Urusei Yatsura is one of the most beloved anime series of all time. The show’s theme song Lum’s Love Song is still a fan-favorite 40 years after its release in 1981. To celebrate the anniversary of the track, the original composer Izumi Kobayashi has released a self-cover only available on streaming services. A worldwide remix project based on the song is also underway and will continue into the new year.    On November 17, Izumi Kobayashi released Lum’s Love Song (Reboot) along with Limited Toss, a trackmaker she met in London. The B-side of the single is another self-cover of Bambutsuruten, the theme to Tokyo Gambo.    Izumi Kobayashi wrote a number of anime songs in addition to Lum’s Love Song, such as tracks for Sasuga no Sarutobi and Stop!! Hibari-kun! After working as an artist, session musician, and playwright in the 1980s, she moved to the UK and worked alongside Depeche Mode and SWING OUT SISTER, while also supporting the overseas activities of Ken Ishii, Denki Groove, and DJ KRUSH.   In addition to this self-cover project, Lum’s Love Song is now being remixed by a number of talented artists from around the world. The first EP of the remix project, ‘Lum’s Love Song (Reboot) Mimix EP.1’ was released digitally on December 8. It features remixes by Kenmochi Hidefumi of Wednesday Campanella, Chinese trackmaker 3asic, and Osaka-based Limited Toss.    Upcoming Lum’s Love Song remixes will be provided by Korean music producer T.WON and SKYTOPIA, along with tofubeats. ‘Lum’s Love Song (Reboot) Mimix EP.2’ will be released on January 12, 2022.   Rumiko Takahashi, the original creator of Urusei Yatsura, was inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame in October 2021, one of the most prestigious U.S. comic awards.  

Comment from Izumi Kobayashi

“It’s been a long time since I’ve released a new album!Everyone involved in this project is so excited, and we know that something amazing is going to come from it. As it’s the 40th anniversary of Lum’s Love Song, I created a new cel cover for it. I’m just thrilled!Thank you to everyone who listens!”

小林泉美

Momo Mashiro made her solo major debut today (February 12) with the release of her digital single Onegai Sequencer.   Momo Mashiro is a Japanese singer who won the Lawson Dream Artist Audition, an audition run by the convenience store chain Lawson to give women working at Lawson a cool image. The song was written by famed Japanese music producer and DJ Yasutaka Nakata. Mashiro actually feated on his song Jump in Tonight, a track included on his solo album Digital Native.   Onegai Sequencer has a 'kawaii' dance music and sound laced with fantastical lyrics. It is the embodiment of fantasy and has a computer sound to it.   Momo Mashiro - "Onegai Sequencer" Music Video

  The song was released together with a music video today. The video was produced as an official collaboration with Lawson. Mashiro works as an employee at the convenience store in the video, which turns into a dreamy pastel-coloured game world. The entire store becomes a huge arcade to the tune of the foot-stomping beat. It was shot over the course of an entire day, which includes stop motion scenes of each item on the shelves. It's a wondrous mix of reality and fantasy and a must-see.   The song is available to listen to on music streaming and download services, including Spotify by entering Mashiro's name or the song title in Japanese

tofubeats appeared on the first episode of Red Bull Check Your DMs, a reality show by Red Bull which connects artists around the world together online for the first time and has them make a song together remotely. He collaborated with UK music producer DJ Q and Netherlands singer Gaidaa to create an original track named All In.   Red Bull Check Your DMs - Episode 1

This was the first time the three artists had met each other, all of whom have different nationalities as well as work on different styles of music, from hip-hop and electronic to singer, rapper, and track maker. Just how did these three individuals create a new song from scratch? All they need is talent, inspiration, and an internet environment for this unique project which coincides with today’s digital age. The show welcomes a whole host of artists, from this episode’s tofubeats, music producer DJ Q, and singer Gaidaa to bassline DJ Flava D, rappers Ms Banks and Burna, Canadian electronic music producer Ryan Hemsworth, South Korean singer CIFIKA, Diamond Vargas from Australia, Girl Ultra from Mexico, Phil Speiser and Palazzo Beats from Austria, Wow Jones from the USA, Yartze from Puerto Rico, and more. Red Bull Check Your DMs is available to watch for free on YouTube and the Red Bull TV app. A new episode will air every Friday.

Producer and DJ banvox, who reigns at the forefront of Japan's modern dance music scene, dropped his brand new EP today (March 31).banvox's new EP 'SUGAR' is a clear reflection of his hip hop roots. Guest vocalists BBY NABE and ASA Wu also feature on the tracks. There are a total of five tracks on the EP, three of which are sensational instrumentals which showcase banvox’s incredible music taste.    If you're keen to discover the latest Japanese music trends, don't take your eyes of banvox. 

ageHa is set to host one of Japan's biggest countdown parties again this year, falling on December 31, 2019 once more. Headlining the ARENA is English DJ and producer Sigala. He released his debut single Easy Love in 2015 which shot to number one on the UK charts. Since then, he has continued to pump out club and festival bangers such as Sweet Lovin and Say You Do. Seven of his nine singles have gone platinum, proving that he is one of the main players in the scene right now. Another headlining act for the show, this time from Japan, is CAPSULE, the music duo spearheaded by internationally-acclaimed Japanese DJ and record producer Yasutaka Nakata who is the official producer for two of the biggest names in Japanese music: Perfume and Kyari Pamyu Pamyu. CAPSULE plan to put on a special performance for the countdown party.   banvox is also making a return from last year's ageHa countdown concert, and CYBERJAPAN DANCERS are entering the fray for a special showcase. In the WATER area of the venue, which is produced by WORLD CLASS and TCPT, France-based bass house duo Loge21, who have piled up t he releases since Confession, will perform in Japan for the very first time. DJ Remo-con will join the line-up as a guest too.   Over at the ISLAND area, the latest in cutting edge hip hop will take to the stage. Several DJs representing Tokyo will join rapper Jin Dogg, who is garnering attention right now, including HOKUTO, KEKKE, CHARI, and FUJI TRILL.   Finally, the BOX area will give rise to trance tunes, with performances from DJ KAYA, NORIO SP, FULLMOON RAVE, agefarre, and more. But that's not all, because the famous Robot Restaurantーa major tourist attraction in Shinjukuーis making an unexpected collaboration with ageHa to put on their first ever show outside the restaurant. A variety of other celebratory things are planned for the countdown party to chime in the new year, including servings of toshikoshi soba, omikuji fortunes, goshuin seals, and more. If you happen to be in Tokyo for the New Year, then don't miss out on this very special event.

Japanese DJ and music producer banvox―whose discography has received rave reviews from the likes of international artists like David Guetta and the late Avicii―released his long-awaited new album Sellout last week. The album was released worldwide across digital music platforms including Spotify. The 14-track record features a diverse line-up of songs, and features his first ever song to include lyrics written in Japanese by the artist himself―the title track Sellout.   So far in 2019, banvox has performed at some of the biggest music festivals in Japan, including EDC JAPAN and Wired Music Festival. He has also written music for the anime series Carol & Tuesday and for the popular YouTubers AVNTIS.   Be sure to check out banvox's new album, now available digitally worldwide.