Spectralion

10 Kick-ass J-rock Anime Themes That You Should Hear!
Anime theme songs are often written off as second-rate or derogatorily considered "weeaboo" music, and while this is certainly up for debate, the ORz team has banded together in an attempt to dispel some of those stigmas! While this isn't a best-of list by any means, we've compiled a list of 10 anime OPs and EDs that we feel are musically worthwhile. So check them out and feel free to let us know what you think in the comments!

#10 TK from 凛として時雨 (Ling Tosite Shigure) - Unravel
from Tokyo Ghoul | 東京喰種


Undoubtly one of the most popular and unforgettable anime theme songs of recent times, TK from Ling Tosite Sigure provides the opening theme song for the animated adaption of 'Tokyo Ghoul'. Having watched Tokyo Ghoul, I'm sure we're all in an agreement of how fitting the song is to such a series, albite a poor series that doesn't really deserve such a perfect track in its soundtrack. Powerfully emotional, sinister, compelling and wickedly catchy, it's perfect for an anime as dark as this. When taking the song out of anime context, it's a masterpiece in all its entirety. TK has proved, both as a solo artist and within his band, that each and every anime song he's credited in grips you instantly, and 'Unravel' is no different.
- by @beni

#09 スネオヘアー (Suneohair ) - ワルツ (Waltz)
from Honey and Clover | ハチミツとクローバー


It's been years since I've kept up with anime, so my choice probably gives away the era I'm most familiar with. Most of the anime soundtracks that have stayed with me didn't qualify for this list (R.O.D. the TVs lush jazz tunes, Fruits Basket's beautiful orchestral numbers, etc.), but Honey and Clover just made the cut with its breezy ending theme "Waltz". At least among the series that I'm familiar with, Honey and Clover was unique in its expressive embedding of popular music (such as the legendary band, Spitz) into its soundtrack. The first episode ends with the main character riding his bike through the rain under voiceover. In the background, "Waltz" begins to play, providing a seamless cinematic transition into the ending credits, which skillfully juxtapose the imagery of his spinning bicycle spokes that recurred throughout the episode with that of a fanciful ferris wheel. However, the song definitely works as a standalone track, with its lyrics telling the story of coy first love. All the while, Suneohair's laid-back vocals and smooth synth-rock create the perfect backdrop to the hazy, pastel artwork of this beautiful slice-of-life series.
- by @fitear1590

#08 the pillows – Ride on shooting star
from FLCL | フリクリ


It wouldn't be a huge stretch to claim that this song is the reason that you are on Monochrome Heaven reading this right now. If there was a single genesis in my Japanese Rock interest, and in turn this site, Ride on Shooting Star is it. The Pillows lay down a straight forward rock track filled with simple but addictive riffs. While it's not going to win any awards for technicality, it makes up for that with purity with a driving upbeat energy that really gets me pumped up and in a good mood. About the only downside is how quick the ride is over - at under two and a half minutes I am always craving for more when the track ends, not unlikely the show it is from.
- by @Ito

#07 Silver Fins - Waiting So Long
from Berserk | ベルセルク


Seldom do anime themes match the actual tone of the series that they're tied to. More often than not, they seem like their own, seperate entities --promotional placeholders for artists seeking exposure-- instead of aesthetic extensions of the anime's content. Berserk's ending theme, "Waiting So Long", by the incredibly obscure Silver Fins, is quite an exception, though. It's a trudging folk-rock song with an eery Americana-vibe, and a subtely malicious chorus that'll linger in your ears long after the show is over. For a dark-fantasy like Berserk, where happiness is fleeting and sin, corruption, and evil run amok, it's the perfect way to conclude a each episode!
- by @CAT5

#06 Plastic Tree - Sink
from Glass no Kantai | ガラスの艦隊


This spot might come as a surprise to a few, since it certainly did for me when I discovered that Plastic Tree had a handful of songs as endings for various animes. The lads have only done three anime themes ever since they formed. Glass no Kantai: La Legende du Vent de l'Univers used their twenty third single 'Namida Drop' as its first ending song, Yu☆Gi☆Oh! 5D's had their thirty second single 'Future Colors' as their fifth ending theme, and Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo with my selected tune of 'Sink', their sixth single. While I cannot speak for the anime itself, I think it goes without saying that 'Sink' is one of the classic pieces in Plastic Tree's discography. With profound lyrics, a melodic chorus, and verses that flow like a river - very fitting to the overall sound of the song - it's definitely a stand out Visual Kei song all on its own since this was early Plastic Tree, when they were considered Visual Kei. Equipped with Ryutaro's signature raspy and child-like vocals, catchy riffs, and lyrical perfection (and repetition!), including coverage of Plastic Tree's typical song subjects, from the moon to melancholy and separation, 'Sink' doesn't falter. It's the ending theme within eleven endings of this lengthy one hundred and eight episodes of a series that'll take your breath away.
- by @beni

#05 凛として時雨 (ling tosite sigure) - abnormalize
from PSYCHO-PASS


There was a time when the words 'ling tosite sigure' and 'anime' wouldn't be found in the same sentence - an indie band with an incredibly insular sound and two vocalists best described as "acquired tastes" - the thought itself would have been ridiculous. Nowadays, thanks to the success of Psycho-Pass (both seasons) and Tokyo Ghoul, their name is almost synonymous with it. "abnormalize" was the band's very first foray into creating anime themes, and while the prospect of this venture may have looked daunting to fans at the time, the result was a streamlined sound that was amicable enough for anime audiences, but still uncompromisingly "ling". The band had triumphantly transplanted their sound and and it was a hit too - becoming their most successful single to date! A forward-thinking band like ling was the perfect match for Pyscho-Pass's futuristic setting.
- by @CAT5

#04 abingdon boys school - HOWLING
from DARKER THAN BLACK | 黒の契約者


Howling is hard rock with pop-sensibilities at its best. I've always been of a fan of Takanori's vocals in TM Revolution, but his music always been a bit too poppy (and dear I say cheesy?) for me. Abingdon Boys School is a push against that idea, as Takanori's beautiful vocals are juxtaposed with distorted guitar layered. Howling runs with that idea, taking a hard rock track and sprinkles in DJ scratching and other "bleep-bloops" you would expect more from Takanori's pop work. Normally this is something that doesn't work for me, but it is done so subtly that the end result is a lovely layer of textures is just a joy for the ear. The chuggy break down that transitions to a simple but soaring guitar solo really puts an asterisk on the song for me. And hey, if you don't like the song that much, you will certainly miss it when the anime switches to a An Cafe track halfway through the show.
- by @Ito

#03 cinema staff - Great Escape
from ATTACK ON TITAN | 進撃の巨人


'Shingeki no Kyojin' a.k.a 'Attack on Titan' is without a doubt one of the biggest anime hits this century, having spawned a lucratice franchise of spin-offs, video games, and even two live-action movies. Its massive hype garnered both dauntless fanatics, whom were smitten with the characters and premise, and a fair share of critics that chastised the anime for it's elusive plot and questionable pacing. But whatever you felt about the anime, most people usually agreed about one thing - the music was amazing. Whether it's the epic, Hollywood blockbuster score provided by Hiroyuki Sawano, or the anthemic cheese of Linked Horizon's 'Guren no Yumiya', there was something for everyone to love. Even Japanese-indie fans had something to rejoice in with cinema staff performing the second ending theme "Great Escape". It's a strong, driving tune that showcases the band's pop potential without compromising their indie sensibilities, It's also a song that accurately mirrors the dramatic scale of the series without sounding overblown or unconvincing.
- by @CAT5

#02 陰陽座 (Onmyou-za) - 甲賀忍法帖 (Kouga Ninpouchou)
from BASILISK | バジリスク 〜甲賀忍法帖〜


The anime BASILISK was gifted with many things; great animation for its time, an amazing story that begins and ends well, and perhaps one of the most iconic opening themes of all time. Without too many spoilers, it's basically Japanese Romeo and Juliet. Many anime fans will immediately recognize the introduction, but most have only heard 甲賀忍法帖 (Kouga Ninpouchou) in its abbreviated form. Even less would know that it is one of twelve songs labeled "Tales of The Ninja Scrolls" (or ninpouchou for short), composed as a tribute to author Futaro Yamada. In fact, BASILISK is the anime adaptation of the manga adaptation one of Yamada's earliest stories, also titled バジリスク 甲賀忍法帖 (Basilisk Kouga Ninpouchou), and he won an award for this in 2004! Thus it's only natural that a band whose lyrical material centers around traditional Japanese themes such as oni, dragons, magic, and youkai to extend their reach to ninja tales too! 陰陽座 knocked it out of the park with this one; the tone, lyrics, and theme all match up perfectly with both the anime and the original stories and it was this song which put them on the map.
I'm not so sure what's more interesting; the lore or the music...
- by @Zeus

#01 Maximum the Hormone - What's Up People
from DEATH NOTE


It was hard to deny Death Note at the height of its popularity, but when I hesitated on checking it out my friends knew me well enough to mention that I'd love the opening theme to give me that last little push. It worked! And naturally my expectations grew. Though, at that time in my limited anime vocabulary 'great opening theme' meant TM Revolution or Anna Tsuchiya rocking out some insanely catchy, energetic number. When Death Note hit the season's half way mark and "What's Up People" blasted through my speakers it was mind-blowing that music this chaotic and heavy was broadcast on such a popular series. Needless to say, I was instantly hooked on their metal-hybrid sound. While I outgrew the Death Note fandom pretty quickly after finishing the show, Maximum The Hormone remain a band I enjoy to this day. Their music continues to be unique and fresh, as well as a gateway to those exploring the alternative metal scene in Japan.
- by @doombox

Thanks for checking out the list and commenting everyone. Lots of great choices from you guys were mentioned that didn't make the cut! Next time we put this list together we'll feature a different set of ten artists and maybe highlight some of these choices then!

Decided to shave my head for whatever reason.

Last week I went to beach with my family and there literally no other people than me and my family... :")))))

Last week I went to beach with my family and there literally no other people than me and my family... :")))))

Last week I went to beach with my family and there literally no other people than me and my family... :")))))

Last week I went to beach with my family and there literally no other people than me and my family... :")))))

So, I went to hike a while ago.
 
Eh, people do hike, right?

Tracklist:
1. OUSIA
2. THE WORLD IS MY ROOM
3. 赫音-finis- (guitar & bass re-recording & full remix)
4. 失い (guitar & bass re-recording & full remix)
5. TRIPPER (guitar & bass re-recording & full remix)
6. RUVISH
7. DEJECTED RAIN (new arrange)
8. 赫音-justitia- (guitar & bass re-recording & full remix)
9. BLIND DAYS
10. THE HOPELESS
 
| I came for OUSIA and found some other goodies worth staying for too!
 

For better or for worse, I've stayed away from following the activities of THE BLACK SWAN too closely. I've been under the impression for the longest that they are another one of those bands - gaudy outfits, heavy guitars, formulaic songs, and a step above awful but nothing exciting that catch my attention. My fears stemmed from how bad NEGA burned out near the end of their career. They excelled at this gothic creepiness during their Rebirth Under the Chaos  to approximately Grave of the Sacrifice era which was mostly lost when metalcore took the wheel. THE BLACK SWAN, in contrast, suffer from no such burnout. They succeed at recording genuine depression and pain. It feels much like NEGA during that time period mostly due to sharing a vocalist, but with OUSIA -dispersed- THE BLACK SWAN breaks away from the confines that NEGA never could. It's that rare album that despite its flaws did the near-impossible feat of taking a band I once thought was derivative and making them definitive (or at least demonstrating that these members are more talented and creative than I had given them credit for).
 
  "OUSIA" is eleven minutes of perfection. Opethian riffs are supported by progressive song structures that echo Dir en grey's "Macabre" and Nega's "虚しき「生」の寓意≒「死」の真意", but with enough flair and personality to be its own creation. The guest feature of 優(yuu)(ex-NEGA) on piano is impossible to miss, managing to work in an atmosphere this band usually doesn't go for. The great use of piano, acoustic, and electronic elements keeps the song entertaining for all eleven minutes and every member (even Jin) gets a moment to shine. Yuu's guest appearance makes this song, but the guitarists are the reason why I continue to revisit. They may be no Hizaki, but their virtuosity is something to behold as well; the amount of solos in this song alone are ridiculous. This is how you use influences!
 
  No matter how many solos they throw into the mix to spice things up, Jin will likely make or break the experience. For me, this is his best and most consistent performance in recent memory. He's found the best way to harmonize with the music without sounding out of place. The worst thing I can pin on him is hitting a few sour notes here and there. Late album banger "DEJECTED RAIN" is a wonderful example of this. Jin shows his versatility as a vocalist with his arsenal of mumbling, banshee shrieks, and harmonizing. It impresses me enough to look past his limited singing range, and backed by a wicked riff it's one of the best songs on the album.  
 
Before my hopes for a progressive visual kei band fully blossomed, reality came crashing through the window. There are more than a few flaws with OUSIA -dispersed-, one of them being that there seems to be little thought put into the track list beyond putting the best one first. "OUSIA" should be somewhere towards the middle to end of the album. The follow-up song "THE WORLD IN MY ROOM" is a discordant mess where the band never feels like they're on the same page. "TRIPPER" would be cool if it weren't for those awful eight measures both a minute in and after the solo that sound so lame compared to the rest of the song. "赫音-finis-" and "赫音-justitia-" have cool melodies but don't stick with me otherwise. Ending the album on a core note with "THE HOPELESS" was the last of many strange choices. Of all the styles they showcase on this album they end with the least impressive one.
 
  As far as things sound, I would be wrong to not mention that OUSIA -dispersed- is the latest victim of the loudness war. It is very loud and the music sounds constrained on everything but my most expensive pair of headphones. It hurts to listen to after a few tracks honestly and considering the length this is a problem. The biggest offender by far in the mix is the sound of that bass pedal. It should sound more like a hollow thud or distant rumble and less like a typewriter to be most effective. The typewriter's clack permeates every track and takes quite a bit of power away from the metal.  
 
Despite some missteps OUSIA -dispersed- is a very competent album with more than a few tracks worth revisiting. Among my immediate favorites are the title track, "失い", "DEJECTED RAIN", and "BLIND DAYS". It positively improved my opinion of this band by leaps and bounds. If this is an unfinished product, I can't wait to hear what the whole thing sounds like as intended.
 
 
 

Link back to review of older TBS songs for some context
2016 is here and I am not as patient anymore so this will be shorter and more casual. I also humbly apologize for not knowing enough things TBS might have ripped off as well. For all I know everything could be on Gazettes last album. Anyway

TBS have finally released something substantial and disbandment doesn't seem imminent! Even though this is about 50% already released material. Let's go

OUSIA
I get the impression that the only thing Jin -really- wants to be doing are those >10 minutes long ""prog"" clusterfucks. Obviously I'm thinking about Japanese title/odd symbol song from Vanitas. This time around things are more refined and not as dull. Basically this song has it all:

☑ KISAKI-worthy SE like you're being in a majestic forest or sth
☑ Yu (Nega) plays! (iirc) so if you liked cringey Nega piano you are allowed to cry now
☑ like four consecutive guitar solos. they are cheesy but its ok! really!!!!
☑ everything goes really fast sometimes
☑ acceptable chorus
☑ ~soothing~ acoustic guitar
☑ loads of bass
☑ "We are Dir en grey and we are playing MACABRE" type of Creepy build-up part
☑ tricky drumming
☑ guys its ELEVEN minutes
☑ fuuuuuuuuuuck
All in all I love it since things being -this- over the top is exactly what I want from TBS and I got it
 
 
THE WORLD IS MY ROOM
Not very bad
 
☑ they have maybe listened to someone who heard a meshuggah song once
 
 
FINIS
I didn't care about this when i listened through it on that single either
 
☑ is it a ballad or a heavy song idk
 
 
JAPANESE TITLE
idk did they change something? Again, this has redeeming qualities but feels empty
 
 
TRIPPER
the bass is a bit louder and the guitar is slightly different maybe the original was better but song still good.  I'm still in love with the dubstep-sounding breakdown
 
 
RUVISH
What the fuck is up with that rape-themed?? PV???? Drag is really gorgeous though. Song is fast and when it's not fast it reminds me of later instances of spooky Nega like that Baku song from Grave of the Sacrifice
 
☑ 22spooky orchestration
☑ if you liked jin whispers in nega your'e in for a ride
☑ delicious mess
 
 
DEJECTED RAIN
a bit lower tempo and bluesy its cool that they are doing this. souunds a bit like dir en grey but then again what doesn't, you know
 
☑ that fucking guitar whine thing
 
 
JUSTITIA
It's kinda cool. The chorus kills it a little bit for me but there are cool things to weigh that up.
 
☑ that fucking guitar whine thing
 
 
BLIND DAYS
 
Fuck this seriously. If you're going to do vk faux jazz (as I predicted(!!!) in the old post. VK awareness level: Nostradamus) at least do it properly. this is like that Goodbye human song from Vanitas and that was bad also
 
 
THE HOPELESS
☑ idk its still good
 
 
Verdict:
Faster, more polished, more sophisticated. not as amazing-funny-bad as Vanitas but it certainly works. Most of the time the choruses are actually not bad! Good variation. Basically TBS are Nega, but they know what they're doing and they do it much better. For the next release I want more self-distance like the shit noodle song. But this is still pretty crazy and fun  to listen to.

hahaha EVE and the Codomo Dragon have the same sound? are you serious? and comparing SDM to Anfiel is akin to saying Chronosphere sounds like DEG. my humble suggestion is that if you want to be taken seriously, at least educate yourself about what these bands actually sound like before arbitrarily assembling a list of bands you know nothing about.
 
notwithstanding the factual inaccuracies, everyone in this forum is well aware that you obviously don't like certain kinds of sounds - which, in itself, is totally fine. but, please, stop going into every single thread of bands you don't like and saying 'boring' like a broken record. save yourself the trouble of posting stuff that people already have seen 354585 times, and ours of having to skip over the same inane posts again and again. we've already been doing that for the past 3 years and it's getting insufferable.
 
tyvm.

on a glimpse, I think Men-Men in the dead left is their new fifth member. 

on a glimpse, I think Men-Men in the dead left is their new fifth member. 

#SorryForTheWait but a bitch has been busy and this has been a FAT undertaking so my apologies (not that anyone cares). this took a hundred years to do but goddamn im happy with this fucking list. its image heavy, sorry; the relatively long blurbs are under spoilers for all u people who r too lazy to read the GOTDAM text. jk i'm one of yall, unless an album interests me, then i'll read further. anyways im talking out my ass sorry
Rules:
ok lets fucking go
Albums i was eh on the edge of liking but didn't really care enough to listen to them more to review them. nonetheless i thought they were decent
Note the sore absence of DISH and yazzmad, its a shame i didnt get to hear their outputs this year as they certainly would have made the list
Without further ado:
emmny's Top 20 Visual Albums of 2015
 
20. Sel'm - 玲瓏 (reirou)

 
19. シビレバシル - サヨナラ狂詩曲 (sibilebashir - sayonara rhapsody)



 
18. ザアザア - 死にたい (xaa-xaa - shinitai)



 
17. nüe - サイレン (siren)

 
16. KRAD - SepsiS / Plantman / Beginning of Darkness

 
15. IX -NINE- - VIDYA



 
14. AvelCain - 片想い (omajinai)

 
13. グリーヴァ・ゴシップ・黒百合と影 - 暗黒世界ハ闇 (grieva, gossip, kuroyuri to kage - ansoku sekai wa yami)



 
12. Lycaon - Camera Obscura -カメラオブスキュラ-



 
11. Pla stic Tree - 剥製 (hakusei)



 
10. 黒百合と影 - 皮肉な種の卑屈な芽。(kuroyuri to kage - hiniku na tame no hikutsu na me)
 

 
9. THE BLACK SWAN - 赫音



 
8. emmurée - 窓の外は、カァニバル。(mado no soto wa carnival)

 
7. MORE - hypno / morphe

 
6. グリーヴァ - Fake / 操リ人間 / 絶望ノ朝 (grieva - fake / ayatsuri ningen / zetsubou no asa)



 
5. Moran - 夜明けを前に (yoake wo mae ni)



 
4. amber gris - 小さな銀貨を左手に (chisana ginka wo hidarite ni)

 
3. the GazettE - DOGMA / UGLY

 
2. KEEL - Cthulhu / R'lyeh

 
1. lynch. - EVOKE / ETERNITY / D.A.R.K-in the name of evil-



 
Thats it, thanks folks. this list isn't comprehensive, check the lists of other users to see what things on the more oshare/pop spectrum i might have missed. also as to the absence of chanty and scapegoat, they likely would have made the list but a bitch aint got enough time to listen to everything. Tell me what u think i might have overlooked, and feel free to fight me in the comments ^>^. here's to another lovely year of all things visual kei with my friends at MH for 2016, love y'all <3 <3

I have feeling this gonna be Aien Kien 2.0

Best of 2015
I tried.


Crippling depression, chronic sickness, and a disinterest in almost everything coming out had me thinking twice about releasing a list this year. You guys motivated me to get off my ass and finish this, so this post is for you. I can say that most releases I was looking forward to from the beginning of the year either never came out or disappointed me. I also came across a lot of music that was "great" but not necessarily something I would enjoy sharing on this list. I waffled between adding one or two more albums but decided at the last minute to exclude them. This is by far my shortest list ever with only 13 entries but I kind of like it that way.

BLU-SWING - FLASH
Songs: FLASH and 満ちていく体温
Charisma.com - OLest
Songs: お局ロック and こんがらガール
COHOL - 裏現
Songs: Depressive and Arche Pathogen
Earl Sweatshirt - I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside
Songs: Solace and Off Top
Kamasi Washington - The Epic
Songs: Re Run Home and Change of the Guard
KEEL - Cthulhu & R'yleh
Songs: deep sleep and fanfale
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
Songs: u and How Much A Dollar Cost?
lynch. - D.A.R.K. - in the name of evil -
Songs: EVOKE and BEAST
THE NOVEMBERS - Elegance
Song: きれいな海へ
the piqnic - ZyouK
Song: krs
Sigh - Graveward
Songs: A Messenger From Tomorrow and The Tombfiller
sukekiyo - VITIUM
Songs: leather fields and celeste
和楽器バンド - 八奏絵巻
Songs: 暁ノ糸 (Akatsuki no Ito) and Perfect Blue
Thanks for reading (or skimming)! Leave me some comments below.

it is announced at 己龍(kiryu) one-man live at Zepp Tokyo at 2016/01/08 that their new maxi single "彩(irodori)" will be released at 2016/03/02 (4 TYPE)
 
limited edition TYPE A (1,944yen) will include CD+DVD (including "彩(irodori)" PV & off-shot), limited edition TYPE B (1,944yen) will include CD+DVD (including "彩(irodori)" all-member multi-angle PV), and regular edition TYPE C & D (1,620yen each) will include CD only
 
[CD track list]
01.彩(irodori)
02.夜鷹(yotaka)
03.ユビキリ(yubikiri) (included in regular edition TYPE C)
03.熄(yamu) (included in regular edition TYPE D)
04.彩(irodori)(inst.) (included in regular edition TYPE C & D)
05.夜鷹(yotaka)(inst.) (included in regular edition TYPE C & D)
06.ユビキリ(yubikiri)(inst.) (included in regular edition TYPE C)
06.熄(yamu)(inst.) (included in regular edition TYPE D)
 
 
btw they will hold their one-man live tour "彩霞蓋世(saikagaisei)" since Kawasaki CLUB CITTA' at 2016/03/13 and up to tour final at TOKYO DOME CITY HALL at 2016/04/24
 
 
SET-LIST at 2016/01/08:
 
01.泡沫
02.鬼祭
03.井底之蛙
04.十三夜
SE
05.鎮具破具
06.愛怨忌焔
07.煉獄
08.誰彼刻
SE
09.最後ノ恋
10.逃避行～鬼遊戯
11.朔宵
12.邪一輪
13.化猫
14.拡聲ニ蝕ユ蠢
15.朱花艶閃
16.暁歌水月
 
EN1
01.空蝉
02.九尾
03.アナザーサイド
04.叫声
 

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Greetings everyone! I actually did not plan on making a list this year, as 2015 wasn't my favorite year in music, but I was moved to do so after viewing everyone else's wonderful shares! Please note that this isn't a "best" list by any means, as I believe that music is much too subjective and personal for that to apply. This list is simply the things I enjoyed most over the year.

This time, I made no distinctions between Japanese and non-Japanese music. The order is also inconsequential, as I can never bring myself to create rankings. Inspired by @hiroki, I created some short audio snippets, so don't hesistate to sample some of my picks! If they don't start immediately, please give them a second or two to load. I also apologize if the loading time for my post is initially a bit slow, but it should work itself out after a few seconds. ^^;


Finally, if you take a moment to go through my list, I'd love to know your thoughts about it! Did anything catch your eyes/ears? Were there picks that you could agree/disagree with? Feel free to comment!





CAT's favorite music of 2015





宮内優里 - 宮内優里miyauchi yuri - miyauchi yuri


I could literally sit and listen to miyauchi yuri's glitchy folktronica all day and not get tired of it. Overall, his work DOES tend to be quite interchangeable, but I'm so utterly enamored with his sound that it doesn't even matter. I'm pretty much guaranteed to enjoy whatever he makes, and his latest self-titled album is more of the delicious same. This one does seem to be a bit less overtly melodic and more focused in ambient and IDM, though. So a few minor differences, but it's all just as lovely as ever!




Braids - Deep in the Iris


I've always thought of Braids as the Canadian counterpart to haisuinonasa, as both bands share a dreamy mix of electronica and indie-pop with just the right amount of experimental tendencies. They're also both very similar in atmosphere. But on this new album, Braids have taken that sound and made it more accessible and poppy. The results are stunning! Deep in the Iris is one of the few albums that I was looking forward to in 2015 that actually exceeded my expectations - I fell in love with it instantly!




ハイスイノナサ - 変身 haisuinonasa - henshin


Like @Pho, I'm also a proud haisuinonasa fanboy and agree that they've never released anything less than excellent. Unfortunately, their high bar quality seems to come at the expense of a slow and infrequent release schedule, but that just makes everything they put out even more precious. 変身 is only a single, but it's also a complete experience. It's fraught with all of their imaginative and technical post/math-rock signatures, but it shows various new sides of the band as well. I love this single, but it's such tease with no album in sight!




Doldrums - The Air Conditioned Nightmare


When Aoki Robin of Downy mentioned that he enjoyed Doldrums in an interview, I didn't hesistate to seek out their music, and I'm more than glad I did! Doldrums shares a similar, warped, Radiohead-esque aesthetic to Downy that resonates with me easily. There's something very dystopian and 'cyberpunk' about it that just tingles my musical senses!




水曜日のカンパネラ - ジパングSuiyoubi no Campanella - Zipangu


I managed to avoid the hype for this group, but was finally swayed this year. I'm still not completely sold on the vocalist, but the songwriting is so infectious and the production so masterful that I can't help but be charmed. "Wedcamp" is just a completely fun and vivacious mix of Jpop, hip-hop and club music.




Alina Baraz & Galimatias - Urban Flora


Smooth female vocals, sleek, coercive beats, and dreamy overtones? I'm always game for this type of music and Urban Flora delivers it in spades. The tone and the lyrics of this EP are incredibly sensual, but it's all very tasteful too. Great music to vibe-out or chill to...or netflix and chill to. XD




湯川潮音 - セロファンの空Yukawa Shione - Cellophane no Sora


Despite being one of the more reknown modern folk-pop artists in Japan, ----I've avoided trying Yukawa Shione's music until this year, but this just happened to be the perect time for me to do so. Cellophane no Sora is probably her most adventurous album yet and features production and instrumentation from musicians of acts like NATSUMEN, EGO-WRAPPIN', PETROLZ, pupa, anonymass, and more. With a line-up like that, you can't go wrong and Yukawa certainly did not!




Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon


So-called "future soul" band Hiatus Kaiyote has been on my radar since 2012's "Tawk Tomahawk" and what they've delivered on this exquisite follow-up was well worth the wait. "Choose Your Weapon" is a magnificent album with strong soul influences from the past and forward-thinking execution.




mothercoat - GOHUM


My favorite quirky indie-rockers have returned with their first album after changes to their line-up, and while GOHUM doesn't have the instant accessibility that allergies had, its off-kilter charm will burrow into your ears and reveal itself on repeat listens.




Pretend - Tapestry'd Life


I had a mighty need for math-rock in 2015 (as I do every year), and other than haisuinonasa, no other band was able to appease my appetite like Pretend did. Tapestry'd Life is only nine tracks, but it's an absolutely massive album with most tracks easily pushing past seven minutes. It's an absolutely eargasmic listen with a non-stop barrage of lush, mathy guitars and incredible, spastic drumming that never misses a beat.




Dråpe - Relax/Relapse


The last timed I listened to Norse band Dråpe, they were a dreamy shoegaze band with female vocals, but most of that has changed on Relax/Relapse. The vocalist is now male (although you could easily mistake his voice for female like i did). Most of the shoegaze elements have vanished and been replaced with neo-psychedelia - a move that made this band a winner in my ears!




シャムキャッツ - TAKE CAREsiamese cats - TAKE CARE


siamese cats originally started off sounding like a poor man's OGRE YOU ASSHOLE, but they've refined their sound over the years and become a force of their own. TAKE CARE is a short, twenty minute EP, but it's easily my favorite release from the band so far. It's summery, laidback, and carefree indie-rock with impeccably smooth execution. Despite siamese cats having a substantial presence in Japan's indie world, I'm always surprised that they seem to go unnoticed by overseas fans - their music would fit perfectly in a playlist with bands like ミツメ (mitsume), CARD and younger acts like Tempalay and never young beach!




the north end - balance


The Japanese emo veterans have returned after seven years since their last nation-wide release with the "Balance" EP, and it's a uniquely powerful mix of emo sensibilities, sprawling post-rock, and dub grooves. Simply three tracks were not enough for me!




Tierpark - The Moment Two Worlds Meet


I don't know much about music from Korea, but much like many other Asian countries outside of Japan, their indie scene seems to be experiencing a boom of sorts lately. Thankfully, my musical confidant @Pho has a keen ear to the scene and recommended Tierpark to me - a band with strong, emotive female vocals, soaring post-rock instrumentation, and a few mathy rhythms for good measure. What more could I ask for? I've always had a natural predilection towards female vocals, and since this area of music often tends to be overwhelmingly male-oriented genres, this recommendation was extra fortuitous for me!




muffin - 茂みとイバラmuffin - Bushes & Briars


muffin is a little-known, singer/songwriter from the Japanese indie-folk realm and an absolute gem for me. 茂みとイバラ (Bushes & Briars) is her latest release - a CD-R that's not widely available for purchase, but definitely worth obtaining. It's enchantingly distilled psychedelic-folk, with sweet, somber vocals laid atop a variable mix of warm and cold acoustic melodies. muffin reminds me of her fellow indie-folksters ゑでぃまぁこん (eddie marcon), who incidentally pitched in and played on this record as well!




THE NOVEMBERS - Elegance


THE NOVEMBERS have gotten to the point where it's difficult for them to do any wrong in my ears. Elegance does lack their darker, more melancholic side that I prefer, but they've tackled their lighter, fluffier sound like never before here. It's often compared to its similarly sunny predecessor "GIFT", but whereas that was more expansive and rough around the edges, Elegance is more reigned in, polished, and catchy. It's probably THE NOVEMERS' most cohesive record yet, with each track maintaining the whimsical and dreamy atmosphere (except for the last song). Elegance may not be the most compelling release from THE NOVEMBERS as a whole, but it's an impressive mark of refinement for the band, and one that'll grace my speakers for a while to come.




シベールの日曜日 - Gypsy HouseCybele no Nichiyobi - Gypsy House


Psychedelic rock is perhaps one of Japan's least prominent music exports, at least in modern times. There are plenty of Japanese bands playing psyche-influenced material, but very few contemporary acts play it as faithfully as Sundays & Cybele. Gypsy House doesn't attempt to bring anything new to the genre, and it doesn't have to - If you're like me and enjoy this sound in general, then there's plenty of it here to wrap your ears around!




Ropes - dialogue


Dynamic indie vocalist Achiko and ART-SCHOOL guitarist Masafumi Todaka took me by surprise with their second album as Ropes. I found their debut album pleasant, but forgettable overall, so I wasn't expecting much, but on dialogues, their songwriting seems much more self-assured and purposeful. Achiko's wilting vocals now bring out the best in Todaka's sentimental guitar play.




PLAY DEAD SEASON / This Time We Will Not Promise And Forgive Split


Japanese emo/post-hardcore bands PLAY DEAD SEASON and This Time We Will Not Promise And Forgive have proven themselves to be a perfect pair on this new split. Each track is brimming with emo-rawness punk spirit and it makes me hopeful for future releases!




the piqnic - ZyouK


Major thanks to @Jigsaw9 for recommending this one, as ZyouK became a favorite for me almost instantly. The fact that they sound eerily similar to THE NOVEMBERS (one of my favorite bands) certainly had a part to play, but they've definitely got their own things going. Some have even compared their brooding atmosphere and expansive soundscapes to bands like Boris. Extremely impressive for a CD-R release and a band that seems to have cropped up out of nowhere. I'm very optimistic about this band's future!




Thank you for viewing, and indulging in my awkward taste for a bit! ^^

So, I went to hike a while ago.
 
Eh, people do hike, right?

My mom's reaction to this was hilarious
 

 
 
god I miss Lycaon </3

So, I went to hike a while ago.
 
Eh, people do hike, right?

So, I went to hike a while ago.
 
Eh, people do hike, right?