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Berryz Kobo – Maji Bomber!!
The girls of Berryz FINALLY let go of the double a-side concept and release a single title track in the form of Maji Bomber!! Not failing to live up to their ~unique~ style, they took a rock direction this time with upbeat electric guitar rifts, fun verses and chants and a refreshing line distribution in ...
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Kylee – missing / IT’S YOU
My all time favorite little rocker chick is back and better than ever! After the surprise that was the R&B direction she took in her last a-side Kimi ga Iru Kara, Kylee returns to her roots for this single and has only improved with time. missing is the first a-side of the single and I ...
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XIAH junsu – XIAH
A surprise to everyone, Xiah goes solo and shows a side unseen before. HE IS HORNY. Intoxication is hot, sex music that even Kumi would applaud at. It’s not some upbeat dance song surprisingly enough, instead it’s an almost mellow, calmer track led by a harmonious harp, R&B beats and some beautiful string work during ...
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Morning Musume. – Seishun Collection
Ready for Shouganai Yume Oibito part 2? Well, Seishun Collection is here and it features that same violin+synth combo that Tsunku has been spamming with Momusu for the past year. Unlike it’s former cousins, it steps away from the “Emomusu” area and instead has an uplifting melody, with most of the vocals being sung in ...
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Momoiro Clover – Ikuze! Kaitou Shoujo
It’s nice to see a fresh new group outside of H!P these days and Momoiro Clover definitely leaves you satisfied. They made their major debut with Ikuze! Kaitou Shoujo, one of the better “typical pop idol” songs I’ve heard in a very long time. From the very start, the fast paced vocals, bells, pounding drums, ...
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S/mileage – Yume Miru 15sai
Hello!Project’s newest group finally makes their debut release with Yume Miru 15sai. As it should be, it’s their most unique and interesting song yet. They dropped their typical cute/anime sound for something a little more typical H!P these days, synthpop. The a-side sounds like something Tsunku would make for Momusu but not as good. Reminds ...
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4minute – Hit Your Heart
The queen is back! 4minute makes their comeback with a fresh new concept and a bundle of new, explosive tracks. It’s safe to say that at least a small bit of “fierce” is present in each song on the album. While adopting an edgy street concept, they also changed their more electronic music sound into ...
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f(x) – NU ABO
I’ve always thought that the Korean market had plenty of varied girl groups. f(x) fits into this category since they offer a combination of catchy electronic music, strong vocals, great dancing and quality releases. That however doesn’t mean their immune to the stereotypical K-Music flaws. The title track NU ABO serves as a base for ...
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Mano Erina – Onegai Dakara…
My girl Mano is back and she’s as fierce as ever! Following the release of the very Momosu like Haru no Arashi, Erina continues this style of synth-pop, upbeat music with Onegai Dakara…. Although it’s not as good as her first attempt at this genre, the song is still enjoyable and a nice addition to ...
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℃-ute – Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta~
Hello!Projects flagship flop group is back with another mediocre single. Remember EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!!? Well, Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta~ is just about the same, but not as good. While the former had an “autumn” feel, the latter focuses on a peppier, spring atmosphere. Suzuki Airi isn’t a line hog this time around, fortunately, but this ...
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Hamasaki Ayumi – Rock’n'Roll Circus
Oh Ayu, here we go again. As always, I’ve been highly anticipating her releases but I’ve honestly been disappointed by her this entire era. From her “electropop” sound in NEXT LEVEL to the mess of genres in this album, Ayumi has really got to stick with something and focus on that instead of releasing a ...