For Kis-My-Ft2, it's just a MAGFACT

On May 21st, 2025 Kis-My-Ft2 will be releasing their 11th studio album, titled MAGFACT. They have already released a sample of the new tracks that will be on the album.

And the album looks to be the usual two limited editions and one regular edition that most Starto groups do. Though the tracklist is surprisingly short with only 10 tracks in total, and one of those is the Overture music track that opens all Kisumai albums. Then of course there are the two singles that will be on it, Curtain Call and Meramera. 

That aside the Limited Edition Type A has the 10 music tracks all the versions will have as well as coming with a DVD/BD that will have the music video for the lead track, Glory Days. It will also have a behind the scenes video for the album MAGFACT.

MAGFACT [w/ Blu-ray, Limited Edition / Type A]

Kis-My-Ft2

Limited Edition Type B will also have a DVD/BD included, which will have different videos that Type A. One will be a documentary music video of the album song Melody. Then the other looks to be a variety like video, called Kis-Mag-Net2.

MAGFACT [w/ Blu-ray, Limited Edition / Type B]

Kis-My-Ft2

Then the regular edition will have one more track in addition to what will be on the CDs for all the limited editions, bringing that up to 11 tracks total. 

MAGFACT [Regular Edition]

Kis-My-Ft2

And from the ment recording listing it looks like the first press bonus item for the albums will be magnets. I don't think you could get more fitting than that for this release. And on that page it does have other versions that are limited to having to buy in Japan. One you have to buy through the Family Club store and the other through the Japanese online store mu-mo. The later has solo jacket covers for all six members and the Family Club comes with a BD with music videos for HEARTBREAKER, C'monova, Curtain Call and Meramera. It also has a bonus video titled AIxKis-My-Ft2, that looks to be having AI answer questions about the group.

 

Like always I am looking forward to a new Kisumai release. Even if it is a really short album that just means they can perform more fan favorite songs for the concert tour that begins in June in Japan. As at this point of their careers the group does not lack a large discography. Plus with Nikaido Takashi having gotten back from his hiatus a few months ago if they needed to shorten things to not force him into things too soon than I am perfectly fine with that. I'd much rather have everyone healthy then new songs in the end.

Getting ready for a storm to pass (Arashi announces disbandment)

Arashi has officially announced that after a final tour next year in 2026, they will be ending all group activities. 

Dumpling Box article. (English)

And while I know some are still hopeful that with the wording it means that the group is not technically disbanding, with how final everything is worded it basically is. Especially as the group has been on hiatus since 2020 so they could have gone on as they were if they wanted to keep the group alive. 

While I was at best a casual fan of the group I am still stunned by this. Some may have seen it coming, but I always expected that the group would be back from time to time to do something. But it looks like they will to keep their promise to return just to officially disband after this concert tour next year.

I don't want to even imagine what chaos it is going to be for getting tickets for this final tour. I imagine they are going to be incredibly strict with who gets to try for a ticket and who will get one, as Starto is pretty anti-scalper. So unless they specifically open up tickets to foreign fans, sadly I don't think getting a ticket that will actually let you go in to see the concert will be possible. Unless you have someone in Japan that gets two tickets and will be taking you with them.  

Though I do hope one of the stops for the concert will be in Hawaii, so foreign fans will have one more chance to see them. Especially since the group began in Hawaii with their debut announcement, and they have performed a concert there before. 

For me though, I think I'll be creating a playlist of all my favorite Arashi songs. As I listen to it I will appreciate everything this group has accomplished, not only for themselves but for the groups that have been running towards their backs in hopes to one day be on the same level as them. This group has left a mark that is going to be remembered and I wish nothing but the best futures for all the members in whatever they plan on doing next.

NEXZ is simmering with their upcoming comeback

I keep putting off making another post to do other things, but I refuse to let this go again like this. So instead I'm taking the "L" and just being super late in talking about things. Starting with the upcoming comeback for NEXZ, a mini album titled O-RLY?

The group has release a pre-release music video of the song, Simmer. Personally I love it, but I am one of those K-pop fans that likes what others consider to be "noise music", which I would say the song falls into.

If anything the music video is getting me slowly used to to So Gon's blond hair. It still shocks me to see every time. Though from the album previews that are out we will be getting the entire group as blonds, and So Gon gets super long hair. 

There is also a music video teaser of the main track of the release, Slo-mo, that just came out today.

The thing that stands out the most about the music video from what we can see is that it looks like a sequel of sorts to Starlight, with the same aesthetic, as well as the same setting for part of it. Starlight felt like it was a start to some lore for the group but has not been touched on again until now, so I'm interested to see if it gets more established. Especially as it would be a good way to make the group stand out.

So far I have loved everything NEXZ has put out and hope that with every release they get noticed more, as they're such a fun group to watch their variety content, not to mention very hard working and talented.

Ae! Group is set to release their third single, Chameleon on June 18th, 2025. And they are not going to go easy on fan wallets with four different versions to get between the three limited editions and a regular edition.  

Chameleon [w/ Regular Bonus] [w/ Blu-ray, Limited Edition / Type A]

Ae! group

The first limited edition, or Type A, is the most standard with it coming with the CD and either a BD or a DVD. The CD will have the two tracks all the versions will have, the title track Chameleon and the B-side Destiny. There will be a third track but the title of that song has yet to be announced. On the BD/DVD it will have the music video for Chameleon as well as the making of video for the music video.

Chameleon [w/ Regular Bonus] [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type B]

Ae! group

The Type B limited edition is very similar to Type A, but the BD/DVD content will be the music video and making of for the B-side Destiny. Like the rest the CD has the two tracks as well as a third track that still has not had its name revealed yet. 

Chameleon [w/ Regular Bonus] [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type C]

Ae! group

Then the Type C limited edition breaks from the mold a little. The CD is the same situation as the other two limited editions. But the BD/DVD content is something different. The BD/DVD will have select live performances from their tour LIVE TOUR 2025 D.N.A. at Yokohama Arena, as well as making of footage for the jacket photo shoot for the single.

Chameleon [w/ Regular Bonus] [Regular Edition]

Ae! group

And finally there is the regular edition of the single. It will just have the CD with the same set up of having the same two tracks as the rest but also set to have its own B-side different than the rest.

There is an early pre-order bonus if you pre-order before April 13th. It will be a full set of five trading cards of all the members. If you pre-order after that you will get a regular bonus, which has yet to be announced what those will be, though going off the usual Starto releases it will most likely be things like clear files. 

 

I've been slowly getting into Ae! Group since I've been focusing more on Starto again. They have the kind of music I love so it's really just getting to know the members better at this point. But every new release gets excited for new music from them. Though I really wish Universal Music Japan did not make it so you have to get every edition just to get every B-side. I do struggle with that, but someday I will have it all. And I do appreciate that they release a good amount of live footage with releases, as live performances is really where Starto idols shine. 

NiziU fixing up the Love Line

Playing the game of catch up for news and new releases and of course I need to start off with my current favorite girl group, NiziU. They just released their first Korean comeback and 2nd Korean single on March 31st, LOVE LINE.

The music video is another fun and cute watch like Heartris was. Though it does make me wonder why we were getting the more dark and mysterious promo videos for this release when the single leans more to NiziU's cute and cool side. But overall LOVE LINE works well as the successor of Heartris. 

I found myself enjoying the B-side for the single, What if, more, as it gives us something a bit different than what NiziU has released so far. It has an anisong sound to it, but as NiziU is solidly in the pop genre for their music it fits, and does pair well with what they have released for their small but growing Korean discography. 

Of course the most exciting thing for me as a long time WithU is to see them get full promotions in Korea for this release. Press Play just looked like the group was tipping their toes into Korean promotions with limited appearances on programs and a handful of dance challenges. This time around they are everywhere and I am living for it. And I hope this really lets them make a mark in the K-pop world so more international fans start paying them attention. And then perhaps one day my dream of seeing them in concert in the US will not remain a dream.

timelesz is ready to party and have a FAM

 The music video for Rock this Party from timelesz is out and available to watch online on Youtube.

It looks like I was right to guess that this possibly was shot in Hawaii, as from the street signs shown it confirms it.

That aside it's nice to see the full group in something together. It's an important first step in truly solidifying them all together with having shared experiences like this. And small parts of everyone's personalities are starting to be seen, now that they're away from the audition setting.

 

The same day it was announced that the group will be releasing their first physical release for the group as 8. It will be an album titled FAM and will be released on June 11th, 2025. It will come in three versions, Limited A, Limited B and Regular edition. 

FAM [w/ Blu-ray, Limited Edition / Type A]

timelesz

The Limited A comes with a BD/DVD that will have the music videos for Rock this Party and the album's promotional track, One and Only. It will also have footage titled "Party Movie in Hawaii" and "Behind Movie in Hawaii". It will also come with a 60-page booklet. And 2 random trading cards, one member solo and a unit card. 

FAM [w/ Blu-ray, Limited Edition / Type A]

timelesz

The Limited B also comes with a BD/DVD but with different content. It will have "timelesz project Behind The Scene -FINAL-", "Rock this Party Dance Video" and "Making Document Movie of FAM". It will have its own 60-page booklet and it's own trading card set, and will come with 2 cards, one solo and one unit.

FAM [Regular Edition]

timelesz

Then the regular edition will have 2 CDs, unlike the limited editions which only have a single CD. On the second CD will be regular edition exclusive songs, Kakumei no Dancin' night, SWEET, New phase, Anthem -episode1-, and one more track that is not titled yet. The booklet for it will be 24-pages and like the other versions it will have trading cards with the same breakdown of two being available with each copy, one solo and one unit.

For the CD that they all come with it is noted that it will be 13 tracks in total, with because, Rock this Party and One and Only being the only tracks that are listed by name as being included. As the release date gets closer the full track list will become available.

 

Honestly I'm interested to see if because is a re-recording, as it was originally released as a single for the three original members of the group.  And even though it is only being released on the bonus disc for the regular edition I am still happy to see the three original songs from timelesz project audition. I really loved SWEET, so I'm glad I don't have to wait too much longer to have a CD quality version of it I can listen to. 

But overall I am excited for this release as it will give the group a good song catalogue that is theirs and theirs alone. As I know it's still feeling too fresh for some Sexy Zone fans for the new members to be performing some of those older songs, and with this album it can hopefully ease their worries as timelesz will have plenty of their own songs to perform.

timelesz is bringing the party

 It has been announced that timelesz will be releasing a music video for the first song they released as an eight member group, Rock This Party. We already have the preview for it but no release date.

It looks like they went overseas for the video shoot, my guess is either Hawaii or L.A., as those two locations are favorites for Starto to go to for similar music videos. But I am glad we are getting a music video as that just helps in solidifying the group as they are now and will be in the future.