chatmonchy’s tenth single “Last Love Letter” will be released on February 4th; this single was self produced by the members. As an added incentive, physical copies of the single will allow access onto a website for a sneak preview of the band’s upcoming album. Continue reading
I am late with this one – chatmonchy’s single “Somaru Yo” was released November 5th. It is the theme for Tonsure
My lateness probably reflects my feelings towards this band – still one of my favorites, but with the hype surrounding some of my other favorites going on (Arashi, Perfume) and that I didn’t enjoy their last single that much, they slipped off the radar a bit for me.v So you’ll have to excuse me for not even realizing they had a release until now.
Filed under: Amuro Namie, Angela Aki, Aoyama Thelma, ayaka, Ayumi Hamasaki, BoA, chatmonchy, Hello! Project, Jpop, JYONGRI, Kimura Kaela, Koda Kumi, Leah Dizon, Nakashima Mika, Opinion, Otsuka Ai, Perfume, PUFFY, Tsuchiya Anna, Utada Hikaru, YUI, Yuna Ito
With Hikki working on her second English album, the question really still stands: if one j-pop diva or female group would make it in the English music industry, who would it be? After all, basing on the American charts, popular songs by female artists are rather limited. Pretty much most are R&B/hip hop hits (Rihanna, Beyonce, Fergie, Danity Kane, Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis), a smattering of pop rock (Colbie Caillat, Natasha Bedingfield, Paramore) and occasionally, a big pop song that makes it (Miley Cyrus).
So if all our favorite j-pop girls give it a try, who has the best chances of breaking into the market?
Utada Hikaru
I love Hikki and I love “Exodus,” but let’s face it – “Exodus” was brilliantly experimental and alternative but nowhere near mainstream. If she does her next English album in her Cubic U style or in her Japanese music style, she’d have a chance, but her idea of American mainstream R&B is a little too alternative. Unless she completely changes her image and sound, she won’t make it in the urban music genre she’s aiming for. But she does have beauty, quirkiness, and her language – she just needs to tailor herself to be more mainstream. Chances: 60%.
“Kaze Fukeba Koi,” chatmonchy’s next single, will be released June 25th. The title song was used in CMs for Seabreeze products from Shiseido.
“Hira Hira Hiraku Himitsu no Tobira” is chatmonchy’s newest single, coming out on 2/27. This is the female trio’s seventh single and will be accompanying the film GachiBooi.
I’ve found that chatmonchy is an acquired taste for most people, mostly due to vocalist Hashimoto Eriko’s unique voice. Some absolutely can’t stand her nasal and high pitched voice, while others think its part of what makes chatmonchy stand out. I’m one of the latter: I like the way her voice can keep up with the strength of their music. I’m always amazed they can create such a full sound with just three people. They’re one of my favorite bands, because I like and rock out to 90% of everything they release.
This release is no different, and it’s another energetic rock song. It’s one of their harder releases but still remains bouncy and catchy. Personally, I like their more rock-based songs better than their really poppy ones, so I’m really enjoying this one.
fly to high 