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!” ^_−☆

Laforet Harajuku will host a pop-up shop inspired by the up-and-coming idol group FRUITS ZIPPER from February 1 until February 14! The FRUITS ZIPPER Valentine Pop-Up Shop will be found on the 5th floor MAKE THE STAGE area.

FRUITS ZIPPER debuted in April 2022 and embodies a simple concept: “From Harajuku to the World.” The group’s second single Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro exploded in popularity on TikTok, pulling in over 600 million views. In February, the girls will embark on their first solo concert tour in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. This is the first FRUITS ZIPPER-inspired limited-time shop, and during the event, visuals of the group’s members will be displayed in the show windows found on the first floor of Laforet Harajuku.

◆About the FRUITS ZIPPER Valentine Pop-Up Shop

When entering the venue, fans will be greeted by a 5-meter-wide board where visitors can write and attach their messages to the FRUITS ZIPPER members on heart-shaped cards. Costumes that the members have worn on stage will also be on display, allowing fans to see each stitch up close.

Exclusive items featuring new photos of the members will be on sale at the pop-up shop. Fans can enjoy seeing the girls in their own personal style, and these items will only be available during the event! Starting February 4, tour merch for the group’s upcoming solo concert series will also be available for purchase.

◆Collaboration with Fruit Sandwich Specialty Store ‘Fruits Box Daikanyama’

Last year’s popular collaboration with Fruit Box Daikanyama, a well-known fruit sandwich shop, is happening again in 2023! Fans can find the Collaboration Gift Box for sale, including seven baked meringue goods each featuring one of the member’s colors. The box also comes with snapshots of the members, and for a few lucky fans, these snaps might be signed! The idol group and sandwich shop have also teamed up to create the Collaborative Lucky Grab Bag Lottery, including popular FRUITS ZIPPER goods and original items from Fruits Box Daikanyama. The lucky first-prize winner will receive a special set of all available February tour merchandise in all sizes.

◆Member Appearance Planned on Valentine’s Day

On February 14, the final day of the pop-up shop, the members of FRUITS ZIPPER will make an appearance! Guests will be able to participate in the first-ever hands-on event with the members, so keep an eye out for more details!

Stay up to date with the latest FRUITS ZIPPER news at the official Twitter page (@FRUITS_ZIPPER).

FRUITS ZIPPER Pop-Up Shop Exclusive Goods

Random Photo – Valentine pop-up ver. (21 varieties): ¥330 (Tax Included)

Random Pin – Valentine pop-up ver. (7 varieties): ¥500 (Tax Included)

Random Purikura Stickers – Valentine pop-up ver. (14 varieties): ¥600 (Tax Included)

Up-and-coming artist and model MANON began dabbling in the emerging genre of ‘Hyperpop’ with GALCHAN MODE produced by Lil’Yukich in 2021, continuing on to work on the song Girlfriend with producer DJ CHARI soon after. The artist has been steadily gaining popularity on TikTok and other social networking sites, and on May 6, MANON released another new track titled TROLL ME.

TROLL ME is a collaboration with six impala, a group of producers who gained attention for their remixed versions of popular songs by British rock band Bring Me The Horizon. The new track starts with an emo-rock guitar sound and clean vocals by MANON and is sure to catch the attention of hyperpop fans around the world.

Along with the song’s release, a lyric video created by six impala has been made available on YouTube. Check it out!

From March 12 until April 3, chocolate lovers will want to visit Laforet Harajuku! 30 different stores are celebrating the 95th anniversary of Meiji Milk Chocolate with over 80 new pieces of collaborative apparel, toys, and snacks.

Collaboration Items at a Glance

Laforet Staff in Unique Collaboration Outfits

Wind and Sea Pop-up Shop

Laforet Harajuku continues to be a place to discover local fashion and culture. Meiji spearheaded this collaboration after realizing the potential to create new and exciting pieces for fashionable chocolate lovers to enjoy! A wide range of products from clothing to chocolate block-shaped home goods are available now, along with Meiji White Chocolate and Meiji Black Chocolate items!

A Wind and Sea pop-up shop will open for the first time at Laforet Harajuku during the event and will also be selling chocolate-themed items. Fashion model and YouTuber Noah Sato will also be featured in event ads as a Meiji Chocolate ambassador! Those purchasing collaboration items will receive a special Meiji Chocolate bar in unique packaging while supplies last.

The sixth piece of apparel in the Perfume Closet fashion project officially went on sale on March 1, and the popular Fashion Truck pop-up store has made a comeback after being introduced last spring. The truck will travel to seven cities across Japan carrying new items.

With fans already excited, the three members of Perfume decided to surprise everyone by appearing at the Laforet Harajuku pop-up shop! Appearing on stage, each wore a new item and took selfies with their cell phones before strolling around the store and chatting with customers. Perfume also autographed the truck’s interior and wrote personal messages.

The members on the second floor of the CONTAINER store. On display are costumes worn by Perfume while performing Polygon Wave.

Perfume in front of the fashion truck set up in front of the store.

The girls pose with items from the collaboration menu at Laforet Harajuku.

Participating restaurants at Laforet Harajuku are offering Perfume-themed menu items for a limited time. Guests buying select items will receive a special Perfume lunch mat!

Which Perfume track is your favorite?

Laforet Harajuku will hold a new tie-up campaign with the upcoming film ‘Midnight Maiden War’ from January 8 until January 21, 2022, the day the movie hits theaters. The Tokyo location will feature a panel display of photos from the highly-anticipated movie. Fans can also enjoy a photo spot on-site. 

During the campaign period, flyers will be handed out at the event space which will contain ‘morning ticket vouchers,’ a 10% coupon that can be used at LAFORET GRAND BAZAR from January 22 until January 30, 2022. 

‘Midnight Maiden War‘ is based on the popular novel by F and tells the story of a university student named Ren Nagase who has no friends, no girlfriend, and no dreams. Working hard as a day laborer at a construction site, he meets two mysterious strangers who surprise him with a new goal–destroy Tokyo. 

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