Top 5 H!P tracks of 2015!!

Hi everyone welcome back to MerodiiParadise!!

Now the year of 2015 is sadly ending which means it is time to look back on the amazing music H!P has created this year and see what is my top 5 tracks H!P have released this year in 2015. Now I know everyone has their own personal tastes when it comes to H!P songs. There are plenty of tracks that I love whereas someone else might have a dislike for them. So, before I get into this list please note that this list is my own personal one. It is not a representation of no one's tastes but my own so please do not be offended if some of my choices are ones you do not like.

H!P has had an amazing catalog of tracks this year and I am very excited to be hearing more amazing songs in 2016. I feel like 2015 was a year that has definitely changed the musical stylings of H!P. Sadly, Tsunku has stepped down in his dominant role as producer in H!P which means the musical style of H!P has been a lot different to what has been produced in previous years. Which really isn't a bad thing because I always love some change! I have to say some groups have really had amazing releases this year! Now let's get into my five top tracks of H!P in 2015!!

#5 Morning Musume '15 - Ima Sugu Tobikomu Yuuki

#5 is Morning Musume 15's Ima Sugu Tobikomu Yuuki. Now this is a song that was so pleasant to the ear. I loved how simple the instrumentation was throughout and then in the Middle 8 when strings were introduced it made the song sound so beautiful! I love string instruments, but I love them even more when they are used properly. I like how they were used in this song but they weren't used so much that they overpowered the song. In terms of vocals I love the mixture of different voices. Sakura and Riho sounded amazing, and Haruna and Erina sounded very good in the recording. However, it was Masaki and Mizuki that really took centre stage for me in this song. I have never heard Masaki sing with such emotion before, and she sounded amazing. The song was also a great one for Mizuki's voice. She has a very soothing and pretty voice which really suited the sound of the song!

#4 C-ute - Arashi wo Okosunda EXCITING FIGHT!

One genre of idol music that will always make me love the music is idol rock. That's why units such as Buono! are some of my all time favourite idol groups. So when C-ute released Arashi wo Okosunda EXCITING FIGHT I fell in love with it from the get go. It cannot be denied how amazing C-ute is because of their amazing vocals as a unit, but in this instance I really think this song showcased how far their vocals can go. I watched the members as they recorded this song and I have to say it isn't an easy one to sing, but I feel like the girls really learned about their singing skills and sang this song phenomenally. Everyone sounds amazing, and the rock sound of this song is one that always makes me feel empowered every time I listened to it! I think out of all the girls I think Okai Chisato sang amazingly in this single, because I think this genre of music was equipped for her voice the most.

#3 Kobushi Factory - Nen ni wa Nen

This year Kobushi Factory debuted as the newest addition the H!P roster...and woah...have they made an everlasting impression on fans! (Myself included). Instantly, they attracted fans with their amazing vocal, dancing and performing talent. Never have I ever seen an idol group where everyone sounds amazing. I am very excited to see more from this group. Nen ni wa Nen was their first song and again the rock sound of this song made me fall in love with it. Even months after it's release I still love listening to it when I am out and about. The girls energetic vocals bring sassiness and attitude to the song. I have to say Hamachan was the member that stood out for me the most, but I cannot deny that everyone sounded amazing. The instrumental punches in straight from the get go and the energy maintains itself throughout the song.

#2 C-ute - Tsugi no Kado wo Magare

Tsugi no Kado wo Magare didn't make it as my all time favourite track of C-ute this year on my top H!P tracks of 2015 video on my youtube channel (JennyInTokyo), but it is another song that I love to listen to all the time. The vocals are so powerful and soothing throughout and the instrumentation is another simple one with a mix of strings that go up and down to make more emotional parts of the song but it flows so well and it's so soothing to my ears. This song sounds like it could fit into a Final Fantasy soundtrack. I used to listen to this song a lot whenever I played Final Fantasy XIII. Again, Okai Chisato is a dominant vocal in this alongside Airi and this song is the reason Airi is my #1 of C-ute. Her vocals are just so powerful and beautiful at the same time.

#1 Dondengaeshi - ANGERME

ANGERME has done a complete 180 this year! About two years ago I didn't really pay attention to the group because I feel like it was fading away into obscurity. However, this year they have really made me pay attention to them. With the addition of the 3rd generation it feels like a completely new group! Their releases this year have been strong ones but Dondengaeshi has impressed me so much that hands down it was an easy entry into #1! Once again its another rock anthem, with powerful vocals and together they blend amazingly and make a rock anthem that makes me want to dance along. Again all of the girls sound amazing, but the stand outs for me have to be Meimi and Akari. Akari's sweet voice contrasts well with the instrumentation and Meimi's voice really does suit the rock genre with it's maturity. 

That is my list of my top 5 tracks of H!P this year! It was a difficult choice for some songs and then other choices were obvious ones for this list. I really hope you enjoyed reading this and please comment and let me know what your favourite track were. I would love to know!!

Thanks for reading and I'll catch you in my next post!!

"Why Am I an Idol Fan?" Okay! Musume Time Competition Entry

I have been an avid idol fan since 2007. When I have introduced my liking of idols to people I always get questions about why I would like something so different to what the music is like in the UK. The simple answer is because of the same reason you like your musical artists. Their music speaks out to you, and they themselves as a person reach out to you in some way whether its entertaining or they connect to you in an emotional way.

The reason I love idols is because of the sheer happiness they give me. When I watch my favourite idols perform on stage with the biggest grins on their faces I can't help but return a smile back to the screen. It's such an amazing thing to think that a young Japanese girl is singing her heart out, whilst I'm over here in the UK on the other side of the world loving their energy. It just shows how much of a connection idols have created all over the world.

I've always been a person, that when they face an obstacle, always seems to be very pessimistic about my problems. However, when I discovered idols it was their strength and their work ethic which kept me motivated to always look on the bright side of things no matter what happens. Idols have taught me that everything happens for a reason, and that when one door closes another one opens. And it's always exciting to open that door and discover new things all the time. I see idols in the public eye and how difficult of a job it must be to work so many days of the year singing, dancing and travelling all over the country. It's so easy to look at it and think of how amazing it must be to be an idol but I can imagine how hard it must be too. I've seen idols look worn out and tired, but they always seem to have bright smiles on their faces and fight their obstacles with courageous spirit and it inspires me to do the same.

I have a lot of people in my life who don't understand why I love idols so much, but it's because despite them being famous singers and dancers I truly feel connected to them like I am a sister or a friend. I think it's brave when an idol has debuted with no talent and then after a few years they have blossomed into such amazing talent. I think it's an amazing journey to see a girl accomplish her dreams.

Another aspect of idols that I love is that I have learned to always be myself in any given situation. I have seen idols who have been quiet, and loud, and passionate and sometimes cold. However, I could never fault an idol for her personality because that's who she truly is. Fans can criticize an idol for who she is, but no matter who it is I always have the upmost respect for the girls that they remain true to their roots. Idols have taught me that pretending to be someone else never gives you happiness. In fact it can make your life a lot more sad.

Without idols I don't think I would be as happy as I am now. I have moments where I have had a bad day or a bad week and I've never wanted to speak to anyone about my problems. Then I sit down to watch my favorite idols in skits, shows and performances and suddenly I forget about my problems. Without realizing it idols have helped me a lot with my problems. They give me an escape when I needed it.

I've written quite a lot about why idols are important to me, but really in hindsight you can't really explain it. It's the moments you get caught up in happiness or emotion with idols. It can be shaking her hand at a handshaking event, or sat inside on a rainy day watching their concert. It's those special, personal moments that truly defines why I love idols.

One and Only - モーニング娘。'15 REVIEW

Today's review will be Morning Musume '15s 60th single! This release is a triple A-side and will be Sayashi Riho's graduation single. However, today I will be reviewing one of the A-sides called One and Only. This song is a collaboration with J-Melo and NHK and this is the first release or Morning Musume's where it is sang in English. Not just the odd English phrase inserted into the Japanese but this song is one hundred percent English.

I think it must have been very difficult for the girls to sing in English and pronounce the words correctly, but with the 12th gen member Miki being fluent in English I'm sure she helped the girls a lot with the pronounciation. And apart from one or two little slip ups in the song I think the group did well considering they don't speak an awful lot of English apart from the common phrases they would use in concerts and overseas events.

I am happy that this single breaks away from the traditional EDM sound. It's a signature genre for this line up but I feel like venturing into different genres helps the continuity of singles a lot so they don't sound boring after some time. It's also what Morning Musume is about. Their whole discography has never been faithful to one genre, they have expanded across so many which is what I love about this group.

The song is very simple in it's instrumentation but it flows very well throughout and the melody is so catchy! It's very easy to memorize because it is in English but despite that, the tune is just so simple and catchy which is what makes me love this song so much. The group worked well together as a unit and I think the line distribution is very good so it showcases Morning Musume '15 as a united idol group.

Alongside the song I think the music video accessorizes with the song fantastically! It is very faithful to a lot of older Morning Musume PVs where we would have the green screen that was so random and colorful. The use of cheesy green screen and bright colours was a signature feature in older Morning Musume PVs. So I am very excited for it to be making a comeback for this release. I love the bright colours but it's not so in your face that it blinds you. Sometimes when using bright colours they can clash and they can look unpleasant but they look good here.

The choreography is very simple, so it allows the members to incorporate their own personalities into the moves and it comes across in the solo and group solos shots too. Not one member stands out more than the other which is what I love in Morning Musume PVs. I love this line up right now and everyone shines so I am very happy to see everyone having their moment in the PV. They all look so pretty and energetic too! I just have so much fun watching the girls in this PV. I have to say I am very impressed with the 12th gen in this music video too. They have become more naturally confident in front of the camera so I am very excited to see more of those girls.

What I loved about the energy of the girls in this PV was how it reminded me of how young these girls are. They come across as very mature for their age because of how the group is portrayed, so it is very nice and refreshing for the members to showcase their youth. It also connects very nicely with the lyrics which are about a girl that they look up to as an idol and despite her flaws she is still their inspiration.

I really do hope that Morning Musume '15 release more songs like this in the future. I don't want them to get rid of their EDM sound because I still love it, but right now I love the variety of sound that they have in this new single.

I still need watch the PVs and listen to the other two A-sides but from what I have seen so far I know I will be just as impressed with them as I have been with One and Only. Despite Riho Sayashi graduating, I am very excited to see what this group will be getting up to with their releases next year!

RATING: 9/10

MEIMI TAMURA ANNOUNCES GRADUATION FROM ANGERME!

Today, I was hit with some very sad news. Today it was announced at an ANGERME event that Meimi Tamura, 2nd generation member of ANGERME, would be graduating the group in spring of 2016. When she announced her graduation it was reported the other ANGERME members were very upset at the news but encouraged her to announce her graduation with strength. It seems as if Meimi had decided her graduation for a long time, but didn't want to let the other members know. It's a sad situation for the other members.

Now it is a very sad time for me as an idol fan because Riho Sayashi will be graduating from MM'15 at the New Years Eve countdown concert. The news of her graduation did make me sad, because she is such an important asset to Morning Musume '15 so it will be very strange transition to get used to once she is gone. However, when Meimi announced her graduation I had to ask other H!P fans whether this was some joke. But then the reports of her graduation was broadcast and the dark reality of it hit me.

A graduation announcement hasn't made me so upset since Takahashi Ai graduated Morning Musume in 2011. She was such a great idol for me, and still to this day I miss her a lot, but I am very happy to keep following her as a fan on her Instagram account and her blog.

The reason Meimi's graduation has hit me just as hard is because she is one of the rare idols that really has got a place in my heart. Apart from her only Airi Suzuki (C-ute) and Mizuki Fukumura (Morning Musume '15) are idols I cherish from H!P. I do have a lot of idols I like but these three are idols I truly cherish. Meimi truly is a gem and I she has had an amazing four years as an idol but with her graduating next year H!P will be losing a true gem.

Now I guess this is a graduation that has been predicted to happen for a while. On forums like Hello!Online people were discussing what she would do if she graduated because it looked as if she was ready to leave anytime soon. I myself didn't participate in the discussion because I was in denial. I still think Meimi is a girl who enjoys being an idol, and I just didn't want to think of her graduating anytime soon. I thought she would stay for another year at least, so at this moment in time I am not ready for her to graduate.

I have to agree with a lot of people that she has chosen the perfect career path for her. Meimi has announced that she wants to pursue her dream as a musical actress when she graduates which I think would be perfect for her. She was amazing in Lilium so I know she will make a name for herself when she performs on the stage. I will love to keep following her success after ANGERME because I think she will do amazing for herself. Right now, I am still heartbroken about the news and I have cried about it today, but when it gets closer to the time I will be proud of her and wish her all the best for her future.