Monthly Review: Loulou*di, Makoto Furukawa, HOUND ROAR arrive with melancholy

Loulou*di was saying goodbye with “CHOOSE” but that wasn’t really the end, Makoto Furukawa started writing a new chapter in his solo career and HOUND ROAR appeared to steal the show.

This and more in this article – and extended video – of MONTHLY REVIEW June 2024.

This month’s episode is all about the music released in June 2024.

June 2024 was oddly melancholic, with plenty of its CD releases embracing that feeling. In a way, the music released in this month was more befitting of autumn than summer itself.

Change happened during this month with Loulou*di announcing the end of the activities and then backtracking to confirm it was just a hiatus, Makoto Furukawa started writing a new chapter in his solo career with a concept single, HOUND ROAR changed their sound to deliver one of the most impressive performances of the year and Brave Child’s “Himitsu” was a sleeper hit song that ended up being one of the best releases of the month.

As such, the standout releases in June 2024 were:

  • Makoto Furukawa “Kaleidoscope”
  • Loulou*di “CHOOSE”
  • Brave Child “Himitsu”
  • HOUND ROAR “fragile”

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!

Makoto Furukawa “Kaleidoscope”

Makoto Furukawa Kaleidoscope regular
Regular

In the regular edition of the CD I reviewed, available on streaming platforms, “Kaleidoscope” and “Margaret no Chinmokku” represent the contrasting seasons of spring and winter. “Kaleidoscope” captures the essence of spring with its hopeful and blooming vibe, driven by gentle strings and Makoto Furukawa‘s sweet falsetto.

His softer, less charismatic delivery offers a refreshing change. On the other hand, “Margaret no Chinmokku” embodies winter with its deep, indie rock sound, though Furukawa’s dry, bassy vocals feel overshadowed by the instrumentals.

Kaleidoscope” marks a new chapter for Furukawa, deviating from his usual jazz, rock, and ballads. I honestly don’t know what he has in store for us next but hopefully, it is something more substantial than just a single (an EP or album).

Loulou*di “CHOOSE”

Loulou*di “THINK OF ME: CHOOSE”

Be ready to have your feelings crushed, especially if you’ve been following the story closely.

Loulou*di has officially suspended activities – temporarily as confirmed by Amagiri Production – as a group, and unfortunately, “CHOOSE“, is their weakest release to date, which comes as a surprise for a group that was so strong in all their releases leading up to this one.

The album strays from their signature orchestral and lyrical sound, opting instead for a more pop-driven, electronica style.

Still, the lyrics are strong and straightforward, leaving little to no room for interpretation this time around. This CD leaves fans with a bittersweet and unsatisfying “see you later” that makes everyone wish for a continuation as soon as possible.

Brave Child “Himitsu”

Brave Child "Himitsu"

The surprise of the month was, undoubtedly, Brave Child‘s “Himitsu“.

Brave Child has truly outdone themselves with the “Himitsu” single in the Headliner CD series, delivering their best release yet.

The title track, “Himitsu,” stands out as a groovy, melodic, and intimate song that showcases a fresh, sexy side of the band while still maintaining their signature charm. The song’s danceable vibe, combined with Joshua’s emotive performance, creates an addictive listening experience.

The single closes with “Kazehikaru,” a groovy pop-rock tune that aligns more with the band’s usual style but still brings a fresh energy.

Nobunaga Shimazaki’s vocal performance as Joshua shines throughout, showing his evolution and skill in conveying deep emotions.”Himitsu” is a standout, sexy, and love-filled entry in the Dear Vocalist franchise, marking Brave Child’s best work to date.

HOUND ROAR “fragile”

HOUND ROAR "fragile"

In “fragile“, HOUND ROAR steps away from its usual sound, delivering a beautifully crafted song with delicate strings, a melancholic piano melody, and warm, jazzy undertones.

The chorus impresses with its blend of acoustic guitars, legato strings, and stylish piano improvisation, creating a mesmerizing soundscape.

Toshiyuki Toyonaga‘s steady, emotional vocals add depth, making the song feel both dreamy and immersive. It’s a track that you can listen to on repeat, effortlessly blending the band’s signature style with a fresh, emotional vibe.

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.

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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