FEMM: Японский дуэт электронной музыки

Japanese electronic dance music duo

FEMM (sometimes recognized as an abbreviation for Far East Mention Mannequins) was a Japanese electronic dance music duo, composed of RiRi and LuLa. The group signed with the Avex Group Holdings Inc. sub record label Maximum10 and their distributing label Avex Music Creative Inc.; they signed a deal with London label JPU Records for European distribution. After a series of singles between 2013 and 2014, FEMM released their debut studio album Femm Isation in October 2014 as a digital release. FEMM's major debut and first physical release, Pow!/L. C. S., was released in February 2016. FEMM is a music project that portrays "real life mannequins", with RiRi and LuLa acting as the leaders of the FEMM Agency Syndicate, an agency that supports the independence and rights of mannequins (hypothetically their fan base). RiRi is managed by agent Honey B, and LuLa is managed by agent W Trouble. Portrayed by the same performers as their alter egos, Honey B and W Trouble communicate on RiRi and LuLa's behalf. Despite the group's lack of charting success, FEMM have received coverage by several Western websites. The group has been widely commended for their fashion style and commercial appeal. FEMM have been cited as the world's "first mannequin duo", and have been highlighted by publications including The Huffington Post and Perez Hilton.

FEMM consists of RiRi and LuLa. Little is known about FEMM's formation or meeting prior to being signed; in an interview on February 24, 2016, W Trouble stated that her and Honey B "met at FEMM's Agency Syndicate. Details are top secret." In October 2013, the group launched a YouTube channel and uploaded a teaser video; The video shows RiRi and LuLa walking around the streets of Japan, talking about their quest of rescuing mannequins. This teaser was used to launch FEMM's website, which uses interactive elements to communicate with their fanbase. FEMM signed with the Avex Group Holdings Inc. sub record label Maximum10 and their distributing label Avex Music Creative Inc. In February 2014, FEMM premiered two music videos; "UFO" and "Astroboy" on their YouTube channel; the former track is a cover song originally recorded in 1977 by Japanese pop duo Pink Lady, whilst the latter track featured guest vocals from FEMM's agents, Honey B and W Trouble. Despite the initial lack of popularity, FEMM included both songs in the group's debut extended play (EP) Astroboy on April 2, 2014. "Astroboy" was recognized by Western critics as FEMM's first original song by the group.

In early December 2015, FEMM confirmed in a press release through Avex Group Inc. that they would release their debut physical album, which was revealed to be entitled Pow!/L. C. S FEMM confirmed the EP would include two new tracks; the studio version of "Pow! ", and "L. C. S.", alongside old remixes of their previous singles; they commented that they would add new re edited versions of different tracks that didn't appear on their debut studio. Regarding the material, FEMM agent Honey B stated "The original order of the songs was already carefully mapped out, but this time round we got to put in segues in between songs which made a big difference. The songs flow so smoothly, it will seem like it all happens in a split second and like you have travelled in time." On February 3, Pow!/L. C. S. was released digitally through iTunes Stores and served a physical released on February 23. The music videos to "Pow!" and "L. C. S." premiered on FEMM's YouTube channel in January and February 2016. On April 27, 2016, they re released YouTube videos of "White Noise" and "Whiplash" with minor changes to lyrics and new camera angles. On the same day, FEMM, FAKY and Yup'in were confirmed to be in a new Avex project group called "FAMM'IN" and released their first digital EP, FAMM'IN and music video of their title song, "Circle" on YouTube.

In May 2017, FEMM released a single, "Do It Again", that featured American songwriter Liz. In mid 2017, FEMM launched a project called "80s/90s J Pop Revival" with a double A side cover single, "My Revolution / Konyaha Boogie Back|今夜はブギー・バック (nice vocal)", which was released in September. It featured members from FAKY and Yup'in. It was followed by another single a week later and a cover album with the same name in October. As a way to promote the singles, "Falling For A Lullaby", a B side from "My Revolution" was used in an advertisement for the Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza.

In 2018, FEMM released "dollhouse" which included two recorded songs and a few instrumentals. To commemorate the EP, two live performances were held. "ADIRECTOR Vol.1『DOLLHOUSE』" was their first Oneman live, but also an interactive art exhibition at Omotesando B SPACE, occupying 4 floors of the pink building between August 4 and 27. In the same year, they released, "Dolls Kill", featuring Japanese Hip hop artist, Elle Teresa. In 2019, FEMM released their digital single, "Shibuya Ex Horologium". The lyrics were created by AI Rinna, who curated the impressions of the live performance posted on Twitter and used them as inspiration. In October 2020, FEMM released the final single, "Chewing Gum Cleaner", before erasing all content from their platforms.

In November 2020, FEMM announced that they were going to 'upgrade' to FEMM Version 2.0. and teased the song "Level Up" featuring Duke of Harajuku. The song was subsequently released as a single from their new EP "404 Not Found". Tak. iijima photo exhibition『5 years with FEMM』 was held at Harajuku Design Festa Gallery EAST 201, between December 12, 2020 and December 10, 2020. To further promote their upcoming FEMM 2.0. studio album, they released the singles "Sugar Rush" and "Private Dancer" along with accompanying music videos. In late 2021, the duo released the song "Tokyo Girls Anthem", and in early 2022 they released an album of the same name as that single, supported through the singles "Tokyo Girls Anthem" and "We Got Each Other". On January 21, 2022 they released their last full album "Tokyo Ex Machina". FEMM held FEMM Isation UK/EU tour 2022 between July 14, 2022 and July 22, 2022, with shows in Dusseldorf, Paris, Manchester, Huddersfield and London.

In August 17, 2022 they released the digital EP "THE SIX", the song of same name was opening theme for MBS/TBS drama WHAT SIX SURVIVORS TOLD
On April 1, 2023 they communicated that RiRi and LuLa will return to their original belonging, in the distant future. What FEMM really stands for is “Far East “Military” Mannequin”. These intelligent dolls were forced to perform proxy wars for humans in their era. RiRi and LuLa were transferred to the present age to change this scenario. When they arrived, their shape (body) of a doll was not accompanied. Only their "memories" reached two human girls across time and space. It was a movement to prevent new discrimination and conflicts. To achieve this, the method chosen by the four was "Music", which transcends borders and eras. Their last single "CHERRY on TOP" was theme song for TV Asahi Freestyle Nippon Toitsu. Their last digital EP "CHERRY", which includes this single and solo songs to RiRi and LuLa, was released in November 15, 2023. FEMM last concert "Last FEMM Isation" was December 16, 2023 in London, and their final performance in Japan was a collaboration holiday party with fancyHIM on December 24, 2023.

RiRi: "Combat" mannequin, portrayed by Emily Kaiho, who also portrays her agent managing Honey B.
LuLa: "Babyfaced housekeeper" mannequin, portrayed by Todo Hiro, who also portrays her agent managing W Trouble.

[[File:JPOPSUMMIT15 KevinFrates 470. jpg|thumb|right|FEMM portray themselves as two plastic dolls, known as mannequins (pictured at the J Pop Summit in 2015). According to Honey B, RiRi is a "combat" mannequin that wears "rather aggressive designs". While performing and in public areas, FEMM stay in character and move with robot like actions; they are sometimes carried on and off stage by staff members to underline mannequin characteristics. FEMM's live performances and music videos are choreographed by Japanese choreographing team Hidali, whilst many of the latex outfits are made by Shoichiro Matsuoka of GM Atelier. Kimi Li from What's a Greek blog compared the Japanese music towards Western culture, and stated "Japan's music industry has been seen to largely play catch up with the rest of the world. Major labels are slow to embrace streaming services. Japan's iTunes store is a wealth of anison, electro and pop but only a small fraction of that is available globally." Colin McQuistan from The Huffington Post listed FEMM as one of their top six acts of 2016; McQuistan stated "I'm talking about FEMM, a deceptively slick production from Japan featuring two very real humans Honey B and W Trouble (sigh) who claim to 'stand up for the rights of mannequins worldwide' (double sigh). But who cares what their shtick is; the music is super commercial, catchy and very cleverly written pop." The short videos were created in support of the "Dance is Not a Crime" campaign which protested Japan's legislation in which night clubs would be closed at midnight and post "no dancing" signs at several clubs and areas. The Businesses Affecting Public Morals Regulation Act, which was introduced in 1948, prohibited people to dance within 66 metres from night clubs after a certain cut off time. Despite public retaliation, law and police department enforcements increased by 2011. FEMM protested the law throughout 2015, using hashtags on social media websites and through music videos. The video was advertised by Japanese record label Dimension Point and included "Fxxk Boyz Get Money" on their compilation album.