Music Video Archives | Otaku No Culture

NAQT VANE’s “Break Free” is Now in English!

There are doubtless many out there who can relate to a group like NAQT VANE, and this feels like the start of a whole new movement – keep your expectations high as they embark on a truly special career.

The English version of NAQT VANE’s debut song ‘Break Free’ was released on September 30. This English version was produced in tandem with the original Japanese version released earlier in September, so that music fans around the world could enjoy the message of hope behind the song’s lyrics.

NAQT VANE launched in September as a fresh new team project breathing a wind of change. Their debut single ‘Break Free’ carries an encouraging message of “a new self” and “liberation” and is dedicated to everyone living in the era of the wind – a flexible world of freedom and diversity with a lifestyle unbound by material things or status. The project combines the unmistakable music of producer Hiroyuki Sawano, whose compositions for anime, movies and TV shows are beloved by fans in Japan and around the world; and Harukaze, a highly skilled musician with a unique singing voice whose worldview was shaped by her school days spent in the United States.

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NAQT VANE’s Breezy Debut! “Break Free” Music Video in Japan and American Release

NAQT VANE is a new music project by Hiroyuki Sawano and Harukaze, and they have a music video!

On September 1st, Attack on Titan and Kingdom composer Hiroyuki Sawano launched a new music project, titled NAQT VANE, with vocalist Harukaze! Their debut single ‘Break Free’ is now out and the music video is nothing short of breathless.

In addition to the digital single, there’s a music video (see below) to view, and it’s produced for everyone living in the era of the wind. The press release describes it as, “A flexible world of freedom and diversity with a lifestyle unbound by material things. NAQT VANE began activities with the intention of “breathing a new wind into each story and finding a place of our own”. The team consists of vocalist Harukaze, who has built a following on TikTok and YouTube, along with overall production by Hiroyuki Sawano and artwork by Classic 6.”

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Just how Sky-HI Can This Rapper Go? Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Lands in Japan and Music Video!

Japan’s phenomenal rapper, SKY-HI, must love Sonic the Hedgehog!

sky-hi Japan’s phenomenal rapper, SKY-HI, must love Sonic the Hedgehog! After news of the third movie in development for 2024 (sadly the fate of Dr. Robotnik’s role is unclear because of Jim Carrey wanting to retire), this talent needed to sing the praises with ‘Fly Without Wings,’ and offer a version with the Blue Blur himself!

As one of Japan’s most creative and proactive artists and the president and producer of cutting-edge management company/label BMSG, SKY-HI continues to push the boundaries of music every day.

Now, as the mega-hit movie ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ is finally released in theaters in Japan, SKY-HI has contributed his official movie-inspired track ‘Fly Without Wings’, which is released today (JST). The first version has some clear Sonic vibes to it, but there’s a second version!

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WARPS Up HERO_sei with This New Single and Music Video Debut

WARPs UP’s latest single Hero_sei reminds us that even though life in our sometimes orderly modern society can be difficult…

Japanese-Chinese boys’ collective WARPs UP‘s new single HERO_sei is now out. It’s a mid-tempo ballad about living life your own way and is performed by a group who refuse to be confined by their own boundaries. The bold use of colours–of red, white and blue–contrasted against varied backdrops shows how they’re breaking free. Each tone is meaning, as red represents anger, white with sadness and blue with freedom. The progression is very telling.

This second original single released by the group’s two Chinese members LANGYI and MINGJUN, follows January’s single POWER_Shin. Previous songs by WARPs UP feature lyrics in English, Chinese and Japanese. This approach to reach a global market is an impressive achievement and helps make this group stand out.

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Yamato’s Essentials, An EP Ready to Blast Off For a Post-Pandemic World

Yamato’s keen sense of songwriting, and a brand-savvy skillset makes it clear as to why he’s achieved so much in his internationally acclaimed career.

Yamato DJ Japan-based DJ/producer Yamato is dropping his biggest release of 2022 in Essentials EP. Having worked for Pioneer as a technical developer of Pioneer CDJ series, he has an unrivaled competitive advantage few other artists can touch. A keen sense of songwriting, a brand-savvy skillset, and an ability to surround himself with the right team makes it clear as to why he’s achieved so much in his internationally acclaimed career.

With over 30 million views on YouTube, Yamato not only began uploading to the platform early, but showcased clever live DJing video themes which resulted in the attention of a worldwide audience. Showcasing his incredible long-form DJ sets in a gorgeous setting using a multi-camera set up, Yamato was able to create lucious eye-candy videos that kept YouTubers coming back for more and demanding more of this content. The series has become one of several breaking points in a chain of successful stages this artist has journeyed through.

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I Don’t Like Mondays is Ready with Lotsa Feelgood Feelings with ‘Sora No Aosa Ni Miserarete’

This coming-of-age love song is a perfect way to kick off March break (in certain parts of the world)

Asia Spotlight: Japan's I Don't Like Mondays. on their artistic growth

Following the theme music, ‘Paint’ for the current season of hit anime series One Piece, Japanese four-piece rock band I Don’t Like Mondays. released a brand-new single ‘Sora no Aosa ni Miserarete’ on YouTube for fans to enjoy. This coming-of-age love song is a perfect way to kick off March break (in certain parts of the world), and it’s centered on the kinetic rock sound it inherits from their track used in the cartoon.

It poetically spotlights an innocent young man’s pure heart among the arrival of spring and the budding seeds of love. Another highlight is a chanted choral section in the middle that symbolizes the band’s hope that the day will come soon when the live music industry recovers to full health, and we can all sing together once more.

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