I got dressed up in my gothic lolita dress, did my curly locks, and the best winged eyeliner I've ever managed to do on myself for a Halloween movie night with bb. /o/
It's always nice to have a change but personally, I love your long hair!
I got dressed up in my gothic lolita dress, did my curly locks, and the best winged eyeliner I've ever managed to do on myself for a Halloween movie night with bb. /o/
It's always nice to have a change but personally, I love your long hair!
I got dressed up in my gothic lolita dress, did my curly locks, and the best winged eyeliner I've ever managed to do on myself for a Halloween movie night with bb. /o/
It's always nice to have a change but personally, I love your long hair!
I got dressed up in my gothic lolita dress, did my curly locks, and the best winged eyeliner I've ever managed to do on myself for a Halloween movie night with bb. /o/
It's always nice to have a change but personally, I love your long hair!
I got dressed up in my gothic lolita dress, did my curly locks, and the best winged eyeliner I've ever managed to do on myself for a Halloween movie night with bb. /o/
It's always nice to have a change but personally, I love your long hair!
I got dressed up in my gothic lolita dress, did my curly locks, and the best winged eyeliner I've ever managed to do on myself for a Halloween movie night with bb. /o/
It's always nice to have a change but personally, I love your long hair!
Hey, everyone! I'm back hosting our monthly song recommendations along with @doombox! October was a great month, and we've got a smorgasbord of fantastic music for you to check out! We apologize if some videos aren't available due to region restrictions. We'd also like to thank our record FIVE guest contributors this month: @Ada Suilen, @chemicalpictures, @hiroki, @indigo, @Lestat. It's been awesome to have you guys on board. Now let's dig in!
@beni's Picks
"LOVE DOLL" by DECO*27
If there's one reason I want people to give Vocaloid a chance, it's all because of this guy right here. DECO*27 is one of the better known producers within the Vocaloid scene for having created several popular songs such as "Aimai Elegy", "Yowamushi Montblac" and "Mozaik Role". His lesser known works include his Utaite covers and contributions outside of Vocaloid, writing songs for other artists such as Hello Project!'s Buono! group. GHOST is his latest album after a two year break, and a personal anticipated release. The album is yet another release he used only Hatsune Miku in, with my selected stand out track "LOVE DOLL" originally being created for and sung by GUMI instead. "LOVE DOLL" had debuted two years ago in fact. But that doesn't take anything away from its enjoyment. It's an absolute treat to hear this freshened up by Miku instead, and included in the album. The song's emotional, metaphorical message and lyrics is another reason to appreciate DECO*27's efforts. "LOVE DOLL" demonstrates what DECO*27 does best: an insanely catchy chorus with wonderful trippy build ups all around it.
I suggest checking out Utaite uploads instead if you can't stomach Miku, specifically Soraru and/or Dari's covers. As a plus you can even see the original PV from when GUMI was the singer!
"flora" by 南壽あさ子 (Asaco Nasu)
Nasu, you've made me wait for almost an entire year for new material! Asaco Nasu was one of my favourite new finds from last year, and I had been anticipating any form of a new release all year, so I'm beyond ecstatic she has delivered something, and of this calibre. It was worth all the waiting even if it's now October! "flora" is the theme song for the PS Vita/PS4 game Firis no Atelier, a long running JRPG franchise Nasu has lended her voice to before. Her gentle yet lush voice takes me back to the likes of the ever so majestic Okazaki Ritsuko, which is an absolute delight since no one comes close to how she had performed, but Nasu makes it a close call. And even though it's just a ballad, "flora" is still absolutely beautiful and whimsical. Nasu's soaring notes in the chorus, and the echoing effect makes this song full of wonder and joy. "flora" is as gorgeous as you would expect.
"Pride" by X4
I have already suggested these boys are Japan's calling to K-pop originating in their homeland (just see Future,Super Duper,Nova. You're too late with the PV now though!), and now they go and do this - a ballad. Specifically as a way to celebrate a wedding. With all five of the boys in the group dressed entirely in white like angels, I'm sold right there. X4 can be called Yuya Matushita's boyband, who already has a name for himself for the solo career he's had for almost a decade now. With both tie-in hits left, right and center, including a clear sound of successful R&B and hip-hop influences, he passed this on to X4. The group takes a breather from their louder tendencies with "Pride". Along with their other gorgeous ballad "Will You Marry Me", "Pride" steps it up, with stunning, effortless group vocals, each time all in harmony. And yet each of the boys' distinctive, powerful voices yield all on their own outside of the chorus. This is how you do a boy group!
"NANIMONO (feat. Kenshi Yonezu)" by 中田ヤスタカ (Yasutaka Nakata)
At this point, I can safely say I am absolutely addicted to "NANIMONO". Made by the efforts of the collaboration of Yasutaka Nakata producing, and Kenshi Yonezu as singer and lyricist, this is the first time the latter has joined forces in making music. He sure should be proud! Having been left feeling disappointed in almost all of his latest efforts, I'm pleasantly surprised at how much this song has quickly grown on me. Nakata's signature Perfume sound with Yonezu's distinctive tone does wonders, making something from Yonezu sound fresh and different. It's certainly a step in the right direction in fleshing out his new sound as being his own artist outside of the Vocaloid scene. The song will be used as the theme for an upcoming movie of the same name, and will appear on their joint release with remixes of the song as the tracklist. I don't think I could ever tire of this tune, so bring it on!
"オムライス (Omurice)" by 杉恵ゆりか (Yurika Sugie)
One of my favourite new artist discoveries of 2016 has definitely got to be this darling. I just so happened to stumble on her YouTube account, which then took me to avex, the major label she now releases music under, with this latest PV of hers. She seems to still be rather unknown even now which is just devastating. In "Omurice", the build up to the chorus doesn't give away her star potential... completely! In the bridges and verses, her tone is super adorable, exactly what you'd expect from looking at her. And then it all explodes. Every bit of zest in her tiny body reaches new heights as she's hitting all her lines and notes with such bright energy. There's definitely more to this little lady, and I can't wait to follow her and see what else she has to offer.
@CAT5's Picks
"今が君の思い通りに (ima ga kimi no omoi dori ni)" by infro
Chances are, if you're not a connoisseur of Japanese emo and punk, then you may not have heard of infro. They've been around since at least 2007, when their first mini album was released, and since then, they've only released one other EP while appearing on splits and compilations here and there. Of course this is all typical of bands associated with a scene as underground as Japanese emo. So I was pleasantly surprised to see these guys release their very first music video this month, and it's a highly satisfying and earnest piece of melodic punk! So far it doesn't look like infro has any new releases planned, but this song definitely whets the appetite for more. (They also get extra points from me for performing punk music and NOT resorting to Engrish! XD)
"Voice" by SOSO BREAK THE WALL
Do you guys remember progressive alt-rockers the brown? Well, eye, their vocalist has surfaced with a brand new project called SOSO BREAK THE WALL, and it's everything I could've hoped for! One of my biggest criticisms against the brown was eye's primary use of English, which rendered an otherwise good band mostly unlistenable for me. Fortunately, SOSO has 'broken that wall' and eye has, for the first time I've ever heard, actually sung in Japanese! She sounds marvelous, and in combination with the music, SOSO creates the kind of mournful, female-fronted alt-rock that the J-rock world has desperately been lacking since the demise of REDЯUM and me-al art's third album! The band's debut EP will feature a slew of cool musicians from kamomekamome, ANYO, Vampillia, and more - it might very well be one of the best things to come out this year! Huge thanks to @Hakoniwa for informing me about this!
"Rehena" by minakumari
Combining traditional Indian music with experimental, ambient, and J-pop, the sitar-wielding singer-songwriter minakumari is a bit of an anomaly, to say the least. Given the atypical nature of her music, she's neither well-known in Japan nor abroad, but she just released her fourth album REHENA, which could very well escalate her to new heights! The album is entirely produced by the renown Hirotaka “Shimmy” Shimizu (of The Cornelius Group and Plastic Ono Band fame), and the title track is one of the most upfront and engaging songs minakumari has ever made. There’s a plodding groove to it that provides a good amount of accessibility, yet minakumari’s worldly outlook remains perfectly intact. “Rehena” is an entirely fresh take on J-pop, and just as worthwhile as it is novel.
"美しい孤独 (utsukushii kodoku)“ by paranoid void
If you’re like me and think that tricot is heinously overrated or just throw-up in your mouth at the mention of the band, then you might rejoice to know that I’ve come across a band that does what they do, but are actually good at it! That’s right, paranoid void have the potential to completely dethrone 'try-hard-cot' from their questionable reign as the female-fronted champions of Japanese math-rock. “utsukushii kodoku“ proves that not only do these girls have the chops to play math, but they actually put heart and soul into their songwriting and musicality - as opposed to lifelessly doing things by the numbers. The trio just dropped their debut mini-album POP MUSIC, and if this song is any indicator, they will be a band to watch out for.
"Mother Fucker" by Limited Express (has gone?)
For those of you that enjoy your share of aural anarchy, look no further than the new Limited Express (has gone?) album All Ages. It’s their first release in three years and a welcome site for fans craving zany, alternative punk. “Mother Fucker” is the perfect track to single out, as it sums the album perfectly: turbulent drums, chaotic sax, groovy post-punk basslines, erratic riffs, and YUKARI’s ear-piercing vocals! It’s noisy, it’s bonkers, and it’s a helluva lot of fun!
"Taxi" by トクマルシューゴ (Tokumaru Shugo)
Tokumaru Shugo albums are always an event worth looking forward to! His folk-infused brand of indie-pop has remained a unique commodity within Japan’s music scene, as no other artist can really replicate what he does. His new album, TOSS, while not as exciting as previous releases, has still managed to provide gems like this, however. “TAXI” delivers all of Tokumaru’s hallmarks with its infectious guitar riffs, jaunty toy instrumentation, and wonderfully wacky arrangement. It’s such a catchy and playful tune that I DARE you to feel anything other than joy while listening to this!
"Beryl" by Marihiko Hara & Polar M
I’ve always had a keen appreciation for music scores, soundtracks, and instrumental music in general - music that tells a story, but not just that, music that invites your imagination to tell its own stories. Composers Marihiko Hara & Polar M (aka Masumi Muranaka), have managed to do just that with their new, and second collaboration album simply titled Dance. “Beryl" in particular evokes a bittersweet, nostalgic feeling with its lilting acoustic guitar and wistful post-classical piano. It’s a sorrowful, yet contemplative piece that certainly will ‘dance’ with your imagination. Beautiful~
@doombox's Picks
"City Lights" by abstracts
After a strong album release earlier this year abstracts are back with more awesome melodic metalcore, and this time with a bit more bite! "City Lights" layers their usual bright and djent-tinged guitarwork with a fun, upbeat tempo. The result brings the band into some new, more mature territory we haven't gotten the chance to hear from them before. This composition creatively pushes the vocals to the back seat to really let the playfulness of the guitar melody shine through. It's only a single digital release at the moment, but I hope this song is a sample of what's waiting for us on their next album!
"アウトサイダー(Outsider)" by Kidori Kidori
The duo returned this month with their new mini album OUTSIDE and if you're familiar with the band you know they are consistently good at what they do. "Outsider" is a bit of an update on their sometimes folk-y, sometimes funky, retro garage rock sound. But both song and video are an interesting peek at this side of the band. I highly recommend checking out the entire mini album to get a proper feel of just how expansive their sound is if you have the time. Kidori Kidori never disappoint!
"CRAZY N' SANE" by CRAZY N' SANE
I'm a little late to the CRAZY N' SANE party, but I gotta say the 90s kid in me is in love with this track! If any of you miss that ol' funky rap rock, nu metal sound CRAZY N' SANE are here to bring it to you. This band is the Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park hybrid you never knew you needed in your life. Though the members' identities are shrouded in mystery I'd place good money there are some familiar faces from the Japanese metal scene hiding under those masks. Am I the only one thinking the screamer sounds a bit like Ikepy from HER NAME IN BLOOD?
"5150" by THE ORAL CIGARETTES
While I thoroughly enjoy THE ORAL CIGARETTES, their releases have a tendency to be hit or miss and end up a bit same-y. Last year they had a rather hectic release schedule and I think it showed in their stunted creativity, but "5150" brings us back to the kooky-cool side of the band that I really love. The beat drives this song at a near frantic pace, but Takuya's lower vocal tone has a great soothing quality that keeps this track from flying off the rails. The combination is what makes THE ORAL CIGARETTES so special when everything comes together just right.
@emmny's Picks
"羽花 (Uka)" by MEJIBRAY
I'm going to save y'all the shade and not use this as a means to slam MEJIBRAY for flopping consistently for the better part of two years. It's not hating, its all out of love really; I hold 'em to a high standard given their past output. I consider their SM singles compilation to be essential listening for 2010's visual kei: no one did it harder, catchier, and with more charisma than early MEJIBRAY. Their cult following and popularity is pretty apparent given how much their work is more a testament to the members' respective musicianship rather than a collective effort: MEJIBRAY's shining feature and greatest weakness is their individuality. Sometimes it just turns into an ego vs. ego vs. ego vs. ego mess of sloppy metalcore and failed experimentation. I'm happy to report "Uka" is none of that, rather an incredibly balanced and beautiful return to form. It's more layered a composition than usual; the time off they've had from spamming releases has resulted in greater attention to detail. The contrast between the thrashy verses and beautiful chorus is the basis of the track, accented by a stunningly restrained solo from the queen of wannabe virtuosity, MiA, as he undoes the heaviness in the first half with a swaying guitar-line over delicately picked acoustic chords, eventually leading the track to its closing. Balance is everything.
"カミオ (Camio)" by Sioux
Anyone who knows a thing about me or has been a member here for more than 5 minutes also knows about my love of amber gris and all things 'art-kei'. So when kaname, ex-amber gris guitarist and composer came out with a new band with the totally 'art-kei'-riffic concept of a traveler's existential journey, I knew it was gonna destroy me. I didn't expect it to destroy me this hard though; "Camio" is a straight up amber gris throwback, with all the beautiful guitarwork, layered instrumentation and emotive vocals that came with it--except this time we have kaname on vox. That said, it doesn't sound like kaname singing over an amber gris track: "Camio" has a more mathy-tone, even if it's a ballad. His vocals lend a more indie-than-visual vibe to the track, which keeps it totally fresh, even if the vocals are a bit inconsistent. Considering I'm this enamored over a track off their first single, i have incredibly high expectations for Sioux in the future, and somehow I think this band of wanderers will leave their mark on the scene.
"リテラシズム (Literacism)" by THE BLACK SWAN
TBS are a perfect example of a band continuing to improve with every release, sharpening their prog-kei the longer they play with each other. "Literacism" is a surprisingly pretty piece marked by contrasts. it opens with Jin crooning over a sombre chord progression, leading you to think a ballad is coming up, which isn't entirely wrong--in true TBS fashion, there's more to this six minute track than meets the eye. Once the tremelo lead guitar in the intro fades out, spastic guitarwork and Ren's blastbeats take over while Jin spits a beautiful vocal melody, unlike anything TBS has done before, all over warring instrumentation. This dichotomy fuels the track, as it floats in and out of of dreamy, slow, guitar-led sequences, blastbeats, a legitimately brutal breakdown and back again. "Literacism" is at once familiar, both with the genre and the band's prior output as well as the new, showing off some cool tricks under their sleeves.
@fitear1590's Picks
"人間ビデオ (ningen video)" by ドレスコーズ (the dresscodes)
What do the dresscodes, the moniker of charismatic solo artist Ryohei Shima, and GANTZ, the super gory anime/manga series, have in common? I'm still trying to figure out the connection, but that didn't stop the former from penning the theme song to the new GANTZ CG film. While the track opens with some dark riffs and some creepy chanting, the chorus is pretty classic ultra-catchy songwriting that we've come to associate with Ryohei. While I have no idea how well this song meshes with the the new GANTZ adaptation (my feeling is NOT MUCH), I'll be rocking out to "ningen video" in the meantime.
"亡霊たちの楽園 (boureitachi no rakuen)" by ニカホヨシオ (nikaho yoshio)
Remember South Penguin from this summer? Well, what do summery indie riffs dress up as for Halloween? Solo artist Nikaho Yoshio has to be the closest thing. While his style of laid-back guitar pop is comparable, there is something slightly spooky in the atmosphere and lethargic vocals of this song. The title, roughly translated as "Ghosts' Paradise," is surprisingly fitting. Fans of Tempalay should also enjoy this. Check out Nikaho's debut EP SUR LA TERRE SANS LA LUNE on November 2.
"マイムマイム (mime mime)" by グリモア (GRIMOIRE)
The saying goes, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' I'd wager that GRIMOIRE are operating under a similar motto. Since their debut single in September 2015, they've maintained their niche visual/musical concept. Though only slightly tweaking their sound along the way, they've steadily beefed up production value. I can't find information on their label (they're not even on VKDB!), but if they are self-produced, color me impressed. If you haven't been a fan of them so far, "mime mime" is unlikely to change your mind. For me, however, it's definitely a favorite, combining the creepy ambiance and arrangements from their earliest tracks with their signature chuggy riffs--one of their most balanced efforts to date. The bar around :44 (and its repeats throughout) even has an epic quality, cleverly offset by dissonant riffs--a new twist on the band's sound. Overall, GRIMOIRE are perfect VK band for Halloween!
"Adonis" by Sioux
Finally, we have Sioux, who combo-break the spooky theme my other tracks/PVs have established. Although... maybe the members popping feathers into their hair and using a dream catcher in their logo for a 'Native American' aesthetic is Halloween after all. How problematique™! All kidding aside, "Adonis" rules. ex-amber gris guitarist Kaname takes up vocals in this band and is seemingly backed by a bunch of talented newbies. Gorgeous guitarwork and raw, evocative vocals hit all the right spots. With only their first release, I can absolutely see Sioux's potential to help fill the void of some of the major art kei disbandments that happened over the past year.
@tetsu_sama69's Picks
“CROWS” by BLESSCODE
Another supercharged release from the overflowing potential of a band, BLESSCODE. The opening of the song sets a strong rhythmic pace that thrives throughout. The track is entirely infectious with powerful vocals and amazing instrumentals that only this band are capable of. It's hard not to feel yourself compelled to dance a little as you listen to the track as it's so steady and solid. By the time you finish the song you'll be singing 'Thank you for the music' and wanting to enjoy more of what BLESSCODE brings to the table.
“PERSONA” by THE BLACK SWAN
The wait was so long for this new release from THE BLACK SWAN and it was worth every single minute that the fans were a ball of impatient tension for it to surface. The heart beat from the start gets torn apart with a dirty cacophony of guitars and drums that don't hold back. “PERSONA” is a track that feels like a conflicting duality of darkness and rage combating each other with screams and clean vocals leading the charges in dissension. It's hard to decide which part is my favorite because the whole thing is a hard smack to the face of awesome music that any fan of the band should enjoy overall and find it difficult to not have the song on repeat.
“Psycho Creature” by MIZTAVLA
Rhythmic synth bleeps may start off this track but it's pure deception when the rush of instrumentals start and I found myself bouncing around my room with this vibrant track. The drums are so spirited in this song and they grabbed my attention with the insane mess of power they brought forth. The vocals are a rough shambles of scattered screams and cleans that fit the overall flow. The chorus especially was an amusement ride of headbanging and chaos that made it instantly the standout track of a very solid mini-album.
@Zeus' Picks
"quiet squall" by siraph
Snagging the ending theme song for an anime is always a double edged sword. Unlike the opening, you are not guaranteed that your audience will stay for the credits. So as impressive as it is for siraph's first single to feature as the ending for the anime Bloodivores, it's fortunate it can turn heads given only 90 seconds. siraph plays their first ace card with "quiet squall", an unexpected but not unwelcome smooth jazz tune from left field. For a band that many may have classified away as 'school food punishment 2.0', it's great to see siraph take steps towards creating their own identity so early. It's perfect to unwind to while also flexing their diverse influences, if you can look past Annabel's less than perfect English. Personally, I'm excited to see how many different directions this band can go in successfully.
Guest Recommendations
@Ada Suilen's Picks
"Phoenix" by 摩天楼オペラ (Matenrou Opera)
It was thought that, after the departure of the historical guitarist Anzi, considered as a key element for this band's sound, Matenrou Opera wouldn't had been the same rock act arrived with the EP Phoenix Rising, where they went back to their origins, but not so much; in fact, each song, especially the one featured, is driven by the same unique energy and which they were from their 'golden age' (since 2009). In other hand, the recent album Chikyuu extended a lot their musical range, bringing to them a little ray of hope. A hope that versatility which always characterized them, with the guitar which this time belongs to the talented Leda; so if you saw this band as done, you got it wrong!
"Give me a break, stop now!" by REOL
I rarely listen to contemporary pop music, especially Japanese (apart from the great ladies of the scene), but some time ago I read about this singer and her debut in pop music, as she was in the Vocaloid scene, and several people were pretty enthusiastic about her, so I tried the first album Sigma. And the first impression has been pretty good, even if at the first notes I thought I was listening to an idol; but Reol is definitely closer to the banging-dancing electro-pop music, which is more appreciated by the Western audience, with an eccentric use of auto-tune and engaging beats, without forgetting her charismatic presence. I tell only that you should only give her a try, since she is fresh, energetic and catchy, and you cannot resist her style.
@chemicalpictures' Picks
"Get up" by MONOEYES
Takeshi Hosomi is a giant in Japanese music that I think hardly gets any recognition by western audiences... ELLEGARDEN was HUGE, the HIATUS and MONOEYES are filled with respected musicians and draw crowds all around. While the HIATUS is fully experimental post-rock, MONOEYES embrace the simplicity of ELLEGARDEN and Hosomi's earlier american rock influences. "Get Up" is a nod to 90's pop-rock sound, like Third Eye Blind, Spin Doctors, and Semisonic. Simple, straightforward guitar lines, and groovy bass and drums contrasting with Hosomi's great feelgood lyrics ("If you are sore from yesterday, the sunrise means that you are still alive" is lovely, come on!) make this a perfect sunny-afternoon-by-the-pool track for you to rock out with your friends!
"感情トリートメント (Kanjou Treatment)" by Develop One's Faculties
Unsurprisingly, DOF did it again. The VK gods are backing blowing our minds once again with another intense, emotional track that only they can do so well. During the first minute, the guys have already set the mood for one of their best tracks of 2016. Yuya going back and forth, with Johannes' crazy-pace drumming and a simple, yet beautiful violin line sprinkling on the back creates a powerful chorus that will be stuck in your head for a while. During the bridge, the fast tempo instrumentals while yuya keeps his vocals in check is clever and makes for a nice contrast, and shows how they already mastered the sound they are trying to achieve. It is refreshing to see how they can play with their formula to provide a different experience each time. I can only imagine how rocking this must be during their lives. It's a real shame this is a live limited release, though. Here's hoping to see it on their next full length.
@hiroki's Picks
"この手に在るもの (kono te ni aru mono)" by Blu-BiLLioN
Blu-BiLLioN’s "この手に在るもの" is at once a return to their signature synth-pop blend that many later bands have attempted to appropriate but few have come close to matching, and at the same time a small nudge towards the EDM elements from “S.O.S” which earned them mixed reviews from even their most ardent fans. What impressed me most this time, however, was the thoughtful restraint So-ya has exercised in his infusion of dance elements to produce an upbeat, delicately balanced title track—translated as “what I have in my hands”—which doubles as an assuring nod to the fans that the band will not recklessly abandon what they started out with even as they mature (indeed, the lyrics are all about the future instead of some hazy indistinct need to return to the past that you tend to find). Needless to say I’ve always admired Mike’s vocals; it’s versatile but never outrageously flamboyant, markedly precise but never mechanical, and he’s simply exquisite across all 3 tracks here (the groovy B-side "レプリカ (Replica)" is my personal favorite). Overall, "この手に在るもの" is an accomplished distillation of the Blu-BiLLioN’s 6-year career thus far, with a not-so-faint whiff of what one might expect from them in time to come.
"ラストシーン (Last Scene)" by グラムヘイズ (glamhaze)
It is difficult for me to review this single without lapsing into a eulogistic mode after the awful news that グラムヘイズ will be disbanding in January. Even after having listened to many many visual kei bands I struggle to name another vocalist with Satoru’s combination of a powerful chest register, intricate gradations in his falsettos, and above all, his effective and deeply emotional tone that just tears at my heart. While tempting, it would be misleading to brand "ラストシーン" an out-and-out ballad, for its melancholic piano introduction quickly gives way to a cascade of sounds that nonetheless continue to foreground Satoru’s gripping vocals, before finally capping off with a fiery, drawn-out recapitulation. Stylistically the composition of "ラストシーン" is reminiscent of a number of JILLED RAY songs, most notably the equally expansive "DOLL", while the B-side “I say goodbye, what about you?” is a really sweet song that’s loads of fun live (lots of moshing). If this single is Satoru’s heartbreaking farewell to us, it will be one that’s painful to come to terms with even as he pleads to us, in his lyrics, to “remember that this song exists only because of you and I.”
@indigo's Picks
"Puke" by Age Factory
Age Factory is a relatively young J-indie rock band who just released their debut full album. I'm a sucker for heartfelt music and that's exactly
what Age Factory does the best, mostly thanks to young vocalist/guitarist Shimizu Eisuke with his husky and soulful voice. "Puke" is admittedly one of the standout tracks on the album for me - with slap bass, screamed vocals and a loud, almost ferocious guitar, it's sure to make your head nod along!
@Lestat's Picks
"Perfana" by Kaya
Succeeding the untimely demise of the simultaneously robust and tender Femme Fatale, the thespian queen-monarch Kaya re-enters upon the scaffolding, donned in an extravagant outfit plenteous in theatrical and melodramatic presence; with a performance encompassing artistical freedom, the singer once again appears to find himself in his traditional element. Self-assured and dauntless, layered thickly in unique vocal processions and otherwise uncharted areas, "Perfana" returns to us the ever-thriving solo-career of an already undoubtedly qualified artist, now formally in league with the multifaceted and accomplished KAMIJO, whose creative expertise once again flowers gracefully in the composing of the single's electronic, buoyant title-track.
"今日死ぬ (Die today)" by SIKI VERNISSAGE
SIKI VERNISSAGE is the handle given to an unrestrained and seemingly limitless project whose genesis-story currently remains unknown as no information is present. Unpredictable and haphazard, "今日死ぬ (Die today)" stampedes violently from EDM Trap, to Black metal, to Crust punk, to Hip-hop, to Shoegaze and Hardcore in nine mile boots, and not one distinctive label appears to be reserved for the sum total of the grandiose debut release REPLICA. Rarely have I encountered a group this difficult to describe and this daring to embrace such a colossal range between genres. Avant-garde and hard to digest, SIKI VERNISSAGE may not be an enjoyable experience for everyone, but certainly arrives on the Japanese music scene with a monstrous entrance.
Thanks for checking out our recommendations this month! If you have any thoughts on our list or recommendations of your own, please feel free to comment below! If you're interested in being a guest contributor, contact either @CAT5 or @doombox!
See you all next month!
Hi everyone!
I've never posted on a forum before so here goes!
I go by ghata, I'm a 25-year-old guy from California.
I work in the family business as an ISP.
I got into Japanese music when I started watching anime when I was 13 listening to all the intro and closing songs!
I like just about any genre of music but VK is definitely my favourite.
My favourite bands are Versailles, Girugamesh, Dir en Grey, The Gazette, and many more!
If I'm not listening to music I'm trying to play it on guitar (and hopefully piano and violin one day)
I also practice Wing Chun(kung fu) when i can.
I play lots of video games and watch any anime I can get my hands on.
I always wanted to find a community of other people who liked Japanese music as much as I did that I could talk to,
and I'm really excited about this forum!
Thanks for reading!
Please feel free to message me anytime
Wow, yall been in this thread trippin'. How about EVERYONE calm down just a tad?
I could give a shit about PT or Ryu's solo (sorry benibb), but there's no need to get excited to the point that you feel you can be insensitive. The quality of plastic tree's recent output is certainly up for debate, but do be mindful that your opinion on the matter is not fact and that others will feel differently.
I know this is short notice, but it completely slipped my mind until now - anyone down to hold our Sunday session at plug.dj instead of dub, just for tomorrow? I figured it would be more fun and 'festive' to hold it there with the avatars and Halloween layout they have instead of on dub, which still looks normal.
I'd also like to encourage the playing of halloween-ish songs, or at least songs that are related to halloween/horror to some extent. Since this is short notice, I don't want to make this theme mandatory, though!
@CAT5, Shutter, the first Thai movie @plastic_rainbowsuggested is the one I was thinking of! It's probably way too scary for me though, lmao. I still think it looks super awesome.
Jacob's Ladder is one of the movies with an insane plot twist, no? I'm kind of interested in that.
Also because of my older siser, I'm curious about Rosemary's Baby. Plus The Host which just looks brilliant. Was meaning to watch that for years, could be an alright choice. Plan 9 from Outer Space may be the most necessary because of its totally unintended Darkplace factor, lol.
Can I make the excuse of finally getting to a Tim Curry movie like IT or The Rocky Horror Show because bloody Tim Curry on bloody Halloween, yes please~
Seconding The Exorcist and Killer Klowns from Outer Space. However, I advise you not to drink green milk tea or any drink of similar color before watching The Exorcist (you'll know what I mean).
a few general recs:
Carrie 1976
Jacob's Ladder 1990 (personal favorite)
Zombieland 2009 (comedy horror)
Little Shop of Horrors 1986 (comedy horror)
Insidious 2010
Some good Thai horrors:
Shutter 2004 (this one gave me a good fright)
Alone 2007
Coming Soon 2008
The Eye 10 (comedy horror)
@CAT5It's not really a horror, more of a dark comedy with some blood here and there, but since it involves vampires I'm gonna rec What We Do In The Shadows anyway, it's a faux-documentary about a bunch of vampires living together and it's one of the funniest movies i've seen in the last few years
Also dank (but not necessarily scary, more high on camp value):
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Evil Dead 2
Braindead
Hausu
Demons 1 & 2
A few obvious ones, but if you're not too into horror movies you'd want to try 'em out:
Good Halloween-themed films:
Halloween (1978)
Trick 'r Treat (2007)
Night of the Demons (1988)
Night of the Demons 2 (1994)
Hocus Pocus (1993)
In general I'd just recommend some great horror films:
The Thing from Another World (1951)
Dracula (1958)
Kwaidan (1964)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
The Exorcist (1973)
Alien (1979)
Friday the 13th (1980)
The Evil Dead (1981)
The Thing (1982)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Ringu (1988)
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The House of the Devil (2009)
Frankenstein's Army (2013)
The Thing from Another World (2013)
Housebound (2014)
It Follows (2014)
We Are Still Here (2015)
I guess I'll have to stop now. I decided to leave the pre-50's horror films out since you don't seem to be too much into films in general (sorry if this is wrong), which is a shame consiering some of te best horror films were made in the 20's and 30's. But I tried to limit myself a bit, even though it doesn't seem to have worked too well.
Anyway, I've rated all these films either 9 or 10.
Hey everyone, I need your help! Horror movies aren't generally my thing, but in celebration of halloween, I wanted to check out a few with my girlfriend. Would any of you have any good recommendations for me? I'm pretty much open to anything - animated, hollywood, indie, foreign - it doesn't matter! It doesn't even have to be necessarily "scary", it can even be a comedy, as long as it's still related to Halloween and horror in general. For instance, I was thinking about watching the Korean film "Thirst", which isn't really scary, but it's still dark and deals with Vampires - Hell, it even has a romantic aspect to it, which is also welcome! Any recommendations would be appreciated!!
I'm finding it kind of funny because apart from certain acceptations, such as the fin., Winnie and Special Thanks, I find very few such groups to be Western sounding. Even outside of this case. If anything ones that are obvious such as Jin Akanishi and I Don't Like Mondays are clearly influenced by it. And that's only because I end up associating them to like the Asian equivalent of Western bands (the fin. with the 1975, Special Thanks with sum 42 e.c.t). I actually find the big Jpop names such as Utada and Namie Amuro most Western, anything smaller I just can't hear it. So I'm in an agreement with fitz.
I obviously am no expert on this. I also always thought the term "City Pop" was a way to group these indie acts of a similar sound together. Also am surprised that acts like (((Sssurrounddd))) weren't mentioned. But again my reasons for including them isn't because I think they're Western sounding, but similar to Awesome City Club and such. Like I brought up with I Don't Like Mondays, there's more obvious Western sounding bands outside of this, so I'm a bit confused with it.
It's definitely nice there's a label for these bands, but explaining it as Western, I can't get behind. Save for a few of them, sure. But only because of little things, when there's others that have a much more obvious Western influence.
So we got 2 submissions from @The Reverendand @plastic_rainbow
both ideas are very cool thank you for taking part
The Voting will start from today until the 10/31
The Reverend's Jack-o'-lantern dedicated to Prince. (RIP)
Steven Tanaka just wrote a pretty interesting blog post on this "city pop revival" that's going on within Japanese indie. Now personally, I've always thought city pop was used to refer to a subset of Jpop...stuff like HITOMITOI, especia and others, but apparently the Japanese have also been using the term to refer to this new trend of Western sounding indie bands - stuff like the fin., awesome city club, never young beach, mitsume, and others. As such, I thought it might be a topic of interest for some of you and perhaps one worth discussing. @fitear1590, @seurong, @beni, @indigo, @Carmelzors- I'd definitely be interested in hearing what you guys think on the matter.
http://www.nextmusicfromtokyo.com/?p=6585
And another article on city pop, which Steve links to in his post: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2015/07/05/music/city-pop-revival-literally-trend-name/#.WA5l7i0rKM9
Overall, I would have to agree with Steve. At the risk of sounding like some elitist weeb, I've always been more attracted to Japan's indie scene over a good bit of the indie stuff coming out of Europe and North America. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy indie music from all over, but Japan has always had a particular flavor to their musicality, to their rhythms, that you don't always hear replicated elsewhere. So while I do enjoy some of these up-and-coming "city pop" bands, I also can't help but feel that this is a much less exciting direction for Japan's indie scene in general. :/
I do disagree on a few of the minor details, though. Like siamese cats - I think those guys have only become better since "crossing over". D.A.N., is fairly enjoyable, and so is mitsume and never young beach. My major issue with these bands, though is that their styles have all gotten tiresome rather quickly for me. For instance, mitsume had some dope stuff on their EPs, but both of their full-lengths have been easily forgettable, and never young beach's new album is already snooze-worthy compared to the last. It's like all of these bands got the idea "let's play this specific style of music", but didn't think about how to expand upon that idea or truly make it their own after they exhausted said idea.
Let's not forget the infamous "club club":
awesome city club
and summer club
helsinki lambda club
litchi hikari club
marquee beach club
Healthy Dynamite Club
Ancient Youth Club
...etc
From what I've heard, most of these bands have been pretty boring and haven't really done anything to stand out. I can perfectly understand why people would be into this "city pop" sound, though. In general, it's just easy-going, feel-good music. But with Japanese indie seeming to be in a relative slump in general (at least from my perspective), it's difficult for me not to take issue with this trend.
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