Band-Maiko is the first extended play by Japanese rock group Band-Maid (as Band-Maiko). It was released on April 3, 2019, by Revolver Records. In the EP, their maiko costumes and the music with Kyoto dialect lyrics and wagakki became a very popular topic of discussion.[1][2] It debuted at number 15 on the Oricon Albums Chart,[3] selling 4,440 copies in its first week.[4]

Band-Maiko
Band-Maiko album cover of regular edition
EP by
Band-Maid (as Band-Maiko)
ReleasedApril 3, 2019 (2019-04-03)
Recorded2018–2019
Length27:29
Language
  • Japanese
Label
Band-Maid (as Band-Maiko) chronology
World Domination
(2018)
Band-Maiko
(2019)
Conqueror
(2019)
Music videos
"Secret Maiko Lips" on YouTube
"Gion-cho" on YouTube

Background and release

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"Secret Maiko Lips" was previously released on April Fools' Day 2018.[1][5][6] It was meant to be a one off release, but after the positive reception they decided to release an extended play.[2][6] The limited edition features the music video and making of video for "Gion-cho".[7]

Composition

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"Secret Maiko Lips" was originally released as "Secret My Lips" on their album Just Bring It.[1] "Tora and Tora" was originally released as "One and Only" on their album World Domination.[1] The title was taken from the maiko game "Tora-Tora", a type of rock paper scissors game, as well as having part of the lyrics refer to it.[8]

"Yolosiosu" was originally released as "YOLO" on their album Just Bring It.[1] It features the voices of children.[8] "Ansan" was originally released as "Anemone" on their album World Domination.[1] The intro has a quote taken from the Man'yōshū.[8] The male vocals were contributed by their manager.[8]

"Akasimahen" was originally released as "Awkward" on their album Just Bring It.[1] The original version of "Screaming" was released on their single "Start Over".[1] "Gion-cho" is the album's sole original composition.[1] Lead guitarist Kanami Tōno intended to submit a demo for the song at the end of 2018, but it was not until January that she submitted it.[2]

Accolades

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Unijolt listed it as the fifth best single/EP of 2019.[9]

Track listing

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All lyrics written by Hatoko (Miku Kobato), all music written and arranged by Band-Maid.

No.TitleLength
1."Secret Maiko Lips"4:24
2."Tora and Tora (虎and虎)"3:26
3."Yolosiosu"4:21
4."Ansan"4:28
5."Akasimahen"3:19
6."Screaming (すくりーみんぐ)"3:54
7."Gion-cho (祇園町)"3:35
Total length:27:29

DVD (Limited Edition)

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No.TitleLength
1."Gion-cho (祇園町) Video" 
2."Gion-cho (祇園町) Making of the video" 

Personnel

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  • Fujiki (Saiki Atsumi) – lead vocals
  • Hatoko (Miku Kobato) – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Kanoemi (Kanami Tōno) – lead guitar
  • Umemisa (Misa) – bass
  • Akatsuki (Akane Hirose) – drums

Charts

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Chart (2019) Peak
position
Japan Top Albums (Billboard)[4] 11
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[3] 15

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Band-Maiko - Band-Maiko". JaME. June 3, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Band-Maiko ミニアルバム発売インタビュー メイドやのうて舞妓はん? エイプリルフールはもう終わりどすえ?. Natalie (in Japanese). April 2, 2019. p. 1. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Band-Maiko" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales | Charts" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. April 10, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  5. ^ "Band-Maid Change Their Name to "Band-Maiko" for April Fool's Day". Moshi Moshi Nippon. April 4, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "[English ver.] Band-Maiko interview by Barks : part1". bandmaid.tokyo. April 5, 2019. p. 1. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "【ガチNews】Band-Maiko「Band-Maiko」リリース!メディア情報". bandmaid.tokyo. April 2, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d "[English ver.] Band-Maiko interview by Barks : part2". bandmaid.tokyo. April 5, 2019. p. 2. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  9. ^ Galloway, Brian (March 1, 2020). "Top 10 Albums of 2019". Unijolt. Retrieved February 23, 2022.