On November 15, MANON released her new song Growing Pains.

MANON often appears on Spotify’s ‘hyperpop’ playlist and has performed with many popular artists, such as six impala and Alice Longyu Gao. The artist continues to captivate audiences with her blend of hyperpop and gal culture paired with iconic visuals and recently modeled for SHIBUYA109’s 45th-anniversary campaign. While working on her side project bala and collaborating with edhiii boi, RAU DEF, and others, MANON has completed her new song, marking her first solo release in over a year.

The new track was produced by popular trackmaker KOTONOHOUSE, who collaborated with MANON on Friday night彡☆ in 2023. Four years after moving to Tokyo from Fukuoka, the 22-year-old singer expresses her frustrations and struggles straightforwardly through her lyrics. MANON sings over an emotional rock mix, making this the most anthemic song in MANON’s career.

Additionally, a new artist photo was released alongside the track.

On July 26, MANON released her new song come again (prod. Sam is Ohm). The track is a cover of m-flo’s 2001 hit come again, blending the classic club sounds of the early 2000s and MANON’s unique sound.

MANON has started to attract attention as a cultural icon, and her musical style is enhanced this time around by Producer/DJ Sam is Ohm, who has participated in several m-flo remix contests. He has also been highly regarded for his Konya wa Boogie Back cover project, inspired by Kenji Ozawa’s 60s hit. The new arrangement incorporates the heart of the 2000s hit while transforming its Y2K sound to fit modern trends.

A Y2K-inspired retro-futuristic music video is also available to watch on YouTube. The artwork and video were created by Dan, who works with MANON as a member of the girl’s creator collective bala.

Starting in October 2022, artist MANON released new music for four consecutive months. Continuing her exploration of the HyperPop genre, her new track L.M.S.N feat. Kyunchi is now streaming.

MANON is known for releasing music with up-and-coming artists, and for this new track, she’s collaborated with NY-based HyperPop artist Kyunchi. L.M.S.N was composed by trackmaker Kiraku, who also worked on MANON’s previous release. The song is a Gal anthem, packed with Kiraku’s signature sound and ‘Gal Rap’ performed by MANON and Kyunchi.

Kyunchi

MANON

<Comment from MANON>

“I’ve wanted to collab with Kyunchi for so long, and it’s finally happened.

When I go to parties, I have a habit of being loud and not holding back, so people tend to shoot me these judgmental looks. But I don’t care! I always think “LET’S MAKE SOME NOISE!!” This song is just that–it’s us doing what we want to do at the moment. ⭐️That’s the vibe.

I feel like gals from the 2010s are all about YOLO–they give off this super strong vibe. That’s what I was trying to channel in this track, but then Kyunchi’s bad bitch rap made it so much more intense. The jacket was also inspired by blinged-out images from the 2010s and was made by Kiraku’s friend onumi!

When you hear this song, be sure to MAKE SOME NOISE!!”

Shinichi Osawa, who produced the debut song barla for the Tokyo-based female artist and creator collective bala, has released his own remix of the track on all major streaming services.

This new remix comes on the heels of bala’s collaboration with bilingual rapper BBY NABE on another version of barla. Osawa’s reimagining of the song is funky and danceable, composed mainly of addicting loops that maintain the house vibes of the original song along with Kenmochi Hidefumi’s snappy lyrics. Fans of Shinichi Osawa will recognize his signature sound cultivated over many years at the forefront of the club scene.

bala members MANON and SUNNY ONLY 1 have also released solo tracks this month. On May 30, bala’s self-organized event ‘bala take me with you bala x KOMOREBI’ will be held at EBISU BATICA. As expected, the girls are aiming to take the global stage.

In March, the Tokyo-based girl artists and creators’ collective bala released its first single, barla. On April 26, a remixed version of the track featuring BBY NABE was released on streaming services.

The song barla, produced by Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso) and written by Kenmochi Hidefumi (Wednesday Campanella), first dropped on March 8. The song has been well-received for its stylish music video highlighting the unique backgrounds and interests of each member. The remix features BBY NABE, a bilingual rapper who is the same age as the members. His song PINK SWEET was a viral hit, and the artist is known for producing music across several different genres. barla (feat. BBY NABE) is an anthem for the current generation featuring the rapper’s catchy flow over a dance tune that brings back the house sound of the late 90s.

Cutting-edge female artist MANON has released the fourth of four consecutive monthly releases! The song gabber gabber hey!! was released on streaming services on January 27.

This happy, hardcore track contains elements of the 2000s rave scene and has a catchy beat that’s sure to be a hit during live performances. The song was co-written by trackmaker kiraku who has worked with MANON on all other consecutive releases.

The single’s artwork was done by 3D creator SINBIOX with Mark Robinson returning to create the logo art.

<Comment from MANON>
“My final consecutive release, gabber gabber hey!!, is here⭐️

I’ve been wanting to try this Gabber style of music for a while now! The song was inspired by my image of the girls from Winx Club after they become rave girls, dancing until morning.

This song has happy hardcore elements like those found in GALCHAN MODE, and listeners can just bounce to their heart’s content. The artwork this time was done by SINBIOX, a 3D artist I’ve been seeing on Instagram forever, and the logo was done yet again by Mark Robinson. The two collaborated to create incredibly cute cover art💕 I hope you listen to the track!” ^_−☆

ACCAMER released the song Nomic on streaming services on October 7. The track serves as the ending theme for the anime series I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss, and on October 15, the music video was revealed!

The new music video was produced by the song’s writer Sheeno Mirin, and is a unique creation perfectly suited for the track. In the past, ACCAMER has worked with eminent video creators on her music videos, including sakiyama, Ryuuseee, and Yuma Saito. 

The music video was illustrated by up-and-coming artist Meri, who also created the cover art for Nomic. The video was edited by video director bondbond, and fans will also want to keep an eye out for ZAZA’s avant-garde CG work. The lyrics, which scroll vertically, are somewhat hypnotic, and this is certain to be one video you won’t forget!

Popular boys group BE:FIRST has released the music video for Message. The track was featured on the group’s chart-topping first album BE:1 released on August 31.

Message is BE:FIRST’s first love song, featuring a soundscape punctuated by sweet guitar riffs. The mid-tempo ballad is a collaboration between singer-songwriter eill, whose songs reflect elements of soul and R&B and whose silky, soulful voice is incredibly addicting; Matt Cab, whose musical sense and unique sound is perfect for a wide range of genres; and MATZ and SKY-HI, who have attracted attention as next-generation artists who lead the Japanese dance music scene.

The music video shows seven people in love and was filmed like a drama series. The seven performers portray their daily lives as they fall in love, struggle with love, and learn to move forward. The powerful dance is also a highlight. Check out the dramatic performances of the seven members in this elaborate setting.

BE:FIRST is currently on its first nationwide tour, titled BE:FIRST 1st One Man Tour “BE:1” 2022-2023. The tour will take the members to 17 cities nationwide for a total of 29 shows.

Be sure to watch this dance-filled music video, offering a glimpse at a new side of BE:FIRST.

Rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN has released the music video for the song SOUVENIR, the second opening theme for the popular anime series Spy x Family. The second cour of the series began airing on October 1.

SOUVENIR is the band’s first new song in about six months and was added to streaming services on September 29. Unsurprisingly, the track has been a hit, performing well on the charts.

The music video was directed by Spikey John, who is working with BUMP OF CHICKEN for the first time. 

Prior to the music video’s release, a fast-paced teaser video shot on a highway was released, and many fans have been anxious to see what the full-length video would look like.

Are you watching Spy x Family? How do you feel about the new opening song and animation? 

©遠藤達哉/集英社・SPY×FAMILY製作委員会

Born in Niigata and living in London, international singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama released her second album Hold The Girl on September 16. The album has already received rave reviews from media outlets worldwide, with NME calling it “the best British pop album of the year.” 

Sawayama has now released the music video for her single Hurricanes, which can also be found on her newest album. The impressive video features an incredibly powerful performance with the band in the middle of a violent storm. Be sure to check it out below!

Hurricanes – Rina Sawayama (Official Music Video)

https://youtu.be/LbB1Qtq3FHY　

A studio performance version of the song This Hell, the first single from the album and a fan favorite, has also been released. The video features incredible dancers and a live band.

This Hell (Live) – Rina Sawayama | Vevo Studio Performance

https://youtu.be/7cilizyYBdQ　

Sawayama has also announced that she will hold her first solo Japan tour in January 2023, which will stop in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. 

On August 31, 2022, the voice actor, hero, and music project PRELUDERS released the album By Your Side. Now, the music video for the song Horizon Climber by High Five has been released, and it’s absolutely gorgeous!

High Five is a group led by Asuka Morito (Junya Enoki), and Horizon Climber is a song filled with hope. Young people are encouraged to listen to imagine the kind of hero they’d like to become!

Horizon Climber Music Video

The music video for Horizon Climber depicts the fifth and final chapter of the voice drama Koubou (Beam of Light), in which the members of High Five and S-quad finally confront the two members of Vice Versa, voiced by Atsushi Tamaru and Shintaro Asanuma. The battle is ready to start, with Asuka (Junya Enoki) and Ko Kujikami (Yuma Uchida) taking on those who would threaten their friends. Be sure to keep an eye out for more from this exciting project!

Be sure to give this gorgeous video a watch!

（C)PRELUDERS