Thread: Japanese music recommendations

i would prefer scandal, sukima switch and yui. they write pretty good songs.

Here are some of my recommendations, some will be bit underground and therefore hard to find on the net. If anything feel free to PM me.

KAT-TUN
I must start off that I have been their fan since 2002 and still love them very much. They are under Johnny's Entertainment, Japan's biggest talent agency that solely focuses on exclusively producing boybands. KAT-TUN's music generally flirts between Japanese pop, R&B and light rock. It's a great choice if you wish to listen to light rock and R&B songs but yet still maintain the boyband flavor.

Real Face
Love Yourself ~ 君が嫌いな君が好き~
Signal

Ayumi Hamasaki
As previously stated by someone, Ayu is a household name in Japan and often given the name of Empress of Jpop. If I am not mistaken a few years back she had been rated as one of Asia's highest grossing artist. Anyways, Ayu usually stays within Japanese pop and Ballad, but I have seen a few of her songs switch from rock to techno. Anyone who's even slightly into Japanese music should know Ayumi Hamasaki's name.

Talkin' 2 Myself
HEAVEN
Don't look back

Utada Hikaru
As of lately she's been very inactive and I haven't seen her release anything new in MONTHS. None of the less her voice is still amazing and you've probably heard her song Sanctuary or Passion from Final Fantasy games. I find her music very soothing and she usually doesn't go any further out than a strong Japanese pop song.

Passion
Flavor of Life
Come back to me

Koda Kumi
Another major female singer of Japan whom gained major popularity through her song 1000 no Kotoba. Honestly, she's my favorite out of Ayumi Hamasaki and Utada Hikaru mainly because I am not much of a ballad-y person. Koda Kumi usually sticks to American R&B-ish songs with a few Japanese pop songs and Ballads sprinkled here and there.

Hot Stuff feat. KM Markit
TABOO
Pearl Moon

GACKT
Oh God! This man is perfect in so many angles...singing, looks, talent, acting and etc. I am not sure if you'll like him in terms of music, but I am sure you will probably find him quite an exquisite and exotic eye-candy. As you might deduce, it's hard to categorize Gackt's songs into a specific genre so lets just say he's now a days more of Japanese rock nothing too heavy like Dir en Grey or Girugamesh XD.

Redemption
雪月花 - The end of silence -
GHOST

BoA
BoA is mainly active in Japan but she is of Korean descent and has been seen active in China, America and other smaller East Asian countries. BoA has been active since at a very young age and consequently rose to stardom early. As for her style of music it really depends on where she's releasing the CD. If it's in Korea it is usually strong Korean pop songs to beautiful ballads, if it's Japan its usually Japanese pop to refreshing ballad songs, and in America she tends to release more of electro/techno genres. I will give you all three languages.

ID; Peace B
Possibility feat. Daichi Miura
Energetic

Arashi
I am not much a fan of Arashi, but they are a MAJOR boyband in Asia so I must introduce them to you. Like I said I am not much of a fan so I probably cannot give you a good recommendation on them. But, generally they are your typical Japanese pop boyband and they are also in the same company as KAT-TUN.

Beautiful Days
Everything
Troublemaker

SMAP
Again not a fan of them, but they are considered legendary in Japan and have been in business for a long time. Now a days the members are more into acting and MC-ing with a once in a blue moon they release a single. Their music are usually, I think not sure, Japanese pop and romantic-ish pop songs. And once again they are in the same company as KAT-TUN and other major Japanese boybands.

Lion Heart
Sonomama
Triangle

NewS
My second favorite Johnny's Entertainment boyband. I love them mostly because they got these fun and playful Japanese pop songs. Plus, they've got members like Tegoshi and Pi whom they are to die for XD. They can be quite refreshing to hear during the summer or spring time.

Summer Time
Taiyou no Namida
Koi no ABO

EXILE
One of Japan's non-JE favorites. They've got excellent singers and they are mainly an acapella group with a mix of Japanese pop. I really recommend them if you want to get out of the usual Japanese boyband due to their mature and smooth vocals. Oh~ Forgot to mention some time ago they merged with another group and they are now called J SOUL BROTHERS.

Ti Amo
Last Christmas
Lovers Again

Tohoshinki
Since this is a Japanese music recommendation list I went with their Japanese name. But, the name of this boyband varies depending on which country they are in. The name of their group can be seen in the following ways: Tohoshinki/THSK (Japan), Dong Bang Shin Ki/DBSK/DBSG/TVXQ/TVfXQ (Korea and TVfXQ is the official way to spell the group's name) and Tong Vfang Xien Qi/TVfXQ (China), but their names can also be written in Asian characters (東方神起/동방신기). Anyways, Tohoshinki is a boyband with a VERY wide range of music and dancing abilities. Their music can range anywhere from acapella to very powerful pop music. They are currently more active in Japan, although at the moment they are on group hiatus since Junsu, JaeJoong and Yoochun broke contracts with their parent company SME (SM Entertainment). I will give you their songs in Korean and Japanese.

Mirotic
どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう?
BREAK OUT!

Ami Suzuki
Ami was a major popular singer in the 90s, but due to a law suit against her company she lost favor and fell off from mainstream music. Ami's specialty are usually electro/techno-ish songs which is really rare now a days in the Japanese music market. Great for parties or just listening to it at any other time.

Eventful
Hopeful
Around the World

KOTOKO
Another of Japan's techno singers. But, unlike Ami who does more of dance tracks, KOTOKO is more of your ballad techno singer. Although, she is popular among Otakus she's has yet to hit mainstream fame.

Re-sublimity
Agony
Suppuration Core

SuG
They are part of the Visual Kei movement, but under a different branch called Oshare Kei. Oshare Kei is really really colorful and crazy with often happy go lucky tunes. To me its one the most fun genres to listen out there. Not to mention their clothing is quite cute and adorable you should definitely try even if you don't like the whole Visual Kei concept.

Love Scream Party
P!NK Masquerade
Alterna.

Yuya Matsushita
I am not sure if your familiar with this Korean singer called SE7EN. But, that's what Yuya's style of music reminds me of. Anyways, he is an AMAZING solo singer whom has recently been coming into the center of attention. He's strongly influenced by American singers especially Michael Jackson.

Trust Me
YOU
Foolish Foolish

Okay, I think I covered most of the artists you should check out but just in case you want more...here are more to see that I recommend. Careful, some of the following are Korean artists who are also active in Japan.

Ai Otsuka
Ayaka
Rin'
An Cafe
KinKi Kids
Tackey&Tsubasa
Hey!Say!Jump
Big Bang
YUI
Jasmine
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR
Orange Range
SE7EN
AAA
V6
CHEMISTRY

Try Aural Vampire, I just saw them at the local anime convention.

I recommend "Kokia."
She's one of my favorite artists in general, much less 'Japanese.'

Originally Posted by SamuraiDude128

Try Aural Vampire, I just saw them at the local anime convention.

Add some more info on the groups you recommend please.

Ok...
Aural Vampire is a Japanese Techno-Industrial band. I got their latest album after I saw them at the con and I keep coming back to it. It's so good.

all i have to say to this is gackt he is awsome and he has alot of songs that are good

YouTube - Gackt - Tsuki no Uta

YouTube - Last Song by Camui Gackt

YouTube - GACKT「REDEMPTION」

YouTube - Gackt-Vanilla

YouTube - Jesus - Gackt PV

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4plEI-mdOA