CAT5

@freesia - you're welcome! @Zess - I believe Aion answered most of your question for me. I try to buy a lot because there's simply A WEALTH of Japanese music that gets overlooked by Japanese music fans abroad. And yes, over the years, I have kinda built up an online network of friends that are into similar music as me, so I am privy to a few releases that some may not be. But really, like Aion said, it's mostly about just finding stuff on your own. There's literally a world of music at your fingertips! @Chianti - all you have to do is ask. If I can hook you up with something, then I will. @sai - you're an interesting one to be sure. I never expected you to be interested in so many of the things here!

This is one of the few pics I've seen of you with a genuine smile on your face. Very pretty!

Firstly, I'd like to think that having a sense of hearing is important. ; )

Non-Japanese Picks! Big K.R.I.T. - 4evaNaDay tags: hip-hop, southern Sample song: Boobie Miles Big K.R.I.T. represents an era of southern hip hop that has become all but extinct. His style harkens back to early days of UGK, 8ball&MJG, Outkast, Goodie Mob, and Devil the Dude - all of which he pays homage to in his lyrics. And just like Pimp C( one of his major influences), Big K.R.I.T. produces all of his own material. Technically, this is a mixtape, but it's clear that Big K.R.I.T. takes the utmost integrity in his work, as this plays just like an album. Catherine Feeny - America tags: folk, singer-songwriter, indie, female vocals Sample song: Spill it all Over the Ground Atmospheric and rhythmical folk music with female vocals. The music itself is subtle and pretty, which poses an interesting contrast to Catherine's socially and politically driven lyrics Elle Varner - Perfectly Imperfect tags: r&b, pop Sample song: Sound Proof Room Elle Varner's debut album is the perfect example of what I think a modern r&b album should sound like - great production, great song-writing, and amazing vocals with no auto-tune in sight. I should also not that Elle has an incredible rasp to her voice that really makes her a treat to listen to. Esperanza Spalding - Radio Music Society tags: jazz, soul, female vocals Sample song: Crowned & Kissed 4th album from the amazingly talented multi-instrumentalist and jazz vocalist, Esperanza Spalding. On this record, Spalding flawlessly delves into pop, soul, and funk while retaining the jazz and classical sensibilities that she's had from the start. Lovely~ Gary Clark Jr. - Blak and Blu tags: rock, blues, soul, r&b, rock&roll Sample song: When My Train Pulls In Impressive debut from Gary Clark Jr. that tackles a plethora of different genres, (rock&roll, blues, r&b, soul, and doo-wop) and does so without fault. While each style is performed wonderfully, my only gripe is that the album loses it's cohesiveness amongst all of the genre-hopping. So while this album doesn't exactly provide a smooth track-to-track listening experience, it is however, a g Grasscut - Unearth tags: electronic Sample song: Pieces British independent record label Ninja Tune is one of my absolutely favorites, as they specialize in a variety of electronic genres and manage to maintain a consistent level of quality. With a sound that lies somewhere between modern classical and electropop, British duo Grasscut is no exception to Ninja Tune's excellent lineup. Hiatus Kaiyote - Tawk Tomahawk tags: soul, breakbeats, indie, female vocals Sample song: Mobius Streak Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, (senedjem, did you draw the cover art? ) Hiatus Kaiyote is a quartet dubbed as a "future soul" band. They're definitely much more forward-thinking than most contemporary soul acts, as they attempt to meld elements of hip hop, jazz, and other more subtle elements into a sound of their own. Hidden Orchestra - Archipelago tags: downtempo, instrumental, jazz, electronic, ambient Sample song: Disquiet Splendid release from another one of my favorite UK labels, Tru Thoughts. Hidden Orchestra's music is a cinematic boiling pot, borrowing equally from genres like jazz, electronic, classical, ambient and hip hop. Each track is brimming with intensity under the surface, yet they all maintain an overwhelmingly subtle exterior. It's perhaps because of this permeating contrast that the band's name couldn't be more fitting. Invalids - Eunoia tags: math-rock Sample song: Ursine Valor Math-rock heavily influenced by early Maps & Atlases - from the vocals to the toy-like guitar tones! Awesome! K.Flay - Eyes Shut EP tags: hip-hop, indie, female vocals Sample song: Stop, Focus The prospect of a white female rapper has always been taboo, but K.flay pretty much destroys all expectations. Not only can she flow, but she also sings and produces all of her own material as well. This girl is just dope all around. Kaki King - Glow tags: instrumental, acoustic, world Sample song: Great Round Burn 6th album from guitar virtuoso Kaki King, which in entirely instrumental in contrast to her previous albums. The primary focus here is King's masterful guitar playing which she serves up through a worldly assortment of styles; all done in a very cinematic fashion. Krizz Kaliko - Kickin' & Screamin' tags: hip-hop Sample song: Kill Shit (Feat. Twista And Tech N9ne) 4th album from rapper/singer and Tech N9ne's right-hand man, Krizz Kaliko. There aren't many rappers around with a style as vigorous and creative as Krizz Kaliko's. His flow in impeccable, he can actually sing (like, really sing), and his production is varied and dynamic. An excellent hip hop album from start to finish! Ladylike Lily - Get Your Soul Washed tags: folk, indie, female vocals Sample song: Prickling Marvelous debut from French folkstress, Ladylike Lily. Haunting and beautifully melodic folk tunes reminiscent of Germany's Entertainment for the Braindead. Lianne La Havas - Is Your Love Big Enough? tags: neo-soul, folk, female vocals Sample song: They Could Be Wrong 2012 has seen a great deal of impressive debut albums and Is Your Love Big Enough? is one of them. Lianne La Havas' sound is a stunning mix of neo-soul and folk, and her vocals are absolutely heart-melting! Lucy Rose - Like I Used To tags: folk, indie-pop, female vocals Sample song: Watch Over Melancholic and ethereal folk music riddled with post-rock-esque sensibilities. Wonderful! Marriages - Kitsune tags: post-rock Sample song: Ride In My Place Thanks to Ito for introducing me to this band. Marriages is a new band consisting of Greg Burns and Emma Ruth Rundle as the core duo - both members are formerly of the band Red Sparowes. Dark and grungy post-rock with male/female vocals. Mina Tindle - Taranta tags: indie-pop, folk, french, female vocals Sample song: Pan Mina Tindle is a French musician whose debut album is a delightful collection of lilting folk and indie-pop tunes sung both in English and her native tongue. She's already being compared to the likes of Feist and to a lesser extent, Cat Power. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band - Prehistory tags: indie-rock Sample song: The Day Frankly speaking, a lot of American indie-rock can be flat-out bland - especially compared to the indie-rock scenes of Canada and Japan. However, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band has a keen melodic sense, both vocally and instrumentally, that keeps them floating above monotony. They actually remind me a bit of OGRE YOU ASSHOLE circa 2007/2008 - which can only be a good thing! Quantic & Alice Russell - Look Around the Corner tags: jazz, soul, latin, female vocals Sample song: I'd Cry Alice Russell has to be one of the most CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED modern soul singers around. Although she's been around since the early 2000s and has released a number of solo albums (in addition to myriad features), she has never broken into the mainstream. Though in this case, that's a good thing. While Ms. Russell may not be a household name, any soul music fan that's keen enough to look beyond the media has heard of her. On this album, Alice has teamed up with reknown Tru Thoughts producer, DJ, and musician Quantic and the results are nothing short of exceptional! Robert Glasper Experiment - Black Radio tags: jazz, neo-soul, hip hop, r&b, female vocals Sample song: Cherish The Day (feat. Lalah Hathaway) While the Robert Glasper Experiment doesn't actually play experimental music, Black Radio is Glasper's attempt to seamlessly fuse jazz with hip hop and neo-soul while remaining true to each individual element. To accomplish this task, Glasper has recruited some of the finest singers and rappers around - including, but not limited to Erykah Badu, Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def, Bilal, Lalah Hathaway and more. If you ask me, the experiment has been an unparalleled success! Ruby Throat - O' Doubt O' Stars tags: folk, acoustic, female vocals Sample song: Arctic Fox Ruby Throat is the side-project of Queen Adreena vocalist KatieJane Garside. This is their 3rd album, which continues much in the vein of their previous 2 releases. Dark, ethereal folk music with Garside's signature sweet, yet eerie croon. Silversun Pickups - Neck of the Woods tags: indie-rock, alternative, shoegaze Sample song: Mean Spirits Unfortunately, I've always neglected the Silversun Pickups - writing them off as your typical mainstream rock band before even hearing a note of their music. Thankfully, I stepped down from my delusional "indie high-horse" and decided to give their latest and 3rd album Neck of the Woods a try. Little did I expect I'd be posting this album in my best-of list, but it's simply a great all-around rock record. SPC ECO - Don't Say EP tags: shoegaze, eletronic, dream-pop, female vocals Sample song: Break It Out SPC ECO (pronounced Space Echo) are a Brittish "nu-gaze" band that incorporate elements of dreampop and electronica. In some ways, they remind me of a less experimental 101A. SPC ECO has been fairly prolific in 2012, releasing 2 Eps, a single, and an album, but I consider the Don't Say EP to be the highlight of the bunch. Submotion Orchestra - Fragments tags: downtempo, electronic, brokenbeat, soul, nu-jazz, dubstep, female vocals Sample song: Eyeline Submotion Orchestra is a 7-piece collective from the UK with a downtempo sound forged from soul, ambient, electronica, dub, and jazz. Cinematic tone, deep/bass-driven grooves, and great female vocals - this release is perfection. Sy Smith - Fast And Curious tags: neo-soul, acid-jazz, funk, electronic, female vocals Sample song: Personal Paradise Although this is her fourth album, Sy Smith has consistently flown under the radar - and for no apparent good reason. The woman is insanely talented - she has a five-octave vocal range and can sing in whistle register, and has always sidestepped convention. In fact, Smith is so cutting-edge for a neo-soul artist, that some music critics are trying to credit her as ushering in a new genre referred to as "Electronic soul" or "Electrosoul". Whatever you want to call it, Sy Smith knows how to make good music. Fast And Curious was produced by the acclaimed Mark de Clive-Lowe, and I couldn't imagine anyone better to help realize Sy's ambitious blend of 80's funk, acid-jazz, house and soul. Tame Impala - Lonerism tags: psychedelic rock Sample song: Mind Mischief Outstanding sophomore album from the Australian psychedelic rock project, Tame Impala - who is actually one man, Kevin Parker - with the other members existing merely to perform the songs he records alone live. Since their debut, Parker has been hailed as John Lennon reincarnated, which, of course, is a favorable comparison. Lonerism has been on almost every best-of list that I've read for 2012, and while I hate to jump on the bandwagon, the album really is just that good! White Lung - Sorry tags: punk, hardcore, female vocals Sample song: Thick Lip Major thanks to Jigsaw9 for introducing me to this band! Straightforward DIY punk from Canada. At only 19 minutes long, sorry is a short, but thoroughly intense record! Wot Gorilla? - Kebnekaise tags: math-rock, progressive Sample song: Afraid of the Dark Debut album from England's Wot Gorilla?. Progressive math-rock sprinkled with hints of pop and hardcore elements throughout. 歌者森 - The World in My Eyes tags: pop, electronic, trip-hop, Chinese, female vocals Sample song: Sirens Lastly, yet another brilliant Debut album; this time from singersen of Beijing, China. Unapologetically eccentric pop music with a theatrical flare!

I'm a million years late, but as they say, "better late than never!" 2012 was been a wonderful year for Japanese music & abroad. Here are my personal favorite albums and EPs of 2012. I've divided them into 2 parts - Japanese and non-Japanese! I've also provided full sample tracks from each album. Please feel free to leave any comments! Japanese Picks! ATATA - TATAT tags: alternative, emo, post-rock Sample song: General Headquarters After releasing a string of demos, ATATA has finally released their first full length and it is thoroughly fantastic! Consisting of ex. Bandwagon, nenem, Retromania, Mirror, Holstein, and 3cm tour members, ATATA combines all of the punk, post-rock, and emo/hardcore elements from these bands into one seriously rocking package! ar - YON tags: rock, indie-pop, electronic, folk Sample song: breakin' Mama&Papa sleepy.ab is usually regarded as Japan's answer to radiohead, but the lesser known ar is also very noticeably influenced by them as well. However, such a simple comparison doesn't do ar's sound any justice. They're much more colorful and adventurous than the aforementioned bands, manage to span several genres within the same album, and yet they somehow maintain their own unique sound. The aptly named "YON" is the ar's 4th full album and does a wonderful job of showcasing the band's highly imaginative musical palette. COgeNdshE - cogency tags: post-rock, experimental, female vocals Sample song: un deux trois Zankyo records is well respected amongst fans of indie and post-rock due to their impressive roster of quality bands (mudy on the 昨晩, the cabs, and te' to name a few), and COgeNdshE is a welcome addition to the label. Their music isn't as easy to digest as some of their label-mates, however. Cogency has a dark, often brooding quality to it and is chock-full of unusual rhythms and time signatures. In addition, the hauntingly melodic female vocals provide a stark contrast to the music itself. The band focuses more on creating a solid atmosphere as a single unit as opposed to employing overly flashy instrumentation in an attempt to highlight themselves as individual musicians. This album is perhaps a bit more left-field than most Monochromians are accustomed to and may require several listens to truly wrap your head around, but it's a rewarding listen if you're willing to give it a try...or two! ESNO - Visionary tags: electronic, jazz, female cocals Sample song: RR Debut album from ESNO, the new project of jazz/hip hop producer Kenichiro Nishihara. In contrast to his normal material, Nishihara has taken a decidedly electronic approach on this album and it's quite possibly his best work to date. FilFla - Fliptap tags: electronic, folktronica Sample song: Morse Mall 4th album from FilFla, one of Keiichi Sugimoto's many monikers, and the the latest addition to the "’10 Songs In 20 Minutes’ series by music label Someone Good. Given the duration, Fliptap emphasizes the essentials of FilFla's sound - a stunning mishmash of organic elements like acoustic guitars and field recordings, and vibrant electronic programming. Short, but oh so sweet! fresh! - What Are You Doing In This Confusion? tags: hardcore, avant-garde, progressive, instrumental Sample song: ハイビスカス fresh! have been around for a few of years performing on the Japanese underground circuit, but have finally released their first proper album - the aptly titled "What Are You Doing In This Confusion?". This album is one nonstop cacophony of hectic drumming, disharmonic guitar noodling and obnoxious saxophone screeching. fresh! fits right in with bands like NATSUMEN and PANICSMILE. I can only imagine how killer their lives shows are! GAGLE×Ovall - GAGLE×Ovall tags: hip-hop, smooth-jazz, soul Sample song: Heaven Feat. Shea Soul For those that follow the non-mainstream Japanese hip hop world, GAGLE×Ovall is a match made in heaven! The amount of talent between the 2 groups is undeniable. Gagle (consisting of MC Hunger, DJ Mu-R, and DJ Mitsu the Beats) is already a powerhouse, but with the added abilities of Ovall (Shingo Suzuki, Mabanua, and Shingo Sekiguchi/Vusik) these guys are pretty much incapable of producing anything less than quality. JariBu Afrobeat Arkestra - NO MORE PATIENT tags: afrobeat, funk Sample song: No More Patient Prt 1&2 Along with KINGDOM AFROCKS, JariBu Afrobeat Arkestra is one of the Japan's premiere afrobeat bands in a small, but flourishing scene. Their last album "Mediacracy" ALMOST made my list for 2011, but the production value wasn't quite as dynamic as I'd hoped for. Thankfully, that's been rectified on this new album and JAA's grooves are more sonically tangible than ever! Jimanica - Torso tags: electronic, experimental, instrumental Sample song: Walking Behind Jimanica is a drummer and laptop musician who is one-third of the trio "d.v.d" (drums visuals drums) and also 'partners in sound' with fellow electronic musician, Ametsub. Torso is Jimanica's 3rd solo album is a dynamic assortment of live drumming, electronics, and fractured vocal lines (provided by Anna Yamada, Hitomitoi, and Koshi Miura). KATUSI from EL SKUNK DI YAWDIE & EXTRAVAGANZA - Rhythm Messenger tags: reggae, jazz, acoustic Sample song: マチマチ feat. CHAN-MIKA&長崎真吾 As you can somewhat gather from his name, KATUSI is the drummer/percussionist from the little-known bands EL SKUNK DI YAWDIE & EXTRAVAGANZA!. Rhythm Messenger is KATUSI's solo effort in which he features various musicians and singers over his Cajon playing/Drumming. In addition to reggae and jazz, there's a variety of "organic" genres to be found throughout the album. Some awesome features include Likkle Mai, EKD, CHAN-MIKA, and 千尋 (Chihiro)! KINGDOM☆AFROCKS - SanSanNaNa tags: afrobeat, funk, jazz Sample song: No Son Tuyas (Not Yours) SanSanNaNa is the 2nd studio album from Japanese afrobeaters, KINGDOM☆AFROCKS. Their first studio album Fanfare made it on my list last year, but the grooves here are just as prominent and uplifting! LAGITAGIDA - CartaMarina tags: instrumental, progressive-rock Sample song: Yellow Shark Just a few months after their first EP, instrumental prog-rockers LAGITAGIDA have returned with their 2nd EP and they mean business! The band consists of members from the now defunct bands mahiruno, Green Milk From The Planet Orange, and school food punishment. They site their major influences as Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, King Crimson, Can, The Mars Volta, Battles, Metallica, Slayer, and Melt-Banana. CartaMarina is intense from beginning to end and proves that LAGITAGIDA is worthy of sharing the stage with Japan's best instrumental bands. LITE - PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE tags: math-rock, post-rock, female vocals Sample song: Bond LITE is no doubt one of Japan's finest instrumental acts, and their latest EP, PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE offers a glimpse into the band's evolution over the years. From their humble beginnings as a traditional post-rock band to their more experimental, vocal-driven compositions that strive to defy classification. Matryoshka - Laideronnette tags: modern classical, ambient, IDM, female vocals Sample song: Cut All Trees Absolutely gorgeous modern classical pieces embroidered with subtle electronic glitches and angelic female vocals. The tone of Laideronnette is epic and highly emotional - captivating from start to finish. middle 9 - Cettia Diphone tags: post-rock, jazz Sample song: Deja Cettia Diphone is middle 9's third album and continues the band's tradition of immaculately fusing jazz and post-rock. With only five tracks spanning about 30 minutes, I only wish this one were a bit longer! M-KODA - Inga tags: idm, electronic, ambient Sample song: Glow Only in his early 20's, M-KODA (real name Satoshi Kodama) is young, but already producing music like a seasoned pro. Inga is his 2nd full album and it exhibits just the right amount of minimalism - not overly melodic, but not subtle to the point that it's boring either. mmm (ミーマイモー) - ほーひ tags: folk, indie, female vocals Sample song: 無題 2nd full album from the indie-folkstress, mmm (pronouced me-my-mo)! Fortunately, she hasn't fallen into a sophomore slump - in fact, she's managed to produce an even better folk album than her first! With her unique voice, memorable songwriting, and endless charm, I don't think this woman is capable of doing any wrong. ;3 Moe and ghosts - 幽霊たち tags: hip hop, experimental, indie, female vocals Sample song: ルー=ガルーガール Splendid debut album from the enigmatic underground hip hop unit, Moe and Ghosts, who unsurprisingly, describe themselves as a "ghost coast hip hop group from Japan". The production on 幽霊たち has a distinct "underground" feel with many experimental liberties taken, while the rapping/vocals are all handled by the equally interesting female known as Moe (萌); who has a remarkably dynamic flow and style. The tone of moe's voice is also atypical for hip hop, but then again, this is not your typical hip hop album. : ) nego - SANSARA tags: dub, psychedelic, tribal, experimental, club Sample song: Raga Naja Sophomore album from the fascinating, hybrid-band, NEGO. Mixed and mastered by none other than KASHIWA Daisuke, SANSARA (meaning "metempsychosis" in Sanskrit) is a riveting album that utilizes simplicity and repetition at the core, and builds around that core a diverse wall of sound that is utterly entrancing! Members from bands like sgt., kacica, ROVO, egoistic 4 leaves, and WUJA BIN BIN have all given praise to NEGO and this album! Re-Trick - re:Re-Trick tags: jazz, club-jazz Sample song: Regeneration While some of the more popular of acts of Japan's jazz scene have been on a steady decline (quasimode and jabberloop come to mind), Re-Trick has only been improving! After the release of their last album in 2010, the band went on hiatus for about 15 months, but they haven't missed a beat. As the title of the album implies, re:Re-Trick is a bit of a self-cover album since half of the tracks are re-recordings of early tracks. However, each of those tracks have been redone masterfully and in most cases, aren't even identical to the originals. And of course, the new tracks maintain re-trick's originality and technical prowess. Hands down, my favorite jazz album of 2012! ROTH BART BARON - 化け物山と合唱団 tags: folk, indie Sample song: Campfire I was initially introduced to this band by MH's resident Japanese folk expert, Aion, a year or 2 ago and I've been following them ever since. The world of Japanese folk music is vast and saturated with mediocrity, so it's easy to point out the greats from the fakes - and ROTH BART BARON is the former. Their music has a simplistic beauty to it and it's evocative without being either overly sappy or too depressive. Hopefully, these guys will release a full length one day! Tam Tam - Meteorite tags: dub, reggae, alternative, female vocals Sample song: dry ride Meteorite is the first full album from the obscure, reggae/dub outfit, Tam Tam. While they employ a lot of traditional elements from reggae/dub, their sound also incorporates pop and alternative sensibilities - giving them a young and fresh appeal. THE★米騒動 - 十九歳でぜんぶ終わる tags: rock, garage, female vocals Sample song: ストランゲーゼ30番地 2nd mini album from the young garage rock trio, The rice panic. They have a fantastic, raw energy that's reminiscent of MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS' more agressive side. TK from 凛として時雨 - flowering tags: alternative, indie-rock Sample song: flower Solo album from Rin Toshite Shigure vocalist and distinguished guitarist, TK (Toru Kitajima). Even with the ensemble of strings, piano, and additional electronics, flowering isn't much of a departure from rin toshite's sound. In fact, it shows just how much influence TK has over the band. Though this isn't much of a gripe considering the consistently high quality of rin toshite albums. Naturally, TK remains above par. Wienners - UTOPIA tags: punk, hardcore, pop, electronic Sample song: 三原山の怪獣 2nd full album from wienners! Wild, zany, and fun punk that sporadically fuses elements of pop, hardcore, and electronica. Highly energetic with hardly ever a dull moment. Wuja Bin Bin - Wuja Bin Bin tags: jazz, avant-garde Sample song: Middle Age Riot Wuja Bin Bin is the new project of ex. ex-BEAT CRUSADERS' keyboardist, KEITAIMO, but this is no ordinary project. WBB is more like a super-group of superb indie and "under the radar" musicians. Within the line-up you have achico (on button down/KAREN), jazz trumpeter Shinpei Ruike, Satoru Takeshima (EGO-WRAPPIN & THE GOSSIP OF JAXX), Takuji Nomura (goodluckheiwa/natsumen/sakerock), Keisaku Nakamura (toe/hotel new tokyo/stim/kowloon) and more! Wuja Bin Bin's debut is an amazing mix of jazz, progressive, and experimental elements. アルカラ - ドラマ tags: indie-rock, alternative Sample song: 踊れやフリーダ I consider Arukara the flag-bearers of a particular brand of rock in Japan that see bands blending traditional elements of "indie-rock" with pop sensibilities. While many attempt this style, trying to appease the indie/DIY fans and exert mass appeal at the same time, Arukara simply excels at it. Whether they're doing ballads, instrumental tracks, or simply rocking out, they always manage to remain catchy and melodic without compromising their skills as musicians. Drama does a wonderful job at showcasing the band at their best. キリコ - Greyhound... tags: hip-hop, underground, female vocals Sample song: Layered subenoana is one of my favorite Japanese indie labels, as they're constantly releasing some of the most interesting, abstract and experimental Japanese hip hop. Although kiriko is usually very left-field, his new album features a more accessible sound full of soul and jazz-laden samples (courtesy of DJ OLDFASHION) and a host of female rapper/singer collaborations. Kiriko's flow and style remain very off-kilter though, which makes for a unique and refreshing listen. コトリンゴ - La memoire de mon bandwagon EP tags: pop, singer-songwriter, female vocals Sample song: Ghost Dance Stunning EP from Ryuichi Sakamoto's handpicked protege, Kotoringo! For this EP, Kotoringo formed a trio with Shige Murata (□□□, Cubismo Grafico Five, Circle Darko) on bass and Jumpei Kamiya (Akai Kutsu) on drums - and of course, herself on piano. As always, kotoringo has managed to produce some of the most exquisite pop music around and proves that she is in a league of her own. スガダイロー - 春風 tags: free-jazz, avant-garde Sample song: 不屈 New album from the insanely talented avant-garde pianist, Suga Dairo. His previous album actually made it onto my BEST-OF 2011 list; however, this work is almost entirely different. 46 minutes of pure piano work without the accompaniment of bass, drums, or vocals. Replete with broken melodies and meandering improvisation, this album may not be the easiest listen for some, but may be rewarding to those with an ear for the uncanny. トクマルシューゴ - In Focus? tags: folk, indie-pop Sample song: Helictite (LeSeMoDe) 5th album from singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Shugo Tokumaru. Extravagant and meticulously crafted folk-music with a cartoon-ish flare. Superb~! ハイスイノナサ - 動物の身体 tags: math-rock, post-rock, indie, female vocals Sample song: logos haisuinonasa's first full album is every bit as fabulous as their previous 2 mini albums suggested it would be. While the band has always mixed several genres (math-rock, post-rock, electronic, etc), they've really been able to let loose and expand their musical prowess to new areas on this full length. At this point, trying to dissect their music into genres would be futile. Despite the varying elements, their sound is so cohesive that it's nearly indescribable. Whatever haisuinonasa has become, I only have one word for them - EXQUISITE. 伊集院幸希 - THIS IS MY STORY 憐情のメロディ tags: soul, pop, doo-wop, female vocals Sample song: 家に帰ろう First full album from the obscure, but lovely singer-songwriter, Ijuuin Yuki. THIS IS MY STORY is like a blast from the 50's/60's past - even the production of the album is tailored to suit Yuki's impeccable retro-pop sound. Vocally, she sounds similar to early 90's Bonnie Pink, who also had a retro vibe around that time. All-around great tunes~ 八十八ヶ所巡礼 - ○△□ tags: rock, progressive, experimental Sample song: ((((未練)))) ○△□ is 88kasyo's 3rd full album, with their previous 2 albums being released in 2011 and 2010 respectively (all in the month of August btw). With releases so close together, you'd think it would be hard for a band to maintain the quality of their work, but that hasn't been the case with this trio. 88kasyo has only improved and grown even wilder with each release. Their skills are simply undeniable (srsly, their guitarist does more on his guitar in one song than some bands with 2 guitarists do in an entire album *cough*thegazette*cough*). But more importantly than their skills as musicians is their ability to craft songs that are unique, refreshing, and keep your ears craving more. Their previous album made my into my top picks of 2011, and they've managed to do so again this year. 小南泰葉 - 嘘憑キズム tags: pop-rock, female vocals Sample song: ルポルタージュ精神病棟 Impressive major debut from the up-and-coming singer/songwriter, Kominami Yasuha. She plays an edgy, yet radio-friendly brand of pop-rock that harkens back to early "Muzai Moratorium" days of Shiina Ringo. It's not often that you come across quality major artists, but Kominami is definitely one worth keeping an eye on! 空きっ腹に酒 - 僕の血 tags: indie-rock, punk, hip hop Sample song: 記憶 Imagine throwing bands like qomolangma tomato, usotsuki barbie, and UHNELLYS into a blender - you'll likely end up with a concoction like this band. "Boku no chi" is Sukipparanisake's first full album and is a spastic mix of indie-rock, punk, and hip hop with just enough craziness to keep your ears excited from start to finish. 緋と陽 - タイヨウニホエロ tags: hardcore, emo, post-rock Sample song: いざ沙らば hitohi's first EP made my best-of list last year, and their new EP is equally as deserving. While the band's songwriting seemed to meander aimlessly a few times on the last EP, they've made noticeable progress in streamlining their "mathy-proggy-postrockish-folky-hardcore" sound. Unfortunately, this EP is only 4 tracks long, but each one is epic in it's own right! ; ) 鎮座DOPENESS & DOPING BAND- だいぶ気持ちいいね! tags: hip-hop, alternative, experimental Sample song: ヒップ ホップ IS... With the bulk of Japan's hip hop culture filtered through the likes of MTV, it's tough to find Japanese rappers that really understand the essence of hip hop, but thankfully, CHINZA DOPENESS knows what hip hop is all about! CHINZA has formed a band (THE DOPING BAND), which consists of the up-and coming reggae songstress, CHAN-MIKA, percussionist and producer, IZPON (from KINGDOM☆AFROCKS, Panorama Steel Orchestra, and Orquesta, Nudge! ) with the rest of the members coming from the disbanded reggae/dub outfit 犬式 a.k.a Dogggystyle. This is anything but your typical rap record, as CHINZA and the DOPING BAND play a diverse array of styles including funk, jazz, reggae/dub, as well as your more traditional, old-school hip hop numbers. CHINZA and the DOPING BAND aren't out to talk about their swag or brag about material riches, they simply want to show you a good time! 高橋征司 - N41° tags: ambient, glitch, minimal Sample song: first report This album nearly flew under my radar, as it was released under an obscure, fledgeling label called Te Pito Records. Seiji Takahashi's first album, N41° is only the 3rd release from this label. I bought this on a whim, but was pleasantly surprised by the quality of it! Incredibly soothing ambient soundscapes!

yay

whoever this guy is lmao http://www.last.fm/music/%E7%BE%8E%E8%BC%AA%E6%98%8E%E5%AE%8F/+images