Promo wise , Illumination promoted the NHK drama Omusubi .
Illumination is not a bad song as it's not catchy on 1st listen but the mid tempo song does grow on me the more I listen .
While Illumination is not the best B'z song that they've put out , it's nonetheless heartening to see that B'z release something new this year especially since this year they have been more focused in their solo releases .
A Gospel song that was created with 40 students from Osaka's Caless Vocal & Dance School which Shota used to attend , PUZZLE was created as a lesson assignment song for Shota's alma mater .
In addition , the 40 students had chorus & vocals input in PUZZLE .
PUZZLE is the type of music genre that Shota excels in the best . The best thing is that Shota did not utilised any autotune in PUZZLE which allowed his vocals to shine & also the students' vocals complimented him very well in the song .
This's the type of music style that Shota does the best & should do more often . This was the very reason why I started supporting him years back & I really hope Shota will continue to make such songs in the near future & in return get new fans to apperciate his musical talents .
CD Regular
CD Limited
CD + DVD A / CD + Blu-ray A
CD + DVD B / CD + Blu-ray B
24th Sept is the date when in 2007 , the formation of Hey ! Say ! JUMP was announced during the Johnny's Jr's Hey Say '07 in Yokohama Arena .
UMP is a new representative song for Hey ! Say ! JUMP as they look ahead to their 20th anniversary .
Created by sumika's Kenta Kataoka , UMP is a song that has a dynamic melody .
UMP features a fast-paced , dynamic melody that evokes a sense of acceleration toward the future . Lyrically , UMP is unique & deeply emotional , capturing the essence of the group's journey & aspirations .
Hey ! Say ! JUMP wanted to create a new signature song that represents their future . All the members were involved in producing UMP , pouring their hearts into it after a long preparation period .
The following songs serve as B-sides in UMP :
- NERD ; ending theme song for the drama Osore starring member Takaki Yuya
- Nayuta no Umi (CD Regular Edition Track)
- Routine (CD Regular Edition Track)
- BAD NEWS Mitanukai! (CD + DVD A & CD + Blu-ray A Version Track)
- Shitsujiteki na Boyfriend (CD + DVD A & CD + Blu-ray A Version Track)
- Highlight (CD + DVD B & CD + Blu-ray B Version Track)
Hey ! Say ! JUMP's 34th single UMP was produced with the desire to deliver a new representative song for the group as they look ahead to their 20th anniversary . The members were involved in the selection & production of this spirited song that looks to the future with a dynamic melody & lyrics created by sumika's Kataoka Kenta .
UMP includes NERD which was used as the ending song for the drama Osore which member Takaki Yuya appears in . This refreshing banger with light beats & a digital sound reveals a charming new side to Hey ! Say ! JUMP .
11th album H⁺ will be released on 27th Nov . Both UMP & NERD will be included in the new album .
1) Daioujyo Everyday
2) Floating Story
3) Pepper Cave
4) Daioujyo Everyday (OFF VOCAL)
5) Floating Story (OFF VOCAL)
6) Pepper Cave (OFF VOCAL)
GRANRODEO's last single release was last Aug's Tetsu no Ori .
GR STORY is part of Road to G20th trilogy release in early celebration of GRANRODEO's impending 20th anniversary next year .
Before GR STORY was released physically , the 1st song in the tracklist Daioujyo Everyday was 1st released digitally on 17th Sept . Only a video was made for Daioujyo Everyday & it's not included in the physical release of GR STORY .
GRANRODEO will celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2025 . As they approach their 20th year , their Road to G20th trilogy reaches its final chapter with GR STORY . The release includes a song that references DD BLUES from guitarist e-ZUKA's solo album , a hot song featuring their backup bassist Takita Isamu & a song that tells the story of GRANRODEO .
The 3 songs included in GRANRODEO's latest single offering GR STORY are all musically diverse from each other but it's quite evident why Daioujyo Everyday is the only song that had a video made as it rightfully deserves so .
Unlike the other 2 songs in GR STORY which took me a while to warm up to , that did not happen with Daioujyo Everyday as I really like it on 1st listen & this music style is something I could see the duo do when they did GRANRODEO Live Session "Rodeo Note" vol.1 & vol.2 which they performed at a jazz club a few years back .
With next year GRANRODEO's 20th anniversary it will be interesting to see what the duo plans to do in marking this landmark milestone of theirs but regardless of what they plan to do , I look forward to it .
