A Week Colored by New Songs [5/18–5/24]

　Hello there.

　It's time for our weekly new song review article. This covers releases from 5/18 to 5/24. Focusing on albums, EPs, and singles, I'll be delivering new songs that I can confidently recommend. I hope that everyone who reads this finds at least one wonderful new track. Here we go.

#1 "Miracle Palette" / Raden Juufuutei

　A new single. It was first performed during the new costume reveal live on May 17th. A song that feels like the start of a colorful show. It has a theatrical splendor and a sense of exhilaration as the scenery changes one after another, like a parade. It's almost like watching live drawing. The singing voice, which leaves a lingering sense of a smile, is also charming, and it left me with a feeling that my mood was being mysteriously refreshed, no matter the time.

#2 "CCGG MADNESS" / Cecilia Immergreen, Gigi Murin

　A new single. At first, I mistook it for being played at double speed lol. A fun song delivered at such a high tempo. The electronic sounds bouncing around and the comical melody exchanges are full of playfulness. It's no surprise that this addictive quality, which makes your body start moving on its own, is the work of Jizasu-P. The back-and-forth between the two is also catchy and cute, which acts as a driving force for the track.

#3 "Going My Way" / AZKi × Suisei Hoshimachi

　A new single. This is the song that was first performed at the AZKi SOLO LiVE 2025 "Departure" last November. A song that runs through energetically while the electro sound pops vividly. It's stimulating but has a gentle nuance, which is nice. I feel a sparkle, as if light is reflecting or shimmering. At the same time, a scene of a new path being carved out emerged, and I felt as if their delicate and soft singing was beckoning me forward.

#4 "Kuchizushi" / V.I.P

　A new single. A song where strings and piano overlap in layers to depict a magnificent landscape. It draws you in by producing not just a sense of speed and beauty, but also a somewhat urgent atmosphere. The drama created by the presence of flickering shadows. The development where the story rolls little by little toward a fateful direction. I think the singing of the isotopes is designed to let emotion seep into the sound. I hope they sing this live with V.W.P someday.

#5 "Shooting Star" / StelLive

A new single from the 3rd generation unit 'Cliché'. It's a rock number that feels like it has gathered all the sparkle in the world and scattered it into every corner. The orchestral elements supporting it from behind are wonderful. It gives a sense of scale to the exhilaration and strongly depicts a narrative of taking flight into the sky. With brilliance as its axis, it feels like it captures both the blue sky and the starry sky. Above all, the chorus melody is so pleasant that I love it. Layered with the members' bright vocals, my spirits are lifted all at once.

#6 'Invitation' / Shiro Zakuro

A new original song. This is from the person who was buzzing on X the other day. A track that feels like a mix of dark gothic atmosphere and remnants of electro-swing. There's a sense of having wandered into a ball, and the glossy, elegant vocal delivery is very effective. Even though I realized the scenery had been repainted, there is a depth to it that doesn't feel unpleasant.

#7 'Heart on Fire' / TAO

A new single. It was also announced that her first full album 'COUNTER WAVE' will be released on July 29th. A track that vividly constructs a cyber city with futuristic synths. It has a stylish, vaporwave-like texture and a sense of speed. The smooth melody line naturally blends in. Not only the expansive vocals, but the rap part is a good accent.

#8 'The Language of Alstroemeria Flowers' / Rika Hanamiya

The theme song for the visual novel game starring Rika Hanamiya, 'Rikamode!'. Along with the magnificent sparkle of strings, it's a track that evokes the doors to new scenery and encounters. The emotional melody is also intertwined with a good balance. There is a sensation like a soft breeze dancing up flower petals and gently stroking your cheeks. And, her singing voice is truly wonderful as always. The cute sweetness and the beautifully clear resonance bring a sense of hope and transparency to the song.

#9 'Parallax' / Suu Kiryu

A new single. It was first performed at her birthday live concert on May 22nd. This work is also a Lo-Fi chill-out number that is typical of her. A time when the temperature of the air becomes a little softer and more rounded. Her ennui-filled singing voice, which contains a lot of breath, also blends in naturally. There is a supreme sense of floating that leads you into a light slumber.

#10 'Bokura no Yoru' / Meruto Kuramochi

Their first self-produced work. It was first performed at the birthday live concert on May 23rd. It is a stylish dance number that feels like bright lights are being switched on one after another, as if to say, "The night has only just begun." I love the singing, which uses a sense of exhilaration as an ally. The dexterity with which they rhythmically change the expression of their vocal delivery one after another is impressive. There is a momentum to the way that voice leads the song, and the atmosphere of wanting to dance the night away together was captivating. The coupling track "Lunascope" is, by contrast, a mature-sounding chill-out number, so please check that out as well.

#11 "Decensus Ad Nihilum (Feat. kahoca from Empty old City)" / Wuthering Waves

The official character song for Danjin from the open-world action game "Wuthering Waves." The vocals are provided by kahoca from Empty old City. It is a song that begins with a quiet introduction, only to have that atmosphere gradually eroded and repainted. You are dragged into a dark, atmospheric, and heavy sound. It even incorporates breakdowns, approaching a metalcore intensity. The way the heavy bass and solemn strings overlap is beautiful, making the ominous and unsettling nature of the track stand out even more. kahoca's vocals are also a masterpiece. In addition to their clarity, there is a sense of mystery, portraying a higher existence like a narrator.

#12 "StandBy" / Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas

Their 8th album. This is their first release in about three and a half years. It contains a total of 10 tracks, including the four singles (some remixed) released since "Fist for the New Era" in June 2024, plus six newly recorded songs.
A good record. Since it had been a while since their last release, I had high expectations. There were some good songs, so I'll write a brief review. Overall, the sense of excitement of "not knowing what will jump out next" and the beauty of the development that grabs your emotions with almost forceful intensity seem to have settled down. The band has shifted toward a pop and catchy direction, and their comical side has become more pronounced. The metalcore-style breakdowns and explosive power are more restrained. That might not be unrelated to the expansion of their activities, such as tie-ins and providing songs for others. However, I take the parts that seem conscious of live performances positively, as it helps broaden their appeal. I think it goes without saying that they are live monsters. Once again, I still find the balance between speed and varied development, as well as the contrast in melodies unique to their twin-vocal style, to be captivating. Including the new songs, Tr. 7 "Until You Die Out" is my favorite. A close second is Tr. 10 "Who I am." As a song to close the album, it exploded with the kind of grand emotion that is typical of Vegas, as always.

#13 "What's It Like To Be Happy?" / Of Virtue

A new single. A mid-tempo number that gradually builds up the temperature of emotion, centered on the vocals. The way the groove gradually solidifies is also very natural. The chorus is as catchy as ever. The smooth, R&B-inspired American melody is addictive and makes you want to hum along. Given their release pace, I'm looking forward to an album later this year.

#14 "Rat Torture" / Distant

A new single. A song said to depict the suffocating depravity of people who continue to scroll infinitely and seek empty validation. Nu-metal-like grooves and textures are scattered throughout, and while they are subtly blended in, the band colors the track with their signature gloomy worldview, the brutality of deathcore, and a sense of weight. The breakdown that comes after the oppressive blast beats is just too heavy—it's divine.

That concludes my impressions of the new songs from 5/18 to 5/24, covering one album and 13 singles. Thank you for reading this far. If you have any other song recommendations or requests, please feel free to leave a comment. Also, if you felt even a little bit that this was good, it would be a great encouragement if you could press the "Like" button (you can press it even without a note account) or share it. Follows are also very welcome. Thank you!
※Click here for last week's new song impressions.