FEMM – Pow! / L.C.S. (Review)
FEMM PoW!/L.C.S. Review by David Cirone FEMM isn’t running short in the attitude department — they’re still throwing buckets of shade on hatContinue reading…
Category: Reviews
Critical analysis of the sounds and stories shaping modern Japan. From the visceral energy of live rock, pop, and idol performances to the subtle mastery of award-winning manga and deeply personal films, our reviews offer an expert lens on the craftsmanship, production, and cultural legacy of Japanese media.
exist†trace – THIS IS NOW (Review)
exist†trace THIS IS NOW Review by David Cirone THIS IS NOW is bold and uneven, an irresistibly imperfect statement of individual creative aContinue reading…
SCANDAL – YELLOW (review)
SCANDAL YELLOW Review by Arthur Doctolero With six studio albums and a successful world tour under their belt, there is no doubt that SCANDALContinue reading…
Charisma.com – Aidoro C (Review)
Charisma.com likes playing with your head. Aidoro C, the latest album from the duo of MC Istuka and DJ Gonchi (following up 2015’s O-Lest) dares yContinue reading…
BO-PEEP – THANK YOU (Review)
BO-PEEP’s latest CD THANK YOU opens with rocket-fueled, fast-paced guitar fury from Mika Yoshimura in “Hello”. Mika’s shrill vocals push you off bContinue reading…
Princess Jellyfish (Film Review)
Princess Jellyfish (Kuragehime) Review by Jen Wang Very rarely do female geeks get the same treatment as their male counterparts. They may be Continue reading…
Atelier (Series Review)
Atelier Series Review by David Cirone Netflix Japan’s premiere original series Atelier (titled “Underwear” for its Japanese release) is an infContinue reading…
DIR EN GREY – The Mayan 2015 Live Report
DIR EN GREY The Mayan November 5, 2015 Live Report by Nhu Nguyen DIR EN GREY can be a quiet group of men off stage, but on stage, they are reContinue reading…
BABYMETAL Funko POP! Figures (Review)
BABYMETAL Funko POP! Figures Review by David Cirone When Funko announced the series of BABYMETAL POP! figures, I pre-ordered my set of 3 (honContinue reading…
Tomoyasu Hotei – Strangers (Review)
Tomoyasu Hotei Strangers Review by David Cirone Tomoyasu Hotei’s fist international album release, Strangers, is a perfect road-trip album, tContinue reading…