SANTA releases lead song from upcoming first album ‘Prologue’!

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Prologue Jacket Cover

Popular artist SANTA, who has a huge fan base across Asia, released his first solo album ‘Prologue’ on May 20.

The lead song ‘Let em Out’ have been made available on streaming services as an early taste of what’s to come. This will be SANTA’s first full-length album since beginning his solo career last year. The album includes songs based on the four most important milestone ages in SANTA’s life: ages 14, 17, 21 and 25.

On the album, SANTA expresses his life through music, inviting listeners to experience his unique mindscape in all its glory. Lead song ‘Let em Out’ also release has a music video released as well, which you can check out below, along with the streaming link here!

[SANTA profile]

SANTA is a top-level dancer from Japan, a prodigy who began making a name for himself as a kid. He has won numerous dance contests, becoming the youngest ever champion of the prestigious global dance battle SDK. Since 2023, he has built a successful solo career based in China, where he has also become an ambassador for various brands and appeared on popular TV shows including ‘Street dance of China’ and ‘Great Dance Crew’.

Tomonari Sora releases new single ‘Niramekko’, along with lyric video!

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Niramekko Digial Jacket Cover

Vocalist Tomonari Sora released his new single ‘Niramekko’ on last Wednesday, May 15.  His previous single, ‘Demons Banquet’, was released in January to explosive success. The song dominated the charts on various subscription streaming platforms, peaking at No.14 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart and at No.7 on the Spotify Top 50 ranking for Japan, while its music video has racked up over 30 million plays on YouTube, hitting No.3 in YouTube’s weekly music videos chart.

Now, all eyes are on Sora’s new single ‘Niramekko’, which tells the tale of falling in love with a beautiful yet dangerous femme fatale. The song depicts her phoney facial expressions and her heart of love and hate through vivid sounds and wordplay. A lyric video is also out now, so be sure to check it out below along with the streaming link here!

About Tomonari Sora

Tomonari Sora is a multitalented singer-songwriter who produces the lyrics, music and arrangements for his songs, and even creates his own illustrations. He makes high-quality, genre-defying J-pop music with deep metaphorical lyrics, resonating with a younger generation of music fans. Via the label cutting edge, he has released the singles ‘Faregate’ (December 6, 2023), ‘Demons Banquet’ (January 10, 2024), ‘I LOVE ME!’ (March 13, 2024), and new single ‘Niramekko’ (May 15, 2024). On Sunday, January 21, he held his first solo concert at TOKIO TOKYO, titled ‘Ame nochi Sora’.

Tasuku Hatanaka to Release 9th Single “It’s time to fly!” Event to Commemorate 30th Birthday and 9th Single Announced!

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Popular voice actor/artist Tasuku Hatanaka has announced the upcoming release of his 9th single “It’s time to fly!” on July 17, 2024.

This single marks Hatanaka’s first self-production, with him penning the lyrics for the title track himself. With his 30th birthday coming up on August 17, he delivers a piece of music on the theme of “travel,” packed with his current feelings and the challenges he would like to take on. The composition was done by M-Swift, also known as Shohei Matsushita, along with the artist XinU and musician Yota Shoji. The initial production run will include early ticket lottery applications for Lantis MENS GIG “A・C・E” 2024, which will take place on October 13.

Furthermore, an event commemorating Hatanaka’s 30th birthday and the release of his 9th single, titled “TASUKU HATANAKA 30th Birthday & 9th Single Release Party -It’s time to fly!-,” will be held at Zepp Yokohama on August 18. The first half will consist of a variety segment with guests, while the second half will feature a live performance by Hatanaka himself, making for an event packed with content. Yuma Uchida and Chikahiro Kobayashi, who both share close relationships with Hatanaka, will appear as guests for the afternoon and evening performances, respectively. Additionally, the event logo, which features a suitcase inspired by the travel theme of the 9th single, has been revealed. Ticket pre-orders are open from 12:00 on May 11.

Be sure to pre-order “It’s time to fly!” below!

Standard edition

Limited edition

Kenichi Suzumura Manten Fes 2024: A Festival to Eat, Talk, Sing, and Laugh! Announced!

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The event “Kenichi Suzumura Manten Fes 2024: A Festival to Eat, Talk, Sing, and Laugh!” will be held over two days, on October 5 and October 6, at Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater. The last Manten Live, a regular part of Suzumura’s activities as an artist, was held in 2019. Now, after nearly five years, it is making a comeback as the new and improved “Manten Fes.” As the title “Eat, Talk, Sing, and Laugh” suggests, various events are planned to keep attendees entertained at Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater all day long. Leading up to Suzumura’s performance, it will be just like a festival. An early ticket application voucher for this event is included in the Kenichi Suzumura LIVE TOUR 2023 “ROOTS” LIVE Blu-ray, which went on sale on May 15.

Comment from Kenichi Suzumura

Thank you for waiting so long! We are finally hosting a live performance at Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater again! This time, we are bringing you Manten Fes, an evolution of Manten Live. The venue, Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater, is truly a wonderful place! It’s comfy! And the air is refreshing! It really is special! At the Manten Fes, not only will you get to enjoy a live performance on a stage, but we’ve also incorporated a variety of other entertainment to enjoy within the theater grounds even before the performance begins. You could say it is a festival by Kenichi Suzumura, for Kenichi Suzumura, to enjoy with Kenichi Suzumura! (laughs).

We will continue to provide updates with specific details, so please stay tuned. We are preparing everything with great care to ensure you have a fantastic time at Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater all day long. Please look forward to it!

Title: Kenichi Suzumura Manten Fes 2024: A Festival to Eat, Talk, Sing, and Laugh!

Date & Time:

October 5 (Sat): Doors Open 15:00 / Show Starts 17:30

October 6 (Sat): Doors Open 15:00 / Show Starts 17:30

Venue: Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater, Yamanashi Prefecture

Ticket Price:

All seats: ¥12,000 (inc. tax)

*Tickets are required for children aged 3 and above.

*Resale for profit is prohibited.

*Entry with a resold ticket is prohibited.

*Listing tickets for auction is prohibited.

*Any disruptive behavior is strictly prohibited.

*Depending on your seat, parts of the stage or performance may be partially or completely obstructed.

*Due to the venue’s layout, the wheelchair area may have limited visibility.

Ticket Limits:

Up to 4 tickets per serial number (multiple performances may be applied for)

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Early ticket application vouchers enclosed in with “ROOTS” LIVE Blu-ray This pre-sale can be accessed using the URL and serial number included in the application flier enclosed with the first production run of the Kenichi Suzumura LIVE TOUR 2023 “ROOTS” LIVE Blu-ray, which was released on May 15, 2024.

■ Application Period: 10:00 AM on May 15 to 11:59 PM on June 2, 2024

■ Results Confirmation Period: From 1:00 PM on June 6

■ Payment Period: 1:00 PM on June 6, 2024 (Thursday) to 9:00 PM on June 10

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Gray's Ongaku Go For April 2024

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Spring is in the air and April is finally behind us. We at Ongaku to You are here to share some of our favorite songs that we’ve been listening to this past month. Each track is available across all digital music streaming platforms, with Apple Music featured on this site, along with our Spotify playlist here!

“Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts

“Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” has been on repeat since covering it for our latest episode discussing the Winter Anime season. This song grows on me even more, each time I listen to it. I’m surprised by how much this track gets stuck in my head and I’m constantly going back to it. 

Check out “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” here and in the video below.

“BANDAGE” by Ayumu Imazu

Ayumu Imazu is a Music Corner alumni from last year and I still find myself listening consistently listening to his music. Ayumu’s music style is catchy and fun that I keep going back for more. “BANDAGE” is his latest release and like the rest of his music, it has this weird ability to stick with you.

Check out “BANDAGE” here and in the video below.

“Frozen Butterfly” by WOLF HOWL HARMONY from EXILE TRIBE

WOLF HOWL HARMONY, one of the newer additions of the EXILE TRIBE family has been a force to be reckoned with and this is only their second release. It’s difficult to believe these guys are just getting started in the industry as both of their releases thus far have been fantastic. 

Check out “Frozen Butterfly” here and in the video below.

“hikari” by Awesome City Club

It has been hard to stay on top of all the Music Corners we have covered in the past. but I do my best to keep up with my favorites. I was pleasantly surprised by Awesome City Club with the release of their “close:to” EP. The release as a whole is solid but the first track, “hikari” pulls you into the EP, showcasing that Awesome City Club decided to lead with the best track first.

Check out “hikari” here and in the video below.

“Ikutsu no koro ni Modoritai tainoka?” by Sakurazaka46

I was surprised that ‘Ikutsu no koro ni Modoritai tainoka?’ made it into my top five for the month, however, I’ve been listening to this while headed into work each morning. Originally, this release was one I wasn’t too keen on and to be fair my feelings on this are still a bit mixed but I keep finding myself pulled into listening to this track. I’ve noticed Sakurazaka46 does seem to be discovering their sound with their past two releases being pretty good. I’m waiting to see how long this song will stay in my rotation. I’m happy to see that Sakurazaka46 is beginning to pave their own way with their newer music and hope it continues on that way with future releases. 

Check out “Ikutsu no koro ni Modoritai tainoka?” here and in the video below.