• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

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

K

Kurita

Member
No they're under Victor Entertainment, which is a major label. They're managed by Hip Land Music though.
They did their major debut in 2007. And yeah they're pretty famous, their albums sell really well, they play in big venues (like the Makuhari Messe).
The vocalist also composed two songs for one of Japan's biggest boy bands, SMAP.
 
Z

ZombiePlatypus

Member
Is JPOP going through some weird "dormant" phase just like Japanese gaming scene is? Yeah, we have Kyari and Perfume and they're both fun, but the whole scene/market used to seem so much more varied and vibrant. What happened to DAI, ELT, Ai Otsuka, Hitomi, Tsukiko Amano, Porno Graffiti, Kokia, Hitomi Yaida, Olivia Lufkin and the rest? Ayu's still around, but I feel like she hasn't really been herself since Memorial Address. Gackt hasn't really done anything interesting recently. Koda's hanging on but she's always been more disposable pop, which is fine.

Only one I could think of that's still going strong and putting out cool stuff is Shiina Ringo.

Not saying there aren't any good new acts, but it just feels like the market has become a lot more barren. (And just full of Idol groups.)

It's really interesting to see how things have shrunk both on the gaming and pop side of things.

(Also, cannot wait for Hikki to end her Haitus. Sakura Nagashi was stunningly beautiful.)
 
Aizo

Aizo

Banned
ZombiePlatypus said:
Whaaat! Totally missed that. Will have to go and check it out. But yeah, aside from them, am I the only one that feels like the JPOP market's kinda retracted on itself?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty confused about what you mean. The same thing happens in every single music market in the world, I think. Some bands/artists stop recording as much. You may feel that it's more barren just because you don't want to (I'm guessing) listen to Idol music. There are many things outside of that for popular music. Just check Japanese music sales charts.
 
K

Kurita

Member
A pretty busy first quarter is coming. RIP all that Christmas money
E7sfNNc.png

zFUYwlT.png

spn5vAG.png
Click to expand...
 
K

Kurita

Member
Listened to Kazuyoshi Saito's Seishun Blues while working today, good lord that was awesome.
Don't know how I missed that guy during all these years. Dude's been around for 20 years and I only discovered him a few days ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBQ9F7JYqT4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf9xQmt8WrU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMBfGKJ7tJQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q9QZHFZVuQ

He released two albums this year, I need to listen to them ASAP, as well as his older works.

Since I'm here, I also discovered Nakada Yuji. So fucking good. Midnight Flyer is insane.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-UAgapAjSs
 
Aizo

Aizo

Banned
I met him in a hookah bar and talked to him about music for a long time. He's really nice. He even put me on the guest list for a show in January. Hopefully, when you come to Japan, I can introduce you! ^^

He also said he is friends with all the members in winnie (which is one of my very favorite Japanese bands), so he'll introduce me. I'm gonna cry.

Edit: I was also surprised that he doesn't speak much English.
 
S

SolidSnakex

Member
Well, we're about to see how strong AKB really is because their most popular member (and my favorite) Yuko just announced her graduation. She'll probably be doing her final performance in March at the National Olympic Stadium. :/ They survived Acchan leaving, but not having her and Yuko will be their biggest challenge to overcome.
 
P

Peru

Member
If they can put out more national crowd pleaser phenomenons like 'Fortune Cookie' they should find a new high, but their subsequent singles have not promised much in that regard.
 
S

SolidSnakex

Member
They tend to have one of those once a year. Heavy Rotation (2010), Everyday, Katyusha and Flying Get (2011), and Manatsu no Sounds Good (2012). So, they should be good in that area. It's probably time for them to stop dicking around and actually start pushing Mayuyu.
 
P

Peru

Member
KFC did something slightly different tho in the way it got people covering it, flash mobbing to it, youtubing it regardless of age and usual preference. Obv Oricon sales will not be a problem in the immediate future as proven by the solid sales of mediocre fall releases.
 
D

Desmond

Member
Just came in to see if Yuko would be discussed. Glad it is. I figured she would graduate soon but I assumed KojiHaru would announce hers first

SolidSnakex said:
They tend to have one of those once a year. Heavy Rotation (2010), Everyday, Katyusha and Flying Get (2011), and Manatsu no Sounds Good (2012). So, they should be good in that area. It's probably time for them to stop dicking around and actually start pushing Mayuyu.
Click to expand...
She's not my favourite, but Mayuyu would be a good push. As long as they don't push Paruru or Jurina any more.
 
S

SolidSnakex

Member
Desmond said:
She's not my favourite, but Mayuyu would be a good push. As long as they don't push Paruru or Jurina any more.
Click to expand...

They really need to just leave Jurina alone and let her concentrate more in SKE. They're going to burn her out before she even turns 18. I can't even count how many times she's had to take time off because she's been sick. And it's no surprise with her bouncing back and forth between AKB and SKE all the time. She seems to have no off time.

Mayuyu, Yukirin, and Yuihan should be the three that they lean on at the moment. They seem to be position Annin, Paruru, and Ricchan for the future which is fine (and expected).
 
D

Desmond

Member
SolidSnakex said:
They really need to just leave Jurina alone and let her concentrate more in SKE. They're going to burn her out before she even turns 18. I can't even count how many times she's had to take time off because she's been sick. And it's no surprise with her bouncing back and forth between AKB and SKE all the time. She seems to have no off time.

Mayuyu, Yukirin, and Yuihan should be the three that they lean on at the moment. They seem to be position Annin, Paruru, and Ricchan for the future which is fine (and expected).
Click to expand...

Exactly, Jurina needs to be left to SKE for the most part.

Hmm, I feel like Yukirin will graduate soon too. Maybe she'll wait to she how she does in next years elections.

I'd love to see Takamina (or Miichan, unlikely ) centre a single.


I wonder who'll lead team K when Yuko goes? I'll admit they're the team I know least about. Maybe if I look up the members I'll recognise some but off the top of my head I only no Kitahara Rie.
 
S

SolidSnakex

Member
Peru said:
Sasshi now wins next election on walkover.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure that she'll runaway with it. There are a lot of theories as to why she got such a big bump (she went from 67k votes to 150k votes). Many feel that there were some fans that did it to prevent Yuko from being the first member to win in consecutive years.

Desmond said:
Hmm, I feel like Yukirin will graduate soon too. Maybe she'll wait to she how she does in next years elections.
Click to expand...

I think the main thing that could keep Yukirin around is that she's actually living her dream. She wants to be an idol/singer, so she's doing that in the biggest group in the industry. So, she may stick around for another year or so before she breaks off and goes solo.

Desmond said:
I'd love to see Takamina (or Miichan, unlikely ) centre a single.
Click to expand...

They're slowly started to work Miichan back into the senbatsu. I think that both may be able to be centers at one point. Almost certainly with Takamina before she graduates (perhaps even for the single after she announces her graduation).

Desmond said:
I wonder who'll lead team K when Yuko goes? I'll admit they're the team I know least about. Maybe if I look up the members I'll recognise some but off the top of my head I only no Kitahara Rie.
Click to expand...

Team K is the team that Jurina has a concurrent position in, so we'll see just how much management wants to push her. Many feel that they already want her to be the face of AKB, so pulling the trigger on making her K's captain would be the final sign of how serious they are.

They've been bleeding talent while the other teams have been rebuilt. Since 2012 they've lost Yuka, Tomochin, and Sayaka and now Amina and Yuko are scheduled to graduate. Sae is still technically on the team, but she spends most of her time with SNH48 now. And the two main players in Team 4 (Naachan and KojiMako) are probably headed to A and B. Rie is the only really popular member after Yuko. Tomu and Abemaru are the only two that may be able to break out. So, i'm not sure what they're going to do with that team.
 
D

Desmond

Member
SolidSnakex said:
I'm not so sure that she'll runaway with it. There are a lot of theories as to why she got such a big bump (she went from 67k votes to 150k votes). Many feel that there were some fans that did it to prevent Yuko from being the first member to win in consecutive years.



I think the main thing that could keep Yukirin around is that she's actually living her dream. She wants to be an idol/singer, so she's doing that in the biggest group in the industry. So, she may stick around for another year or so before she breaks off and goes solo.



They're slowly started to work Miichan back into the senbatsu. I think that both may be able to be centers at one point. Almost certainly with Takamina before she graduates (perhaps even for the single after she announces her graduation).



Team K is the team that Jurina has a concurrent position in, so we'll see just how much management wants to push her. Many feel that they already want her to be the face of AKB, so pulling the trigger on making her K's captain would be the final sign of how serious they are.

They've been bleeding talent while the other teams have been rebuilt. Since 2012 they've lost Yuka, Tomochin, and Sayaka and now Amina and Yuko are scheduled to graduate. Sae is still technically on the team, but she spends most of her time with SNH48 now. And the two main players in Team 4 (Naachan and KojiMako) are probably headed to A and B. Rie is the only really popular member after Yuko. Tomu and Abemaru are the only two that may be able to break out. So, i'm not sure what they're going to do with that team.
Click to expand...
Hmm, would it not belittle the sister groups (even further) if Jurina were to become the captain. It would make it seem like the sister groups are just training grounds to be promoted from.

Also, when is the next single scheduled to release? I wonder who will center it, I was thinking Mayuyu, but they may opt for Yuko, graduation date depending.
 
S

SolidSnakex

Member
The next single should be in February. And yeah, Yuko is a lock for center since she'll probably graduate in March. But it could be a double center with whoever they see as her successor. That's what they did with Mayuyu and Acchan for Manatsu no Sounds Good.

As far as Jurina goes, it would certainly piss people off. And of course it wouldn't be good for her due to how she's already frequently unhealthy. But them naming her as the captain is probably an outside possibility. Kitarie is probably the front runner followed by Mocchi and Mariyagi. That's unless they decide to do another shuffle and move some of the more popular members into K (also probably unlikely).
 
L

Larsa

Member
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne8p6-LIahU

It warms the heart to see that someone cares about Shinsei Kamattechan's miniscule international fanbase. So good, seriously my favorite band by far. Next step, world domination.

They also announced that they plan to release a DVD, three singles and a new album next year. Feels good.
 
zeopower6

zeopower6

Member
ZombiePlatypus said:
Is JPOP going through some weird "dormant" phase just like Japanese gaming scene is? Yeah, we have Kyari and Perfume and they're both fun, but the whole scene/market used to seem so much more varied and vibrant. What happened to DAI, ELT, Ai Otsuka, Hitomi, Tsukiko Amano, Porno Graffiti, Kokia, Hitomi Yaida, Olivia Lufkin and the rest? Ayu's still around, but I feel like she hasn't really been herself since Memorial Address. Gackt hasn't really done anything interesting recently. Koda's hanging on but she's always been more disposable pop, which is fine.

Only one I could think of that's still going strong and putting out cool stuff is Shiina Ringo.
Click to expand...

Most of those groups just lack a super strong presence. DAI is around, they just did Very Best of DAI but Banchan got married/pregnant. ELT is around and Mocchi went solo for a few albums. Ai Otsuka is still around too, but she had a looong hiatus but is pretty much irrelevant now. hitomi had Moebius but that only sold like 500 copies.

A LOT of people are still around but a lot of groups are also disbanding and shit.

With Ayu, it appears that she is still herself, it's just that she's really changed her outlook on life and as a result, the way her music is presented and created is way different. Her last 'amazing' album for fans is Love songs, I think. Also maybe Rock'n'Roll Circus. The tour for Rock'n'Roll Circus was faaannntastttiiic.

Kurita said:
Discovered a great artist, Yonezu Kenshi . He's a former vocaloid producer and started to do songs with his own voice a couple of years ago. He made his major debut this year. He has a quite original universe and his songs are really fun to listen to. His 2012 album, diorama is a gem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PqxOytUjz0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCIJJ2Rb368
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUDI2x5Y0Wo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Tun8O-Tjk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR54fHpcxEQ

Also, new KANA-BOON single this February, hyyyyype! The title song is said to be "pure" and "positive". Can't wait!
Click to expand...

Yeah... hachi is a biiiiiiiiiiiiig deal. I kinda saw him and wowaka at AX, lol.
 
K

Kurita

Member
AlabastreAizo said:
I didn't realize that Arashi had been around for 15 years. That is pretty impressive.
Click to expand...
And I only realized this year that I like them.
Mindless boy band at its finest, love these guys, so many great, catchy (and corny) songs.
The only idols I like are Arashi and Kanjani8 (well, and Atsuko Maeda I guess).
 
Zoe

Zoe

Member
ZombiePlatypus said:
Is JPOP going through some weird "dormant" phase just like Japanese gaming scene is? Yeah, we have Kyari and Perfume and they're both fun, but the whole scene/market used to seem so much more varied and vibrant. What happened to DAI, ELT, Ai Otsuka, Hitomi, Tsukiko Amano, Porno Graffiti, Kokia, Hitomi Yaida, Olivia Lufkin and the rest? Ayu's still around, but I feel like she hasn't really been herself since Memorial Address. Gackt hasn't really done anything interesting recently. Koda's hanging on but she's always been more disposable pop, which is fine.
Click to expand...

It's funny you mention Olivia when she's never been a major player.

Namie is still going strong. Aikawa Nanase's been working on a new single. Kahala Tomomi had a comeback last year. MAX had a comeback. Morning Musume had a comeback. The Brilliant Green lives on as Tommy Heavenly. Kuraki Mai never went away. DA PUMP is working on coming back (though they're no longer recognizable). SPEED might be coming back.

Just off the top of my head.
 
S

SolidSnakex

Member
Zoe said:
It's funny you mention Olivia when she's never been a major player.

Namie is still going strong. Aikawa Nanase's been working on a new single. Kahala Tomomi had a comeback last year. MAX had a comeback. Morning Musume had a comeback. The Brilliant Green lives on as Tommy Heavenly. Kuraki Mai never went away. DA PUMP is working on coming back (though they're no longer recognizable). SPEED might be coming back.

Just off the top of my head.
Click to expand...

Plus, there are still some good new artists coming out. Ieiri Leo is new and she's every bit as good (if not better) than many of the artists on ZombiePlatypus' list

http://en.musicplayon.com/play?v=487081
 
zeopower6

zeopower6

Member
Zoe said:
It's funny you mention Olivia when she's never been a major player.

Namie is still going strong. Aikawa Nanase's been working on a new single. Kahala Tomomi had a comeback last year. MAX had a comeback. Morning Musume had a comeback. The Brilliant Green lives on as Tommy Heavenly. Kuraki Mai never went away. DA PUMP is working on coming back (though they're no longer recognizable). SPEED might be coming back.

Just off the top of my head.
Click to expand...

I think to the west, OLIVIA was a big deal, lol. But Japan never really thought of her as very good, tbh.

Namie's probably not gonna stop unless maybe she decides to retire at some point. I could see her and Ayu performing well into their 40s onward.

MoMusu having that resurgence is weird especially when like... EVERYONE EXCEPT SAYU is gone. :(

Japan seems to have issues with accepting new solo artists. Groups seem to do okay but when it comes to soloists, they don't give two shits unless they are promoted pretty heavily. :/
 
Aizo

Aizo

Banned
I find a lot of songs on the new 80kidz album, 80:XX 01x02x03x04, to be literally difficult for me to listen to. Like the car horn in Capsule's 12345678, I find many of these songs quite annoying. There is too much repetition and really out of place sounds. This is hard for me to write since 80kidz is one of my favorite Electronic groups... Bring back the real Electro-House!
HkAMM2Z.jpg
Click to expand...
Now this doesn't mean I dislike everything. Tracks like Beater are kinda fun, but there isn't much here for me to dig.
 
Aizo

Aizo

Banned
I was pretty excited to listen to Golden Bomber's new single since they haven't done new stuff in a while...

One of the songs is called "It's a gay world."
The lyrics are just full of homosexual stereotypes... instrumentally, it's a pretty good song, though...
 
Zoe

Zoe

Member
zeopower6 said:
MoMusu having that resurgence is weird especially when like... EVERYONE EXCEPT SAYU is gone. :(
Click to expand...
But you know, I completely lost interest from about Tsuji/Kago's departure up until around Takahashi's departure. They're not the same group, but I really like what they are now.
 
K

Kunagisa

Neo Member
Anyone know if Kuroishi Hitomi is still working in some form?

2013 went by and ユビキリ from 龍 -RYO- was not released, I just want to hear the complete song ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom