A video was made for Mermaid but Shota is not featured in it .
Mermaid is Shota's 1st new music release after he released his 11th album Pulsatilla cernua last June . It's no secret I prefer Shota's music to have less if not no autotune at all . His new song still has autotune but at least this's something I still can accept to a certain extent .
I would have like Mermaid a lot more if Shota removed the autotune aspect entirely or perhaps make it a ballad as ballads is something Shota has been good in for a long time .
It reminds to be seen if Mermaid will be the only new music release Shota come up with but I think it will not be long before he could release something else before 2026 concludes .
CD Regular
CD Limited
Tracklist for both versions
1) Awake
2) Awake - Live at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA 2026.05.14
3) Awake (Anime Size)
4) Awake (Instrumental)
Promo wise Awake was chosen to be used as the opening theme song for the anime Tsuihou Sareta Tensei Juukishi wa Game Chishiki de Musou Suru .
Before its physical CD release , Awake was 1st released digitally on 3rd July .
A video was made for Awake but it's not included in the physical release of the single .
SPYAIR begins their next musical chapter after they released their 7th album RE-BIRTH (their 1st under their new vocalist YOSUKE) & Awake most certainly did not disappoint .
On 1st listen I was taken in by just how different Awake is but in a good way as it left me quite a big immediate impression which usually does not happen .
Awake is another solid song added to SPYAIR's music discography & I do hope for their next new music release it will be a ballad . And if it's on par if not just as awesome on how Orange is that's something I do not mind at all .
Cover for both CD & CD + Blu-ray versions
1) Kasumi Biyori
2) Starry Smile Story
3) Message Card
4) Kasumi Biyori (Instrumental)
5) Starry Smile Story (Instrumental)
6) Message Card (Instrumental)
Kobukuro's last double A-side single release was 2013's One Song From Two Hearts / Diamond while their last physical CD single release was 2023's Envelope .
Both A-sides were each released digitally prior to their latest single release :
Kasumi Biyori ; released digitally on 10th July
Starry Smile Story ; released digitally in March ; was used in the ads of JR West group's Ugoke, Kokishin.
Despite being a double A-side single , only a video was made for Starry Smile Story .
This year marks 25 years since Kobukuro made their music debut & Kasumi Biyori / Starry Smile Story is testatment to what they do best .
Both A-sides are equally good & compliment each other extremely well while the B-side Message Card ain't bad either . To me I wish that Kobukuro would have made a video for Kasumi Biyori as it highly deserves it , not that Starry Smile Story does not .
Many artistes have come & go but Kobukuro is still here which says a lot on how timeless their music is . Here's to the next musical chapter of the duo .
CD
CD + Blu-ray
1) STAR EXTRA
2) Ring
3) Twist & Shout
4) Snow Ghost (Special ver.)
4 songs are included in Kokokara no Uta EP , inclusive of a special version of Snow Ghost .
Kokokara no Uta EP expresses the will to sound out from where flumpool stands now & move forward from there while carrying hesitation , dreams & a sense of incompleteness .
STAR EXTRA which's 1 of the 3 new songs included in Kokokara no Uta EP was 1st released digitally on 3rd June before Kokokara no Uta EP physical release .
Videos were made for both STAR EXTRA and Twist & Shout but they're not included in the physical release of Kokokara no Uta EP .
I enjoyed flumpool's 6th album Shape the water & Kokokara no Uta EP felt like a nice musical follow up from it . Despite the mini album having only 4 songs , each of them compliment each other .
Also I thought it's nice for flumpool to include a different take on Snow Ghost in Kokokara no Uta EP as the new version doesn't sound as emo depressing as compared to what was released last year .
It reminds to be seen what will flumpool released next . I don't think they will release anymore new music this year but if they could release a new song before year end I of course will not say no to that .
BENI's latest new song release is described to be perfect for Summer that has a light groove & addictive melody .
On 1st listen , JILI JILI is a fun upbeat song that sounds hot & cool together at the same time which's a contrast against BENI's previous released song snow willow .
It's heartening to see BENI is back to releasing new music & I do wish she can release a full studio album in the future as it has been a long time since she last released 1 .
If that happens I most definitely will welcome that .
Hey ! Say ! JUMP's latest new song was chosen to promote the 3rd Grade Ashibe QQ Goma-chan anime which airs as part of TV Tokyo's Animori! segment . CUE CUE CUTE is described as a heartfelt & playful tune that complements the anime's lighthearted atmosphere .
CUE CUE CUTE is a feel good track that combines infectious lyrics & an energetic band sound . Despite it being a digital release , a video was made for CUE CUE CUTE .
Even before hearing CUE CUE CUTE it's quite evident what type of music direction it will take . Surprisingly I didn't mind CUE CUE CUTE that much & I think in part is due to the video which plays up the comical aspect side of the members well , something that definitely works in their favour .
Hey ! Say ! JUMP DOME TOUR 2025-2026 S say DVD/Blu-ray will be released on 2nd Sept .
BENI's previous digital song release was last March's Escape .
Promo wise , snow willow was used to promote the movie Kozanchu which BENI starred in .
Personally snow willow is pleasant sounding but this mid tempo ballad is only ok for my liking . The song's no doubt a grower but to me BENI has other better of such sounding songs in her discography .
BENI's next new song JILI JILI was released digitally on 1st July & it will be reviewed soon .
