VKNews

YOSHIKI's supergroup XY just made a major power move. The 14-member ensemble—now featuring NEWS vocalist Yuya Tegoshi in their ranks—has surprise-released a revamped version of their debut single "Crazy Love (XIV Version)" as of January 27, 2025. For those new to XY: the group was born from *YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X Season 2* on Nippon TV, assembling a rotating lineup of Japan's most talented vocalists and musicians under the compositional vision of X Japan's YOSHIKI. The original "Crazy Love" landed as their debut single and quickly resonated with listeners for its passionate melody and raw emotional depth. The expansion to 14 members was officially announced last year during the broadcast, with the full lineup reveal happening during Nippon TV's *This Year's Most-Played Songs: Annual Music Awards 2024*. That's when XY performed "Crazy Love (XIV Version)" for the first time—and social media immediately erupted. The perfor...

When ASP dropped their debut with a deliberately provocative title, it felt like shock value masking growing pains. Two years later, *Terminal Disease of ASP* proves the group didn't just survive—they evolved into something genuinely vital. **Who is ASP?** The WACK Records act started in 2021 as chaotic garage-punk upstarts, but their journey mirrors the label's broader reinvention. After losing BiSH to graduation and watching founder Junnosuke Watanabe step down to study at Goldsmith's College (yes, Malcolm McLaren's old school), something shifted. WACK ditched their longtime sonic architect Kenta Matsukuma, and ASP's new creative DNA—shaped by producer Yohji Igarashi, rapper Pecori, and DJ 329—tilted hard toward aggressive electronica and rap-influenced production. The result is a group that's kept the spiky punk attitude but traded the sweaty moshpit for the dancefloor. Album opener "TOTSUGEKI!!!!!" nails this hybrid: raw guitar riff bleeding...

HYDE—the legendary vocalist of L'Arc-en-Ciel and acclaimed solo artist—delivered a career-defining performance on October 26th at Makuhari Messe, marking the Japanese finale of his "HYDE [INSIDE] LIVE 2025 WORLD TOUR." The show proved why he remains one of Japan's most commanding live performers, blending Halloween theatrics with raw emotional vulnerability and stunning production design. For Western fans less familiar with HYDE's solo work, it's worth noting that beyond his iconic role fronting one of Japan's biggest rock exports, he's built an equally impressive solo career spanning multiple genres—from hard rock and electronic-influenced tracks to introspective ballads. His solo releases showcase a different facet of his artistry compared to L'Arc-en-Ciel's symphonic rock approach, giving audiences a more intimate window into his creative vision. The Makuhari Messe show capitalized on the autumn season with Halloween-themed staging an...

If you're the type to let great music slip through the cracks during a busy year, JaME has your back. The legendary Japanese music publication just dropped their annual Staff Picks 2025 Playlist on Spotify—a curated collection assembled by team members across JaME's international editions, and it's packed with everything from infectious idol pop to crushing metal and laid-back hip-hop. For Western VK fans, this playlist is essential listening. JaME's mission has always centered on bridging the gap between Japan's thriving underground music scene and overseas listeners hungry for something beyond the mainstream. That ethos shines through here: you'll find both established names and rising acts that deserve your attention, all handpicked by critics who genuinely know their stuff. The range is genuinely impressive. Whether you're after the energetic rock sound that defined the VK scene's golden era, the melodic metal that bands like **NEMOPHILA** and...