Michinoku (跡暖空)

BanG Dream! (or Bandori for short) is a Japanese multimedia franchise. Similar to other properties like Love Live! and Idolmaster, it elevates seiyū (Japanese voice actors) into idol-adjacent stardom by giving them music to perform and popular characters to embody. Unlike those franchises, however, Bandori’s talents are encouraged to play instruments and form groups that can perform concerts on their own — and they actually take it seriously. Bandori has also not been particularly popular compared to other idol franchises, struggling to find dedicated fans of the anime and mobile game meant to introduce listeners to the bands. Fortunes began to turn a little bit with the introduction of Bandori’s new group MyGO!!!!!, and part of the reason for that comes down to a simple fact: the music is just genuinely solid. Hina Yōmiya’s vocals are particularly strong and expressive, effortlessly swapping between full-throated belting and breathless spoken word with barely a pause for air. Their second album as a group, MICHINOKU, is facing little competition for the best J-rock album of 2024.