Theres a lot of great music in Japan, but recently I feel like I’m listening to the same artists too frequently. Some of my favorite singers are Susumu Hirasawa and Yamaguchi Momoe. Does anyone have any suggestions for good Japanese music/musicians? Any favorite songs?
31 comments
There’s a youtube channel called The First Take. They invite singers to perform a song recorded in one take and feature many well known artists in Japan.
My personal favorite is Inside You by Milet.
Kikagaku moyo
I really like Def Tech its kinda like reggae. Catch the wave is a super good song
You probably know about Orange Range but if you dont you should check them out.
Nakamori Akina
Utada Hikaru and Lisa Ono
Capsule / yasutaka in general
Boris.
Uru and Aimer
Zombie Chang
Fujii Kaze (藤井 風) is brilliant. The only Japanese singer I actually like.
Quruli
For me one of my favorites has to be Casiopea, they are a progressive jazz band but I get that’s not for everyone. If I’m being honest some of their music sounds like something from a Wii sports soundtrack.
For electronic music: Nujabes, Susumu Yokota, Hiroshi Yoshimura, Satoshi Fumi.
For more pop sound: Daoko, REKISHI, iri… some Sakanaction songs are still bangers, but I haven’t been a big fan for a few years. Same applies to Shiina Ringo/Tokyo Jihen, but it doesn’t help that she’s a right-wing nutter.
For more rock: Maximum the Hormone, SiM, coldrain, Crossfaith… can’t think of much more, it’s been a few years.
If I listen to anything from Japan these days, it’s probably electronic house, techno, or ambient. Luckily Spotify has some nice playlists for those, to help broaden my horizons.
Definitely not a fan of the modern Japanese male singing voice, especially if it’s paired with some generic piano/acoustic guitar.
And I love Susumu Hirasawa! MOTHER gives me chills every time I hear it.
Ningen Isu
LOVEBITES. Chicks in wedding dresses shredding your face off since 2016. They look like a gimmick band but they’re not, they’re fucking brilliant.
Sakanaction & Kick The Can Crew
If I had to choose, B’z, Show-Ya, and Scandal. Couldn’t really pin down any favourite song, I just like how they sound (Show-Ya especially).
Look for the Weedian compilation “Trip to Japan” on bandcamp. If you can’t find something in those 40 songs, I can’t help you.
Miyuki Nakajima is my go-to singer but she can be a bit dark and depressing at times.
1. Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi
2. Shonen Knife
3. The Pillows
This will probably date me, but Yamazaki Masayoshi, Fukuyama Masaharu, Oda Kazumasa, Kirori, Southern All Stars, X Japan
Boris
Hebi Katana
Eternal Elysium
Church of Misery
Sigh
Blood Farmers
Flower Traveling Band
Blacklab
Ado.
Polkadot stingray, P丸様 and honeyworks are some of my favorites
Radwimps, L’arc~en~ciel, asian kung fu generation, b’z, tokyo jihen, sambomaster, aiko
Random list of artist from my jp playlist
Hiraidai
Eve
iri
Vaundy
JP the wavy
Official髭男dism
kiro akiyama
(Old but gold female artist that were big 2000)
大塚愛
安室奈美恵
滨崎步
Yui
Favorite all time song prob either “daybreaks bell” by l’arc-en-Ciel or 春雷 by 米津玄師
Garnidelia, Yoasobi, Radwimps, Polkadot Stingray, POLYSICS.
POLYSICS are my favourite. Check out New Wave Jacket, Rocket, Electric Surfin’ Go Go, and I My Me Mine.
Fujii Kaze, Vaundy, and Lamp are the only Japanese artists I consistently listen to! Favorite songs of each:
きらり- Fujii Kaze
踊り子 – Vaundy
恋人へ – Lamp
Currently I’m listening to a lot of….
Yuma Abe
Shintaro Sakomoto
Shugo Tokumaru
Yujiro Kudo
Junnos
My specialist subject!
Japan has an *incredible* indie music subculture that gets absolutely none of the recognition it deserves. The average level of quality in Japan’s underground scene is absurdly high, with imaginative, boundary-pushing, original acts playing their hearts out in the country’s livehouses every night to very small crowds.
My personal favourite acts are Johnnivan (dance rock), For Tracy Hyde (dream pop), Bakyun the everyday (punk), Haru Nemuri (poetry rap), Laura day romance (twee rock), and BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON (psychedelic), but the depths go as far as you dare to sink. You will always be rewarded for your search. [Here is my huge playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/64crfP0vROH0sqWu206hQJ?si=65a8379cb2e54695) of bands I’ve found and loved.
I also have a YouTube channel where I highlight some of Japan’s best underappreciated acts (link in profile).
Always happy to point people in the direction of the nearest gig…!
Come over to /r/japanesemusic, lots of great bands to explore.