Butter Butter return with their 4th mini album Recycle and the first single is the frenetic guitar fingered “YUUGI.” It’s a great track that totally seems to slips into another song altogether at the 2:47 mark. Very Cool.

Get the squeeze on Butter Butter’s latest out 2.1.2012 from CDJapan.

Then visit Paula Deen’s favorite J-band’s official website.

Acid Black Cherry pokes a little fun at the moody rocker ballad in their PV clip for “YES.” At least it seems that way until the little girl who gains moodyhead’s attention has to say goodbye. Then it gets sad and weird. I guess we need to see the full PV to find out what the heck it truly going on with these blackhooded figures. I’m praying it’s not a ritualistic slaughter.

Look for YES released 1.18.2012 from Yesasia or CDJapan.

Show your stripes at Acid Black Cherry’s official website.

Dal★shabet is hitting U hard in their sexy shooter “HIT U.” Like HOLY SHIT she’s got 2 barrels locked and loaded and blowing you the fuck away. You know what? I think Dal★shabet  actually hates U.

These girls have looks that can kill, so be forewarned. They can shake it and then leave you cold on the floor. Their Mini Album Vol 4. HIT U is out 1.30.2012. Yesasia is your target store.

Dodge bullets over at DalShabet’s official website.

White Ash is white hot. Their records sell out hella fast. Their lastest “Kiddie” is another rocker, already preorder sold out at CDJapan. You snooze you lose. Amazon.jp.. also unavailable. Sorry folks. (technically it’s out 2.8.2012 so keep looking).

So what is all the hype about then? Well listen to this bit of White Ash’s “Kiddie” and you’ll understand why they rock. Awesome indie rock guitars. Jaded lead singer with an ugly mug. Thrashing beat. I DIG IT.

Will these guys ever get better distribution? Who knows.

Go tell it on the mountain pyramid over at White Ash’s official website.

Hitomi Shimatani is heading home in this extended clip for “故郷.” If you think this is your standard JPOP, you are dead wrong. Hitomi Shimatani is rocking the JAZZ FLUTE through most of this adult contemporary single. I’ve been needing more jazz flute in my diet, and I think this track will satiate that desire.

Find this song on Hitomi Shimatani’s new album Sign Music out 2.22.2012. CDJapan and Yesasia are accepting preorders.

Hitomi Shimatani looks real purdy over at her official website.

Be Afraid. Back Drop Bomb is blowing up in this 30 sec CM for their single “Progress.” It’s on their newest album The Ocracy scheduled for 2.22.2012.

It’s loud, face-paint scary and slightly weird. Hear those horns in the back ground? Listen closely.

Turns out this is an Avex Trax band, so maybe we will get a better look at this video soon. Preorder from Yesasia or CDJapan.

Tip toe over to Back Drop Bomb’s official website.

There are a lot of artists in Japan named LEO. This LEO is an R&B crooner who happens to be male. Not to be confused with JPOP LEO Leiri.

He will pull on your heart strings in the slow finger snapper “君がくれたもの.”  All it takes is a ride on some public transportation to feel LEO’s heart. Swoon ladies.

Find it on LEO’s new album One Voice slated for 2.15.2012. Yesasia and CDJapan will hold it for you.

Doki Doki over to LEO’s official website.

Watch Calmera perform an energetic version of “The Great Escape March.” Yes, the theme from the movie the Great Escape from 1963. Pretty cool!

Calmera actually does a whole bunch of jazzy Modern Covers in the appropriately titled MIX MODERN COVERS album out 2.8.2012. Preorder it from Yesasia or CDJapan and hear other cool songs like “Mambo Inn” and “Somebody Stole My Gal.”

Lots of great photos of the band in action over at Calmera’s official website.

Take a seat on a bench with Aoi or Sorano or is it Kitahara Sayaka? Whatever her name is.. watch out for her cheerleader limbs swinging about whenever you mention “Hajike-Yo!” “H-A-J-I-K-E-YO!

This super Cheer single is out 2.12.2012 thru Yesasia or CDJapan and it’s yet another anime theme song for the soccer anime Inazuma Eleven Go Shine.

Check out Kitahara’s official website for more.

Shintani Ryoko hits the classroom with a rockin’ backup band in her single “Automatic Sensation.” It’s a Lantis record so yes its a theme to an anime.. “こいけん！～私たちアニメになっちゃった！～” Let’s just call it Koi-Ken for short. Hit up the anime website to get a gist of it.

Want the single? It’s out on Valentine’s Day 2.14.2012. Preorder it for a loved one today at Yesasia.

School’s in session over at  Ryoko Shintani’s official website.