Whenever I try to start a new column I procrastinate like mad.  So here’s Stuff To Look Forward To one week late.  Stuff I want to listen to in July.

Mizca- ♡UFUFU♡

This is not Masami Mitsuoka’s first album, she released one album and four singles under her real name.  But that was a failed project so she became the electro-pop princess Mizca.  Mizca’s debut album contains all of her singles, including the erotic “Robotics.”  The first press edition from CD Japan comes with a trading card and a a piece of paper with her lipstick smear.  That’s worth forty dollars.

Turntable Films- 2steps 7″

Turntable Films is finally coming to vinyl.  This was supposed to come out in May but has been repeatedly pushed back.  The 7″ contains “2steps” and “Welcome To Me” from their latest mini-album Parables of Fe-fum and a remix from Handsomeboy Techninque.  It’s quite catchy, listen/pre-order here. (myspace)

gutevolk- Sun Chandelier

The shoegaze gods have smiled on us.  First a new Luminous Orange album in June and now new gutevolk.  How blessed are we. I need more pretty music to get me through the day.  This would be her first album since tiny people singing over the rainbow in 2007.  Make sure to download the free album sampler at Rallye Label. (myspace)

LITE- Illuminate

I’m not used to post-rock bands putting out mini-albums.  But hopefully the shorter time frame won’t let their creativity spread too thin. It was recorded by John McEntire at the famous Soma Studios in Chicago.  “Image Game” was a lot of fun and you can already get it at HearJapan if you want.  (myspace)

Various Artists- Let’s Talk About Origins-A Tribute To LAGWAGON-

Back in the day I used to be able to count on at least one great pop-punk album each summer.  Those days are gone.  So now I’m going to put in a little faith in the  Japanese tribute album of Lagwagon featuring bands such as dustbox, Sorry For A Frog, and locofrank.  The samples have as much Engrish as expected, but it’s all in fun right.

High Speed Boyz- are u docono Softpunk!?

I used to think of these guys as the new, more consistent, Back-On until their new single for that movie with the skull masks.  It was a little more epic than I expected.  Maybe they have a future as a legitimate rock band instead of a trendy dance band.  In any case, it’ll be interesting to see how the softpunk’s debut album turns out.

Sandy Beach Surf Coaster- Private Beach

So I forgot about this before I wrote about Lagwagon.  Their E.P.s were a lot of fun and there’s no doubt in my mind their debut album won’t be.  One of the things I loved about their previous releases where the random cover songs they’d throw on.  This time we get Oasis and The Beach Boys and original songs of course. (myspace)

Paraele Stripes- feyz

The duo Paraele Stripes released their first album Phirst Tense in 2007.  It sounded a lot like Owl City.  Although that was a few years before “Fireflies” hit mall radio.  The samples for this upcoming mini-album lean more towards electronic dance party, thankfully.  (myspace)

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Stuff I don’t feel like writing about:

√thumm- Yamatopia

Art School- Anesthesia

a flood of circle- Human License

butter butter- 4F

[Champagne]- city

UNCHAIN- Hello, Young Souls!!

Let’s not forget Gackt’s stirring tribute to the King of Pop:

Pre-order Madness:

√thumm- Yamatopia

a flood of circle- Human License

butter butter- 4F

[Champagne]- City

Gackt- Ever

gutevolk- Sun Chandelier

High Speed Boyz- are you docono Softpunk!?

LITE- Illuminate

Mizca- ♡UFUFU♡

Paraele Stripes-

Turntable Films- 2steps 7″

Various Artists- Let’s Talk About Origins-A Tribute To LAGWAGON-

Mad PVs:

If you wanted more PVs you should’ve read J-Rock Fridays!