ウマウマ８ might as well be a sampler for 電波トランス２

We've already covered EXIT's first 「DENPA TRANCE」 album and made the point that while it was an excellent compilation, it really is nothing more than an alternate "best of" from their B-list 「ウマウマ」 series. Most of the songs on UMA UMA could be mistaken for actual denpa songs, but some are particularly worthy of the moniker.

The eight UMA UMA album came out on June 2nd 2010, so here are the songs which are likely candidates for the next DENPA TRANCE selection. Click the "from" links to access the original tunes on youtube (most in animated OP/ED form). Should you wish to purchase the first DENPA TRANCE album, or any of EXIT's albums, make sure you do it through CD Japan. They recently started offering FedEx! By the way, there's a 「萌えJ-POP」 album coming out on August 18!

6. キッチンはマイステージ
Judas feat. R. Cena
from: クッキンアイドルアイ!マイ!まいん!


Holy loli macaroni, the original tune was already a little bundle of joy, but this Judas remix spices things right up. R. Cena serves her best imitation of 11-year old 福原遥 and succeeds admirably. Everybody knows the best way to a guy's heart is through his stomach, so "Kitchen Idol" is a very respectable career choice at such a young age.


8. 恋愛サーキュレーション
MK feat. CAMRY
from: 化物語 OP4


EXIT used to be hit-or-miss, but when their remixes sound more engaging and involved than the original version, you know they're on their way up. What would normally be an average anime OP with very little substance is turned into a refreshing piece full of zest and vigor. Don't be surprised if this one doesn't make the DENPA TRANCE 2 cut, but it's still worth a mention. This is a CAMRY performance, after all!


13. できるかなって☆☆☆
Ryu☆ feat. MAKI + CAMRY + Ma15
from: ひだまりスケッチ×☆☆☆


「ひだまりスケッチ×☆☆☆」 has always had denpa-friendly OP themes; observe the first and second versions, the latter of which was already covered on 「アニメトランス BEST 7」 (even though it was better suited for an ウマウマ album). But the big draw here is that motherfucking Ryu☆ is working with the three hottest EXIT singers... all at once. Any of them on their own is newsworthy, but this quartet is the ultimate DENPA TRANCE fan service.


16. Ａｌｒｉｇｈｔ！ ハートキャッチプリキュア！
Acid=Stone Valley feat. MAKI
from: ハートキャッチプリキュア!


People frequently ask me what makes a song "denpa". If it contains HAI!HAI! screams sharp enough to cut through various animal carcasses, then it's a denpa song. Coincidentally, this fast-paced OP theme is a perfect match for 「Heartcatch PreCure!」, with its over-the-top art style and hot-blooded magical girls. Acid=Stone Valley (great name BTW) and MAKI have created an even more insane version for this album; it's pretty much a shoe-in for 電波トランス２.


17. どっきゅん☆ハート
TokorotenG feat. MAKI
from: どっきゅん☆ハート


TokorotenG isn't exactly the most prolific EXIT remixer, but judging by this contribution, you could swear he's been doing this for ages. The song itself is an interesting pick, showing that EXIT aren't always after the A-list OP themes. It's a "character song" from an episode of the anime Umineko, sung by the character Jessica as she was cosplaying Marisa from Touhou... not only that, but the song itself is apparently full of references to the 2 previous Higurashi series. Deep stuff! Original song is a perfect example of Denpa Rock. Remix is nuts!


18.BEAM my BEAM
MK feat. Maki + Camry + Mi-Mi
from: おまもりひまり ED


Another crazy trio is at work here! 「BEAM my BEAM」 is a great denpa song, and don't just take my word for it, most people will agree it is denpa. Actually, even though this is supposed to be a trance album, this remix probably runs at the same BPM as the fast and furious original version. The voices have been lolified a little and the remixed BGM is slightly more explosive, but other than that there are no major differences. Regardless, this is yet another great example of this up and coming DENPA TRANCE genre that EXIT have a hold on.


Bottom-line: DENPA TRANCE is fucking awesome in more ways than one. It's great for the gym, for one. It's also good for long-distance trips and even when you have people over that might not necessarily be receptive to pure denpa songs such as MOSAIC.WAV or Holic Service. Call it a gateway drug if you must, but let's give credit where credit is due; EXIT have definitely spanned a sub-genre of their own here.

Relax, take it easy with MOSAIC.WAV's fourth うじゅ single

Since 2007, MOSAIC.WAV have been composing theme songs for TOEI's Eiga Mura mascot うじゅ on a yearly basis. While the first three releases had absolutely batshit insane A-sides and equally mindblowing B-sides (as well as the occasional bonus track), the fourth single (as-of-yet untitled) puts craziness on the backburner.... at least for their first public promo.

This new song is actually a remix of 「うじゅたま☆うじゅりんぱ」, the very first うじゅ theme which first came out in June 2007 (lyrics sheet). However this is the "Kyoto Dialect" which, for all intents and purposes, probably only makes sense if you're a native speaker or a diehard linguist. You'll also rapidly notice that the music itself is quite different from regular MOSAIC.WAV songs, sounding more like traditional Japanese music than high-octane denpa.

Regardless, it's a refreshing new take on a now-classic composition and chances are the B-Side will feature the MOSAIC.WAV we know and love. Oh by the way, this new song was originally composed by none other than Big Brother 小池雅也, but Team LoveBullets head honcho 磯村カイ handled the remix! This is his third collaboration; he first arranged 「一件落着よベイベー！」 on 2007's 「Future-Fiction: AKIBA-POP!!」 and then composed 「最高ψ最強φメロダロイド！」 on 2008's superb 「ラストバトル！ アキバトラー“μ”」 single. Speaking of which, Akibattler is definitely due for a comeback!!



In related news, MOSAIC.WAV have been interviewed by the "Uju Production Committee". As usual, み～こ keeps chatter to a minimum while かやぴ has a lot to say. They touch on the upcoming うじゅ single, the new song itself as well as provide more details on Kyoto Dialect usage. Finally, they talk about their upcoming Uzumaki concert on September 25 2010, with Kayamori-san calling this live clubhouse "cozy". Another good description would be "fucking awesome", judging by these fantastic pictures.

ALBATROSICKS NOT DEAD, Banana Prince Fuck Off

IOSYS has an... interesting relationship with its sideproject band Albatrosicks. They released one of the best overall punk/rock/denpa/chiptune/fucked up albums of C76 in 「star cracker」, or at least the only one of its kind. Then, absolutely NOTHING for a whole year, until the recent announcement of an Osaka concert on August 31st. They even went as far as creating a Twitternator account for the Banana Prince, who seems to be the central theme of this gig. Although he's rumoured to be married with miko in the Albatrosicks universe, she really hates his big yellow face (in a tsundere way).

Titled 「ライド・オン・ザ☆マンボウ- petit -」, this show doesn't mean much to those of us outside Japanland. However, I want to believe that what they're doing here is announcing an event which will also serve as a launch party for an upcoming record. Now that would be the tits, unless it turns out like the mediocre 「e」.

Momoe Paruchu figure coming late 2010

Are you an ave;new projecto fan? Dumb question, who isn't. Are you a HARD to the CORE ave;new projecto zealot, ready to drop 70$ on a 12cm POP-designed Momoe Paruchu figure? This is where we separate the men from the boys (masculine form used to simplify text (point totally moot now)).

To be fair, retailer amiami is bundling a "new" Special Maxi-Single with this figure. The ave;new projecto website hasn't been updated in a while, so that's all we know so far. There's a slight chance this could be the standalone "Yoroken Sweets" single, but that's kind of old news by now (sample here). So, odds are we are looking at a new ave;new projecto single for Comiket 78!

Update 08/09/10: Looks like ave;new read paranda and mandichan's concerns for quality, so they decided to postpone the release for improvements!