Through the night, hidden basement clubs in Tokyo keep the sound alive until dawn, where small crowds build a scene far bigger than their numbers suggest. Among them is Banshimoku, the Tokyo-based two-piece formed by vocalist and guitarist Shion Chiga and drummer Yamato Iohara, making music so good it makes you want to pack your…
Tag: rock
Reira Ushio Release Her Second EP “HB2U”, and it’s Wonderful
Tokyo-born singer-songwriter Reira Ushio has quickly become one of Japan’s most interesting new voices. She is known for not only crystal-clear vocals but also for articulated lyrics. As a teenager, she first stepped into music simply to confront her fear of performing, joining her school band almost by accident, but that small step gradually revealed…
ATEEZ Are Shimmering Once More: “GOLDEN HOUR : Part 4” Review
They’re back with purpose. Anyone who watched Coachella 2024 would spot that during ATEEZ’s set, the eight boys strived to put on an entirely live rendition of their songs: each tapping into a heavier vocal style. This stomach-sourced power ensured they could secure those notes through relentless elements and intense choreography. The title track of…
FREE KINO: A Night of Liberation and Rock – Concert Review
Live music has a kind of magic you can’t bottle; and that’s exactly what KINO brought to London. KINO, known to many as a member of the K-pop group PENTAGON, stepped onto The Garage stage in London like a character walking into his own story, dividing the evening into acts, each one tracing the growth…
BIG OCEAN To Make Comeback With 3rd Mini-album “The Greatest Battle” on March 3rd
Big Ocean are ready for their next chapter, and it’s set to be their biggest yet. On February 5, the trio – Chanyeon, PJ, and Jiseok – officially announced their comeback through social media, confirming the release of their third mini album, THE GREATEST BATTLE, set for release on March 3 at 6:00 PM (KST)….
BLITZERS’ SYA To Release His First Solo Full Album “23:24” On February 3
BLITZERS have always been one of K-pop’s more adventurous young groups. Since their debut, the group has struck a balance between energetic releases, allowing each member’s individuality to shine alongside the collective. That creative openness now takes a significant step forward as SYA prepares to release her first full-length solo album, 23:24, a major step…
Turning It Up and Tearing It Down: KIK on Their Second EP “LOW KIK” – Exclusive Interview
There is no secret that Korea is known in the West mainly for its subculture, particularly K-pop and K-drama. For me, however, discovering and researching new aspects of the country’s music industry has grown into a genuine passion. Korean cinema has been part of my life for over two decades, with music entering the picture…
EXO Return to Their Universe With Eighth Studio Album “REVERXE”
EXO’s legacy and myth-making power have always been undeniable. Since their 2012 debut with an otherworldly concept that changed idol storytelling, the group has become synonymous with cinematic world-building, strong vocals, and pop that never plays it safe. From hits like Growl, Monster, and Love Shot to sold-out world tours and million-selling albums, EXO have…
The Vampire Chronicles: ENHYPEN’s “THE SIN: VANISH” – ALBUM REVIEW
THE SIN: VANISH is a narrative-driven EP which draws on ENHYPEN’s vampire concept and associated lore. Guest starring Park Jeong-min as a newsreader/investigative journalist, the album utilises first-person narration to tell the story of the forbidden romance between a vampire and their lover. While the album has been termed as experimental due to its format,…
CRYSTAL LAKE Deliver Their Most Powerful Statement Yet on “The Weight of Sound”
With The Weight of Sound, Crystal Lake delivers a record that is ferocious yet polished, and what I love most is how it explores what “heaviness” really means. Seven albums in, the Tokyo metalcore titans sound sharper and more focused than ever, turning that intensity into what may be their most complete release yet. Instrumentally,…
VIEW OF THE ARTS 