This week’s featured releases come from Dempagumi.inc, Juice=Juice, LinQ, Momoiro Clover Z and SKE48.
Dempagumi.inc – “Chururi Chururira“
There’s way to much to talk about this week so let’s just get right down to business here. Dempagumi.inc return with a new single this week and I guess they’re promoting cup ramen or something. That’s not really important though, idols have used songs to promote weirder things before. Speaking of the song, I’m not really sure what it is but this one just isn’t jiving with me for some reason. I had fairly similar thoughts on their last single “Sakura Apparition” so something has changed recently I guess. I’m not sure if it’s Dempagumi or if it’s me but there’s just something missing to really hook me on this song. While I personally can’t recommend it, I’m sure most Dempagumi fans will like this one.
Juice=Juice – “Black Butterfly / Kaze ni Fukarete“
It’s Juice=Juice’s turn to get a new single this week as the Hello! Project machine continues to churn out new musical content for its groups. I’m a pretty big fan of Juice=Juice so I’m always fairly excited when I hear that they’re going to be releasing a new single. Having said that, “Black Butterfly”…ehh, not really my kind of thing. These classical inspired, meandering songs just aren’t something I’ve ever been into so it’s not much of a surprise I suppose. “Kaze ni Fukarete” on the other hand is a pretty neat song with an unusual instrumental track, for an idol song anyway. Maybe even some bagpipes going on in there? Not Juice=Juice’s best single ever but still, it’s decent enough.
I’m not really much of a LinQ aficionado so my commentary on their new single “Natsukoi” isn’t going to be very informed or impassioned. I’ve never really had more than a passing interest in LinQ but I seem to recall enjoying a song or two at some point or another. Anyway, I’m not really that fussy about this song to be honest. It’s your typical mid-tempo summery framework and they don’t really deviate from it in any real way. That might sound a bit harsh to you but I just feel like I’ve heard this song and all of its derivatives so much at this point that unless a group is really going to take a risk, I’m always going to be cold on it. There’s more interesting releases this week in my opinion.
Momoiro Clover Z – “Moon Pride“
Ah yes, Momoiro Clover Z. A group that at one point could do no wrong in my eyes. Oh how the times have changed. Remember when it was all about genki pop and not 2deep4me epics? I guess I’m digressing here so let’s get back on track. Momoclo are doing the opening theme for the “new” Sailor Moon anime. A pretty big honor, good for them, yadda, yadda, yadda. You should have a fairly good idea of what to expect from a song touted as an “anime opening” at this point. It’s middle of the road, inoffensive and just pretty safe over all. That also makes it pretty forgettable but I’m sure the prestige will go some way to making for it.
SKE48 – “Bukiyou Taiyou“
Last up in this super-sized edition of “This Week in Music” we have SKE48 and their new single “Bukiyou Taiyou”. No, not “Boku no Taiyou”, but I wouldn’t blame you if you misheard it like that. Lead-ins aside, what we have here is another ballad I guess? It doesn’t exactly get the blood pumping at any rate. It’s pretty safe but what 48G song isn’t these days? Man am I over these kinds of song already. The b-sides are a bit more interesting though and as much as I want to stab myself for saying this, “Koi Yori mo Dream” is probably my favorite song on this single. Yeah, I’m just gonna go sit in that corner over there and re-evaluate my life for a bit, okay?
ALSO THIS WEEK:
“Wasshoi Matsuri” by 18
“First Secret” by Caramel Ribbon
“koboreteshimattamizunoyouni” by Faint⋆Star
“Tickeee On The Beach” by hy4_4yh
“Ano Ko ga Kami wo Kira nai Riyu” by Idol College
“Prism Letter” by Iris
“Yamatonadeshika” by Le Siana
“Your Love” by M Three
“Falling Summer” by Mahojyoshi SEIREN
“Koakuma!? Datenshi” by Papimache
“Odoroyo Fish” by Tsuri Bit
Holy crap you guys, look at all of that stuff I didn’t get the chance to talk about. It’s like every idol group just decided to drop a single this week. Out of all of the stuff listed above, personal favorites would be Caramel Ribbon and Idol College. However, as always I would encourage you to check everything out because we all know my taste sucks and my opinions mean nothing. Until next time.
If you missed any of the last few weeks’ worth of new music you can check out past editions of This Week in Music here.
What new music are you looking forward to this week? Leave a comment and let us know!