Shoya Chiba arrived with his 1st single and left a lot to be desired, Soma Saito changed things around and dropped his big epic storytelling instead of a set of mini-stories in “Fictions”, the Dear Vocalist franchise served us with a lot of quality with JET RAT FURY and Veronica, Anthos* and Illuvista added the cherry on top of what were two exciting months of CD releases.
This and more in this article – and extended video – of MONTHLY REVIEW August and September 2024.
This month’s episode is all about the music released in August and September 2024.
August was a quiet month however still with its highlights as Shoya Chiba and JET RAT FURY took the stage with solid singles.
September was one of the best months, since February 2022, bringing to the spotlight Soma Saito – back after two years without releasing music – as well as Anthos* and Veronica with stellar single releases.
As such, the standout releases in August and September 2024 were:
- Shoya Chiba “Contrail”
- Soma Saito “Fictions”
- Veronica “Tokuyaku”
- Anthos* “MORE”
In the video version of this article – which covers many more CDs and features your comments – I also bring my impressions about a few CDs I recently reviewed.
Make sure to watch the episode!
Shoya Chiba “Contrail”
Shoya Chiba’s first single, “Contrail,” builds on the strong foundation of his debut EP Blessing but falls short of surpassing its cohesiveness and impact.
While the single showcases Chiba’s versatility—spanning rock, pop-rock, and dance music—it feels somewhat unfocused, lacking a distinct artistic identity that sets him apart.
Though the single misses the near-perfection of “Blessing“, it still delivers strong vocal performances, energetic tracks, and promising live potential. It leaves room for curiosity about Chiba’s artistic direction in future releases—whether he will refine a specific sound or continue exploring a diverse mix of styles.
Soma Saito “Fictions”
Soma Saito’s “Fictions” offers a refreshing surprise by moving away from his usual overarching story format. Instead, it presents individual short stories in each track, focusing on themes of nostalgia, longing, and homesickness.
Each song is a “fiction” ready for you to uncover. The album is more straightforward than his previous concept-driven works, making it accessible for new fans who can enjoy songs independently.
With a mix of pop, shoegaze, indie rock, and ballads, “Fictions” has a more radio-friendly sound, with standout tracks like “Hammer Girl,” “Sway,” “Noctiluca,” and “Ame no Niwa.”
While it may not be his best album to date, it’s playful, bright, and innovative, showcasing Saito’s vocal versatility and creativity in ways he had never shown before. “Fictions” is a must-listen and is likely to be a favorite for many this year.
Veronica “Tokuyaku”
Veronica’s “Tokuyaku” delivers a surprising and refreshing twist, showcasing both the band’s eclectic sound and significant character growth for Momochi.
This release highlights a more romantic and passionate side to their music, mirroring Momochi’s evolution in the drama CDs. Gone is the veil of dominance, control, and toxicity—Momochi is openly in love, and it shows in his music.
This release not only marks a pivotal moment for Momochi’s character but also stands as one of Veronica’s most unpredictable and unique entries to date. “Tokuyaku” is a testament to how character development and music can intertwine to create something truly special, especially in the Dear Vocalist franchise.
Anthos* “MORE”
Anthos* has done it again with “MORE”, a bold, innovative release that captures their growth while staying true to their unique sound. This CD is a playground of new genres and styles, showcasing the group’s versatility and technical prowess.
“Spectac1e” introduces dubstep into their repertoire, blending it seamlessly with Anthos*’s signature sound, even winning over a genre skeptic like me. “Roughing laughing” takes things further, diving into future bass with hints of funk to create an addictive, stylish track.
Anthos* proves yet again why they’re in a league of their own, blending creativity, genre fluidity, and raw talent. “MORE” is undoubtedly one of the year’s top releases, and it’s thrilling to see how far they’ve come.
What is THTFHQ’s MONTHLY REVIEW?
As the name says, Monthly Review is 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 – unscripted (and usually looking a bit tired lol) – 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 by male seiyuu artists, bands, units, or 2D groups)
- Ask Vanessa (ask me anything about male seiyuu or 2D music, if you don’t ask, it turns into a “Soma Saito” corner)
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. Don’t be shy to participate.
All this to say, 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, several times during the month, the survey to participate in next month’s episode is shared on THTFHQ’s social media (Facebook and Twitter) and on THTFHQ’s YouTube channel‘s community tab (make sure to subscribe to not miss the notification, or lurk if you don’t want to subscribe).
You can participate as many times as 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.
Please remember that these episodes are much more enjoyable with your insights. Every month I share a survey on social media for you to leave your impressions on new music.
Although only 3 people are chosen for each corner (less if there were fewer submissions), know I read them all. I read everything and keep being impressed by your musical sensibility!
THTFHQ’s community is filled with talented individuals, fans of good music, and voice acting. You geek as hard – or even more – about both things as I do!
If the links are not working, CLICK HERE to check the video.
