Announced on Awich’s Twitter is the postponement of her upcoming EP “Queendom” due to production reasons (no doubt due to the pandemic). The EP was set to be released on the 24th of this month but at least she was able to get out her new single “Kuchi ni Dashite” (album art is featured above) which was released on 8/27. She’ll keep us updated as soon as a date is confirmed.
Recently released Rough Guide series includes songs from Uchinānchu artists as well as performers of Uchinā music. There was also a Rough Guide for the music of Okinawa released in 2006 but it’s only available in CD format at this time.
A wonderfully diverse collection exploring some of Japan’s lesser-known contemporary styles by artists rooted in tradition. From the female divas of the southern Ryukyu islands to the minyo revivalists Boomdigi, Aragehonzi and Tsukudanaka Sanpachi, this is an album full of intrigue and surprises.
https://worldmusic.net/products/rough-guide-to-the-best-japanese-music-youve-never-heard
Currently available on all music streaming services “The Rough Guide to the Best Japanese Music You’ve Never Heard“.
Created as an insert song for the NHK Okinawa show “Uchinaa de Asobo SP“, Kiiyama Shouten has confirmed the digital release of “TTM de UTT” on 9/8. (The TTM stands for to-to-me- and the UTT stands for u-to-to-.) The MV is quite fun so be sure to check it out and the single is currently available on Apple Music.
The Qwotchee Records digital releases continue with a couple of singles from the amazing artist Lucy. The singles are “Hounen Ondo” and “Hiyamikachi Bushi” (not available globally) — note that they’re using the same cover art for both songs but one has a blue overlay (“Hounen Ondo”) and the other a red overlay (“Hiyamikachi Bushi”). Lucy has an amazing voice so be sure to check it out!
Taiwanese band noovy’s single “Before We Die” (Japanese version) will feature singer-songwriter Anly! The Mandopop version (without Anly) was released on August 31 and the Japanese version (with Anly) will be released on September 10.
New singles and albums released in August 2021
2021.08.02 [Single] Nema Ui – Aoao (Link)
2021.08.04 [Single] MATSURI – HOTARU (Link)
2021.08.04 [Compilation Album] Hajime Chitose – Tokotowa (Link)
2021.08.04 [Single] Off The Care – Li-Li-Go (Link)
2021.08.04 [Single] Anly – Cancel Machi no Koi (Link)
2021.08.05 [Single] hiro (SPEED) – Something Great (Link)
2021.08.11 [Single] all at once (music composed by Nakasone Izumi of HY) – Toshi wo Kasanete (Link)
2021.08.11 [Album] Kamiya Chihiro – Utayui (Link)
2021.08.13 [Single] AI – In The Middle (feat. Daichi Miura) (Link)
2021.08.25 [Remix Album] HY & DJ HASEBE – HONEY meets ISLAND CAFE presents HY Ocean Blue Sound -The Surf Remixes- (Link)
Following the release of their fun summer song “Root Beer”, HoRookies have announced the release of their second album “Focus”. The album has a total of 7 tracks and is available on all music streaming services.
New singles and albums released in July 2021
2021.07.07 [Single] Tamashiro Chiharu (Kiroro) – Inochi no Ki (Link)
2021.07.07 [Single] 7ORDER (music composed by NAOTO & HIROKI of ORANGE RANGE) – SUMMER Samasama (Link)
2021.07.15 [Single] Kamiya Chihiro – Eisa-Medley (Link)
2021.07.29 [Single] Hamagawa Yuuri – Umi no Kanata (Link)
2021.07.29 [Album] Nakamura Shugo – NATURAL (Link)
2021.07.30 [Single] MAX – Do Shot (Link)
With the recent re-releases of Takara Records Store’s in-house labels (Qwotchee Records, Chikuten) it looks like musician Yano Kenji’s back catalog is up next! I tried the link to Apple Music but sadly it’s still not available overseas but hopefully it’s only a matter of time? We can look forward to the album above (“Sanshin Plays Okinawan Songs”) as well as “Sanshin Island Cafe” and “Sakura Songs on Ukulele”.
The EP vol.1 release follows two singles (“Kunubungi Bushi” and “Tinsagu nu Hana”) that were made available a couple of weeks ago by Takara Records Store’s music Qwotchee Records label. Described as “Okinawan traditional music with Hawaiian and Caribbean influences” the Sons of Ailana are singer Shima Sachiko and musician Yano Kenji. Definitely good music to chill with.
