Surprising everyone, EROSION arrives to steal the show with the best CD released in April, Takuya Eguchi goes through a growing period with an eclectic “EGURand”, Anthos* returned to its origins, Jin Ogasawara is turning into a fantastic singer, and more.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutos
The 4th episode of the new video feature on The Hand That Feeds HQ’s YouTube channel is out!
Monthly Review is, as the name says, a monthly feature in which I find yet another excuse to talk about male seiyuu music and 2D groups.
This is a feature in which I get on camera covering the most impressive/buzzworthy releases in any given month – and hidden gems that not many people may end up paying attention to -, counting on your participation as well in all 4 corners:
- Best of the month (3 best/buzzworthy/gems of every given month as picked by me + 3 suggested by THTFHQ readers
- Monthly Choice (3 CD suggestions by me – regardless of when the CDs were released – and 3 suggestions by THTFHQ readers)
- Music in the Horizon (a look at next month’s releases – it mixes my and your comments on upcoming releases)
- Ask Vanessa* (ask me anything about male seiyuu or 2D music)
*Title subject to change, if you have suggestions for a title for this section, do leave those in the comments
This month’s episode is all about the music released in April 2022.
April 2022 was set to be a calm, almost boring month with few releases but ended up bringing some of the most interesting songs released so far in the year.
The best release of the month was, undoubtedly, EROSION‘s “EROSION with YOU from CARNELIAN BLOOD Vol.5 TOXIN”.
While the title track is miles behind in quality with previously released songs by EROSION – yet, it’s still a good rock song with a danceable twist -, it was the solo track “Hakusha” that stole the stole.
Gothic aesthetics and symphonic metal met romantic yet tragic lyrics with a memorable performance by Shoya Chiba left their mark. This is one of those songs that deserves to be listened to in absolute silence, taking in all the emotions in it.
Jin Ogasawara kicked off a series of digital singles – 5 in total – in April and he’s been more confident and consistent than ever. “AQUARIUM“, “Yuurei” and “Yogaakeru” easily stand as his best songs to date.
And who knows? There are two more to be released in this series (hopefully in May 2022), so there may be more songs to join the list of Ogasawara’s best.
Anthos* returned to its origins with “ICON“.
The CD took the talented septet back to its aesthetically pleasing and minimalistic sound however giving it a “happier” twist in what is an emotional release that you can’t miss.
Takuya Eguchi released his sophomore mini-album “EGURand” and like most sophomore releases, his had its hiccups. More talk on this CD in the video above (look for the timestamp if you’re in a hurry)!
Sir Vanity continues to release good music in its “heartbreak” digital single series. “finder” arrives as a beautiful ballad with a gentle melody in the background and a lot of melancholy on the vocal end.
These and more thoughts/comments can be found in the 1-hour-ish episode that just dropped on the channel and that you can find in this article as well.
Thanks to everyone that participated with amazing comments. And remember, although only 3 were chosen for each corner (less if there were fewer submissions from you), do know I’ve read them all. I read everything and keep being impressed by your musical sensibility!
THTFHQ’s community is filled with talented individuals, fans of music, and voice acting that geek as hard – or even more – about both things as I do!
Do you want to participate in MONTHLY REVIEW?
This show is a collaborative work between you and me, sharing our love for male seiyuu and 2D music projects so don’t be shy to participate.
And don’t worry about not having perfect English writing or the sort, we all make mistakes and even I am not a native speaker – and typos are really my bread and butter here on the website – so don’t let that stop you from participating, should you want to!
As always, in the 2nd week of every month, the survey to participate in next month’s episode will be shared on THTFHQ’s social media (Facebook and Twitter) and on THTFHQ’s YouTube channel (make sure to subscribe to not miss the notification, or lurk if you don’t want to subscribe).
You can participate as many times you want, I only ask that you avoid submitting the same answers in the various entries you make in this feature.
The goal is to feature as many CDs as possible, not to talk only about 1 or 2 CDs.
If the links are not working, CLICK HERE to check the video.
