Story: How to maintain uncertain anxiety.
I am observing the current situation. I don’t think people feel happy under the coronavirus pandemic and regulation. Even it does not harm you directly, we saw many people diagnoses it and lose their life. It makes us feel sorry and a little down.
Even these unusual circumstances, I am working at a co-working space, 9 am – 10:30 pm. I am trying to keep working actively. Once I get used to slowing, it is not easy to come back.
I don’t know how long will this situation continue. As a freelance, we have to motivate ourselves every day whatever the situation is. I usually listen to the news, but everything coronavirus now. So, I listen to music. These music really brought back my memory in Kyoto & Tokyo, Japan. I went to a concert frequently when I was a university student. I was not a music lover. My friends liked music and they are cool. I just followed them at that time.
It’s been 7 years last update Japanese song. I don’t know the recent trends anymore.
In April 19th, 2020, many musicians are releasing their official music videos and the past concert video on YouTube. I looked at the number of the viewer. They reach 1M in a few days. These music are not the latest one, but it has still much demanded in the internet era. In addition, it displays the movement between TV and YouTube. If people have a certain amount of follower, they can establish own media on the internet.
Quruli（くるり）
©Quruli
My music repertory is almost a friend’s recommendation. I was not a music lover until I enter a college. I was in Kyoto. There were tons of student bands in Kyoto. Quruli was already a pro musician. I listened Team Rock at Tower Records. They gradually became popular in Japan after they released Team Rock and Antena.
There are many memorable songs for me, but Highway is my favorite. Because of the movie, Joze to Tora to Sakana tachi.
Recommendations: Highway, Bara no Hana, Morning paper, Bus to Finsbury, Birthday, Omatsuri Wasshoi, Bremen, Jubilee, Lv45, Yukai na Peanuts(Jolly Peanuts), Harukaze, everybody feels the same, Loveless, Tokyo OP, Medama no Oyaji, Dog and Baby,
Favorite Album: Antena, Nikki, Dance on the waltz, Tamashii no Yukue
Sakanaction（サカナクション）
©Sakanaction
I cannot say that I am a huge fan of Sakanaction. I heard Sen to Rei on the radio when I worked at the design agency. It was catchy and I liked it. The music video, Aruku Around, was well designed. I didn’t have a chance to go to a concert. Someday at a fes.
Recommendations: Bach no Senritsu o Yoru ni Kiita Sei Desu, Years, Slow Motion, Modokashii Hibi, Goodbye, Endless, Ashita kara, Sen to Rei, Eiga, Boku to Hana, Asa no Uta, Human
Favorite Album: kikUUiki, DocumentaLy
Clammbon（クラムボン）
©Clammbon ©Fuji Rock Festival
Cozy music. My body reacts to pop songs more than rockin roll. I cannot deny that. Clammbon may not super popular artist in Japan, but they have a fan at many generations. 20th Anniversary!
Recommendations: Timeline, Hanare Banare, Chicago, Doggy & Maggie, Surround, You Are Mine, KANADE Dance, SUPER☆STAR, Vital Signs, NOW!!!,
Ringo Shina（椎名林檎）
©Ringo Shina ©Tokyojihen
The first sight at the video, it looks a little scary voice, but she is a very talented singer and songwriter.
I want foreign people to know these music rather than an anime song. The reputation is opposite domestic and abroad. Anime song is not so major in Japan.
Recommendations: Ariamaru Tomi, Tsumiki Asobi,
Love Psychedelico （ラブサイケデリコ）
©Love Psychedelico
I heard Love Psychedelico’s song on the TV or commercial. They became popular shortly. Still working at the frontline. So cool vocal and guitar. 20th anniversary!
Recommendations: Free World, Your Song, Abbot Kinney, Freedom, Everybody needs somebody, Fantastic World, Lady Madonna, Grapefruits, Right now,
Asian Kung-Fu Generation（アジカン）
©Asian Kung-Fu Generation
When Asian Kung-Fu Generation released the first album, they are already popular. I often heard Asian Kung-Fu Generation’s song on the radio, Tokyo Hot 100. Masafumi Gotoh used unusual words in a lyric and it made them so unique. The album artworks are illustrated by Yusuke Nakamura. Well collaboration!
Recommendations: Kimi no Machi made, Flashback, Understand, N.G.S.(Cover of Number Girl), Kimi To Yu Hana, Loop & Loop, Fujisawa Loser, Inamuragasaki Jane, Black Out, Senseless, Holiday, The Survivor’s March
Favorite Album: Kimi Tsunagi Five M, Sol-fa, Surf Bungaku Kamakura
Asian Kung-Fu Generation Official Website
Yusuke Nakamura Official Website
Fujifabric（フジファブリック）
©Fujifabric
I was lucky I could watch Fujifabric, original member, at Rising Sun Rock Festival. I still remember their great performance at that time. Good memory!
Recommendations: Surfer King, Sakura no Kisetsu, April, Clock, Yoakeno Beat, Kimiha Bokuja Nainoni,
RADWIMPS（ラッドウィンプス）
©RADWIMPS
Many singer-songwriters respect Yojiro Noda’s world/lyrics. It was huge impact when I listened to “Order Made”.
I heard Paparazzi a few days ago. Very Noda’s world. Lyric sounds a novel. It’s lucky if people could attend ANTI ANTI GENERATION TOUR 2019. It would be so competitive.
I also heard Seikai(Correct). He writes these beautiful songs with very original lyrics. At the same time, he writes PAPARAZZI or DADA kind of songs. Very unique and talented. There is no similar band in Japan.
In 2020, they can be sold out at Dome tour(baseball stadium, 40-50k capacities). Radwimps has become a highly recognized band since 2012 which I left in Japan. Radwimps is planning to the United States tour in summer 2020. Toronto is already sold out. LA and NY are still available, but will it be held under the coronavirus pandemic?
Recommendations: Seikai, Order Made, Osyakasama, Amaotoko, Nazonazo, PAPARAZZI, Brain Washing, Your Name, Sparkle, Jikkyo Chuukei, Iron bible, Darma grand prix, DADA, Daidarabotti, Monomorai, As a symbol, Kokuhaku, Kaishin no Ichigeki, Dreamers High, Shout, September, Yu Shin Ron,
Blankey Jet City（ブランキー）
©Blankey Jet City
I didn’t know Blankey Jet City until I entered a university. My friends influenced me. I learned what the rock is. I could not watch Blankey Jet City as live, but I went to a live house for Sharbets and Juda. Kenichi Asai, people call him Benzie, is still pursuing rockin roll. His life is cool.
Recommendations: Gasoline no Yurekata, DIJ no Pistol, 3104 Cyome no Dance Hall, Sweet Days
Thee Michelle Gun Elephant（ミッシェル）
©Thee Michelle Gun Elephant
In my generation, major rock band was Blankey and Michelle. Kenichi Asai and Yusuke Tiba. After disbanding, they are still rock.
Recommendations: Smokin’ Billy, Get up Lucy, Cisco, Deadman’s Galaxy Days, Abakareta Sekai
Yura Yura Teikoku（ゆら帝）
©Yura Yura Teikoku ©Anthony Spinelli
I didn’t expect that I could find Yura Yura Teikoku on YouTube. I don’t think many people like this psychedelic music. They have a core fan.
Recommends: Three nocturnal creatures, Hakkotai, Rock on the Zuk, Pantaloons of lame. Thinking at Yurayura Teikoku, Give me Grapefruit, Large Question Mark
Shikao Suga（スガ シカオ）
©Shikao Suga @OfficeAugusta
I am wondering about his music category. Guitar and bass are quite funky at the live concert.
Recommendations: Golden moon, 19 years old,
Motohiro Hata（秦基博）
©Motohiro Hata
I heard Motohiro Hata’s song on the radio, J-Wave. Vocal and guitar, solo, it’s the one of a form of a real musician.
Recommendations: Goodbye Isaac, Metro Film, Ai, Hatsukoi, Asa ga kuru mae ni, Bokura wo Tunagumono, Toranoko, Mina Zuki, Sally, Hana
Hanaregumi（ハナレグミ）
©Hanaregumi
I often heard his song on the radio. Solo, guitar and vocal, very bright personality even his musician name is Hanaregumi which means alone, outside of group. People like him.
Recommendations: Kazoku no Fukei
Remioromen（レミオロメン）
©Remioromen
Remioromen has stopped activity since 2012. In 8 years, it’s still good music even now.
Recommendations: Denwa(Phone), Beer and Pudding, Mame Denkyu, Satsuki Ame, Dog Year, Asagao, Wonderful & Beautiful, Rhythm, and more.
Sukima Switch（スキマスイッチ）
©Sukima Switch
I know the vocal likes Mr. Children. I can recognize how Sukima Switch has been influenced by it. I watched the concert on 15 anniversary. It looks like they allowed recording to the audience. It’s quite unusual in Japan. I liked their MC more than music. Artists and audiences share 2-3 hours at the same place. Of course, music is a main, but a fan wants to communicate with artists at MC. It makes a good memory for audiences.
Recommendations: Ai, Kanade, SL9, Parabolover, Seisyun, Nomi ni Konaika,
Chatmonchy（チャットモンチー）
©Chatmonchy ©zempae
I didn’t know Chatmonchy disbanded in 2018. I listened to their music for the first time in almost a decade. Still rock and very original. I could not go to a concert. That’s sad. I don’t know similar band in Japan.
Recommendations: Koi no Kemuri, Shanglira, Tokyo Hachimitsu Orckestra
Go!Go!7188（ゴーゴーナナイチハチハチ）
©GO!GO!7188 ©syutubotusya
I didn’t know to GO!GO!7188 also disbanded in 2012, the year I moved to Canada.
I don’t know how foreign people reach to Japanese songs. The majority of the results show an anime song when I searched for a Japanese song. I found this video on YouTube, but it’s not easy to find it. There are a lot of great music in Japan. I hope many people find it beyond a language barrier.
Recommendations: Otona no Kusuri, Uki Bune, Koi no Uta
Supercar（スーパーカー）
©Supercar
Disbanded.
Recommendations: Lucky, Sunday People, Cream Soda, Planet, Recreation, Storywriter, white surf style 5., Strobolights, Yumegiwa Last Boy.
Perfume（パフューム）
©Rag[567] ©Perfume
@Cannes Lions Learnings: Cannes Moments – Perfume’s Amazing Digital Light Show at Cannes Lions
Recommendations: Computer City, Perfect Star – Perfect Style, Macaroni, Secret Secret, Story, Nee,
Judy and Mary（ジュディマリ）
©videodejam @Judy and Mary
Judy and Mary was a very popular 1990s-early 2000. I saw Judy and Mary often on a TV show. Not only vocal, guitar, bass, drum, everyone stood out.
Recommendations: Kyoto, Kaze ni Fukarete, Suteki na Uta, Yugure, Stereo Zenkai, Little Miss Highway, Doki Doki, Atashi wo Mitsukete, Birthday Song, Bathroom, Jesus Jesus
Spitz（スピッツ）
©Spitz
One of the monster band in Japan. I listened Spits only one time at Rising Sun Rock Festival. I understand how top artist of music chart is great. Sounds Pop, but actually Spits are bold. Some audiences surround me said they are rock.
Recommendations: Masayume, Yasasii Anoko, Kaede, Neko ni Naritai, Hachimitsu, Koisuru Bonjin,
Mr. Children（ミスチル）
©Mr. Children
I went to a concert, Tour Shinkai – Regress or Progress, when I was a high school student. Since then, Mr. Children has been a top artist in Japan.
The vocal, Kazutoshi Sakurai’s lyrics, voice and melody have massive fans in Japan. The band continuously releases a song over 25 years. As I mentioned above, many musicians disbanded, but Mr. Children is still pursuing their music. Just amazing.
If Japan does not have a language barrier, they could become a world-recognized band, like a U2, Maroon 5, or Coldplay.
Recommendations: Kuchibue, Hikari no Atorie, Irodori, Kurumi…
Favorite Album: Home, Sense, Reflection
Conclusion: No music no life
The corporate message of Tower Records. Many people would feel sympathy for these words after they became an adult.
I bought a CD when I was a child. I rent a lot of albums at TSUTAYA and copy to MD when I was a college student. Once the iPhone has released, I haven’t had physical products anymore. Time flies fast. I don’t often listen to music, but I still remember the past era.
Still under the coronavirus pandemic, but these artists/music encourages me even abroad. Thank you music!
