The J-Pop Thread

More Idol fuckery

http://aramajapan.com/news/music/·········is-an-enigmatic-project-that-may-hide-a-deep-meaning/74429/

Whoops, trying again - http://aramajapan.com/news/music/%C2%B7%C2%B7%C2%B7%C2%B7%C2%B7%C2%B7%C2%B7%C2%B7%C2%B7-is-an-enigmatic-project-that-may-hide-a-deep-meaning/74429/

This is so sad - http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/j-pop-star-ayumi-hamasaki-is-going-completely-deaf

goddamn, that's awful D:

new campanella single sounds a little like a coldcut remix of a tortoise song or something to me and I mean that in the best possible way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qPSHOTzidw

You'll Melt More continue their habit of parodying western record covers (previously including Neu!, ESG, B&S, Suicide etc)
http://i.imgur.com/ELZYbze.jpg

hmmm what's that one?

Screamadelica (the EP seems to be called Discopsychedelica)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQd-Nj4eH48

What a crowd pleaser of a song!

Digging CRCK/LCKS

Neat mix of Ringo, Clammbon, a few others and a little bit of mathyness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHdgffU5mbU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJF7_d1yhjI

I quite like both of those. btw what's a good resource for finding out about these sorts of things, and/or maybe more alternative/underground Japanese music?

Heya ultros, does your webmail ink work?

Yes I think so

Just sent you a message, my web address is super old/dead so don't reply there.

Thanks :)

this is fun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Wp_2X6nUo

A bit late but I'm loving this REOL track from last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IK6eLTNV1k

Heya Emily, have you checked out the Tentenko sings Halmens EP?

No!!!!

Worth checking out, I never realised how similar her voice is to JT

another great YMM parody sleeve

http://i.imgur.com/bqEwqHV.jpg

the new Koutei project sounds promising

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_tyAg5J1wE

yeah, that koutei track is nice! didn't realize that the original group had splintered into all these variants a while ago.

anyone else check out the · · · · · · · "single"? one long track that's built out of three or four p solid shoegaze/emo j-pop tracks with drone and field recording interludes and then 50 minutes of warm guitar noise at the end:
http://aramajapan.com/news/music/shoegaze-idol-group-%C2%B7-%C2%B7-%C2%B7-%C2%B7-%C2%B7-%C2%B7-%C2%B7-debut-song-70-minutes-long/78818/

Yes have been listening to that Dots single, the first 20 minutes are pretty good. I have a soft spot for releases that link tracks with drones etc.
A bit late but I really like this Sora Tob Sakana track that came out earlier this year, sort of math rock idol?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHBrIzHFff4

yeah, I'm honestly not super into indie/shoegaze/etc. and the last 50mins of that dots single aren't particularly compelling noise music either (imo)... but I still appreciate that they went there. the initial back-and-forth between songs and drones is fun too, yeah. I like the interlude w the locust hums <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq16jUhk9As
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jilbr-dW2Cc

monari from especia's solo album is quite nice

hell yeah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol-P9BxDHuw

had completely missed that there was a new FAMM'IN track in march. a bit disjointed and not quite as transcendent as circle but still a lot to like

Hey Zappi, thanks for recommending CRCK/LCKS above! They're kicking my ass with jazz chords

FAMM'IN still feels slightly 'off' to me (the concept's promising but I think they need to go the full Dawn Richard or something, both musically and visually). But I did discover FEMM as a result so I'm grateful for that. FEMM's new album is going to be all covers of classic J-Pop songs from the 80s and 90s:
http://aramajapan.com/news/music/femm-announces-new-album-80s90s-j-pop-revival-releases-new-single/80961/

The cover of 'Roman Hikou' is sounding pretty great to these ears.

new Tentenko single rules, produced by the same people behind Goodbye Good Girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJSP6aEo7_o

Wow, that's great, v '80s Hasono sophistipop vibe.

New YMM, more than just a bit Talking Heads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgXMDYXRq5A&feature=share

Oh, the EP is apparently called Talking Hits *slaps forehead*

last 2 links have been great :D

Had that YMM song in my head all weekend, love how they took that Remain In Light sound and made a jpop song out of it.

new Keyakizaka46 so good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Cvad9iPRQ

Getting a “this video is not available in your country “ message when I clicked on that (I am in US)

works ok for me! (uk)
and i'm happy for it, it's absolutely gorgeous

Will look for it elsewhere

albums on spotify here, and it rules too

first KPP single I've liked in... years, now? oof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWxrIblJHO0

but this one's good!

Maison Book Girl UK tour dates next month!

5/16 : Hare & Hounds at Birmingham
5/17 : East Street Tap at Brighton (Alternative Escape)
5/18 : The Arch at Brighton (The Great Escape)
5/19 : Boston Music Room at London
5/20：Banquet Records Instore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-85OdVKkIao

never heard them before but I like the sound - proggy chamber pop idols is a new one

Ha, zappi, I was just gonna post those dates! I'm completely skint but very much eyeing up the Birmingham show.

Yeh I’m too sick to go myself, so I encourage others to go in my place!
At least the 7” is now up for order, even I can manage that lol https://readtheairrecords.bigcartel.com/

kyary interview and song http://www.papermag.com/kyary-pamyu-pamyu-2573616884.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCaC2a5_jWo

Five years old now but love this and the Perfume samples

Massive jam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjuQHYuOjfo

really into this wonky Jackson 5 rip, unexpected Sarah Records reference at the end of the MV too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Qpx4nQiBc

new KOTO record is unbelievable, just too good for this world

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7xKs92IMsQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6PO6Eep9NA

also liking this retro tentenko ballad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8mkCgkAB6w