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 .
CD + Blu-ray
1) Hikari
2) Hikari -TV Size-
3) Hikari -Instrumental-
Mika's last physical CD single release was 2024's UNFAIR .
Promo wise Hikari was used as the ending theme song to promote the anime Awajima Hyakkei .
Before the single's physical CD release , the A-side was 1st released digitally on 15th April .
A video was made for Hikari but it's not included in the physical release of the single .
This year is Mika's 25th anniversary in the business & she has set another milestone by releasing her 50th single Hikari .
Personally I find Hikari only ok for my liking as compared to Mika's other ballads that're more memorable sounding . However there's a certain charm factor surrounding Hikari which I think it goes well in promoting Awajima Hyakkei .
Mika's next new song Inori, Owareba will be released as her 51st single on 26th Aug .
Promo wise , Kanzen Muketsu was chosen as NTV's coverage song on the current ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 .
Frankly on 1st listen Kanzen Muketsu is not catchy & oddly I did not pick up any sports related influences from the song . However the more I listen to the song the more it grows on me .
Considering it's not often B'z's songs been chosen to promote such a high level global sports event it speaks volume how much respect B'z still commands to date .
1) Five
2) Five (Original Karaoke)
Before Five was physically released , the A-side was 1st released digitally on 4th March .
After almost 27 years since making their debut in Nov 1999 , the curtain has came down for 1 of Japan's most iconic boybands .
With that ARASHI has left behind an extensive music discography & with the release of Five , they chose to go out with an upbeat positive bang instead of leaving on a sad note .
Thank you ARASHI your music legacy will continue to live on for years if not decades to come .
CD
CD + DVD & CD + Blu-ray A
CD + DVD & CD + Blu-ray B
CD + DVD & CD + Blu-ray C
This's DOMOTO's 1st physical CD release after KinKi Kids changed their name .
Mata ne was released on 5th May which was the day Domoto Koichi & Domoto Tsuyoshi 1st met .
Song credits wise , Tsuyoshi wrote Mata ne while Koichi composed it .
Mat ane was 1st performed last Dec during DOMOTO's 1st fan meet event . The song is described as a poignant mid-tempo number characteristic of DOMOTO , depicting the beauty & transience of human feelings for 1 another .
A total of B-sides are included in Mata ne :
- Kowai Kowai? ; has a video made ; written by Koichi , composed by Tsuyoshi
Described as an upbeat Latin-flavored track , showcasing a new glossy danceable side
- New Antique ; written by Tsuyoshi , composed by Koichi
Described as a funky electro-rock tune
- Ai no Katamari ; written by Tsuyoshi , composed by Koichi
Newly recorded version was released digitally last Dec ; originally included as the B-side in KinKi Kids' 13th single Hey! Minna Genki Kai?
- Korekara Hajimaru Monogatari ; written by Koichi , composed by Tsuyoshi
Described as a pure & heartfelt melody combined with lyrics that directly express the current feelings of both members , resulting in a truly exquisite DOMOTO ballad
DOMOTO releases their new single Mata ne on 5th May , a nod to the day Domoto Koichi & Domoto Tsuyoshi 1st met . The single includes newly recorded songs written & composed by both members . Mata ne , which was performed at their 1st fan meeting last December is a poignant mid-tempo number characteristic of the duo . This meaningful release is filled with the feelings & thoughts of both members as they embark on a new beginning as DOMOTO .
Both Domoto Koichi & Domoto Tsuyoshi are musically talented respectively . And with them putting out their 1st release under their new duo name DOMOTO it's not surprising that they have had full musical reins in creating all the songs , inclusive of Mata ne .
From ballads to mid tempo to uptempo songs , every song in Mata ne is musically proof on why they still got it after being in the business for almost 3 decades .
With the release of Mata ne this signifies a new musical beginning for DOMOTO & I'm sure this will not be the last I'll heard from them .
Promo wise , OK! GO! was used to promote TBS's 30th anniversary broadcast of Ousama no Brunch morning programme .
A video was made for OK! GO! but ayaka is not featured in it .
This year marks 2 decades since ayaka made her music debut & OK! GO! is a cheery fun number that has positive vibes which makes it the perfect song in celebrating her landmark milestone in the industry .
ayaka will release her 20th anniversary best album 20 Lights -The Collection- on 9th Sept & OK! GO! will be included in the 2nd disc of the release .
Promo wise , Diamond was used to promote the drama Stove League which Kamenashi starred in as the lead role .
I really liked Kamenashi's previous song The truth which he released digitally last year so naturally I was waiting for him to release more new solo music & in comes his latest song offering Diamond .
On 1st look I find it a bit ironic as title wise KAT-TUN also had a song titled DIAMOND but aside from that both songs do not sound the same , it's just a coincidence .
That said Diamond is very different sound wise . I wasn't sure what to think when I 1st heard it as it's quite unique and it cannot be compared to past Kamenashi solo songs of his .
Kamenashi will release his long awaited debut solo album WAVE on 8th July & Diamond will be included in WAVE .
