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Japanese Music (Pop, rock and all 'dat) |OT|

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Larsa

Member
Man, I'm glad I checked out the new Hanae album. Her first album didn't do much for me, but this one is a huge improvement. S-T-A-R-S is the fucking jam of the year. Just a really fun and pleasant album.
 
S

stump sock

Member
Peru said:
Well.. I'm curious for sure, and I'll be paying attention, but 'more of the same' doesn't really work with BiS as a template - BiS constantly surprised us, from start to finish, in an increasingly diverse idol scene they still managed to take left turns all the way through to the end. That's part of the reason why it felt so poignant that they quit on top. If this stuff is just going to copy BiS then it's worthless.
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I'd have to think/hope that Watanabe's still got a few good curveballs left in him, even if the odds aren't really in his favor. I mean I don't know how you manage to still be surprising after constant nudity, noise collaborations, dry-humping tv hosts, cum-covered photoshoots, etc.

at least the music should be good? Matsukuma could fart on a snare drum for an hour and I'd be into it.

Larsa said:
Man, I'm glad I checked out the new Hanae album. Her first album didn't do much for me, but this one is a huge improvement. S-T-A-R-S is the fucking jam of the year. Just a really fun and pleasant album.
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totally. I liked her first album more in theory than in practice but this one is just really solid stuff.

....

two more things

1.

tumblr_nkxw8m6ZU91s1pzmeo4_400.gif


2. the second video from that Dempagumi.inc single - ギダギダdaズバズバda

damn thing's been in my head all week
 
M

MezzoForte

Member
Kurita said:
It was kind of an impulse buy but I ended up loving it. Really great album yeah. GREAT CITY KIDS might be my favorite song.
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cool song for sure. Coral Blue jumped out at me a lot. Although they've buffed up the electronics in their songs considerably, it's nice to see that they're still down to write a simple and speedy indie rock tune.

got the limited edition so I'm watching the DVD right now. Doesn't have any songs from the new album but it's a very good show.

I'm not really on the Twitter train nor do I follow any musicians too closely, but Negoto's Mizuki is an interesting one for me right now. I guess you could say I'm interested in others who do what she does (has a lookbook, Instagram with some good quality pictures, etc.). She is certainly stylish, and knows how to use a camera.

https://instagram.com/mizuki_masuda/
http://wear.jp/mizukimasuda/

20150303120405408_500.jpg
20150107120104946_500.jpg
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else, I also got the new SHISHAMO and Garasu Goshi no Bousou CDs. Been playing the latter a lot, just got the former yesterday. Will be spinning on the way to work tomorrow.
 
P

Peru

Member
stump sock said:
I'd have to think/hope that Watanabe's still got a few good curveballs left in him, even if the odds aren't really in his favor. I mean I don't know how you manage to still be surprising after constant nudity, noise collaborations, dry-humping tv hosts, cum-covered photoshoots, etc.

at least the music should be good? Matsukuma could fart on a snare drum for an hour and I'd be into it.
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It should be, yeah. BiS had such a way with timing.That ska tune parodying idol life, finishing their career with a beach wear 'summer single', the funny little stunt where they announced that they'd become traditional idols and release a conservative single, the totally unexpected Dorothy Little Happy collab..etc. The beauty of "primal". Too good.
 
L

LayLa

Member
Dempagumi are performing at the Hyper Japan festival in London on July 12th. Tempted to go!
After a few listens I really like that Campanella song, it's a lot more commercial sounding but still recognisably them.
 
K

Kurita

Member
MezzoForte said:
I'm not really on the Twitter train nor do I follow any musicians too closely, but Negoto's Mizuki is an interesting one for me right now. I guess you could say I'm interested in others who do what she does (has a lookbook, Instagram with some good quality pictures, etc.). She is certainly stylish, and knows how to use a camera.

https://instagram.com/mizuki_masuda/
http://wear.jp/mizukimasuda/
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I absolutely love following musicians on Twitter and Instagram, I enjoy their music a lot more when I get to see what their daily life looks like. Also a great way to see that A LOT of artists are friends. Kinda blew my mind a few years ago when I realized that the rock scene in Japan is one big familly. I honestly have no idea how it is in other countries but that's one of the many reasons why I love Japanese artists. I guess it helps that Japan is small country? So many bands in a tiny country, I guess they're all bound to hang out together.
 
M

MezzoForte

Member
Kurita said:
I absolutely love following musicians on Twitter and Instagram, I enjoy their music a lot more when I get to see what their daily life looks like. Also a great way to see that A LOT of artists are friends. Kinda blew my mind a few years ago when I realized that the rock scene in Japan is one big familly. I honestly have no idea how it is in other countries but that's one of the many reasons why I love Japanese artists. I guess it helps that Japan is small country? So many bands in a tiny country, I guess they're all bound to hang out together.
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it helps that Japan is extremely interconnected as well. I like this picture because it seems to illustrate the point. Six people, six bands, one afternoon out shopping?

y8sn.jpg
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#galileogalilei #nicoten #okamotos #scandal #宇宙まお #negoto
 
S

stump sock

Member
it's also one of my biggest personal motivators to keep pushing forward with learning japanese. there's almost always at least one or two things that pop up on social media per day that I'm interested in translating. having that kind of routine keeps me motivated.

and yeah with the rise of popularity in indie and non-traditional idols you see a lot of cross-pollination there too.

e: uhhh... so Ebichu actually play their instruments for that 五五七ニ三ニ〇 thing? O_O

this is just getting more and more interesting

stolen from elsewhere:

一二　九　二二　五　二五　一　一八　九　二〇　一　九(12 9 22 5 25 1 18 9 20 1 9)

L(12) I(9) V(22) E(5) Y(25) A(1) R(18) I(9) T(20) A(1) I(9)
Live Yaritai (want to perform live)
Click to expand...
 
L

LayLa

Member
Kurita said:
I absolutely love following musicians on Twitter and Instagram, I enjoy their music a lot more when I get to see what their daily life looks like. Also a great way to see that A LOT of artists are friends. Kinda blew my mind a few years ago when I realized that the rock scene in Japan is one big familly. I honestly have no idea how it is in other countries but that's one of the many reasons why I love Japanese artists. I guess it helps that Japan is small country? So many bands in a tiny country, I guess they're all bound to hang out together.
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From my experience of playing in bands in the UK I'd say this could be a universal thing. Bands tend to hang out together & help each other out, yes there are rivalries but in general there is definitely a camaraderie that exists. From the few times I played in the US it was very similar, every musician I met over there was super friendly & would bend over backwards to help us, lending expensive equipment at the drop of a hat etc.

stump sock said:
e: uhhh... so Ebichu actually play their instruments for that 五五七ニ三ニ〇 thing? O_O
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eeeeh going by that video most of them have had a couple of lessons but not much else, very unlikely they played anything on the song. having said that it is so cool that they are doing this, really looking forward to see what happens next, regular practice can lead to quick results!
 
P

Peru

Member
L

LayLa

Member
Peru said:
Quick... and ramshackle http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnz946_akb48-live-give-me-five-request-hour-2012-中文字幕_music

Charming enough, though.
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awww reminds me of the K-On seiyuu who learned their characters instruments and played songs live as a band - there's a DVD extra from 9 months before the first concert where they are first given their instruments and most of them can't play a note! just as ramshackle and endearing, they were all blubbing by the end haha. Edit: you can watch the before/after on YouTube! http://youtu.be/cYkx0TAIXWQ
 
K

Kurita

Member
LayLa said:
From my experience of playing in bands in the UK I'd say this could be a universal thing. Bands tend to hang out together & help each other out, yes there are rivalries but in general there is definitely a camaraderie that exists. From the few times I played in the US it was very similar, every musician I met over there was super friendly & would bend over backwards to help us, lending expensive equipment at the drop of a hat etc.
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Thanks for the feedback. Didn't expect it to be a Japan-only thing obviously but since I don't know anything about the rock scene in other countries... :lol
 
S

stump sock

Member
Peru said:
Quick... and ramshackle http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnz946_akb48-live-give-me-five-request-hour-2012-中文字幕_music

Charming enough, though.
Click to expand...

PASSPO tried it too, with similar results: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7LvOck-3B0

points for effort anyway

LayLa said:
eeeeh going by that video most of them have had a couple of lessons but not much else, very unlikely they played anything on the song.
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I'm sure they didn't, but they're aiming for a live show, so who knows.
 
S

stump sock

Member
that album has won me over way more than I would have guessed. I've listened to it more than almost anything the last few weeks. really addictive.
 
Zoe

Zoe

Member
Did Perfume's Love the World actually get a global physical release, or was it just released to coincide with their tour?
 
Zoe

Zoe

Member
I wasn't sure since like half of them mention being an import. Those sure aren't global prices...

Wonder if I can get one of their Japanese albums from YesAsia by next week.
 
S

SweetDonuts

Member
Really enjoying FLOWER's album, updated versions of the singles are well done and the album tracks are good (a few are great). 2nd disc is full of amazing covers too, I'm really looking forward to their tour.

stump sock said:
https://33.media.tumblr.com/6d9183378848bf8c94689a5b9a6830f0/tumblr_nkxw8m6ZU91s1pzmeo4_400.gif
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tumblr_nkyukm1lJE1qdx3jjo2_400.gif
 
K

Kurita

Member
The new Perfume project is just a translation project. They want people from all around to participate in order to translate their lyrics in 46 languages.
Can't say I'm that suprised actually.
 
C

ChryZ

Member
Zoe said:
I wasn't sure since like half of them mention being an import. Those sure aren't global prices...

Wonder if I can get one of their Japanese albums from YesAsia by next week.
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Love the World was released outside of Japan, but only in Asia and countries that enjoyed World Tour 1st, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_the_World_(album)

I picked up my copy via eBay, surprisingly cheap and it turned out to be the Korean release. AFAIR everything was Japanese (booklet, inlays, obi, track listing), just the label wasn't Tokuma Japan but UMG International.
 
C

chrominance

Member
MezzoForte said:
new Negoto = dope as hell. Doesn't even matter that like half of the album has been released already!
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Really digging it too. It's weird because it's probably the most straightforward rock album I've listened to in a while--it's not quirky or innovative or weird, it's just really well done and super polished. Also, I will always be happy to have another copy of that lead track off "Z"OOM because it's amazing.

jokkir said:
This song was posted here before but I've been listening to it lately and I really like it.

綿めぐみ - 災難だわ

This song too from the same person:
綿めぐみ - モンキージョージ
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Also digging this, kind of sad I never managed to track down a physical copy while in Japan but whatever. Looking forward to whatever she does next.
 
K

Kurita

Member
UQiYO's latest PV is so nice to look at. Pretty impressive to see that quality from a small act. They have a new album coming next week and I'm actually interested in it. Their previous one was quite nice. They do some relaxing yet catchy electro/synth-pop/folk (I don't know what I'm saying) tunes, great stuff if you want to take a moment to contemplate the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pErZUu7j_Ws
 
L

ladyluthien

Member
Finished listening to Koda Kumi's new album, Walk of my Life. I have to admit, I'm really disappointed in it. I could see there was a lot of potential for most of the tracks, but everything ended up sounding so noisy and busy. I'm pretty bummed out right now hahaha, was looking forward to this album. I did enjoy House Party, Like it (almost loved this one but something sounds missing), and a couple others. But it isn't love for me.

Edit: I do adore MONEY IN MY BAG and Dance in the Rain.
 
Zoe

Zoe

Member
It really bums me out that her album is completely Western this time. Haven't listened to the whole thing yet, but the samples were so messy :\
 
M

MezzoForte

Member
Kansoku said:
Just discovered you you you all the same, a math rock band. They only have 1 mini album and 1 single so far, but they sound interesting:
https://soundcloud.com/you-you-you-all-the-same/trailer
http://yyyats.com/
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very competent stuff. Nice find.

didn't realize Kaela had a new DVD/Blu-ray out. It covers two shows from last year which was I guess the 10th anniversary of her debut. Has a lot of songs I've been wanting to see live for a while. Full tracklist:

GO!GO! KAELAND 2014 -10years anniversary-

【収録曲】 Rockin' ZOO(10月25日)
1. Level 42 2. BEAT
3. 1115
4. 喜怒哀楽 plus 愛
5. You bet!!
6. KEKKO
7. 誰
8. Because
9. WONDER Volt
10. きりんタン
11. Samantha
12. orange
13. dolphin
14. never land
15. Sun shower
16. どこ
17. Circle
18. Yellow
19. はやる気持ち的 My World
20. TREE CLIMBERS
21. マスタッシュ
22. You know you love me?
23. Butterfly
24. untie
25. Today Is A New Day

【収録曲】 Poppin' PARK(10月26日)
1. Butterfly
2. リルラ リルハ
3. Ring a Ding Dong
4. L.drunk
5. Ground Control
6. Twinkle
7. OLE! OH!
8. Jasper
9. リリアン
10. You
11. ワニと小鳥
12. A winter fairy is melting a snowman
13. sweetie
14. Snowdome
15. キミニアイタイ
16. What ever are you looking for?
17. STARs
18. マミレル
19. Make my day!
20. BANZAI
21. Magic Music
22. Today Is A New Day
23. sonic manic
24. Super girl
25. happiness!!!

edit: trailer
 
L

ladyluthien

Member
Listened to Koda Kumi's new album again, and it's starting to grow on me. I'm impressed with her vocals in Fake Tongue. I love how she hits those high notes.
 
K

Kurita

Member
I just can't get enough of 04 Limited Sazabys nowadays, wasn't really feeling them when I first discovered the band but they quickly became one of the centerpieces in my music library. Perfect band to move my body and feel good : pop-punk with high-pitched male vocals is a great combo.
Can't wait to listen to their first full album in two weeks!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HrcVdrj-Eg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=447cO8LTq9A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29xmOdwfgbE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb4y5VT9fxs

They were a part of this year Space Shower Retsuden Tour where 4 bands perform in the entire country together. The 2015 line-up was Brian the Sun, THE ORAL CIGARETTES, HAPPY and 04 Limited Sazabys so needless to say it must have been amazing.
 
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