DeithX252

gotta love this thread <3
 
Female fronted band must be more recognized because only Japan have cute female and can play decent music LOL XD. I will mention my favorite first:
 
aquarifa was my first discovery into japanese indie music, with their mini album "scene", I found Iwata Machi (recent voc) was a collaboration between Yui Hirasawa from K-ON! and indie rock LMFAO, but I enjoyed it so far! She can play guitar and compose music too. Even their first vocalist Arry is still my favorite until now, I hope this bands release more in the future.
 
While CAT5 mention unlimits for pop punk, I mention SCOTLAND GIRL! They are my fave pop punk band recently (even with awful engrish). I hope they release something new soon!
 
Must mention Foreground Eclipse even they were disbanded, because they are my first influence in post hardcore/metalcore and awesome doujin band. Merami (vo) take my attention with her cute vocal and do some post hardcore song (not usual combination) LOL
 
虚弱。 is one of my fave instrumental band, all girl, imagine that this girls compose play chilling instrumental songs, make your mind blown you away. Although their recent song is not good as earlier, but they are still decent.
 
7Years To Midnight have awesome female guitarist, watched they performed, and she is awesome! Maybe one of the great metalcore female guitarist in Japan
 
I want to mention Kinoko teikoku, tricot, and uchuu conbini, but they are already everyone favorites for now

Much love to you ender for making this thread happen. Look at all those glorious bands! :'3 I don't have many new recs/contributes to add, (lmao, I had more than I expected x'D) since I've spotted all the ones I wanted to put up but, at the bottom are some I've remembered having gone through a section of my music library quickly. I'd just like to give a thumbs up to a load of my favs already listed so be prepared for some scrolling (I won't spam this too much with a load of quotes so I'll give some shoutouts to the original poster)
 
Responses
EDIT: Mabuta, how the hell did I miss yours? xD Thank you for liking ender's last post so I re-read through the thread again and got to yours!
  Her voice sounds scary, haunted and beautiful at the same time, and her guitar lines are pretty cool.
She used to be in a band called Obscure but now I think she’s on her solo project
 
I adore Kokusyoku Sumire, I need to listen to them more often. I wanted to mainly quotes you just to say you won't hear the end of me complimenting you and your new avi now! x'D NOBARA is new to me though, so I thank you a lot for bringing her up.
 
: CROSS VEIN had been a band I've been interested in hearing for a while, so when I spotted the album newly put up here ( shoutout to that user too (; ), I jumped for joy. A really great heavy band, as I was expecting. I can say the same for GANGLION too. Both have some really catchy songs and deserve a lot more attention. <- I mean this with every musician I bring up, to be honest. Itsue is one I've heard of before, and seeing as you're a massive fan, I better get to listening to them sooner then later! HEAD PHONES PRESIDENT is one of my first female fronted bands I enjoyed too! To think Anza had sung the complete opposite at the start of her career. HPP are amazing, no joke! And SHISHAMO, HELL YEAH! I need to continue listening to them more often. 
 
@TheStoic: Your list is pretty much all the ones I first thought of too! Nice choices! But, just one thing I'd like to bring up on this, if I may. How can Olivia only be mentioned without her lovely sis Caroline? The Lufkin siblings are two of my all time favourite singers! Her music is a lot more dreamy like.
 
 
SCANDAL fan here too~ I think all three of the other bands you've brought up are still active, and awesome choices. I particularly love Chatmonchy because of the vocals, and Kinoco Hotel because,  well, DAT WHOLE STYLE~ I am quite jelly you've seen the brilliance that is Tsushimamire live! Great mentions all out!
 
@CAT5: I am so pleased to see UNLIMITS there! You've reminded me I need to continue listening to everything Yumi Nakashima related. me-al art's a great one too, and no surprise with those last couple of favs, haha.
 
@paradoxal: DecoLa Hopping is one I was going to bring up! Nicely done!! And I see you listen to the two that needed no introduction. Really awesome.
 
@DeithX252: Brilliant you brought up aquarifa! And you've actually spoken of a lovely new batch I need to give a listen to as well. SCOTLAND GIRL sounds so good! And what you said below...
 
 
Too right, I wanted to bring them up too so I'll just quote these awesome lot for a +1 on them heh.
 
: I know right!? Silent Siren deserved a bring up too so thanks for that! I can't believe I haven't heard of AJICO before, wow. Clammbon = approved. And YES TO MY OTHER WAIFU. Everything Togawa related; flawless. yapoos and ヤプーズ included. Thank you for that. You've made my respect for you sky rocket lol. No forgetting Ringo, prz-san! x'D
 
Picks
So, hello there, if you've decided to skip to here. xD If not, then have a cookie for still sticking around.
These gals are also worth mentioning to me:
 
Pop picks
Aural Vampire is a electro duo who really kick ass, made up of female vocalist Exo-Chika, and male music creator Raveman.
little by little is another female/male duo musician act I had found when I first got into Asian music, thanks to anime in all honestly. With cute vocals and catchy rhythms, there's a lot to love here.
I have yet to bring this girl rapper duo up, and I should have done ages ago when Charisma.com came up as our top album release of 2014. HALCALI also rap, and while not as outstanding or as catchy as Charisma.com, it's very reminiscent to these two. They can do really fun and happy songs, or sad and heartbreaking tracks, all including very easy going rap.
And finally, Zwei. Another girl duo~ So rockin'! Not exactly pop but they now do anime/game songs unlike before when their work was a lot more individual for this reason, I believe. Still, I love 'em.
 
LOVE PSYCHEDLICO is a band with that slow, rock tempo kind of style. I saw a similar band mentioned so I really wanted to reveal this treasure. They're said to be popular not only in Japan, but also in Taiwan and Hong Kong, but I rarely hear them spoken about at all. If you're into some laid back pop, I cannot recommend them enough. Sung most often in English, they're really catchy and sweet.
savage genius, much like little by little, is a pop group I found when becoming addicted to an anime opening. I don't love them as much as the latter, but they're just as talented.
Seeing as UNLIMITS were brought up, I'd like to speak up on 7!! (oops). Those vocals, this pop, that kawaiiness. <3
Everything Yuki Kajiura and Yasutaka Nakata related as well. Vocals are on point with the music genres and both deserve even more recognition for their work.
Everything Tomoko Kawase related too, as well as her band the brilliant green. Because she has two 'acts' (alter-egos), she can do pop/punk and rock. A lot to love for a woman who tries and does so much.
 
Heavier sound
LIV MOON and Light Bringer have two of the best female vocalists I have ever heard. Along with already mentioned Dazzle Vision, they're all tied as my all time favourite female fronted bands.
Rampant was one of the first heavy bands I gave a listen to who are Japanese. Their vocalist has departed sadly, but their album 'Choice of Life' is worth every second.
AREA51 definitely are worth a mention. While the vocals are something that might take a while to get into, or not at all, the intruments are stunning. 
The gallhammer gals are my children. They don't seem liked all that much, but just give them a go. Their album 'ill innocence' is a masterpiece. Don't give me that expression, I'm not kidding. 
No mention of BLOOD STAIN CHILD yet? The shock!! Vocalist Sophia (one of the first songs to feature her as their new vocalist back in 2011) is delightful.
 
There's too many I want to bring up and so much text already (cut down from before ><). *fans self* I apologise. lmao, ender, I had more left over than I thought. x'D

okay, see you later (if I can make it lol)

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the plug session is 3am your time.
 
 
It's pretty lax. I do think we're looking for predominant female vocals but it's for fun so just do the best you can come up with. I don't think anyone will complain if a male part in the song pops up here and there. 

We did have a theme with mixed gender vocals, if I remember correctly. That'd mean that's a different theme. I guess if the female singer is the more vocal one, that's totally cool. CAT5'll get back to this some time in case I'm mistaken.
 
 
I'm so not good with time, but it starts at 8PM over here. Looking at this converter, it looks like that's 1AM where you are. Can you make it? And, can anyone who can tell the time just correct me if I'm wrong please? >< I AM mistaken, ignore me please. xD

Ah, I see. No worries
 
Starting time is 3am in GMT+7 if I'm not mistaken.

Woah this topic remind me many great releases I never read before, lol
 
Waiting:
イツエ - 今夜絶対
A Ghost of Flare (TBA)
Last Day Dream - My Tragic Phantom
東京カランコロン - UTUTU
ねごと - VISION
 
not many

Lol I missed Scenarioart, I didn't know they released Tokyomelancholy, Listening to it atm, pretty good release I think!

Non-Japanese Releases

Top 10

The Bilinda Butchers - HEAVEN
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/thebilindabutchers_zps0bdd85d7.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/thebilindabutchers-heaven225x225_zps79f47ce1.jpg" />



Fear of Men - Loom
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/fearofmen_zps0c1b31dc.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/fearofmen-loom225x225_zps41d65472.jpg" />



Got a Girl - I Love You But I Must Drive Off This Cliff Now
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/gotagirl_zpsbdb0bf24.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/gotagirl-iloveyoubutImustdriveoffthiscliffnow225x225_zps4554ec60.jpg" />



Loop - Flirting With The Universe
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/Loop_zpsb2c387cb.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/loop-flirtingwiththeuniverse225x225_zps038c0dfd.jpg" />



Kimbra - The Golden Echo
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/kimbra_zps557f7205.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/kimbra-thegoldenecho225x225_zpsfff401cc.jpg" />



Margot & the Nuclear So and So's - Slingshot to Heaven
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/margot_zps41dc7454.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/Margotandthenuclearsoandsos-slingshottoheaven225x225_zpsd5ebf9a0.jpg" />



Moodoïd - Le monde Möö
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/moodoid_zps7e01597f.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/moodloidlemondemoo225x225_zpsab87cc95.jpg" />



Noh Salleh - Angin Kencang
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/nohsalleh_zps86626c39.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/nohsallehanginkencangep225x225_zpsbb8ed01f.jpg" />



Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox - Historical Misappropriations
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/postmodern-jukebox_zps25464f1d.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/postmodernjukebox-historicalmisappropriation225x225_zps033504f2.jpg" />



Sia - 1000 Forms of Fear
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/sia_zpsbed58553.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/sia1000formsoffear225x225_zps2da63d9e.jpg" />


 
 
 
Honorable Mentions

Curtis Harding - Soul Power
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/curtisharding_zpse777f006.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/curtisharding-soulpower_zpsfaa4782e.jpg" />



Daley - Days & Nights
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/daley_zpscce76689.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/daleydaysandnights225x225_zps442e217a.jpg" />



Night Flowers - Night Flowers EP
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/nightflowers_zpsb20e8387.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/nightflowersep225x225_zpsf6b64078.jpg" />



Purson - In the Meantime
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/CD%20cover%20scans%20and%20band%20pics/purson_zps8177e65f.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/CD%20cover%20scans%20and%20band%20pics/pursoninthemeantime_zps2943660d.jpg" />



Rusty Machines - City Lights
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/rustymachines_zps8230ed5e.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/rustymachinescitylightsep225x225_zpsbd4760d4.jpg" />



Sean Nicholas Savage - Bermuda Waterfall
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/seannicholassavage_zps7beee3e3.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/seannicholassavage-bermudawaterfall225x225_zps0112862e.jpg" />



Spazzkid - Promise EP

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/spazzkid_zps9976a69c.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/spazzkid-promiseep225x225_zps39c53feb.jpg" />



Springtime Carnivore - Springtime Carnivore
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/springtimecarnivore_zps8e9ad8b9.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/springtimecarnivorealbum_zps237d04f3.jpg" />



SZA - Z EP
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/SZA_zps32fa75b3.jpg" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/SZA-Z225x225_zpsfe864946.jpg" />



TOPS - Picture You Staring
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/tops_zps0d22ab54.png" />  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/fitear1590/Best%20of%20lists/tops-pictureyoustaring225x225_zpscca80705.jpg" />

I hope new release = Full Album

I'm totally obsessed with this album. Sakura Fujiwara deliver the feel of indie pop, acoustic and some country influence. She can create and compose great music in such a young age, a true singer-songwriter. Also, rare to hear heavy female voice for Japanese girl. "Full Bloom" give you a pleasure, yet refreshing sound in the morning!
 
Overall, the album has solid experience. I can enjoy through out all tracks, in one listen. However, although I am not a native in english, I can hear some "engrish" from her (that's what I feel lol). The guitar play is not simple, it's a little bit tricky and technical, she can play it while singing, which is great. The highlight songs are passing time, Ellie, 嘘つき, ラタムニカ, Goodbye.
 
Last year I obsessed with Ichiko Aoba, but this year, Sakura Fujiwara win over me. This album is one of my favorite album in 2014. I am looking forward to her future work. I highly recommend this album to you who like indie pop!
 
Overall score:
 
Check out her awesome live

I'm totally obsessed with this album. Sakura Fujiwara deliver the feel of indie pop, acoustic and some country influence. She can create and compose great music in such a young age, a true singer-songwriter. Also, rare to hear heavy female voice for Japanese girl. "Full Bloom" give you a pleasure, yet refreshing sound in the morning!
 
Overall, the album has solid experience. I can enjoy through out all tracks, in one listen. However, although I am not a native in english, I can hear some "engrish" from her (that's what I feel lol). The guitar play is not simple, it's a little bit tricky and technical, she can play it while singing, which is great. The highlight songs are passing time, Ellie, 嘘つき, ラタムニカ, Goodbye.
 
Last year I obsessed with Ichiko Aoba, but this year, Sakura Fujiwara win over me. This album is one of my favorite album in 2014. I am looking forward to her future work. I highly recommend this album to you who like indie pop!
 
Overall score:
 
Check out her awesome live

Thanks to CAT5, I gave this album a listen because of the lovely song sample and that adorable album cover. I enjoyed it a lot and will return to it again. There's just so many great indie pop musicians to discover and listen to but she's definitely one not to miss out on. Also, as you said, Aoba is amazing too. Recommending them both. Great and nice of you to review her album. Simply lovely. *thumbs up*

I'm totally obsessed with this album. Sakura Fujiwara deliver the feel of indie pop, acoustic and some country influence. She can create and compose great music in such a young age, a true singer-songwriter. Also, rare to hear heavy female voice for Japanese girl. "Full Bloom" give you a pleasure, yet refreshing sound in the morning!
 
Overall, the album has solid experience. I can enjoy through out all tracks, in one listen. However, although I am not a native in english, I can hear some "engrish" from her (that's what I feel lol). The guitar play is not simple, it's a little bit tricky and technical, she can play it while singing, which is great. The highlight songs are passing time, Ellie, 嘘つき, ラタムニカ, Goodbye.
 
Last year I obsessed with Ichiko Aoba, but this year, Sakura Fujiwara win over me. This album is one of my favorite album in 2014. I am looking forward to her future work. I highly recommend this album to you who like indie pop!
 
Overall score:
 
Check out her awesome live

New (pretty long and good quality!) live footage just posted on the band's official channel:
 


 
*moshes in chair frantically*

You must check jizue! Their new album is their best I think. Very refreshing and chilling

You must check jizue! Their new album is their best I think. Very refreshing and chilling

You must check jizue! Their new album is their best I think. Very refreshing and chilling

witness is just good, it's easy listening, and I can easily addicted with that album. The aggressiveness come back with FACT's new album!
 
to me, burundanga was very meh, great they can improve more in witness!

witness is just good, it's easy listening, and I can easily addicted with that album. The aggressiveness come back with FACT's new album!
 
to me, burundanga was very meh, great they can improve more in witness!

witness is just good, it's easy listening, and I can easily addicted with that album. The aggressiveness come back with FACT's new album!
 
to me, burundanga was very meh, great they can improve more in witness!

RE: NEGOTO
-Deith is my fellow-NEGOTO man, haha.
-I'm glad you see their talent even if you don't actively listen to them, Cat. Maybe one of these days, they'll be able to convert you!
-And I agree with saishuu, their single after the mini-album is SO good.
 
As for chouchou merged syrups., I'm surprised to see so many of you enjoyed it that much. While it's definitely better than the first mini-album overall, I can't seem to get into it. The vocalist definitely improved, but I still find her voice to be barely tolerable on this release. Musically, I don't find it that memorable. I still remember the awesome opening riffs from "ヒエログリフと遊ぶ" on their first mini over anything on here. I hope it'll grow on me though! I generally enjoy Zankyo stuff.

Without spoiling the rest of the list, and accounting for releases that fall somewhere between visual kei and not visual kei, the ratio of visual kei reviews to non-visual kei reviews average out to the same as last year. We may actually have more visual kei releases this year but I haven't counted the picks myself so don't take my words as truth. What's most important about the visual kei releases this year is where they pop up in the list. All I can say is we have some interesting picks so keep checking in every day until Christmas!
 

Actually Maybe I can watch them in the future (there is a chance!), because their label garimpeiro records have collaboration with local brand clothing in my country XD
 
Yeah, the local brand invited ASTS, AGOF, 7YTM, INFECTION, and I hope Hone your sense is next year!

awesome live video