Recommend me some Japanese music/educate me in Japanese music
March 3, 2020 6:40 AM Subscribe
Snowflake details within!
I've been studying Japanese for a while but the extend of my Japanese music knowledge is "the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack." I want to change that!
I have two purposes in mind: one is to find music I think I will like, but the other is just to get a better sense of the music landscape in Japan!
For music I like, I would love to find rap (any kind, though melodic rap, or anything fast, lyrically interesting/complicated is welcome), any sort of generally upbeat pop or rock music, anything catchy, and then electronic music (except that often doesn't have lyrics so...the nationality of the producer doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot).
For the educational side of things...I guess like, who are the artists someone should know? Who are the Japanese beegees? What's the Japanese "my heart will go on"? (to be fair, it may just be "my heart will go on"). What are the Japanese bangers a middle aged Japanese housewife is gonna throw on at karaoke? What are the songs that milennial Japanese people can't help but sing along to if someone puts it on at a party? What are the songs everyone loved at the beginning but hated the 500th time they heard in a cafe? (well, besides "last christmas"). I think you get the gist.
Beyond that, you can recommend anything you like honestly, as long as it is related to the Japanese language!
As a side question, I'm curious if a lot of Japanese music is on Spotify? I have a sub, but it can be weird about different countries. Are there any music services with better coverage? Or am I going to just have to youtube it?
I've been studying Japanese for a while but the extend of my Japanese music knowledge is "the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack." I want to change that!
I have two purposes in mind: one is to find music I think I will like, but the other is just to get a better sense of the music landscape in Japan!
For music I like, I would love to find rap (any kind, though melodic rap, or anything fast, lyrically interesting/complicated is welcome), any sort of generally upbeat pop or rock music, anything catchy, and then electronic music (except that often doesn't have lyrics so...the nationality of the producer doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot).
For the educational side of things...I guess like, who are the artists someone should know? Who are the Japanese beegees? What's the Japanese "my heart will go on"? (to be fair, it may just be "my heart will go on"). What are the Japanese bangers a middle aged Japanese housewife is gonna throw on at karaoke? What are the songs that milennial Japanese people can't help but sing along to if someone puts it on at a party? What are the songs everyone loved at the beginning but hated the 500th time they heard in a cafe? (well, besides "last christmas"). I think you get the gist.
Beyond that, you can recommend anything you like honestly, as long as it is related to the Japanese language!
As a side question, I'm curious if a lot of Japanese music is on Spotify? I have a sub, but it can be weird about different countries. Are there any music services with better coverage? Or am I going to just have to youtube it?
I'm going to assume that neither of these bands is your speed, based on the list of genres you requested, but purely for completion's sake I'm going to mention Guitar Wolf (they do "jet rock & roll" which is kind of like surf rock except with the maximum possible amount of distortion) and Melt-Banana (older stuff, is basically pure noise, newer stuff is kind of melodic metal with a lot of noise on the side; but either way it's guitar-based noise that puts Tom Morello to shame).
To be 100% clear: you should probably listen to literally every other suggestion first, because neither of those bands is particularly mainstream (though they're both big enough to be known outside of Japan), but IMO the fact that they aren't mainstream makes them worth listening to. Eventually. After everything else.
posted by tobascodagama at 7:51 AM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
To be 100% clear: you should probably listen to literally every other suggestion first, because neither of those bands is particularly mainstream (though they're both big enough to be known outside of Japan), but IMO the fact that they aren't mainstream makes them worth listening to. Eventually. After everything else.
posted by tobascodagama at 7:51 AM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
DJ Krush is a pioneer of Japanese hiphop. He mostly does instrumental, downtempo stuff, but also collaborates with rappers, jazz musicians, singers. And he does seem to be on Spotify.
posted by googly at 8:29 AM on March 3, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by googly at 8:29 AM on March 3, 2020 [2 favorites]
Availability of Japanese music on US Spotify is definitely hit or miss. Utada Hikaru is one of Japan's best selling artists of all time, and a fair amount of her japanese language discography is available on Spotify (she has english language albums as well).
Also from the bestselling list, Spitz is a personal favorite of mine -- catchy, jangly pop-rock. Some of their stuff is available on US Spotify as well.
posted by somanyamys at 8:35 AM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
Also from the bestselling list, Spitz is a personal favorite of mine -- catchy, jangly pop-rock. Some of their stuff is available on US Spotify as well.
posted by somanyamys at 8:35 AM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
I don't know who the Japanese BeeGees were but the Japanese Clash would be The Blue Hearts. Linda Linda, Train Train and Owanarai Uta are some of their best songs.
posted by cazoo at 8:42 AM on March 3, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by cazoo at 8:42 AM on March 3, 2020 [2 favorites]
Modern Japanese Indie rock is pretty cool: Lucie, Too and Tricot are both all-women bands, the former is more pop/alt rock, the latter is pretty prog/math.
See also No Buses is very upbeat pop rock, sort of classic/retro but also modern. I think you'll love all these.
Japanese hip hop:Nujabes did the samurai champloo soundtrack and is sort of a god father of the modern lo-fi chill hop craze (most Nujabes is very crisp and clean but "lo-fi" is kind of transcending its literal meaning as a genre term).
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:46 AM on March 3, 2020 [3 favorites]
See also No Buses is very upbeat pop rock, sort of classic/retro but also modern. I think you'll love all these.
Japanese hip hop:Nujabes did the samurai champloo soundtrack and is sort of a god father of the modern lo-fi chill hop craze (most Nujabes is very crisp and clean but "lo-fi" is kind of transcending its literal meaning as a genre term).
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:46 AM on March 3, 2020 [3 favorites]
Isao Tomita is one of the foundational greats of electronic music. Also the notion that nationality doesn't matter for instrumental music is... questionable; you may want to think about that.
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:54 AM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:54 AM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: SaltySalticid, you're absolutely right. I didn't really include the logic behind that comment, which was mainly just that part of the reason for wanting to listen to more Japanese music is to expose myself to more of the Japanese language (in song!), and so music without lyrics would not provide that. But the statement is definitely is not correct, and I appreciate you calling attention to that!
posted by wooh at 8:59 AM on March 3, 2020
posted by wooh at 8:59 AM on March 3, 2020
My mix for the music swap this year was all Japanese music. Memail me if you want it.
posted by J.K. Seazer at 9:18 AM on March 3, 2020
posted by J.K. Seazer at 9:18 AM on March 3, 2020
Shiina Ringo is my favorite - I think that Muzai Moratorium, (on Spotify!) is one of the finest rock albums ever recorded. She's also (in my opinion) an extremely interesting lyricist - I used to love translating her stuff while learning Japanese.
posted by Jeanne at 9:43 AM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Jeanne at 9:43 AM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
Envy is not in the genres you asked for, but they are Japanese! Wikipedia classifies them as screamo which I don't entirely agree with. I would describe them more as post-hardcore. Suggested album: Recitation.
Also, Mono is one of my favourite post rock bands (instrumental rock, no vocals). Suggested album: Nowhere Now Here.
posted by sacrifix at 10:29 AM on March 3, 2020
Also, Mono is one of my favourite post rock bands (instrumental rock, no vocals). Suggested album: Nowhere Now Here.
posted by sacrifix at 10:29 AM on March 3, 2020
You want upbeat pop?
Puffy Amiumi
Cibo Matto might not count as they're actually from NYC.
Cibo Matto
posted by humboldt32 at 10:53 AM on March 3, 2020 [2 favorites]
Puffy Amiumi
Cibo Matto might not count as they're actually from NYC.
Cibo Matto
posted by humboldt32 at 10:53 AM on March 3, 2020 [2 favorites]
A friend got into Aobozu (藍坊主, Aobōzu) very early and their evolution as a rock band has been really interesting. I'd start with Soda or Hanamidori, they're both on Spotify.
posted by ApathyGirl at 11:45 AM on March 3, 2020
posted by ApathyGirl at 11:45 AM on March 3, 2020
Maybe more like the Japanese Elvis than the BeeGees - Kitajima Saburo is one of the kings of enka music with a lengthy career in music and movies. Some of the live videos are real bangers. If you find yourself in his hometown of Hakodate he has his own museum including a gigantic animatronic stage show.
My understanding from following English-language music writers from Japan is that the mainstream music industry has been very slow to take things online but over the last few years this is changing as bigger bands and labels are opening up to YouTube and Spotify. But there are tons of smaller bands on Spotify. Their recommendation engine has put some great stuff in my personalized weekly playlists, like Otoboke Beaver, kamiyado, Soleil, Ai Otsuka, Haru Nemuri, Kumisolo, and TsuShiMaMiRe.
Seiko Oomori is one of my current faves, and I wish my Japanese were good enough to follow the lyrics which are apparently very different than the usual J-pop fare.
posted by Gortuk at 12:28 PM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
My understanding from following English-language music writers from Japan is that the mainstream music industry has been very slow to take things online but over the last few years this is changing as bigger bands and labels are opening up to YouTube and Spotify. But there are tons of smaller bands on Spotify. Their recommendation engine has put some great stuff in my personalized weekly playlists, like Otoboke Beaver, kamiyado, Soleil, Ai Otsuka, Haru Nemuri, Kumisolo, and TsuShiMaMiRe.
Seiko Oomori is one of my current faves, and I wish my Japanese were good enough to follow the lyrics which are apparently very different than the usual J-pop fare.
posted by Gortuk at 12:28 PM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! - Opening (HD) - best anime of the season. Anime OPs and EDs are a goldmine for catchy tunes in general.
Home Made Kazoku - Shonen Heart - Eureka 7's OP2. I think this was the first rap/hip-hop I heard in an anime.. The whole Eureka 7 OSTs are full of good electro type tunes, not that many with words though.
Seconding Puffy Amiumi for catchy pop tunes you can sing along to. And The Pillows just rock.
If you don't already, you can catch Broadcast Schedule - J-MELO - TV - NHK WORLD-JAPAN - English on demand and watch 30 minutes of random band interviews of hopefully a decent selection of current pop-culture.
Sadly, I don't really know what's popular nor do I really remember band names that much.
posted by zengargoyle at 1:22 PM on March 3, 2020
Home Made Kazoku - Shonen Heart - Eureka 7's OP2. I think this was the first rap/hip-hop I heard in an anime.. The whole Eureka 7 OSTs are full of good electro type tunes, not that many with words though.
Seconding Puffy Amiumi for catchy pop tunes you can sing along to. And The Pillows just rock.
If you don't already, you can catch Broadcast Schedule - J-MELO - TV - NHK WORLD-JAPAN - English on demand and watch 30 minutes of random band interviews of hopefully a decent selection of current pop-culture.
Sadly, I don't really know what's popular nor do I really remember band names that much.
posted by zengargoyle at 1:22 PM on March 3, 2020
If you start with Tatsuro Yamashita and follow its YouTube recommendations, you are bound to find a zillion delightful things. Plastic Love has like 19 million views so obviously it's a pretty popular one as well.
In general, I'm a huge fan of "80s Japanese City Pop" (spotify playlist) which kinda sounds like the type of music you'd hear in an 80s mall. A lot of Vaporwave stuff of today draws on this vibe.
But yeah, there's a ton of Japanese music on Spotify. If you find even one artist on there that you like, you're sure to find a bazillion others if you just go to a certain track's "Song Radio".
posted by thebots at 1:23 PM on March 3, 2020
In general, I'm a huge fan of "80s Japanese City Pop" (spotify playlist) which kinda sounds like the type of music you'd hear in an 80s mall. A lot of Vaporwave stuff of today draws on this vibe.
But yeah, there's a ton of Japanese music on Spotify. If you find even one artist on there that you like, you're sure to find a bazillion others if you just go to a certain track's "Song Radio".
posted by thebots at 1:23 PM on March 3, 2020
What's the Japanese "my heart will go on"? (to be fair, it may just be "my heart will go on").
What are the songs that milennial Japanese people can't help but sing along to if someone puts it on at a party?
Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana
You shouldn't put it on at a party, but everyone can sing it.
posted by betweenthebars at 2:04 PM on March 3, 2020
What are the songs that milennial Japanese people can't help but sing along to if someone puts it on at a party?
Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana
You shouldn't put it on at a party, but everyone can sing it.
posted by betweenthebars at 2:04 PM on March 3, 2020
Most Japanese people, at least those younger than 40, will know this song. In fact, when I told a Japanese coworker that my Japanese husband did NOT know this song, she was SHOCKED.
posted by LoonyLovegood at 4:53 PM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 4:53 PM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
J-hiphop is not nearly as popular in Japan as J-pop or rock and I've looked but not found much that I like. There are some great instrumental producers, but rapping is usually a bit basic. That said, there are small pockets with active scenes, here are a few that might get you started to finding more: BASI, 唾奇, Evisbeats, 鎮座DOPENESS, Tha Blue Herb, tofubeats.
posted by p3t3 at 9:47 PM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by p3t3 at 9:47 PM on March 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
My mix for the music swap this year was all Japanese music. Memail me if you want it.
Same here.
Trying to give an overview of Jpop in a AskMe comment is impossible, so these are just some of the groups I listen to the most.
Mongol800
A 3-piece punk band from Okinawa. One member retired last year, but they're continuing with a replacement but haven't released anything in this new formation yet. Chiisana Koi no Uta (小さな恋のうた/Little Love Song) is off their second album, Message. Put this on at karaoke or a party and everyone will be singing along with you.
Supercar
A band that lasted from 1995-2005 and mixed rock and electronic music. White Surf Style 5 is what seems to pull most people into their music; I came to them through their music on the soundtrack for the movie Ping Pong.
中田ヤスタカ (Nakata Yasutaka)
Produces artists like Perfume and きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ (Kyary Pamyu Pamyu) BUT my favorite of his projects (and the only one I can take in large doses) was Capsule. Sugarless Girl and 5ive Star are a couple of songs I really like.
m-flo
J-hiphop, three members (Come Again). Lost one member to a solo career and released albums with guest artists on every song (ex: Miss You). And then their former member returned so now they're a trio again (against all gods). They've gone through a lot of styles over the years, and there are a lot of side projects going on with them.
Rip Slyme
A J-hiphop group with four MCs.
I・N・G, Speed King
Ok, this is starting to get really long, and I've still got a long list of recs so we're cutting descriptions. Sorry!
米津 玄師 (Yonezu Kenshi)
orion, ピースサイン (Peace Sign), Loser
Nico Touches the Walls
Diver, Ginger Lily, Endless Roll
ヤバイtシャツ屋さん (Yabai T-shirts ya-san/Awesome T-shirt Shop)
かわE (Kawa-E/Cute)
Weaver
KOKO, 僕らの永遠 (Bokura no Eien/Our Eternity), トキドキセカイ (Tokidoki Sekai/Sometimes World), 管制塔 (Kanseitou/Control Tower)
There is still SO MUCH that I want to point you towards, but it's late so this is all I can do for now. MeMail me if you want the swap mix I made last year, or if you want to know more details about anything here or have any questions or whatever. I like talking about Jpop.
posted by emmling at 6:12 AM on March 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
Same here.
Trying to give an overview of Jpop in a AskMe comment is impossible, so these are just some of the groups I listen to the most.
Mongol800
A 3-piece punk band from Okinawa. One member retired last year, but they're continuing with a replacement but haven't released anything in this new formation yet. Chiisana Koi no Uta (小さな恋のうた/Little Love Song) is off their second album, Message. Put this on at karaoke or a party and everyone will be singing along with you.
Supercar
A band that lasted from 1995-2005 and mixed rock and electronic music. White Surf Style 5 is what seems to pull most people into their music; I came to them through their music on the soundtrack for the movie Ping Pong.
中田ヤスタカ (Nakata Yasutaka)
Produces artists like Perfume and きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ (Kyary Pamyu Pamyu) BUT my favorite of his projects (and the only one I can take in large doses) was Capsule. Sugarless Girl and 5ive Star are a couple of songs I really like.
m-flo
J-hiphop, three members (Come Again). Lost one member to a solo career and released albums with guest artists on every song (ex: Miss You). And then their former member returned so now they're a trio again (against all gods). They've gone through a lot of styles over the years, and there are a lot of side projects going on with them.
Rip Slyme
A J-hiphop group with four MCs.
I・N・G, Speed King
Ok, this is starting to get really long, and I've still got a long list of recs so we're cutting descriptions. Sorry!
米津 玄師 (Yonezu Kenshi)
orion, ピースサイン (Peace Sign), Loser
Nico Touches the Walls
Diver, Ginger Lily, Endless Roll
ヤバイtシャツ屋さん (Yabai T-shirts ya-san/Awesome T-shirt Shop)
かわE (Kawa-E/Cute)
Weaver
KOKO, 僕らの永遠 (Bokura no Eien/Our Eternity), トキドキセカイ (Tokidoki Sekai/Sometimes World), 管制塔 (Kanseitou/Control Tower)
There is still SO MUCH that I want to point you towards, but it's late so this is all I can do for now. MeMail me if you want the swap mix I made last year, or if you want to know more details about anything here or have any questions or whatever. I like talking about Jpop.
posted by emmling at 6:12 AM on March 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
I made a public playlist of all the youtube links people shared here!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU_561G7xSz3fHhc_Mc62yYQcfyFAPPho
Also - my offering of great music from japan is a soundcloud playlist of experimental J-pop from the 80's (not my playlist)
https://soundcloud.com/selftitledmag/omg-japan-rare-experimental-japanese-pop-1980-1989
Cheers!
posted by vividvoltage at 8:38 AM on March 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU_561G7xSz3fHhc_Mc62yYQcfyFAPPho
Also - my offering of great music from japan is a soundcloud playlist of experimental J-pop from the 80's (not my playlist)
https://soundcloud.com/selftitledmag/omg-japan-rare-experimental-japanese-pop-1980-1989
Cheers!
posted by vividvoltage at 8:38 AM on March 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
oh ya - I have a few more offerings found on spotify - these all lean to a psych sound
Flower Travelin' Band
The Mops
Bo Ningen
Teengenerate
The Registrators
Shonen Knife
posted by vividvoltage at 8:45 AM on March 4, 2020
Flower Travelin' Band
The Mops
Bo Ningen
Teengenerate
The Registrators
Shonen Knife
posted by vividvoltage at 8:45 AM on March 4, 2020
Like emmling said above, you're kind of asking for a mega crash course on J-pop. You've got good answers but since I started writing this out last night, I might as well post it. I'll probably think of more later and kick myself for not mentioning them, but...
For music I like, I would love to find rap (any kind, though melodic rap, or anything fast, lyrically interesting/complicated is welcome)
A couple that haven't already been mentioned: Rhymester, Punpee (Modern Times is a great album).
any sort of generally upbeat pop or rock music, anything catchy,
Here I will list some current mainstream pop: Official HIGE DANDism is the most-streamed act in Japan right now, and they are pretty good to boot. Kenshi Yonezu and Gen Hoshino are super popular. King Gnu is a personal fave. Aimyon. Sakanaction (this video looks old on purpose, btw. They're parodying '80s Japanese TV).
and then electronic music (except that often doesn't have lyrics so...the nationality of the producer doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot).
Some that haven't been mentioned: Rei Harakami (no YouTube, but he's on Apple Music). Ken Ishii. Denki Groove. YMO. And not exactly electronica, but Cornelius.
For the educational side of things...I guess like, who are the artists someone should know? Who are the Japanese beegees? What's the Japanese "my heart will go on"? (to be fair, it may just be "my heart will go on").
Japanese Bee Gees: Hideki Saijo, I suppose? He covered the Village People's "YMCA" and made it famous here in the '70s. He's a superstar from the '70s, and there are many, many more "kayokyoku" singers like him if you start digging, like Hiromi Go, who still performs.
Japanese "My Heart Will Go On": Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no Hana is a good choice! If I recall correctly, it's THE bestselling song of all time here.
What are the Japanese bangers a middle aged Japanese housewife is gonna throw on at karaoke?
I, a middle-aged Japanese housewife who will listen to pretty much anything except idol music and enka (which in itself excludes a lot of popular singers and acts), will throw on anything from all eras including: Southern All Stars, Mr. Children, RC Succession, Spitz, Unicorn, Quruli, Tatsuro Yamashita, Takao Tajima, Motoharu Sano, The Blue Hearts, Ulfuls, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Creep Hype, Gesu no Kiwami Otome, Indigo La End, Yaba-T, Ketsumeishi, Mongol 800, Sambo Master, Yasuyuki Okamura, Noriyuki Makihara, Rhymester, Maboroshi, Merenge, Chara, Aimyon, Kenshi Yonezu, Gen Hoshino, Sakanaction, Kirinji...
It seems I don't listen to very many women. aiko, Perfume, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Babymetal, MISHA, JUJU, Ringo Sheena/Tokyo Jihen, Scandal, chelmico, CHAI, SHISHAMO, Princess Princess, Ayaka, miwa, Yumi Matsutoya, Akiko Yano are some female pop stars and groups old and new.
What are the songs that milennial Japanese people can't help but sing along to if someone puts it on at a party?
Some of my son's recs: Hakushi Hasegawa, Charles (Sharuru), Kujira's "Kinmokusei," Kitani Tatsuya, Vaundy "Fukakouryoku," CYBER "Summer."
What are the songs everyone loved at the beginning but hated the 500th time they heard in a cafe? (well, besides "last christmas"). I think you get the gist.
Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no hana.
Have fun! Nihongo ganbatte!
posted by misozaki at 1:56 PM on March 4, 2020 [2 favorites]
For music I like, I would love to find rap (any kind, though melodic rap, or anything fast, lyrically interesting/complicated is welcome)
A couple that haven't already been mentioned: Rhymester, Punpee (Modern Times is a great album).
any sort of generally upbeat pop or rock music, anything catchy,
Here I will list some current mainstream pop: Official HIGE DANDism is the most-streamed act in Japan right now, and they are pretty good to boot. Kenshi Yonezu and Gen Hoshino are super popular. King Gnu is a personal fave. Aimyon. Sakanaction (this video looks old on purpose, btw. They're parodying '80s Japanese TV).
and then electronic music (except that often doesn't have lyrics so...the nationality of the producer doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot).
Some that haven't been mentioned: Rei Harakami (no YouTube, but he's on Apple Music). Ken Ishii. Denki Groove. YMO. And not exactly electronica, but Cornelius.
For the educational side of things...I guess like, who are the artists someone should know? Who are the Japanese beegees? What's the Japanese "my heart will go on"? (to be fair, it may just be "my heart will go on").
Japanese Bee Gees: Hideki Saijo, I suppose? He covered the Village People's "YMCA" and made it famous here in the '70s. He's a superstar from the '70s, and there are many, many more "kayokyoku" singers like him if you start digging, like Hiromi Go, who still performs.
Japanese "My Heart Will Go On": Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no Hana is a good choice! If I recall correctly, it's THE bestselling song of all time here.
What are the Japanese bangers a middle aged Japanese housewife is gonna throw on at karaoke?
I, a middle-aged Japanese housewife who will listen to pretty much anything except idol music and enka (which in itself excludes a lot of popular singers and acts), will throw on anything from all eras including: Southern All Stars, Mr. Children, RC Succession, Spitz, Unicorn, Quruli, Tatsuro Yamashita, Takao Tajima, Motoharu Sano, The Blue Hearts, Ulfuls, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Creep Hype, Gesu no Kiwami Otome, Indigo La End, Yaba-T, Ketsumeishi, Mongol 800, Sambo Master, Yasuyuki Okamura, Noriyuki Makihara, Rhymester, Maboroshi, Merenge, Chara, Aimyon, Kenshi Yonezu, Gen Hoshino, Sakanaction, Kirinji...
It seems I don't listen to very many women. aiko, Perfume, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Babymetal, MISHA, JUJU, Ringo Sheena/Tokyo Jihen, Scandal, chelmico, CHAI, SHISHAMO, Princess Princess, Ayaka, miwa, Yumi Matsutoya, Akiko Yano are some female pop stars and groups old and new.
What are the songs that milennial Japanese people can't help but sing along to if someone puts it on at a party?
Some of my son's recs: Hakushi Hasegawa, Charles (Sharuru), Kujira's "Kinmokusei," Kitani Tatsuya, Vaundy "Fukakouryoku," CYBER "Summer."
What are the songs everyone loved at the beginning but hated the 500th time they heard in a cafe? (well, besides "last christmas"). I think you get the gist.
Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no hana.
Have fun! Nihongo ganbatte!
posted by misozaki at 1:56 PM on March 4, 2020 [2 favorites]
Another one that most Japanese people know is the Okinawa-inspired folk song, Shima Uta, first written by The Boom, but covered a lot (even Andrew WK did a version).
Also the current earworm that I hear on TV all the time (and my daughter chose for her next piano recital) is the song Paprika, written for a kids group - but it was chosen to be used for the Tokyo Olympics, so NHK commissioned some more versions.
And lastly, some more personal favorite indie artists into that are not mentioned yet, although these are not particularly popular or widely known outside of indie circles:
YMCK - sugary chiptune pop
Eastern Youth - a bit harder indie rock
Tenniscoats - soft indie folk, sometimes w/ bits of jazz/electronic
Shugo Tokumaru - Upbeat experimental folk pop
Yura Yura Teikoku - bluesy/psych garage rock
posted by p3t3 at 3:41 PM on March 4, 2020
Also the current earworm that I hear on TV all the time (and my daughter chose for her next piano recital) is the song Paprika, written for a kids group - but it was chosen to be used for the Tokyo Olympics, so NHK commissioned some more versions.
And lastly, some more personal favorite indie artists into that are not mentioned yet, although these are not particularly popular or widely known outside of indie circles:
YMCK - sugary chiptune pop
Eastern Youth - a bit harder indie rock
Tenniscoats - soft indie folk, sometimes w/ bits of jazz/electronic
Shugo Tokumaru - Upbeat experimental folk pop
Yura Yura Teikoku - bluesy/psych garage rock
posted by p3t3 at 3:41 PM on March 4, 2020
Response by poster: I want to deeply thank everyone (if only this were in Japanese -- there is no language with apologies and thanks quite like Japanese!). I want to particularly thank vividvoltage for making the youtube list!
posted by wooh at 11:58 PM on March 4, 2020
posted by wooh at 11:58 PM on March 4, 2020
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posted by furnace.heart at 7:19 AM on March 3, 2020 [2 favorites]