Attraction of New Album "KICK A'LIVE" and Highlights of "KICK A'LIVE 2" as heard at a talk live by Akari Uchida, producer of digital artist "ARP".

To celebrate the release of "KICK A'LIVE," the fourth mini-album by ARP, a digital artist created by AR technology, on December 19, 2018, the release date, Mr. Akari Uchida, general producer ("Uchi-P"), and ARP members This writer has been covering ARP since the 1st live. I have been covering ARP since their first live, and I will report on the event again this time!

What is ARP? If you are wondering what ARP is, check out this article!
There are a lot of photos! KICK A'LIVE" report on ARP, an AR artist who has taken a new step forward!

Idle talk without mentioning the album at all!

The main theme of this event was the new album "KICK A'LIVE" and the live concert "KICK A'LIVE2" to be held on January 5 and 6, 2019, but the idol talk before getting into the main topic was terrible (a compliment)! But I must tell you that the idling talk before going into the main subject was terrible (a compliment)! The first thing that was talked about was the proportions of UchiP. Mr. Hoshino said, "It's amazing that Uchi P has kept her figure! Mr. Hoshino said, "It's amazing that Uchi P keeps his body in shape! He goes to the gym once or twice a week for muscle training and swimming. In fact, Uchi-P's commitment to muscle training began because of the influence of ARP members: the four high school boys in ARP had abs so ripped that watching them up close inspired him to squeeze them in as well. Fans have heard this story often, but ARS (ARP fans) have yet to see the entire abdomen (although Rage's has been seen in a bare-necked tie costume). Will we get to see it someday! (Not Uchi P's, but ARP members' abdominal muscles!)

Uchi P (right) talked about his own body fat percentage and training regimen. He stood up and talked about his body fat percentage and training regimen.

From the very beginning, we got far away from the topic of the new album, but Mr. Hoshino, who was in charge of the progress, corrected the course of the discussion. Finally, they moved on to the mini-album "KICK A'LIVE". But before that, Uchi-P, who is known for his spoiler alerts, warned the audience to beware of spoilers. However, UchiP made an unexpected comment! He said, "Recently, I have been asked to give information in a spoilerish manner. So, he said, don't worry if you get a spoiler, it's just for show. I was astonished by Uchi-P's overly realistic acting ability, recalling some of the things he has done in the past, and wondering if it was all an act (......).

(Laughs.) Uchi P (right) and Mr. Hoshino (left) have prepared a script, but they did not have a meeting even for a minute. Mr. Hoshino has a firm grasp of the flow, but I got the impression that Uchi P was a bit vague. Can he make it to the end without spoiling anything?

So far, it has been about 13 minutes since UchiP appeared on the stage. He hasn't said a single word about the album or the live show!

Introducing the mini-album "KICK A'LIVE"!

Finally, the main topic! The mini-album "KICK A'LIVE" comes in a standard edition and a limited first pressing edition, both of which include a CD with five songs, four new songs and one unrecorded song that were performed at the "KICK A'LIVE" live concert held in August, A DVD containing two promotional videos is also included. Let us introduce these recorded songs with Uchi-P's comments and live photos! (It also includes information heard on the radio and at live shows)

This is the first time that the members' faces are used on the packaging of the past three mini-albums, as the only logo on the packaging was the "ARP" logo! Regular edition priced at 3,700 yen (tax not included)

Songs (CD)

Paradise
Paradise" was ARP's first attempt at selecting and writing a song for a tie-up, and the group emphasized the song's easy approachability and groove (and it was successful in getting a tie-up with TV Asahi's "BREAK OUT"). (It also won a tie-up with TV Asahi's "Break Out.") Moreover, this is the first song in which the four members sing and dance in full formation. I was surprised when I heard it for the first time because it was different from ARP's previous songs. How can I say ......, it sounds like a normal artist with the current trendy sound scattered all over it! I thought. Of course, ARP's songs have always been on a different level from the anime songs and character songs, but I felt that ARP's songs had unique lyrics and were more "royal" compared to those songs. However, this does not mean that "Paradise" is unique. The lyrics and music were written by Junya Maesako, who converts the sounds into English and then back into Japanese (or more correctly, space language), which makes the Japanese sound like English, which is really cool! It's frustrating that I don't know enough about music to convey this well, but the words (songs) flow in sync with the rhythm, and it is pleasant to listen to. However, no one else could have achieved this comfort, and I think it is because of the high level of ARP's singing ability and these four singers that we were able to reach this level of perfection.

When Uchi-P told us that they were going to make a song with the four of us at a busy time before the concert, it was so sudden that Rage thought, "I don't know what that idiot (Uchi-P) is thinking" (laugh), but thank you for making such a wonderful song!

Blood-D
Dia's solo song "Blood-D" is her first solo song, so it was intended to strongly convey the image of "I'm Dia! The composer, Shoichiro Hirata, wrote the song for Dia's first solo song, "Blood-D". The composer, Shoichiro Hirata, wanted to include all of Dia's expressive abilities and diverse singing styles in the song, and indeed, the song is a condensation of many different aspects of Dia, such as fierce, wild, sweet, and sexy. The lyrics and song titles thought out accordingly also express the diamonds beautifully, but the major key was "Blood" in the song title. At first, there was a suggestion of "Black-D," but the lyricist, Shiori Zaizen, suggested "Blood," and everything was decided perfectly. The song has a large number of words and a difficult tune, so the recording process was expected to be a struggle, but they were able to get an even better take than usual.

The song conveys such a strong image that one can tell from the intro that it is a song about diamonds! For me personally, there were many things that made me realize that Dia can sing like this ......

Serenade of a Starless Night
Sung by the unit "2CARAT" consisting of Shinji and Leon, "Hoshimashi no Yoru no Serenade" is ARP's first "look at each other" song. Uchi P had wanted to write a ballad for a long time, but until he had enough songs, he prioritized writing songs that would be exciting at live performances. Then, at the 5th performance of the 3rd live, lyricist Shiori Zaizen mentioned that if Shinji and Leon were to form a unit, she would like to write a sweet ballad, so he decided that this might be the right time to write a ballad. The concept was love. The lyrics were full of musical terms, and Uchi-P was a little embarrassed by them. He was particularly embarrassed by "la fine" and "adagio," and when he told Hirata-san and Zaizen-san about it, they all commented, "That's fine," and the song was completed. During this talk event, he was also shyly talking about "la fine ， ......," but it seemed that only Uchi-P was embarrassed (laugh).

Leon had always wanted to sing ballads. He also said he respected Shinji and wanted to sing with him, so the two wishes came true! When they looked at each other, Uchi P instructed them not to put too much distance between them, but in the end, they were so close that Uchi P pulled away (laugh).

My deaR
The first solo song "My deaR," in which Rage, the master of love (lol), talks about love, was delayed so much from the initial process of communicating the general framework of the song to the performers that Rage complained, "Why are Rage's songs so slow? This song is a ballad-like tune, but it incorporates the club sound that was popular in the U.K. last year or so, with a finely tuned tempo and vertical rhythm, making it quite complex and interesting. When Uchi-P first heard a rough draft of the song, he thought, "What? However, when he actually heard Rage sing the song, he understood what the composer, Mr. Hirata, had in mind. In other words, this song was created with Rage's singing ability in mind. It is a song that brings out Rage's sweet spot in abundance. As for the lyrics, it seems that lyricist Zaizen-san and Rage discussed them, but Uchi-P does not know (and is not told) what they talked about. Even though he is a producer, ...... (laughs). Anyway, the lyrics are deep and can be taken in various ways depending on the timing and the person who hears them, so I hope you will listen to them carefully!

Both the tune and Rage's voice are clear and purifying~. In addition, Uchi-P praised Reiji's good intuition, and Mr. Hoshino also complimented him on his good intuition in the radio recording! In response, Uchi P said, "He's not just a tongue-tied little helper! He said, "I'm not just a little tongue-tied guy! I'm sure Rage would be furious if he heard that!

Start of the start
The song "Start of the start," written and composed by Rage and performed at the 3rd live, is finally included in the album! After the 3rd live, Rage, who had to be hospitalized, told Uchi-P that he wanted to write a song for everyone, so he asked Uchi-P to write it freely, expressing the honest feelings of everyone at ARP. Rage is usually very venomous, but you can tell that he loves ARP very much and thinks it is an important place, and it makes you cry just to listen to it. ......

Start of the start" has now become an indispensable song at the end of ARP's live performances.

[Included song (DVD)
The accompanying DVD contains promotional videos for "Paradise" and "Start of the start". Uchi-P seemed to like the part in "Paradise" where the four walk in, focusing on Dia's flowing eyes and the ickiness of the song. The video is finished to a high level as a music clip, with attention paid to the camera work.

I have introduced the standard edition so far, but you can definitely enjoy the charms of ARP more in the limited first edition premium box set! What's great is that it includes a DVD of their live performances, something that has never been included on a DVD before! ARP is not only a great singer, but also a great arranger. Of course, their dancing is also very good! The "Battle Song," a specialty of ARP's live performances, is also included in the package.

Naturally, I also purchased the limited first pressing! In addition to the contents of the standard edition, this boxed set includes a DVD containing a part of the second live performance of "KICK A'LIVE" held in August, and a CD containing a radio program. A desk calendar is also included. Price: 15,000 yen (tax not included)

Uchi P. and Mr. Hoshino look at the calendar while hiding its contents for fans who may want to take a closer look at it at home. The reason for this situation was, to my surprise, that Uchi-P said he did not yet know what was inside the calendar (laugh). At first I had a hunch that not knowing the contents was an act, but looking at the expression on Uchi P's face, it seemed like he was serious!

What I want to properly convey here is the amazing AR technology that is creating the ARP; it is not a 3D playback of a 2D character, but is moving the character in real time. Moreover, the "A-Cast" in charge of singing, talking, dancing and moving, and the technical staff that adjusts details such as clothing and hair, work as a team to create a character, a divine feat that takes place behind the scenes. And yet, the quality is so high. There are many similar AR contents and virtual idols out there, but ARP is a head or two above the rest. I, too, have become hooked on this technology, ARP's singing ability, and their performance, and I enjoy their live performances so much that I forget about the behind-the-scenes details. But when you think about it, there are so many amazing things going on, even if it is just one thing like that! If you are watching ARP's live performance for the first time, I would like you to feel the same thing.

ARP's live performances are filled with the feeling of making a live performance together with ARS in the audience, talking and dancing together! The interaction between ARP and ARS is a fun and realistic way to feel the voltage rising as they talk and sing together.

Please check out the "KICK A'LIVE" report!
A lot of photos! KICK A'LIVE" report on AR artist "ARP" who took a new step forward.

I would also like to mention the CD containing the radio program "Amazing Radio Performers on the web Special Edition," which is only included in the first-run limited edition premium box set! To be clear, this radio program ...... is the gateway to the swamp. The radio is like listening to a conversation between high school boys, and it's insanely cute! (Of course, sometimes they talk seriously about music.) They tend to talk about food (and sometimes their stomachs growl...). (Of course, they sometimes talk seriously about music. I wasn't really interested in this type of radio show, but I got hooked on the wacky atmosphere and have been listening to it since January 2018. I definitely like ARP more after listening to the radio. Once you get to know ARP, who are usually cute but cool when they perform live, you will most likely not be able to get out of the swamp anymore, but getting to know them on the radio will make you enjoy their live shows even more!

Amazing Radio Performers on the web Special Edition" broadcasted every Saturday at 10pm on Nico Nico Live Broadcast has already reached 85 times. Some of them have been recorded. The "legendary sweet bite" from Mr. Hoshino's first appearance is also included!

About the next ARP live "KICK A'LIVE2

Now that we are at the end of Uchi-P's talk live, we have only a little information about ARP's upcoming live "KICK A'LIVE2" to be held on January 5 and 6, 2019, since spoilers are strictly forbidden. As with the new songs already announced for the performers, a new song will be added to the battle songs as well, although this was spoken on the radio. The song is called "Finalist. When Uchi P. said that the concept of the song was "the feeling of a rathbone," Mr. Hoshino asked, "Is it the kind of music that would be played during a rathbone battle? Or is it music that makes you confront a formidable enemy? Mr. Hoshino asked, "Is it like the music played at the time of a rally against a powerful enemy? He said that the song is like climbing to the top and fighting a summit battle, but the new battle song will not be heard until the live performance. I am looking forward to hearing what the song will be!

The battle song is a sound game in which ARS participates and the winner is determined by the points sent by ARS. The taste of this song is different from the previous two songs, so I am looking forward to the live performance!

Also, performers who lose in the battle song will be punished with a game called "assignment," and for the next live performance, Mr. Hoshino has been asked to write the script for one of the assignments, a manzai (comic dialogue). Mr. Hoshino is also a comedian belonging to the Maseki Entertainment Company, but since he is a pin comedian, he had hardly ever written a manzai before. ......, but according to Uchi-P, the result was so funny that it made his stomach turn inside out. He said that the result was so funny that it made his stomach churn!

The master Shinji Ojitei accompanies the students in practicing their manzai, which he says is so funny that he wants to make it available on video. We would love to see it distributed!

When I told the ARP members that they could blame Hoshino if they slipped up in their manzai, they said "Of course," in a biting tone. Mr. Hoshino, you're a pompous jerk!

The ARP members are working hard to prepare for the next concert, which will be held at the beginning of the year. The venue this time is almost twice as big as the previous ones, so you may still be able to get tickets. Check the official website!

You may get a one-of-a-kind poster if you attend the talk live!

At the end of the talk live, there will be a rock-paper-scissors contest for a signed poster. The winner of the game will get it. Actually, the same talk live was held at animate Yokohama to celebrate the release of the mini-album "A'LIVE3" released on December 20, 2017, and a poster with autographs was also prepared at that time. Only those who pre-ordered the target CD (in this case, the mini-album "KICK A'LIVE") at animate Yokohama (first 100 people) were able to attend this talk live. I am sure that this kind of event will be held when the next album is released, so don't forget to check back then!

A poster with the same picture as the package of the mini-album "KICK A'LIVE" is available. In addition to his signature, a message is also attached!

(Reporting and writing by f-jyoko)