[Aoyama Thelma] The 4th thread ~ digital single My Only Lover (08.2)

[KarenPang]

YesAsia Yumcha Editor's Pick: Aoyama Thelma dips her toes in alt R&B in GRAY SMOKE

Alt R&B, indie R&B, PBR&B...whatever you want to call it (and however much the terms are despised by artists associated with it), a quiet storm of innovation has been brewing in R&B in the last few years. In the West, an estimable group of artists like Janelle Monae and FKA Twigs have led the charge. Mainstream J-pop has largely been untouched by this semi-revolution, but Aoyama Thelma changes this in her latest EP, GRAY SMOKE. Though she doesn't necessarily commit the entire release to alt R&B, Aoyama does proverbially dip her toes in it to great effect.

Born and raised in Japan's Kansai region, Aoyama first became interested in music after watching Janet Jackson's video for Rhythm Nation at the age of three. While in elementary school, she started to sing gospel music, and later, a stint in the U.S. strengthened her resolve to pursue a career in music. After graduating from high school, she contributed to the works of some veteran hip-hop artists, such as DOHZI-T, SPHERE and DS455, which eventually led to her major debut in 2007. Her first single ONE WAY placed at number 98 on the Oricon chart, but her fortunes would change with a featuring slot in SoulJa's single Koko ni Iru yo. The single charted at number six, bringing her widespread attention. The pair's follow-up single in 2008 would prove to be even more popular. Soba ni Iru yo (this time featuring SoulJa) was a massive hit, reaching number one on the Oricon chart and eventually going on to earn a Guinness World Record for most downloaded single in Japan.

Since the advent of the 2010s, commercial success has been a bit more elusive for Aoyama, but as she shows in GRAY SMOKE, that has done nothing to diminish her creativity and musicality. Serving alternately as songwriter, producer and art director, Aoyama makes sure her artistic vision is realised in GRAY SMOKE. The EP opens with stay, an atmospheric, hauntingly beautiful track that is one of the more reminiscent of alt R&B on the release. Starting off with piano backed by strings, the song takes on a different character with the simple addition of percussion after the first chorus. Written, composed by and featuring fellow R&B veteran Shimizu Shota, the track is an emotional plea for a lover to stay. Both known for their singing prowess, the two vocalists' voices come together beautifully. So compatible are their voices that at certain parts of the song, you might have trouble telling them apart.

The theme of atmospheric romantic contemplation continues with Heartbreaker. Co-written by and featuring EXILE Family rapper SWAY, the song is a lament about falling for someone who doesn't want anything serious. The EP ends on a more cheerful note with GOD'S CHILDREN. Featuring rapper ANARCHY and backed by a prominent drumbeat, the song is a call to spread peace and love around the world.

In GRAY SMOKE, Aoyama Thelma incorporates alt R&B into her sound to great success. The EP is expertly guided by her well-honed pop sensibilities, making it both adventurous and accessible. With releases of this quality, it's all but assured that further commercial success is on the horizon.

http://www.yesasia.com/yumcha/gray-s...tors-pick.html

I don't know about the last line since Aoyama has long ago past her commercial peak but GRAY SMOKE is frankly really under-rated :x

[KarenPang]

Happy birthday Aoyama !

Birthday wishes from Shimizu Shota

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THELMA!!

https://twitter.com/sshota0227/statu...46460570537984

[Ryusei]

lol that pic haha

[KarenPang]

The photo that Shota posted on Twitter was 1/2 cut

The original :



https://instagram.com/p/9U55v4TUOa/

[KarenPang]

More photos from Aoyama's birthday party

http://ameblo.jp/miccie/entry-12088856552.html

Her birthday cake's so cool

And I asked my sister to help me buy GRAY SMOKE when she went back Tokyo last week . The pictures in the booklet are nothing to shout about sadly z_z

[KarenPang]

Aoyama Thelma (on a bicycle) sustains injury to right leg after minor collision with taxi on morning of Dec 23

https://twitter.com/unleashthegeek/s...74348735565824

Egad get well soon Aoyama D:

[Utena]

poor thing, glad it was only a minor collision

[KarenPang]

Aoyama is featured in Shimizu Shota's Damage PV

http://gyao.yahoo.co.jp/player/00100...0000000548032/

Aside from Aoyama , other artistes who are featured in the PV include

- Kato Miliyah
- Dohzi-T
- BLADe
- AAA's Shinjiro Atae

[KarenPang]

3 new releases will be released on 27th April

1) 2nd mini album PINK TEARS



PINK TEARS is a sequel to GRAY SMOKE and the new EP will see Aoyama work with female artistes , hence PINK TEARS will have a female theme

The new EP will have 7 songs . People that Aoyama will be collaborating together in PINK TEARS so far are fashionista MAPPY and columnist LiLy

PINK TEARS Teaser Ver.1



2) SMOKE & TEARS

SMOKE & TEARS will include 12 songs complied from both GRAY SMOKE & PINK TEARS

3) LOVE ~SPECIAL~

Will be released in an Ultimate Hi Quality CD format

http://www.thelma.jp/news/newslist.php
http://natalie.mu/music/news/175738

===

I don't know if that's the cover of PINK TEARS in the teaser but if so it's very pretty & maybe PINK TEARS will be more upbeat and cheery as compared to GRAY SMOKE

[Kaiouforever]

Excited for this! I like that it seems like an actual project and not a random release.

[KarenPang]

Aoyama Thelma to release mini album in April

Aoyama Thelma will release her mini album "PINK TEARS" on April 27.

"PINK TEARS" will be the sequel to the singer's concept mini album "GRAY SMOKE", which was released in September of last year. For "GRAY SMOKE", Aoyama collaborated with male artists such as Shimizu Shota, Kj, SWAY (DOBERMAN INFINITY), and ANARCHY.

This time, she will collaborate with female artists to portray the various "tears" of women. As of now, it's known that 14-year-old fashionista MAPPY and columnist LiLy will lend their hand for the album.

There will also be an album compiling "PINK TEARS" and "GRAY SMOKE", titled "SMOKE & TEARS", and a compilation album titled "LOVE! ～SPECIAL～" to be simultaneously released.

"LOVE! ～SPECIAL～" will include popular songs from her "LOVE!" series as well as collaboration songs and love songs she's released since "LOVE!2 -THELMA BEST COLLABORATIONS-".

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/201...album-in-april

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

^Wow, once again, I'm shocked! lol

[oaristos]

Is SMOKE & TEARS going to be the her LOVE again?

[KarenPang]

Aoyama will be featured in a new song MONEY in Shimizu Shota's new album PROUD , together with SALU

1．Feel Good
2．PROUD
3．Damage
4．Good Conversation
5．ANIMAL
6．Drunk
7．thinking bout you
8．N.E.E.D
9．花束のかわりにメロディーを
10. MONEY feat. 青山テルマ , SALU
11. BYE×BYE
12. キミノセカイヘ
13. lovesong

http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/sh...zu/info/464788

Guess this's Aoyama's way of repaying the favour after Shota appeared on GRAY SMOKE

[Ryusei]

That unnecessary best album tho (all of her best albums are unnecessary tbh) looking forward to pink tears, since i liked gray smoke (especially heartbreaker)

[KarenPang]

PINK TEARS Teaser Ver.2



1 of the song titles have been revealed , it's One Day that will feature Kato Miliyah & AI <3

One Day will be made available digitally next week



http://www.excite.co.jp/News/music/2...092076577.html

I hope One Day will sound good as I enjoy the trio's I'll be there with you duet in Miliyah's MUSE

[Ryusei]

I kinda hope it's not as slow as i'll be there for you but the song title and pose suggests another ballad

[KarenPang]

Aoyama Thelma, Kato Miliyah & AI to collaborate for the second time

Previously, we reported that Aoyama Thelma will release a mini album, titled "PINK TEARS", in which she will collaborate with female artists. It's been revealed that singers Kato Miliyah and AI will be participating in a song called "One Day feat. Kato Miliyah, AI".

The three singers are very close both personally and professionally. They previously collaborated in 2014 for the song "I'll be there with you feat. AI & Aoyama Thelma", which was included in Miliyah's album "MUSE", making this their second collaboration.

"One Day feat. Kato Miliyah, AI" has the theme "tears of regret," and on this song, Thelma expressed, "Even if you cry tears of regret, it's the best feeling when you look beside you and find your friends. These two [Miliyah & AI] are the ones I wanted to sing these words with."

"PINK TEARS" is slated for release on April 27.

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/201...he-second-time

I think it's really nice that all 3 ladies are close together & that they hang out during & outside of work

Girl power

[KarenPang]

One Day feat Kato Miliyah & AI is out digitally on iTunes Japan

https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/on...a/id1091033102

The song's nice , a bit different from I'll be there with you but it's still pretty good

3 is actually not a crowd as all 3 of them harmonise very well together vocals wise

[KarenPang]

One Day in music box mode