Here Lies A Damn Good Album - A Look At '℃maj9' by ℃-ute (Album Review)

In their 9th major studio album release - and their last original album overall - ℃-ute are ready to impress me with their vocal prowess and undeniable chemistry. They're also going to set the bar for any other albums I review very. Damn. High, and ruin other groups for me here on out.

It's time to check out ℃maj9, people. Get your earphones at the ready~

There is a little bit of background as to why this review happened, and it goes a little like this: One day on Facebook, I decided to make a post asking friends to list me their top one or two albums from Hello! Project, with the hopes to eventually review whichever album was mentioned most once my blog re-awakened. I did this both for a desire to know which albums people genuinely liked, and to perhaps find something new to listen to. Admittedly, I also wanted to review something that I might enjoy, I just didn't know what I could write about.

That, and I wanted to try out a few more albums. I have a tendency to ignore these types of releases - especially from the groups I follow - as disappointment in what I hear is a given due to the copious amounts of single songs vs. new tracks on studio releases. It more annoying than anything and leaves me with a distaste for albums. However, I would like to challenge this view, and I am starting it here.

In regards to the response to my post, it was favourable, much to my surprise. A lot of my friends posted their favourite albums and their corresponding covers, giving me some varied response on what people considered their favourites or even the 'best' of the bunch from all of the albums that H!P has to offer fans. Quite a few had repeat mentions (4th , Aya Matsuura Aya Best 1), but none compared to ℃maj9. It had around - if not exactly - 12 votes, making it the album that I would review for you all today. So here we are.

Thankfully this is an album I haven't heard, so all new tracks sans Iron Heart will be a surprise,  with the hopes that each song will be somewhat pleasant. Because it's ℃-ute though, I anticipate only the best. Still, let's pray that these girls and their composers don't let me down.

For everyone who listed their favourite albums - and for those who mentioned this one specifically - thank you! This review's for all of you, and I hope that you enjoy.

Team ℃-ute, ありがとう。

Today on June 12th at 6pm JST, ℃-ute held their final performance at Saitama Super Arena. There, they performed for three hours and 10 minutes, finally closing the set at 9:10pm, where they took their final bows and waved goodbye to all of their beloved fans. It was a concert filled with happiness, tears and memories of ℃-ute, and it will be something for us to look back upon fondly when we want to remember the perseverance and delight of ℃-ute, and the amazing group that they became at the end of their journey.

The Final Appreciation Post - Goodbye, ℃-ute.

Before their Graduation tomorrow on June 12th, 2017, let's leave one last message for ℃-ute in a final Appreciation post. It's time to show them our thanks, and deliver our love in as many words as we can before they leave our world, and stop playing their wonderful music...

After 15 years of hard work and dedication, it is time to say goodbye. It's going to be hard, because for so many years this group has graced us with their music, hard work and dedication to the Idol industry, and have faced so many ups and downs, but no matter what, stayed strong and shown us their positive attitudes and brave faces. No matter what was thrown at them, ℃-ute always stood tall and tried their best to show us just how wonderful they are.

Ever since their career as five began, I followed the group as best I could. In the beginning, they were my #2 group in Hello! Project, just after Morning Musume, and even though I have had my own ups and downs with ℃-ute, they have always found a way to entertain me. From their music to their videos, this group has always delivered something that many fans would deem as 'amazing' or 'beautiful', and for so long, they have captured the hearts of many, keeping a firm fanbase and constantly thanking the fans for their support.

I am so glad that, coming into the realm of Idols, I was able to find such a positive, energetic group filled with so many wonderful members.

Hagiwara Mai - The Graduation Appreciation Post

And so we come to the final solo member Graduation Appreciation Post. It is the last goodbye I can give to this member as she stands, so before she departs, I want to take my time and give my thoughts and feelings on her here. Let's share the good times and the memories, and look back with fondness, just before the memories cloud our eyes and spill down our cheeks...

Hagiwara Mai has never really been my favourite, however, I liked her a little more than other people have in the past. Though she may look a little salty in contrast to the other members, and her vocals ridiculed (at least in the Western fandom), I have liked Mai, on more than one occasion. In the past, I thought she was adorable and sweet. Right now, I think that she is a growing young woman, one who is trying her hardest to show that she isn't the little girl we once knew her has.

She mas matured since the early days of ℃-ute, and though she doesn't always look as womanly or even as charming as the other members, there is something about Mai that is likeable. She has her own brand of loveliness, and regardless of how popular she is (or, not), I think that she brings something to the group, and makes it the ℃-ute that we know and love today!

Without Hagiwara Mai, ℃-ute would not be the fun, diverse group that it is. Much like all the other members, Mai is a wonderful addition, and the other four members would not be complete without her.

Okai Chisato - The Graduation Appreciation Post

The hardest Graduation Appreciation Post to write, is always the one that focuses on a cherished member. This is the final goodbye that I do not want to write, but because the day pf this wonderful groups graduation is upon us, it is finally time to say my departing words. Before the stage light fades and she bows out, let's appreciate our dear Idol to the fullest...

I started crying the moment I placed a picture onto this empty post. No words were written, just an image of Chissa and her energetic expression. Out of all the posts thus far, this one will be the hardest to write, because it goes without saying that, of all the members within ℃-ute, Okai Chisato is my favourite. From the very beginning, she was the one I wanted to follow, and for such a long time, she was the sole member I adored. She made the group shine, in my eyes.

Chissa is my ℃-utie rock, and no matter what ups and downs I have had with Hello! Pro or ℃-ute, she has, and always will be, my favourite member. Nothing can change that, and in my mind, no one will ever replace her. She is one of a kind, and will forever hold a place in my heart as one of my original 'Oshimem's'.

Suzuki Airi - The Graduation Appreciation Post

The Graduation Appreciation Posts continue, and as we approach ever closer to the graduation day, let's sit down and appreciate everything about the Idols we love. Though this beloved Idol will be leaving us for greener pastures soon, let's cherish our final moments with her, and remember the good times. Remember to smile, everyone...

Suzuki Airi is everyone's Idol. She is basically *the* idol of Hello! Project, maybe even the whole Idol world, if you wanted to start a fight. For so long, she has been the apple of our eyes, and has been the darling of Up-Front for as long as I can remember, because Suzuki Airi is absolutely amazing. Nobody can - and nobody should even try to - deny it.

From day one, Suzuki Airi has been an incredible force of nature. Not only is she adorable and beautiful, but she is also incredibly talented, and by far Hello! Project's most seasoned, recognisable member. Of all the groups and members within the umbrella company, Airi is definitely the one that everyone knows, even if they aren't fans of H!P or any groups within it. And, though I have never been a big follower of the popular members (I am an underdog supporter, guys), I 100% understand why Airi is the face of H!P, and why she surpasses everyone else in popularity; because she is talented, and because she is amazing. You really can't say that her popularity is just because Up-Front pushed her a lot.

Airi deserves all the recognition she gets.

Nakajima Saki -The Graduation Appreciation Post

Today we continue the Graduation Appreciation Posts, a post where I sit and write my final goodbyes to the Idol(s) and groups in question. Before they let the curtains fall and give their final bow, let's take a moment to look back, remember the good times, and appreciate all that this Idol has given us...

Nakajima Saki has always been 'cute' to me. She is an adorable girl, someone who doesn't seem to age, and who has a very innocent look about her. But she is also incredible, an amazing dancer who has inspired others and proven that there is more to her than just a baby-faced beauty. Surprisingly, she is also one of the most senior members of Hello! Project, as well as the sub-leader for ℃-ute. I think that, if you were to ever look at Nakky for the first time, you would not think that she was one of H!P's best dancers, or that she was 23 years old. You would probably just think 'wow, she's adorable!'.

And she is, it's one of the reasons I like her, but there is so much more to this girl than meets the eye, and that's another thing I love that about Nakky. She is really not what you would expect, upon first sight.

Yajima Maimi - The Graduation Appreciation Post

Here begins the Graduation Appreciation posts, where I sit and write about the Idol(s) in question graduating. This is one of my final goodbyes, so let's sit down, take a trip down memory lane, and remember the good times this Idol has brought us all...

It is universally known within the world of Idols and Western fans that I, Chiima, am not the biggest fan of Yajima Maimi. Of course, I appreciate what she has given to our world of Idols, music and happiness; I'm not blind, nor am I ignorant, however I will not go out of my way to say that she is my #1 member of the group that will be graduating from our lives soon. It is my attitude towards her (she can't sing, she sounds bad, etc.) that has earned me a few glares, and caused some quarrels. Nevertheless, that was (and to a degree, is) my opinion, and I won't quickly turn around and say she's a fantastic singer, just because she is leaving.

That said, I can't deny that my attitude has changed since the early days. Of course, I still stand by my opinion that Maimi is not a great singer, however, she has grown as one these past few years. Gone are the days she sounds like a bland, nasally Idol. Plus, ever since going to the concert and fan meet in Paris, my opinion of her did heighten, but again, it won't drastically change, either. I'm a stubborn old fool, me.

But, looking back at Maimi and the days where I was an early Idol fan, there are definitely bittersweet memories. Over the course of this past week, through reviews and music, I have come to appreciate Maimi even more than before. I think it's something that happens a lot to me, just before an Idol graduates a group I like(d); I realise just how great the Idol or group was, even if I didn't necessarily like them, and begin to realise just what I have missed out on. In a way, it happened with Maimi, because... Maimi?

Let's just say, I know for sure that, deep down, I will miss her.

[℃-utie Week] And Then The Disc Stops Spinning... ℃-ute's '℃OMPLETE SINGLE COLLECTION Disc 6' Rare Tracks REVIEW!

*[℃-utie Week] is a small, week-long series dedicated to the group that is ℃-ute, to commemorate one of Hello! Projects longest standing units before the members graduate and disband to find their own paths in life. Here, the aim is to cherish and appreciate the joy that ℃-ute has brought to us fans, all in the form of reviews and appreciation posts! So, to celebrate ℃-ute in all their glory before they go, let's look back at some of their releases, and enjoy all that made us love this wonderful group, and think back to why we became fans in the first place. Before the departure of ℃-ute falls upon us, let's enjoy the little time we have left with them, and fall in love all over again!

The final post for [℃-utie Week]  is here, which means we are even closer to the final performance from our beloved ℃-ute, who will disband and part ways this June 12th. But we still have well over a week to go, so until that time comes, we will continue to cherish and enjoy the music and visions of ℃-ute!

Before they go, let's enjoy the rare gems that have been collected together for our listening pleasure! Are you ready to listen to one more ℃-utie Disc from their very last release?

I could have easily reviewed the groups final single release, however, as I only recently reviewed it for Selective Hearing, I thought that would be cheating a little bit. So, when asking my friend, Angel, what I should do, she suggested that I listen to and review Disc 6 from ℃-ute's ℃OMPLETE SINGLE COLLECTION. So today, this is what I will be reviewing!

Because I actually haven't taken the time to listen to the album yet, this will be my first time experiencing some of the songs on this track list. So, we will be looking at a few releases from the past, and a few from the present, and throughout this post I will see what I enjoy, and what I am not as keen on. But, come on! It's ℃-ute; there is very little they can do to disappoint, at this point.

And as a quick note, on the Western Wota grapevine, I heard that there was some backlash with this release from a few fans. When it was revealed that the group would be releasing three new tracks within the entire collection, many fans voiced their annoyance, because Berryz Kobou only received the one song, Love Together. And, at that, I say hush the fuck up, because Berryz received a music video along with that song, as well as three re-recordings. I think the only re-recording ℃-ute have, is Gamusha LIFE, but that's included in the LP for The Middle Management.

There was a lot that Berryz offered with their release, and likewise, ℃-ute offer something here for the fans. They didn't get an MV, nor did they receive re-recordings of tracks that were special to them in any way. No matter what, we're going to 'lose out', but do stop whining because you feel like your group lost out; they didn't, and neither are the fans of ℃-ute.

And with that little rant over and done with, I think we need to get back on track. So, without further ado, it's time to look at some rare tracks by the one and only ℃-ute, and take a look at their ℃OMPLETE SINGLE COLLECTION!

For the final review in [℃-utie Week], let's sit down and listen to the rarest of tracks, and experience some nostalgia and delight! Put on the headphones, sit back, relax, and let the feelings flow...

Are you ready for the sweet sound of music?

[℃-utie Week] Before They Fizzle Out Like A Static Shock, Let's Live In This Dream and Experience ℃-ute's Singing Some More! 'Mugen Climax / Ai wa Maru de Seidenki / Singing ~Ano Koro no You ni~' Single Review!

*[℃-utie Week] is a small, week-long series dedicated to the group that is ℃-ute, to commemorate one of Hello! Projects longest standing units before the members graduate and disband to find their own paths in life. Here, the aim is to cherish and appreciate the joy that ℃-ute has brought to us fans, all in the form of reviews and appreciation posts! So, to celebrate ℃-ute in all their glory before they go, let's look back at some of their releases, and enjoy all that made us love this wonderful group, and think back to why we became fans in the first place. Before the departure of ℃-ute falls upon us, let's enjoy the little time we have left with them, and fall in love all over again!

We are coming to a close on our Week with ℃-ute, but please, do not fret! We still have one more post after this one, and then a collection of Graduation Appreciation posts to look forward to! It is extremely sad, however, to know that the group and their activities will soon come to a close. Until that day happens, however, let's enjoy the small time we have left with them, and listen to the beautiful music they have released.

It's time to appreciate, and feel thankful. Let's sing together, just like we used to back in the day...

I was originally going to make my penultimate post a PV Review, dedicated to Singing ~Ano Koro no You ni~, however after asking the advice of a friend, she deemed the MV too boring, and thought it best to review the single. After some thought on it, actually, I do think it is better to review the single; it's the perfect combination of ℃-utew's music style, showing off their strengths in maturity, playfulness, and nostalgia. Plus, it's their penultimate release before they disband. How could I pass up reviewing the penultimate single, for the penultimate review?

I've actually wanted to review this single, and all of its music videos, for some time now. Though I have only reviewed Mugen Climax, this was one of few releases from H!P where I felt a strong desire to look at each music video individually, and talk about them. I love them all, find them to be great quality, and damn, they all manage to fit their respective songs beautifully! But, because time is precious, and I have little of it left, I will instead focus on the music, and share with you my thoughts on the penultimate release from ℃-ute before they disband and leave our beloved Idol world.

Though we aren't looking back very far, it will still be a bittersweet tone of nostalgia that we are entering today. Before they leave us as suddenly as a static shock, let's enjoy the beauty of ℃-ute's songs, just like we did in the old days!

Let's experience a dream-like climax in music!

[℃-utie Week] Turn Life Around and Live Recklessly! 'The Middle Management ~Josei Chuukan Kanrishoku~ / Gamusha LIFE / Tsuga no Kado wo Magare' Single Review!

*[℃-utie Week] is a small, week-long series dedicated to the group that is ℃-ute, to commemorate one of Hello! Projects longest standing units before the members graduate and disband to find their own paths in life. Here, the aim is to cherish and appreciate the joy that ℃-ute has brought to us fans, all in the form of reviews and appreciation posts! So, to celebrate ℃-ute in all their glory before they go, let's look back at some of their releases, and enjoy all that made us love this wonderful group, and think back to why we became fans in the first place. Before the departure of ℃-ute falls upon us, let's enjoy the little time we have left with them, and fall in love all over again!

The celebration that is ℃-utie Week continues, and today in our fifth Review, we look back to 2015, a year of Decade Anniversaries and music! Much like the years prior, ℃-ute continued to show their passion and drive in each new song release they came out with, but this time, they brought out something a little more sentimental to commemorate 10 years together! It's a year fans will remember well, and a music release that many have loved, because it's just so wonderful and addictive!

It's time to turn the next corner, and experience a reckless life through music! Are you ready to get lost in the sound of ℃-ute?

With ℃-ute's 10th Anniversary on the horizon in 2015, the group brought out their celebratory single, and amazed fans all over. It became an instant hit, and is the groups best first day sales release since Tokai no Hitorigurashi. Even now, this is a beloved single to many fans, thanks to its varied track list, and its two stand-out songs, Gamusha LIFE and Tsugi no Kado wo Magare. Heck, even though I wasn't a big fan of the group back in 2015, even I appreciated how great this single was, and two years on, I still think it's amazing. I mean, what isn't there to like? This is one of the groups best releases, if you ask me.

Of course, favouritism doesn't come into play for why this single is on this list for my ℃-utie Week reviews; the release of this single is pivotal to the groups career, marking their 10th anniversary and showcasing just how far they had come as a unit. Originally, I intended on only reviewing the music video for Gamusha LIFE, because again, 10th anniversary, however, after re-watching the music video, I knew I wouldn't be able to gouge a lot from it for a full-on MV review. It's pretty, I enjoy it, but... it's not enough. So, I decided to go for a single review, because why the heck not?

For ℃-ute, this release hit a milestone year in their careers as an Idol group, and delivered to us listeners something amazing. In a diverse, entertaining bundle of songs, the triple A-side that is The Middle Management ~Josei Chuukan Kanrishoku~ / Gamusha LIFE / Tsuga no Kado wo Magare plays up to the strengths of H!P's finest, and further proves to us fans that, no matter how old they become or how long they have been around, they will always put their best foot forward, and show us the power that these five contain.

It's time to turn the next corner and check out the music that gives us LIFE! Are you ready? If yes, then it's time to Tsugi no Kado wo Magare, dear readers...~

[℃-utie Week] Living A Life of Vibrant Tones! Why Not? 'Tokai no Hitorigurashi' MV Review!

*[℃-utie Week] is a small, week-long series dedicated to the group that is ℃-ute, to commemorate one of Hello! Projects longest standing units before the members graduate and disband to find their own paths in life. Here, the aim is to cherish and appreciate the joy that ℃-ute has brought to us fans, all in the form of reviews and appreciation posts! So, to celebrate ℃-ute in all their glory before they go, let's look back at some of their releases, and enjoy all that made us love this wonderful group, and think back to why we became fans in the first place. Before the departure of ℃-ute falls upon us, let's enjoy the little time we have left with them, and fall in love all over again!

Day 4 of ℃-utie Week is about to begin! Continuing our journey to the past in music and video, we move toward the year 2013, a time when Hello! Project's editing team were making progress and showing us just what they could do with their music videos. With a catchy tune to accompany it, this release is by far one of the most interesting music video releases the group has ever put out.

It's time to experience some colour and energy! Why not give it a try?

I love the music video for Tokai no Hitorigurashi. It is one of my favourite PV's from ℃-ute, mostly for its colourful graphics, swish camera movements, and its energetic feel. It's an entertaining visual release, and one of the best that H!P has put out in recent years. At the time of its release, it was also one of the first Hello! Pro MV's to take on these kinds of bold, quick graphics, giving it a unique feel against the other singles. Since then, H!P have continued to use this method in future music videos, and while they have always had a knack for editing, I wholeheartedly believe that ℃-ute was the practice group for things like this.

And why not? They were the best group, performance wise, for something as savvy as this way back when. They also had the personalities and diverse music style to pull something as quirky as Tokai no Hitorigurashi off, whilst other groups at the time were stuck in the 'mature, cool' rut.

This was a refreshing change of pace at the time, and against all other releases from ℃-ute, it really does stand out as one of the more diverse and imaginative music videos out there. It's like a paint palette; it mixes and blends colours together, and creates something truly extraordinary. It's a worthwhile experience, one that I will happily keep on reliving, and it makes the video lover inside of me such a happy person.

I can only hope other people like it as much as me, of course XD

Now, before I gush even more, we're going to take a look at the music video in all its pic and gif spammy glory, and enjoy the burst of colourful delight that Tokai no Hitorigurashi brings us! For all that is fun and glorious (and because this is the video that I remember best, because it is the best), let's take a dive into this video of colour and smiles! Are you ready to have some fun?

Press play. You know you wanna! :p

WHY NOT?

[℃-utie Week] I Want to Listen to The Most Heavenly Music! - 'Aitai Aitai Aitai na' Single Review

*[℃-utie Week] is a small, week-long series dedicated to the group that is ℃-ute, to commemorate one of Hello! Projects longest standing units before the members graduate and disband to find their own paths in life. Here, the aim is to cherish and appreciate the joy that ℃-ute has brought to us fans, all in the form of reviews and appreciation posts! So, to celebrate ℃-ute in all their glory before they go, let's look back at some of their releases, and enjoy all that made us love this wonderful group, and think back to why we became fans in the first place. Before the departure of ℃-ute falls upon us, let's enjoy the little time we have left with them, and fall in love all over again!

℃-utie Week marches on, and in our third post celebrating the delight of ℃-ute comes in the form of a single review, where we will take a look at a single that celebrates the cool and intense side of the adorably named unit, as well as the surprising addition of the powerful B-side that pretty much bowled over the fandom, before earning a spot as its own A-side in a later release.

It's a slice of Heaven, if ever there was one.

Rock on, 2012. Though a bit of a slow year in terms of ℃-ute themed single releases, (they only had two. The other was Kono Machi) there is a single from that very year that stands out, for both its sound and its quality. Dispute either of those statements all you like, but for my terribly tuned ears, Aitai Aitai Aitai na is a splendid release. So, why the heck have I overlooked it before now?

Because I am an idiot, that's why. My inadequacy as a music lover is no secret, though, so yeah. There we goesy.

Of all the releases I will be reviewing this week, I admit that this is the one I have less of an attachment to. I do some have familiarity with it, for one, I remember the core sound of the leading track. I also remember some shoulder shimmies from the music video, and of course, I know one of the two coupling tracks really well. The rest, however, I forget. I couldn't recall the music video at all, nor did I remember much about the leading A-side, apart from its catchy use of the title and its chorus. It's not Campus Life; I don't remember it, ergo I do not care for it.

Oh, and it's a lot better than Kiss Me Aishiteru. Please don't hit me!

Before I further dig my grave, I'm going to take a look at ℃-ute's 19th single release, Aitai Aitai Aitai na. Is it as heavenly in sound as you had hoped it would be, or will the music leave behind a tinge of sadness once you have finished listening?

I want. I want. I want... to listen to something good today.

[℃-utie Week] The Beginning of Five ~Where Fandom Was Born~ - 'Campus Life ~Uamrete Kite Yokatta~' MV Review!

*To add some (un)necessary info dump: The [Week with...] series is a week-long series of posts, dedicated to graduating members or groups of Idols I enjoy / love. It is something I began with Tanaka Reina during her Graduation, in order to fully appreciate the member before she left Morning Musume. This series has continued with many other members since, in order to enjoy the releases these groups or members have been a part of, and to look back at some of their finer moments. Posts can vary from reviews, to solo song footage, birthday lives, and more, depending. 

**[℃-utie Week] is a small, week-long series dedicated to the group that is ℃-ute, to commemorate one of Hello! Projects longest standing units before the members graduate and disband to find their own paths in life. Here, the aim is to cherish and appreciate the joy that ℃-ute has brought to us fans, all in the form of reviews and appreciation posts! So, to celebrate ℃-ute in all their glory before they go, let's look back at some of their releases, and enjoy all that made us love this wonderful group, and think back to why we became fans in the first place. Before the departure of ℃-ute falls upon us, let's enjoy the little time we have left with them, and fall in love all over again!

With only two weeks to go until the departure of one of Hello! Project's better groups, it's about time to celebrate all things ℃-ute this week here on Okay! Musume Time. And, what better way to kick-start this set of nostalgia-riddled posts, than with the music video that started it all?

And no, I'm not talking about Maasara Blue Jeans. I'm going a bit further into their career, than that. Are ya ready?

When I was thinking about this week and the posts I would do, my original intention was to delve into the extensive ℃-ute single collection, and pull out things from the very beginning. The thing is, I was not a fan then. My fandom did not start until around the Shock! era - the era where they became the five we know now. And, unlike Berryz, who lost one member and never changed since, ℃-ute has met a few more member changes, until finally coming to the Final Five. It is this form of ℃-ute that I have known and enjoyed, and so, I have made the choice to focus on only this version of the group.

It is, after all, the ℃-ute that I know best. So, apologies to all the hardcore ℃-uties out there, but I'm not going to be reviewing from the very beginning. We're starting from the middle.

Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta~ holds a lot of memories. It was the first ℃-ute song I truly enjoyed that had been released at the time I knew of them. It was also a song I played to the death, and one I danced to a lot. Before blogging, way back in the day, little Chiima at the age of 17 danced. She also danced in heels, that looked fairly similar to the ones ℃-ute are wearing in the music video, with minor success. Seriously, those were the days. I was heavily into my singing and dancing, way back when.

Fat chance you will see me doing something like that, now. It was hard back then, and I'm pretty sure I'd just fall flat on my face, now.

So, yeah, Campus Life holds some good memories for me. It's why I wanted to take a look at the song, and review it. I'm pretty sure I would have reviewed it anyway, at some point during this nostalgia week of all things ℃-ute, because it's one of my favourites, if only because I have this giant attachment of carefree delight pinned to it. It brings me joy, and again, it was one of the first ℃-ute songs at the time that I really enjoyed, that was a new release of theirs.

And because of this, today I will be taking a look at the music video for Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta~ by ℃-ute, released all the way back in 2010! 7 years ago, there were five who brought delight with this song and dance, but does it still hold up to this day? Let's take a look, and find out.

Suki, Suki, Suki~

[Music Selection] April 2016: Music Side

Hello all, and welcome to the month of May, where Summer should officially begin and the Idol PV's hopefully blossom into something airy and bright! And as per my schedule, I do believe it's time for a little April love in Idol Music! Yee-haw! First off, the intro!

Music Selection is a monthly series in which I share the music and videos from the month gone by that I have enjoyed, mostly from the J-pop side. I will of course include some previous releases from way back when, a few months ago and so on. No matter what though, it is all going to be music that I have loved and liked listening to, as well as what I recommend to you all if you dare to chance the listen. Yus!

As per usual, all songs and videos posted within these Selections are subject to my own opinion, and I do not expect anyone to agree with me or to even like what is posted. Just because I enjoyed it, doesn't mean you have to. We all have our own tastes, and honestly, my only aim here is to share and suggest, and from there it's basically all up to you.

Suggesting's the game, sharing's the na--- oh no wait, Selection's the name! Oops :p

Also, if you guys have anything you want to share and suggest, please do so! It's fun to share your music tastes and see if we like it, too, and it can get us into discovering some hidden gems we might have overlooked! Y'never know just who you can get addicted to that one group you love in the near future, aye?

And finally, this series is for fun, as well as to allow me to keep up to date with musical releases from the Idol scene each month. It allows me to find songs I enjoy, whilst also introducing me to some groups I might not care for as much, or allowing me to realise how good a group is that I did not care about before. Either way, this is for fun, and it is something I enjoy doing. So... yay!

 Now with that said and done... WE DONE! Let's get onto some music, shall we?