Dear Vocalist franchise announces 8th season of CDs “Headliner”

Dear Vocalist Headliner

After a one-year hiatus, the Dear Vocalist franchise is back! The 8th season of CDs titled “Dear Vocalist Headliner” kicks off in 2024.

It seems that the wait finally is over! After a 2023 of absolute silence – the first time since its launch that the franchise went dark – the Dear Vocalist franchise announced its return in 2024 with a new CD series.

The 8th season of Drama + Music CDs is confirmed to kick off in 2024. At the moment there are no specific dates of release for any of the CDs to be included in this season.

At the same time, in the promotional video shared on Christmas day, there was a hint of a surprise that fans may get with this new season of CDs.

A reminder that for the 7th season, the members of all bands were introduced, participating in the drama CDs for the very first time.

It was confirmed on Valentine’s Day that the Dear Vocalist franchise is back in May 2024 to kick off its 8th CD series, Headliner.

Among the release schedule news arrived something fans were anticipating: CIEL (CV: KENN) is back, however, the character won’t sing, just appear in the drama CDs.

Below is the release schedule for all bands in the franchise.

Entry NO.1 LUMIERE – Vocals by RE-O-DO (CV: Toshiki Masuda)

Entry NO.1 LUMIERE” is scheduled to be released on 22/05/2024.

The cover art is the following:

LUMIERE UNCONTROL cover

The CD includes 2 DISCS:

  • DISC 1 includes 2 new songs and 3 drama tracks recorded with dummyhead mic
  • DISC 2 includes drama tracks with the band

The tracklist is the following for each disc:

DISC 1

1 - uNCoNTRoL (NEW SONG)
2 - 化猫 (NEW SONG)
3 - Fresh start
4 - God only gave me a voice
5 - Eternal ties

DISC 2

1 - Keep moving forward
2 - Revelation of a secret
3 - The Beginning
4 - Music doesn’t lie
5 - ALL CAST FREE TALK (first press edition only)

The highlight medley – including previews of uNCoNTRoL and 化猫 (Bake Neko) is out. Check it out below!

Entry NO.2 Brave Child – Vocals by Joshua (CV: Nobunaga Shimazaki)

Entry NO.2 Brave Child” is scheduled to be released on 26/06/2024.

The cover art is the following:

Brave Child Himitsu cover

The tracklist is the following for each disc:

DISC 1

1 - 秘密 (NEW SONG)
2 - 風光る (NEW SONG)
3 - sweet time
4 - more
5 - Promise notice

DISC 2

1 - atmosphere
2 - secret talk
3 - Andante
4 - OK Holiday
5 - ALL CAST FREE TALK (first press edition only)

The highlight medley – including previews of Himitsu (秘密) and Kazehikaru (風光る) is out. Check it out below!

The CD includes 2 DISCS:

  • DISC 1 includes 2 new songs and 3 drama tracks recorded with dummyhead mic
  • DISC 2 includes drama tracks with the band

Entry NO.3 KAGARIBI – Vocals by Judah (CV: Soma Saito)

Entry NO.3 KAGARIBI” is scheduled to be released on 24/07/2024.

The cover art is the following:

KAGARIBI Fushichou

The tracklist is the following for each DISC:

DISC 1

1 - 不死鳥 (NEW SONG)
2 - BöY (NEW SONG)
3 - All is well
4 - I can't sing anymore.
5 - Love never dies

DISC 2

1 - Take the risk 
2 - Never quit
3 - We can play side by side
4 - OK Holiday
5 - ALL CAST FREE TALK (first press edition only)

The highlight medley – including previews of Fushichou (不死鳥) and BöY is out. Check it out below! Check it out below!

The CD includes 2 DISCS:

  • DISC 1 includes 2 new songs and 3 drama tracks recorded with dummyhead mic
  • DISC 2 includes drama tracks with the band

Entry NO.4 JET RAT FURY – Vocals by (2)YOU (CV: Natsuki Hanae)

Entry NO.4 JET RAT FURY” is scheduled to be released on 28/08/2024.

The cover art is the following:

JET RAT FURY WORLD’S ENDING WALKER

The tracklist is the following for each DISC:

DISC 1

1 - WORLD’S ENDING WALKER (NEW SONG)
2 - 選択 (NEW SONG)
3 - So what?
4 - Wake your dreams
5 - My heart is yours forever

DISC 2

1 - get-together 
2 - Do you feel your music?
3 - Union gives strength
4 - Happiness depends upon ourselves
5 - ALL CAST FREE TALK (first press edition only)

The highlight medley is out, including previews of WORLD’S ENDING WALKER and Sentaku (選択). Check it out below! Check it out below!

The CD includes 2 DISCS:

  • DISC 1 includes 2 new songs and 3 drama tracks recorded with dummyhead mic
  • DISC 2 includes drama tracks with the band

Entry NO.5 Veronica – Vocals by Momochi (CV: Toshiyuki Toyonaga)

Entry NO.5 Veronica” is scheduled to be released on 25/09/2024.

The cover art is the following:

Veronica tokuyaku

The tracklist is the following for each DISC:

DISC 1

1 - 特攻薬 (NEW SONG)
2 - 白昼夢 (NEW SONG)
3 - days
4 - 長雨
5 - winding road

DISC 2

1 - 光芒一閃
2 - 嵐の前の静けさ
3 - after the rain
4 - second step
5 - ALL CAST FREE TALK (FIRST PRESS EDITION)

The highlight medley is out, including previews of Tokuyaku (特攻薬) and Daydream (白昼夢). Check it out below! Check it out below!

The CD includes 2 DISCS:

  • DISC 1 includes 2 new songs and 3 drama tracks recorded with dummyhead mic
  • DISC 2 includes drama tracks with the band

Entry NO.6 NSFW – Vocals by A’ (CV: Ryohei Kimura)

Entry NO.6 NSFW” is scheduled to be released on 23/10/2024.

The cover art is the following:

NSFW YAY!!YAY!!

The tracklist is the following:

DISC 1

1 - YAY!!YAY!! (NEW SONG)
2 - featuring ALICE (NEW SONG)
3 - # call # call # call out
4 - MAGIC 24 HOUR
5 - dark×starry=HAPPY SKY

DISC 2

1 - FULL POWER!!
2 - MEMORY,RECORD and more…
3 - Not Safe For Work
4 - Beyond the CLEAR BLUE
5 - ALL CAST FREE TALK (FIRST PRESS EDITION)

The highlight medley is out, including previews of YAY!!YAY!! and featuring ALICE. Check it out below! Check it out below!

The CD includes 2 DISCS:

  • DISC 1 includes 2 new songs and 3 drama tracks recorded with dummyhead mic
  • DISC 2 includes drama tracks with the band

Dear Vocalist is a 2D rock music project focused on equal parts music and storytelling. The franchise was launched in 2015 and is produced by Rejet.

R.O.N (Stereo Dive Foundation) is in charge of producing all the music in the franchise.

One thing that sets this franchise apart from all others is a massive focus on storytelling – through the drama tracks and songs. That storytelling highlights mental health – with all vocalists having some sort of disorder that you help them get through or heal – even if not obvious at times.

That, paired with the music and romance parts as well as the character development that you can easily notice if you check the songs + drama tracks chronologically, make this franchise a unique one, truly in a league of its own.

According to Rejet, the characters in the story are vocalists belonging to the music production company “Climax Record.” They face various challenges and unreasonable demands, such as the president of the production company telling them to disband if they don’t become successful. As a supportive figure and as their significant other, you strive to assist the vocalist in facing these challenges while engaging in musical activities.

The cast features 6 vocals, fronting their respective bands and, on the side living their normal lives with their significant others (you, the listener in the drama tracks).

The bands and cast are the following:

LUMIÈRE

lumière

A four-member rock band affiliated with Climax Record. During their student days, the leader and bassist NOE, along with guitarist SIMBA, started creating original songs. Later, they formed an amateur band by adding drummer THOMAS. Upon welcoming vocalist RE-O-DO, they changed the band name to “LUMIERE” and began full-fledged activities, primarily performing at live houses in Tokyo. After going through an indie label phase, they made their major debut under Climax Record.

Gaining immense support from the younger audience, they have set records for the most live performances in a year among bands affiliated with CR. In the “CR69Fes.2018 ‘Dead or Alive'” held in 2018, they headlined the event. Moreover, in a live performance at Maihama in February 2020, they captivated the entire audience with a powerful performance befitting their track “CHAMPION.”

Brave Child

Brave Child

A four-member rock band affiliated with Climax Record. The vocalist JOSHUA, who had been engaged in independent music activities in the artistic hub of artists, Los Angeles, formed the band.

After making a major debut under Climax Records USA.inc (LA), the base was shifted from the United States to Japan, and they started full-fledged activities in Japan starting in 2017.

Subsequently, JOSHUA steadily increased the number of live attendees with the band “Brave Child.” At “CR69Fes.2018 ‘Dead or Alive'”, he not only served as the opening act for both day and night sessions but also captivated a large audience.

  • Vocalist: Joshua (CV: Nobunaga Shimazaki)
  • Bass: MATSU (CV. Chiaki Kobayashi)
  • Guitar: SOTA (CV. Takuma Nagatsuka)
  • Drums: YUKI (CV. Tetsuya Kakihara)

KAGARIBI

KAGARIBI

A two-piece rock band affiliated with Climax Record. Notably, even before their major debut, all the songs under the name “篝火” (Kagaribi) were personally created by the vocalist JUDAH.

Since the addition of guitarist SIMON, a new range of expressions has emerged alongside JUDAH’s genius-level melodic lines. With overwhelming presence, they have continued to captivate numerous audiences.

From the beginning of their formation, rumors of discord between JUDAH and SIMON circulated. They were once driven to an indefinite hiatus, but eventually resumed their activities. The tension between the two has become more than just a scandal, evolving into a kind of trademark for the band. Fans even express anticipation for on-stage disputes and sudden interruptions during live performances.

JET RAT FURY

JET RAT FURY

A 4-member rock band affiliated with Climax Record. Initially, despite being a secret band with all information kept private, they dominated the indie scene around Tokyo’s live houses. Post their major debut, they have steadily expanded their popularity.

They embarked on their first Asia tour, ‘Bite the cat,’ captivating audiences overseas. Domestically, they participated in events like ‘ALL JAPAN WINTER ROCK FES’ and showcased their prowess by collaborating with numerous renowned bands.

In recent years, they have broadened their activities by appearing on television shows and various media. The band, possessing both charisma and approachability, has garnered support from a wide range of age groups.

Veronica

Veronica

A 5-member rock band affiliated with Climax Record, ‘Veronica’ is hailed as a “once-in-a-century prodigy.” MOMOCHI’s exceptional vocal prowess drew attention even before their major debut, and they were selected as the headliner for the NEO GROOVE FESTIVAL despite being relatively unknown.

Their second single, released under an indie label, remarkably entered the hit charts. Just as they were gaining tremendous momentum, they suddenly announced their disbandment due to differences in direction with the former members.

Afterwards, with the addition of guitarist OHGI, bassist AMA, drummer YAMATO, and keyboardist SHIZURU, they reformed as the new ‘Veronica’ and made their major debut under Climax Record.

Veronica, refusing to settle in one genre, continues to surge at the forefront of the music scene with diverse sounds. Their musical prowess has steadily grown. In the live performance at Maihama in February 2020, MOMOCHI’s overwhelming expressive power left the audience momentarily in awe.

NSFW

NSFW

A 3-member rock band affiliated with Climax Record, ‘NSFW’ was formed as a new chapter to A’s solo music career.

Vocalist A’ writes and composes songs, and with the addition of guitarist (occasionally bassist as well, as per personal testimony) 6, and Nightmare handling drums and DJ duties while infusing original arrangements, they continue to create extraordinary sounds that defy the constraints of genres like loud music and digital mixtures.

Their live house tours, often regarded as their specialty, draw attention not only for their bold individual performances but also for their unconventional sound. In a women-only live held at Shibuya VVV in late 2019, despite the winter season, some members made an encore appearance in swimsuits, creating excitement in the venue.

On the other hand, at the live performance in Maihama in February of the following year, regardless of the venue size, they captivated the entire audience with a unique and creative worldview, demonstrating the true strength of the band.

When the project launched in 2015, and for the first two seasons, there was another vocalist in the lineup: Ciel (CV: KENN).

According to the franchise’s story, Ciel went to the US to expand his music activities and as a replacement, since season 3, Joshua (CV: Nobunaga Shimazaki) is an integral part of the fun and chaos that is this franchise.

All band descriptions above were provided by Rejet.


All CDs are available for purchase at CDJAPAN.


Source: Dear Vocalist official website

Vanessa Silva
Vanessa Silvahttps://www.handthatfeedshq.com
The Hand That Feeds HQ founder, content creator, and music reviewer. Basically, the only person managing everything at The Hand That Feeds HQ. Stumbling upon Mamoru Miyano's "Orpheus" in 2011 was the start of this journey. If music is thought-provoking or deep, you may find her writing almost essays (not limited to, but it happens a lot with Soma Saito's music). She's the producer and host of the male seiyuu-centric podcast, SEIYUU LOUNGE (see Spotify link in this profile).

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