging ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2014-2015 A Cirque de Minuit ~Mayonaka no Circus~ on the last 3 days of 2014 starting from tomorrow , ayumi hamasaki has released Zutto... / Last minute / Walk just in time for Christmas ! The superstar's latest single release features 3 heartwarming & distinctively different ballads hemmed by Komuro Tetsuya , Yukumi Tetsuya & Tago Kunio respectively . Have yourself a merry little Christmas with her latest single !
ayumi shows no signs of stopping down as she will release a new classical album exactly a month later on 28th Jan 2015 . More details from the album title to the tracklist will be revealed in due time but most likely it will follow a similar concept to A CLASSICAL .
This song was released digitally at the same time together with another digital single Wonderland .
Endless was picked to be used as the theme song for Mitsui Fudosan Residential's Time Slip ! Horibe Yasubei .
Saito is always known for taking his music to a different level & that speaks for Endless . This song if it ends up in the hands of another artiste , it might come across as a typical standard boring guitar driven number .
But that's not the case for Saito as he's known for creating very intriguing melodies for his songs & I guess that's 1 aspect of his long lasting appeal + after being in the business for so long , Saito knows what works best for him .
On that note , Endless is a song worth checking out from him .
CD
CD + DVD
1) Negai
2) Kamisama
3) Kuuki
4) Toumei na Uta
5) Ohayou no Kiss wo
6) Suiteki
7) Subarashii Sekai
8) Sekiwotatsu
9) Hikari
10) Kimi no Koto
11) Start Line
12) Tsuki
13) Bye Bye
FLOWER FLOWER's debut album includes 3 digital singles . Their 3rd & 4th digital singles Aki + Natsu are not included in Mi .
Prior to the physical CD release of Mi , 4 album tracks were released digitally week after week before 26th Nov .
The formation of FLOWER FLOWER is hemmed by singer-songwriter yui (previously stylised as YUI) who serves as the vocalist of the group .
Consists of vocalist/guitarist yui , bassist mafumafu , drummer sacchan & keyboardist/programmer mura☆jun , yui formed FLOWER FLOWER with other musicians she respects & the band started studio sessions last year . She said that with FLOWER FLOWER , she was able to purely enjoy the music that the band creates & from each new performance , she naturally gets new ideas for potential new songs .
yui commented, "I thought anything would sound good with these members , but it's true that there was some feeling of 'destruction' somewhere in my heart . I'm not sure how people will respond to it , but I hope to give some kind of shock ."
FLOWER FLOWER have released digital singles since last year , making Mi their 1st physical CD release .
The album title Mi mean a seed , a fruit . On why they chose to name their debut album Mi , FLOWER FLOWER explains that it's because they're growing & then they are getting it + sharing it .
Negai is the opening track of Mi . This mid tempo number more or less sets the rest of the music style found in other tracks in the album .
Kamisama is FLOWER FLOWER's 2nd digital single . yui commented , "I'm used to only play an acoustic guitar , but I've been playing the electric guitar a lot lately . Kamisama was one of the 1st songs I played on the electric guitar , so it's important to me . I hope Kamisama lifts your spirits when you listen to it ." .
Kuuki & Toumei na Uta were released digitally before Mi was physically released . Kuuki was released digitally on 5th Nov while Toumei na Uta was released digitally on 29th Oct .
Both songs showcase rather interesting music styles . Kuuki is quite a gritty sounding number while Toumei na Uta is more or less a straightforward mid tempo number that's quite piano driven .
Ohayou no Kiss wo & Suiteki are the next 2 songs after Toumei na Uta . Ohayou no Kiss wo is quite a chilled out number while Suiteki was accompanied by a rather strong Xylophone driven melody which I found it quite charming .
Subarashii Sekai is FLOWER FLOWER's 5th digital single . It was picked to be used as the ending theme for TV Tokyo's late-night drama Tamagawa Kuyakusho OF THE DEAD that premiered on 3rd Oct . The drama starred Hayashi Kento & was directed by Kawahara Masahiko .
Sekiwotatsu is yet another edgy sounding number which's almost in the same music vein as Kuuki .
The longest track in Mi , Hikari is 7:07 mins which's quite daunting . I would have preferred this song if it didn't sounded as though it's 1 long track that kept going on & on without stopping .
Kimi no Koto was released digitally on 12th Nov before Mi was physically released . It's 1 of the more simpler sounding tracks in the album as the melody of the song is just an acoustic guitar backing yui up . Kimi no Koto is also equally long like Hikari but it's not that bad on whole .
Start Line follows after Kimi no Koto . It's a straight forward sounding track & I feel it's 1 of the less complicated songs in Mi .
Tsuki is FLOWER FLOWER's 1st digital single & it was picked to be used in the ads for au titled au PERFECT SYNC./REAL . This song was the 1st release that showcased the start of the band's subsequent future music releases .
Bye Bye is the final track available in Mi & it was released digitally on 19th Nov , a week before Mi gets released .
Surprisingly with a title like Bye Bye , I thought it was going to be a ballad but turns out I was wrong as it starts off rather calm but along the way , the song gets really amped up big time although on whole the overall feeling is that Bye Bye felt like a mixture of various sounds were mashed up/thrown in .
In 2012 , despite having huge commercial success , YUI announced her retirement as a solo artist . Luckily in 2013 , she re-emerged as a member of rock band FLOWER FLOWER . YUI (now stylised as yui) aimed to make a new start & began her musical journey anew with the release of her new band's debut album Mi .
I'm sure the 1st reaction when people found out that YUI has came back in the scene with a new look + a new band , they ultimately going to assume that what FLOWER FLOWER does will be almost the same if not identical to what YUI used to do during her solo days .
But it turns out that YUI & FLOWER FLOWER's stuff are not the same despite being sung by the same person . I feel that what FLOWER FLOWER does , it's something completely out of yui's music comfort zone as certain things they've done , I can't imagine yui doing it should she still be a soloist & vice versa .
On whole Mi is quite an interesting release although I must admit it's not an easy album to listen to as quite a lot of the songs do not sound mainstream & let alone , another drawback is that almost 1/2 of Mi comprises of songs that're over 5 mins long which perhaps let me not to enjoy it as much as I thought I would .
That said in a way it's still heartening to know yui is still in the business even though more or less she has already left her solo days behind . It reminds to be seen whether will she head back to being solo or if she will continue her activities with FLOWER FLOWER as a long term venture .
But at the end of the day , Mi is a commendable effort & it's a new chapter laid out coming from someone that used to be known as YUI .
CD
CD + DVD
1) Soredemo Shitai
2) Onnaji Samishisa
3) Zankyou (CD Only Track)
4) Tomorrow (CD Only Track)
5) Soredemo Shitai (less vocal)
6) Onnaji Samishisa (less vocal)
Ken's latest single offering comes in about 8 months + since the release of his previous single Grotesque that featured Namie Amuro .
In addition , Ken's last double A-side single was 2008's Canvas / Kimi wa Su・Te・Ki♥ & Soredemo Shitai / Onnaji Samishisa is his 2nd double A-side single release to date too .
Despite being a double A-side single , only a video was made for Soredemo Shitai .
The CD only edition of Soredemo Shitai / Onnaji Samishisa includes 2 B-sides which the CD + DVD edition excludes them .
The 1st A-side Soredemo Shitai was picked to be used as the ending theme song for NTV's Tokui to Goto to Uruwashi no SHELLY ga Konya Kurabete Mimashita last month .
Prior to the single physical release , Soredemo Shitai was 1st released digitally on 3rd Dec .
A fun Indian-style dance song that showcases a very different side of Ken , the video for Soredemo Shitai as well as the single's covers , have a distinctly Indian feel . Ken says that he was inspired by Bollywood films & also that he mentioned that he has been mistaken as an Indian by Indians residing in Japan .
The 2nd A-side Onnaji Samishisa was picked to be used as the theme song for the NHK drama Sayonara Watashi that started airing from 14th Oct .
Prior to the single physical release , Onnaji Samishisa was 1st released digitally on 29th Oct .
The 1st B-side Zankyou is a piano ballad driven which's very simplified sounding . Its understated music arrangement allows Ken's vocals to shine really well & it contrasts both A-sides .
The 2nd B-side Tomorrow was picked to be used to promote the movie ANNIE when it gets released in Japan next month on 24th Jan 2015 . This song is actually a cover & it was created in 1977 for the original Broadway production of Annie & has since become 1 of the musical's signature songs .
Ken Hirai wraps up 2014 with the release of his 2nd single of the year titled Soredemo Shitai / Onnaji Samishisa .
I must say this has to be 1 of the most interesting singles I've come across , not just this year but in recent times . While Onnaji Samishisa is pretty much a standard mid tempo R&B number that's more geared towards Ken's comfort zone , it's really Soredemo Shitai that pushed the musical boundaries for him .
And I never would have thought Ken said that he gets mistaken as an Indian even though I must admit , he doesn't have that typical Japanese look despite him being 100% Japanese .
But that said , Soredemo Shitai is a breath of fresh air & I'm not familiar with Bollywood style music but it's quite cool for Ken to explore/tackle it . Who knows maybe in the near future , this might open doors for him in a way or 2 .
I'm not sure why Ken chose to release Soredemo Shitai / Onnaji Samishisa as a double A-side single as frankly Soredemo Shitai is the 1 that's the main star of the single .
CD
CD + Goods
Consists of CD + book + Christmas Box + Christmas card + special ornament
CD + photobook
1) White tree
2) White tree (Piano version)
3) White tree (Instrumental)
The group's latest single was released about 4 months + since their last single ENAMEL .
White tree is a Winter-themed song which's described as a heartrending Christmas song that will shake the innermost souls of fans .
Prior to the physical single release , White tree was 1st released digitally on 19th Nov . The song was written by vocalist Mao & it was composed by bassist Aki .
Unlike ENAMEL , White tree does not have a B-side . Instead it includes a piano version of the A-side .
The jacket covers of White tree were created by highly-acclaimed illustrator Cato Friend who is known for his works in Samantha Thavasa's campaign illustrations & covers of magazine Tabi . He expresses the world of White tree with a soft touch & fresh colours .
SID's last Winter single release was 2011's Fuyu no Bench & it's great for them to put out another Winter inspired no. as White tree is definitely a heartwarming ballad that was created with a Winter motif in mind .
Be it White tree and/or White tree (Piano version) , both are equally good but I personally prefer the Piano version as it showcases a more vulnerable emotional side of the group while at the same time , I feel that Mao's vocals sounded a lot more better as well .
Before taking the stage at Nippon Budokan at their sold out Collabo BANG! collaboration concert that will take place on 27th Dec , SID brings a Christmas gift to fans in the form of their latest single offering White tree .
2014 has been a fruitful year for the group & I do hope more great things will happen to them in due time in 2015 which I'm sure it will happen but until then White tree is a single worth checking out .
This song is included in a tribute cover album titled Utada Hikaru no Uta .
Utada Hikaru no Uta was released on 9th Dec to commemorate Utada's 15th anniversary in the business . The tribute cover album features a total of 13 artists covering Utada's songs .
Aside from ayumi hamasaki , other artistes that participated in Utada Hikaru no Uta include Sheena Ringo , Inoue Yosui , Okamura Yasuyuki , Hanaregumi , KIRINJI , tofubeats with BONNIE PINK , Yoshii Kazuya , Miliyah Kato , Ohashi Trio , AI , LOVE PSYCHEDELICO & Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Feat Peabo Bryso .
In her cover of Movin' on without you , ayumi utilised her voice in a manner that she doesn't do in her discography .
I was honestly surprised when it was announced ayumi was participating in Utada Hikaru no Uta & let alone for her to cover an Utada song .
Even though I don't listen/support Utada anymore , her older works remind very prominent even up to now .
I enjoyed the original take of Movin' on without you . As for ayumi's cover on the song , it's actually quite unexpectedly fun especially since she doesn't sing like this normally .
People will always tend to compare if the cover of a song is able to stack up against the original but in this case , I say just enjoy as if they're 2 different songs .
CD
CD + DVD
1) Ikite
2) MASK (Shoes and Stargazing version)
3) Ikite (Instrumental)
The group's last single release was last Nov's Eden & in Ikite , it contains a Shoes and Stargazing version of their 15th single MASK .
Ikite was picked to be used as the theme song for Nakama Yukie's starring drama SAKURA ~Jiken wo Kiku Onna~ that premiered on TBS on 20th Oct & it's described as a song that has a melody with a sense of drive , along with a positive message .
I think after all these years that Aqua Timez has been around , it's somewhat impossible not to find fault with the type of music they do even though at times it can get quite repetitive to use the same formula over & over again .
That's not to say Ikite is not a good song but I suppose here & there I do wish that they get out of their music comfort zone + start to experiment more . Hopefully their future single releases will see them taking more risks . At times it might not work but at least I've known they've tried .
Cover for all 3 editions of 1st best album BEST
BEST was released last week on 26th Nov . Since making their major debut in 2010 , SPYAIR has quickly climbed up the popularity ladder as one of Japan's top up-and-coming rock bands . BEST compiles 14 singles from their debut single LIAR until their most recent single release Imagination .
GLORY serves as track #1 in BEST . This song was recorded in the beginning of this year & it was 1st released digitally on 8th Oct .
Ano Koro , Bokura wa Onaji Mirai wo serves as track #16 in BEST & it was 1st released digitally on 12th Nov .
GLORY is quite a typical standard rock number coming from SPYAIR while Ano Koro , Bokura wa Onaji Mirai wo is a touching emotional mid tempo ballad .
Between both songs , I definitely prefer Ano Koro , Bokura wa Onaji Mirai wo a lot more than GLORY . Maybe it's just me but I honestly think SPYAIR shines a lot more in their slower numbers , not that they're not good when comes to rocking out & having a great time .
SPYAIR wraps up 2014 with the release of their 1st best album BEST & soon after they released Imagination , there were fears the guys might disband as frontman/vocalist IKE had to receive long-term medical treatment after developing vocal cord polyps & acute inflammation of his vocal cords .
Thankfully IKE is now on the mend to recovery & this month on 30th Dec , SPYAIR will be performing their 1st sold out live in 7 months titled SPYAIR LIVE 2014 ~Fukkatsu~ .
2015 will see them embarking on a new tour to promote BEST & despite what happened , I'm relieved that they're still continuing to do what they do best as I will be very disappointed if they choose to disband as in recent times they've become 1 of my fave JRock groups .
On that note , here's to better things in due time to come for SPYAIR in 2015 !