tetsu_sama69

Lynch.'s 'EVOKE' was one of my favorite tracks of the year! 'm.o.b.' and 'kyuubi' were also standouts for me.
It's great to see SCAPEGOAT finally mentioned! They're one of the bands that I've been keeping an eye on over the past year. The vocalist vaguely reminds me of Hizumi from D'espairsRay, who I used to love.

So many good releases! I loved your list!

Shoutout for including Lucifer's underground, somehow I completely forgot about them (and I even enjoyed their mini!).

The 3rd Birthday - 罪状「グルトニー」 (Zaijou「Gluttony」)



 

Standout Track: goodbye...GODDESS

 

THE BLACK SWAN - 失愛と依存、その感触 (Shitsu Ai to Izon、Sono Kanshoku)



 

Standout Tracks: 失い (Ushinai) / I'M SHIT NOODLE,BUT...

 

 

THE BLACK SWAN - 赫音 (Kagune)



 

Standout Track: 赫音-justitia-

 

the LOTUS - Providence of JESUS



 

Standout Track: PANDEMIC

 

vistlip - COLD CASE



 

Standout Track: COLD CASE

 

vistlip - LAYOUT



 

Standout Tracks: I couldn't even pick one because this one blew me completely out of the water. Just go listen to it yourself!

 

VIVALET - Sacrifice



 

Standout Track(s): SACRIFICE / From Hell

 

WING WORKS - RAVVE OF MY TRINITY



 

Standout Track(s): RAVVE OF MY TRINITY / Time:Machine

 

ZON - Heads up!



 

Standout Tracks: Heads up!

DADAROMA - 「最終電車」(Saishuudensha)



 

Standout Track: 最終電車 (Saishuudensha)

 

DADAROMA - dadaism#1



 

Standout Track(s): SEX! / 「溺れる魚」「Oboreru Sanaka」

 

Dead Children - Haunted Vox



 

Standout Track: Black Lily

 

Develop One's Faculties - reincarnation



 

Standout Track: insert memory

 

Devil Kitty - 雌豚解体新書 (Mesubuta Kaitaishinsho)



 

Standout Track: Chalmmy

 

DEZERT - 「暫定的オカルト週刊誌①」 (「Zanteiteki Occult Shukanshi①」)



 

Standout Track: ゴシック (Gothic)

 

DEZERT - 「変」 (「Hen」)



 

Standout Track: 「変」 (「Hen」)

 

DIAWOLF - REBELLION



 

Standout Track : REBELLION

 

DIAWOLF - TURBLUENCE



 

Standout Track: Turbulence

 

DiSPiИA - Coward TV



 

Standout Track: Coward TV

 

DuelJewel - Jewel



 

Standout Track: Beauty of the lie

 

FEST VAINQUEUR - ペルソナ傷女 (Persona Shoujou)



 

Standout Track: ペルソナ傷女 (Persona Shoujou)

 

Ｆｉｘｅｒ- 孤慟 -into the vortex- (Koudou -into the vortex-)



 

Standout Track: 孤慟 -into the vortex- (Koudou -into the vortex-)

 

ＧＡＧＡ - 恍惚の花－コウコツノハナ－ (Kokotsu no Hana)



 

Standout Track: Death Parade

 

glamscure - Subliminal



 

Standout Track: Fruitless

 

GRIMOIRE-グリモア- - ぼくとタルパ (Boku to Tulpa)



 

Standout Track: ぼくとタルパ (Boku to Tulpa)

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Greetings everyone! I actually did not plan on making a list this year, as 2015 wasn't my favorite year in music, but I was moved to do so after viewing everyone else's wonderful shares! Please note that this isn't a "best" list by any means, as I believe that music is much too subjective and personal for that to apply. This list is simply the things I enjoyed most over the year.

This time, I made no distinctions between Japanese and non-Japanese music. The order is also inconsequential, as I can never bring myself to create rankings. Inspired by @hiroki, I created some short audio snippets, so don't hesistate to sample some of my picks! If they don't start immediately, please give them a second or two to load. I also apologize if the loading time for my post is initially a bit slow, but it should work itself out after a few seconds. ^^;


Finally, if you take a moment to go through my list, I'd love to know your thoughts about it! Did anything catch your eyes/ears? Were there picks that you could agree/disagree with? Feel free to comment!





CAT's favorite music of 2015





宮内優里 - 宮内優里miyauchi yuri - miyauchi yuri


I could literally sit and listen to miyauchi yuri's glitchy folktronica all day and not get tired of it. Overall, his work DOES tend to be quite interchangeable, but I'm so utterly enamored with his sound that it doesn't even matter. I'm pretty much guaranteed to enjoy whatever he makes, and his latest self-titled album is more of the delicious same. This one does seem to be a bit less overtly melodic and more focused in ambient and IDM, though. So a few minor differences, but it's all just as lovely as ever!




Braids - Deep in the Iris


I've always thought of Braids as the Canadian counterpart to haisuinonasa, as both bands share a dreamy mix of electronica and indie-pop with just the right amount of experimental tendencies. They're also both very similar in atmosphere. But on this new album, Braids have taken that sound and made it more accessible and poppy. The results are stunning! Deep in the Iris is one of the few albums that I was looking forward to in 2015 that actually exceeded my expectations - I fell in love with it instantly!




ハイスイノナサ - 変身 haisuinonasa - henshin


Like @Pho, I'm also a proud haisuinonasa fanboy and agree that they've never released anything less than excellent. Unfortunately, their high bar quality seems to come at the expense of a slow and infrequent release schedule, but that just makes everything they put out even more precious. 変身 is only a single, but it's also a complete experience. It's fraught with all of their imaginative and technical post/math-rock signatures, but it shows various new sides of the band as well. I love this single, but it's such tease with no album in sight!




Doldrums - The Air Conditioned Nightmare


When Aoki Robin of Downy mentioned that he enjoyed Doldrums in an interview, I didn't hesistate to seek out their music, and I'm more than glad I did! Doldrums shares a similar, warped, Radiohead-esque aesthetic to Downy that resonates with me easily. There's something very dystopian and 'cyberpunk' about it that just tingles my musical senses!




水曜日のカンパネラ - ジパングSuiyoubi no Campanella - Zipangu


I managed to avoid the hype for this group, but was finally swayed this year. I'm still not completely sold on the vocalist, but the songwriting is so infectious and the production so masterful that I can't help but be charmed. "Wedcamp" is just a completely fun and vivacious mix of Jpop, hip-hop and club music.




Alina Baraz & Galimatias - Urban Flora


Smooth female vocals, sleek, coercive beats, and dreamy overtones? I'm always game for this type of music and Urban Flora delivers it in spades. The tone and the lyrics of this EP are incredibly sensual, but it's all very tasteful too. Great music to vibe-out or chill to...or netflix and chill to. XD




湯川潮音 - セロファンの空Yukawa Shione - Cellophane no Sora


Despite being one of the more reknown modern folk-pop artists in Japan, ----I've avoided trying Yukawa Shione's music until this year, but this just happened to be the perect time for me to do so. Cellophane no Sora is probably her most adventurous album yet and features production and instrumentation from musicians of acts like NATSUMEN, EGO-WRAPPIN', PETROLZ, pupa, anonymass, and more. With a line-up like that, you can't go wrong and Yukawa certainly did not!




Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon


So-called "future soul" band Hiatus Kaiyote has been on my radar since 2012's "Tawk Tomahawk" and what they've delivered on this exquisite follow-up was well worth the wait. "Choose Your Weapon" is a magnificent album with strong soul influences from the past and forward-thinking execution.




mothercoat - GOHUM


My favorite quirky indie-rockers have returned with their first album after changes to their line-up, and while GOHUM doesn't have the instant accessibility that allergies had, its off-kilter charm will burrow into your ears and reveal itself on repeat listens.




Pretend - Tapestry'd Life


I had a mighty need for math-rock in 2015 (as I do every year), and other than haisuinonasa, no other band was able to appease my appetite like Pretend did. Tapestry'd Life is only nine tracks, but it's an absolutely massive album with most tracks easily pushing past seven minutes. It's an absolutely eargasmic listen with a non-stop barrage of lush, mathy guitars and incredible, spastic drumming that never misses a beat.




Dråpe - Relax/Relapse


The last timed I listened to Norse band Dråpe, they were a dreamy shoegaze band with female vocals, but most of that has changed on Relax/Relapse. The vocalist is now male (although you could easily mistake his voice for female like i did). Most of the shoegaze elements have vanished and been replaced with neo-psychedelia - a move that made this band a winner in my ears!




シャムキャッツ - TAKE CAREsiamese cats - TAKE CARE


siamese cats originally started off sounding like a poor man's OGRE YOU ASSHOLE, but they've refined their sound over the years and become a force of their own. TAKE CARE is a short, twenty minute EP, but it's easily my favorite release from the band so far. It's summery, laidback, and carefree indie-rock with impeccably smooth execution. Despite siamese cats having a substantial presence in Japan's indie world, I'm always surprised that they seem to go unnoticed by overseas fans - their music would fit perfectly in a playlist with bands like ミツメ (mitsume), CARD and younger acts like Tempalay and never young beach!




the north end - balance


The Japanese emo veterans have returned after seven years since their last nation-wide release with the "Balance" EP, and it's a uniquely powerful mix of emo sensibilities, sprawling post-rock, and dub grooves. Simply three tracks were not enough for me!




Tierpark - The Moment Two Worlds Meet


I don't know much about music from Korea, but much like many other Asian countries outside of Japan, their indie scene seems to be experiencing a boom of sorts lately. Thankfully, my musical confidant @Pho has a keen ear to the scene and recommended Tierpark to me - a band with strong, emotive female vocals, soaring post-rock instrumentation, and a few mathy rhythms for good measure. What more could I ask for? I've always had a natural predilection towards female vocals, and since this area of music often tends to be overwhelmingly male-oriented genres, this recommendation was extra fortuitous for me!




muffin - 茂みとイバラmuffin - Bushes & Briars


muffin is a little-known, singer/songwriter from the Japanese indie-folk realm and an absolute gem for me. 茂みとイバラ (Bushes & Briars) is her latest release - a CD-R that's not widely available for purchase, but definitely worth obtaining. It's enchantingly distilled psychedelic-folk, with sweet, somber vocals laid atop a variable mix of warm and cold acoustic melodies. muffin reminds me of her fellow indie-folksters ゑでぃまぁこん (eddie marcon), who incidentally pitched in and played on this record as well!




THE NOVEMBERS - Elegance


THE NOVEMBERS have gotten to the point where it's difficult for them to do any wrong in my ears. Elegance does lack their darker, more melancholic side that I prefer, but they've tackled their lighter, fluffier sound like never before here. It's often compared to its similarly sunny predecessor "GIFT", but whereas that was more expansive and rough around the edges, Elegance is more reigned in, polished, and catchy. It's probably THE NOVEMERS' most cohesive record yet, with each track maintaining the whimsical and dreamy atmosphere (except for the last song). Elegance may not be the most compelling release from THE NOVEMBERS as a whole, but it's an impressive mark of refinement for the band, and one that'll grace my speakers for a while to come.




シベールの日曜日 - Gypsy HouseCybele no Nichiyobi - Gypsy House


Psychedelic rock is perhaps one of Japan's least prominent music exports, at least in modern times. There are plenty of Japanese bands playing psyche-influenced material, but very few contemporary acts play it as faithfully as Sundays & Cybele. Gypsy House doesn't attempt to bring anything new to the genre, and it doesn't have to - If you're like me and enjoy this sound in general, then there's plenty of it here to wrap your ears around!




Ropes - dialogue


Dynamic indie vocalist Achiko and ART-SCHOOL guitarist Masafumi Todaka took me by surprise with their second album as Ropes. I found their debut album pleasant, but forgettable overall, so I wasn't expecting much, but on dialogues, their songwriting seems much more self-assured and purposeful. Achiko's wilting vocals now bring out the best in Todaka's sentimental guitar play.




PLAY DEAD SEASON / This Time We Will Not Promise And Forgive Split


Japanese emo/post-hardcore bands PLAY DEAD SEASON and This Time We Will Not Promise And Forgive have proven themselves to be a perfect pair on this new split. Each track is brimming with emo-rawness punk spirit and it makes me hopeful for future releases!




the piqnic - ZyouK


Major thanks to @Jigsaw9 for recommending this one, as ZyouK became a favorite for me almost instantly. The fact that they sound eerily similar to THE NOVEMBERS (one of my favorite bands) certainly had a part to play, but they've definitely got their own things going. Some have even compared their brooding atmosphere and expansive soundscapes to bands like Boris. Extremely impressive for a CD-R release and a band that seems to have cropped up out of nowhere. I'm very optimistic about this band's future!




Thank you for viewing, and indulging in my awkward taste for a bit! ^^

リライゾ (Liraizo) - 子供天國 (Kodomo Tengoku)



 

Standout Tracks: フルセラナヨサ (Flse Ranayosa) / マダラ蝶 (Madara Chou) / 人形劇 (Ningyougeki) / メンヘラベイビー (Menhera Baby)

 

少年記 (Shounenki) - WEAKNESS_MY BLOOD



 

Standout Track: WEAKNESS_MY BLOOD

 

己龍 (Kiryu) - 九尾 (Kyuubi)



 

Standout Track: 九尾 (Kyuubi)

 

摩天楼オペラ (Matenrou Opera) - BURNING SOUL



 

Standout Track: BURNING SOUL

 

-真天地開闢集団-ジグザグ (-Ma Tenchikaibyaku Shuudan- Zigzag) - 愛シ貴女狂怪性 (Itoshi Kijo Kyoukaisei)



 

Standout Tracks: 愛シ貴女狂怪性 (Itoshi Kijo Kyoukaisei) / 彼ノ夢、幻。(Kare no Yume、Maboroshi。)

 

黒百合と影 (Kuroyuri to Kage) - 皮肉な種の卑屈な芽。(Hinikuna Tane no Hikutsuna me。)



 

Standout Tracks: 「月蝕」 (「Gesshoku」) / 「浴槽」 (Yokusou)

π乙。(Paiotsu) - ああ卒業 - ぱぴぷぺぽ (Aa Sotsugyou - Pa Pi Pu Pe Po)



 

Standout Track: ああ卒業 (Aa Sotsugyou)

 

アルルカン (Arlequin) - 道化ノ華 (Douke no Hana)



 

Standout Track: 道化ノ華 (Douke no Hana)

 

ギガマウス (GIGAMOUS) - ジャパニーズサンダー (Japanese Thunder)



 

Standout Track: ジャパニーズサンダー (Japanese Thunder)

 

ギャロ (GALLO) - INCUBUS



 

Standout Track: INCUBUS

 

グリーヴァ (Grieva) - Fake



 

Standout Track: Fake

 

グリーヴァ (Grieva) - 不眠症。(Fuminshou。)



 

Standout Track: insomnia

 

グリーヴァ (Greiva) - 妄想主義者ノ背徳。 (Mousou Shukisha no Haitoku)



 

Standout Track(s): Art play / 腐「furan」乱

 

コドモドラゴン (Codomo Dragon) - 下剋上。 (Gekokujou。)



 

Standout Tracks: BLACK STAR / アリア (Aria)

 

ザアザア (Xaa-Xaa) - どしゃ降りの彼女 (Doshaburi no Kanojo)



 

Standout Track: どしゃ降りの彼女 (Doshaburi no Kanojo)

 

ザアザア (Xaa-Xaa) - 死にたい (Shintai)



 

Standout Track: 死にたい (Shinitai)

 

シビレバシル (Sibilebashir) - サヨナラ狂詩曲 (Sayonara Kyoushikyoku)



 

Standout Track: サヨナラ狂詩曲 (Sayonara Kyoushikyoku)

 

スゥイート×ホォム (Sweet×Home) - 新世紀 (Shinseki)



 

Standout Track: 新世紀 (Shinseki)

 

XENON - LIQUID



 

Standout Track: LIQUID

 

ペンタゴン (Pentagon) - ひじきとカラアゲ (Hijiki to Karaage)



 

Standout Tracks: Jesus phobia / STUPID

The 3rd Birthday - 罪状「グルトニー」 (Zaijou「Gluttony」)



 

Standout Track: goodbye...GODDESS

 

THE BLACK SWAN - 失愛と依存、その感触 (Shitsu Ai to Izon、Sono Kanshoku)



 

Standout Tracks: 失い (Ushinai) / I'M SHIT NOODLE,BUT...

 

 

THE BLACK SWAN - 赫音 (Kagune)



 

Standout Track: 赫音-justitia-

 

the LOTUS - Providence of JESUS



 

Standout Track: PANDEMIC

 

vistlip - COLD CASE



 

Standout Track: COLD CASE

 

vistlip - LAYOUT



 

Standout Tracks: I couldn't even pick one because this one blew me completely out of the water. Just go listen to it yourself!

 

VIVALET - Sacrifice



 

Standout Track(s): SACRIFICE / From Hell

 

WING WORKS - RAVVE OF MY TRINITY



 

Standout Track(s): RAVVE OF MY TRINITY / Time:Machine

 

ZON - Heads up!



 

Standout Tracks: Heads up!

Sadie - Voyage



 

Standout Track: Voyage

 

ＳＣＡＰＥＧＯＡＴ - 「デキソコナイ」の「林檎」 (Dekisokonai no Ringo)



 

Standout Track(s): -666- / 眠れない僕の趣味 (Nemurenai Boku no Shumi)

 

ＳＣＡＰＥＧＯＡＴ - 君ノ”心臓”ニ恋シテル  (Kimi no “Shinzou” ni Koishiteru)



 

Standout Track: 君ノ”心臓”ニ恋シテル  (Kimi no “Shinzou” ni Koishiteru)

 

Sick² - CRAZY TOKYO



 

Standout Track: CRAZY TOKYO

 

SiM - CROWS



 

Standout Track: CROWS

 

sukekiyo - 別れを惜しむフリは貴方の為 (Wakare wo Oshimu Furi wa Anata no Tame)



 

Standout Track: scars like velvet

 

sukekiyo - 耳ゾゾ (Mimi Zozo)



 

Standout Track: 耳ゾゾ (Mimi Zozo)

 

Synk;yet - 愛憎のファムファタール (Aizou no Femme Fatale)



 

Standout Track: 愛憎のファムファタール (Aizou no Femme Fatale)

Neverland - HumaNOISE



 

Standout Track: HumaNOISE

 

ONE OK ROCK - 35xxxv



 

Standout Track: Heartache

 

PURPLE STONE - アオイヤミ (Aoi Yami)



 

Standout Track: アオイヤミ (Aoi Yami)

 

Raglaia - Promises



 

Standout Track: Aching Memories

 

REVINE - 帝國革命主義者-立國ノ紫煙- (Teikoku Kakumei Shugisha-Rikkoku no Shien-)



 

Standout Track: 帝國革命主義者-立國ノ紫煙- (Teikoku Kakumei Shugisha-Rikkoku no Shien-)

 

Rides In ReVellion - -CHAIN-



 

Standout Track: -CHAIN-

 

R指定 (R-Shitei) - サドマゾ (Sadomazo)



 

Standout Track: サドマゾ (Sadomazo)

 

R指定 (R-Shitei) - 少女喪失-syojosoushitsu-



 

Standout Track(s): さらばビッチ (Saraba Bitch) / 君はサブカルチャー (Kimi wa Subculture) / 帝都に死す (Teito ni Shisu)

L'Arc～en～Ciel - Wings Flap



 

Standout Track: Wings Flap

 

LIPLICH - 7 Die Deo



 

Standout Track: 7 Die Deo

 

Lucifer's underground - 不実なアンブレラ (Fujitsuna Umbrella)



 

Standout Track: リストカットと性行為 (Wrist Cut to Seikoi)

 

lynch. - ETERNITY



 

Standout Track: ETERNITY

 

lynch. - EVOKE



 

Standout Track: EVOKE

 

MALISEND - ロベリア (Lobelia)



 

Standout Tracks: ロベリア (Lobelia) / GARDEN

 

MEJIBRAY - PARADIGM PARADOX



 

Standout Track: PARADIGM PARADOX

 

MEJIBRAY - SECRET No.03



 

Standout Track: RenYuS

 

MERRY - Happy life



 

Standout Track: Happy life

 

MORRIGAN - コープス・リバイバー (Corpse Reviver)



 

Standout Track: Everlasting

 

MORRIGAN - ブラック・ルシアン (Black Russian)



 

Standout Track: SELFISH RUSSIAN

 

My BACTERIA HEAT IsLAND - MIMIC



 

Standout Track(s): 凶の世界 (Kyou no Sekai) / 嗚咽 (Oetsu)

 

My Fairytale - 鳥籠トロイメライ (Torikago Traumerei)



 

Standout Track: 鳥籠トロイメライ (Torikago Traumerei)

Hiz - 8インチの脅迫 (8 Inch no Kyouhaku)



 

Standout Track: SIREN

 

INORAN - Beautiful Now



 

Standout Track: Fading Memory

 

JILUKA - Brave Agonistic Letters Under Segregation



 

Standout Track: Crossing Fate

 

JILUKA - DESTRIEB



 

Standout Track: Twisted Pain

 

Jin-Machine - ゴリラ (Gorilla)



 

Standout Track: ゴリラ (Gorilla)

 

KAMIJO - Royal Blood ～Revival Best～



 

Standout Track(s): Imperial Concerto / HEEL / Royal Blood

 

KRAD - Beginning of Darkness



 

Standout Track: Beginning of Darkness

 

KRAD - Plantman



 

Standout Track: Plantman

 

KRAD - SepsiS



 

Standout Track: Sand&Blood

 

 

DADAROMA - 「最終電車」(Saishuudensha)



 

Standout Track: 最終電車 (Saishuudensha)

 

DADAROMA - dadaism#1



 

Standout Track(s): SEX! / 「溺れる魚」「Oboreru Sanaka」

 

Dead Children - Haunted Vox



 

Standout Track: Black Lily

 

Develop One's Faculties - reincarnation



 

Standout Track: insert memory

 

Devil Kitty - 雌豚解体新書 (Mesubuta Kaitaishinsho)



 

Standout Track: Chalmmy

 

DEZERT - 「暫定的オカルト週刊誌①」 (「Zanteiteki Occult Shukanshi①」)



 

Standout Track: ゴシック (Gothic)

 

DEZERT - 「変」 (「Hen」)



 

Standout Track: 「変」 (「Hen」)

 

DIAWOLF - REBELLION



 

Standout Track : REBELLION

 

DIAWOLF - TURBLUENCE



 

Standout Track: Turbulence

 

DiSPiИA - Coward TV



 

Standout Track: Coward TV

 

DuelJewel - Jewel



 

Standout Track: Beauty of the lie

 

FEST VAINQUEUR - ペルソナ傷女 (Persona Shoujou)



 

Standout Track: ペルソナ傷女 (Persona Shoujou)

 

Ｆｉｘｅｒ- 孤慟 -into the vortex- (Koudou -into the vortex-)



 

Standout Track: 孤慟 -into the vortex- (Koudou -into the vortex-)

 

ＧＡＧＡ - 恍惚の花－コウコツノハナ－ (Kokotsu no Hana)



 

Standout Track: Death Parade

 

glamscure - Subliminal



 

Standout Track: Fruitless

 

GRIMOIRE-グリモア- - ぼくとタルパ (Boku to Tulpa)



 

Standout Track: ぼくとタルパ (Boku to Tulpa)

I've enjoyed the best of's I've seen so far this year from most of the members here and since I was really lame last year and completely spaced on it because of insane work schedules. This year I've spent a lot of time listening to and enjoying a lot of the releases I've heard this year. I spend a lot of time at work listening to music and I've got a big list of albums/singles that have stood out for me. They aren't in any particular order since I'm a bit all over the place with my tastes. Some might be surprises and some might not be. Enjoy~

 

I have uploaded the songs that stood out for me and linked them. Hopefully the songs work and I have only posted them for sampling purposes. If there is a PV/MV for the song I will link to that instead or if I can find a song uploaded elsewhere I will link to that as well.

 

NOW COMPLETE ENJOY AND TAKE THE RIDE ON THE MAGICAL MUSIC TRAIN~

 

 

∀NTI FEMINISM - MAD OF PAIN

 



 

Standout Track: Hell On Earth

 

Ⅸ -NINE- - VIDYA

 



 

Standout Track: Sky Burial

 

ACID BLACK CHERRY - L-エル-



 

Standout Track: エストエム (S to M)

 

ALSDEAD - INAZUMA

 



 

Standout Track: INAZUMA

 

amber gris - 小さな銀貨を左手に (Chisana Ginka o Hidarite ni)



 

Standout Track: Absolute being

 

AvelCain - おまじない (Omajinai)



 

Standout Track: 片想い (Kataomoi)

 

BAROQUE - PLANETARY SECRET



 

Standout Track: DREAMSCAPE

 

ＢＡＳＨ！- クサレゲドウ (Kusaregedou)



 

Standout Track: クサレゲドウ (Kusaregedou)

 

Black Gene For The Next Scene - 裏返り (Uragaeri)



 

Standout Track: 裏返り (Uragaeri)

 

BLESSCODE - white/Regret Love



 

Standout Track: Regret Love

 

BORN - GOD COLLAPSE



 

Standout Track: GOD COLLAPSE

 

BORN - オルタナティヴ・タランチュラ (Alternative Tarantula)



 

Standout Track: foxy foxy

 

BULL ZEICHEN 88 - WENDY



 

Standout Track: WENDY

 

Chanty - m.o.b.



 

Standout Track: m.o.b.

 

Crimson Shiva - Feather Pray



 

Standout Track: Mermaid Misery

If you're going to go with the unpopular opinion, you need to say why. Otherwise, this is an inflammatory post that adds nothing to the discussion. Please think this through more fully before responding with these kinds of answers in the future.

リライゾ (Liraizo) - 子供天國 (Kodomo Tengoku)



 

Standout Tracks: フルセラナヨサ (Flse Ranayosa) / マダラ蝶 (Madara Chou) / 人形劇 (Ningyougeki) / メンヘラベイビー (Menhera Baby)

 

少年記 (Shounenki) - WEAKNESS_MY BLOOD



 

Standout Track: WEAKNESS_MY BLOOD

 

己龍 (Kiryu) - 九尾 (Kyuubi)



 

Standout Track: 九尾 (Kyuubi)

 

摩天楼オペラ (Matenrou Opera) - BURNING SOUL



 

Standout Track: BURNING SOUL

 

-真天地開闢集団-ジグザグ (-Ma Tenchikaibyaku Shuudan- Zigzag) - 愛シ貴女狂怪性 (Itoshi Kijo Kyoukaisei)



 

Standout Tracks: 愛シ貴女狂怪性 (Itoshi Kijo Kyoukaisei) / 彼ノ夢、幻。(Kare no Yume、Maboroshi。)

 

黒百合と影 (Kuroyuri to Kage) - 皮肉な種の卑屈な芽。(Hinikuna Tane no Hikutsuna me。)



 

Standout Tracks: 「月蝕」 (「Gesshoku」) / 「浴槽」 (Yokusou)

π乙。(Paiotsu) - ああ卒業 - ぱぴぷぺぽ (Aa Sotsugyou - Pa Pi Pu Pe Po)



 

Standout Track: ああ卒業 (Aa Sotsugyou)

 

アルルカン (Arlequin) - 道化ノ華 (Douke no Hana)



 

Standout Track: 道化ノ華 (Douke no Hana)

 

ギガマウス (GIGAMOUS) - ジャパニーズサンダー (Japanese Thunder)



 

Standout Track: ジャパニーズサンダー (Japanese Thunder)

 

ギャロ (GALLO) - INCUBUS



 

Standout Track: INCUBUS

 

グリーヴァ (Grieva) - Fake



 

Standout Track: Fake

 

グリーヴァ (Grieva) - 不眠症。(Fuminshou。)



 

Standout Track: insomnia

 

グリーヴァ (Greiva) - 妄想主義者ノ背徳。 (Mousou Shukisha no Haitoku)



 

Standout Track(s): Art play / 腐「furan」乱

 

コドモドラゴン (Codomo Dragon) - 下剋上。 (Gekokujou。)



 

Standout Tracks: BLACK STAR / アリア (Aria)

 

ザアザア (Xaa-Xaa) - どしゃ降りの彼女 (Doshaburi no Kanojo)



 

Standout Track: どしゃ降りの彼女 (Doshaburi no Kanojo)

 

ザアザア (Xaa-Xaa) - 死にたい (Shintai)



 

Standout Track: 死にたい (Shinitai)

 

シビレバシル (Sibilebashir) - サヨナラ狂詩曲 (Sayonara Kyoushikyoku)



 

Standout Track: サヨナラ狂詩曲 (Sayonara Kyoushikyoku)

 

スゥイート×ホォム (Sweet×Home) - 新世紀 (Shinseki)



 

Standout Track: 新世紀 (Shinseki)

 

XENON - LIQUID



 

Standout Track: LIQUID

 

ペンタゴン (Pentagon) - ひじきとカラアゲ (Hijiki to Karaage)



 

Standout Tracks: Jesus phobia / STUPID

L'Arc～en～Ciel - Wings Flap



 

Standout Track: Wings Flap

 

LIPLICH - 7 Die Deo



 

Standout Track: 7 Die Deo

 

Lucifer's underground - 不実なアンブレラ (Fujitsuna Umbrella)



 

Standout Track: リストカットと性行為 (Wrist Cut to Seikoi)

 

lynch. - ETERNITY



 

Standout Track: ETERNITY

 

lynch. - EVOKE



 

Standout Track: EVOKE

 

MALISEND - ロベリア (Lobelia)



 

Standout Tracks: ロベリア (Lobelia) / GARDEN

 

MEJIBRAY - PARADIGM PARADOX



 

Standout Track: PARADIGM PARADOX

 

MEJIBRAY - SECRET No.03



 

Standout Track: RenYuS

 

MERRY - Happy life



 

Standout Track: Happy life

 

MORRIGAN - コープス・リバイバー (Corpse Reviver)



 

Standout Track: Everlasting

 

MORRIGAN - ブラック・ルシアン (Black Russian)



 

Standout Track: SELFISH RUSSIAN

 

My BACTERIA HEAT IsLAND - MIMIC



 

Standout Track(s): 凶の世界 (Kyou no Sekai) / 嗚咽 (Oetsu)

 

My Fairytale - 鳥籠トロイメライ (Torikago Traumerei)



 

Standout Track: 鳥籠トロイメライ (Torikago Traumerei)

I've enjoyed the best of's I've seen so far this year from most of the members here and since I was really lame last year and completely spaced on it because of insane work schedules. This year I've spent a lot of time listening to and enjoying a lot of the releases I've heard this year. I spend a lot of time at work listening to music and I've got a big list of albums/singles that have stood out for me. They aren't in any particular order since I'm a bit all over the place with my tastes. Some might be surprises and some might not be. Enjoy~

 

I have uploaded the songs that stood out for me and linked them. Hopefully the songs work and I have only posted them for sampling purposes. If there is a PV/MV for the song I will link to that instead or if I can find a song uploaded elsewhere I will link to that as well.

 

NOW COMPLETE ENJOY AND TAKE THE RIDE ON THE MAGICAL MUSIC TRAIN~

 

 

∀NTI FEMINISM - MAD OF PAIN

 



 

Standout Track: Hell On Earth

 

Ⅸ -NINE- - VIDYA

 



 

Standout Track: Sky Burial

 

ACID BLACK CHERRY - L-エル-



 

Standout Track: エストエム (S to M)

 

ALSDEAD - INAZUMA

 



 

Standout Track: INAZUMA

 

amber gris - 小さな銀貨を左手に (Chisana Ginka o Hidarite ni)



 

Standout Track: Absolute being

 

AvelCain - おまじない (Omajinai)



 

Standout Track: 片想い (Kataomoi)

 

BAROQUE - PLANETARY SECRET



 

Standout Track: DREAMSCAPE

 

ＢＡＳＨ！- クサレゲドウ (Kusaregedou)



 

Standout Track: クサレゲドウ (Kusaregedou)

 

Black Gene For The Next Scene - 裏返り (Uragaeri)



 

Standout Track: 裏返り (Uragaeri)

 

BLESSCODE - white/Regret Love



 

Standout Track: Regret Love

 

BORN - GOD COLLAPSE



 

Standout Track: GOD COLLAPSE

 

BORN - オルタナティヴ・タランチュラ (Alternative Tarantula)



 

Standout Track: foxy foxy

 

BULL ZEICHEN 88 - WENDY



 

Standout Track: WENDY

 

Chanty - m.o.b.



 

Standout Track: m.o.b.

 

Crimson Shiva - Feather Pray



 

Standout Track: Mermaid Misery

Thank you for taking the time to take a peek! I really appreciate it! Yeah, their new release isn't anything super spectacular but it's also not anything terrible. I would reccommend it if you've liked their previous work. It's a bit more "metal" (I guess?) and "thrash?!" IDK but it's still a nice listen. 
 
Yeah I really love BULL ZEICHEN 88 and Wendy was a pretty good single and it was just a bit better than WINK. If you haven't heard that one it's also all right. 

VISUAL
 
ザアザア - コワイクライ
xaa-xaa - kowai kurai/kowai cry



I could list just about any Xaa-xaa release from this year and be content with my choice, but kowai cry was the release that originally got me addicted to this band. Maybe it is that crazy, broken, shrieking that reminds me of old Mucc without the heavy nu-metal leanings, but I was a big fan of Kazuki's vocals since Belmosaic so I came in with expectations. And the band met and exceeded with them all with this release. Xaa-xaa became a force to be reckoned with this year and I can only see them getting more popular with each release if the quality they put out this year remains constant. 
 
 
SCAPEGOAT - 「デキソコナイ」の「林檎」
SCAPEGOAT - 「dekisokonai」 no 「ringo」



I was really surprised I saw so little SCAPEGOAT mentioned this year since I found this album to be fantastic. Maybe it's a sense of nostalgia they have in their style, which I tend to be a sucker for, anything that brings me back to the early 00's heyday, really. But I felt the real strength of this album and part of what kept it dear to me this year was the lack of electronics and hardcore breakdowns. SCAPEGOAT kept it cvlt and rocked it out!
 
 
JILUKA - DESTRIEB



On the other hand, DESTRIEB gave me so much metal/core I could scarecly handly it. They give me a lot of what I miss from Deluhi and what direction I really wish Far East Dizain was going. I'm still hoping the latter will grow on me.  JILUKA, however, dug in like a tick with Brave Agnostic Letters... but DESTRIEB solidified them in my playlists. They continue to grow into a visual metal powerhouse and I can only hope 2016 is bigger and better for and from them!
 
 
DIV - SECRET



DIV really pumped up their pop-tendencies on this album, taking their electronic elements to the next level as well as choruses people could sing along to. The boys are hot right now and they know it. As I've said, my only complaint was that so many of the songs from this album were previously released, however, those songs are still all worthy of a place here and with time I've grown to accept the album for what it is. And that's a killer collection of DIV tracks. 
 
 
DADAROMA - 「dadaism♯1」



I can't even begin to say how happy I was to see two NAINE member pop up in a new band after loving the album they said goodbye with last year to insane levels. And DADAROMA didn't let me down! In fact it showed they were more creative than I ever gave them credit for. DDRM's duality between dramatic metalcore breaks and jazzy dance tracks gives them a strong identity in a scene where everyone is busy trying to look and sound like everyone else. I just can't get enough of them!
 
 
コドモドラゴン - 下剋上。
codomo dragon - gekokujyou



The singles leading up to gekokujyou's release were the first time I took notice of Codomo Dragon, but thanks to this album it won't be the last! The album itself is a mix of all the standard modern visual kei tricks, but Codomo do it with style and each of the members have strong presence on their instruments. The variety of styles on the album is also a credit to the writing, there's a little something for everyone on this album. And the songs are simply catchy as hell.
 
 
BugLug - HAPPY BIRTHDAY KILL YOU



Speaking of being well-rounded and catchy as hell, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KILL YOU was one of those albums no matter how much I fought it, it would slowly just become a part of my daily listening habits. I was never much of a ruvie fan in the past so loving Buglug this much was a total surprise for me. But it's one I won't regret any time soon. For having a monster 16 tracks, basically a double album, it's so easy to listen to that the time just flies when you do. 
 
 
Develop One's Faculties - 「reincarnation」



It was pretty hard to deny the appeal of Develop One's Faculties this year. Love them or hate them, they created their own niche in the visual market, be it their drummer's flair for extremely sparse clothing or their busier-than-a-bee dual guitar/vocal meanderings. They have found a way to stand out and I personally feel like it is working like a charm. Bundled with Dadaroma and Xaa-xaa, DOF make up my holy trinity of new vk acts rising from the ashes of old favorites. If I get more of this in 2016 I'll be ridiculously happy.
 
 
sukekiyo - VITIUM



For argument's sake I'll be tucking sukekiyo in this visual category, I know it's debatable, but with the rest of my picks they seem to sit better here. Since every member has a history in this scene, they still feel connected for me both in sound and imagery. With that said, sukekiyo continues to be my auditory acid trip. VITIUM may be a more compressed, live-friendly version of IMMORTALIS, but that is exactly what I needed from them this year. Everything felt more formulated, less self indulgent, and emotionally concise. And the use of formula here isn't my usual negative implication, for these are the guys who drafted the formula in the first place. They are doing more of that they do well, only leaner, meaner, and cleaner.

POP & ROCK
 
 
theCharmPark - Reverse & Rebirth



Reverse & Rebirth (a play on the fact both are said/written as リバース in Japanese, and Charm has a history of bilingual wordplay if you follow his song titles) is the last self-released album by theCharmPark, now going by THE CHARM PARK since joining forces with Tower Records. This is a great move forward since he's such a promising solo artist. In fact, he dropped his first release as THE CHARM PARK this year with A Letter just very recently. But it's this longer album full of his reworked demos that I enjoyed much more. This album has a bit wider variation between electronic rock and pop, whereas the A Letter houses more indie and folk elements, though the albums do share a song or two on the tracklists. Both are quite wonderful, but I'm partial to the eclecticism of this one. 
 
 
Language - NECTAR



I've had a long-time love affair with Language, but mostly pick up their singles and mini albums until this year when they released NECTAR. I was happy to hear this album brought in more elements than previous works and pushed them to the forefront of their sound. NECTAR has brilliant lo-fi shoegaze and post-rock leanings that add depth and analog texture to Language's otherwise dreamy synthpop. A must listen!
 
 
SEKAI NO OWARI - TREE



Practically pop royalty in Japan these days, fellow mod @beni and I already did our best to sway the MH masses to the J-pop dark side with SEKAI NO OWARI as they press for world domination. Or was it world destruction? I don't know, that clown guy seems suspicious...
 
 
イツエ - 「今夜絶対」
itsue - konya zettai



Reading the news of Itsue disbanding was heartbreaking enough. Seeing how quickly their name faded out of people's mouths was even more so. Konya zettai is a positively gorgeous album that possesses all the passion and technique of past work, but leaves behind much of the somber atmosphere. If there was one thing that didn't disappoint me about all of this, it is that the band decided to go out on a high note. 
 
 
BRADIO - POWER OF LIFE



The mere mention of this band's name brings a huge smile to my face. Everything about this album is fun. From the cheeky delivery to the infectious energy of the funk grooves song after song. One of them being my favorite anime theme this year for Death Parade! Now don't just stand there, it's time to get your boogie on!
 
 
LOCAL CONNECT - 過去ツナグ未来
LOCAL CONNECT - kako tsunagu mirai



I'll admit it. I'm a huge softy for straightforward pop-rock crooning. I know so many of these bands can sound the same, there really is a new one (or ten) every year, but I can't help it! LOCAL CONNECT is just so damn pleasant to my ears! I just melt when I hear songs like this. And also one of the songs is an ending theme for the anime My Love Story!! (俺物語!!) so there's that. I'd highly recommend them to fans of feel-good bands like MAGiC OF LiFE (ex Dirty Old Men) or BIGMAMA.
 
 
WHITE ASH - THE DARK BLACK GROOVE



WHITE ASH has this wonderful bluesy undertone to everything they do and especially with the songs on THE DARK BLACK GROOVE. The guitar tone is so big it has its own gravitational pull and the vocals contrast so well with their high pitch, yet they lack all of the grating nasal tone that usually comes with Japanese vocalists of this register. WHITE ASH are also masters of keeping their songs short and sweet, and leave you constantly wanting more.
 
 
 
To anyone reading this who completed this crazy list, thank you! You win the internet.