Rythem

Rythem (リズム, Rizumu) was a Japanese pop duo consisting of two female members, Yui Nītsu (新津 由衣, Nītsu Yui, born August 17, 1985) and Yukari Katō (加藤 有加利, Katō Yukari, born April 3, 1985) which disbanded in 2011.^[1] They were signed to Sony Music Japan. In addition to their vocals, Yui played piano while Yuka played guitar. Rythem was able for flowing, fluid harmonies and cheerful, upbeat melodies.

History

Rythem's talents as singer/songwriters, with flowing melodies and harmonies, began to shine as they worked with their own original tune "Hitoritabi Shararuran" in the Sony Music Audition. In May 2003, while they were still high school seniors, Rythem's first single "Harmonia" was released and was used as the second ending theme song for hit TV TOKYO anime series, Naruto.^[1] Following the successful release of their debut single, 4 more singles including the theme song for With the Light,^[1] and the debut album, Utatane were released before "Hōki Gumo" was released in early 2005 as a single for the first opening theme of yet another hit TV TOKYO anime series, Yakitate!! Japan.

The 8th single, "20 Tsubu no Kokoro" was a collection of tunes written and performed each by Yui and Yuka dedicated to each other. The 9th single, "Kokoro Bīdama" was used as the 6th and final ending theme song of Yakitate!! Japan, rounding up their involvement with that anime series. The 10th single will be titled "Negai" and will be used as the ending theme of Nippon TV show Sukkiri (スッキリ). Rythem's 2nd album and coinciding DVD was released in May and June 2006, respectively compiling their works, post-UTATANE as well as including some full length versions of short pieces which were performed on their weekly radio show Enjoy Your Time!.

In late 2006, Rythem performed a series of live concerts entitled "Acoustic PoP". With their busy schedule on the road, Rythem managed to pull out one single in time for the Spring season and the plentiful visual sights of cherry blossoms, named Sakura Uta (or 'song of the cherry blossoms') in early 2007. As well as being a tie-in for the anime series Deltora Quest (first ending theme), the single also marks the beginning of the "Third Stage" or Rythem's venture into the music arena.

Their 12th single, Hotarubi or 'firefly', originally scheduled for release in August 2006, was postponed and released July 18, 2007. Their album, 23 was released on October 1, 2008.

Both members have written songs for other artists: Yuka had written two songs, "Moment" and "I my me", for Yui Horie. She also wrote the lyrics for all the songs (and composed a few) of Rie Tanaka's album, Kokoro, released October 20, 2010. Yui also contributed a composition ("Frame") for the same album of Tanaka's and wrote "Milk" for Rina Sakamoto. She also recorded a duet ("Laundry") with Rie fu for the album, at Rie sessions.

Breakup

Rythem announced on October 24, 2010 on a live streaming video that all activities of Rythem would end on February 27, 2011, after the group's "Final Fantasy Live: The Best Rhythm in Rythem's History" performance on that day.^[1] Their last single, "A Flower", was released on November 10, 2010, and their final album, Rythem, was released on December 8, 2010.^[1]

A complete box set of 5 Blu-spec CDs and 5 DVDs, "RYTHEM COMPLETE BOX～Music of the people, by the people, for the people", was scheduled for release on May 25, 2011. It has a full collection of all their songs (a total of 72), including a new one called "Ai no Kotoba" (Words of Love). The DVDs contain all their music videos, footage of their final live performance, documentaries of their 7 years of publicity and interviews. Along with the 10 discs, the box ships with a booklet and a pair of character figurines of the duo (designed by YUI herself).

In the official announcement on their homepage, Yui and Yuka stated that they will use their full names to perform music in the future. Yui and Yuka have already begun work as solo artists, with Yui changing her stage name to "Neat's".^[2] Yuka mentioned in an update to subscribers of her mailing list on March 11, 2011 that she has been recording demos, and it was announced that YUI will perform in a charity event, "＆SACHI vol.HOPE", on May 24, 2011 as a guest.

Discography

Studio album

• Utatane
• Mugen Factory
• 23
• Rythem

Compilation album

• Best Story

"RYTHEM COMPLETE BOX～Music of the people, by the people, for the people"

Singles

1. Harmonia - Released: May 21, 2003
2. Tenkyu (New Summer Version) - Released: August 6, 2003
3. Blue Sky Blue - Released: November 9, 2003
4. Hitoritabi Shararuran - Released: April 21, 2004
5. Mangekyō Kirakira - Released: May 26, 2004
6. Houki Gumo - Released: January 26, 2005
7. Mikazuki Rhapsody - Released: August 24, 2005
8. 20 Tsubu no Kokoro - Released: January 1, 2006
9. Kokoro Bīdama - Released: March 1, 2006
10. Negai - Released: April 26, 2006
11. Sakura Uta - Released: February 28, 2007
12. Hotarubi - Released: July 18, 2007
13. WINNER - Released: October 10, 2007
14. Bitter & Sweet - Released: November 17, 2007
15. Kubisuji Line - Released: February 10, 2008
16. Love Call/Akari no Arika - Released: July 23, 2008
17. Gyuttoshite - Released: July 29, 2009
18. Tsunaide te - Released: November 11, 2009
19. Mudai - Released: July 7, 2010
20. A Flower - Released: November 10, 2010

References

External links

• Rythem's official website (in Japanese)
• Sony's official page for Rythem (in Japanese)
• Rythem at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Neat's official website (in Japanese)