doombox

I still need to go through the list, but holy shit September has been a good month for music. So much good new stuff, both Japanese and not.

Welcome back to our monthly collection of songs we thought rocked this month! And boy, oh boy, is this month packed full of quality tunes! So please keep your arms and legs securely next to you until this ride comes to a full stop. We apologize some videos may not be available to view in all regions. And we'd like to thank our guest contributors @Ada Suilen and @chemicalpictures for joining us once again! 
 
 
Recommended Tracks: September 2016
 
 
@beni's Picks
 
"たぶんわたしがゆうれいだったら (Tabun watashi ga yuureidattara)" by Her Ghost Friend

I admit that I was a bit late to this party, but throughout the entire month, I mashed the repeat button YouTube to this tune. One of the best ways to describe Her Ghost Friend is probably comparing her to Izumi Makura and Bonjour Suzuki, mixed with Etsuko Yakushimaru's anime tunes, but even cuter! Hold your horses though, it's not rap at all!  The act is comprised of duo singer Shinobu Ono and DJ Obake. The synths over a relaxing, almost ambient but playful beat makes this such a joy to listen to. With a childish yet ethereal voice, Her Ghost Friend have certainly caught my fancy.
 
"Kiss" by lovefilm

Even though their first ever album was quite a flop to me, I at least took this with me for keeps. lovefilm was quite a new name to many, and probably even more to come. I only managed to discover them from following the label UKPROJECT, and I'm sure glad it was "Kiss" I stumbled upon. The band have the female and male duo vocals going on, which is always a treat to the ears -- especially when both are so similar. It's especially sweet when they harmonize, and while the tune is definitely simple, it's worth your attention at least once for the feel good vibes.
 
"Cruisin' Cruisin'" by bonobos

Many thanks to @CAT5 for showing this to me firstly. For someone like myself who doesn't know the first thing about groove, this is a great starter. Everything about "Cruisin' Cruisin'" is just... well, cruisin'! The smoothness of everything, from the seemingly effortless cool vocals to the - just as amazing - chill instrumentals makes this so serene. For a linear, five minute track, you'd be surprised with how quick it seems to end. You can't help but be sucked into the whole feel of the tune. As I've said before, there's only a handful of such musicians I know and enjoy, such as cero being the closest act to them, so being exposed to even more brilliance is a pleasure! And I know it goes the same for everyone else too. Don't miss this!
 
"supercell" by Cö shu Nie

I had known this name for quite a while thanks to @CAT5, who had brought them up to me once again since their music change with this. And now I can't stop digging them! The now rocking pop duo do not let up their energy with this super number. The chaotic yet gorgeous tune is certainly energetic, and with the strong and lush female vocals of Mirai Nakamura, it really stands out and makes an impression. It's a move from their indie/math sound, and a change I've seen no one disagree with. I can safely say they have a least one more fan after this genre switch! I'm sure they'll quickly start to garner attention.
 
"She won't forget" by Someday's Gone

Telling the story of remembering fond yet bitter memories in the corner of a coffee shop, "She won't forget" is an instantly catchy number, relatable, genuine and real. The balance of sweetness with the vocalization "dood, dood, do do do" from pleasant, youthful male voice with the clearly bitter lyrics makes for an emotional and impactful listen. I can't blame anyone to be turned off at the rather amateurish Engrish delivery, but if you can overlook that and enjoy his voice, then you've sure got a nice little gem here. Also, any music video recorded in a coffee shop is the definition of cute, so how about adding "She won't forget" to your memory?

"CRAZY" by I don't like Mondays.

Everything about these guys is so infectious with each and every piece they put out! I have no idea how they do it. How they manage to make a great mixture of Japanese and English, while making it sound as good as it does is beyond me. The effortless Western feel and sound these guys can put out is so very impressive, and deserving of much more attention. From the incredibly... questionable music video style, to just how god damn gorgeous everyone looks, you'll be 'CRAZY' if you don't end up feeling like grooving to this! Be sure to check them out sooner or later while they're on fire with all their recent output!
 
 
@fitear1590's Picks
 
"Ice Candy" by カフカ (KAFUKA)

Last year, pop rockers KAFUKA put out Tokyo 9 Stories, a commendable album. Less than twelve months later, they're already back with another one, AINKSKI (あいなきせかい / ai naki sekai). While I haven't heard the full release yet, "Ice Candy" puts the album off to great start. It's a jaunty romp, punctuated with some surprisingly fuzzy guitar riffs. Frankly, I didn't know the boys had it in 'em to go in an even moderately shoegaze direction. Color me intrigued. The PV matches the aesthetic with some icy Super 8-style film footage. Let's hope the rest of the album has some nice surprises too!
 
"美しい火 (Beautiful Fire)" by THE NOVEMBERS

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of NOVEMBERS ~dream ver.~, so when they gave us a second taste of their new album (Hallelujah) via Soundcloud, it was love at first listen. "Beautiful Fire" is gorgeous and the polar opposite of the shoegrunge grittiness of July's "黒い虹 (Black Rainbow)," which was also stellar. This track has more conviction than the dreamy, yet wispy work on last year's Elegance and it also marks a glorious return to those warm horn arrangements, a nod to 2012's stunning GIFT EP. They add a nostalgic touch here, as well as on album-closer "いこうよ (ikou yo)." There's plenty to chew on with Hallelujah, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already!
 
"ポイズンベリー (poison berry)" by トキノキト (tokinokito)

 
Tokinokito seem to be slipping under people's radars, but if you're a neo-VK fan, what's not to like? They come bearing surprisingly slick visuals for a super indies band and with "poison berry," they introduce a quirky take on the graveyard circus sound so dear to their heavier contemporaries GRIMOIRE. The track opens with spooky chimes and accordion, just in time for Halloween! Then, whimsical synths and noodling guitar riffs lead us into the meat of the song. The verses are an unconventional mesh of time signatures that take some getting used to, but it's kind of brilliant. Tokinokito continue to grab my attention, so I think I'll be in it with them for the long haul. Hope you'll join me!
 
 
@Original Saku's Picks
 
"鬼 (Oni)" by クリープハイプ (CreepHyp)

This month kicks off with one of my most anticipated albums - Sekaikan from CreepHyp - and it does not disappoint. "Oni" is like a crazy train ride with a dose of peculiar sounds and grooves, it includes all the quirky aspects from this band that I love. From the wacky backing vocals to the unorthodox instrumental sounds to the eccentric vocal style of Ozaki. It's all there in a little package waiting to be unwrapped, I love it. One of my favorite albums of the year from one of my favorite bands, check it out. I will however forewarn any new listeners that Ozaki's vocals can be an acquired taste. Sometimes he sings in such a high pitch that it can be hard on the ears, but his eccentricity is very lovable once you've warmed up to it.
 
"twoface" by Aimer

I'm by no means a stranger to Aimer. I've been listening to her output for years in anime openings/endings and soundtracks, but lately I've noticed a slight shift in motivation or direction. That brings us to her new album daydream, and in particular the song "twoface", with music produced by Uchisawa Takahito from androp. This track has a lot of power behind it, which I don't often hear from Aimer songs, and it has caught my attention because of that. She performs wonderfully here and is in top form. That, combined with the interesting instrumentals and direction, makes this one of my favorite songs from her. I can't exactly put my finger on what has changed, but I feel that we have only just begun to see what she can do.
 
"Groovy Cony" by Casablanca

This is a  sleeper pick from last month that I wasn't able to get to since it came out so close to the deadline. Casablanca a newly formed band comprised of Yoko (noodles), Sawao Yamanaka (the pillows), and Shinya Kusube (Radio Caroline) - a veritable super group if you will. With such talent coming together, there was no doubt in my mind that their first album Another Story would be quality tunes, but nothing prepared me for the instant gratification that I received upon listening to this record. "Groovy Cony" is just one of the amazing tracks from this debut release that has a particular sound that I can only describe as nostalgia in a bottle. With Sawao's guitar work, backing vocals, and composition, and Kusube's loud and proud drumming, we have a instrumental style that harkens back to the sounds of old. You then add in Yoko as the lead vocalist and we have a distinct sound that feels nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
 
 
@togz' Picks
 
"Redemption" by Her Name in Blood 

I became a little concerned for the direction of this album with the release of the "Bakemono" music video. However, the majority of the tracks on this release really caught me by surprise. "Redemption" was the composition that grasped my interest the most. The guitar work in the beginning serves as a great hook for the entire track regardless of the repetition. Although the guitar riffs aren't very complex and we get a lot of palm-muted chugga-chugs, I found myself subconsciously bobbing my head along. The strongest aspect of this song is the catchy chorus. Ikepy's vocals really show growth with the range, depth, and stamina of his cleans. I can only hope to enjoy this song live some day. This is a must listen!
 
"海の静寂 (Umi no Seijaku)" by downy

I'm fairly new to the world of downy, but I have this song along with a few others to thank for getting me hooked. I'm not sure if this song is a great representation of all of their past work, but I can vouch that it's a great easy-listening track. I admire the flow of this song because of it's slow jazzy mood with silky-slick vocal phrases.  It's a rather sluggish song, but it's not muddy and it's tasteful. It works as great thinking music, inspirational music, or just something to sit back and relax to. 
 
"愛はなけなし (What Little Love)" by THE NOVEMBERS

THE NOVEMBERS never seem to disappoint, but this song in specific really resonates with me from their new album Hallelujah. The intro is a beautiful and emotionally dark combination of beautiful acoustics and muted guitar strums. Kobayashi's voice enters in a lullaby-esque melody, which fits his voice flawlessly given that his tone can range from a whispering chant to raw shouting. The middle section of the song is an interesting direction change and really jumps back to their dream-pop sound, but remains able to melt back into the solemn vibe of the song overall. While I would highly recommend the whole album, this track is where I'd start.
 
"ぴゅーぱ。( Pyupa/Pupa)" by PIGLOW in GLOOMY

I feel like visual kei has become a realm filled with cookie-cutter bands and finding gems is a chore. I listened to PIGLOW in GLOOMY on a whim, and while I wasn't amazed, I wasn't disappointed either. This track is off of their first mini-album むくあ(mukua) which was released August 31st. I like this track because it has hints of what visual kei sounded like when it was at it's peak for me, which was the obscurely mellow intros that lead into heavy guitar riffs and gave off a psychedelic sort of vibe.  The composition itself isn't too complex, but it shows potential to head in a very interesting direction. The vocal style also reminds me a bit of Karma from AvelCain, so if you're in to that I'd say they're worth a listen!
 
 
@emmny's Picks
 
"頭蓋、紛い (zugai, magai)" by gibkiy gibkiy gibkiy

Grandpa-kei' icons ggg return with a new single for September, hilarious titled I LOVE YOU. Considering how dark their sound is, a simple 'I love you' is an ironic declaration more so than a love letter. While the title track of the single has a stutter-y groove and an old-school merry go round vibe, "Zugai, Magai" chooses instead to brood and melt in its own darkness, giving a nod to later-era merry go. Kazuma's yelling has been a love-hate affair on their past material, as i enjoy his clean vocals more than his dragged-out-vibrato-whimper-yell, but it sounds perfect haunted on this track. I don't think anyone would have predicted ggg's success (or existence) 10 years ago, but this oddly random project has flourished into one hell of a beast. They exist on a creative plane far from their contemporaries, yet with an incredibly familiar sound that grows in magnitude with each release, it's incredibly thrilling to watch.
 
"EVIDENCE" by lynch.

Gang vocals? Yes. Delayed and reverberated clean guitar intro? Hell yeah. Compression for the gods? You know it. Thumping metalcore break down? Duh. Fist pumping chorus? Absolutely. lynch. basically rehashing what they've been doing for the past 3 years but still managing to blow our ears in with some surprises here and there? Thank god!
 
"カミソリ (Kamisori)" by ザアザア (Xaa-xaa)

Osaka it-band Xaa-Xaa are once again spamming us with music, this time in the form of a 3-month consecutive release around the theme of 'despair'. "Kamisori" is the first incarnation of this project, and Xaa-Xaa handle the questionably triggering concept with fury and also grace. "Kamisori" features a thrashy guitar riff at its centre with this oddly cute wonky tone that keeps it from coming across too 'metal'. Kazuki's vocals are at times breathy, other times strained, increasing the tension behind the words (special shout out to that howl at the end). The song flows incredibly well, outside of repeating the main riff a few times too many. The progression from the breakdown to the solo is particularly awesome. Next month is looking to be great too...see y'all here in October?
 
"撲殺サマンサ (Bokusatsu Samantha)" by DAMY

I'm gonna be real honest with y'all (as you can always expect): there's little merit to the new DAMY record outside of DEZERT's obvious influence. I knew it was an enjoyable record, but I didn't find any new tracks were interesting enough on their own for a feature. It works better as a whole... except for "Bokusatsu Samantha". This is straight up catchy metal-kei that stands amazingly on its own--so we'll forgive the fact that this technically came out in 2015. There's not much to rave on about this track, it's not that complex, or original, or all that interesting--but it's so fucking fun. You'll be screaming along to the gang refrain in no time, not knowing the band's detailing whacking a girl over the head to death. Intellectual music has it's place, but sometimes you just wanna whip your hair to some depravity--thank god DAMY make music for that.
 
 
@Zeus' Picks
 
"The Love From a Dead Orchestra" by Versailles

Versailles' return and announcement of new material is the greatest gift they could have given to their fans. There's been a dearth of good symphonic visual kei acts to fill Versailles' flowery rococo heels, but they didn't go out on the best note, so their Greatest Hits release feels less like a cash-in and more of an attempt to convince us there's enough magic to keep going. The tracks they chose were among the best of the best, but one in particular caught my eye almost instantly. I prayed and fantasized about what an updated rendition of "The Love From a Dead Orchestra" would sound like for years as it's always been a bold song held back by constrained production choices and a vocalist who had not yet adapted to his range. The re-recording exceeded my expectations. Some rough transitions were smoothed over with the inclusion of new instruments, everything was redone from scratch, and new lyrics were added to cover up sparse interludes. In terms of low-hanging optimizations to the melody the band plucked them all and then some. What's harder to communicate with words - and what Versailles did successfully - is play like a band. There's the perfect mix of old Versailles and new Versailles here to both restore my faith and keep my interest for what's to come.
 
 "孤独旋回 (kodoku senkai)" by downy

It's no secret that I'm all about downy's latest LP, 第六作品集『無題』 (Mudai), but it's hard to describe in words the emotions I feel when listening. If I had to choose one track that captures the entire feel of 『無題』, it would be "孤独旋回" (kodoku senkai). If 『無題』 were a story, "孤独旋回" would be the tense rising action before the climax. The rhythm is as tortuous as it is both uplifting and oddly distressing, beckoning the listener this way and then another with the variations in tempo and theme. I can feel the members of downy flexing their knowledge of musical theory on me with this one. Fans of post-rock and mathy melodies still new to downy just might fall in love. Moments of tranquility are upended into a whirlwind of emotion, painted with the melancholy tones of vocalist Robin Aoki. Such a description is fitting for a track named "Revolving Loneliness". One of the best tracks of September for sure!  
 
 
@CAT5's Picks
 
"2772" by ZA FEEDO

Initially appearing on a Yasei Collective feature back in 2014, ZA FEEDO have finally come forth with their debut album  2772, sporting what they describe as a 'Futurist Polyrhythmic Tropical Bad Ass FUJIYAMA Sound '. While they site acts like Aphex Twin, Little Dragon, Miles Davis, and bjork as influences, on their latest PV for the title track "2772", ZA FEEDO's off-kilter grooves and soulful vocals land them closer to the realm of Spangle call Lilli Line. The song has a great balance of experimental ingenuity and accessible, pop charisma. Let's hope the album is just as good!
 
"星雲ヒッチハイク (seiun hitch-hike)" by TAMTAM

TAMTAM originally made a name for themselves by creating a delectable fusion of Jpop and dub. They tried a few new things in 2014 - most of which seemed like a direct appeal to the Anime industry - but thankfully, they've returned to form on their new album NEWPOESY, even stating in their promo campaign, "Back to the Riddim"! The album is full of sweet, soulful jams that, while enjoyable, are best appreciated as a whole. "星雲ヒッチハイク" stands out completely on its own, though! It's an epic, expansive groove and the most pristinely gorgeous track of not only the album, but of TAMTAM's career thus far!
 
"白薔薇のララバイ (shirobara no lullaby)" by 手嶌葵 (Aoi Teshima)

When it comes to Jpop songstress Aoi Teshima, her music is just as classy, elegant, and beautiful as she is! She just released a new album titled 青い図書室 (Blue library) in celebration of her 10th anniversary and it's expectedly lovely. "白薔薇のララバイ" is particularly extravagant, with its somber, psychedelic-folk sound that harkens back to 70's kayōkyoku ballads, and even brings to mind the likes of Douji Morita. Absolutely stunning!
 
"Falling Alone" by Aimer

Hot on the heels of her recent single "insane dream" (produced by ONE OK ROCK's Taka), Aimer has finally dropped her new album daydream this month, which features three additional tracks penned by Taka as well. Of the three, "Falling Alone" serves us the kind of riveting pop-rock we've come to love from Aimer - even towering above "ninelie", which was produced by 'Mr. epic' himself, Hiroyuki Sawano. Taka and Aimer have proven to be a potent combination. The chorus of this song is EVERYTHING!
 
"Sunshine Freeway" by I love you Orchestra

I love you Orchestra is one of those bands that look brilliant on paper, but unfortunately, have yet to deliver anything truly substantial. With two drummers and three guitarists, one would expect some level of brilliance, but so far, their releases have consisted of songs too spastic to really get into, and songs too short to offer anything memorable. Thankfully, their sound finally seems to be coming together on their third and newest album Crack. "Sunshine Freeway" reflects this by perfectly balancing out the band's spastic tendencies with more accessible melodies and a coherent structure. The song feels more like an actual experience now, as opposed to just passing sounds. Japan's instrumental scene has been lacking lately, but these guys may just put a 'Crack' in the monotony!  
 
"see through sway in you" by 別野加奈 (Kana Wakareno)

Kana Wakareno is a young singer, pianist and cinematographer, who just recently released her third album forget me not, and it's absolutely exquisite! Her music is based on her own, imaginary/fictional landscapes, and through each track, you get a clear sense of her cinematic visions. The minimalistic melancholy of "see through sway in you" congers up a particularly visceral scene, with its mournful, yet gorgeous melodies and subtle background noises that sound to be the crackling of a fire - you get a sense that there's warmth nearby, but at the moment, there's something comforting about how numbing the cold is. Amazing.
 
"六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ (rokugatsu no ame ni utarete)" by alt of the society

Real Japanese emo is a bit of a scarcity. The scene is relatively small, and there aren't an abundance of fans in or outside of Japan, so I was pretty delighted when I finally got my hands on alt of the society's new album 追憶の風景 (tsuioku no fuukei), which was released all the way back in March! Not only was my need for this style of music sated, but the album also provided a few gems as well - "六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ" being one of them. It's a track with a traditional kind of post-rock build, starting relatively calm and then climaxing into a swell of emotion. Easily one of the most compelling tracks of the album!
 
 
"滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。(mekkin, shoudoku, bansoukou.)" by Chanty

Chanty are undeniably a VK band, yet they've continuously proven that their appeal extends beyond the scene. They're just as at home being on the same bill as VK bands like Grieva and Kuroyuri to Kage as they are sharing the stage with "non-vk" acts like indie-rockers aquarifa. On their latest album 不完全な音楽 (fukanzen na ongaku), they continue to straddle that line between unabashed "vk-ism" and indie appeal - they're almost like a VK version of cinema staff in that regard. "滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。" takes that archetypal, circus-y VK rock sound and amps it up a bit with the spastic recklessness of a 9mm parabellum bullet or Arukara track. This song is a helluva lot of fun!
 
"灰よ (hai yo)" by 平沢進 (Susumu Hirasawa)

The musical wizard of everything wondrous, the one and only, the legend himself, Susumu Hirasawa has just released Ash Crow, a compilation of songs he's composed for the Berserk franchise over a span of 20 years. The compilation features songs from the Berserk movies, games, and even some of the new insert songs from the Berserk 2016 anime - most notably "Hai yo"! The song is suitably dark and epic, evoking the grim nature of the show while providing the perfect backdrop for the demonic warfare of the series. It's a song that's both uniquely Hirasawa, and uniquely Berserk. It's a shame that the Berserk 2016 anime wasn't worthy of such a great piece!
 
Guest Recommendations
 
@Ada Suilen's Picks
 
"1000 Years" by THE NOVEMBERS

After the dark and dreamy Elegance EP, The Novembers have come back with their sixth album Hallelujah. A product which doesn't disappoint for a single note. But if you isolate it carefully, you can see the single vibes that are inside it: nostalgic rock sound, with even a passionate soul full of adrenaline and astonishing themes, which I liked most. "1000 Years" represents perfectly the most rebellious and out-of-scheme style that this band could ever do (those grungy vocals!).
 
"Trigger" by MUCC

In my opinion, MUCC is one of the few bands which always opted to stupefy and to entertain in unusual ways (think about the genres they've showed off); in their latest single this happened once again. With an energetic A-side and a curious first track on the B-side, here we are in front of something which smells unexpected and incredible. "Trigger" appears as one of the 'black-sheep' of MUCC's discography, where a warm guitar intertwines with sublime vocals and the structure twists around itself each second for a whirling musical experience.
 
 
@chemicalpictures' Picks
 
"拒絶 (kyosetzu)" by SCAPEGOAT

SCAPEGOAT was always a hit-and-miss band for me. While I loved "告白＿時々、雨 (kokuhaku ___ tokidoki, ame)", I couldn't care less for the other five songs on the mini. What made me love it so much is that the guys have a concept of trying to tell a story through their songs. They got it right that time, and got it right on the spot again! The Nagoya-y vocal lines set the tone and create a heavy atmosphere full of visual kei tropes like whispers, moaning and slow paced singing. The lead guitar nicely defines the tempo, starting slow and exploding into a catchy, dark and powerful chorus that provides some nice headbanging moments. You can feel that they are trying to express that emotional burst through the chorus, and that's an interesting little quirk. Music-wise there is nothing really innovative to be seen here, but it's a nice banger on a slow vkei month.
 
"Jellyfish" by ZON

With their third single, ZON is showing how consistently good they are. All the songs are great on this single, but "Jellyfish" stood out mainly because of 834. I'd like to get everyone's attention on how good that guy is. The song already starts packing a punch: 834's drums all over your face, dueling with Mii's melodic guitar lines, while Azu does his thing. Everything is just fine, but it all goes wild in the chorus, with 834's drums again in the spotlight, urging you to stand up and dance. It's IMPOSSIBLE to stand still. They really let him go full crazy mode... It's interesting how he subverts the regular progressive rock beat infusing a high octane funky-afrobeat, making it so energetic and vibrant (lol, sorry I got a little carried away here, but he is THAT good!). Another nice touch is the transition on the three-minute mark from the classic vk slow bridge into fast chorus transition. Smooth AF. This is EDR with a capital R, guys. These guys can be HUGE in no time.
 
Thanks for hanging out with us for another month of songs and we hope you enjoyed them as much as we did! Please comment below if you had any special songs this month you didn't see listed above that deserve some attention! We'd love to hear about them, or any of the songs we've listed above. Please let us know what you thought.  If you'd like to become a guest contributor for Recommended Tracks next month please contact @doombox!
 
Until next time~

Recommended Tracks: July
 
Your friends on the Official Reviewer team are back with another month of tunes we have hand picked for you to jam to.
We hope you enjoy and let us know what you think!
 
 
@beni's picks
 
"CALL" by スカート (Skirt)

Simplicity can sometimes make a gem, and what do we have right here? One hell of a shiny one! The track may be painfully short, but it's one I never fail in returning back to now and then. With vocals that can be described as laid-back on almost the same scale as ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION'S Gotch, with a touch of melancholy especially due to the overall sound, this is one you can categorize as 'great indie goodness'. You'll easily recognize this track amongst any other, due to its opener of a single riff. The sprinkles of piano elsewhere, including a build up in its bridges makes this one a necessary repeater of a tune. Underrated is an understatement for this band!
 
"秘密 (Himitsu)" by SUPER BEAVER

Now this is just getting ridiculous, lads! You'll be appearing in our Recommended Tracks each month if you don't slow down any time soon! As I continuously MUST point out how SUPER BEAVER are getting better and better with each release, their singles and PVs continue to impress me as soon as I hit 'play'. Using a similar formula each time of quick but melodic vocal work against an instantly recognizable and complimentary beat, "Himitsu" is just as tastefully addictive as all their recent pieces. Fast paced, but exquisitely tuneful for exactly four minutes, it's a catchy and memorable ride, which seems to end all too soon! If you have yet to check them out, you must give them a try at least this once! And just for the record, the album that track appears on entitled 27 really deserves your attention too! These guys will not be halting their winning spree any time soon.
 
"ACROSS" by 相川七瀬 (Aikawa Nanase)

I must admit right here and now that you're not the only one missing out on this brilliant madam. I've known her name for the longest time but have never given her a listen until this single of hers, and oh, how late I am to the party! With one hell of a strong, melodic voice for a mainstream/major singer, against music done by L'Arc~en~Ciel's Tetsuya (yes, that's right, have I caught your ears now?), "ACROSS" is a delicious blend of pop rock. Nanase's stunning voice stands out even more due to Tetsuya's welcome involvement with the sound, and that definitely helps this song attract attention. What's even more of an attraction is the PV, filmed in gorgeous 360 panorama motion shots, which makes it a pleasure even to the eyes!
 
"Fake" by GOMESS

GOMESS is one of my instant loves of this year, with "Fake" being the main culprit for this. As soon as I heard his music, what came to mind was a male rap version of Bonjour Suzuki, and early daoko. "Fake" is a tuneful lullaby track as you might have guessed with my artist examples. From just this one song, to the mini-album it appears on, GOMESS has skyrocketed up to being one of my favourite experimental rappers. As those who know me already, I'm not that much of a rap listener, yet I find GOMESS extremely special because I enjoy his music so much. This is not to be missed. This song, the mini-album, nor himself.
 
"BABY, BABY" by TWEEDEES

A very random but lovely find of this month is the jazz duo of TWEEDEES. If I had to be honest about me and jazz, I'd have to say I'm not the most favourable towards it save for certain groups (BLU-SWING and JiLL-Decoy Assocation), but when it's as cute and charming as this, who am I to ignore it!? Unfortunately unknown to the majority of us, TWEEDEES definitely deserve more fans who can kick back, appreciate and enjoy anything smooth, sweet and jazzy. It even has the approval from @CAT5!
 
 "カラーバリエーション(Color Variation)" by ケツメイシ (Ketsumeishi)
 
Talk about a match made in heaven (those clash of colours and awkward dance moves gets me every time)! Sounding exactly like how I'd think of Greeeen if they were an idol/dance boy group, this hip hop group of four (in fact) incorporates infectious rap and super pleasant singing in the chorus against the dancefloor (and even EDM) sound. This is definitely one of my guilty pleasure finds of this year (even that awfully cheesy music video is!), and I can't love it any more than I already do! If you're looking for something cheery now that we're coming to the chillier seasons, you better get up and moving to this! I know I can't stop myself!
 
 
@togz' picks
 
"この世界が嫌いな人へ (kono sekai ga kirai na hito e)" by Develop One's Faculties

Develop One's Faculties has always caught my attention with their unique sound in the VK scene. They never fail to incorporate quick and complex elements to at least one song per release. "この世界が嫌いな人へ (kono sekai ga kirai na hito e)" is a B-side off of their 4th single 斑 (mura). Though the song has a fast pace to it, Develop One's Faculties is able to accomplish layering smooth vocals over a funky slap bass line. My favorite part of this track is when the vocals and guitar work lift each other and reinforce this sort of staccato verse. It's a fun song that I would recommend to scratch the surface of this group.
 
"Water Lily" by illion

illion is the solo project of Yojiro Noda (Vocalist + Guitarist of RADWIMPS). It's been just over 3 years since the debut album Ubu. Originally, an untitled release was due out for illion on the 20th of July, but that got pushed back until fall.  The sad news was remedied by the announcement of a new RADWIMPS album to drop. Despite illion's release being delayed, this amazingly interactive teaser went live and "Water Lily" became available in the Japanese iTunes store on July 15th. This is a very ambient, upbeat, and space-y sounding track but offers a strong melodic vocal line. If you need some great thinking music or something to tide you over until the new RADWIMPS release hits the shelf then "Water Lily" is a must!
 
"黒い虹 (Kuroi Niji)" by THE NOVEMBERS

Even with their new album release right around the corner, THE NOVEMBERS surprise listeners with a sudden digital single release. This song will be on the new album Hallelujah which will be released on September 21st. "黒い虹 (Kuroi Niji)" represents many sides of THE NOVEMBERS as it sways from an aggressive grunge sound and floating chants to up-front chaos as everything mashes together. Given the unique layering of harmonizing vocals, the chants/singing during the song is clash-y but pleasing. If you're just checking out THE NOVEMBERS for the first time, this would be a great song to start with in preparations for their anticipated release come end of summer. On July 20th a link to purchase the song through iTunes was made available through various social media outlets. From the looks of it this song is just a limited time release exclusively for the Japanese audience. 
 
"Rx Overdrive" by Crossfaith 

After the band's most recent album Xeno, I felt a little let down. While I understood the direction the album went in and how it was beneficial to utilizing all their members equally, I do feel they lost a little bit of their punch. Xeno was still an album that translated well to a live setting, but it lacked the heaviness that drew people in from the beginning. Aside from the visually pleasing music video, "Rx Overdrive" replenished the heavier factors that people craved to hear again. This song has satisfactory synth usage that doesn't take from the importance and depth of the percussion area. Whether you're looking to give Crossfaith a second (or third) chance or are just checking them out, "Rx Overdrive" is a great place to sum up their journey to this point. 
 
 
@tetsu_sama69's picks
 
"SENSE OF ASH" by Insanity Injection

Hands down one of my favorite releases this year and a purchase I hardly regret every single time I hear this song. Granted, Insanity Injection has been met with mixed opinions, yet they always seem to strike it rich with me. "SENSE OF ASH" is a continuation of the chaotic hybrid that this band exists to be and does it so well. The haunting intro with light voiceover erupts into the unholy mess of screams from Kyouka and is spiced up with operatic vocals from Chaos. A cacophony of twisted guitars, heavy bass, noisy rhythm with an occult narration thrown in is a great treat if you're into dark and filthy sounding visual kei goodness.
 
"廻想ルナシエル (Mawarisou Luna Ciel)" by FerrisWheeL

You hopefully are listening to this treat of a song while you're reading this little blurb about its contents because I don't think I can completely explain how good this song is with words alone. FerrisWheeL is really underrated and should rightfully get more attention as their band continues on. They're also a pure example of the scene can still play "old-school" style visual kei and make it sound very unique in their own way. Maybe it's because the band is a wonderful collection of members from previous bands such as Crishuna, Cruicifixtion , and GRIST or that they're focusing more on making great music than just trying to sweep up fans by sticking to trends. "Mawarisou Luna Ciel "is a delightful listen and I do hope they continue with consistent music of this variety. This song is a a blast from the past and the opening guitar riff alone is enough to get almost anyone addicted to it.
 
"desperate" by chariots

The official return of chariots was definitely the hype train that I got on right away. I've always enjoyed the interesting evolution they've gone though since their start. Though, Kisai is a great release overall and is a refreshing continuation for the band since before they went on break to take progressive steps towards the style of heavier music. "Desperate" ended up being my favorite track from the single overall because I just couldn't resist putting the song on repeat. Perhaps it's the chugging guitars from KAZ, strong bass from Jin, perfect drumming from MIKAGE, and rough vocals from Riku that are an amazing mix that definitely comes together to make a stimulating hefty load of power metal. 
 
 
@emmny's picks
 
"period" by ギルガメッシュ (girugamesh)

And here ends Girugamesh's legacy... the band responsible for getting a fair chunk of this forum into the j-rock scene throughout the better part of the past decade or so is over. It's worth noting how much of an influence they've had on the current scene (in case you're new), with their current output being ripped-off by the new visualcore bands and their mid 2000's material serving as a large influence to revival kei groups. After my first few listens of "period", I was entirely gobsmacked at how well they managed to combine their current slick yet brutal metalcore sound with the moody alt-metal atmospherics of their indies days. It doesn't entirely sound like a Chimera left-over, but "period" definitely borrows from its predecessor's theme of mixing old and new, bringing the concept to a fever pitch. The end result is a driving metalcore/djenty banger with ominous chord progressions, the standard anthemic chorus and interesting use of orchestral programming--up until 4 minute mark. The outro begins as ambient synths and piano underscore satoshi's distorted crooning, then suddenly everything drops out and a hellfire of grinding guitars and furious drum fills close the track while they glitch into oblivion. The curtain falls, applause, goodbye.
 
"百鬼夜行" (hyakki yakou) by 己龍 (kiryu)

BPR's flagship band return with their fifth full-length album Hyakki yakou, featuring a title track so good your eyes will probably water, your neck might snap and you will 100% be reminded as to why you ever liked the shit-show known as visual kei in the first place. Hyperbole? Absolutely. Kiryu deserve every smidgen of praise they get given how consistent they've been for the past 9 years. Year after year, they've been serving their signature mix of all things dramatic and neo-japonesque with a healthy dose of ADHD oshare fun and a kote kei lean ALL topped with sharp progressive tendencies. "Hyakki yakou" is a manic mix of everything Kiryu have ever done, but it remains fresh because of how brilliantly the song flows. The track opens with a wild piano riff and matching insane shrieks from Mahiro, the guitars duel in that signature late 90's staccato riffage under a soaring flute-sounding riff as Junji goes off on his drum set, not missing a beat or accent. All that said, this is just the first 30 seconds or so; "Hyakki yakou" is wildly textured in its arrangement, as typical of a band who pays abnormally close attention to detail. To spare you all a 3 page long in depth explanation of all the reasons why this song utterly slays, shut me up and just give it a listen.
 
"右手のナイフ、左手のヒス" (Migite no knife, hidarite no hiss) by SAVAGE

So I thought I was stanning trash last month with the VEXENT feature... but y'all underestimate my ability to literally swim in the dumpster of visual kei trash to pull out some more crap. Here comes SAVAGE to the rescue, the new band of ex-Depain members who are more known for having girls hawking over them than releasing anything of substance. But, there's a catch to this: SAVAGE's trash is occasionally amazing. As per Depain's discography, there are some surprisingly great songs here and there; nothing original, but definitely well-done heavy kei. "Migite..." is the best song SAVAGE have put out since "Biran", and probably the best song they've ever done. If there's one thing they do well, its creating a menacing atmosphere that few current bands can replicate. "Migite..." slinks around with its dark mood, further punctuated by the use of space in the song and Ryuka's eerie tone deaf robot vocals. A creepy music box interlude half way leads to an especially amazing fast section, driven by Takeru's ghostly seven-string guitar riffage and some great old-school blast-beats. "Migite..." is a fabulous throwback to when the height of heaviness was bands like Dio, NEGA, UnsraW, Awoi and -OZ-, back when visualcore had a bit more dirt on the surface. Despite all the trash I've talked about SAVAGE, this is not only an amazing track but ultimately a necessary throwback considering how sanitized the current scene can be.
 
 
@fitear1590's picks

"ぼくのことすき (boku no koto suki)" by クウチュウ戦 (koochewsen) 

Koochewsen has sky-rocketed to become a new favorite of mine. It appears that they're slowly weaning us off their extra progressive sound, but trust me, they're not boarding the shuttle to Genericville by any means. The PV track for their upcoming mini 超能力セレナーデ (chounouryoku serenade)  is a noisy helping of synthy power pop. I always appreciate a band that can fuse talent and a good sense of humor--a combination that they are currently killing. I know you love retro astronauts delivering an anthemic chorus in zero gravity just as much as I do!
 
"秋明菊 (shuumeigiku)" by 神はサイコロを振らない (kami wa saikoro wo furanai)

Back in March, @saishuu introduced us to a very special band in the indie scene, kami wa saikoro wo furanai. Their polished math-rock riffs and warm, soulful vocals (pretty uncharacteristic for a scene dominated by high-pitched, shrill, and/or nasal singers) set them apart from the average newcomer, right from their first PV. For their aptly named debut mini-album, anfang (German: beginning), they've presented us with "shuumeigiku," which continues the gorgeous guitar work and soaring choruses. If you haven't checked out kamisai yet, now's the perfect time!
 
"Métamorphose (LA VIE EN ROSE KAMIJO -20th ANNIVERSARY BEST- Grand Finale)" by LAREINE

One-day revivals might be en vogue right now, but often they're just a last-ditch effort for old bands to make a quick buck. Rarely do musicians take this opportunity to go all out, but shortly before New Year's Eve of 2015, KAMIJO did just that. Playing a special 20th anniversary show, he brought all his past and current projects together into one mega-show. Of everything that went down that night, I think many of us were most excited to see LAREINE take the stage again.  While bassist Emiru has remained active (albeit, behind the scenes), we haven't seen or heard from guitarist Mayu or drummer Machi in around 10 or 15 years, respectively. To see the four of them so seamlessly pick up where they left off is just uncanny. They even played my favorite song, "Métamorphose"! Fortunately, the entire 'LA VIE EN ROSE KAMIJO -20th ANNIVERSARY BEST- Grand Finale' concert experience has been immortalized on DVD for all to see--an absolute must-see for KAMIJO fans of all eras.
 
"Migimimi" by Migimimi sleep tight

What happens when you blend 少年記 (shounenki) levels of melodrama with a cold hazy Instagram filter? Well, you get Migimimi sleep tight, a new project featuring Megamasso's Ryohei.  Anyone with some background in VK will probably agree that the band's visuals and sound are mind-boggling. Shouldn't you be dressed up like a revolutionary French aristocrat or in some kind of PVC outfit to be making those exaggerated hand gestures and reaching passionately toward the camera? Shouldn't your jovial extras waltzing through the forest be random melancholic white girls? Shouldn't that deserted cliffside beach be Lockheart Castle? In all seriousness though, the song is tight--it's just the incongruity of it all that makes it even more interesting.
 
"NECRO" by MORRIGAN

I haven't followed MORRIGAN, but they are my guilty pleasure for the month. This era of heavy 'neo VK' is generally not my bag, but every so often, a band hits all the cliches in just the right way and produces something totally solid. That describes "NECRO" to a tee. It starts off with a spooky carnival arrangement, which is easily a top 5 way to my heart. Then, it gets br00tal with some trashy harsh vocals. Following a by-the-numbers songwriting approach, there's even the obligatory sudden melodic chorus, but you know what? It's beautiful and I can't help but be drawn in by the gaudy drama of it all. #wiredforVK
 
"Alaska" by South Penguin

Following my disappointment with ミツメ's (mitsume) awkwardly funky A Long Day album, I had to look elsewhere for my sunny, laid-back guitar pop fix. Cue South Penguin's "Alaska," which is my official beach-kei recommendation of summer 2016. It's all here, from the jangly Mac Demarco-style riffs that are are gentle as the ocean breeze, to the vibrant bass licks that form the groovy backbone of the track. Subtle synths pulse in now and again to provide a touch of dreaminess, making this the ideal track for your summer strolls with your head carelessly in the clouds.
 
"ハイゼンベルク (heisenberg)" by ツヅリ・ヅクリ (TSUZURI.ZUKURI) 

Combo breaking the shit out of my sausage fest of a list (sorry about that, btw), we have TSUZURI.ZUKURI. Discovered purely through the art of clicking through YouTube, this duo immediately grabbed my attention. ”Heisenberg" is a lavish composition, featuring angelic piano, sweeping chimes, dramatic strings, and skilled percussive work which is both delicate and epic--you'll hear what I mean. The true star of the show, however, is vocalist Mumu, whose ethereal range is truly a beauty to behold. With a multitude of mini and full albums under their belt, it'll take a while to catch up, but I'm excited to delve more into TSUZURI.ZUKURI.
 
 
@CAT5's picks
 
"us" by Aimer

Alongside the likes of supercell and EGOIST, I consider Aimer to be one of the reigning queens of the modern anison world. It's an area of music as oversaturated as any other, but Aimer stands out easily with her towering vocals and her top-quality collaborations with some of the finest composers in the field - Yoko Kanno and Hiroyuki Sawano to name a few. On her latest, double a-side single insane dream/us, she adds Taka (from ONE OK ROCK), and TK (from ling tosite sigure) to her list of  musical consorts. "insane dream", which was penned by Taka and also features him on vocals, is an instant banger and it was honestly difficult for me NOT to write about that song. But the TK-produced "us" takes the cake! It's epic pop-rock at its best - somber, atmospheric, and cinematic with all of TK's signature touches and Aimer's dramatic crooning operating in perfect harmony. TK hasn't written a song this good for himself OR his band in years. These two make a killer pairing, and I'd love to hear them work together again!
 
"グルメ紀行(Gourmet kikou)" by 婦人倶楽部(fujin club)

Thank the universe for providing me with a keen musical network of friends. A pal of mine introduced me to this group recently, and since I haven't been exploring new music like I used to, and there's been almost no mention of this band through popular Western J-music channels, I would have completely missed out on FUJIN CLUB if not for his recommendation! I was specifically introduced to them through this song/video, and it was love at first listen. They have a very organic pop sound with bright melodies and crisp and colorful, classical instrumentation - somewhat similar to WUJA BIN BIN. "グルメ紀行" sounds like how watching a Ghibli movie feels. It's cozy, endearing, and pure, yet it evokes a sense of wonder and tugs at your imagination. Fantastic!
 
"Talisman" by Boris

You know a band has reached an unrivaled level of badassery when they can release a disc of bonus material that puts the actual albums of most other bands to shame. That's exactly what Boris has done. 10 years after the release of their classic, Pink, they've reissued the album as a deluxe version with a second disc titled Forbidden Songs. The bonus disc features nine previously unreleased tracks, and it fuckin' rocks. I mean, Boris practically piss quality music, so it's difficult as hell for me to single out one song above another. But since I have to pick, I'll go with "Talisman". It's an absolutely crushing stoner-doom number that harkens back to 2002's Heavy Rocks, yet is equally apt as an extension of Pink. If hard rock is your thing, then be sure to check out the deluxe edition in its entirety. If you're already a Boris fan, you won't want to miss any of the gems on Forbidden Songs either!
 
 
@Zeus' picks
 
"LEM" by KEEL

KEEL is why I don't cry about disbandments anymore. When 9GOATS imploded and girugamesh hung up their hats, I was distraught...until this band rose from the ashes to scratch an itch those two could never get. It's a fusion of turn of the century nagoya kei with modern heaviness and sensibilities visual kei hasn't seen since the legendary deadman. With four of the most seasoned musicians in the scene, there's a lot to love about KEEL. I cannot deny how straightforwardly emotional their music is on their single Ugly duckling, and is how B-side "LEM" won me over; rhythmic bass, pounding drums, and the constantly shifting guitars are easy to get lost in. It's heavy without being distracting and the melody slides into semi-amorphic nagoya kei melancholy and song structure so naturally it's a little scary. The bridge and the chorus in particular send shivers down my spine when Ryo alternates between his crooning vocals, his rasp, and his normal range, showcasing his deceptively wide range and those trademark KEEL croons. You never quite know what's coming next until the end. I look forward to the day when KEEL announces a proper full-length album.
 
"詩踏み(utafumi)" by DIR EN GREY

Dir en grey drops the nuanced groove and focus on atmosphere for pure aggression and it's absolutely amazing. Distilling all the best parts of their last three albums into a three minute songs is a herculean task, but Dir en grey do it right. "詩踏み"'s loose structure takes a few listens to digest, yet it still manages to create a claustrophobic, religious experience with the atmosphere that keeps my ears glued to my headphones. The completely mental music video and their accompanying look has quickly become my favorite one of year, perfectly capturing the aggression, energy, and confusion of the song. If this is a sign that they've embraced their visual kei roots once more, this is one hell of a return! As we approach their 20th anniversary, "詩踏み" is a bold statement that Dir en grey isn't done yet.
 
 
@doombox's picks
 
"One Last Time" by HONE YOUR SENSE 

Brutal metalcore? Deathcore? I'm not even sure anymore with all the labels these days, but I can tell you it's heavy and excellent. HONE YOUR SENSE never fail to impress with their releases and it sounds like upcoming mini album will pack quite a punch if "One Last Time" is any indicator, which I am positive it is. The song is fast and furious, yet clear enough for all of the technical guitarwork and lightning speed drum fills to have equal footing. It's the kind of thrill ride only HYS is capable of giving you and if you haven't checked them out yet, I highly encourage that you do so!
 
"忌際(kisai)" by chariots

When the return of chariots was announced I took my time getting around to catching up with them. I half expected more of their previous melodic style heavily laden with the usual visual kei tropes. Color me surprised when I checked out their latest release and was, quite frankly, blown away. I would have never expected a heavier, more orchestral turn towards power metal. But stepping outside of the box is exactly what the doctor ordered. And while Riku may have kept most of the spotlight for himself in the previous incarnation of chariots, taking a chance to let everyone else shine only brings up his own caliber of vocal delivery to meet them this time around.
 
"Nightcrawler" by OBLIVION DUST

Four years is much too long to go between OBLIVION DUST releases. VAMPS and FAKE? are just no substitution for the original, as fun as they may be. And the trio are back to their old tricks (and a couple of new ones) on the most recent release DIRT this month which had a surprisingly quiet release. The songs are more of what we have come to expect from OBLIVION DUST's electronically-charged industrial rock with Ken Lloyd's signature whine. "Nightcrawler" follows suit and serves as a great introduction for newcomers and a fun romp for die hard fans as well!
 
 
 
Guest Reviews
 
@chemicalpictures' picks
 
"100年前から、こんにちは。(hyakunen mae kara, konnichiwa.)" by Develop One's Faculties

If I had to choose one band to be the flagship of current VK, it would be Develop One's Faculties. They are all extremely gifted musicians who aren't afraid of experimenting and infusing their songs with new sounds, which makes Yuya's project is much more interesting than your average VK experience. In this song they get in touch with their indie rock influences, Yuya's clean riffs could be easily seen in bands like cinema staff or androp. Johannes is a beast as usual, DOF's 'let it loose' style let him shine so much more than his previous works. This kind of approach is very healthy for them as a band and for the scene, as VK could use more genre-bending bands, instead of the regular chugga-chugga we are used to. Overall, while this is definitely not their most creative or innovative effort, it is one of those songs to end the encore of a concert in such a high note you'll end up wanting more.
 
"人魚姫(ningyo hime)" by FoLLoW

FoLLoW is one of those acts that gets under people's radar for a reason I don't really know. Their sound is TIGHT. MASASHI's vocals are really on point, perfectly expressing his feelings and guiding the listener through the song. I also really like maki's drum lines; while basic, they help give an edge and nicely dictate the rhythm of the song. The 03:33 part into the last chorus is really powerful and emotional. All in all, this is by no means an epic song, but everything here matches so perfectly I can't help but have a smile on my face by the end.
 
 
@Ada Suilen's picks
 
"詩踏み(utafumi)" by DIR EN GREY

I have to admit that 'not visual' DEG were not one of my favourite bands until I heard "Rinkaku". And with "Utafumi", despite of its length, they enhanced their style at an incredible level. The technique is incredibly relevant in this dim and painful track, where Kyo's theatrical and creepy approach fits incredibly with the whole thing. Surely one of the best tracks of the year!
 
"斑(mura)" by Develop One's Faculties

One of the best rookies so far have probably reached the best of themselves. Their eccentric rock sound evolved a lot, arriving to touch more unpredictable and skillful features, where their latest song, "Mura", represents the apex of what was their project; with sublime funk bass lines and beating rhythms, this band literally caught my heart and my ears.
 
 

Thank you for hanging out with us another month! 
Special thanks to our guest reviewers! If anyone would like to be a guest reviewer in the future please contact @doombox for more info!
 
 
 
 

Also still living the single life.  It's like the longer I'm single the more awkward I get and the less I know how to meet new people. Lol. Oh well~

ya boi's bands are on hiatus! (permanently?)
 
http://natalie.mu/music/news/204120
 

Gesu's upcoming album release has also been canceled http://natalie.mu/music/news/204133
 
lol mess

Definitely a grower, but I particularly enjoy it because there is so much NOVEMBERS-lite. For me, "Beautiful Fire" -> "What Little Love" -> "Wind" is such a flawless stretch of the album. I also reaaally like "I Want You to Love Me" for its slow, droning shoegaze scrumptiousness. Of the dark/heavy tracks though, I like "Even Time Ages" a lot.
 
Yesss, beni! I just love "Cruisin' Cruisin'" and was gonna cover that one too, if you hadn't

Enon, good grief...
 

Haru, new brother of the Night's Watch. lol
 
jk. I always like their looks. Also looking forward to new material. 

September was an interesting month for sure. Aimer, Her Name In Blood, XAA-XAA, TAMTAM, Chanty, MUCC, and SCAPEGOAT all had releases I'm enjoying! I haven't spent much time with the new downy record, but it and alt of the society both are in my queue so I'll be getting on those soon! Am I the only one super disappointed with the new NOVEMBERS? "1000 Years" was the only track I walked away excited about. :/ Idk, I'll try a few more spins and see if it grows on me, though.

Enon, good grief...
 

September was an interesting month for sure. Aimer, Her Name In Blood, XAA-XAA, TAMTAM, Chanty, MUCC, and SCAPEGOAT all had releases I'm enjoying! I haven't spent much time with the new downy record, but it and alt of the society both are in my queue so I'll be getting on those soon! Am I the only one super disappointed with the new NOVEMBERS? "1000 Years" was the only track I walked away excited about. :/ Idk, I'll try a few more spins and see if it grows on me, though.

Reviving this thread cause I was in a Vidoll mood today... and none of the members' subsequent projects really do it for me, so I was watching some old Vidoll live vids.
 
 
This song gets special mention both because it's good, and the guitarist being tasked with just doing repeated VK bird calls throughout the chorus is amazing. Shouts to @inartisticfor uploading it.

Welcome back to our monthly collection of songs we thought rocked this month! And boy, oh boy, is this month packed full of quality tunes! So please keep your arms and legs securely next to you until this ride comes to a full stop. We apologize some videos may not be available to view in all regions. And we'd like to thank our guest contributors @Ada Suilen and @chemicalpictures for joining us once again! 
 
 
Recommended Tracks: September 2016
 
 
@beni's Picks
 
"たぶんわたしがゆうれいだったら (Tabun watashi ga yuureidattara)" by Her Ghost Friend

I admit that I was a bit late to this party, but throughout the entire month, I mashed the repeat button YouTube to this tune. One of the best ways to describe Her Ghost Friend is probably comparing her to Izumi Makura and Bonjour Suzuki, mixed with Etsuko Yakushimaru's anime tunes, but even cuter! Hold your horses though, it's not rap at all!  The act is comprised of duo singer Shinobu Ono and DJ Obake. The synths over a relaxing, almost ambient but playful beat makes this such a joy to listen to. With a childish yet ethereal voice, Her Ghost Friend have certainly caught my fancy.
 
"Kiss" by lovefilm

Even though their first ever album was quite a flop to me, I at least took this with me for keeps. lovefilm was quite a new name to many, and probably even more to come. I only managed to discover them from following the label UKPROJECT, and I'm sure glad it was "Kiss" I stumbled upon. The band have the female and male duo vocals going on, which is always a treat to the ears -- especially when both are so similar. It's especially sweet when they harmonize, and while the tune is definitely simple, it's worth your attention at least once for the feel good vibes.
 
"Cruisin' Cruisin'" by bonobos

Many thanks to @CAT5 for showing this to me firstly. For someone like myself who doesn't know the first thing about groove, this is a great starter. Everything about "Cruisin' Cruisin'" is just... well, cruisin'! The smoothness of everything, from the seemingly effortless cool vocals to the - just as amazing - chill instrumentals makes this so serene. For a linear, five minute track, you'd be surprised with how quick it seems to end. You can't help but be sucked into the whole feel of the tune. As I've said before, there's only a handful of such musicians I know and enjoy, such as cero being the closest act to them, so being exposed to even more brilliance is a pleasure! And I know it goes the same for everyone else too. Don't miss this!
 
"supercell" by Cö shu Nie

I had known this name for quite a while thanks to @CAT5, who had brought them up to me once again since their music change with this. And now I can't stop digging them! The now rocking pop duo do not let up their energy with this super number. The chaotic yet gorgeous tune is certainly energetic, and with the strong and lush female vocals of Mirai Nakamura, it really stands out and makes an impression. It's a move from their indie/math sound, and a change I've seen no one disagree with. I can safely say they have a least one more fan after this genre switch! I'm sure they'll quickly start to garner attention.
 
"She won't forget" by Someday's Gone

Telling the story of remembering fond yet bitter memories in the corner of a coffee shop, "She won't forget" is an instantly catchy number, relatable, genuine and real. The balance of sweetness with the vocalization "dood, dood, do do do" from pleasant, youthful male voice with the clearly bitter lyrics makes for an emotional and impactful listen. I can't blame anyone to be turned off at the rather amateurish Engrish delivery, but if you can overlook that and enjoy his voice, then you've sure got a nice little gem here. Also, any music video recorded in a coffee shop is the definition of cute, so how about adding "She won't forget" to your memory?

"CRAZY" by I don't like Mondays.

Everything about these guys is so infectious with each and every piece they put out! I have no idea how they do it. How they manage to make a great mixture of Japanese and English, while making it sound as good as it does is beyond me. The effortless Western feel and sound these guys can put out is so very impressive, and deserving of much more attention. From the incredibly... questionable music video style, to just how god damn gorgeous everyone looks, you'll be 'CRAZY' if you don't end up feeling like grooving to this! Be sure to check them out sooner or later while they're on fire with all their recent output!
 
 
@fitear1590's Picks
 
"Ice Candy" by カフカ (KAFUKA)

Last year, pop rockers KAFUKA put out Tokyo 9 Stories, a commendable album. Less than twelve months later, they're already back with another one, AINKSKI (あいなきせかい / ai naki sekai). While I haven't heard the full release yet, "Ice Candy" puts the album off to great start. It's a jaunty romp, punctuated with some surprisingly fuzzy guitar riffs. Frankly, I didn't know the boys had it in 'em to go in an even moderately shoegaze direction. Color me intrigued. The PV matches the aesthetic with some icy Super 8-style film footage. Let's hope the rest of the album has some nice surprises too!
 
"美しい火 (Beautiful Fire)" by THE NOVEMBERS

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of NOVEMBERS ~dream ver.~, so when they gave us a second taste of their new album (Hallelujah) via Soundcloud, it was love at first listen. "Beautiful Fire" is gorgeous and the polar opposite of the shoegrunge grittiness of July's "黒い虹 (Black Rainbow)," which was also stellar. This track has more conviction than the dreamy, yet wispy work on last year's Elegance and it also marks a glorious return to those warm horn arrangements, a nod to 2012's stunning GIFT EP. They add a nostalgic touch here, as well as on album-closer "いこうよ (ikou yo)." There's plenty to chew on with Hallelujah, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already!
 
"ポイズンベリー (poison berry)" by トキノキト (tokinokito)

 
Tokinokito seem to be slipping under people's radars, but if you're a neo-VK fan, what's not to like? They come bearing surprisingly slick visuals for a super indies band and with "poison berry," they introduce a quirky take on the graveyard circus sound so dear to their heavier contemporaries GRIMOIRE. The track opens with spooky chimes and accordion, just in time for Halloween! Then, whimsical synths and noodling guitar riffs lead us into the meat of the song. The verses are an unconventional mesh of time signatures that take some getting used to, but it's kind of brilliant. Tokinokito continue to grab my attention, so I think I'll be in it with them for the long haul. Hope you'll join me!
 
 
@Original Saku's Picks
 
"鬼 (Oni)" by クリープハイプ (CreepHyp)

This month kicks off with one of my most anticipated albums - Sekaikan from CreepHyp - and it does not disappoint. "Oni" is like a crazy train ride with a dose of peculiar sounds and grooves, it includes all the quirky aspects from this band that I love. From the wacky backing vocals to the unorthodox instrumental sounds to the eccentric vocal style of Ozaki. It's all there in a little package waiting to be unwrapped, I love it. One of my favorite albums of the year from one of my favorite bands, check it out. I will however forewarn any new listeners that Ozaki's vocals can be an acquired taste. Sometimes he sings in such a high pitch that it can be hard on the ears, but his eccentricity is very lovable once you've warmed up to it.
 
"twoface" by Aimer

I'm by no means a stranger to Aimer. I've been listening to her output for years in anime openings/endings and soundtracks, but lately I've noticed a slight shift in motivation or direction. That brings us to her new album daydream, and in particular the song "twoface", with music produced by Uchisawa Takahito from androp. This track has a lot of power behind it, which I don't often hear from Aimer songs, and it has caught my attention because of that. She performs wonderfully here and is in top form. That, combined with the interesting instrumentals and direction, makes this one of my favorite songs from her. I can't exactly put my finger on what has changed, but I feel that we have only just begun to see what she can do.
 
"Groovy Cony" by Casablanca

This is a  sleeper pick from last month that I wasn't able to get to since it came out so close to the deadline. Casablanca a newly formed band comprised of Yoko (noodles), Sawao Yamanaka (the pillows), and Shinya Kusube (Radio Caroline) - a veritable super group if you will. With such talent coming together, there was no doubt in my mind that their first album Another Story would be quality tunes, but nothing prepared me for the instant gratification that I received upon listening to this record. "Groovy Cony" is just one of the amazing tracks from this debut release that has a particular sound that I can only describe as nostalgia in a bottle. With Sawao's guitar work, backing vocals, and composition, and Kusube's loud and proud drumming, we have a instrumental style that harkens back to the sounds of old. You then add in Yoko as the lead vocalist and we have a distinct sound that feels nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
 
 
@togz' Picks
 
"Redemption" by Her Name in Blood 

I became a little concerned for the direction of this album with the release of the "Bakemono" music video. However, the majority of the tracks on this release really caught me by surprise. "Redemption" was the composition that grasped my interest the most. The guitar work in the beginning serves as a great hook for the entire track regardless of the repetition. Although the guitar riffs aren't very complex and we get a lot of palm-muted chugga-chugs, I found myself subconsciously bobbing my head along. The strongest aspect of this song is the catchy chorus. Ikepy's vocals really show growth with the range, depth, and stamina of his cleans. I can only hope to enjoy this song live some day. This is a must listen!
 
"海の静寂 (Umi no Seijaku)" by downy

I'm fairly new to the world of downy, but I have this song along with a few others to thank for getting me hooked. I'm not sure if this song is a great representation of all of their past work, but I can vouch that it's a great easy-listening track. I admire the flow of this song because of it's slow jazzy mood with silky-slick vocal phrases.  It's a rather sluggish song, but it's not muddy and it's tasteful. It works as great thinking music, inspirational music, or just something to sit back and relax to. 
 
"愛はなけなし (What Little Love)" by THE NOVEMBERS

THE NOVEMBERS never seem to disappoint, but this song in specific really resonates with me from their new album Hallelujah. The intro is a beautiful and emotionally dark combination of beautiful acoustics and muted guitar strums. Kobayashi's voice enters in a lullaby-esque melody, which fits his voice flawlessly given that his tone can range from a whispering chant to raw shouting. The middle section of the song is an interesting direction change and really jumps back to their dream-pop sound, but remains able to melt back into the solemn vibe of the song overall. While I would highly recommend the whole album, this track is where I'd start.
 
"ぴゅーぱ。( Pyupa/Pupa)" by PIGLOW in GLOOMY

I feel like visual kei has become a realm filled with cookie-cutter bands and finding gems is a chore. I listened to PIGLOW in GLOOMY on a whim, and while I wasn't amazed, I wasn't disappointed either. This track is off of their first mini-album むくあ(mukua) which was released August 31st. I like this track because it has hints of what visual kei sounded like when it was at it's peak for me, which was the obscurely mellow intros that lead into heavy guitar riffs and gave off a psychedelic sort of vibe.  The composition itself isn't too complex, but it shows potential to head in a very interesting direction. The vocal style also reminds me a bit of Karma from AvelCain, so if you're in to that I'd say they're worth a listen!
 
 
@emmny's Picks
 
"頭蓋、紛い (zugai, magai)" by gibkiy gibkiy gibkiy

Grandpa-kei' icons ggg return with a new single for September, hilarious titled I LOVE YOU. Considering how dark their sound is, a simple 'I love you' is an ironic declaration more so than a love letter. While the title track of the single has a stutter-y groove and an old-school merry go round vibe, "Zugai, Magai" chooses instead to brood and melt in its own darkness, giving a nod to later-era merry go. Kazuma's yelling has been a love-hate affair on their past material, as i enjoy his clean vocals more than his dragged-out-vibrato-whimper-yell, but it sounds perfect haunted on this track. I don't think anyone would have predicted ggg's success (or existence) 10 years ago, but this oddly random project has flourished into one hell of a beast. They exist on a creative plane far from their contemporaries, yet with an incredibly familiar sound that grows in magnitude with each release, it's incredibly thrilling to watch.
 
"EVIDENCE" by lynch.

Gang vocals? Yes. Delayed and reverberated clean guitar intro? Hell yeah. Compression for the gods? You know it. Thumping metalcore break down? Duh. Fist pumping chorus? Absolutely. lynch. basically rehashing what they've been doing for the past 3 years but still managing to blow our ears in with some surprises here and there? Thank god!
 
"カミソリ (Kamisori)" by ザアザア (Xaa-xaa)

Osaka it-band Xaa-Xaa are once again spamming us with music, this time in the form of a 3-month consecutive release around the theme of 'despair'. "Kamisori" is the first incarnation of this project, and Xaa-Xaa handle the questionably triggering concept with fury and also grace. "Kamisori" features a thrashy guitar riff at its centre with this oddly cute wonky tone that keeps it from coming across too 'metal'. Kazuki's vocals are at times breathy, other times strained, increasing the tension behind the words (special shout out to that howl at the end). The song flows incredibly well, outside of repeating the main riff a few times too many. The progression from the breakdown to the solo is particularly awesome. Next month is looking to be great too...see y'all here in October?
 
"撲殺サマンサ (Bokusatsu Samantha)" by DAMY

I'm gonna be real honest with y'all (as you can always expect): there's little merit to the new DAMY record outside of DEZERT's obvious influence. I knew it was an enjoyable record, but I didn't find any new tracks were interesting enough on their own for a feature. It works better as a whole... except for "Bokusatsu Samantha". This is straight up catchy metal-kei that stands amazingly on its own--so we'll forgive the fact that this technically came out in 2015. There's not much to rave on about this track, it's not that complex, or original, or all that interesting--but it's so fucking fun. You'll be screaming along to the gang refrain in no time, not knowing the band's detailing whacking a girl over the head to death. Intellectual music has it's place, but sometimes you just wanna whip your hair to some depravity--thank god DAMY make music for that.
 
 
@Zeus' Picks
 
"The Love From a Dead Orchestra" by Versailles

Versailles' return and announcement of new material is the greatest gift they could have given to their fans. There's been a dearth of good symphonic visual kei acts to fill Versailles' flowery rococo heels, but they didn't go out on the best note, so their Greatest Hits release feels less like a cash-in and more of an attempt to convince us there's enough magic to keep going. The tracks they chose were among the best of the best, but one in particular caught my eye almost instantly. I prayed and fantasized about what an updated rendition of "The Love From a Dead Orchestra" would sound like for years as it's always been a bold song held back by constrained production choices and a vocalist who had not yet adapted to his range. The re-recording exceeded my expectations. Some rough transitions were smoothed over with the inclusion of new instruments, everything was redone from scratch, and new lyrics were added to cover up sparse interludes. In terms of low-hanging optimizations to the melody the band plucked them all and then some. What's harder to communicate with words - and what Versailles did successfully - is play like a band. There's the perfect mix of old Versailles and new Versailles here to both restore my faith and keep my interest for what's to come.
 
 "孤独旋回 (kodoku senkai)" by downy

It's no secret that I'm all about downy's latest LP, 第六作品集『無題』 (Mudai), but it's hard to describe in words the emotions I feel when listening. If I had to choose one track that captures the entire feel of 『無題』, it would be "孤独旋回" (kodoku senkai). If 『無題』 were a story, "孤独旋回" would be the tense rising action before the climax. The rhythm is as tortuous as it is both uplifting and oddly distressing, beckoning the listener this way and then another with the variations in tempo and theme. I can feel the members of downy flexing their knowledge of musical theory on me with this one. Fans of post-rock and mathy melodies still new to downy just might fall in love. Moments of tranquility are upended into a whirlwind of emotion, painted with the melancholy tones of vocalist Robin Aoki. Such a description is fitting for a track named "Revolving Loneliness". One of the best tracks of September for sure!  
 
 
@CAT5's Picks
 
"2772" by ZA FEEDO

Initially appearing on a Yasei Collective feature back in 2014, ZA FEEDO have finally come forth with their debut album  2772, sporting what they describe as a 'Futurist Polyrhythmic Tropical Bad Ass FUJIYAMA Sound '. While they site acts like Aphex Twin, Little Dragon, Miles Davis, and bjork as influences, on their latest PV for the title track "2772", ZA FEEDO's off-kilter grooves and soulful vocals land them closer to the realm of Spangle call Lilli Line. The song has a great balance of experimental ingenuity and accessible, pop charisma. Let's hope the album is just as good!
 
"星雲ヒッチハイク (seiun hitch-hike)" by TAMTAM

TAMTAM originally made a name for themselves by creating a delectable fusion of Jpop and dub. They tried a few new things in 2014 - most of which seemed like a direct appeal to the Anime industry - but thankfully, they've returned to form on their new album NEWPOESY, even stating in their promo campaign, "Back to the Riddim"! The album is full of sweet, soulful jams that, while enjoyable, are best appreciated as a whole. "星雲ヒッチハイク" stands out completely on its own, though! It's an epic, expansive groove and the most pristinely gorgeous track of not only the album, but of TAMTAM's career thus far!
 
"白薔薇のララバイ (shirobara no lullaby)" by 手嶌葵 (Aoi Teshima)

When it comes to Jpop songstress Aoi Teshima, her music is just as classy, elegant, and beautiful as she is! She just released a new album titled 青い図書室 (Blue library) in celebration of her 10th anniversary and it's expectedly lovely. "白薔薇のララバイ" is particularly extravagant, with its somber, psychedelic-folk sound that harkens back to 70's kayōkyoku ballads, and even brings to mind the likes of Douji Morita. Absolutely stunning!
 
"Falling Alone" by Aimer

Hot on the heels of her recent single "insane dream" (produced by ONE OK ROCK's Taka), Aimer has finally dropped her new album daydream this month, which features three additional tracks penned by Taka as well. Of the three, "Falling Alone" serves us the kind of riveting pop-rock we've come to love from Aimer - even towering above "ninelie", which was produced by 'Mr. epic' himself, Hiroyuki Sawano. Taka and Aimer have proven to be a potent combination. The chorus of this song is EVERYTHING!
 
"Sunshine Freeway" by I love you Orchestra

I love you Orchestra is one of those bands that look brilliant on paper, but unfortunately, have yet to deliver anything truly substantial. With two drummers and three guitarists, one would expect some level of brilliance, but so far, their releases have consisted of songs too spastic to really get into, and songs too short to offer anything memorable. Thankfully, their sound finally seems to be coming together on their third and newest album Crack. "Sunshine Freeway" reflects this by perfectly balancing out the band's spastic tendencies with more accessible melodies and a coherent structure. The song feels more like an actual experience now, as opposed to just passing sounds. Japan's instrumental scene has been lacking lately, but these guys may just put a 'Crack' in the monotony!  
 
"see through sway in you" by 別野加奈 (Kana Wakareno)

Kana Wakareno is a young singer, pianist and cinematographer, who just recently released her third album forget me not, and it's absolutely exquisite! Her music is based on her own, imaginary/fictional landscapes, and through each track, you get a clear sense of her cinematic visions. The minimalistic melancholy of "see through sway in you" congers up a particularly visceral scene, with its mournful, yet gorgeous melodies and subtle background noises that sound to be the crackling of a fire - you get a sense that there's warmth nearby, but at the moment, there's something comforting about how numbing the cold is. Amazing.
 
"六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ (rokugatsu no ame ni utarete)" by alt of the society

Real Japanese emo is a bit of a scarcity. The scene is relatively small, and there aren't an abundance of fans in or outside of Japan, so I was pretty delighted when I finally got my hands on alt of the society's new album 追憶の風景 (tsuioku no fuukei), which was released all the way back in March! Not only was my need for this style of music sated, but the album also provided a few gems as well - "六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ" being one of them. It's a track with a traditional kind of post-rock build, starting relatively calm and then climaxing into a swell of emotion. Easily one of the most compelling tracks of the album!
 
 
"滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。(mekkin, shoudoku, bansoukou.)" by Chanty

Chanty are undeniably a VK band, yet they've continuously proven that their appeal extends beyond the scene. They're just as at home being on the same bill as VK bands like Grieva and Kuroyuri to Kage as they are sharing the stage with "non-vk" acts like indie-rockers aquarifa. On their latest album 不完全な音楽 (fukanzen na ongaku), they continue to straddle that line between unabashed "vk-ism" and indie appeal - they're almost like a VK version of cinema staff in that regard. "滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。" takes that archetypal, circus-y VK rock sound and amps it up a bit with the spastic recklessness of a 9mm parabellum bullet or Arukara track. This song is a helluva lot of fun!
 
"灰よ (hai yo)" by 平沢進 (Susumu Hirasawa)

The musical wizard of everything wondrous, the one and only, the legend himself, Susumu Hirasawa has just released Ash Crow, a compilation of songs he's composed for the Berserk franchise over a span of 20 years. The compilation features songs from the Berserk movies, games, and even some of the new insert songs from the Berserk 2016 anime - most notably "Hai yo"! The song is suitably dark and epic, evoking the grim nature of the show while providing the perfect backdrop for the demonic warfare of the series. It's a song that's both uniquely Hirasawa, and uniquely Berserk. It's a shame that the Berserk 2016 anime wasn't worthy of such a great piece!
 
Guest Recommendations
 
@Ada Suilen's Picks
 
"1000 Years" by THE NOVEMBERS

After the dark and dreamy Elegance EP, The Novembers have come back with their sixth album Hallelujah. A product which doesn't disappoint for a single note. But if you isolate it carefully, you can see the single vibes that are inside it: nostalgic rock sound, with even a passionate soul full of adrenaline and astonishing themes, which I liked most. "1000 Years" represents perfectly the most rebellious and out-of-scheme style that this band could ever do (those grungy vocals!).
 
"Trigger" by MUCC

In my opinion, MUCC is one of the few bands which always opted to stupefy and to entertain in unusual ways (think about the genres they've showed off); in their latest single this happened once again. With an energetic A-side and a curious first track on the B-side, here we are in front of something which smells unexpected and incredible. "Trigger" appears as one of the 'black-sheep' of MUCC's discography, where a warm guitar intertwines with sublime vocals and the structure twists around itself each second for a whirling musical experience.
 
 
@chemicalpictures' Picks
 
"拒絶 (kyosetzu)" by SCAPEGOAT

SCAPEGOAT was always a hit-and-miss band for me. While I loved "告白＿時々、雨 (kokuhaku ___ tokidoki, ame)", I couldn't care less for the other five songs on the mini. What made me love it so much is that the guys have a concept of trying to tell a story through their songs. They got it right that time, and got it right on the spot again! The Nagoya-y vocal lines set the tone and create a heavy atmosphere full of visual kei tropes like whispers, moaning and slow paced singing. The lead guitar nicely defines the tempo, starting slow and exploding into a catchy, dark and powerful chorus that provides some nice headbanging moments. You can feel that they are trying to express that emotional burst through the chorus, and that's an interesting little quirk. Music-wise there is nothing really innovative to be seen here, but it's a nice banger on a slow vkei month.
 
"Jellyfish" by ZON

With their third single, ZON is showing how consistently good they are. All the songs are great on this single, but "Jellyfish" stood out mainly because of 834. I'd like to get everyone's attention on how good that guy is. The song already starts packing a punch: 834's drums all over your face, dueling with Mii's melodic guitar lines, while Azu does his thing. Everything is just fine, but it all goes wild in the chorus, with 834's drums again in the spotlight, urging you to stand up and dance. It's IMPOSSIBLE to stand still. They really let him go full crazy mode... It's interesting how he subverts the regular progressive rock beat infusing a high octane funky-afrobeat, making it so energetic and vibrant (lol, sorry I got a little carried away here, but he is THAT good!). Another nice touch is the transition on the three-minute mark from the classic vk slow bridge into fast chorus transition. Smooth AF. This is EDR with a capital R, guys. These guys can be HUGE in no time.
 
Thanks for hanging out with us for another month of songs and we hope you enjoyed them as much as we did! Please comment below if you had any special songs this month you didn't see listed above that deserve some attention! We'd love to hear about them, or any of the songs we've listed above. Please let us know what you thought.  If you'd like to become a guest contributor for Recommended Tracks next month please contact @doombox!
 
Until next time~

Always nice to have you join in! I think there was just a lot to choose from, and a couple of the regulars couldn't participate this month including myself so that is a factor. But thanks to the guest contributions I thought vk still had a fairly strong showing.  

Welcome back to our monthly collection of songs we thought rocked this month! And boy, oh boy, is this month packed full of quality tunes! So please keep your arms and legs securely next to you until this ride comes to a full stop. We apologize some videos may not be available to view in all regions. And we'd like to thank our guest contributors @Ada Suilen and @chemicalpictures for joining us once again! 
 
 
Recommended Tracks: September 2016
 
 
@beni's Picks
 
"たぶんわたしがゆうれいだったら (Tabun watashi ga yuureidattara)" by Her Ghost Friend

I admit that I was a bit late to this party, but throughout the entire month, I mashed the repeat button YouTube to this tune. One of the best ways to describe Her Ghost Friend is probably comparing her to Izumi Makura and Bonjour Suzuki, mixed with Etsuko Yakushimaru's anime tunes, but even cuter! Hold your horses though, it's not rap at all!  The act is comprised of duo singer Shinobu Ono and DJ Obake. The synths over a relaxing, almost ambient but playful beat makes this such a joy to listen to. With a childish yet ethereal voice, Her Ghost Friend have certainly caught my fancy.
 
"Kiss" by lovefilm

Even though their first ever album was quite a flop to me, I at least took this with me for keeps. lovefilm was quite a new name to many, and probably even more to come. I only managed to discover them from following the label UKPROJECT, and I'm sure glad it was "Kiss" I stumbled upon. The band have the female and male duo vocals going on, which is always a treat to the ears -- especially when both are so similar. It's especially sweet when they harmonize, and while the tune is definitely simple, it's worth your attention at least once for the feel good vibes.
 
"Cruisin' Cruisin'" by bonobos

Many thanks to @CAT5 for showing this to me firstly. For someone like myself who doesn't know the first thing about groove, this is a great starter. Everything about "Cruisin' Cruisin'" is just... well, cruisin'! The smoothness of everything, from the seemingly effortless cool vocals to the - just as amazing - chill instrumentals makes this so serene. For a linear, five minute track, you'd be surprised with how quick it seems to end. You can't help but be sucked into the whole feel of the tune. As I've said before, there's only a handful of such musicians I know and enjoy, such as cero being the closest act to them, so being exposed to even more brilliance is a pleasure! And I know it goes the same for everyone else too. Don't miss this!
 
"supercell" by Cö shu Nie

I had known this name for quite a while thanks to @CAT5, who had brought them up to me once again since their music change with this. And now I can't stop digging them! The now rocking pop duo do not let up their energy with this super number. The chaotic yet gorgeous tune is certainly energetic, and with the strong and lush female vocals of Mirai Nakamura, it really stands out and makes an impression. It's a move from their indie/math sound, and a change I've seen no one disagree with. I can safely say they have a least one more fan after this genre switch! I'm sure they'll quickly start to garner attention.
 
"She won't forget" by Someday's Gone

Telling the story of remembering fond yet bitter memories in the corner of a coffee shop, "She won't forget" is an instantly catchy number, relatable, genuine and real. The balance of sweetness with the vocalization "dood, dood, do do do" from pleasant, youthful male voice with the clearly bitter lyrics makes for an emotional and impactful listen. I can't blame anyone to be turned off at the rather amateurish Engrish delivery, but if you can overlook that and enjoy his voice, then you've sure got a nice little gem here. Also, any music video recorded in a coffee shop is the definition of cute, so how about adding "She won't forget" to your memory?

"CRAZY" by I don't like Mondays.

Everything about these guys is so infectious with each and every piece they put out! I have no idea how they do it. How they manage to make a great mixture of Japanese and English, while making it sound as good as it does is beyond me. The effortless Western feel and sound these guys can put out is so very impressive, and deserving of much more attention. From the incredibly... questionable music video style, to just how god damn gorgeous everyone looks, you'll be 'CRAZY' if you don't end up feeling like grooving to this! Be sure to check them out sooner or later while they're on fire with all their recent output!
 
 
@fitear1590's Picks
 
"Ice Candy" by カフカ (KAFUKA)

Last year, pop rockers KAFUKA put out Tokyo 9 Stories, a commendable album. Less than twelve months later, they're already back with another one, AINKSKI (あいなきせかい / ai naki sekai). While I haven't heard the full release yet, "Ice Candy" puts the album off to great start. It's a jaunty romp, punctuated with some surprisingly fuzzy guitar riffs. Frankly, I didn't know the boys had it in 'em to go in an even moderately shoegaze direction. Color me intrigued. The PV matches the aesthetic with some icy Super 8-style film footage. Let's hope the rest of the album has some nice surprises too!
 
"美しい火 (Beautiful Fire)" by THE NOVEMBERS

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of NOVEMBERS ~dream ver.~, so when they gave us a second taste of their new album (Hallelujah) via Soundcloud, it was love at first listen. "Beautiful Fire" is gorgeous and the polar opposite of the shoegrunge grittiness of July's "黒い虹 (Black Rainbow)," which was also stellar. This track has more conviction than the dreamy, yet wispy work on last year's Elegance and it also marks a glorious return to those warm horn arrangements, a nod to 2012's stunning GIFT EP. They add a nostalgic touch here, as well as on album-closer "いこうよ (ikou yo)." There's plenty to chew on with Hallelujah, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already!
 
"ポイズンベリー (poison berry)" by トキノキト (tokinokito)

 
Tokinokito seem to be slipping under people's radars, but if you're a neo-VK fan, what's not to like? They come bearing surprisingly slick visuals for a super indies band and with "poison berry," they introduce a quirky take on the graveyard circus sound so dear to their heavier contemporaries GRIMOIRE. The track opens with spooky chimes and accordion, just in time for Halloween! Then, whimsical synths and noodling guitar riffs lead us into the meat of the song. The verses are an unconventional mesh of time signatures that take some getting used to, but it's kind of brilliant. Tokinokito continue to grab my attention, so I think I'll be in it with them for the long haul. Hope you'll join me!
 
 
@Original Saku's Picks
 
"鬼 (Oni)" by クリープハイプ (CreepHyp)

This month kicks off with one of my most anticipated albums - Sekaikan from CreepHyp - and it does not disappoint. "Oni" is like a crazy train ride with a dose of peculiar sounds and grooves, it includes all the quirky aspects from this band that I love. From the wacky backing vocals to the unorthodox instrumental sounds to the eccentric vocal style of Ozaki. It's all there in a little package waiting to be unwrapped, I love it. One of my favorite albums of the year from one of my favorite bands, check it out. I will however forewarn any new listeners that Ozaki's vocals can be an acquired taste. Sometimes he sings in such a high pitch that it can be hard on the ears, but his eccentricity is very lovable once you've warmed up to it.
 
"twoface" by Aimer

I'm by no means a stranger to Aimer. I've been listening to her output for years in anime openings/endings and soundtracks, but lately I've noticed a slight shift in motivation or direction. That brings us to her new album daydream, and in particular the song "twoface", with music produced by Uchisawa Takahito from androp. This track has a lot of power behind it, which I don't often hear from Aimer songs, and it has caught my attention because of that. She performs wonderfully here and is in top form. That, combined with the interesting instrumentals and direction, makes this one of my favorite songs from her. I can't exactly put my finger on what has changed, but I feel that we have only just begun to see what she can do.
 
"Groovy Cony" by Casablanca

This is a  sleeper pick from last month that I wasn't able to get to since it came out so close to the deadline. Casablanca a newly formed band comprised of Yoko (noodles), Sawao Yamanaka (the pillows), and Shinya Kusube (Radio Caroline) - a veritable super group if you will. With such talent coming together, there was no doubt in my mind that their first album Another Story would be quality tunes, but nothing prepared me for the instant gratification that I received upon listening to this record. "Groovy Cony" is just one of the amazing tracks from this debut release that has a particular sound that I can only describe as nostalgia in a bottle. With Sawao's guitar work, backing vocals, and composition, and Kusube's loud and proud drumming, we have a instrumental style that harkens back to the sounds of old. You then add in Yoko as the lead vocalist and we have a distinct sound that feels nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
 
 
@togz' Picks
 
"Redemption" by Her Name in Blood 

I became a little concerned for the direction of this album with the release of the "Bakemono" music video. However, the majority of the tracks on this release really caught me by surprise. "Redemption" was the composition that grasped my interest the most. The guitar work in the beginning serves as a great hook for the entire track regardless of the repetition. Although the guitar riffs aren't very complex and we get a lot of palm-muted chugga-chugs, I found myself subconsciously bobbing my head along. The strongest aspect of this song is the catchy chorus. Ikepy's vocals really show growth with the range, depth, and stamina of his cleans. I can only hope to enjoy this song live some day. This is a must listen!
 
"海の静寂 (Umi no Seijaku)" by downy

I'm fairly new to the world of downy, but I have this song along with a few others to thank for getting me hooked. I'm not sure if this song is a great representation of all of their past work, but I can vouch that it's a great easy-listening track. I admire the flow of this song because of it's slow jazzy mood with silky-slick vocal phrases.  It's a rather sluggish song, but it's not muddy and it's tasteful. It works as great thinking music, inspirational music, or just something to sit back and relax to. 
 
"愛はなけなし (What Little Love)" by THE NOVEMBERS

THE NOVEMBERS never seem to disappoint, but this song in specific really resonates with me from their new album Hallelujah. The intro is a beautiful and emotionally dark combination of beautiful acoustics and muted guitar strums. Kobayashi's voice enters in a lullaby-esque melody, which fits his voice flawlessly given that his tone can range from a whispering chant to raw shouting. The middle section of the song is an interesting direction change and really jumps back to their dream-pop sound, but remains able to melt back into the solemn vibe of the song overall. While I would highly recommend the whole album, this track is where I'd start.
 
"ぴゅーぱ。( Pyupa/Pupa)" by PIGLOW in GLOOMY

I feel like visual kei has become a realm filled with cookie-cutter bands and finding gems is a chore. I listened to PIGLOW in GLOOMY on a whim, and while I wasn't amazed, I wasn't disappointed either. This track is off of their first mini-album むくあ(mukua) which was released August 31st. I like this track because it has hints of what visual kei sounded like when it was at it's peak for me, which was the obscurely mellow intros that lead into heavy guitar riffs and gave off a psychedelic sort of vibe.  The composition itself isn't too complex, but it shows potential to head in a very interesting direction. The vocal style also reminds me a bit of Karma from AvelCain, so if you're in to that I'd say they're worth a listen!
 
 
@emmny's Picks
 
"頭蓋、紛い (zugai, magai)" by gibkiy gibkiy gibkiy

Grandpa-kei' icons ggg return with a new single for September, hilarious titled I LOVE YOU. Considering how dark their sound is, a simple 'I love you' is an ironic declaration more so than a love letter. While the title track of the single has a stutter-y groove and an old-school merry go round vibe, "Zugai, Magai" chooses instead to brood and melt in its own darkness, giving a nod to later-era merry go. Kazuma's yelling has been a love-hate affair on their past material, as i enjoy his clean vocals more than his dragged-out-vibrato-whimper-yell, but it sounds perfect haunted on this track. I don't think anyone would have predicted ggg's success (or existence) 10 years ago, but this oddly random project has flourished into one hell of a beast. They exist on a creative plane far from their contemporaries, yet with an incredibly familiar sound that grows in magnitude with each release, it's incredibly thrilling to watch.
 
"EVIDENCE" by lynch.

Gang vocals? Yes. Delayed and reverberated clean guitar intro? Hell yeah. Compression for the gods? You know it. Thumping metalcore break down? Duh. Fist pumping chorus? Absolutely. lynch. basically rehashing what they've been doing for the past 3 years but still managing to blow our ears in with some surprises here and there? Thank god!
 
"カミソリ (Kamisori)" by ザアザア (Xaa-xaa)

Osaka it-band Xaa-Xaa are once again spamming us with music, this time in the form of a 3-month consecutive release around the theme of 'despair'. "Kamisori" is the first incarnation of this project, and Xaa-Xaa handle the questionably triggering concept with fury and also grace. "Kamisori" features a thrashy guitar riff at its centre with this oddly cute wonky tone that keeps it from coming across too 'metal'. Kazuki's vocals are at times breathy, other times strained, increasing the tension behind the words (special shout out to that howl at the end). The song flows incredibly well, outside of repeating the main riff a few times too many. The progression from the breakdown to the solo is particularly awesome. Next month is looking to be great too...see y'all here in October?
 
"撲殺サマンサ (Bokusatsu Samantha)" by DAMY

I'm gonna be real honest with y'all (as you can always expect): there's little merit to the new DAMY record outside of DEZERT's obvious influence. I knew it was an enjoyable record, but I didn't find any new tracks were interesting enough on their own for a feature. It works better as a whole... except for "Bokusatsu Samantha". This is straight up catchy metal-kei that stands amazingly on its own--so we'll forgive the fact that this technically came out in 2015. There's not much to rave on about this track, it's not that complex, or original, or all that interesting--but it's so fucking fun. You'll be screaming along to the gang refrain in no time, not knowing the band's detailing whacking a girl over the head to death. Intellectual music has it's place, but sometimes you just wanna whip your hair to some depravity--thank god DAMY make music for that.
 
 
@Zeus' Picks
 
"The Love From a Dead Orchestra" by Versailles

Versailles' return and announcement of new material is the greatest gift they could have given to their fans. There's been a dearth of good symphonic visual kei acts to fill Versailles' flowery rococo heels, but they didn't go out on the best note, so their Greatest Hits release feels less like a cash-in and more of an attempt to convince us there's enough magic to keep going. The tracks they chose were among the best of the best, but one in particular caught my eye almost instantly. I prayed and fantasized about what an updated rendition of "The Love From a Dead Orchestra" would sound like for years as it's always been a bold song held back by constrained production choices and a vocalist who had not yet adapted to his range. The re-recording exceeded my expectations. Some rough transitions were smoothed over with the inclusion of new instruments, everything was redone from scratch, and new lyrics were added to cover up sparse interludes. In terms of low-hanging optimizations to the melody the band plucked them all and then some. What's harder to communicate with words - and what Versailles did successfully - is play like a band. There's the perfect mix of old Versailles and new Versailles here to both restore my faith and keep my interest for what's to come.
 
 "孤独旋回 (kodoku senkai)" by downy

It's no secret that I'm all about downy's latest LP, 第六作品集『無題』 (Mudai), but it's hard to describe in words the emotions I feel when listening. If I had to choose one track that captures the entire feel of 『無題』, it would be "孤独旋回" (kodoku senkai). If 『無題』 were a story, "孤独旋回" would be the tense rising action before the climax. The rhythm is as tortuous as it is both uplifting and oddly distressing, beckoning the listener this way and then another with the variations in tempo and theme. I can feel the members of downy flexing their knowledge of musical theory on me with this one. Fans of post-rock and mathy melodies still new to downy just might fall in love. Moments of tranquility are upended into a whirlwind of emotion, painted with the melancholy tones of vocalist Robin Aoki. Such a description is fitting for a track named "Revolving Loneliness". One of the best tracks of September for sure!  
 
 
@CAT5's Picks
 
"2772" by ZA FEEDO

Initially appearing on a Yasei Collective feature back in 2014, ZA FEEDO have finally come forth with their debut album  2772, sporting what they describe as a 'Futurist Polyrhythmic Tropical Bad Ass FUJIYAMA Sound '. While they site acts like Aphex Twin, Little Dragon, Miles Davis, and bjork as influences, on their latest PV for the title track "2772", ZA FEEDO's off-kilter grooves and soulful vocals land them closer to the realm of Spangle call Lilli Line. The song has a great balance of experimental ingenuity and accessible, pop charisma. Let's hope the album is just as good!
 
"星雲ヒッチハイク (seiun hitch-hike)" by TAMTAM

TAMTAM originally made a name for themselves by creating a delectable fusion of Jpop and dub. They tried a few new things in 2014 - most of which seemed like a direct appeal to the Anime industry - but thankfully, they've returned to form on their new album NEWPOESY, even stating in their promo campaign, "Back to the Riddim"! The album is full of sweet, soulful jams that, while enjoyable, are best appreciated as a whole. "星雲ヒッチハイク" stands out completely on its own, though! It's an epic, expansive groove and the most pristinely gorgeous track of not only the album, but of TAMTAM's career thus far!
 
"白薔薇のララバイ (shirobara no lullaby)" by 手嶌葵 (Aoi Teshima)

When it comes to Jpop songstress Aoi Teshima, her music is just as classy, elegant, and beautiful as she is! She just released a new album titled 青い図書室 (Blue library) in celebration of her 10th anniversary and it's expectedly lovely. "白薔薇のララバイ" is particularly extravagant, with its somber, psychedelic-folk sound that harkens back to 70's kayōkyoku ballads, and even brings to mind the likes of Douji Morita. Absolutely stunning!
 
"Falling Alone" by Aimer

Hot on the heels of her recent single "insane dream" (produced by ONE OK ROCK's Taka), Aimer has finally dropped her new album daydream this month, which features three additional tracks penned by Taka as well. Of the three, "Falling Alone" serves us the kind of riveting pop-rock we've come to love from Aimer - even towering above "ninelie", which was produced by 'Mr. epic' himself, Hiroyuki Sawano. Taka and Aimer have proven to be a potent combination. The chorus of this song is EVERYTHING!
 
"Sunshine Freeway" by I love you Orchestra

I love you Orchestra is one of those bands that look brilliant on paper, but unfortunately, have yet to deliver anything truly substantial. With two drummers and three guitarists, one would expect some level of brilliance, but so far, their releases have consisted of songs too spastic to really get into, and songs too short to offer anything memorable. Thankfully, their sound finally seems to be coming together on their third and newest album Crack. "Sunshine Freeway" reflects this by perfectly balancing out the band's spastic tendencies with more accessible melodies and a coherent structure. The song feels more like an actual experience now, as opposed to just passing sounds. Japan's instrumental scene has been lacking lately, but these guys may just put a 'Crack' in the monotony!  
 
"see through sway in you" by 別野加奈 (Kana Wakareno)

Kana Wakareno is a young singer, pianist and cinematographer, who just recently released her third album forget me not, and it's absolutely exquisite! Her music is based on her own, imaginary/fictional landscapes, and through each track, you get a clear sense of her cinematic visions. The minimalistic melancholy of "see through sway in you" congers up a particularly visceral scene, with its mournful, yet gorgeous melodies and subtle background noises that sound to be the crackling of a fire - you get a sense that there's warmth nearby, but at the moment, there's something comforting about how numbing the cold is. Amazing.
 
"六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ (rokugatsu no ame ni utarete)" by alt of the society

Real Japanese emo is a bit of a scarcity. The scene is relatively small, and there aren't an abundance of fans in or outside of Japan, so I was pretty delighted when I finally got my hands on alt of the society's new album 追憶の風景 (tsuioku no fuukei), which was released all the way back in March! Not only was my need for this style of music sated, but the album also provided a few gems as well - "六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ" being one of them. It's a track with a traditional kind of post-rock build, starting relatively calm and then climaxing into a swell of emotion. Easily one of the most compelling tracks of the album!
 
 
"滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。(mekkin, shoudoku, bansoukou.)" by Chanty

Chanty are undeniably a VK band, yet they've continuously proven that their appeal extends beyond the scene. They're just as at home being on the same bill as VK bands like Grieva and Kuroyuri to Kage as they are sharing the stage with "non-vk" acts like indie-rockers aquarifa. On their latest album 不完全な音楽 (fukanzen na ongaku), they continue to straddle that line between unabashed "vk-ism" and indie appeal - they're almost like a VK version of cinema staff in that regard. "滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。" takes that archetypal, circus-y VK rock sound and amps it up a bit with the spastic recklessness of a 9mm parabellum bullet or Arukara track. This song is a helluva lot of fun!
 
"灰よ (hai yo)" by 平沢進 (Susumu Hirasawa)

The musical wizard of everything wondrous, the one and only, the legend himself, Susumu Hirasawa has just released Ash Crow, a compilation of songs he's composed for the Berserk franchise over a span of 20 years. The compilation features songs from the Berserk movies, games, and even some of the new insert songs from the Berserk 2016 anime - most notably "Hai yo"! The song is suitably dark and epic, evoking the grim nature of the show while providing the perfect backdrop for the demonic warfare of the series. It's a song that's both uniquely Hirasawa, and uniquely Berserk. It's a shame that the Berserk 2016 anime wasn't worthy of such a great piece!
 
Guest Recommendations
 
@Ada Suilen's Picks
 
"1000 Years" by THE NOVEMBERS

After the dark and dreamy Elegance EP, The Novembers have come back with their sixth album Hallelujah. A product which doesn't disappoint for a single note. But if you isolate it carefully, you can see the single vibes that are inside it: nostalgic rock sound, with even a passionate soul full of adrenaline and astonishing themes, which I liked most. "1000 Years" represents perfectly the most rebellious and out-of-scheme style that this band could ever do (those grungy vocals!).
 
"Trigger" by MUCC

In my opinion, MUCC is one of the few bands which always opted to stupefy and to entertain in unusual ways (think about the genres they've showed off); in their latest single this happened once again. With an energetic A-side and a curious first track on the B-side, here we are in front of something which smells unexpected and incredible. "Trigger" appears as one of the 'black-sheep' of MUCC's discography, where a warm guitar intertwines with sublime vocals and the structure twists around itself each second for a whirling musical experience.
 
 
@chemicalpictures' Picks
 
"拒絶 (kyosetzu)" by SCAPEGOAT

SCAPEGOAT was always a hit-and-miss band for me. While I loved "告白＿時々、雨 (kokuhaku ___ tokidoki, ame)", I couldn't care less for the other five songs on the mini. What made me love it so much is that the guys have a concept of trying to tell a story through their songs. They got it right that time, and got it right on the spot again! The Nagoya-y vocal lines set the tone and create a heavy atmosphere full of visual kei tropes like whispers, moaning and slow paced singing. The lead guitar nicely defines the tempo, starting slow and exploding into a catchy, dark and powerful chorus that provides some nice headbanging moments. You can feel that they are trying to express that emotional burst through the chorus, and that's an interesting little quirk. Music-wise there is nothing really innovative to be seen here, but it's a nice banger on a slow vkei month.
 
"Jellyfish" by ZON

With their third single, ZON is showing how consistently good they are. All the songs are great on this single, but "Jellyfish" stood out mainly because of 834. I'd like to get everyone's attention on how good that guy is. The song already starts packing a punch: 834's drums all over your face, dueling with Mii's melodic guitar lines, while Azu does his thing. Everything is just fine, but it all goes wild in the chorus, with 834's drums again in the spotlight, urging you to stand up and dance. It's IMPOSSIBLE to stand still. They really let him go full crazy mode... It's interesting how he subverts the regular progressive rock beat infusing a high octane funky-afrobeat, making it so energetic and vibrant (lol, sorry I got a little carried away here, but he is THAT good!). Another nice touch is the transition on the three-minute mark from the classic vk slow bridge into fast chorus transition. Smooth AF. This is EDR with a capital R, guys. These guys can be HUGE in no time.
 
Thanks for hanging out with us for another month of songs and we hope you enjoyed them as much as we did! Please comment below if you had any special songs this month you didn't see listed above that deserve some attention! We'd love to hear about them, or any of the songs we've listed above. Please let us know what you thought.  If you'd like to become a guest contributor for Recommended Tracks next month please contact @doombox!
 
Until next time~

I am really proud to be part for the third time in Recommended tracks!
It's good to see many good bands there, such as Versailles or Lynch. or even promising acts, such as Piglow in Gloomy, Tokinokito, Kafuka or Chanty!
Aimer surprised me with her last album, glad that she surprised you too
Co shu nie's latest song is pretty addictive, is it worth to check their disco?

Always nice to have you join in! I think there was just a lot to choose from, and a couple of the regulars couldn't participate this month including myself so that is a factor. But thanks to the guest contributions I thought vk still had a fairly strong showing.  

Welcome back to our monthly collection of songs we thought rocked this month! And boy, oh boy, is this month packed full of quality tunes! So please keep your arms and legs securely next to you until this ride comes to a full stop. We apologize some videos may not be available to view in all regions. And we'd like to thank our guest contributors @Ada Suilen and @chemicalpictures for joining us once again! 
 
 
Recommended Tracks: September 2016
 
 
@beni's Picks
 
"たぶんわたしがゆうれいだったら (Tabun watashi ga yuureidattara)" by Her Ghost Friend

I admit that I was a bit late to this party, but throughout the entire month, I mashed the repeat button YouTube to this tune. One of the best ways to describe Her Ghost Friend is probably comparing her to Izumi Makura and Bonjour Suzuki, mixed with Etsuko Yakushimaru's anime tunes, but even cuter! Hold your horses though, it's not rap at all!  The act is comprised of duo singer Shinobu Ono and DJ Obake. The synths over a relaxing, almost ambient but playful beat makes this such a joy to listen to. With a childish yet ethereal voice, Her Ghost Friend have certainly caught my fancy.
 
"Kiss" by lovefilm

Even though their first ever album was quite a flop to me, I at least took this with me for keeps. lovefilm was quite a new name to many, and probably even more to come. I only managed to discover them from following the label UKPROJECT, and I'm sure glad it was "Kiss" I stumbled upon. The band have the female and male duo vocals going on, which is always a treat to the ears -- especially when both are so similar. It's especially sweet when they harmonize, and while the tune is definitely simple, it's worth your attention at least once for the feel good vibes.
 
"Cruisin' Cruisin'" by bonobos

Many thanks to @CAT5 for showing this to me firstly. For someone like myself who doesn't know the first thing about groove, this is a great starter. Everything about "Cruisin' Cruisin'" is just... well, cruisin'! The smoothness of everything, from the seemingly effortless cool vocals to the - just as amazing - chill instrumentals makes this so serene. For a linear, five minute track, you'd be surprised with how quick it seems to end. You can't help but be sucked into the whole feel of the tune. As I've said before, there's only a handful of such musicians I know and enjoy, such as cero being the closest act to them, so being exposed to even more brilliance is a pleasure! And I know it goes the same for everyone else too. Don't miss this!
 
"supercell" by Cö shu Nie

I had known this name for quite a while thanks to @CAT5, who had brought them up to me once again since their music change with this. And now I can't stop digging them! The now rocking pop duo do not let up their energy with this super number. The chaotic yet gorgeous tune is certainly energetic, and with the strong and lush female vocals of Mirai Nakamura, it really stands out and makes an impression. It's a move from their indie/math sound, and a change I've seen no one disagree with. I can safely say they have a least one more fan after this genre switch! I'm sure they'll quickly start to garner attention.
 
"She won't forget" by Someday's Gone

Telling the story of remembering fond yet bitter memories in the corner of a coffee shop, "She won't forget" is an instantly catchy number, relatable, genuine and real. The balance of sweetness with the vocalization "dood, dood, do do do" from pleasant, youthful male voice with the clearly bitter lyrics makes for an emotional and impactful listen. I can't blame anyone to be turned off at the rather amateurish Engrish delivery, but if you can overlook that and enjoy his voice, then you've sure got a nice little gem here. Also, any music video recorded in a coffee shop is the definition of cute, so how about adding "She won't forget" to your memory?

"CRAZY" by I don't like Mondays.

Everything about these guys is so infectious with each and every piece they put out! I have no idea how they do it. How they manage to make a great mixture of Japanese and English, while making it sound as good as it does is beyond me. The effortless Western feel and sound these guys can put out is so very impressive, and deserving of much more attention. From the incredibly... questionable music video style, to just how god damn gorgeous everyone looks, you'll be 'CRAZY' if you don't end up feeling like grooving to this! Be sure to check them out sooner or later while they're on fire with all their recent output!
 
 
@fitear1590's Picks
 
"Ice Candy" by カフカ (KAFUKA)

Last year, pop rockers KAFUKA put out Tokyo 9 Stories, a commendable album. Less than twelve months later, they're already back with another one, AINKSKI (あいなきせかい / ai naki sekai). While I haven't heard the full release yet, "Ice Candy" puts the album off to great start. It's a jaunty romp, punctuated with some surprisingly fuzzy guitar riffs. Frankly, I didn't know the boys had it in 'em to go in an even moderately shoegaze direction. Color me intrigued. The PV matches the aesthetic with some icy Super 8-style film footage. Let's hope the rest of the album has some nice surprises too!
 
"美しい火 (Beautiful Fire)" by THE NOVEMBERS

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of NOVEMBERS ~dream ver.~, so when they gave us a second taste of their new album (Hallelujah) via Soundcloud, it was love at first listen. "Beautiful Fire" is gorgeous and the polar opposite of the shoegrunge grittiness of July's "黒い虹 (Black Rainbow)," which was also stellar. This track has more conviction than the dreamy, yet wispy work on last year's Elegance and it also marks a glorious return to those warm horn arrangements, a nod to 2012's stunning GIFT EP. They add a nostalgic touch here, as well as on album-closer "いこうよ (ikou yo)." There's plenty to chew on with Hallelujah, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already!
 
"ポイズンベリー (poison berry)" by トキノキト (tokinokito)

 
Tokinokito seem to be slipping under people's radars, but if you're a neo-VK fan, what's not to like? They come bearing surprisingly slick visuals for a super indies band and with "poison berry," they introduce a quirky take on the graveyard circus sound so dear to their heavier contemporaries GRIMOIRE. The track opens with spooky chimes and accordion, just in time for Halloween! Then, whimsical synths and noodling guitar riffs lead us into the meat of the song. The verses are an unconventional mesh of time signatures that take some getting used to, but it's kind of brilliant. Tokinokito continue to grab my attention, so I think I'll be in it with them for the long haul. Hope you'll join me!
 
 
@Original Saku's Picks
 
"鬼 (Oni)" by クリープハイプ (CreepHyp)

This month kicks off with one of my most anticipated albums - Sekaikan from CreepHyp - and it does not disappoint. "Oni" is like a crazy train ride with a dose of peculiar sounds and grooves, it includes all the quirky aspects from this band that I love. From the wacky backing vocals to the unorthodox instrumental sounds to the eccentric vocal style of Ozaki. It's all there in a little package waiting to be unwrapped, I love it. One of my favorite albums of the year from one of my favorite bands, check it out. I will however forewarn any new listeners that Ozaki's vocals can be an acquired taste. Sometimes he sings in such a high pitch that it can be hard on the ears, but his eccentricity is very lovable once you've warmed up to it.
 
"twoface" by Aimer

I'm by no means a stranger to Aimer. I've been listening to her output for years in anime openings/endings and soundtracks, but lately I've noticed a slight shift in motivation or direction. That brings us to her new album daydream, and in particular the song "twoface", with music produced by Uchisawa Takahito from androp. This track has a lot of power behind it, which I don't often hear from Aimer songs, and it has caught my attention because of that. She performs wonderfully here and is in top form. That, combined with the interesting instrumentals and direction, makes this one of my favorite songs from her. I can't exactly put my finger on what has changed, but I feel that we have only just begun to see what she can do.
 
"Groovy Cony" by Casablanca

This is a  sleeper pick from last month that I wasn't able to get to since it came out so close to the deadline. Casablanca a newly formed band comprised of Yoko (noodles), Sawao Yamanaka (the pillows), and Shinya Kusube (Radio Caroline) - a veritable super group if you will. With such talent coming together, there was no doubt in my mind that their first album Another Story would be quality tunes, but nothing prepared me for the instant gratification that I received upon listening to this record. "Groovy Cony" is just one of the amazing tracks from this debut release that has a particular sound that I can only describe as nostalgia in a bottle. With Sawao's guitar work, backing vocals, and composition, and Kusube's loud and proud drumming, we have a instrumental style that harkens back to the sounds of old. You then add in Yoko as the lead vocalist and we have a distinct sound that feels nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
 
 
@togz' Picks
 
"Redemption" by Her Name in Blood 

I became a little concerned for the direction of this album with the release of the "Bakemono" music video. However, the majority of the tracks on this release really caught me by surprise. "Redemption" was the composition that grasped my interest the most. The guitar work in the beginning serves as a great hook for the entire track regardless of the repetition. Although the guitar riffs aren't very complex and we get a lot of palm-muted chugga-chugs, I found myself subconsciously bobbing my head along. The strongest aspect of this song is the catchy chorus. Ikepy's vocals really show growth with the range, depth, and stamina of his cleans. I can only hope to enjoy this song live some day. This is a must listen!
 
"海の静寂 (Umi no Seijaku)" by downy

I'm fairly new to the world of downy, but I have this song along with a few others to thank for getting me hooked. I'm not sure if this song is a great representation of all of their past work, but I can vouch that it's a great easy-listening track. I admire the flow of this song because of it's slow jazzy mood with silky-slick vocal phrases.  It's a rather sluggish song, but it's not muddy and it's tasteful. It works as great thinking music, inspirational music, or just something to sit back and relax to. 
 
"愛はなけなし (What Little Love)" by THE NOVEMBERS

THE NOVEMBERS never seem to disappoint, but this song in specific really resonates with me from their new album Hallelujah. The intro is a beautiful and emotionally dark combination of beautiful acoustics and muted guitar strums. Kobayashi's voice enters in a lullaby-esque melody, which fits his voice flawlessly given that his tone can range from a whispering chant to raw shouting. The middle section of the song is an interesting direction change and really jumps back to their dream-pop sound, but remains able to melt back into the solemn vibe of the song overall. While I would highly recommend the whole album, this track is where I'd start.
 
"ぴゅーぱ。( Pyupa/Pupa)" by PIGLOW in GLOOMY

I feel like visual kei has become a realm filled with cookie-cutter bands and finding gems is a chore. I listened to PIGLOW in GLOOMY on a whim, and while I wasn't amazed, I wasn't disappointed either. This track is off of their first mini-album むくあ(mukua) which was released August 31st. I like this track because it has hints of what visual kei sounded like when it was at it's peak for me, which was the obscurely mellow intros that lead into heavy guitar riffs and gave off a psychedelic sort of vibe.  The composition itself isn't too complex, but it shows potential to head in a very interesting direction. The vocal style also reminds me a bit of Karma from AvelCain, so if you're in to that I'd say they're worth a listen!
 
 
@emmny's Picks
 
"頭蓋、紛い (zugai, magai)" by gibkiy gibkiy gibkiy

Grandpa-kei' icons ggg return with a new single for September, hilarious titled I LOVE YOU. Considering how dark their sound is, a simple 'I love you' is an ironic declaration more so than a love letter. While the title track of the single has a stutter-y groove and an old-school merry go round vibe, "Zugai, Magai" chooses instead to brood and melt in its own darkness, giving a nod to later-era merry go. Kazuma's yelling has been a love-hate affair on their past material, as i enjoy his clean vocals more than his dragged-out-vibrato-whimper-yell, but it sounds perfect haunted on this track. I don't think anyone would have predicted ggg's success (or existence) 10 years ago, but this oddly random project has flourished into one hell of a beast. They exist on a creative plane far from their contemporaries, yet with an incredibly familiar sound that grows in magnitude with each release, it's incredibly thrilling to watch.
 
"EVIDENCE" by lynch.

Gang vocals? Yes. Delayed and reverberated clean guitar intro? Hell yeah. Compression for the gods? You know it. Thumping metalcore break down? Duh. Fist pumping chorus? Absolutely. lynch. basically rehashing what they've been doing for the past 3 years but still managing to blow our ears in with some surprises here and there? Thank god!
 
"カミソリ (Kamisori)" by ザアザア (Xaa-xaa)

Osaka it-band Xaa-Xaa are once again spamming us with music, this time in the form of a 3-month consecutive release around the theme of 'despair'. "Kamisori" is the first incarnation of this project, and Xaa-Xaa handle the questionably triggering concept with fury and also grace. "Kamisori" features a thrashy guitar riff at its centre with this oddly cute wonky tone that keeps it from coming across too 'metal'. Kazuki's vocals are at times breathy, other times strained, increasing the tension behind the words (special shout out to that howl at the end). The song flows incredibly well, outside of repeating the main riff a few times too many. The progression from the breakdown to the solo is particularly awesome. Next month is looking to be great too...see y'all here in October?
 
"撲殺サマンサ (Bokusatsu Samantha)" by DAMY

I'm gonna be real honest with y'all (as you can always expect): there's little merit to the new DAMY record outside of DEZERT's obvious influence. I knew it was an enjoyable record, but I didn't find any new tracks were interesting enough on their own for a feature. It works better as a whole... except for "Bokusatsu Samantha". This is straight up catchy metal-kei that stands amazingly on its own--so we'll forgive the fact that this technically came out in 2015. There's not much to rave on about this track, it's not that complex, or original, or all that interesting--but it's so fucking fun. You'll be screaming along to the gang refrain in no time, not knowing the band's detailing whacking a girl over the head to death. Intellectual music has it's place, but sometimes you just wanna whip your hair to some depravity--thank god DAMY make music for that.
 
 
@Zeus' Picks
 
"The Love From a Dead Orchestra" by Versailles

Versailles' return and announcement of new material is the greatest gift they could have given to their fans. There's been a dearth of good symphonic visual kei acts to fill Versailles' flowery rococo heels, but they didn't go out on the best note, so their Greatest Hits release feels less like a cash-in and more of an attempt to convince us there's enough magic to keep going. The tracks they chose were among the best of the best, but one in particular caught my eye almost instantly. I prayed and fantasized about what an updated rendition of "The Love From a Dead Orchestra" would sound like for years as it's always been a bold song held back by constrained production choices and a vocalist who had not yet adapted to his range. The re-recording exceeded my expectations. Some rough transitions were smoothed over with the inclusion of new instruments, everything was redone from scratch, and new lyrics were added to cover up sparse interludes. In terms of low-hanging optimizations to the melody the band plucked them all and then some. What's harder to communicate with words - and what Versailles did successfully - is play like a band. There's the perfect mix of old Versailles and new Versailles here to both restore my faith and keep my interest for what's to come.
 
 "孤独旋回 (kodoku senkai)" by downy

It's no secret that I'm all about downy's latest LP, 第六作品集『無題』 (Mudai), but it's hard to describe in words the emotions I feel when listening. If I had to choose one track that captures the entire feel of 『無題』, it would be "孤独旋回" (kodoku senkai). If 『無題』 were a story, "孤独旋回" would be the tense rising action before the climax. The rhythm is as tortuous as it is both uplifting and oddly distressing, beckoning the listener this way and then another with the variations in tempo and theme. I can feel the members of downy flexing their knowledge of musical theory on me with this one. Fans of post-rock and mathy melodies still new to downy just might fall in love. Moments of tranquility are upended into a whirlwind of emotion, painted with the melancholy tones of vocalist Robin Aoki. Such a description is fitting for a track named "Revolving Loneliness". One of the best tracks of September for sure!  
 
 
@CAT5's Picks
 
"2772" by ZA FEEDO

Initially appearing on a Yasei Collective feature back in 2014, ZA FEEDO have finally come forth with their debut album  2772, sporting what they describe as a 'Futurist Polyrhythmic Tropical Bad Ass FUJIYAMA Sound '. While they site acts like Aphex Twin, Little Dragon, Miles Davis, and bjork as influences, on their latest PV for the title track "2772", ZA FEEDO's off-kilter grooves and soulful vocals land them closer to the realm of Spangle call Lilli Line. The song has a great balance of experimental ingenuity and accessible, pop charisma. Let's hope the album is just as good!
 
"星雲ヒッチハイク (seiun hitch-hike)" by TAMTAM

TAMTAM originally made a name for themselves by creating a delectable fusion of Jpop and dub. They tried a few new things in 2014 - most of which seemed like a direct appeal to the Anime industry - but thankfully, they've returned to form on their new album NEWPOESY, even stating in their promo campaign, "Back to the Riddim"! The album is full of sweet, soulful jams that, while enjoyable, are best appreciated as a whole. "星雲ヒッチハイク" stands out completely on its own, though! It's an epic, expansive groove and the most pristinely gorgeous track of not only the album, but of TAMTAM's career thus far!
 
"白薔薇のララバイ (shirobara no lullaby)" by 手嶌葵 (Aoi Teshima)

When it comes to Jpop songstress Aoi Teshima, her music is just as classy, elegant, and beautiful as she is! She just released a new album titled 青い図書室 (Blue library) in celebration of her 10th anniversary and it's expectedly lovely. "白薔薇のララバイ" is particularly extravagant, with its somber, psychedelic-folk sound that harkens back to 70's kayōkyoku ballads, and even brings to mind the likes of Douji Morita. Absolutely stunning!
 
"Falling Alone" by Aimer

Hot on the heels of her recent single "insane dream" (produced by ONE OK ROCK's Taka), Aimer has finally dropped her new album daydream this month, which features three additional tracks penned by Taka as well. Of the three, "Falling Alone" serves us the kind of riveting pop-rock we've come to love from Aimer - even towering above "ninelie", which was produced by 'Mr. epic' himself, Hiroyuki Sawano. Taka and Aimer have proven to be a potent combination. The chorus of this song is EVERYTHING!
 
"Sunshine Freeway" by I love you Orchestra

I love you Orchestra is one of those bands that look brilliant on paper, but unfortunately, have yet to deliver anything truly substantial. With two drummers and three guitarists, one would expect some level of brilliance, but so far, their releases have consisted of songs too spastic to really get into, and songs too short to offer anything memorable. Thankfully, their sound finally seems to be coming together on their third and newest album Crack. "Sunshine Freeway" reflects this by perfectly balancing out the band's spastic tendencies with more accessible melodies and a coherent structure. The song feels more like an actual experience now, as opposed to just passing sounds. Japan's instrumental scene has been lacking lately, but these guys may just put a 'Crack' in the monotony!  
 
"see through sway in you" by 別野加奈 (Kana Wakareno)

Kana Wakareno is a young singer, pianist and cinematographer, who just recently released her third album forget me not, and it's absolutely exquisite! Her music is based on her own, imaginary/fictional landscapes, and through each track, you get a clear sense of her cinematic visions. The minimalistic melancholy of "see through sway in you" congers up a particularly visceral scene, with its mournful, yet gorgeous melodies and subtle background noises that sound to be the crackling of a fire - you get a sense that there's warmth nearby, but at the moment, there's something comforting about how numbing the cold is. Amazing.
 
"六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ (rokugatsu no ame ni utarete)" by alt of the society

Real Japanese emo is a bit of a scarcity. The scene is relatively small, and there aren't an abundance of fans in or outside of Japan, so I was pretty delighted when I finally got my hands on alt of the society's new album 追憶の風景 (tsuioku no fuukei), which was released all the way back in March! Not only was my need for this style of music sated, but the album also provided a few gems as well - "六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ" being one of them. It's a track with a traditional kind of post-rock build, starting relatively calm and then climaxing into a swell of emotion. Easily one of the most compelling tracks of the album!
 
 
"滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。(mekkin, shoudoku, bansoukou.)" by Chanty

Chanty are undeniably a VK band, yet they've continuously proven that their appeal extends beyond the scene. They're just as at home being on the same bill as VK bands like Grieva and Kuroyuri to Kage as they are sharing the stage with "non-vk" acts like indie-rockers aquarifa. On their latest album 不完全な音楽 (fukanzen na ongaku), they continue to straddle that line between unabashed "vk-ism" and indie appeal - they're almost like a VK version of cinema staff in that regard. "滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。" takes that archetypal, circus-y VK rock sound and amps it up a bit with the spastic recklessness of a 9mm parabellum bullet or Arukara track. This song is a helluva lot of fun!
 
"灰よ (hai yo)" by 平沢進 (Susumu Hirasawa)

The musical wizard of everything wondrous, the one and only, the legend himself, Susumu Hirasawa has just released Ash Crow, a compilation of songs he's composed for the Berserk franchise over a span of 20 years. The compilation features songs from the Berserk movies, games, and even some of the new insert songs from the Berserk 2016 anime - most notably "Hai yo"! The song is suitably dark and epic, evoking the grim nature of the show while providing the perfect backdrop for the demonic warfare of the series. It's a song that's both uniquely Hirasawa, and uniquely Berserk. It's a shame that the Berserk 2016 anime wasn't worthy of such a great piece!
 
Guest Recommendations
 
@Ada Suilen's Picks
 
"1000 Years" by THE NOVEMBERS

After the dark and dreamy Elegance EP, The Novembers have come back with their sixth album Hallelujah. A product which doesn't disappoint for a single note. But if you isolate it carefully, you can see the single vibes that are inside it: nostalgic rock sound, with even a passionate soul full of adrenaline and astonishing themes, which I liked most. "1000 Years" represents perfectly the most rebellious and out-of-scheme style that this band could ever do (those grungy vocals!).
 
"Trigger" by MUCC

In my opinion, MUCC is one of the few bands which always opted to stupefy and to entertain in unusual ways (think about the genres they've showed off); in their latest single this happened once again. With an energetic A-side and a curious first track on the B-side, here we are in front of something which smells unexpected and incredible. "Trigger" appears as one of the 'black-sheep' of MUCC's discography, where a warm guitar intertwines with sublime vocals and the structure twists around itself each second for a whirling musical experience.
 
 
@chemicalpictures' Picks
 
"拒絶 (kyosetzu)" by SCAPEGOAT

SCAPEGOAT was always a hit-and-miss band for me. While I loved "告白＿時々、雨 (kokuhaku ___ tokidoki, ame)", I couldn't care less for the other five songs on the mini. What made me love it so much is that the guys have a concept of trying to tell a story through their songs. They got it right that time, and got it right on the spot again! The Nagoya-y vocal lines set the tone and create a heavy atmosphere full of visual kei tropes like whispers, moaning and slow paced singing. The lead guitar nicely defines the tempo, starting slow and exploding into a catchy, dark and powerful chorus that provides some nice headbanging moments. You can feel that they are trying to express that emotional burst through the chorus, and that's an interesting little quirk. Music-wise there is nothing really innovative to be seen here, but it's a nice banger on a slow vkei month.
 
"Jellyfish" by ZON

With their third single, ZON is showing how consistently good they are. All the songs are great on this single, but "Jellyfish" stood out mainly because of 834. I'd like to get everyone's attention on how good that guy is. The song already starts packing a punch: 834's drums all over your face, dueling with Mii's melodic guitar lines, while Azu does his thing. Everything is just fine, but it all goes wild in the chorus, with 834's drums again in the spotlight, urging you to stand up and dance. It's IMPOSSIBLE to stand still. They really let him go full crazy mode... It's interesting how he subverts the regular progressive rock beat infusing a high octane funky-afrobeat, making it so energetic and vibrant (lol, sorry I got a little carried away here, but he is THAT good!). Another nice touch is the transition on the three-minute mark from the classic vk slow bridge into fast chorus transition. Smooth AF. This is EDR with a capital R, guys. These guys can be HUGE in no time.
 
Thanks for hanging out with us for another month of songs and we hope you enjoyed them as much as we did! Please comment below if you had any special songs this month you didn't see listed above that deserve some attention! We'd love to hear about them, or any of the songs we've listed above. Please let us know what you thought.  If you'd like to become a guest contributor for Recommended Tracks next month please contact @doombox!
 
Until next time~

Welcome back to our monthly collection of songs we thought rocked this month! And boy, oh boy, is this month packed full of quality tunes! So please keep your arms and legs securely next to you until this ride comes to a full stop. We apologize some videos may not be available to view in all regions. And we'd like to thank our guest contributors @Ada Suilen and @chemicalpictures for joining us once again! 
 
 
Recommended Tracks: September 2016
 
 
@beni's Picks
 
"たぶんわたしがゆうれいだったら (Tabun watashi ga yuureidattara)" by Her Ghost Friend

I admit that I was a bit late to this party, but throughout the entire month, I mashed the repeat button YouTube to this tune. One of the best ways to describe Her Ghost Friend is probably comparing her to Izumi Makura and Bonjour Suzuki, mixed with Etsuko Yakushimaru's anime tunes, but even cuter! Hold your horses though, it's not rap at all!  The act is comprised of duo singer Shinobu Ono and DJ Obake. The synths over a relaxing, almost ambient but playful beat makes this such a joy to listen to. With a childish yet ethereal voice, Her Ghost Friend have certainly caught my fancy.
 
"Kiss" by lovefilm

Even though their first ever album was quite a flop to me, I at least took this with me for keeps. lovefilm was quite a new name to many, and probably even more to come. I only managed to discover them from following the label UKPROJECT, and I'm sure glad it was "Kiss" I stumbled upon. The band have the female and male duo vocals going on, which is always a treat to the ears -- especially when both are so similar. It's especially sweet when they harmonize, and while the tune is definitely simple, it's worth your attention at least once for the feel good vibes.
 
"Cruisin' Cruisin'" by bonobos

Many thanks to @CAT5 for showing this to me firstly. For someone like myself who doesn't know the first thing about groove, this is a great starter. Everything about "Cruisin' Cruisin'" is just... well, cruisin'! The smoothness of everything, from the seemingly effortless cool vocals to the - just as amazing - chill instrumentals makes this so serene. For a linear, five minute track, you'd be surprised with how quick it seems to end. You can't help but be sucked into the whole feel of the tune. As I've said before, there's only a handful of such musicians I know and enjoy, such as cero being the closest act to them, so being exposed to even more brilliance is a pleasure! And I know it goes the same for everyone else too. Don't miss this!
 
"supercell" by Cö shu Nie

I had known this name for quite a while thanks to @CAT5, who had brought them up to me once again since their music change with this. And now I can't stop digging them! The now rocking pop duo do not let up their energy with this super number. The chaotic yet gorgeous tune is certainly energetic, and with the strong and lush female vocals of Mirai Nakamura, it really stands out and makes an impression. It's a move from their indie/math sound, and a change I've seen no one disagree with. I can safely say they have a least one more fan after this genre switch! I'm sure they'll quickly start to garner attention.
 
"She won't forget" by Someday's Gone

Telling the story of remembering fond yet bitter memories in the corner of a coffee shop, "She won't forget" is an instantly catchy number, relatable, genuine and real. The balance of sweetness with the vocalization "dood, dood, do do do" from pleasant, youthful male voice with the clearly bitter lyrics makes for an emotional and impactful listen. I can't blame anyone to be turned off at the rather amateurish Engrish delivery, but if you can overlook that and enjoy his voice, then you've sure got a nice little gem here. Also, any music video recorded in a coffee shop is the definition of cute, so how about adding "She won't forget" to your memory?

"CRAZY" by I don't like Mondays.

Everything about these guys is so infectious with each and every piece they put out! I have no idea how they do it. How they manage to make a great mixture of Japanese and English, while making it sound as good as it does is beyond me. The effortless Western feel and sound these guys can put out is so very impressive, and deserving of much more attention. From the incredibly... questionable music video style, to just how god damn gorgeous everyone looks, you'll be 'CRAZY' if you don't end up feeling like grooving to this! Be sure to check them out sooner or later while they're on fire with all their recent output!
 
 
@fitear1590's Picks
 
"Ice Candy" by カフカ (KAFUKA)

Last year, pop rockers KAFUKA put out Tokyo 9 Stories, a commendable album. Less than twelve months later, they're already back with another one, AINKSKI (あいなきせかい / ai naki sekai). While I haven't heard the full release yet, "Ice Candy" puts the album off to great start. It's a jaunty romp, punctuated with some surprisingly fuzzy guitar riffs. Frankly, I didn't know the boys had it in 'em to go in an even moderately shoegaze direction. Color me intrigued. The PV matches the aesthetic with some icy Super 8-style film footage. Let's hope the rest of the album has some nice surprises too!
 
"美しい火 (Beautiful Fire)" by THE NOVEMBERS

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of NOVEMBERS ~dream ver.~, so when they gave us a second taste of their new album (Hallelujah) via Soundcloud, it was love at first listen. "Beautiful Fire" is gorgeous and the polar opposite of the shoegrunge grittiness of July's "黒い虹 (Black Rainbow)," which was also stellar. This track has more conviction than the dreamy, yet wispy work on last year's Elegance and it also marks a glorious return to those warm horn arrangements, a nod to 2012's stunning GIFT EP. They add a nostalgic touch here, as well as on album-closer "いこうよ (ikou yo)." There's plenty to chew on with Hallelujah, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already!
 
"ポイズンベリー (poison berry)" by トキノキト (tokinokito)

 
Tokinokito seem to be slipping under people's radars, but if you're a neo-VK fan, what's not to like? They come bearing surprisingly slick visuals for a super indies band and with "poison berry," they introduce a quirky take on the graveyard circus sound so dear to their heavier contemporaries GRIMOIRE. The track opens with spooky chimes and accordion, just in time for Halloween! Then, whimsical synths and noodling guitar riffs lead us into the meat of the song. The verses are an unconventional mesh of time signatures that take some getting used to, but it's kind of brilliant. Tokinokito continue to grab my attention, so I think I'll be in it with them for the long haul. Hope you'll join me!
 
 
@Original Saku's Picks
 
"鬼 (Oni)" by クリープハイプ (CreepHyp)

This month kicks off with one of my most anticipated albums - Sekaikan from CreepHyp - and it does not disappoint. "Oni" is like a crazy train ride with a dose of peculiar sounds and grooves, it includes all the quirky aspects from this band that I love. From the wacky backing vocals to the unorthodox instrumental sounds to the eccentric vocal style of Ozaki. It's all there in a little package waiting to be unwrapped, I love it. One of my favorite albums of the year from one of my favorite bands, check it out. I will however forewarn any new listeners that Ozaki's vocals can be an acquired taste. Sometimes he sings in such a high pitch that it can be hard on the ears, but his eccentricity is very lovable once you've warmed up to it.
 
"twoface" by Aimer

I'm by no means a stranger to Aimer. I've been listening to her output for years in anime openings/endings and soundtracks, but lately I've noticed a slight shift in motivation or direction. That brings us to her new album daydream, and in particular the song "twoface", with music produced by Uchisawa Takahito from androp. This track has a lot of power behind it, which I don't often hear from Aimer songs, and it has caught my attention because of that. She performs wonderfully here and is in top form. That, combined with the interesting instrumentals and direction, makes this one of my favorite songs from her. I can't exactly put my finger on what has changed, but I feel that we have only just begun to see what she can do.
 
"Groovy Cony" by Casablanca

This is a  sleeper pick from last month that I wasn't able to get to since it came out so close to the deadline. Casablanca a newly formed band comprised of Yoko (noodles), Sawao Yamanaka (the pillows), and Shinya Kusube (Radio Caroline) - a veritable super group if you will. With such talent coming together, there was no doubt in my mind that their first album Another Story would be quality tunes, but nothing prepared me for the instant gratification that I received upon listening to this record. "Groovy Cony" is just one of the amazing tracks from this debut release that has a particular sound that I can only describe as nostalgia in a bottle. With Sawao's guitar work, backing vocals, and composition, and Kusube's loud and proud drumming, we have a instrumental style that harkens back to the sounds of old. You then add in Yoko as the lead vocalist and we have a distinct sound that feels nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
 
 
@togz' Picks
 
"Redemption" by Her Name in Blood 

I became a little concerned for the direction of this album with the release of the "Bakemono" music video. However, the majority of the tracks on this release really caught me by surprise. "Redemption" was the composition that grasped my interest the most. The guitar work in the beginning serves as a great hook for the entire track regardless of the repetition. Although the guitar riffs aren't very complex and we get a lot of palm-muted chugga-chugs, I found myself subconsciously bobbing my head along. The strongest aspect of this song is the catchy chorus. Ikepy's vocals really show growth with the range, depth, and stamina of his cleans. I can only hope to enjoy this song live some day. This is a must listen!
 
"海の静寂 (Umi no Seijaku)" by downy

I'm fairly new to the world of downy, but I have this song along with a few others to thank for getting me hooked. I'm not sure if this song is a great representation of all of their past work, but I can vouch that it's a great easy-listening track. I admire the flow of this song because of it's slow jazzy mood with silky-slick vocal phrases.  It's a rather sluggish song, but it's not muddy and it's tasteful. It works as great thinking music, inspirational music, or just something to sit back and relax to. 
 
"愛はなけなし (What Little Love)" by THE NOVEMBERS

THE NOVEMBERS never seem to disappoint, but this song in specific really resonates with me from their new album Hallelujah. The intro is a beautiful and emotionally dark combination of beautiful acoustics and muted guitar strums. Kobayashi's voice enters in a lullaby-esque melody, which fits his voice flawlessly given that his tone can range from a whispering chant to raw shouting. The middle section of the song is an interesting direction change and really jumps back to their dream-pop sound, but remains able to melt back into the solemn vibe of the song overall. While I would highly recommend the whole album, this track is where I'd start.
 
"ぴゅーぱ。( Pyupa/Pupa)" by PIGLOW in GLOOMY

I feel like visual kei has become a realm filled with cookie-cutter bands and finding gems is a chore. I listened to PIGLOW in GLOOMY on a whim, and while I wasn't amazed, I wasn't disappointed either. This track is off of their first mini-album むくあ(mukua) which was released August 31st. I like this track because it has hints of what visual kei sounded like when it was at it's peak for me, which was the obscurely mellow intros that lead into heavy guitar riffs and gave off a psychedelic sort of vibe.  The composition itself isn't too complex, but it shows potential to head in a very interesting direction. The vocal style also reminds me a bit of Karma from AvelCain, so if you're in to that I'd say they're worth a listen!
 
 
@emmny's Picks
 
"頭蓋、紛い (zugai, magai)" by gibkiy gibkiy gibkiy

Grandpa-kei' icons ggg return with a new single for September, hilarious titled I LOVE YOU. Considering how dark their sound is, a simple 'I love you' is an ironic declaration more so than a love letter. While the title track of the single has a stutter-y groove and an old-school merry go round vibe, "Zugai, Magai" chooses instead to brood and melt in its own darkness, giving a nod to later-era merry go. Kazuma's yelling has been a love-hate affair on their past material, as i enjoy his clean vocals more than his dragged-out-vibrato-whimper-yell, but it sounds perfect haunted on this track. I don't think anyone would have predicted ggg's success (or existence) 10 years ago, but this oddly random project has flourished into one hell of a beast. They exist on a creative plane far from their contemporaries, yet with an incredibly familiar sound that grows in magnitude with each release, it's incredibly thrilling to watch.
 
"EVIDENCE" by lynch.

Gang vocals? Yes. Delayed and reverberated clean guitar intro? Hell yeah. Compression for the gods? You know it. Thumping metalcore break down? Duh. Fist pumping chorus? Absolutely. lynch. basically rehashing what they've been doing for the past 3 years but still managing to blow our ears in with some surprises here and there? Thank god!
 
"カミソリ (Kamisori)" by ザアザア (Xaa-xaa)

Osaka it-band Xaa-Xaa are once again spamming us with music, this time in the form of a 3-month consecutive release around the theme of 'despair'. "Kamisori" is the first incarnation of this project, and Xaa-Xaa handle the questionably triggering concept with fury and also grace. "Kamisori" features a thrashy guitar riff at its centre with this oddly cute wonky tone that keeps it from coming across too 'metal'. Kazuki's vocals are at times breathy, other times strained, increasing the tension behind the words (special shout out to that howl at the end). The song flows incredibly well, outside of repeating the main riff a few times too many. The progression from the breakdown to the solo is particularly awesome. Next month is looking to be great too...see y'all here in October?
 
"撲殺サマンサ (Bokusatsu Samantha)" by DAMY

I'm gonna be real honest with y'all (as you can always expect): there's little merit to the new DAMY record outside of DEZERT's obvious influence. I knew it was an enjoyable record, but I didn't find any new tracks were interesting enough on their own for a feature. It works better as a whole... except for "Bokusatsu Samantha". This is straight up catchy metal-kei that stands amazingly on its own--so we'll forgive the fact that this technically came out in 2015. There's not much to rave on about this track, it's not that complex, or original, or all that interesting--but it's so fucking fun. You'll be screaming along to the gang refrain in no time, not knowing the band's detailing whacking a girl over the head to death. Intellectual music has it's place, but sometimes you just wanna whip your hair to some depravity--thank god DAMY make music for that.
 
 
@Zeus' Picks
 
"The Love From a Dead Orchestra" by Versailles

Versailles' return and announcement of new material is the greatest gift they could have given to their fans. There's been a dearth of good symphonic visual kei acts to fill Versailles' flowery rococo heels, but they didn't go out on the best note, so their Greatest Hits release feels less like a cash-in and more of an attempt to convince us there's enough magic to keep going. The tracks they chose were among the best of the best, but one in particular caught my eye almost instantly. I prayed and fantasized about what an updated rendition of "The Love From a Dead Orchestra" would sound like for years as it's always been a bold song held back by constrained production choices and a vocalist who had not yet adapted to his range. The re-recording exceeded my expectations. Some rough transitions were smoothed over with the inclusion of new instruments, everything was redone from scratch, and new lyrics were added to cover up sparse interludes. In terms of low-hanging optimizations to the melody the band plucked them all and then some. What's harder to communicate with words - and what Versailles did successfully - is play like a band. There's the perfect mix of old Versailles and new Versailles here to both restore my faith and keep my interest for what's to come.
 
 "孤独旋回 (kodoku senkai)" by downy

It's no secret that I'm all about downy's latest LP, 第六作品集『無題』 (Mudai), but it's hard to describe in words the emotions I feel when listening. If I had to choose one track that captures the entire feel of 『無題』, it would be "孤独旋回" (kodoku senkai). If 『無題』 were a story, "孤独旋回" would be the tense rising action before the climax. The rhythm is as tortuous as it is both uplifting and oddly distressing, beckoning the listener this way and then another with the variations in tempo and theme. I can feel the members of downy flexing their knowledge of musical theory on me with this one. Fans of post-rock and mathy melodies still new to downy just might fall in love. Moments of tranquility are upended into a whirlwind of emotion, painted with the melancholy tones of vocalist Robin Aoki. Such a description is fitting for a track named "Revolving Loneliness". One of the best tracks of September for sure!  
 
 
@CAT5's Picks
 
"2772" by ZA FEEDO

Initially appearing on a Yasei Collective feature back in 2014, ZA FEEDO have finally come forth with their debut album  2772, sporting what they describe as a 'Futurist Polyrhythmic Tropical Bad Ass FUJIYAMA Sound '. While they site acts like Aphex Twin, Little Dragon, Miles Davis, and bjork as influences, on their latest PV for the title track "2772", ZA FEEDO's off-kilter grooves and soulful vocals land them closer to the realm of Spangle call Lilli Line. The song has a great balance of experimental ingenuity and accessible, pop charisma. Let's hope the album is just as good!
 
"星雲ヒッチハイク (seiun hitch-hike)" by TAMTAM

TAMTAM originally made a name for themselves by creating a delectable fusion of Jpop and dub. They tried a few new things in 2014 - most of which seemed like a direct appeal to the Anime industry - but thankfully, they've returned to form on their new album NEWPOESY, even stating in their promo campaign, "Back to the Riddim"! The album is full of sweet, soulful jams that, while enjoyable, are best appreciated as a whole. "星雲ヒッチハイク" stands out completely on its own, though! It's an epic, expansive groove and the most pristinely gorgeous track of not only the album, but of TAMTAM's career thus far!
 
"白薔薇のララバイ (shirobara no lullaby)" by 手嶌葵 (Aoi Teshima)

When it comes to Jpop songstress Aoi Teshima, her music is just as classy, elegant, and beautiful as she is! She just released a new album titled 青い図書室 (Blue library) in celebration of her 10th anniversary and it's expectedly lovely. "白薔薇のララバイ" is particularly extravagant, with its somber, psychedelic-folk sound that harkens back to 70's kayōkyoku ballads, and even brings to mind the likes of Douji Morita. Absolutely stunning!
 
"Falling Alone" by Aimer

Hot on the heels of her recent single "insane dream" (produced by ONE OK ROCK's Taka), Aimer has finally dropped her new album daydream this month, which features three additional tracks penned by Taka as well. Of the three, "Falling Alone" serves us the kind of riveting pop-rock we've come to love from Aimer - even towering above "ninelie", which was produced by 'Mr. epic' himself, Hiroyuki Sawano. Taka and Aimer have proven to be a potent combination. The chorus of this song is EVERYTHING!
 
"Sunshine Freeway" by I love you Orchestra

I love you Orchestra is one of those bands that look brilliant on paper, but unfortunately, have yet to deliver anything truly substantial. With two drummers and three guitarists, one would expect some level of brilliance, but so far, their releases have consisted of songs too spastic to really get into, and songs too short to offer anything memorable. Thankfully, their sound finally seems to be coming together on their third and newest album Crack. "Sunshine Freeway" reflects this by perfectly balancing out the band's spastic tendencies with more accessible melodies and a coherent structure. The song feels more like an actual experience now, as opposed to just passing sounds. Japan's instrumental scene has been lacking lately, but these guys may just put a 'Crack' in the monotony!  
 
"see through sway in you" by 別野加奈 (Kana Wakareno)

Kana Wakareno is a young singer, pianist and cinematographer, who just recently released her third album forget me not, and it's absolutely exquisite! Her music is based on her own, imaginary/fictional landscapes, and through each track, you get a clear sense of her cinematic visions. The minimalistic melancholy of "see through sway in you" congers up a particularly visceral scene, with its mournful, yet gorgeous melodies and subtle background noises that sound to be the crackling of a fire - you get a sense that there's warmth nearby, but at the moment, there's something comforting about how numbing the cold is. Amazing.
 
"六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ (rokugatsu no ame ni utarete)" by alt of the society

Real Japanese emo is a bit of a scarcity. The scene is relatively small, and there aren't an abundance of fans in or outside of Japan, so I was pretty delighted when I finally got my hands on alt of the society's new album 追憶の風景 (tsuioku no fuukei), which was released all the way back in March! Not only was my need for this style of music sated, but the album also provided a few gems as well - "六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ" being one of them. It's a track with a traditional kind of post-rock build, starting relatively calm and then climaxing into a swell of emotion. Easily one of the most compelling tracks of the album!
 
 
"滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。(mekkin, shoudoku, bansoukou.)" by Chanty

Chanty are undeniably a VK band, yet they've continuously proven that their appeal extends beyond the scene. They're just as at home being on the same bill as VK bands like Grieva and Kuroyuri to Kage as they are sharing the stage with "non-vk" acts like indie-rockers aquarifa. On their latest album 不完全な音楽 (fukanzen na ongaku), they continue to straddle that line between unabashed "vk-ism" and indie appeal - they're almost like a VK version of cinema staff in that regard. "滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。" takes that archetypal, circus-y VK rock sound and amps it up a bit with the spastic recklessness of a 9mm parabellum bullet or Arukara track. This song is a helluva lot of fun!
 
"灰よ (hai yo)" by 平沢進 (Susumu Hirasawa)

The musical wizard of everything wondrous, the one and only, the legend himself, Susumu Hirasawa has just released Ash Crow, a compilation of songs he's composed for the Berserk franchise over a span of 20 years. The compilation features songs from the Berserk movies, games, and even some of the new insert songs from the Berserk 2016 anime - most notably "Hai yo"! The song is suitably dark and epic, evoking the grim nature of the show while providing the perfect backdrop for the demonic warfare of the series. It's a song that's both uniquely Hirasawa, and uniquely Berserk. It's a shame that the Berserk 2016 anime wasn't worthy of such a great piece!
 
Guest Recommendations
 
@Ada Suilen's Picks
 
"1000 Years" by THE NOVEMBERS

After the dark and dreamy Elegance EP, The Novembers have come back with their sixth album Hallelujah. A product which doesn't disappoint for a single note. But if you isolate it carefully, you can see the single vibes that are inside it: nostalgic rock sound, with even a passionate soul full of adrenaline and astonishing themes, which I liked most. "1000 Years" represents perfectly the most rebellious and out-of-scheme style that this band could ever do (those grungy vocals!).
 
"Trigger" by MUCC

In my opinion, MUCC is one of the few bands which always opted to stupefy and to entertain in unusual ways (think about the genres they've showed off); in their latest single this happened once again. With an energetic A-side and a curious first track on the B-side, here we are in front of something which smells unexpected and incredible. "Trigger" appears as one of the 'black-sheep' of MUCC's discography, where a warm guitar intertwines with sublime vocals and the structure twists around itself each second for a whirling musical experience.
 
 
@chemicalpictures' Picks
 
"拒絶 (kyosetzu)" by SCAPEGOAT

SCAPEGOAT was always a hit-and-miss band for me. While I loved "告白＿時々、雨 (kokuhaku ___ tokidoki, ame)", I couldn't care less for the other five songs on the mini. What made me love it so much is that the guys have a concept of trying to tell a story through their songs. They got it right that time, and got it right on the spot again! The Nagoya-y vocal lines set the tone and create a heavy atmosphere full of visual kei tropes like whispers, moaning and slow paced singing. The lead guitar nicely defines the tempo, starting slow and exploding into a catchy, dark and powerful chorus that provides some nice headbanging moments. You can feel that they are trying to express that emotional burst through the chorus, and that's an interesting little quirk. Music-wise there is nothing really innovative to be seen here, but it's a nice banger on a slow vkei month.
 
"Jellyfish" by ZON

With their third single, ZON is showing how consistently good they are. All the songs are great on this single, but "Jellyfish" stood out mainly because of 834. I'd like to get everyone's attention on how good that guy is. The song already starts packing a punch: 834's drums all over your face, dueling with Mii's melodic guitar lines, while Azu does his thing. Everything is just fine, but it all goes wild in the chorus, with 834's drums again in the spotlight, urging you to stand up and dance. It's IMPOSSIBLE to stand still. They really let him go full crazy mode... It's interesting how he subverts the regular progressive rock beat infusing a high octane funky-afrobeat, making it so energetic and vibrant (lol, sorry I got a little carried away here, but he is THAT good!). Another nice touch is the transition on the three-minute mark from the classic vk slow bridge into fast chorus transition. Smooth AF. This is EDR with a capital R, guys. These guys can be HUGE in no time.
 
Thanks for hanging out with us for another month of songs and we hope you enjoyed them as much as we did! Please comment below if you had any special songs this month you didn't see listed above that deserve some attention! We'd love to hear about them, or any of the songs we've listed above. Please let us know what you thought.  If you'd like to become a guest contributor for Recommended Tracks next month please contact @doombox!
 
Until next time~

Welcome back to our monthly collection of songs we thought rocked this month! And boy, oh boy, is this month packed full of quality tunes! So please keep your arms and legs securely next to you until this ride comes to a full stop. We apologize some videos may not be available to view in all regions. And we'd like to thank our guest contributors @Ada Suilen and @chemicalpictures for joining us once again! 
 
 
Recommended Tracks: September 2016
 
 
@beni's Picks
 
"たぶんわたしがゆうれいだったら (Tabun watashi ga yuureidattara)" by Her Ghost Friend

I admit that I was a bit late to this party, but throughout the entire month, I mashed the repeat button YouTube to this tune. One of the best ways to describe Her Ghost Friend is probably comparing her to Izumi Makura and Bonjour Suzuki, mixed with Etsuko Yakushimaru's anime tunes, but even cuter! Hold your horses though, it's not rap at all!  The act is comprised of duo singer Shinobu Ono and DJ Obake. The synths over a relaxing, almost ambient but playful beat makes this such a joy to listen to. With a childish yet ethereal voice, Her Ghost Friend have certainly caught my fancy.
 
"Kiss" by lovefilm

Even though their first ever album was quite a flop to me, I at least took this with me for keeps. lovefilm was quite a new name to many, and probably even more to come. I only managed to discover them from following the label UKPROJECT, and I'm sure glad it was "Kiss" I stumbled upon. The band have the female and male duo vocals going on, which is always a treat to the ears -- especially when both are so similar. It's especially sweet when they harmonize, and while the tune is definitely simple, it's worth your attention at least once for the feel good vibes.
 
"Cruisin' Cruisin'" by bonobos

Many thanks to @CAT5 for showing this to me firstly. For someone like myself who doesn't know the first thing about groove, this is a great starter. Everything about "Cruisin' Cruisin'" is just... well, cruisin'! The smoothness of everything, from the seemingly effortless cool vocals to the - just as amazing - chill instrumentals makes this so serene. For a linear, five minute track, you'd be surprised with how quick it seems to end. You can't help but be sucked into the whole feel of the tune. As I've said before, there's only a handful of such musicians I know and enjoy, such as cero being the closest act to them, so being exposed to even more brilliance is a pleasure! And I know it goes the same for everyone else too. Don't miss this!
 
"supercell" by Cö shu Nie

I had known this name for quite a while thanks to @CAT5, who had brought them up to me once again since their music change with this. And now I can't stop digging them! The now rocking pop duo do not let up their energy with this super number. The chaotic yet gorgeous tune is certainly energetic, and with the strong and lush female vocals of Mirai Nakamura, it really stands out and makes an impression. It's a move from their indie/math sound, and a change I've seen no one disagree with. I can safely say they have a least one more fan after this genre switch! I'm sure they'll quickly start to garner attention.
 
"She won't forget" by Someday's Gone

Telling the story of remembering fond yet bitter memories in the corner of a coffee shop, "She won't forget" is an instantly catchy number, relatable, genuine and real. The balance of sweetness with the vocalization "dood, dood, do do do" from pleasant, youthful male voice with the clearly bitter lyrics makes for an emotional and impactful listen. I can't blame anyone to be turned off at the rather amateurish Engrish delivery, but if you can overlook that and enjoy his voice, then you've sure got a nice little gem here. Also, any music video recorded in a coffee shop is the definition of cute, so how about adding "She won't forget" to your memory?

"CRAZY" by I don't like Mondays.

Everything about these guys is so infectious with each and every piece they put out! I have no idea how they do it. How they manage to make a great mixture of Japanese and English, while making it sound as good as it does is beyond me. The effortless Western feel and sound these guys can put out is so very impressive, and deserving of much more attention. From the incredibly... questionable music video style, to just how god damn gorgeous everyone looks, you'll be 'CRAZY' if you don't end up feeling like grooving to this! Be sure to check them out sooner or later while they're on fire with all their recent output!
 
 
@fitear1590's Picks
 
"Ice Candy" by カフカ (KAFUKA)

Last year, pop rockers KAFUKA put out Tokyo 9 Stories, a commendable album. Less than twelve months later, they're already back with another one, AINKSKI (あいなきせかい / ai naki sekai). While I haven't heard the full release yet, "Ice Candy" puts the album off to great start. It's a jaunty romp, punctuated with some surprisingly fuzzy guitar riffs. Frankly, I didn't know the boys had it in 'em to go in an even moderately shoegaze direction. Color me intrigued. The PV matches the aesthetic with some icy Super 8-style film footage. Let's hope the rest of the album has some nice surprises too!
 
"美しい火 (Beautiful Fire)" by THE NOVEMBERS

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of NOVEMBERS ~dream ver.~, so when they gave us a second taste of their new album (Hallelujah) via Soundcloud, it was love at first listen. "Beautiful Fire" is gorgeous and the polar opposite of the shoegrunge grittiness of July's "黒い虹 (Black Rainbow)," which was also stellar. This track has more conviction than the dreamy, yet wispy work on last year's Elegance and it also marks a glorious return to those warm horn arrangements, a nod to 2012's stunning GIFT EP. They add a nostalgic touch here, as well as on album-closer "いこうよ (ikou yo)." There's plenty to chew on with Hallelujah, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already!
 
"ポイズンベリー (poison berry)" by トキノキト (tokinokito)

 
Tokinokito seem to be slipping under people's radars, but if you're a neo-VK fan, what's not to like? They come bearing surprisingly slick visuals for a super indies band and with "poison berry," they introduce a quirky take on the graveyard circus sound so dear to their heavier contemporaries GRIMOIRE. The track opens with spooky chimes and accordion, just in time for Halloween! Then, whimsical synths and noodling guitar riffs lead us into the meat of the song. The verses are an unconventional mesh of time signatures that take some getting used to, but it's kind of brilliant. Tokinokito continue to grab my attention, so I think I'll be in it with them for the long haul. Hope you'll join me!
 
 
@Original Saku's Picks
 
"鬼 (Oni)" by クリープハイプ (CreepHyp)

This month kicks off with one of my most anticipated albums - Sekaikan from CreepHyp - and it does not disappoint. "Oni" is like a crazy train ride with a dose of peculiar sounds and grooves, it includes all the quirky aspects from this band that I love. From the wacky backing vocals to the unorthodox instrumental sounds to the eccentric vocal style of Ozaki. It's all there in a little package waiting to be unwrapped, I love it. One of my favorite albums of the year from one of my favorite bands, check it out. I will however forewarn any new listeners that Ozaki's vocals can be an acquired taste. Sometimes he sings in such a high pitch that it can be hard on the ears, but his eccentricity is very lovable once you've warmed up to it.
 
"twoface" by Aimer

I'm by no means a stranger to Aimer. I've been listening to her output for years in anime openings/endings and soundtracks, but lately I've noticed a slight shift in motivation or direction. That brings us to her new album daydream, and in particular the song "twoface", with music produced by Uchisawa Takahito from androp. This track has a lot of power behind it, which I don't often hear from Aimer songs, and it has caught my attention because of that. She performs wonderfully here and is in top form. That, combined with the interesting instrumentals and direction, makes this one of my favorite songs from her. I can't exactly put my finger on what has changed, but I feel that we have only just begun to see what she can do.
 
"Groovy Cony" by Casablanca

This is a  sleeper pick from last month that I wasn't able to get to since it came out so close to the deadline. Casablanca a newly formed band comprised of Yoko (noodles), Sawao Yamanaka (the pillows), and Shinya Kusube (Radio Caroline) - a veritable super group if you will. With such talent coming together, there was no doubt in my mind that their first album Another Story would be quality tunes, but nothing prepared me for the instant gratification that I received upon listening to this record. "Groovy Cony" is just one of the amazing tracks from this debut release that has a particular sound that I can only describe as nostalgia in a bottle. With Sawao's guitar work, backing vocals, and composition, and Kusube's loud and proud drumming, we have a instrumental style that harkens back to the sounds of old. You then add in Yoko as the lead vocalist and we have a distinct sound that feels nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
 
 
@togz' Picks
 
"Redemption" by Her Name in Blood 

I became a little concerned for the direction of this album with the release of the "Bakemono" music video. However, the majority of the tracks on this release really caught me by surprise. "Redemption" was the composition that grasped my interest the most. The guitar work in the beginning serves as a great hook for the entire track regardless of the repetition. Although the guitar riffs aren't very complex and we get a lot of palm-muted chugga-chugs, I found myself subconsciously bobbing my head along. The strongest aspect of this song is the catchy chorus. Ikepy's vocals really show growth with the range, depth, and stamina of his cleans. I can only hope to enjoy this song live some day. This is a must listen!
 
"海の静寂 (Umi no Seijaku)" by downy

I'm fairly new to the world of downy, but I have this song along with a few others to thank for getting me hooked. I'm not sure if this song is a great representation of all of their past work, but I can vouch that it's a great easy-listening track. I admire the flow of this song because of it's slow jazzy mood with silky-slick vocal phrases.  It's a rather sluggish song, but it's not muddy and it's tasteful. It works as great thinking music, inspirational music, or just something to sit back and relax to. 
 
"愛はなけなし (What Little Love)" by THE NOVEMBERS

THE NOVEMBERS never seem to disappoint, but this song in specific really resonates with me from their new album Hallelujah. The intro is a beautiful and emotionally dark combination of beautiful acoustics and muted guitar strums. Kobayashi's voice enters in a lullaby-esque melody, which fits his voice flawlessly given that his tone can range from a whispering chant to raw shouting. The middle section of the song is an interesting direction change and really jumps back to their dream-pop sound, but remains able to melt back into the solemn vibe of the song overall. While I would highly recommend the whole album, this track is where I'd start.
 
"ぴゅーぱ。( Pyupa/Pupa)" by PIGLOW in GLOOMY

I feel like visual kei has become a realm filled with cookie-cutter bands and finding gems is a chore. I listened to PIGLOW in GLOOMY on a whim, and while I wasn't amazed, I wasn't disappointed either. This track is off of their first mini-album むくあ(mukua) which was released August 31st. I like this track because it has hints of what visual kei sounded like when it was at it's peak for me, which was the obscurely mellow intros that lead into heavy guitar riffs and gave off a psychedelic sort of vibe.  The composition itself isn't too complex, but it shows potential to head in a very interesting direction. The vocal style also reminds me a bit of Karma from AvelCain, so if you're in to that I'd say they're worth a listen!
 
 
@emmny's Picks
 
"頭蓋、紛い (zugai, magai)" by gibkiy gibkiy gibkiy

Grandpa-kei' icons ggg return with a new single for September, hilarious titled I LOVE YOU. Considering how dark their sound is, a simple 'I love you' is an ironic declaration more so than a love letter. While the title track of the single has a stutter-y groove and an old-school merry go round vibe, "Zugai, Magai" chooses instead to brood and melt in its own darkness, giving a nod to later-era merry go. Kazuma's yelling has been a love-hate affair on their past material, as i enjoy his clean vocals more than his dragged-out-vibrato-whimper-yell, but it sounds perfect haunted on this track. I don't think anyone would have predicted ggg's success (or existence) 10 years ago, but this oddly random project has flourished into one hell of a beast. They exist on a creative plane far from their contemporaries, yet with an incredibly familiar sound that grows in magnitude with each release, it's incredibly thrilling to watch.
 
"EVIDENCE" by lynch.

Gang vocals? Yes. Delayed and reverberated clean guitar intro? Hell yeah. Compression for the gods? You know it. Thumping metalcore break down? Duh. Fist pumping chorus? Absolutely. lynch. basically rehashing what they've been doing for the past 3 years but still managing to blow our ears in with some surprises here and there? Thank god!
 
"カミソリ (Kamisori)" by ザアザア (Xaa-xaa)

Osaka it-band Xaa-Xaa are once again spamming us with music, this time in the form of a 3-month consecutive release around the theme of 'despair'. "Kamisori" is the first incarnation of this project, and Xaa-Xaa handle the questionably triggering concept with fury and also grace. "Kamisori" features a thrashy guitar riff at its centre with this oddly cute wonky tone that keeps it from coming across too 'metal'. Kazuki's vocals are at times breathy, other times strained, increasing the tension behind the words (special shout out to that howl at the end). The song flows incredibly well, outside of repeating the main riff a few times too many. The progression from the breakdown to the solo is particularly awesome. Next month is looking to be great too...see y'all here in October?
 
"撲殺サマンサ (Bokusatsu Samantha)" by DAMY

I'm gonna be real honest with y'all (as you can always expect): there's little merit to the new DAMY record outside of DEZERT's obvious influence. I knew it was an enjoyable record, but I didn't find any new tracks were interesting enough on their own for a feature. It works better as a whole... except for "Bokusatsu Samantha". This is straight up catchy metal-kei that stands amazingly on its own--so we'll forgive the fact that this technically came out in 2015. There's not much to rave on about this track, it's not that complex, or original, or all that interesting--but it's so fucking fun. You'll be screaming along to the gang refrain in no time, not knowing the band's detailing whacking a girl over the head to death. Intellectual music has it's place, but sometimes you just wanna whip your hair to some depravity--thank god DAMY make music for that.
 
 
@Zeus' Picks
 
"The Love From a Dead Orchestra" by Versailles

Versailles' return and announcement of new material is the greatest gift they could have given to their fans. There's been a dearth of good symphonic visual kei acts to fill Versailles' flowery rococo heels, but they didn't go out on the best note, so their Greatest Hits release feels less like a cash-in and more of an attempt to convince us there's enough magic to keep going. The tracks they chose were among the best of the best, but one in particular caught my eye almost instantly. I prayed and fantasized about what an updated rendition of "The Love From a Dead Orchestra" would sound like for years as it's always been a bold song held back by constrained production choices and a vocalist who had not yet adapted to his range. The re-recording exceeded my expectations. Some rough transitions were smoothed over with the inclusion of new instruments, everything was redone from scratch, and new lyrics were added to cover up sparse interludes. In terms of low-hanging optimizations to the melody the band plucked them all and then some. What's harder to communicate with words - and what Versailles did successfully - is play like a band. There's the perfect mix of old Versailles and new Versailles here to both restore my faith and keep my interest for what's to come.
 
 "孤独旋回 (kodoku senkai)" by downy

It's no secret that I'm all about downy's latest LP, 第六作品集『無題』 (Mudai), but it's hard to describe in words the emotions I feel when listening. If I had to choose one track that captures the entire feel of 『無題』, it would be "孤独旋回" (kodoku senkai). If 『無題』 were a story, "孤独旋回" would be the tense rising action before the climax. The rhythm is as tortuous as it is both uplifting and oddly distressing, beckoning the listener this way and then another with the variations in tempo and theme. I can feel the members of downy flexing their knowledge of musical theory on me with this one. Fans of post-rock and mathy melodies still new to downy just might fall in love. Moments of tranquility are upended into a whirlwind of emotion, painted with the melancholy tones of vocalist Robin Aoki. Such a description is fitting for a track named "Revolving Loneliness". One of the best tracks of September for sure!  
 
 
@CAT5's Picks
 
"2772" by ZA FEEDO

Initially appearing on a Yasei Collective feature back in 2014, ZA FEEDO have finally come forth with their debut album  2772, sporting what they describe as a 'Futurist Polyrhythmic Tropical Bad Ass FUJIYAMA Sound '. While they site acts like Aphex Twin, Little Dragon, Miles Davis, and bjork as influences, on their latest PV for the title track "2772", ZA FEEDO's off-kilter grooves and soulful vocals land them closer to the realm of Spangle call Lilli Line. The song has a great balance of experimental ingenuity and accessible, pop charisma. Let's hope the album is just as good!
 
"星雲ヒッチハイク (seiun hitch-hike)" by TAMTAM

TAMTAM originally made a name for themselves by creating a delectable fusion of Jpop and dub. They tried a few new things in 2014 - most of which seemed like a direct appeal to the Anime industry - but thankfully, they've returned to form on their new album NEWPOESY, even stating in their promo campaign, "Back to the Riddim"! The album is full of sweet, soulful jams that, while enjoyable, are best appreciated as a whole. "星雲ヒッチハイク" stands out completely on its own, though! It's an epic, expansive groove and the most pristinely gorgeous track of not only the album, but of TAMTAM's career thus far!
 
"白薔薇のララバイ (shirobara no lullaby)" by 手嶌葵 (Aoi Teshima)

When it comes to Jpop songstress Aoi Teshima, her music is just as classy, elegant, and beautiful as she is! She just released a new album titled 青い図書室 (Blue library) in celebration of her 10th anniversary and it's expectedly lovely. "白薔薇のララバイ" is particularly extravagant, with its somber, psychedelic-folk sound that harkens back to 70's kayōkyoku ballads, and even brings to mind the likes of Douji Morita. Absolutely stunning!
 
"Falling Alone" by Aimer

Hot on the heels of her recent single "insane dream" (produced by ONE OK ROCK's Taka), Aimer has finally dropped her new album daydream this month, which features three additional tracks penned by Taka as well. Of the three, "Falling Alone" serves us the kind of riveting pop-rock we've come to love from Aimer - even towering above "ninelie", which was produced by 'Mr. epic' himself, Hiroyuki Sawano. Taka and Aimer have proven to be a potent combination. The chorus of this song is EVERYTHING!
 
"Sunshine Freeway" by I love you Orchestra

I love you Orchestra is one of those bands that look brilliant on paper, but unfortunately, have yet to deliver anything truly substantial. With two drummers and three guitarists, one would expect some level of brilliance, but so far, their releases have consisted of songs too spastic to really get into, and songs too short to offer anything memorable. Thankfully, their sound finally seems to be coming together on their third and newest album Crack. "Sunshine Freeway" reflects this by perfectly balancing out the band's spastic tendencies with more accessible melodies and a coherent structure. The song feels more like an actual experience now, as opposed to just passing sounds. Japan's instrumental scene has been lacking lately, but these guys may just put a 'Crack' in the monotony!  
 
"see through sway in you" by 別野加奈 (Kana Wakareno)

Kana Wakareno is a young singer, pianist and cinematographer, who just recently released her third album forget me not, and it's absolutely exquisite! Her music is based on her own, imaginary/fictional landscapes, and through each track, you get a clear sense of her cinematic visions. The minimalistic melancholy of "see through sway in you" congers up a particularly visceral scene, with its mournful, yet gorgeous melodies and subtle background noises that sound to be the crackling of a fire - you get a sense that there's warmth nearby, but at the moment, there's something comforting about how numbing the cold is. Amazing.
 
"六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ (rokugatsu no ame ni utarete)" by alt of the society

Real Japanese emo is a bit of a scarcity. The scene is relatively small, and there aren't an abundance of fans in or outside of Japan, so I was pretty delighted when I finally got my hands on alt of the society's new album 追憶の風景 (tsuioku no fuukei), which was released all the way back in March! Not only was my need for this style of music sated, but the album also provided a few gems as well - "六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ" being one of them. It's a track with a traditional kind of post-rock build, starting relatively calm and then climaxing into a swell of emotion. Easily one of the most compelling tracks of the album!
 
 
"滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。(mekkin, shoudoku, bansoukou.)" by Chanty

Chanty are undeniably a VK band, yet they've continuously proven that their appeal extends beyond the scene. They're just as at home being on the same bill as VK bands like Grieva and Kuroyuri to Kage as they are sharing the stage with "non-vk" acts like indie-rockers aquarifa. On their latest album 不完全な音楽 (fukanzen na ongaku), they continue to straddle that line between unabashed "vk-ism" and indie appeal - they're almost like a VK version of cinema staff in that regard. "滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。" takes that archetypal, circus-y VK rock sound and amps it up a bit with the spastic recklessness of a 9mm parabellum bullet or Arukara track. This song is a helluva lot of fun!
 
"灰よ (hai yo)" by 平沢進 (Susumu Hirasawa)

The musical wizard of everything wondrous, the one and only, the legend himself, Susumu Hirasawa has just released Ash Crow, a compilation of songs he's composed for the Berserk franchise over a span of 20 years. The compilation features songs from the Berserk movies, games, and even some of the new insert songs from the Berserk 2016 anime - most notably "Hai yo"! The song is suitably dark and epic, evoking the grim nature of the show while providing the perfect backdrop for the demonic warfare of the series. It's a song that's both uniquely Hirasawa, and uniquely Berserk. It's a shame that the Berserk 2016 anime wasn't worthy of such a great piece!
 
Guest Recommendations
 
@Ada Suilen's Picks
 
"1000 Years" by THE NOVEMBERS

After the dark and dreamy Elegance EP, The Novembers have come back with their sixth album Hallelujah. A product which doesn't disappoint for a single note. But if you isolate it carefully, you can see the single vibes that are inside it: nostalgic rock sound, with even a passionate soul full of adrenaline and astonishing themes, which I liked most. "1000 Years" represents perfectly the most rebellious and out-of-scheme style that this band could ever do (those grungy vocals!).
 
"Trigger" by MUCC

In my opinion, MUCC is one of the few bands which always opted to stupefy and to entertain in unusual ways (think about the genres they've showed off); in their latest single this happened once again. With an energetic A-side and a curious first track on the B-side, here we are in front of something which smells unexpected and incredible. "Trigger" appears as one of the 'black-sheep' of MUCC's discography, where a warm guitar intertwines with sublime vocals and the structure twists around itself each second for a whirling musical experience.
 
 
@chemicalpictures' Picks
 
"拒絶 (kyosetzu)" by SCAPEGOAT

SCAPEGOAT was always a hit-and-miss band for me. While I loved "告白＿時々、雨 (kokuhaku ___ tokidoki, ame)", I couldn't care less for the other five songs on the mini. What made me love it so much is that the guys have a concept of trying to tell a story through their songs. They got it right that time, and got it right on the spot again! The Nagoya-y vocal lines set the tone and create a heavy atmosphere full of visual kei tropes like whispers, moaning and slow paced singing. The lead guitar nicely defines the tempo, starting slow and exploding into a catchy, dark and powerful chorus that provides some nice headbanging moments. You can feel that they are trying to express that emotional burst through the chorus, and that's an interesting little quirk. Music-wise there is nothing really innovative to be seen here, but it's a nice banger on a slow vkei month.
 
"Jellyfish" by ZON

With their third single, ZON is showing how consistently good they are. All the songs are great on this single, but "Jellyfish" stood out mainly because of 834. I'd like to get everyone's attention on how good that guy is. The song already starts packing a punch: 834's drums all over your face, dueling with Mii's melodic guitar lines, while Azu does his thing. Everything is just fine, but it all goes wild in the chorus, with 834's drums again in the spotlight, urging you to stand up and dance. It's IMPOSSIBLE to stand still. They really let him go full crazy mode... It's interesting how he subverts the regular progressive rock beat infusing a high octane funky-afrobeat, making it so energetic and vibrant (lol, sorry I got a little carried away here, but he is THAT good!). Another nice touch is the transition on the three-minute mark from the classic vk slow bridge into fast chorus transition. Smooth AF. This is EDR with a capital R, guys. These guys can be HUGE in no time.
 
Thanks for hanging out with us for another month of songs and we hope you enjoyed them as much as we did! Please comment below if you had any special songs this month you didn't see listed above that deserve some attention! We'd love to hear about them, or any of the songs we've listed above. Please let us know what you thought.  If you'd like to become a guest contributor for Recommended Tracks next month please contact @doombox!
 
Until next time~

Hello and welcome to our third edition of Anime Theme Recommendations (ATR) of 2016! Unfortunately, it's been another quiet season for anime openings, but busy outside of it (just see our Recommended Tracks in contrast)! Still, we've picked out what we think are the best of the very best, this time with what Spring had to offer. But do you agree? Feel free to leave comments/discussion on anything we might have missed or something that might have caught your eye!
 
Opening to Berserk
9mm Parabellum Bullet - "インフェルノ (Inferno)"

 
Ending to 一人之下 (Hitori no Shita): The Outcast
Affective Synergy - "In the Dawn"

 
Opening to Danganronpa 3
binaria - カミイロアワセ (Kami-iro Awase) 

 
Ending to Handa-kun
鈴村健一 (Kenichi Suzumura) - "HIDE AND SEEK"

 
Opening to 双星の陰陽師 (Sousei No Onmyouji)
i Ris - "Re:Call"

 
Ending to Berserk
やなぎなぎ (yanaginagi) - "瞑目の彼方 (Meimoku no Kanata)"

 
Ending to Servamp
寺島拓篤 (Terashima Takuma) - "Sunlight Avenue"

 
Thanks for visiting, reading and enjoying! We'll catch you in December for the last season of this year!
 

Welcome back to our monthly collection of songs we thought rocked this month! And boy, oh boy, is this month packed full of quality tunes! So please keep your arms and legs securely next to you until this ride comes to a full stop. We apologize some videos may not be available to view in all regions. And we'd like to thank our guest contributors @Ada Suilen and @chemicalpictures for joining us once again! 
 
 
Recommended Tracks: September 2016
 
 
@beni's Picks
 
"たぶんわたしがゆうれいだったら (Tabun watashi ga yuureidattara)" by Her Ghost Friend

I admit that I was a bit late to this party, but throughout the entire month, I mashed the repeat button YouTube to this tune. One of the best ways to describe Her Ghost Friend is probably comparing her to Izumi Makura and Bonjour Suzuki, mixed with Etsuko Yakushimaru's anime tunes, but even cuter! Hold your horses though, it's not rap at all!  The act is comprised of duo singer Shinobu Ono and DJ Obake. The synths over a relaxing, almost ambient but playful beat makes this such a joy to listen to. With a childish yet ethereal voice, Her Ghost Friend have certainly caught my fancy.
 
"Kiss" by lovefilm

Even though their first ever album was quite a flop to me, I at least took this with me for keeps. lovefilm was quite a new name to many, and probably even more to come. I only managed to discover them from following the label UKPROJECT, and I'm sure glad it was "Kiss" I stumbled upon. The band have the female and male duo vocals going on, which is always a treat to the ears -- especially when both are so similar. It's especially sweet when they harmonize, and while the tune is definitely simple, it's worth your attention at least once for the feel good vibes.
 
"Cruisin' Cruisin'" by bonobos

Many thanks to @CAT5 for showing this to me firstly. For someone like myself who doesn't know the first thing about groove, this is a great starter. Everything about "Cruisin' Cruisin'" is just... well, cruisin'! The smoothness of everything, from the seemingly effortless cool vocals to the - just as amazing - chill instrumentals makes this so serene. For a linear, five minute track, you'd be surprised with how quick it seems to end. You can't help but be sucked into the whole feel of the tune. As I've said before, there's only a handful of such musicians I know and enjoy, such as cero being the closest act to them, so being exposed to even more brilliance is a pleasure! And I know it goes the same for everyone else too. Don't miss this!
 
"supercell" by Cö shu Nie

I had known this name for quite a while thanks to @CAT5, who had brought them up to me once again since their music change with this. And now I can't stop digging them! The now rocking pop duo do not let up their energy with this super number. The chaotic yet gorgeous tune is certainly energetic, and with the strong and lush female vocals of Mirai Nakamura, it really stands out and makes an impression. It's a move from their indie/math sound, and a change I've seen no one disagree with. I can safely say they have a least one more fan after this genre switch! I'm sure they'll quickly start to garner attention.
 
"She won't forget" by Someday's Gone

Telling the story of remembering fond yet bitter memories in the corner of a coffee shop, "She won't forget" is an instantly catchy number, relatable, genuine and real. The balance of sweetness with the vocalization "dood, dood, do do do" from pleasant, youthful male voice with the clearly bitter lyrics makes for an emotional and impactful listen. I can't blame anyone to be turned off at the rather amateurish Engrish delivery, but if you can overlook that and enjoy his voice, then you've sure got a nice little gem here. Also, any music video recorded in a coffee shop is the definition of cute, so how about adding "She won't forget" to your memory?

"CRAZY" by I don't like Mondays.

Everything about these guys is so infectious with each and every piece they put out! I have no idea how they do it. How they manage to make a great mixture of Japanese and English, while making it sound as good as it does is beyond me. The effortless Western feel and sound these guys can put out is so very impressive, and deserving of much more attention. From the incredibly... questionable music video style, to just how god damn gorgeous everyone looks, you'll be 'CRAZY' if you don't end up feeling like grooving to this! Be sure to check them out sooner or later while they're on fire with all their recent output!
 
 
@fitear1590's Picks
 
"Ice Candy" by カフカ (KAFUKA)

Last year, pop rockers KAFUKA put out Tokyo 9 Stories, a commendable album. Less than twelve months later, they're already back with another one, AINKSKI (あいなきせかい / ai naki sekai). While I haven't heard the full release yet, "Ice Candy" puts the album off to great start. It's a jaunty romp, punctuated with some surprisingly fuzzy guitar riffs. Frankly, I didn't know the boys had it in 'em to go in an even moderately shoegaze direction. Color me intrigued. The PV matches the aesthetic with some icy Super 8-style film footage. Let's hope the rest of the album has some nice surprises too!
 
"美しい火 (Beautiful Fire)" by THE NOVEMBERS

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of NOVEMBERS ~dream ver.~, so when they gave us a second taste of their new album (Hallelujah) via Soundcloud, it was love at first listen. "Beautiful Fire" is gorgeous and the polar opposite of the shoegrunge grittiness of July's "黒い虹 (Black Rainbow)," which was also stellar. This track has more conviction than the dreamy, yet wispy work on last year's Elegance and it also marks a glorious return to those warm horn arrangements, a nod to 2012's stunning GIFT EP. They add a nostalgic touch here, as well as on album-closer "いこうよ (ikou yo)." There's plenty to chew on with Hallelujah, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already!
 
"ポイズンベリー (poison berry)" by トキノキト (tokinokito)

 
Tokinokito seem to be slipping under people's radars, but if you're a neo-VK fan, what's not to like? They come bearing surprisingly slick visuals for a super indies band and with "poison berry," they introduce a quirky take on the graveyard circus sound so dear to their heavier contemporaries GRIMOIRE. The track opens with spooky chimes and accordion, just in time for Halloween! Then, whimsical synths and noodling guitar riffs lead us into the meat of the song. The verses are an unconventional mesh of time signatures that take some getting used to, but it's kind of brilliant. Tokinokito continue to grab my attention, so I think I'll be in it with them for the long haul. Hope you'll join me!
 
 
@Original Saku's Picks
 
"鬼 (Oni)" by クリープハイプ (CreepHyp)

This month kicks off with one of my most anticipated albums - Sekaikan from CreepHyp - and it does not disappoint. "Oni" is like a crazy train ride with a dose of peculiar sounds and grooves, it includes all the quirky aspects from this band that I love. From the wacky backing vocals to the unorthodox instrumental sounds to the eccentric vocal style of Ozaki. It's all there in a little package waiting to be unwrapped, I love it. One of my favorite albums of the year from one of my favorite bands, check it out. I will however forewarn any new listeners that Ozaki's vocals can be an acquired taste. Sometimes he sings in such a high pitch that it can be hard on the ears, but his eccentricity is very lovable once you've warmed up to it.
 
"twoface" by Aimer

I'm by no means a stranger to Aimer. I've been listening to her output for years in anime openings/endings and soundtracks, but lately I've noticed a slight shift in motivation or direction. That brings us to her new album daydream, and in particular the song "twoface", with music produced by Uchisawa Takahito from androp. This track has a lot of power behind it, which I don't often hear from Aimer songs, and it has caught my attention because of that. She performs wonderfully here and is in top form. That, combined with the interesting instrumentals and direction, makes this one of my favorite songs from her. I can't exactly put my finger on what has changed, but I feel that we have only just begun to see what she can do.
 
"Groovy Cony" by Casablanca

This is a  sleeper pick from last month that I wasn't able to get to since it came out so close to the deadline. Casablanca a newly formed band comprised of Yoko (noodles), Sawao Yamanaka (the pillows), and Shinya Kusube (Radio Caroline) - a veritable super group if you will. With such talent coming together, there was no doubt in my mind that their first album Another Story would be quality tunes, but nothing prepared me for the instant gratification that I received upon listening to this record. "Groovy Cony" is just one of the amazing tracks from this debut release that has a particular sound that I can only describe as nostalgia in a bottle. With Sawao's guitar work, backing vocals, and composition, and Kusube's loud and proud drumming, we have a instrumental style that harkens back to the sounds of old. You then add in Yoko as the lead vocalist and we have a distinct sound that feels nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
 
 
@togz' Picks
 
"Redemption" by Her Name in Blood 

I became a little concerned for the direction of this album with the release of the "Bakemono" music video. However, the majority of the tracks on this release really caught me by surprise. "Redemption" was the composition that grasped my interest the most. The guitar work in the beginning serves as a great hook for the entire track regardless of the repetition. Although the guitar riffs aren't very complex and we get a lot of palm-muted chugga-chugs, I found myself subconsciously bobbing my head along. The strongest aspect of this song is the catchy chorus. Ikepy's vocals really show growth with the range, depth, and stamina of his cleans. I can only hope to enjoy this song live some day. This is a must listen!
 
"海の静寂 (Umi no Seijaku)" by downy

I'm fairly new to the world of downy, but I have this song along with a few others to thank for getting me hooked. I'm not sure if this song is a great representation of all of their past work, but I can vouch that it's a great easy-listening track. I admire the flow of this song because of it's slow jazzy mood with silky-slick vocal phrases.  It's a rather sluggish song, but it's not muddy and it's tasteful. It works as great thinking music, inspirational music, or just something to sit back and relax to. 
 
"愛はなけなし (What Little Love)" by THE NOVEMBERS

THE NOVEMBERS never seem to disappoint, but this song in specific really resonates with me from their new album Hallelujah. The intro is a beautiful and emotionally dark combination of beautiful acoustics and muted guitar strums. Kobayashi's voice enters in a lullaby-esque melody, which fits his voice flawlessly given that his tone can range from a whispering chant to raw shouting. The middle section of the song is an interesting direction change and really jumps back to their dream-pop sound, but remains able to melt back into the solemn vibe of the song overall. While I would highly recommend the whole album, this track is where I'd start.
 
"ぴゅーぱ。( Pyupa/Pupa)" by PIGLOW in GLOOMY

I feel like visual kei has become a realm filled with cookie-cutter bands and finding gems is a chore. I listened to PIGLOW in GLOOMY on a whim, and while I wasn't amazed, I wasn't disappointed either. This track is off of their first mini-album むくあ(mukua) which was released August 31st. I like this track because it has hints of what visual kei sounded like when it was at it's peak for me, which was the obscurely mellow intros that lead into heavy guitar riffs and gave off a psychedelic sort of vibe.  The composition itself isn't too complex, but it shows potential to head in a very interesting direction. The vocal style also reminds me a bit of Karma from AvelCain, so if you're in to that I'd say they're worth a listen!
 
 
@emmny's Picks
 
"頭蓋、紛い (zugai, magai)" by gibkiy gibkiy gibkiy

Grandpa-kei' icons ggg return with a new single for September, hilarious titled I LOVE YOU. Considering how dark their sound is, a simple 'I love you' is an ironic declaration more so than a love letter. While the title track of the single has a stutter-y groove and an old-school merry go round vibe, "Zugai, Magai" chooses instead to brood and melt in its own darkness, giving a nod to later-era merry go. Kazuma's yelling has been a love-hate affair on their past material, as i enjoy his clean vocals more than his dragged-out-vibrato-whimper-yell, but it sounds perfect haunted on this track. I don't think anyone would have predicted ggg's success (or existence) 10 years ago, but this oddly random project has flourished into one hell of a beast. They exist on a creative plane far from their contemporaries, yet with an incredibly familiar sound that grows in magnitude with each release, it's incredibly thrilling to watch.
 
"EVIDENCE" by lynch.

Gang vocals? Yes. Delayed and reverberated clean guitar intro? Hell yeah. Compression for the gods? You know it. Thumping metalcore break down? Duh. Fist pumping chorus? Absolutely. lynch. basically rehashing what they've been doing for the past 3 years but still managing to blow our ears in with some surprises here and there? Thank god!
 
"カミソリ (Kamisori)" by ザアザア (Xaa-xaa)

Osaka it-band Xaa-Xaa are once again spamming us with music, this time in the form of a 3-month consecutive release around the theme of 'despair'. "Kamisori" is the first incarnation of this project, and Xaa-Xaa handle the questionably triggering concept with fury and also grace. "Kamisori" features a thrashy guitar riff at its centre with this oddly cute wonky tone that keeps it from coming across too 'metal'. Kazuki's vocals are at times breathy, other times strained, increasing the tension behind the words (special shout out to that howl at the end). The song flows incredibly well, outside of repeating the main riff a few times too many. The progression from the breakdown to the solo is particularly awesome. Next month is looking to be great too...see y'all here in October?
 
"撲殺サマンサ (Bokusatsu Samantha)" by DAMY

I'm gonna be real honest with y'all (as you can always expect): there's little merit to the new DAMY record outside of DEZERT's obvious influence. I knew it was an enjoyable record, but I didn't find any new tracks were interesting enough on their own for a feature. It works better as a whole... except for "Bokusatsu Samantha". This is straight up catchy metal-kei that stands amazingly on its own--so we'll forgive the fact that this technically came out in 2015. There's not much to rave on about this track, it's not that complex, or original, or all that interesting--but it's so fucking fun. You'll be screaming along to the gang refrain in no time, not knowing the band's detailing whacking a girl over the head to death. Intellectual music has it's place, but sometimes you just wanna whip your hair to some depravity--thank god DAMY make music for that.
 
 
@Zeus' Picks
 
"The Love From a Dead Orchestra" by Versailles

Versailles' return and announcement of new material is the greatest gift they could have given to their fans. There's been a dearth of good symphonic visual kei acts to fill Versailles' flowery rococo heels, but they didn't go out on the best note, so their Greatest Hits release feels less like a cash-in and more of an attempt to convince us there's enough magic to keep going. The tracks they chose were among the best of the best, but one in particular caught my eye almost instantly. I prayed and fantasized about what an updated rendition of "The Love From a Dead Orchestra" would sound like for years as it's always been a bold song held back by constrained production choices and a vocalist who had not yet adapted to his range. The re-recording exceeded my expectations. Some rough transitions were smoothed over with the inclusion of new instruments, everything was redone from scratch, and new lyrics were added to cover up sparse interludes. In terms of low-hanging optimizations to the melody the band plucked them all and then some. What's harder to communicate with words - and what Versailles did successfully - is play like a band. There's the perfect mix of old Versailles and new Versailles here to both restore my faith and keep my interest for what's to come.
 
 "孤独旋回 (kodoku senkai)" by downy

It's no secret that I'm all about downy's latest LP, 第六作品集『無題』 (Mudai), but it's hard to describe in words the emotions I feel when listening. If I had to choose one track that captures the entire feel of 『無題』, it would be "孤独旋回" (kodoku senkai). If 『無題』 were a story, "孤独旋回" would be the tense rising action before the climax. The rhythm is as tortuous as it is both uplifting and oddly distressing, beckoning the listener this way and then another with the variations in tempo and theme. I can feel the members of downy flexing their knowledge of musical theory on me with this one. Fans of post-rock and mathy melodies still new to downy just might fall in love. Moments of tranquility are upended into a whirlwind of emotion, painted with the melancholy tones of vocalist Robin Aoki. Such a description is fitting for a track named "Revolving Loneliness". One of the best tracks of September for sure!  
 
 
@CAT5's Picks
 
"2772" by ZA FEEDO

Initially appearing on a Yasei Collective feature back in 2014, ZA FEEDO have finally come forth with their debut album  2772, sporting what they describe as a 'Futurist Polyrhythmic Tropical Bad Ass FUJIYAMA Sound '. While they site acts like Aphex Twin, Little Dragon, Miles Davis, and bjork as influences, on their latest PV for the title track "2772", ZA FEEDO's off-kilter grooves and soulful vocals land them closer to the realm of Spangle call Lilli Line. The song has a great balance of experimental ingenuity and accessible, pop charisma. Let's hope the album is just as good!
 
"星雲ヒッチハイク (seiun hitch-hike)" by TAMTAM

TAMTAM originally made a name for themselves by creating a delectable fusion of Jpop and dub. They tried a few new things in 2014 - most of which seemed like a direct appeal to the Anime industry - but thankfully, they've returned to form on their new album NEWPOESY, even stating in their promo campaign, "Back to the Riddim"! The album is full of sweet, soulful jams that, while enjoyable, are best appreciated as a whole. "星雲ヒッチハイク" stands out completely on its own, though! It's an epic, expansive groove and the most pristinely gorgeous track of not only the album, but of TAMTAM's career thus far!
 
"白薔薇のララバイ (shirobara no lullaby)" by 手嶌葵 (Aoi Teshima)

When it comes to Jpop songstress Aoi Teshima, her music is just as classy, elegant, and beautiful as she is! She just released a new album titled 青い図書室 (Blue library) in celebration of her 10th anniversary and it's expectedly lovely. "白薔薇のララバイ" is particularly extravagant, with its somber, psychedelic-folk sound that harkens back to 70's kayōkyoku ballads, and even brings to mind the likes of Douji Morita. Absolutely stunning!
 
"Falling Alone" by Aimer

Hot on the heels of her recent single "insane dream" (produced by ONE OK ROCK's Taka), Aimer has finally dropped her new album daydream this month, which features three additional tracks penned by Taka as well. Of the three, "Falling Alone" serves us the kind of riveting pop-rock we've come to love from Aimer - even towering above "ninelie", which was produced by 'Mr. epic' himself, Hiroyuki Sawano. Taka and Aimer have proven to be a potent combination. The chorus of this song is EVERYTHING!
 
"Sunshine Freeway" by I love you Orchestra

I love you Orchestra is one of those bands that look brilliant on paper, but unfortunately, have yet to deliver anything truly substantial. With two drummers and three guitarists, one would expect some level of brilliance, but so far, their releases have consisted of songs too spastic to really get into, and songs too short to offer anything memorable. Thankfully, their sound finally seems to be coming together on their third and newest album Crack. "Sunshine Freeway" reflects this by perfectly balancing out the band's spastic tendencies with more accessible melodies and a coherent structure. The song feels more like an actual experience now, as opposed to just passing sounds. Japan's instrumental scene has been lacking lately, but these guys may just put a 'Crack' in the monotony!  
 
"see through sway in you" by 別野加奈 (Kana Wakareno)

Kana Wakareno is a young singer, pianist and cinematographer, who just recently released her third album forget me not, and it's absolutely exquisite! Her music is based on her own, imaginary/fictional landscapes, and through each track, you get a clear sense of her cinematic visions. The minimalistic melancholy of "see through sway in you" congers up a particularly visceral scene, with its mournful, yet gorgeous melodies and subtle background noises that sound to be the crackling of a fire - you get a sense that there's warmth nearby, but at the moment, there's something comforting about how numbing the cold is. Amazing.
 
"六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ (rokugatsu no ame ni utarete)" by alt of the society

Real Japanese emo is a bit of a scarcity. The scene is relatively small, and there aren't an abundance of fans in or outside of Japan, so I was pretty delighted when I finally got my hands on alt of the society's new album 追憶の風景 (tsuioku no fuukei), which was released all the way back in March! Not only was my need for this style of music sated, but the album also provided a few gems as well - "六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ" being one of them. It's a track with a traditional kind of post-rock build, starting relatively calm and then climaxing into a swell of emotion. Easily one of the most compelling tracks of the album!
 
 
"滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。(mekkin, shoudoku, bansoukou.)" by Chanty

Chanty are undeniably a VK band, yet they've continuously proven that their appeal extends beyond the scene. They're just as at home being on the same bill as VK bands like Grieva and Kuroyuri to Kage as they are sharing the stage with "non-vk" acts like indie-rockers aquarifa. On their latest album 不完全な音楽 (fukanzen na ongaku), they continue to straddle that line between unabashed "vk-ism" and indie appeal - they're almost like a VK version of cinema staff in that regard. "滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。" takes that archetypal, circus-y VK rock sound and amps it up a bit with the spastic recklessness of a 9mm parabellum bullet or Arukara track. This song is a helluva lot of fun!
 
"灰よ (hai yo)" by 平沢進 (Susumu Hirasawa)

The musical wizard of everything wondrous, the one and only, the legend himself, Susumu Hirasawa has just released Ash Crow, a compilation of songs he's composed for the Berserk franchise over a span of 20 years. The compilation features songs from the Berserk movies, games, and even some of the new insert songs from the Berserk 2016 anime - most notably "Hai yo"! The song is suitably dark and epic, evoking the grim nature of the show while providing the perfect backdrop for the demonic warfare of the series. It's a song that's both uniquely Hirasawa, and uniquely Berserk. It's a shame that the Berserk 2016 anime wasn't worthy of such a great piece!
 
Guest Recommendations
 
@Ada Suilen's Picks
 
"1000 Years" by THE NOVEMBERS

After the dark and dreamy Elegance EP, The Novembers have come back with their sixth album Hallelujah. A product which doesn't disappoint for a single note. But if you isolate it carefully, you can see the single vibes that are inside it: nostalgic rock sound, with even a passionate soul full of adrenaline and astonishing themes, which I liked most. "1000 Years" represents perfectly the most rebellious and out-of-scheme style that this band could ever do (those grungy vocals!).
 
"Trigger" by MUCC

In my opinion, MUCC is one of the few bands which always opted to stupefy and to entertain in unusual ways (think about the genres they've showed off); in their latest single this happened once again. With an energetic A-side and a curious first track on the B-side, here we are in front of something which smells unexpected and incredible. "Trigger" appears as one of the 'black-sheep' of MUCC's discography, where a warm guitar intertwines with sublime vocals and the structure twists around itself each second for a whirling musical experience.
 
 
@chemicalpictures' Picks
 
"拒絶 (kyosetzu)" by SCAPEGOAT

SCAPEGOAT was always a hit-and-miss band for me. While I loved "告白＿時々、雨 (kokuhaku ___ tokidoki, ame)", I couldn't care less for the other five songs on the mini. What made me love it so much is that the guys have a concept of trying to tell a story through their songs. They got it right that time, and got it right on the spot again! The Nagoya-y vocal lines set the tone and create a heavy atmosphere full of visual kei tropes like whispers, moaning and slow paced singing. The lead guitar nicely defines the tempo, starting slow and exploding into a catchy, dark and powerful chorus that provides some nice headbanging moments. You can feel that they are trying to express that emotional burst through the chorus, and that's an interesting little quirk. Music-wise there is nothing really innovative to be seen here, but it's a nice banger on a slow vkei month.
 
"Jellyfish" by ZON

With their third single, ZON is showing how consistently good they are. All the songs are great on this single, but "Jellyfish" stood out mainly because of 834. I'd like to get everyone's attention on how good that guy is. The song already starts packing a punch: 834's drums all over your face, dueling with Mii's melodic guitar lines, while Azu does his thing. Everything is just fine, but it all goes wild in the chorus, with 834's drums again in the spotlight, urging you to stand up and dance. It's IMPOSSIBLE to stand still. They really let him go full crazy mode... It's interesting how he subverts the regular progressive rock beat infusing a high octane funky-afrobeat, making it so energetic and vibrant (lol, sorry I got a little carried away here, but he is THAT good!). Another nice touch is the transition on the three-minute mark from the classic vk slow bridge into fast chorus transition. Smooth AF. This is EDR with a capital R, guys. These guys can be HUGE in no time.
 
Thanks for hanging out with us for another month of songs and we hope you enjoyed them as much as we did! Please comment below if you had any special songs this month you didn't see listed above that deserve some attention! We'd love to hear about them, or any of the songs we've listed above. Please let us know what you thought.  If you'd like to become a guest contributor for Recommended Tracks next month please contact @doombox!
 
Until next time~

Welcome back to our monthly collection of songs we thought rocked this month! And boy, oh boy, is this month packed full of quality tunes! So please keep your arms and legs securely next to you until this ride comes to a full stop. We apologize some videos may not be available to view in all regions. And we'd like to thank our guest contributors @Ada Suilen and @chemicalpictures for joining us once again! 
 
 
Recommended Tracks: September 2016
 
 
@beni's Picks
 
"たぶんわたしがゆうれいだったら (Tabun watashi ga yuureidattara)" by Her Ghost Friend

I admit that I was a bit late to this party, but throughout the entire month, I mashed the repeat button YouTube to this tune. One of the best ways to describe Her Ghost Friend is probably comparing her to Izumi Makura and Bonjour Suzuki, mixed with Etsuko Yakushimaru's anime tunes, but even cuter! Hold your horses though, it's not rap at all!  The act is comprised of duo singer Shinobu Ono and DJ Obake. The synths over a relaxing, almost ambient but playful beat makes this such a joy to listen to. With a childish yet ethereal voice, Her Ghost Friend have certainly caught my fancy.
 
"Kiss" by lovefilm

Even though their first ever album was quite a flop to me, I at least took this with me for keeps. lovefilm was quite a new name to many, and probably even more to come. I only managed to discover them from following the label UKPROJECT, and I'm sure glad it was "Kiss" I stumbled upon. The band have the female and male duo vocals going on, which is always a treat to the ears -- especially when both are so similar. It's especially sweet when they harmonize, and while the tune is definitely simple, it's worth your attention at least once for the feel good vibes.
 
"Cruisin' Cruisin'" by bonobos

Many thanks to @CAT5 for showing this to me firstly. For someone like myself who doesn't know the first thing about groove, this is a great starter. Everything about "Cruisin' Cruisin'" is just... well, cruisin'! The smoothness of everything, from the seemingly effortless cool vocals to the - just as amazing - chill instrumentals makes this so serene. For a linear, five minute track, you'd be surprised with how quick it seems to end. You can't help but be sucked into the whole feel of the tune. As I've said before, there's only a handful of such musicians I know and enjoy, such as cero being the closest act to them, so being exposed to even more brilliance is a pleasure! And I know it goes the same for everyone else too. Don't miss this!
 
"supercell" by Cö shu Nie

I had known this name for quite a while thanks to @CAT5, who had brought them up to me once again since their music change with this. And now I can't stop digging them! The now rocking pop duo do not let up their energy with this super number. The chaotic yet gorgeous tune is certainly energetic, and with the strong and lush female vocals of Mirai Nakamura, it really stands out and makes an impression. It's a move from their indie/math sound, and a change I've seen no one disagree with. I can safely say they have a least one more fan after this genre switch! I'm sure they'll quickly start to garner attention.
 
"She won't forget" by Someday's Gone

Telling the story of remembering fond yet bitter memories in the corner of a coffee shop, "She won't forget" is an instantly catchy number, relatable, genuine and real. The balance of sweetness with the vocalization "dood, dood, do do do" from pleasant, youthful male voice with the clearly bitter lyrics makes for an emotional and impactful listen. I can't blame anyone to be turned off at the rather amateurish Engrish delivery, but if you can overlook that and enjoy his voice, then you've sure got a nice little gem here. Also, any music video recorded in a coffee shop is the definition of cute, so how about adding "She won't forget" to your memory?

"CRAZY" by I don't like Mondays.

Everything about these guys is so infectious with each and every piece they put out! I have no idea how they do it. How they manage to make a great mixture of Japanese and English, while making it sound as good as it does is beyond me. The effortless Western feel and sound these guys can put out is so very impressive, and deserving of much more attention. From the incredibly... questionable music video style, to just how god damn gorgeous everyone looks, you'll be 'CRAZY' if you don't end up feeling like grooving to this! Be sure to check them out sooner or later while they're on fire with all their recent output!
 
 
@fitear1590's Picks
 
"Ice Candy" by カフカ (KAFUKA)

Last year, pop rockers KAFUKA put out Tokyo 9 Stories, a commendable album. Less than twelve months later, they're already back with another one, AINKSKI (あいなきせかい / ai naki sekai). While I haven't heard the full release yet, "Ice Candy" puts the album off to great start. It's a jaunty romp, punctuated with some surprisingly fuzzy guitar riffs. Frankly, I didn't know the boys had it in 'em to go in an even moderately shoegaze direction. Color me intrigued. The PV matches the aesthetic with some icy Super 8-style film footage. Let's hope the rest of the album has some nice surprises too!
 
"美しい火 (Beautiful Fire)" by THE NOVEMBERS

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of NOVEMBERS ~dream ver.~, so when they gave us a second taste of their new album (Hallelujah) via Soundcloud, it was love at first listen. "Beautiful Fire" is gorgeous and the polar opposite of the shoegrunge grittiness of July's "黒い虹 (Black Rainbow)," which was also stellar. This track has more conviction than the dreamy, yet wispy work on last year's Elegance and it also marks a glorious return to those warm horn arrangements, a nod to 2012's stunning GIFT EP. They add a nostalgic touch here, as well as on album-closer "いこうよ (ikou yo)." There's plenty to chew on with Hallelujah, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already!
 
"ポイズンベリー (poison berry)" by トキノキト (tokinokito)

 
Tokinokito seem to be slipping under people's radars, but if you're a neo-VK fan, what's not to like? They come bearing surprisingly slick visuals for a super indies band and with "poison berry," they introduce a quirky take on the graveyard circus sound so dear to their heavier contemporaries GRIMOIRE. The track opens with spooky chimes and accordion, just in time for Halloween! Then, whimsical synths and noodling guitar riffs lead us into the meat of the song. The verses are an unconventional mesh of time signatures that take some getting used to, but it's kind of brilliant. Tokinokito continue to grab my attention, so I think I'll be in it with them for the long haul. Hope you'll join me!
 
 
@Original Saku's Picks
 
"鬼 (Oni)" by クリープハイプ (CreepHyp)

This month kicks off with one of my most anticipated albums - Sekaikan from CreepHyp - and it does not disappoint. "Oni" is like a crazy train ride with a dose of peculiar sounds and grooves, it includes all the quirky aspects from this band that I love. From the wacky backing vocals to the unorthodox instrumental sounds to the eccentric vocal style of Ozaki. It's all there in a little package waiting to be unwrapped, I love it. One of my favorite albums of the year from one of my favorite bands, check it out. I will however forewarn any new listeners that Ozaki's vocals can be an acquired taste. Sometimes he sings in such a high pitch that it can be hard on the ears, but his eccentricity is very lovable once you've warmed up to it.
 
"twoface" by Aimer

I'm by no means a stranger to Aimer. I've been listening to her output for years in anime openings/endings and soundtracks, but lately I've noticed a slight shift in motivation or direction. That brings us to her new album daydream, and in particular the song "twoface", with music produced by Uchisawa Takahito from androp. This track has a lot of power behind it, which I don't often hear from Aimer songs, and it has caught my attention because of that. She performs wonderfully here and is in top form. That, combined with the interesting instrumentals and direction, makes this one of my favorite songs from her. I can't exactly put my finger on what has changed, but I feel that we have only just begun to see what she can do.
 
"Groovy Cony" by Casablanca

This is a  sleeper pick from last month that I wasn't able to get to since it came out so close to the deadline. Casablanca a newly formed band comprised of Yoko (noodles), Sawao Yamanaka (the pillows), and Shinya Kusube (Radio Caroline) - a veritable super group if you will. With such talent coming together, there was no doubt in my mind that their first album Another Story would be quality tunes, but nothing prepared me for the instant gratification that I received upon listening to this record. "Groovy Cony" is just one of the amazing tracks from this debut release that has a particular sound that I can only describe as nostalgia in a bottle. With Sawao's guitar work, backing vocals, and composition, and Kusube's loud and proud drumming, we have a instrumental style that harkens back to the sounds of old. You then add in Yoko as the lead vocalist and we have a distinct sound that feels nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
 
 
@togz' Picks
 
"Redemption" by Her Name in Blood 

I became a little concerned for the direction of this album with the release of the "Bakemono" music video. However, the majority of the tracks on this release really caught me by surprise. "Redemption" was the composition that grasped my interest the most. The guitar work in the beginning serves as a great hook for the entire track regardless of the repetition. Although the guitar riffs aren't very complex and we get a lot of palm-muted chugga-chugs, I found myself subconsciously bobbing my head along. The strongest aspect of this song is the catchy chorus. Ikepy's vocals really show growth with the range, depth, and stamina of his cleans. I can only hope to enjoy this song live some day. This is a must listen!
 
"海の静寂 (Umi no Seijaku)" by downy

I'm fairly new to the world of downy, but I have this song along with a few others to thank for getting me hooked. I'm not sure if this song is a great representation of all of their past work, but I can vouch that it's a great easy-listening track. I admire the flow of this song because of it's slow jazzy mood with silky-slick vocal phrases.  It's a rather sluggish song, but it's not muddy and it's tasteful. It works as great thinking music, inspirational music, or just something to sit back and relax to. 
 
"愛はなけなし (What Little Love)" by THE NOVEMBERS

THE NOVEMBERS never seem to disappoint, but this song in specific really resonates with me from their new album Hallelujah. The intro is a beautiful and emotionally dark combination of beautiful acoustics and muted guitar strums. Kobayashi's voice enters in a lullaby-esque melody, which fits his voice flawlessly given that his tone can range from a whispering chant to raw shouting. The middle section of the song is an interesting direction change and really jumps back to their dream-pop sound, but remains able to melt back into the solemn vibe of the song overall. While I would highly recommend the whole album, this track is where I'd start.
 
"ぴゅーぱ。( Pyupa/Pupa)" by PIGLOW in GLOOMY

I feel like visual kei has become a realm filled with cookie-cutter bands and finding gems is a chore. I listened to PIGLOW in GLOOMY on a whim, and while I wasn't amazed, I wasn't disappointed either. This track is off of their first mini-album むくあ(mukua) which was released August 31st. I like this track because it has hints of what visual kei sounded like when it was at it's peak for me, which was the obscurely mellow intros that lead into heavy guitar riffs and gave off a psychedelic sort of vibe.  The composition itself isn't too complex, but it shows potential to head in a very interesting direction. The vocal style also reminds me a bit of Karma from AvelCain, so if you're in to that I'd say they're worth a listen!
 
 
@emmny's Picks
 
"頭蓋、紛い (zugai, magai)" by gibkiy gibkiy gibkiy

Grandpa-kei' icons ggg return with a new single for September, hilarious titled I LOVE YOU. Considering how dark their sound is, a simple 'I love you' is an ironic declaration more so than a love letter. While the title track of the single has a stutter-y groove and an old-school merry go round vibe, "Zugai, Magai" chooses instead to brood and melt in its own darkness, giving a nod to later-era merry go. Kazuma's yelling has been a love-hate affair on their past material, as i enjoy his clean vocals more than his dragged-out-vibrato-whimper-yell, but it sounds perfect haunted on this track. I don't think anyone would have predicted ggg's success (or existence) 10 years ago, but this oddly random project has flourished into one hell of a beast. They exist on a creative plane far from their contemporaries, yet with an incredibly familiar sound that grows in magnitude with each release, it's incredibly thrilling to watch.
 
"EVIDENCE" by lynch.

Gang vocals? Yes. Delayed and reverberated clean guitar intro? Hell yeah. Compression for the gods? You know it. Thumping metalcore break down? Duh. Fist pumping chorus? Absolutely. lynch. basically rehashing what they've been doing for the past 3 years but still managing to blow our ears in with some surprises here and there? Thank god!
 
"カミソリ (Kamisori)" by ザアザア (Xaa-xaa)

Osaka it-band Xaa-Xaa are once again spamming us with music, this time in the form of a 3-month consecutive release around the theme of 'despair'. "Kamisori" is the first incarnation of this project, and Xaa-Xaa handle the questionably triggering concept with fury and also grace. "Kamisori" features a thrashy guitar riff at its centre with this oddly cute wonky tone that keeps it from coming across too 'metal'. Kazuki's vocals are at times breathy, other times strained, increasing the tension behind the words (special shout out to that howl at the end). The song flows incredibly well, outside of repeating the main riff a few times too many. The progression from the breakdown to the solo is particularly awesome. Next month is looking to be great too...see y'all here in October?
 
"撲殺サマンサ (Bokusatsu Samantha)" by DAMY

I'm gonna be real honest with y'all (as you can always expect): there's little merit to the new DAMY record outside of DEZERT's obvious influence. I knew it was an enjoyable record, but I didn't find any new tracks were interesting enough on their own for a feature. It works better as a whole... except for "Bokusatsu Samantha". This is straight up catchy metal-kei that stands amazingly on its own--so we'll forgive the fact that this technically came out in 2015. There's not much to rave on about this track, it's not that complex, or original, or all that interesting--but it's so fucking fun. You'll be screaming along to the gang refrain in no time, not knowing the band's detailing whacking a girl over the head to death. Intellectual music has it's place, but sometimes you just wanna whip your hair to some depravity--thank god DAMY make music for that.
 
 
@Zeus' Picks
 
"The Love From a Dead Orchestra" by Versailles

Versailles' return and announcement of new material is the greatest gift they could have given to their fans. There's been a dearth of good symphonic visual kei acts to fill Versailles' flowery rococo heels, but they didn't go out on the best note, so their Greatest Hits release feels less like a cash-in and more of an attempt to convince us there's enough magic to keep going. The tracks they chose were among the best of the best, but one in particular caught my eye almost instantly. I prayed and fantasized about what an updated rendition of "The Love From a Dead Orchestra" would sound like for years as it's always been a bold song held back by constrained production choices and a vocalist who had not yet adapted to his range. The re-recording exceeded my expectations. Some rough transitions were smoothed over with the inclusion of new instruments, everything was redone from scratch, and new lyrics were added to cover up sparse interludes. In terms of low-hanging optimizations to the melody the band plucked them all and then some. What's harder to communicate with words - and what Versailles did successfully - is play like a band. There's the perfect mix of old Versailles and new Versailles here to both restore my faith and keep my interest for what's to come.
 
 "孤独旋回 (kodoku senkai)" by downy

It's no secret that I'm all about downy's latest LP, 第六作品集『無題』 (Mudai), but it's hard to describe in words the emotions I feel when listening. If I had to choose one track that captures the entire feel of 『無題』, it would be "孤独旋回" (kodoku senkai). If 『無題』 were a story, "孤独旋回" would be the tense rising action before the climax. The rhythm is as tortuous as it is both uplifting and oddly distressing, beckoning the listener this way and then another with the variations in tempo and theme. I can feel the members of downy flexing their knowledge of musical theory on me with this one. Fans of post-rock and mathy melodies still new to downy just might fall in love. Moments of tranquility are upended into a whirlwind of emotion, painted with the melancholy tones of vocalist Robin Aoki. Such a description is fitting for a track named "Revolving Loneliness". One of the best tracks of September for sure!  
 
 
@CAT5's Picks
 
"2772" by ZA FEEDO

Initially appearing on a Yasei Collective feature back in 2014, ZA FEEDO have finally come forth with their debut album  2772, sporting what they describe as a 'Futurist Polyrhythmic Tropical Bad Ass FUJIYAMA Sound '. While they site acts like Aphex Twin, Little Dragon, Miles Davis, and bjork as influences, on their latest PV for the title track "2772", ZA FEEDO's off-kilter grooves and soulful vocals land them closer to the realm of Spangle call Lilli Line. The song has a great balance of experimental ingenuity and accessible, pop charisma. Let's hope the album is just as good!
 
"星雲ヒッチハイク (seiun hitch-hike)" by TAMTAM

TAMTAM originally made a name for themselves by creating a delectable fusion of Jpop and dub. They tried a few new things in 2014 - most of which seemed like a direct appeal to the Anime industry - but thankfully, they've returned to form on their new album NEWPOESY, even stating in their promo campaign, "Back to the Riddim"! The album is full of sweet, soulful jams that, while enjoyable, are best appreciated as a whole. "星雲ヒッチハイク" stands out completely on its own, though! It's an epic, expansive groove and the most pristinely gorgeous track of not only the album, but of TAMTAM's career thus far!
 
"白薔薇のララバイ (shirobara no lullaby)" by 手嶌葵 (Aoi Teshima)

When it comes to Jpop songstress Aoi Teshima, her music is just as classy, elegant, and beautiful as she is! She just released a new album titled 青い図書室 (Blue library) in celebration of her 10th anniversary and it's expectedly lovely. "白薔薇のララバイ" is particularly extravagant, with its somber, psychedelic-folk sound that harkens back to 70's kayōkyoku ballads, and even brings to mind the likes of Douji Morita. Absolutely stunning!
 
"Falling Alone" by Aimer

Hot on the heels of her recent single "insane dream" (produced by ONE OK ROCK's Taka), Aimer has finally dropped her new album daydream this month, which features three additional tracks penned by Taka as well. Of the three, "Falling Alone" serves us the kind of riveting pop-rock we've come to love from Aimer - even towering above "ninelie", which was produced by 'Mr. epic' himself, Hiroyuki Sawano. Taka and Aimer have proven to be a potent combination. The chorus of this song is EVERYTHING!
 
"Sunshine Freeway" by I love you Orchestra

I love you Orchestra is one of those bands that look brilliant on paper, but unfortunately, have yet to deliver anything truly substantial. With two drummers and three guitarists, one would expect some level of brilliance, but so far, their releases have consisted of songs too spastic to really get into, and songs too short to offer anything memorable. Thankfully, their sound finally seems to be coming together on their third and newest album Crack. "Sunshine Freeway" reflects this by perfectly balancing out the band's spastic tendencies with more accessible melodies and a coherent structure. The song feels more like an actual experience now, as opposed to just passing sounds. Japan's instrumental scene has been lacking lately, but these guys may just put a 'Crack' in the monotony!  
 
"see through sway in you" by 別野加奈 (Kana Wakareno)

Kana Wakareno is a young singer, pianist and cinematographer, who just recently released her third album forget me not, and it's absolutely exquisite! Her music is based on her own, imaginary/fictional landscapes, and through each track, you get a clear sense of her cinematic visions. The minimalistic melancholy of "see through sway in you" congers up a particularly visceral scene, with its mournful, yet gorgeous melodies and subtle background noises that sound to be the crackling of a fire - you get a sense that there's warmth nearby, but at the moment, there's something comforting about how numbing the cold is. Amazing.
 
"六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ (rokugatsu no ame ni utarete)" by alt of the society

Real Japanese emo is a bit of a scarcity. The scene is relatively small, and there aren't an abundance of fans in or outside of Japan, so I was pretty delighted when I finally got my hands on alt of the society's new album 追憶の風景 (tsuioku no fuukei), which was released all the way back in March! Not only was my need for this style of music sated, but the album also provided a few gems as well - "六月ノ雨ニ討タレテ" being one of them. It's a track with a traditional kind of post-rock build, starting relatively calm and then climaxing into a swell of emotion. Easily one of the most compelling tracks of the album!
 
 
"滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。(mekkin, shoudoku, bansoukou.)" by Chanty

Chanty are undeniably a VK band, yet they've continuously proven that their appeal extends beyond the scene. They're just as at home being on the same bill as VK bands like Grieva and Kuroyuri to Kage as they are sharing the stage with "non-vk" acts like indie-rockers aquarifa. On their latest album 不完全な音楽 (fukanzen na ongaku), they continue to straddle that line between unabashed "vk-ism" and indie appeal - they're almost like a VK version of cinema staff in that regard. "滅菌、消毒、絆創膏。" takes that archetypal, circus-y VK rock sound and amps it up a bit with the spastic recklessness of a 9mm parabellum bullet or Arukara track. This song is a helluva lot of fun!
 
"灰よ (hai yo)" by 平沢進 (Susumu Hirasawa)

The musical wizard of everything wondrous, the one and only, the legend himself, Susumu Hirasawa has just released Ash Crow, a compilation of songs he's composed for the Berserk franchise over a span of 20 years. The compilation features songs from the Berserk movies, games, and even some of the new insert songs from the Berserk 2016 anime - most notably "Hai yo"! The song is suitably dark and epic, evoking the grim nature of the show while providing the perfect backdrop for the demonic warfare of the series. It's a song that's both uniquely Hirasawa, and uniquely Berserk. It's a shame that the Berserk 2016 anime wasn't worthy of such a great piece!
 
Guest Recommendations
 
@Ada Suilen's Picks
 
"1000 Years" by THE NOVEMBERS

After the dark and dreamy Elegance EP, The Novembers have come back with their sixth album Hallelujah. A product which doesn't disappoint for a single note. But if you isolate it carefully, you can see the single vibes that are inside it: nostalgic rock sound, with even a passionate soul full of adrenaline and astonishing themes, which I liked most. "1000 Years" represents perfectly the most rebellious and out-of-scheme style that this band could ever do (those grungy vocals!).
 
"Trigger" by MUCC

In my opinion, MUCC is one of the few bands which always opted to stupefy and to entertain in unusual ways (think about the genres they've showed off); in their latest single this happened once again. With an energetic A-side and a curious first track on the B-side, here we are in front of something which smells unexpected and incredible. "Trigger" appears as one of the 'black-sheep' of MUCC's discography, where a warm guitar intertwines with sublime vocals and the structure twists around itself each second for a whirling musical experience.
 
 
@chemicalpictures' Picks
 
"拒絶 (kyosetzu)" by SCAPEGOAT

SCAPEGOAT was always a hit-and-miss band for me. While I loved "告白＿時々、雨 (kokuhaku ___ tokidoki, ame)", I couldn't care less for the other five songs on the mini. What made me love it so much is that the guys have a concept of trying to tell a story through their songs. They got it right that time, and got it right on the spot again! The Nagoya-y vocal lines set the tone and create a heavy atmosphere full of visual kei tropes like whispers, moaning and slow paced singing. The lead guitar nicely defines the tempo, starting slow and exploding into a catchy, dark and powerful chorus that provides some nice headbanging moments. You can feel that they are trying to express that emotional burst through the chorus, and that's an interesting little quirk. Music-wise there is nothing really innovative to be seen here, but it's a nice banger on a slow vkei month.
 
"Jellyfish" by ZON

With their third single, ZON is showing how consistently good they are. All the songs are great on this single, but "Jellyfish" stood out mainly because of 834. I'd like to get everyone's attention on how good that guy is. The song already starts packing a punch: 834's drums all over your face, dueling with Mii's melodic guitar lines, while Azu does his thing. Everything is just fine, but it all goes wild in the chorus, with 834's drums again in the spotlight, urging you to stand up and dance. It's IMPOSSIBLE to stand still. They really let him go full crazy mode... It's interesting how he subverts the regular progressive rock beat infusing a high octane funky-afrobeat, making it so energetic and vibrant (lol, sorry I got a little carried away here, but he is THAT good!). Another nice touch is the transition on the three-minute mark from the classic vk slow bridge into fast chorus transition. Smooth AF. This is EDR with a capital R, guys. These guys can be HUGE in no time.
 
Thanks for hanging out with us for another month of songs and we hope you enjoyed them as much as we did! Please comment below if you had any special songs this month you didn't see listed above that deserve some attention! We'd love to hear about them, or any of the songs we've listed above. Please let us know what you thought.  If you'd like to become a guest contributor for Recommended Tracks next month please contact @doombox!
 
Until next time~