Content
There’s nothing much to report here. The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast is on pause. New episodes haven’t been uploaded in a while, so that will change eventually. Hopefully.
Events
I assumed May would be another uneventful, low-key month. However, much to my surprise, it would mark my return to Japan after a five-year absence.
Back in April, I entered the last of the XG fanclub lotteries for the Tokyo Dome finale, not expecting to win. My luck in Japanese ticket lotteries up to this point has been abysmal. I was surprised when I received the email saying I had secured a ticket.
Even though I had to make some concessions to make the trip (such as working remotely for three out of the seven days I was there), it was worth it to be there for XG’s tour finale at the Tokyo Dome. For a more detailed look at my time at the XG World Tour finale in Tokyo, please click here.
Music
Remixes
In May, I entered a remix competition hosted by SURF Music to remix m-flo’s “Come Again.” This was part of celebrating m-flo’s 25 years since their major label debut.
Many, many, many moons ago, I had created a bootleg remix of this song when my XP level in composition was still in its infancy, and it was fucking awful.
I applied the skills I had acquired over the past five years to create a new 2025 remix of “Come Again.” and enter into the contest. With remix contests, I have lowered expectations since past experiences in previous contests have not been positive.
Once again, I experienced unexpected luck in May as my remix advanced to the next round of judging. For me, that meant the remix was published on streaming platforms. It is a first for me in my composition career, so a personal goal has been reached.
Below are my favourites from May 2025.
Albums
PINK PANTHRESS – FANCY THAT
Given that my expertise has shifted to Asian pop since this site began, I haven’t dedicated much time to listening to English-language music. My only real exposure is when I’m out and about or at work, and I queue up whatever looks interesting.
That was the case with Pink Panthress’ “Fancy That.” Before this, I never listened to one of her albums in full. Her style of dance music gels with my personal listening preferences. There are many catchy songs on “Fancy That,” including “Tonight,” “Stars,” “Stateside,” and the Basement Jaxx-sampling “Romeo.”
The problem with this album is that its total run time is 20 minutes, which means that the songs are easily digestible but aren’t necessarily fleshed out as much as they could be. The biggest offender is “Noises,” a great Drum and Bass track that feels more like a snippet due to its brevity, clocking in at less than two minutes long.
But as a quick hit of energized, adrenaline-pumping music, “Fancy That” does the job.
RED VELVET IRENE & SEULGI – TILT
Five years after the Red Velvet sub-unit’s first release, they return with their second mini-album, “TILT.” The title track is a dance cut with a hypnotic pulsing groove. It’s a great opener and is almost on par with the duo’s earlier title songs, such as “Monster” and “Naughty,” when it comes to establishing a mood.
The rest of “TILT” leans heavily towards the Velvet side of Red Velvet’s concept. So, if you like the quirky Red style songs, you’re not getting much other than maybe “Girl Next Door” to satisfy your urges. If you’re a Velvet fan, then you have a buffet to choose from. I gravitated towards “Irresistible” and “Trampoline” the most.
Since this album is also well within the styles of music I prefer to listen to, it has made the shortlist for May.
TRIPLES – ASSEMBLE 25
tripleS has fast become my favourite K-pop girl group. The variety in their sound has always appealed to me right from the start. One of the most anticipated moments in this group’s release cycle is when all the members gather to release an album.
“ASSEMBLE 25” is the second 24-member tripleS album (and third overall ASSEMBLE album.) This album is special to me because it was released on the same day I returned to Japan after my long absence. It was one of the albums I listened to on repeat during the 10-hour flight to Tokyo, and it was the only physical album I bought (even though I could have tried to clear out the tripleS section) when I had the chance to visit Tower Records in Shibuya.
To put it simply, I know this album well, and I am incredibly biased when it comes to it. Therefore, it’s challenging to remain objective about it for those reasons. I’ll say I think you should listen to “ASSEMBLE 25” and see if there’s something on there that catches your ear.
Songs
These are the singles or album cuts that caught my ear in April.
BE:FIRST – GRIT
Hinatazaka46 – Love Yourself
IS:SUE – Starstruck
Night Tempo & Spectrum – Tomato Ippastsu
NiziU – Love Line (Japanese Version)
Sakurazaka46 – Make or Break
tripleS – 깨어 (Are You Alive)
XG – A Million Places
