The Wonderful World of Japanese Music(J-Pop, etc.)

[Space Cadet]

So, four years ago, I created an all-encompassing topic for K-pop and that seems to have gone very well. So, because of that success, I wanted to create a topic for Japanese music in general. For many people, the first encounter with Japanese music is via anime, specifically through the opening and ending themes. However, Japanese music is more than just the anime opening and endings, there's a rich history there. In this topic, you can post not only from J-pop, but J-R&B, J-Rock, City Pop, etc.


To kick things off, I'm going to post the new song from the 9-member Japanese girl group, NiziU. They made their debut in 2020 and they're part of JYP Entertainment(TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY, NMIXX, etc). The song is called "Sweet Nonfiction" and it came out today. It's a digital single and it's the theme song for the upcoming Japanese movie, Lovesick Ellie, which the NiziU members make a cameo appearance. It's a cute song, I like it.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

South China Morning Post's Gloria Fung on J-pop duo Yoasobi's rising popularity and international breakthrough.

How J-pop duo Yoasobi blazed a trail to the top

J-pop duo Yoasobi wowed Hongkongers at Clockenflap last year – and now the pair is going to perform at Coachella in 2024 … so just how did they get so popular?

www.scmp.com

 

[Shiloh Otter]

I do listen to a bit of J-rock, though my favorite Japanese band is J-metal band DIR EN GREY, who I listen to considerably more than any other Japanese act.

I'm fairly certain that I can't post any of their videos here, though, as they would require multiple content warnings. They are very much the definition of an acquired taste. You can search them out on your own if you're inclined to, but if you do, don't say I didn't warn you.

I love the band because each individual member is extremely talented at what they do, especially lead vocalist Kyo, who is easily one of the best vocalists in music. He does a lot of things that just should not be humanly possible.

 

[Space Cadet]

Japanese singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze has released a new song called "Michi Teyu Ku (Overflowing)." Below is the music video. He's has a big year and a half, ever since his song "Shinunoga E-Wa" went viral on TikTok and other places. He's also announced his first U.S. dates for his piano tour as well.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Yoasobi and J-pop girl group Hanabie will be performing in this year's Lollapalooza.

Lollapalooza 2024 Line-Up: YOASOBI, HANABIE. announced - Electric Bloom Webzine

YOASOBI and HANABIE. are set to make their debut appearances at Lollapalooza 2024 in Chicago this August. As the festival season draws...

electricbloomwebzine.com

 

[Space Cadet]

ME:I, a girls group formed from the latest season of Produce 101 Japan, has released the MV for one of their debut songs, "Click." They make their formal debut on 4/17.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Here's a song from the 2014 Black Butler film adaptation by Akira, who is the frontwoman of visual kei (basically the Japanese equivalent to glam rock and hair metal) rock band Disacode.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Japanese heavy metal musician Saki has announced her departure from the all-female metal band Nemophila on amicable terms, just over two months after the release of their recent album Evolve.

NEMOPHILA guitarist SAKI departs due to differences in direction - Electric Bloom Webzine

NEMOPHILA, the self-described "soft and fluffy band from hell", have announced the departure of guitarist SAKI on March 31st.

electricbloomwebzine.com

 

[Space Cadet]

Ayumi Hamasaki has released the MV for her new song, "BYE-BYE":

 

[Space Cadet]

Boy group Number_i has released the MV for their song, "Blow Your Cover," which is off their debut single album/EP. The group will also be at Coachella on Sunday, part of the 88rising show, along with other Asian musicians. Also, while the group is new, the members are not, as they were previously part of the boy group King & Prince until they left the group a year ago.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

You know this meme below featuring Mana, the androgynous guitarist of Japanese visual kei bands Malice Mizer and Moi dix Mois that's been popular on social media?

It's actually from the former band's appearance on Hot Wave, where they performed their hit single "Beast of Blood" 23 years ago.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

J-pop boy band Ae! have released their debut single "A: The Beginning" and here's the music video.

J-pop act Ae! group release debut single '《A》BEGINNING' – watch

Ae! group have arrived. On 15 April (Monday), the J-pop quintet made their debut with the release of '《A》BEGINNING', now on streaming exclusively ...

www.bandwagon.asia

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Yoasobi released their seventh EP titled E-Side 3 two weeks ago and here's their recent single, which is the English version of "Adventure".

 

[Shiloh Otter]

DIR EN GREY has released its 34th single, "The Devil in Me", which also contains remakes of debut album songs "Cage" and "Yokan" as b-sides.

Once again, I won't link to it directly, so search it out if you're into extreme heavy metal. (The release is on Spotify at the very least).

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Here's a song by Gen Hoshino that appeared in the closing credits of Spy × Family Code: White, which I saw yesterday.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Miki Matsubara's debut single that garnered a major resurgence in 2020.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Shinjiro Atae has come out as gay, making him one of the notable high-profile J-pop artists to identify as LGBTQ+ with another one being Hikaru Utada.

J-pop idol Shinjiro Atae comes out as gay during Tokyo concert: 'I finally have the courage to open up to you'

The announcement, which Shinjiro Atae said he'd been wanting to make, is highly unusual in Japan where same-sex unions are not legal.

uk.news.yahoo.com

 

[Space Cadet]

Boy group Number_i have released the MV for their new song, "BON." It's off their first mini album, N -ring- which is also out.



Kenshi Yonezu has released the MV for his new song, "Mainichi(Every Day)":




Aimyon released the MV for her new song, "Wish I could see you, but":