CAT5

Best of 2013: Pop
 

The World In My Eyes by 歌者森

Songs: Drunk and Cables The Electric Lady by Janelle Monáe

Songs: Dance Apocalyptic and Q.U.E.E.N. 魔女図鑑 by 吉澤嘉代子

Songs: 未成年の主張 and らりるれりん 空中ランドリー by エリーニョ

Songs: highway and ピクニック 浮き名 by 椎名林檎

Songs: 熱愛発覚中 and IT WAS YOU

Zess' Best of 2013


You know what this is and you know what I'm about to get into.
 
And in case you don't, at the end of each year some of the staff members who have more music to talk about outside the scope of the staff list start their own list. Here, anything from anywhere can pop up. This is mainly for those adventurous people wondering about potential albums you may have missed, or people that come to see what my personal taste can best be summed up as. And if you didn't come here for either of those reasons, hopefully what I share doesn't bore you to death. Consider this my Christmas present to MH.

And since I'm always experimenting with the most concise way of sharing this information with you all, this year I'm grouping albums by "genre", or as close to genre as they all fit. I'm also going to make a directory so that you can skip straight to the stuff you care about. So, feel free to respond to anything in this topic. Day 1: Pop Day 2: Jazz Day 3: Rap Day 4: Rock Day 5: Metal (Part 1) Day 6: Metal (Part 2) Day 7: Metal (Part 3) Day 8: Metal (Part 4)

TK from 凛として時雨 will release new EP "contrast" at 2014/03/05
 
source:http://sigure.jp/tk/info/
 
excited!

Welcome! With that username, you must be a miaou fan too, right?

Hi everyone ! 
 
It's been a long time since I've been on a forum but I decided to give it a try since it seems like the best way to discover new music. 
 
When I was about 14, I fell in love with Dir en Grey, the GazettE, Plastic Tree, MUCC, Luna Sea and so many more. 
Now-a-day, I am more into Rin Toshite Shigure, indigo la End, HaKU, Plastic Tree, THE NOVEMBERS, etc.
 
The list could be long, but I still hope to find some more good music and maybe share my tastes with other members ! 
 
That's about it, thanks to all of you ! 
P.S: pardon my english, I'm still learning :/

just narrowing ur examples, you know ~~~

just listen to the music bro

This isn't just a problem in VKei though. How do I know? Beyonce released an album this week. Everywhere has fans 'praising' her, usually by means of degrading any of the various pop stars that have released something within the past 3 months. If you take a look  at her individual track pages on last.fm, some are tagged like 'Rhianna is queen,' 'Flop,' 'Buy ____ Instead.'
 
 
This cycle repeats for everything. It's like pop music has evolved into who can amass the largest hoard of rabid zombies to control social media for as close to a week as possible. Then, I'd say after about 2 weeks, it'll stop and the fans will go back to just bashing on each other and perpetually having an argument over how ~their faves~ are better because of some chart they found on wikipedia backing up how much more right their opinion is. Quite frankly, it's annoying as fuck and any rap the vkei fans get for being rabid is absolutely nothing like mainstream pop. The worst part is: there's literally no discussion! It's just quoting the same song lyric 10000 times, saying 'Come to Brazil,' and then bitching about how much of a flop they are.
 
Oh, and ever since Born This Way, the thing to do is point out who copies whom so this must be bad musical opinion thing is not something created by Dir en Grey

jesus, totally forgot about wakusei! i actually downloaded it and put it on my ipod when it came out, but then it completely left my brainworks
this shit is seriously cool, very tokyo jihen-ish, in a good way!
thanks for pointing them out again (over the winter-holidays i will be hanging at my parents place and be very very bored, ideal for listening this whole list through and maybe reviewing the stuff that caught my attention )

Late post, but I dig that Wakusei record too - is sorta reminiscent to older Shiina Ringo material (might call it "Muzai Moratorium-lite", if you will), which I don't mind at all!

Checked out Div and I was highly impressed. Finally a VK band that does the electronic thing right! Not only is the production great but so is the music. I really enjoyed their rock style and the electronic flourishes. The vocalist actually knows how to sing and the guitar riffs and drumming is great. You can tell the effort that went into this release. If only other vk bands could strive and achieve this level of quality. 2nd best vk album of the year behind Jupiter imo.
 
My 2 other discoveries from this list was Kinoko Teikoku and Tam Tam. Loved eureka by Kinoko Teiku. That release is just amazing and so is this band. I have to go check out there other releases now. Also really enjoyed the eccentric sound of Tam Tam. I'm glad Yōsei Teikoku's PAX VESANIA was included on this list. It's the best album they've done so far.
 
I need to check out the other releases but there's lots of quality awesome stuff here. 

Run the Jewels

 
 
Run the Jewels is a colabration between the recent underground hip hop star Killer Mike and underground master producer/rapper EL-P, who produced Killer Mike's last album, 2012's already classic "R.A.P. Music". They've both got something huge going on nowadays, but this totally takes the cake. Killer Mike's agressive rap over El-P's dark, lo-fi, dirty beats are just stunning. Well, can't forget EL'P's magnificent raps either. The latter gave us Run the Jewel's best verse. Check out the first verse on "A Christmas Fucking Miracle". IMMENSE! The flow on this album, by both guys, are incredible. It's stunning. Breath taking. Amazing!
 
Kanye West and Jay-Z get's all the attention, while EL-P is almost overrlooked every single time people talk about producers. Here'a fun fucking fact: EL-P has created one of the world's best and most innovative records, no matter genre. That's not just my opinion, that's a fact. I've had this as y third best album of the year, but I have to admit; that's not true. This is THE album of the year.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bzrj2mtAC4
Listen to the opening verse, guys. Listen to that!
 
And even better, listen to the opening verse to his song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEmw5WXtkq4
 
God fucking damn! Album of the year!
 
 
Edit: They released the album for free as well.

Hello, it's my first post here
 
I'm into THE NOVEMBERS, mew, LITE, Radiohead, downy, the cabs, toe, God Is An Astronaut, Kagrra, etc and I love discovering new bands. Hope we can share something interesting here
 
 
 
yorosiku onegaisimasu 

Well, first of all, MH is really the only online music-related online community I frequent, so I can really only base my experiences on this.
 
So, do they complain more than they actually talk? As a whole, I don't think so. But I guess the complaing is more obvious? And, in individual cases it's certainly true.  In general, there's nothing wrong with disliking a band, being critical of a band, or even poking fun at something really bad - in good doses. But once you are more concerend with bands you hate than with bands you like - you should seriously reconsider your priorities.
 
 
Well, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they actually don't like the music. But they probably wouldn't express their dislike so much if it wasn't a popular band. Some people also might not give them a proper chance because they're famous.
 
 
Different standpoints/opinions are good. Without them discussions wouldn't happen. Outright negativity and hate is not good. It doesn't make for good or interesting discussions.

I felt this sort of thread was relevant, because I've seen a lot of this in (especially) VK communities, both on this website as on other websites like tumblr, twitter, etc.
 
And as a side-question, do you think certain bands have a large anti-following because they're popular, rather than because their anti-following doesn't like their music? Lastly, without all of the negativity, do you think Japanese rock / VK discussions would still happen / be as interesting to engage in?
 
I'll post my opinion later when there are a few replies.

new music video from uchu konbini! I think they are the best newcomer band in 2013

Besides bolded/italicized (favorites) and the not-so-bold/italicized (honorable mentions), there's no particular order.  Click on each release for a sample!

Japanese:

ねごと (NEGOTO) - 5
Fun synth/keyboard-led indie pop-rock. This group of girls shows how to be a major-label band, while not sacrificing their identity/sound.

The Acid House. - The Acid House
Wonky, psychedelic and acoustic guitar songs sung by the weird genius behind 踊ってばかりの国 (odotte bakari no kuni).

Jupiter - CLASSICAL ELEMENT
The best thing from the Versailles crew since Jubilee.

Tam Tam - Polarize
Reggae/dub not your thing? Doesn't matter. You still might enjoy Tam Tam, because they put such a new spin on it!

DIV - ZERO ONE
Shocked at how good this album is, considering their singles are very hit/miss for me!  A really solid alternative/pop-rock album.

THE NOVEMBERS - zeitgeist
They experiment with a darker sound that is a major departure for them.  They pull it off quite well, though I still find myself preferring their "dreamier" sound, such as the one in the sample.

ドレスコーズ (the dresscodes) - bande dessinée
This band seems like the brother of THE BOHEMIANS, though I think the dresscodes have slightly more interesting compositions! Nostalgic, fun rock!

カルペディエム (Carpe diem) - Carpe diem
Another surprise release for me. This band seemed to come from nowhere and they delivered a solid debut!  The vocalist is exaggerated in a good way (imo).

Hotel Mexico - Her Decorated Post Love
Second and final (mini-)album from the now-defunct indie pop/chillwave-y group.  Massive improvement shown on this release... They will be missed!

宇宙コンビニ (uchuu konbini) - 染まる音を確認したら
If something like Haisuinonasa is TOO mathtastic for your brain, give this band a try.  They have almost a perfect balance of mathy tendencies with beautifully catchy pop melodies, all topped with some serene female vocals.

Moran - jen:ga
I don't know if they'll ever return to the awesome shoegaze-y sound that their former guitarist Velo provided, but Moran's first full-album is a very solid effort nonetheless.  Not many VK bands have a sound like this.
__________________________________________________

Non-Japanese:

Sister Crystals - Sister Crystals LP
A great shoegaze/dream pop release from a fairly unknown band.  Lush music and beautiful vocals!

Camera Obscura - Desire Lines
5th album from the veterans of indie pop.  It doesn't tread much new ground, but they sound just as lovely and longing as ever.
 
Rose Elinor Dougall - Future Vanishes EP
Rose's follow-up to her great debut album.  In just a few years, her sound has matured and gotten so much more interesting.  If this is any indication of what's in store for her second album (hopefully slated for 2014), then I'm psyched.

Department M - Department M
Department M is the solo project of former GRAMMATICS frontman Owen Brinley.  While his angelic vocals still shine here, the music takes a completely new direction.  This time, he's traded in the intricate guitar work for gloomy, yet punchy, retro electronic sounds.  The atmosphere of the music video in the link is spot on with the music.

네미시스 (Nemesis) - Dream
My go-to Korean band releases "part 2" of their third album, which also happens to be their most diverse-sounding release.  Well done!

Lanterns on the Lake - Until the Colours Run
Shamelessly lifted from Cat's AOTY list, haha. This is a GORGEOUS release.  Very cinematic, orchestral dream pop.  A fantastic album!

Lorde - Pure Heroine
Forget the hype about "Royals" (honestly, my least favorite track of the album).  Here is an amazingly confident debut album from the now famous 16 year old from New Zealand.

Purson - The Circle and the Blue Door
Psychedelic "occult rock" fronted by vocalist/guitarist Rosalie Cunningham, formerly of Ipso Facto.  Her deep voice commands our attention.  A fantastic debut album from a band that will hopefully be around for a while.

Janelle Monae - The Electric Lady
Is it as good as The Archandroid? Sadly, no... But it's still a fantastic album.  Besides the cheesy "radio interludes," we have another large collection of songs further expanding on Monae's unique and grandiose brand of sleek sci-fi-tastic pop music.

The Internet - Feel Good
Introduced to me by greeeeen, this is SO relaxing.  It has the similar kind of retro, chill atmosphere (with great vocals) as the group "The Bird and the Bee," though the former is more pop-inspired, while The Internet is more r&b/funk.  Just ignore the fact that this duo has anything to do with the Odd Future gang and chilllllll the fuck out with these smooth tunes!
 
Wampire - Curiosity
Some great new blood in the American indie pop scene with some psychedelic and other unique influences.  The song provided in the link has a great "lo-fi" organ intro that would be at home with any "gothic" VK band from the 90s, haha.

Kacey Johansing - Grand Ghosts
I found out about this singer/songwriter via CAT5 and was pleasantly surprised by her album.  Atypical female vox over beautiful chamber pop-type stuff.

Heavy Hawaii - Goosebumps
I still stand by how I initially described this band: "Think hazy, surf music interpreted through the lens of a nightmare carnival.  From vocal pitch shifts and a generally creepy, yet engrossing atmosphere, this album exhibits all kinds of fuckery."

Slow Hello - Audio Baby
A Filipino band I discovered this year.  Slow Hello started as the solo-project of singer-songwriter Selena Salang.  Now with a full band, the group delivers mellow 80’s-inspired indie pop, perfect for hazy summer days.  This style of guitar is perfucktion.  While some bands in this genre go way too “cutesy” with the lyrics, I think Salang keeps it fairly interesting and introspective.  The music video for “You Know It’s You” (my fave song) is also adorable by the way.  You can check out the band’s 2013 album “Audio Baby” on Bandcamp or Spotify.

凛として時雨 - i'mperfect
DIR EN GREY - THE UNRAVELING
downy - 第五作品集『無題』
八十八ヶ所巡礼 - 0088
The Novembers - zeitgeist
LEO今井 - Made from nothing
Protest The Hero- Volition
SEX-ANDROID - ギャクシンセサイザー! !
Shilfee & Tulipcorobockles - The Right Are Each Other
Shilfee & Tulipcorobockles - Kiri Rearrange E.P.
実験台モルモット - 見開キ こころ❤断面図
kamomekamome - BEDSIDE DONORS
GalapagosS - Run like fury
CHVRCHES - The Bones of What You Believe
the unknown forecast - オークション
Perfume - LEVEL3
 
are the first ones that come to mind.

Japanese:
 
Grieva - Oni to kage
Already wrote extensively about it in the staff reviews. A nice nostalgic throw-back with a fresh spin on it.
 
GAUZES - Yurikago
Kinda like above, except they definetely can improve more. A good album, but could have needed more highlights.
 
Jupiter - Classical Element
I admit that I'm a secret Kamijo fangirl and I think that this album didn't reach Versailles' best moments, but it was a worthwhile album in any case.
 
Dear L'Novel  - Ai to Shi
I'm pretty sure I got cavaties after listening to this. But it's so Larein-ish, I just can't resist.
 
Nakano Aya - Hetana uso
Not as good as her previous album, but a good and relaxing listen nevertheless.
 
amber gris - Around Children
As written in my staff review. No masterpieve, but a very solid and plesant pop-rock album.
 
Church of Misery - Thy Kingdom Scum
Very atmospheric and intense, a good listen - if you are in the mood for that.
 
 
Non-Japanese:
 
Tyr - Valkyrja
Oh my god so many good melodies I can't
 
Amon Amarth - Deceiver of the Gods
I would put it here just for the epicness that is "Blood Eagle".
 
Turisas - Turisas2103
Is it really really cheesy? It sure is. Is it more poppy and less folky then previous stuff? I guess so. Is it ridicilously catchy and much fun to sing and shout along to? HELL YEAH!
 
Kauan - Pirut
My copy hasn't arrived so far, so I had to make do with the streamed version. But what can I say? A fucking masterpiece.
 
Vali - Skogslandskap
Really surprised to see this, almost 10 years after their first album. It's really hard to match up to "Forlatt" (and I think they didn't quite archive it), but it's still a really really really nice folk album.
 
The Monolith Deathcult - Tetragrammaton
Because RWAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!!!.... I guess.
 
Wardruna - Yggdrasil
Nice ambient tribal-y stuff.
 
Suede - Bloodsports
Suede are my undying teenage music love. Their post-reunion stuff isn't really as good as some of their 90s stuff, but they still manage tio shine every once in a while.
 
 
 
Also worth mentioning:
 
Ancient Wisdom - Deathlike
Manegarm - Legions of the North
Ereb Altor - Fire Meets Ice
Rotting Christ - Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy

downy - 第五作品集『無題』
KANA-BOON - DOPPEL
きのこ帝国 - ロンググッドバイ
cinema staff - 望郷
LITE - installation
Galileo Galilei - ALARMS
OVUM - ascension
 
65daysofstatic - wild light
This Town Needs Guns - 13​.​0​.​0​.​0​.​0

My favorites are, in no particular order:
阿部芙蓉美 - How To Live
Kojoe - 51st State
Nayuta - Miraklo Rakonto
downy - 第五作品集『無題』
Local Natives - Hummingbird
LAGITAGIDA - Tutela!!
八十八ヶ所巡礼 - 0088
The Novembers - zeitgeist
Moving Mountains - Moving Mountains
승리 - Let's Talk About Love
The Internet - Feel Good
The Novembers - Fourth Wall
Yuck - Glow and Behold
LEO今井 - Made from nothing
Köttur - トマト帽のベレー
SHIZUKA KANATA - Snow
EXO - XOXO/Growl
miss A - Hush
Jinmenusagi - ME2!
Nell - Escaping Gravity
Block B - Very Good
Norikazu Chiba - The Songs of the Circling Stars
f(x) - Pink Tape
 
That's all I can think of... might add some more releases as I still have plenty of music queueing up in my playlist. 2013 has been amazing so far, so many discoveries!

Japanese:
ALSDEAD – Separator
the GazettE – BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY
Jupiter – CLASSICAL ELEMENT
NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST – GRIMOIRE
ONE OK ROCK – 人生×君=
Sadie – MADRIGAL de MARIA
Sujk – ARKHELISM 2
ギルガメッシュ – MONSTER
マキシマム ザ ホルモン – 予襲復讐
雅-MIYAVI-  – MIYAVI   Non-Japanese: Arctic Monkeys – AM Area 11 – All The Lights In The Sky Breakdown of Sanity – Perception Bring Me the Horizon – Sempiternal SingerSen – The world in my eyes   Might add non-Japanese later. These days I don't listen to a lot of it.   Edit: Updated at last. I'm counting full length albums here only - there's been a ton of great minis this year too.

I have long list, because I enjoyed much albums this year!
 
Full album
-PF AUDIO- - The storyteller of sound
八十八ヶ所巡礼 - 0088
downy - 第五作品集『無題』
Ling Tosite Sigure - i'mperfect
NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST - GRIMOIRE
Vermillion-D Alice Syndrome - 狡猾なる混沌の仔と至极たる黎明に捧ぐ葬敛の剧诗
BIGMAMA - 君想う、故に我在り
青葉市子 - 0
Cyclamen - Ashura
Pay money To my Pain - gene
Maaya Sakamoto - Singer Songwriter
[Champagne] - Me No Do Karate.
Yanagi Nagi - Euaru
Melt-Banana - Fetch
MergingMoon - Kamikakushi
Tetra Edge - Asymmetry
Furhter Ahead Of Warp - The Never Ending Story
Vassline - Black Silence (korean)
Noeazy - Land of Abomination (Korean)

Mini Album
A Ghost Of Flare - Kodou
NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST - OMEGA
宇宙コンビニ - 染まる音を確認したら
Lost in the Fog - アインズヴァッハの墓
a crowd of rebellion - Zygomycota
Translations - STORM CHASER
Tam Tam - Polarize
木と魚 - 星と命の森
レトクオリア -  Little Sign
Another Story - Signs
Tokyo Shoegazer - Turnaround
Another Stream - Future Tantric Engraved 
The Twisted Harbor Town - ENCOUNTERS
 
will update the list until 2013 ends, because there are albums that I looking forward in the end of year

I'll make a more comprehensive list later, but off the top of my head I have as follows:
 
Jupiter - Classical Element
AFI - Burials (Album of the year for me thus far)
Sleigh Bells - Bitter Rivals
Grieva - Oni to Kage
Vermillion-D Alice Syndrome -  狡猾なる混沌の仔と至極たる黎明に捧ぐ葬斂の劇詩
Volbeat- Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies
 
 
I've come to love a lot of other albums this year as well, but they weren't actually released in 2013. This thread is always hard for me because it takes me a long time to really appreciate something.

Albums released in 2013? well...I think Kaya's GOTHIC is not bad
My non-japanese favourite album is The coming ones (international version) by Sa Dingding