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Well, last week was a complete blowout due to it being Golden Week in Japan so sorry to the two of you who read this. I’m back this week though and for a change I’m not rushing to meet my 6am EST deadline. That’s forward planning for you I suppose. Anyway, let’s take a look at what new music is coming out this week.
Bakusute Sotokanda Icchoume – “Baito Fighter“
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Bakusute Sotokanda Icchoume are up first this week with their new single “Baito Fighter”. This sees the group make their major label debut under Warner Music Japan and it’s a very solid offering. Afilia Saga might be my cafe themed idol group of choice but I can still enjoy a cool group with good songs right? The song itself is a very upbeat and catchy number which is always a good thing in my book, and the chorus should have enough of a hook that it gets stuck in your head. At least it did for me anyway. In case it matters, yes Tsunku does produce this group. Although if that honestly negatively influences your opinion on the group or song then I really don’t know what to say apart from that you’re missing out.
Kasai Tomomi – “Mine“
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This week’s other featured release comes from former AKB48 member Kasai Tomomi who is releasing her second solo single. In all honesty I don’t have much love for the a-side, it just doesn’t bring much to the table and I’ve never been terribly fond of Kasai’s singing voice anyway. HOWEVER, b-side “Enjoy Your Life” is a completely different story. This for me is the best song to come out of AKB in years, something that I’m sure everyone disagrees with but whatever. It features Kasai and a bunch of original Team K members (Akimoto Sayaka, Umeda Ayaka, Oshima Yuko, Kobayashi Kana, Matsubara Natsumi, Miyazawa Sae, Ohori Megumi, Noro Kayo) and has this great stage song feel to it. There’s none of the mainstream trappings that AKB has been labored with these past few years, just a nice honest pop song. I can say with confidence that this is going to be one of my top 5 b-sides for this year.
ALSO THIS WEEK:
“Otona no Jijou” by CANDY-GO!GO!
“Muscat Slope Love” by Vanilla Beans
As for this week’s other releases, I honestly don’t know. I couldn’t find previews for any of them so you’re on your own in that regard. Definitely check out “Baito Fighter” and “Enjoy Your Life” though. Those are some seriously good tunes.
