FictionJunction new song “black rose” (digital release July 26, 2025)

I think it's 100% EMIKO, no surprises like lighthouse, right?

Have to admit I got tired of the same violin repeating through the whole song until the end of the song. But the chorus is a big yes. And the vocals in the “bridge”? The best.

Now it’s obvious YK composed the song for the lives. But no flute? Will Rie be getting in exclusively for the lives?
Can’t wait to see the choreography lol
 
Just listened to the full version! Definitely not a rearrangement of red rose but I'm fine with it being called a sibling of red rose w. My koto no hoka yawarakai and wonderland neurones were firing stronger.

I'd say red rose was better at making me feel intrigued/fascinated as a whole (biased opinion though since I was reeeally impressed when I first heard that song). I think she was deeply inspired by Afro Celt Sound System.

But while I couldn't really taste the 'red' of red rose, black rose gave me a clear imagination of a glittering shining disco ball shooting lights everywhere in the dark!! :ohoho: For sure a song to be well-enjoyed live.
 
black rose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DI6Q4neOx0
Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Labels Inc.
black rose · FictionJunction · EMIKO
black rose℗ 2025 Sony Music Labels Inc.
Released on: 2025-07-26
Associated Performer: FictionJunction feat. EMIKO
Arranger, Lyricist, Keyboards, Composer: Yuki Kajiura
Associated Performer, Vocal: EMIKO
Vocal: KAORI
Vocal: YURIKO KAIDA
Vocal: Joelle
Guitar: Koichi Korenaga
Drums: Kyoichi Sato
Percussion: Obao Nakajima
Violin: Hitoshi Konno
Artist Management: Yasunori Mori(HIGHWAY STAR)
 
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I really like it. It's very fun. I was curious how Emiko would translate to Kajiura's tracks and I'm not disappointed in the least.

I'm really relieved that the folk violin bit isn't as prominent in the full song as I had feared after reading @Azokad 's post. It's definitely a valid complaint but once you reach the 2nd verse it's gone until the ending.

My only complaint other than the repetitive folk violin is that I think I would have preferred the instrumental bridge to be either only guitar or only violin solo. But it's a minor quibble, since they are both so short.

I will also second @Azokad in hyping up the vocal bridge (particularly the 2nd one but both really). I smiled ear to ear. I also love the return to the prechorus after bridge. Flows nicely.

Job well done. Can't wait for more.

I'm not really getting any red rose vibes from this, but maybe that's just me.
 
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Its on bili :)

Love the violin, i wish it was more!
Wow Emiko is like someone combined Keiko and Kaori :D
She needs to do the intro vocals for "the world" after that screamy part.
Really love the song.
Its structured in a way so that each musician can show off a bit of their skill i think (perfect for musicians intro segment)
 
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grunty said:
Job well done. Can't wait for more.
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george1234 said:
Wow Emiko is like someone combined Keiko and Kaori :D
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maha_gnosis said:
More of Emiko please...
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juchanx3 said:
Emiko's "YEAAH" are very powerful.
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WOAH! LOTS OF HIGH PRAISE!

The YouTube is still geo-locked so I will have to go to the bills to listen. I will return with my comments, but I am pleased at the praise across the board for Emiko. Looking forward to the live performance of the song!
 
After listening some more, I'm going to add that I really like all the drumming and percussion in this song. Both performance and how they sound in the mix.
 
tsubasa said:
Just that red rose motif from the 30th anniversary live arrangement (the end instrumental part)
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I'll be honest, I never liked red rose lives so I'd have to look at it again. The main reason I was okay with it in KajiFes was because of Eri hamming it up on video, rather than music.

If it's just the traditional/irish jig (per cloistered's post) melody that makes you think of "red rose" when listening to the violin in "black rose", that's a fair comparison I guess?

For me "red rose" is the pounding synth of the og first of all, so it has nothing to do with "black rose" in my head. XD
 
Straight from the beginning I was immensely pleased to be hearing a full, warm and strong tone (perfectly comparable in quality to Keiko), and knowing that Emiko can properly belt even at that range too (if needed) because she has the belt technique available! 🕺

Her expressiveness and dynamics were then like Kaori??? I was like "huh?"

The dreamy pre-chorus with Kajiura's usual space effects... I am sure they will cover/replace that with live vocals, maybe have it be in the backing track as per usual.

Oh, and melismatic movement up to the first belted "YEAH!", I can imagine Kaori and Emiko going up there [with Keiko on the low harmony]. The kajiurago made me smile! I am waiting to hear that LIVE! It gave me a strong nostalgic feel.

I am looking forward to Emiko's personality and charisma performing this song, bringing some of that theatre vibe! A strong, earthy, and subtly dramatic vocal performance.

Kajiura really knows how to pick unique vocalists to add to her roster - she always wants a broad skillset to allow for variations and self-covers in the future as well! As they say, Kajiura is COOKING! She seems to have kicked into another gear creatively, and I'm just imagining what else we're going to hear from her.
 
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