A Life-Changing Night: STAR RISE AUDITION, Which Continues to Question 'Music That Lasts,' to Hold Final Selection on June 19 with Four Winners

STAR RISE AUDITION FINAL SELECTION: The Four Contestants

It has been decided that the final selection of the vocal audition 'STAR RISE AUDITION,' currently being held in a partnership between Styrism and Pony Canyon, will take place from 19:00 on Friday, June 19. The final selection will be live-streamed on YouTube Live, TikTok, and Instagram, allowing viewers nationwide to witness the moment.

This audition, themed 'Creating Music That Lasts,' began in February of this year. Approximately 1,200 applications were received from across the country. After multiple rounds of screening, including singing evaluations, four finalists have finally advanced to the final stage.

The finalists are: Masahiro Kaneko (25), who amazed the judges with his overwhelming powerful voice and unique background; Lola Reina Moriguchi (23), a former idol who continues to pursue her dreams while facing adversity; Rei Takizawa (22), a multi-singer combining vocal ability and dance skills, striving for success; and Yuna Enokiya (20), a young singer whose character and unique singing voice captivated the judges. These four individuals, each with different life stories and musical backgrounds, will take on the live singing evaluation.

The judges include Takayuki Morinaka, President of Styrism; Naotaka Yamaguchi of Pony Canyon; music critic Mino, who will also serve as MC; as well as Ryota Nozaki (Jazztronik), ☆Taku Takahashi (m-flo, block.fm), and MONJOE, a lineup of creators leading the Japanese music scene. They will comprehensively evaluate not only singing ability but also expressiveness, potential, originality, and whether the contestant embodies 'music that lasts.'

During the selection period, the audition also featured the J-WAVE Podcast 'STAR RISE AUDITION Podcast.' Guests including Akimitsu Honma, MONJOE, Iichiro Noda of TuneCore Japan, and Yuta Nakamura of STAR MUSIC, along with music producers, media personnel, and label representatives, discussed issues facing the modern music scene, such as 'the era of good songs being buried,' 'qualities required of artists,' and 'how to create hits.'

A recurring theme in these discussions was the need for performers who leave a lasting impression on listeners' hearts, not just those with good singing skills. The final selection will be the stage where one answer to that question is presented.

What is 'music that lasts'? The STAR RISE AUDITION, which began with this question, is finally reaching its final selection. Please witness the outcome of this serious competition, born from one of the few auditions specializing in singing, and the night that will change one singer's life, via live stream.

'STAR RISE AUDITION FINAL SELECTION' Date: Friday, June 19, from 19:00 Broadcast: Pony Canyon Official YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/g040MDot--I Styrism Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styrism.inc/ Official Website: https://starrise-auditon.jp/

[Finalists (in Japanese syllabary order)] Yuna Enokiya (ENOKIYA YUNA) Age: 20 Masahiro Kaneko (KANEKO MASAHIRO) Age: 25 Rei Takizawa (TAKIZAWA REI) Age: 22 Lola Reina Moriguchi (MORIGUCHI LOLA REINA) Age: 23

Judges MC: Mino (Music Critic) Takayuki Morinaka (President, Styrism), Naotaka Yamaguchi (Pony Canyon), Ryota Nozaki (Jazztronik), ☆Taku Takahashi (m-flo, block.fm), MONJOE

STAR RISE AUDITION This audition seeks next-generation singers with talent specialized in singing, under the theme 'Creating Music That Lasts.' The grand prize winner will make a major debut from PONY CANYON under the comprehensive production of Styrism, which manages popular artists like Jazztronik and SIRUP and handles numerous music productions.

Original Challenge Songs ● Song A 'Take Me To The Moon' [Sound Produced by Jazztronik, Singer: MAKI (VIDA Hollywood)] ● Song B 'Sunlight' [Sound Produced by GAL D, Singer: EINN]

STAR RISE AUDITION podcast Updated every Friday at 22:00 on J-WAVE Podcast (8 episodes planned)