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- Seen Jun 30, 2018
'Kay, so I'm gonna admit to being a bit of a music snob. I like having good music to listen to. I'm also unashamedly a fan of Japanese music. I also also like spreading good music to other people. And that's why I'm making this.
For anyone who is interested in Japanese music or would possibly like to expand their musical repertoire I'm presenting some of my favorite, possibly lesser-known artists for your consideration.
These are all artists that I don't think you need to have an interest in Japanese music to appreciate because they're all good artists. Period. And if it helps at least one of them primarily sings in English anyway.
Sakanaction
They take a mixture of rock, electronic, and pop sounds and creature unusual, but pleasant, interesting, accessible music. They don't stick to formulas and each song has its own unique sound.
Sample: native dancer, me ga aku ai iro
me-al art
A kind of darker sounding alternative rock band. I'm not that great at describing music so I'm stuck on what to say here. They've got these... threads of emotions running through their songs, some anger, sadness, rage. There's also a dreamy quality mixed in it all.
Sample: yume ni saku hana, oboreru sakana
Matryoshka
Lots of ambient, melodic music from this group. They have a kind of post-rock (?) feel as well, I think. Definitely the kind of music where the vocals aren't the focus, but blended in to become part of the music as a whole.
Sample: Sink Into The Sin, Beyond (Headphones Remote Remix)
Capsule
If you know Perfume then you might know their producer's other main outlet, Capsule. Unlike Perfume, which is poppy and cute, this has a lounge-ier sound in its early albums and the later ones have a rough electronic style like you'd find playing at clubs and raves (I assume, I've never actually been to one).
Sample: Jumper, space station No. 9
Sakamoto Maaya
I know some have heard of her. She's been involved in a lot of animes both as a voice actor and a singer, but I think it's music where she shines brightest. She has a lot of lighter pop songs that skirt the edges of folk songs, ballads, pop-rock, and typical J-pop, and has a very clear, beautiful voice.
Sample: Get No Satisfaction!, Universe
RADWIMPS
A rock band that from time to time mixes in little elements of rap, funk, hiphop, reggae and punk. Lots of fast-paced music and some very impressive talent coming from their lead singer's vocals.
Sample: One man live, iin desu ka?
Superfly
She takes her inspiration from the 1960s and blends it with modern J-pop and J-rock and makes something really groovy come out. She's got this unexpectedly super powerful voice that I just love.
Sample: Alright!!, tamashii revolution
BONNIE PINK
She makes straight up J-pop with the familiar kinds of tunes you hear from a lot of artists, but she's got the musical range to swing her pop songs into other areas like blues and hiphop.
Sample: A Perfect Sky, Rope Dancer
Tommy heavenly6
Pop alternative rock music with some fun, exaggerated Halloween-ish elements.
Sample: Heavy Starry Chain, I ♥ XMAS
avengers in scifi
An eclectic rock band who likes to give all their songs science fiction themes and splashes of electronic sound effects.
Sample: Lovers On Mars, [URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-oM-7EJqkE"]NAYUTANIZED
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For anyone who is interested in Japanese music or would possibly like to expand their musical repertoire I'm presenting some of my favorite, possibly lesser-known artists for your consideration.
These are all artists that I don't think you need to have an interest in Japanese music to appreciate because they're all good artists. Period. And if it helps at least one of them primarily sings in English anyway.
Sakanaction
They take a mixture of rock, electronic, and pop sounds and creature unusual, but pleasant, interesting, accessible music. They don't stick to formulas and each song has its own unique sound.
Sample: native dancer, me ga aku ai iro
me-al art
A kind of darker sounding alternative rock band. I'm not that great at describing music so I'm stuck on what to say here. They've got these... threads of emotions running through their songs, some anger, sadness, rage. There's also a dreamy quality mixed in it all.
Sample: yume ni saku hana, oboreru sakana
Matryoshka
Lots of ambient, melodic music from this group. They have a kind of post-rock (?) feel as well, I think. Definitely the kind of music where the vocals aren't the focus, but blended in to become part of the music as a whole.
Sample: Sink Into The Sin, Beyond (Headphones Remote Remix)
Capsule
If you know Perfume then you might know their producer's other main outlet, Capsule. Unlike Perfume, which is poppy and cute, this has a lounge-ier sound in its early albums and the later ones have a rough electronic style like you'd find playing at clubs and raves (I assume, I've never actually been to one).
Sample: Jumper, space station No. 9
Sakamoto Maaya
I know some have heard of her. She's been involved in a lot of animes both as a voice actor and a singer, but I think it's music where she shines brightest. She has a lot of lighter pop songs that skirt the edges of folk songs, ballads, pop-rock, and typical J-pop, and has a very clear, beautiful voice.
Sample: Get No Satisfaction!, Universe
RADWIMPS
A rock band that from time to time mixes in little elements of rap, funk, hiphop, reggae and punk. Lots of fast-paced music and some very impressive talent coming from their lead singer's vocals.
Sample: One man live, iin desu ka?
Superfly
She takes her inspiration from the 1960s and blends it with modern J-pop and J-rock and makes something really groovy come out. She's got this unexpectedly super powerful voice that I just love.
Sample: Alright!!, tamashii revolution
BONNIE PINK
She makes straight up J-pop with the familiar kinds of tunes you hear from a lot of artists, but she's got the musical range to swing her pop songs into other areas like blues and hiphop.
Sample: A Perfect Sky, Rope Dancer
Tommy heavenly6
Pop alternative rock music with some fun, exaggerated Halloween-ish elements.
Sample: Heavy Starry Chain, I ♥ XMAS
avengers in scifi
An eclectic rock band who likes to give all their songs science fiction themes and splashes of electronic sound effects.
Sample: Lovers On Mars, [URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-oM-7EJqkE"]NAYUTANIZED
[/URL]
