fitear1590

It's pretty funny, because Tanaka's definition "City Pop is Japanese pop music with a pronounced Western indie influence that tends to have a dreamy, chill, carefree, neo-soul aesthetic" summarizes a big part of my music taste, to a tee! Too bad I don't actually like many of the bands he designated as City Pop!

The article was kind of an interesting read and I suppose it's nice to have a label for these types of bands, but if all the bands listed equal "City Pop," then the term is pretty much meaningless. In my opinion, there's very few Japanese bands that truly sound "Western" to me, such as: The fin., Ykiki Beat, Homecomings, (all of which were listed and sing in English, HMMM!), and I would argue Hotel Mexico and early Czecho no Republic. There's probably more, but I'd have to think about it for a minute.

The connection to our "club" band discussion was a cool coincidence, but overall, I fail to see how alleged City Pop bands like Awesome City Club (srsly, their arrangements are so j-poppy) or Yogee New Waves sound especially "Western" unless our definition just means any Japanese indie rock music that's not super frantic/quirky like Midori, ling tosite sigure, or 88kasyo junrei. To which I repeat: the term then becomes kind of useless. Of course not every Japanese rock band is going to sound like them. Simply playing indie pop does not equal "Western". I also think Tanaka downplays how much language and vocals (singing styles, but also melodies that Western artists don't really do) make a difference, even if the guitar riffs might sound like Modest Mouse or something.

And what is the Western band that beachy bands like Mitsume and Siamese Cats are supposedly copying? Cause I need to know. All I can think of is Mac Demarco and that's not quite right.

Also, the comment about "City Pop" music being "emasculating" was pretty silly.

It's pretty funny, because Tanaka's definition "City Pop is Japanese pop music with a pronounced Western indie influence that tends to have a dreamy, chill, carefree, neo-soul aesthetic" summarizes a big part of my music taste, to a tee! Too bad I don't actually like many of the bands he designated as City Pop!

The article was kind of an interesting read and I suppose it's nice to have a label for these types of bands, but if all the bands listed equal "City Pop," then the term is pretty much meaningless. In my opinion, there's very few Japanese bands that truly sound "Western" to me, such as: The fin., Ykiki Beat, Homecomings, (all of which were listed and sing in English, HMMM!), and I would argue Hotel Mexico and early Czecho no Republic. There's probably more, but I'd have to think about it for a minute.

The connection to our "club" band discussion was a cool coincidence, but overall, I fail to see how alleged City Pop bands like Awesome City Club (srsly, their arrangements are so j-poppy) or Yogee New Waves sound especially "Western" unless our definition just means any Japanese indie rock music that's not super frantic/quirky like Midori, ling tosite sigure, or 88kasyo junrei. To which I repeat: the term then becomes kind of useless. Of course not every Japanese rock band is going to sound like them. Simply playing indie pop does not equal "Western". I also think Tanaka downplays how much language and vocals (singing styles, but also melodies that Western artists don't really do) make a difference, even if the guitar riffs might sound like Modest Mouse or something.

And what is the Western band that beachy bands like Mitsume and Siamese Cats are supposedly copying? Cause I need to know. All I can think of is Mac Demarco and that's not quite right.

Also, the comment about "City Pop" music being "emasculating" was pretty silly.

It's pretty funny, because Tanaka's definition "City Pop is Japanese pop music with a pronounced Western indie influence that tends to have a dreamy, chill, carefree, neo-soul aesthetic" summarizes a big part of my music taste, to a tee! Too bad I don't actually like many of the bands he designated as City Pop!

The article was kind of an interesting read and I suppose it's nice to have a label for these types of bands, but if all the bands listed equal "City Pop," then the term is pretty much meaningless. In my opinion, there's very few Japanese bands that truly sound "Western" to me, such as: The fin., Ykiki Beat, Homecomings, (all of which were listed and sing in English, HMMM!), and I would argue Hotel Mexico and early Czecho no Republic. There's probably more, but I'd have to think about it for a minute.

The connection to our "club" band discussion was a cool coincidence, but overall, I fail to see how alleged City Pop bands like Awesome City Club (srsly, their arrangements are so j-poppy) or Yogee New Waves sound especially "Western" unless our definition just means any Japanese indie rock music that's not super frantic/quirky like Midori, ling tosite sigure, or 88kasyo junrei. To which I repeat: the term then becomes kind of useless. Of course not every Japanese rock band is going to sound like them. Simply playing indie pop does not equal "Western". I also think Tanaka downplays how much language and vocals (singing styles, but also melodies that Western artists don't really do) make a difference, even if the guitar riffs might sound like Modest Mouse or something.

And what is the Western band that beachy bands like Mitsume and Siamese Cats are supposedly copying? Cause I need to know. All I can think of is Mac Demarco and that's not quite right.

Also, the comment about "City Pop" music being "emasculating" was pretty silly.

UNiTE. opened a special website for their 6th anniversary:
http://www.unite-jp.com/6th/

Nothing too exciting there yet, but I do like seeing a band like Chanty in the "Friends" section.

~~Friendly reminder to everyone on MH: If you want to be a guest contributor like Ada Suillen and chemicalpictures were this month, check out this thread or PM @doombox for more details. We want to see even more people sharing the music they love!~~

Time for some comments!

@beni - I can see myself getting into Her Ghost Friend. There's a very uniquely J-POP vibe, but in a good way. Also, I recognize the pool in that band pic (The fin.'s PV). I actually love and miss the wacky version of Cö shu Nie. There was a moment in their discog where they seemed to go full pop (was not a fan), but this song seems to be showing a plausible synthesis of both styles. I'm hopefully back on board again
@Original Saku - ...CreepHyp's (acquired taste) vocalist reminds me very strongly of someone. UGH, this is going to bother me until I figure it out. I like the kinda husky voice in Casablanca!
@togz - downy seems really solid on this newest album, so I'll need to check that out. NICE song choice for the NOVEMBERS. You might see this song pop up in a future post of mine *wink wink*. I love the way the synth goes slightly off-kilter/dissonant in the chorus. Holy shit, PIGLOW was a surprise--they're pretty much nobodies, right? Randomly downloaded it because people were raving about them (and dat name, amirite?) and it's pretty awesome! I hear more Kiryu in the vocals tho!
@emmny - I need to get on that ggg train. It's got that guitar swag that only aie can do, but I won't have to suffer through Ryo's vocals
@Zeus - yesss, Versailles! I was so skeptical about a rerecording album as a 'return,' but I was pleasantly surprised. The only thing I'm not crazy about in this particular remake is the slight tweaking of the guitar notes around 3:00-3:01 (and the repeats later on). And like togz, further support that I need to downy it up.
@CAT5 - welcome back, d00d! I still need to spend some more time with the new TAMTAM, but this song is pretty good. I'm not sure they'll ever top the perfucktion that was "Polarize" (song and some extent, mini-album). Aoi Teshima is GORGEOUS. And I'm so glad to see how many people on the team, despite varying tastes, are getting into Chanty!
@Ada Suilen - mwahaha, more NOVEMBERS love. This is probably my favorite 'heavy' track from the album.
@chemicalpictures - I was a Dhalis fan back in the day and you can still hear moments of it in ZON, even though they've amped up heaviness and production value. I need to look into them!

off-topic, why is the only clear photo of THE NOVEMBERS so dweeby looking? lol
 

~~Friendly reminder to everyone on MH: If you want to be a guest contributor like Ada Suillen and chemicalpictures were this month, check out this thread or PM @doombox for more details. We want to see even more people sharing the music they love!~~

Time for some comments!

@beni - I can see myself getting into Her Ghost Friend. There's a very uniquely J-POP vibe, but in a good way. Also, I recognize the pool in that band pic (The fin.'s PV). I actually love and miss the wacky version of Cö shu Nie. There was a moment in their discog where they seemed to go full pop (was not a fan), but this song seems to be showing a plausible synthesis of both styles. I'm hopefully back on board again
@Original Saku - ...CreepHyp's (acquired taste) vocalist reminds me very strongly of someone. UGH, this is going to bother me until I figure it out. I like the kinda husky voice in Casablanca!
@togz - downy seems really solid on this newest album, so I'll need to check that out. NICE song choice for the NOVEMBERS. You might see this song pop up in a future post of mine *wink wink*. I love the way the synth goes slightly off-kilter/dissonant in the chorus. Holy shit, PIGLOW was a surprise--they're pretty much nobodies, right? Randomly downloaded it because people were raving about them (and dat name, amirite?) and it's pretty awesome! I hear more Kiryu in the vocals tho!
@emmny - I need to get on that ggg train. It's got that guitar swag that only aie can do, but I won't have to suffer through Ryo's vocals
@Zeus - yesss, Versailles! I was so skeptical about a rerecording album as a 'return,' but I was pleasantly surprised. The only thing I'm not crazy about in this particular remake is the slight tweaking of the guitar notes around 3:00-3:01 (and the repeats later on). And like togz, further support that I need to downy it up.
@CAT5 - welcome back, d00d! I still need to spend some more time with the new TAMTAM, but this song is pretty good. I'm not sure they'll ever top the perfucktion that was "Polarize" (song and some extent, mini-album). Aoi Teshima is GORGEOUS. And I'm so glad to see how many people on the team, despite varying tastes, are getting into Chanty!
@Ada Suilen - mwahaha, more NOVEMBERS love. This is probably my favorite 'heavy' track from the album.
@chemicalpictures - I was a Dhalis fan back in the day and you can still hear moments of it in ZON, even though they've amped up heaviness and production value. I need to look into them!

off-topic, why is the only clear photo of THE NOVEMBERS so dweeby looking? lol
 

~~Friendly reminder to everyone on MH: If you want to be a guest contributor like Ada Suillen and chemicalpictures were this month, check out this thread or PM @doombox for more details. We want to see even more people sharing the music they love!~~

Time for some comments!

@beni - I can see myself getting into Her Ghost Friend. There's a very uniquely J-POP vibe, but in a good way. Also, I recognize the pool in that band pic (The fin.'s PV). I actually love and miss the wacky version of Cö shu Nie. There was a moment in their discog where they seemed to go full pop (was not a fan), but this song seems to be showing a plausible synthesis of both styles. I'm hopefully back on board again
@Original Saku - ...CreepHyp's (acquired taste) vocalist reminds me very strongly of someone. UGH, this is going to bother me until I figure it out. I like the kinda husky voice in Casablanca!
@togz - downy seems really solid on this newest album, so I'll need to check that out. NICE song choice for the NOVEMBERS. You might see this song pop up in a future post of mine *wink wink*. I love the way the synth goes slightly off-kilter/dissonant in the chorus. Holy shit, PIGLOW was a surprise--they're pretty much nobodies, right? Randomly downloaded it because people were raving about them (and dat name, amirite?) and it's pretty awesome! I hear more Kiryu in the vocals tho!
@emmny - I need to get on that ggg train. It's got that guitar swag that only aie can do, but I won't have to suffer through Ryo's vocals
@Zeus - yesss, Versailles! I was so skeptical about a rerecording album as a 'return,' but I was pleasantly surprised. The only thing I'm not crazy about in this particular remake is the slight tweaking of the guitar notes around 3:00-3:01 (and the repeats later on). And like togz, further support that I need to downy it up.
@CAT5 - welcome back, d00d! I still need to spend some more time with the new TAMTAM, but this song is pretty good. I'm not sure they'll ever top the perfucktion that was "Polarize" (song and some extent, mini-album). Aoi Teshima is GORGEOUS. And I'm so glad to see how many people on the team, despite varying tastes, are getting into Chanty!
@Ada Suilen - mwahaha, more NOVEMBERS love. This is probably my favorite 'heavy' track from the album.
@chemicalpictures - I was a Dhalis fan back in the day and you can still hear moments of it in ZON, even though they've amped up heaviness and production value. I need to look into them!

off-topic, why is the only clear photo of THE NOVEMBERS so dweeby looking? lol
 

BLASPHEMYYYYYYY

~~Friendly reminder to everyone on MH: If you want to be a guest contributor like Ada Suillen and chemicalpictures were this month, check out this thread or PM @doombox for more details. We want to see even more people sharing the music they love!~~

Time for some comments!

@beni - I can see myself getting into Her Ghost Friend. There's a very uniquely J-POP vibe, but in a good way. Also, I recognize the pool in that band pic (The fin.'s PV). I actually love and miss the wacky version of Cö shu Nie. There was a moment in their discog where they seemed to go full pop (was not a fan), but this song seems to be showing a plausible synthesis of both styles. I'm hopefully back on board again
@Original Saku - ...CreepHyp's (acquired taste) vocalist reminds me very strongly of someone. UGH, this is going to bother me until I figure it out. I like the kinda husky voice in Casablanca!
@togz - downy seems really solid on this newest album, so I'll need to check that out. NICE song choice for the NOVEMBERS. You might see this song pop up in a future post of mine *wink wink*. I love the way the synth goes slightly off-kilter/dissonant in the chorus. Holy shit, PIGLOW was a surprise--they're pretty much nobodies, right? Randomly downloaded it because people were raving about them (and dat name, amirite?) and it's pretty awesome! I hear more Kiryu in the vocals tho!
@emmny - I need to get on that ggg train. It's got that guitar swag that only aie can do, but I won't have to suffer through Ryo's vocals
@Zeus - yesss, Versailles! I was so skeptical about a rerecording album as a 'return,' but I was pleasantly surprised. The only thing I'm not crazy about in this particular remake is the slight tweaking of the guitar notes around 3:00-3:01 (and the repeats later on). And like togz, further support that I need to downy it up.
@CAT5 - welcome back, d00d! I still need to spend some more time with the new TAMTAM, but this song is pretty good. I'm not sure they'll ever top the perfucktion that was "Polarize" (song and some extent, mini-album). Aoi Teshima is GORGEOUS. And I'm so glad to see how many people on the team, despite varying tastes, are getting into Chanty!
@Ada Suilen - mwahaha, more NOVEMBERS love. This is probably my favorite 'heavy' track from the album.
@chemicalpictures - I was a Dhalis fan back in the day and you can still hear moments of it in ZON, even though they've amped up heaviness and production value. I need to look into them!

off-topic, why is the only clear photo of THE NOVEMBERS so dweeby looking? lol
 

~~Friendly reminder to everyone on MH: If you want to be a guest contributor like Ada Suillen and chemicalpictures were this month, check out this thread or PM @doombox for more details. We want to see even more people sharing the music they love!~~

Time for some comments!

@beni - I can see myself getting into Her Ghost Friend. There's a very uniquely J-POP vibe, but in a good way. Also, I recognize the pool in that band pic (The fin.'s PV). I actually love and miss the wacky version of Cö shu Nie. There was a moment in their discog where they seemed to go full pop (was not a fan), but this song seems to be showing a plausible synthesis of both styles. I'm hopefully back on board again
@Original Saku - ...CreepHyp's (acquired taste) vocalist reminds me very strongly of someone. UGH, this is going to bother me until I figure it out. I like the kinda husky voice in Casablanca!
@togz - downy seems really solid on this newest album, so I'll need to check that out. NICE song choice for the NOVEMBERS. You might see this song pop up in a future post of mine *wink wink*. I love the way the synth goes slightly off-kilter/dissonant in the chorus. Holy shit, PIGLOW was a surprise--they're pretty much nobodies, right? Randomly downloaded it because people were raving about them (and dat name, amirite?) and it's pretty awesome! I hear more Kiryu in the vocals tho!
@emmny - I need to get on that ggg train. It's got that guitar swag that only aie can do, but I won't have to suffer through Ryo's vocals
@Zeus - yesss, Versailles! I was so skeptical about a rerecording album as a 'return,' but I was pleasantly surprised. The only thing I'm not crazy about in this particular remake is the slight tweaking of the guitar notes around 3:00-3:01 (and the repeats later on). And like togz, further support that I need to downy it up.
@CAT5 - welcome back, d00d! I still need to spend some more time with the new TAMTAM, but this song is pretty good. I'm not sure they'll ever top the perfucktion that was "Polarize" (song and some extent, mini-album). Aoi Teshima is GORGEOUS. And I'm so glad to see how many people on the team, despite varying tastes, are getting into Chanty!
@Ada Suilen - mwahaha, more NOVEMBERS love. This is probably my favorite 'heavy' track from the album.
@chemicalpictures - I was a Dhalis fan back in the day and you can still hear moments of it in ZON, even though they've amped up heaviness and production value. I need to look into them!

off-topic, why is the only clear photo of THE NOVEMBERS so dweeby looking? lol
 

Wow, loving the interweaving of different scenes. Need to see more of this!

Wow, loving the interweaving of different scenes. Need to see more of this!

@fitear1590 i only vaguely know about kafuka so seeing theme here serves as a reminder for me to check more on them~ really liking that song too.
 
@Original Saku randomly clicked a video of casablanca on youtube once but didn't realize some of the members were from noodles and the pillows (i have not been following either of the bands at all). i suddenly have more interest in them now, haha.
 
@CAT5 so happy to see alt of the society on here! there are a number of good tracks from the album, but that track happens to be my favorite! ^^
you will be sure i clicked that vote button.
 
@togz glad to see that someone picked my favorite from the new novembers album.  
 
@emmny i'm loving xaa-xaa more and more, and i also have less problems with the vocals now? i think he's improved, but i also prefer his breathy vocals more. this month and the next will be awesome!
 
@chemicalpictures i also thought their mini was rather uninteresting, but kyozetsu is quite nice. great pick! ^^

Thanks for posting, hirokx!

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

Thanks for posting, hirokx!

Thanks for posting, hirokx!

I've loved Chanty since their first single and they especially came into their own as a band last year, but I'm gonna have to spend some more time with this mini. Maybe I was distracted the first time I listened to it, but I don't remember much. Glad to see they're gaining more and more fans though!

EDIT: re-listening and I am already way more onboard with this release this time around 
False alarm!

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

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.

@fitear1590, I like how we were pumped for one of each others' picks! KAFUKA's "Ice Candy" also got my attention. I would've written a blurb for it myself if I hadn't had too many picks this month! Totally awesome song, I wasn't feeling them before when I checked out their album, but this is just amazing!

Still have to check out everyone's! I just had to tell you, I kept forgetting to!

speaking for myself as a vk reviewer, i don't like to see lists overcome by vk. im regurgitating someone's else's post from here from a while ago (sorry) but vk makes a very, very small part of the japanese music scene--its just very over represented on this forum because of how much we all love vk (for the most part). so most of the readers on the post most likely are keeping up with a fair bit of vk--i only chose to feature songs that i find are worth of the feature. there was a lot of vk released this month, but i only write about work that inspires me. the new lack co was good, but not mind blowing, the dalle was good too but i wasnt insane about it. thats my personal ethos on reviews, im not here to spam with all the vk that even vaguely tickled my fancy, but rather stuff that deserves a second look or more praise--because as seen in the polls, most of the users already are familiar with my picks. this is why we need a great indie contribution, and why im so happy to have cat5 back. vk is over represented but is still underground--there's so much else to cover in pop, electronic, metal, post-hardcore etc, and that should take the majority of the coverage in my ideal world. you should be turned on to stuff you might not listen to, and my reviews are oriented especially towards pushing vk onto people who might not usually like it.
this isn't directed at you, wes, or anyone else on the team. everyone's contributions are amazing, vk or not vk. i think the key to a great recommended list is a blend of sounds that you know you like and some stuff that you might not listen to had you not read the review. this is mostly to encourage whoever's reading this messy blurb to listen outside of their tastes, and why i keep my reviews to three vk songs unless i feel there needs to be a greater presence.
i read all of your responses, and its especially lovely when i see people who are predominantly j-indie fans turned onto a visual song, or when i see someone who looks like a die-hard visual stan enjoying, say, the novembers. thats the whole point of this list, in my own opinion.

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?

Omg, sorry for the late reply! Just wanted to get this in, before the new list comes out later today!!

@togz Not that I follow them, but did not know that COLDRAIN ever went in this direction. I can dig it!
@emmny Yesss, Mediena! They're my kind of band when it comes to 2000s tribute kei.
@Original Saku Uri Nakayama sounds less "quirky" than I remember her being, but in a good way. I'll have to look into her more.
@doomboxThat Purple Stone PV is hilarious. I'm always down for spooky dance choreography, haha.
@tetsu_sama69I can see myself getting into Starku--is it fair to say they just have one of those "solid" VK rock sounds like THE LOTUS? They just need to drop that synth at the start
@Ada Suilen Thanks for being a constant guest contributor  And of course, much love for showing HIZAKI some love!

Omg, sorry for the late reply! Just wanted to get this in, before the new list comes out later today!!

@togz Not that I follow them, but did not know that COLDRAIN ever went in this direction. I can dig it!
@emmny Yesss, Mediena! They're my kind of band when it comes to 2000s tribute kei.
@Original Saku Uri Nakayama sounds less "quirky" than I remember her being, but in a good way. I'll have to look into her more.
@doomboxThat Purple Stone PV is hilarious. I'm always down for spooky dance choreography, haha.
@tetsu_sama69I can see myself getting into Starku--is it fair to say they just have one of those "solid" VK rock sounds like THE LOTUS? They just need to drop that synth at the start
@Ada Suilen Thanks for being a constant guest contributor  And of course, much love for showing HIZAKI some love!