• Submissions
  • Support Us
  • nl Nederlands
  • en English
AVO Magazine - One click closer to Japan
  • AVO Magazine
    • AVO Magazine, who?
    • About us (日本語)
    • AVO Magazine presents
    • AVO Magazine Podcast
    • Join AVO Magazine’s Discord Server
    • Support AVO Magazine
  • Staff picks
  • Music News
    • Japanese Music News
      • Concerts and festival news
      • Musical Snack
    • Curtain-raiser
    • Weekly MV Roundup
      • About: 7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out
  • Japan-related Events
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Reports
  • Colophon
  • Contact
    • Submissions
    • Join the AVO Magazine team
No Result
View All Result
AVO Magazine - One click closer to Japan
No Result
View All Result
Home Reports Reports: Japanese Music Events

MV Review: EMPiRE – This is EMPiRE SOUNDS

Foam, Champagne, Guns, Boats and Super EMPiRE Soul.

Matthew Elliott by Matthew Elliott
3 August 2020
in Music Reviews, Reviews
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
0

On July 11, EMPiRE released their new video for the song This is EMPiRE SOUNDS that can be found on the upcoming SUPER COOL EP release.

EMPiRE have always been quite creative with their music video ideas, but this video is both somewhat of a departure from previous styles, as it removes almost all traces of dance from the video, only appearing to show any routine at the end. It is also quite enjoyable, even though not much actually happens.

The music video itself, focuses on three key scenes – MAHO, MiKiNA & MAYU on their small boat, with the additional captain. YU-Ki, MiDORiKO & NOW with guns in a limousine. The third scenes are individual shots, mixed in for added effect. One of the interesting features in this video, is the use of slow-motion which works great with the track.

The video is oversaturated in style, it’s clear that there is some old VHS vibe, with the song title/chorus being added with throwback ’80’s style design. The use of props – most significantly, the foam, champagne and guns, make for an enjoyable viewing, even if their purpose is never explained.

The track is catchy, with an upbeat rhythm and a catchy chorus, the member’s vocals are just as clear as always, even though MiDORiKO seems to struggle just prior to the second chorus, though it’s likely that this croak was intentional.

Overall, the music video is interesting, but contains no real content – it’s visually pleasing, but as stated before, nothing really happens. The song is enjoyable, but It’s going to be interesting to see how it fares amongst the other tracks on their upcoming EP.

It’s nice that MAHO finds time to share a warm drink with the Captain – things like that don’t happen that often.

Rating: 65/100

SUPER COOL EP will be released on August 5th, 2020. 

Links to CD Japan is an affiliate link, AVO Magazine gets a small commission (points) per purchased release and buys new releases to review.
Tags: EMPiREidolpopWACK
ShareTweetShareShareShareShare
Previous Post

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 31, 2020)

Next Post

Shintenshi Kaibyakushudan ZIGZAG’s fresh takes on the Visual Kei scene

Matthew Elliott

Matthew Elliott

I am an obedient slave to the Japanese music industry.

Related Posts

Photo of the four-piece alternative metal band Esprit D'Air standing side by side against a background featuring a large clockwork mechanism with gears, cogs, and springs, in golden/metallic tones. All members are dressed in dark clothing and standing in what seems to be an old clock tower. The same location and imagery can be seen in the music video for "Shadow of Time", which is produced by Mind Art Visual.
Music Reviews

Music Review: Esprit D’Air – Aeons (Album)

by Peter Dennis
19 January 2026
0

It is often said that when you reach a pinnacle, the only way is down and that’s a problem Esprit...

Read moreDetails
'I'm hungry !!' album cover, where one of the band members of Moja is eating a cheeseburger.

Music Review: Moja – I’m hungry !! (Album)

27 December 2025
Cover art for 'Dreaming Japanese' with a monochrome photo of Marty Friedman with long curly hair. Part of his face was painted in a kabuki theatre style, using the colours white, red and black. One of the photos of the same session has been used for Friedman's eighth studio album 'Tokyo Jukebox' (2009). Cover art by Jim Villaflores

Book Review: Dreaming Japanese by Marty Friedman with Jon Wiederhorn

6 December 2025
over art for Hitsujibungaku’s new album 'Don’t Laugh It Off'. It shows a serene beach scene at sunset with two members of the alternative rock band from Japan.

Music Review: Hitsujibungaku – Don’t Laugh It Off (Album)

21 October 2025
The photo shows a five members of the visual kei band Matenrou Opera. They are standing together closely, all dressed in black outfits. The background is also dark and it appears that there is a presence of bokeh.

Music (Video) Review: 摩天楼オペラ (Matenrou Opera) – AGONY

2 September 2025
Next Post
© -真天地開闢集団-ジグザグ

Shintenshi Kaibyakushudan ZIGZAG's fresh takes on the Visual Kei scene

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AVO Magazine is more than just an online magazine about Japanese music and culture. In addition to covering Japan-related events in Europe, AVO Magazine also supports and organises them. Under the banner AVO Magazine presents, several concerts and festivals have been held, including AVO J-Rock Festival (2013) and AVO J-Music Festival (2018), featuring performances by Japanese (indie) musicians. More information about AVO Magazine can be found here.

Have news related to Japan or Japanese music you'd like to share? Feel free to send us an email.

New Music Encounters from Japan (2026)

Since 2020, AVO Magazine has curated a list of music videos by Japanese artists and bands across various genres, including pop, rock, metal, and everything in between.

An accumulation of television and computer screens in a container bearing the logo for AVO Magazine's project New Music Encounters from Japan. (Photo by Bananastock, edited by @francisca.avomagazine on Instagram)

Check out the YouTube Music Playlist by clicking on the image!

Recent articles

A collage of two photos by Risky Melody, the band, and Maki Oyama, the singer. On the top is the band photo of Risky Melody, consisting of four members. All are dressed in outfits with white as predominant colour, although the vocalist is wearing an outfit with a lot of blue and white ruffles. The other members are posing with their instruments, and the background is a stage with lights on. Their outfits also consist of grey/silver elements. On the bottom is a photo of Maki Oyama, posing in a silver and black outfit against a red wall. Her hair is black with red. © Risky Melody and Maki Oyama

Giveaway: Win concert tickets for Risky Melody and Maki Oyama in The Hague and Amstelveen

22 April 2026
A collage of two photos by Risky Melody, the band, and Maki Oyama, the singer. On the top is the band photo of Risky Melody, consisting of four members. All are dressed in outfits with white as predominant colour, although the vocalist is wearing an outfit with a lot of blue and white ruffles. The other members are posing with their instruments, and the background is a stage with lights on. Their outfits also consist of grey/silver elements. On the bottom is a photo of Maki Oyama, posing in a silver and black outfit against a red wall. Her hair is black with red. © Risky Melody and Maki Oyama

Risky Melody and Maki Oyama join forces for their first European tour

19 April 2026
The current three men of Guitar Wolf are standing next to each other in a space that is decorated with posters: guitarist and vocalist Seiji, bassist Gotz and drummer Takuro, dressed in black leather.

Guitar Wolf to return to Europe for spring tour to promote new album ‘More Jet’

19 April 2026
A photo of kanekoayano performing on stage with an orange filter, making it seem that the photo is taken in black-and-white on film. © Photography: Kiyoe Ozawa

Ayano Kaneko goes on world tour with her band kanekoayano and ventures further into Europe for the first time

19 April 2026
The photo features the five women of LOVEBITES posing together while standing on a ship, with dark clouds with lightning in the background. They are uniformly dressed in white/off-white with gold elements outfits, each incorporating their personal style. LOVEBITES © Napalm Records

LOVEBITES to return to Europe for summer tour with new album ‘Outstanding Power’

18 April 2026
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Soundcloud Discord
Online magazine since 2012 and based in the Netherlands. AVO Magazine is a Japan-related entertainment website with information about events in especially in Europe. There is a big focus on Japanese music. Other contents we publish are reports, reviews, informative articles, and interviews. AVO Forum, founded on May 16, 2003, served as the foundation for AVO Magazine.

Contact (Francisca Hagen): hello[@]avo-magazine.com

Please do not use text and photos made by AVO Magazine without permission. An email is easily created. Let's support each other!

Affiliates

JPU Records 1_General CDJapan

Featured on

  Lucydafirst - Crate Culture Podcast LOGO

AVO Magazine Approved

  • ANGURA
  • Arlequin Photography
  • Get Your Genki
  • Idol is SHiT
  • iPod of mine
  • J-POP streaming
  • Japan Jams
  • Japone Artists
  • The Sushi Times

Copyright © 2012-2026 AVO Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • AVO Magazine
    • AVO Magazine, who?
    • About us (日本語)
    • AVO Magazine presents
    • AVO Magazine Podcast
    • Join AVO Magazine’s Discord Server
    • Support AVO Magazine
  • Staff picks
  • Music News
    • Japanese Music News
      • Concerts and festival news
      • Musical Snack
    • Curtain-raiser
    • Weekly MV Roundup
      • About: 7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out
  • Japan-related Events
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Reports
  • Colophon
  • Contact
    • Submissions
    • Join the AVO Magazine team

Copyright © 2012-2026 AVO Magazine

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.