Thursday 30 March 2017

Bring on The Brand New Era! It's Time for A New Generation to Begin in Morning Musume 17's 'BRAND NEW MORNING'! [MV Review]

With a new generation in tow and a startling new sound, Morning Musume '17 are looking pretty damn impressive in their latest release. In both sound and look, BRAND NEW MORNING might just be able to stand the test of time. Aggressive, assertive, and downright powerful, this is one debut that has left people impressed since its preview days.

It's the dawn of a brand new era, so let's get excited!


Standing as the 63rd single from Morning Musume overall, as well as the first for former Kenshuusei members, Kaga Kaede and Yokoyama Reina, BRAND NEW MORNING is one heck of a surprise attack from Hello! Project's flagship group. With its confident sound and mesmirising MV, it feels similar a phoenix reborn in the flames after so many other releases that lacked oomph and drive. It's a welcome change, something many of us have been waiting for, and I'm happy to say that it seems this one is a majority favourite! Woohoo!

I mean, who wouldn't like it? It's fun, kick-ass, entertaining, easy to sing along with, and it makes you want to dance! It feels like one of those rare, flawless debut releases for H!P's latest power duo. In general, it just feels like a memorable debut, period. The only thing that would probably stop most people from loving this is, of course, the fact that Masaki's kind of void, here.

Thing is, you can't help that - she was on hiatus before production even began, and it would be highly unfair and downright cruel to expect her to come back just to do work, for our gratification. I am just thankful that she's feeling better and has the strength to work again.

Despite the lack of Masaki, however, I still believe this is a solid release. Morning Musume look and sound better than ever, and throughout, they are fierce and present. What more could you want? It is truly the dawn of a brand new era, and I can't wait for the 13th gen to show just what they are made of beyond their debut. But for now, let's take a look into the promising new stars of Morning Musume '17, and look at what they can bring to the group as they are now.

Let's dive in, and see what this new generation is all about!

3・2・1・GO!

Sunday 26 March 2017

Get Ready, A Brand New Morning Begins! Bring on Morning Musume '17's [BRAND NEW MORNING / Jealousy Jealousy]! (Single Review)

With two new faces and a brand new era ready to begin, Morning Musume '17 are ready to show off their group power in their latest release, BRAND NEW MORNING / Jealousy Jealousy, a double A-side release complete with coupling tracks! The first of its kind in a long-while, the groups 63rd single release seems to promise something more than what previous singles have offered. Whether or not it lives up to its promise, is another thing entirely.

Is this era going to be a flop just like the last one, or will we see power return to Morning Musume as they currently stand? Let's listen, and find out.

*Many thanks to the Anonymous user who requested my thoughts on this single. You requested the Tsubaki debut, and now the 13th gen debut! Hopefully, you enjoy, and everyone else who happens to come upon this piece, too! :D


I was excited for this debut. Since the horrible introduction of 12th generation (in sound; visually, it was great), I was... apprehensive, but filled with anticipation, because whilst I do like 12ki and find that they are growing nicely into the group as of late, I can't deny that 13th gen are a far better fit for the group. Both Kaede and Reina, as they are now, seem pretty confident in how they present themselves towards the camera, and both look great with the current lineup! Reina has a very cheeky, cute look that fits well with members like Masaki, Duu, Maria, Akane and Harunan, whilst Kaede's cool, mature vibe fits well with Eriman, Ayumi and Ogata. They are a balanced generation in how they look and feel, but they both seem really determined to impress, as well.

I feel like, as a generation, these two could go pretty far, and prove to be a little bit of competition for the existing senior members. At least, they could, if only management let them. We shall see...

Hopefully their future releases will prove as promising as this one, but for now, it is BRAND NEW MORNING / Jealousy Jealousy that we will focus on. The future will come along soon enough, but until that time comes, let's enjoy the dawn of a new era, and enjoy all that the 13th generation and a twelve thirteen member Morning Musume brings us...
Are you ready to press PLAY and begin a new chapter?

Monday 20 March 2017

[PV Selection] February 2017

I would say "Kick me, this is so late!", but I have reasons. University reasons. It's getting harder, yo, and whilst I lovee Idol blogging, I know when I need to focus on life over hobbies. This was one of those times, hence the majorly late PV Selection post. But it's still March, and that means I still have the time to post this! Huzzah!

For the PV's from a month ago, let's take a look at the ones that stood out for me as a viewer in February 2017! Will there be anything on the list that you enjoyed, too?


As per the usual, all PV's listed here are the videos that I have enjoyed myself over the course of the past month. Though there are a lot of great PV's out there, I can't like all of them. This is a one woman show, guys, and if there is a video here you might have hated with all your being, or a video you adored is missing, chances are, I either didn't see it, or I didn't like it. It is how taste works.

Of course, I do want there to be something on here that you like, whether it is from a group you have previously adored, or one you have just recently been introduced to. As long as there's one video on here that peaks your intrigue... well, that's my job in sharing the wonders of Idols done!

If there is a video that you would like me to view, whether it is for the first time or again, then don't hesitate to tell me about! I might prefer something upon second viewing, or find myself a diamond in the rough I had not known existed before! It happens.

... And with that all said and done, let's get into the nitty gritty, and check out some PV's! Are ya ready, kids?

AYE AYE, CAPTAIN

Thursday 16 March 2017

Updates In Everything

Early 2017 is proving to be a busy time of the year for me, and with recent goings-ons, I thought it was about time I updated my blog about what is happening, why I am so slow at updating and posting, and in general letting you know whatever it is I am meant to be doing in life, blogging and anything else that might warrant an explanation.

Here we go~


First and foremost, blogging. I have not done a lot of it, and not just here. On Selective Hearing, JaME and Hashire! Idol Manic, I have been lacking in my posts. I haven't touched Hashire! Idol Manic since December, and I missed February's post for Selective Hearing. This is mostly because of University pre-occupying my mind, because I have some big things going on right now. I will get to that more later, but I did want to let you know that it's not just here that is suffering a lack of posts. It's everywhere. I pretty much have less time than usual, and it is a crucial point of my University life that I am in. So, yeah.

Friday 10 March 2017

[Music Selection] February 2017

As per usual, I am fashionably late. Well, annoyingly late might be a little more accurate, but, that's how I am; an annoyingly late blogger, who sets herself dates to stick to, that she never manages to post on. Oh, who would I be, without failing to meet a deadline, hm~

Well, it's that time of the month again, regardless of how late I am! The time where I share with all you lovely readers the music I have enjoyed from the month gone by, as well as the up-coming releases that have me all excited for March 2017! Will there be any sounds in here you have liked as well, or something new for you to try out? The only way to find out is if you read on...~


There are a number of reasons as to why this post is late, and I could list them here... but I may save it all for a post on things that have happened in life, or in blogging. We shall see. I need to update you all either way, so, when it comes, you will find out why I've been lacking. For now, however, let's summarise it to Chiima being Chiima; she just never gets things done, ya see.

Anywhoo, I won't keep you for too long. We have a post to get into, so, as per the usual, these are my thoughts, and this is my blog, meaning that everything here is in regards to my opinion, and no one else's. Don't get offended by what I enjoy, ta.

MUSIC, START!

Saturday 4 March 2017

Let's Try Something Beautiful This First Sunrise! 'Hatsukoi Sunrise / Just Try! / Uruwashi no Camellia' Single Review!

This Major Debut Review was requested by an Anonymous reader and commenter! This one is for you, so please, enjoy~



I am not keeping up with the current lineup of Hello! Pro newbies. Heck, I'm having a hard enough time remembering that Juice=Juice are still around, so... yeah, me and H!P are still on rocky terms. MM are getting appealing again, C-ute are going soon (sniffsniff), Country Girls are fine so far, and Juice=Juice are forgettable. I'm still not interested in what Kobushi have to offer of the two Factory productions, and Tsubaki...

Well, Tsubaki has potential.

From the get-go, I was a little more interested in this group than Kobushi. They're a lot less polished, the girls are not immediate stars, and they were still finding their sound. Unlike Kobushi, who were thrown a bone right away because of their gem encrusted lineup, Tsubaki actually had some time to season and find their footing in concerts and sound, which is what I like to see in a newly produced group. So of course, they are sitting well with me, already.

I get sour when groups aren't given time to grow. It happened with Juice=Juice, and look at where they stand with me, now; I forget they bloody exist.

Moving on... Tsubaki intrigue me. I like the look of the lineup. I liked how bored a few of them looked in their early videos. I was intrigued by their mature sound, and how well it suited them in their testing period. Also, they are all darned cute. Yumeno is especially eye catching, Asakura Kiki is a very deserving centre with a shark-like smile that rivals Ishida Ayumi's,and Niinuma Kisora is seriously calling to me. She's a refreshing little bud of joy.

I don't know all of the members yet, but some I can definitely pin-point, with the above three being the ones I like most, and then the Knock-off Yanagawa Nanami kid (Akiyama Mao), and Budget Hamaura Ayano (Ogata Risa). The rest, I am currently unsure of, but I'm sure I'll learn their names... eventually.

One step ahead of Kobushi, that's for sure! I think the minor interest helps, too~

Hopefully after taking in their major debut and digesting it a little, I'll be able to figure out whether or not I want to keep up with them. So, that's what I will do today. We're going to give the latest Hello! Pro group a try, and see just how much they tickle my taste buds! Will these sweet Camellia's keep up with my interests, or fall as flat as the Kobushi lot have in charisma, style and vocals?

It's time to test the Major Debut! Are you ready to try the first in a line of up-coming beautiful major releases? Plug in your headphones, and give it a go! Music START~!