Rock Band GLAY Share 30th Anniversary Single "whodunit" Featuring JAY Of K-POP Powerhouse ENHYPEN

”whodunit” Jacket Cover

Legendary rock band GLAY released their latest single ”whodunit” featuring JAY from K-pop group ENHYPEN.

The single continues GLAY’s much-anticipated 30th-anniversary activities. The celebrated Japanese rockers, who stand as one of the nation's best-selling artists of all time, continue to push themselves creatively via a collaboration with JAY, a member of the globally popular K-pop group ENHYPEN. For the song’s vocal recording, GLAY members TERU and TAKURO traveled to South Korea to work directly with JAY. At TAKURO's request, JAY also penned the lyrics for his vocal section.

JAY also appears in the music video for “whodunit,” now available on YouTube. Filmed entirely in South Korea, it captures an intense "vocalist clash" between TERU and JAY, as imagined by TAKURO. It also includes CG scenes inspired by the 30th-anniversary key visuals created by Eiichiro Oda, the esteemed creator of "ONE PIECE.”

Hailing from the northern Japanese city of Hakodate, GLAY is a four-piece rock band that debuted in 1994 with their single “RAIN” and has been recognized as a leading act in the "Visual Kei" genre ever since. Renowned for their pioneering role in the Japanese Visual Kei scene, GLAY has accomplished many milestones, including a US tour in 2008 for their 20th anniversary and their first South Korean show in 2019 to mark their 25th anniversary. Earlier this year, the band had the honor of appearing as special guests the legendary British rock band QUEEN during their QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT concert in Sapporo.

Be sure to check out the music video below, and check out the band’s anniversary single here!

TAKURO (GLAY) Comment 

GLAY's 30th anniversary commemorative single "whodunit" was produced with the participation of JAY, a member of the global Korean group ENHYPEN. The music video is adorned with visuals inspired by the world of Eiichiro Oda, who served as the key visual creator this time. Throughout the video, the members of GLAY and JAY deliver intense performances, capturing the viewers' attention. In particular, the scenes where vocalist TERU and JAY confront each other are remarkable moments that will go down in GLAY's history as one of our greatest collaborations.

Lastly, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Eiichiro Oda,, JAY, and everyone involved with HYBE for accepting our collaboration proposal, as well as the filming team led by Director Pe Myung-Hyun. This collaboration has been an amazing reward for GLAY's sincere dedication to music over the past 30 years. On behalf of all GLAY members, we would like to express our gratitude once again.

Director Bae Myung Hyun’s Comment 

It was a great honor to direct this music video, having previously worked as the assistant director on 'Into the Wild' in 2020. Seeing the members of GLAY again after four years, I was struck by how their acting skills and charisma had become even more impressive.

The shoot included many challenging scenes, but I was deeply moved by the members' passion, with comments like, 'Let's do it again because it looks cool,' and 'As the director wishes!' Their enthusiasm inspired the entire staff to match their energy and dedication.

Despite the song's length and the demanding filming process, it was clear how much they love their music and their commitment to creating an outstanding piece of work. This time, we were also joined by ENHYPEN’s JAY. Initially, I was concerned about the dynamic, given GLAY's greater experience, but it quickly became clear that my worries were unfounded. The interaction between the two artists was harmonious and supportive.

On set, the GLAY members frequently engaged with JAY, easing the atmosphere with conversation. The performance where TERU and JAY competed for the microphone on the table was particularly impressive, showcasing a wonderful synergy that left a lasting impression.

I am deeply grateful to GLAY, JAY, and all the staff for their hard work, especially for traveling to Korea and enduring early morning shoots. Thank you for allowing me to capture the essence of these legendary artists.

ASH DA HERO to Release “Beast Mode / Octave,” Insert Songs for Blue Lock -Episode Nagi-!

The five-member rock band ASH DA HERO, who belong to the MoooD Records label within Bandai Namco Music Live, have announced that their double A-side single “Beast Mode / Octave'' will be released on May 29, 2024. “Beast Mode” and “Octave” were written specifically for Blue Lock -Episode Nagi-, and both songs are used for important scenes within the movie.

“Beast Mode” is centered around the concept of “awakening.” It is an “egotistical” song filled with respect and love for Blue Lock, uniquely crafted by ASH DA HERO, who were also responsible for the theme songs of the Blue Lock anime series. It serves as the anthem for the “awakening” of Team Z, led by Isagi, and we highly encourage you to watch this pivotal moment in the theater.

“Octave,” on the other hand, is a song specifically written for Nagi, the protagonist of the movie. The lyrics accurately capture his initial feeling on encountering Reo and Isagi during a period of boredom and apathy in his daily life, as well as how his emotions gradually change as he fights for survival within Blue Lock. While it may seem like a straightforward rock song when paired with scenes from the movie, it carries an emotional undertone that evokes tears.

Both songs were available for early streaming on various distribution platforms from April 19, coinciding with the theatrical release of Blue Lock -Episode Nagi-. We hope you will listen to them many times after watching the movie.

Furthermore, a music video for “Beast Mode” was  released at 20:00 on the same day. In this video, the protagonist desperately runs from “something,” while ASH DA HERO delivers an intense performance amidst intertwined cables and lighting that disconcertingly pulses like a beating heart. As the song progresses, the dynamic between the protagonist and the unidentified entity gradually changes. ASH DA HERO’s performance is pivotal to conveying the theme of “awakening” depicted in the song. Please observe the fate of these intertwined characters through the intense cut-ins featured in the video.

Last year, ASH DA HERO experienced rapid growth through a series of collaborations and nationwide tours, and there is no doubt that they will continue to evolve and “awaken” further in 2024. Don’t miss a single moment of their journey!

Be sure to check out the streaming link to both “Beast Mode” and “Octave” here, along with the music video for “Beast Mode” below!

VK Blanka releases surprise new English-language song ‘Never Run’! Music video also released!

‘Never run’ Digital Jacket cover

Acclaimed musician VK Blanka has released ‘Never Run’, a new song with all-English lyrics, available as a digital release.

VK Blanka performed the new song yesterday with a full band at VK Blanka presents RAINBOW ROAD -Den-, the third in his series of special events, which was held at Festival Hall in Osaka on a lineup that included Ayaka and Ryokuoushoku Shakai. ‘Never Run’ was unveiled as a complete surprise, followed right away by today’s digital release.

VK Blanka toured North America in February this year, and the thrill he felt from his shows there influenced the highly danceable beats and arrangements of ‘Never Run’. The song was mixed and arranged by fellow musician Josh Cumbee, who also collaborated on writing the lyrics, making it a song with a global sound and excellent English words.


Comment from Vicke Blanka

“I gained a lot of inspiration during my North American tour, and after I returned to Japan, I was filled with new ideas and the urge to write music – so I did.

This song has a driving beat, which I hope you’ll enjoy.”

A music video was also released which can viewed below. along with the streaming link for ‘Never Run’ here!

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

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!

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