MUSIC FINDS
Japanese pop (Jpop)
I mostly listened to Jpop when I was 11-19 so most of these songs will be old. I would still recommend them though to pop lovers.
1. Namie Amuro - Four Seasons - LINK
Namie is one of the many queens of Jpop and this my favourite song of hers. Can never get bored of it. Also another fun tune to sing along to. I know I said I don't like OST's but I would recommend all the opening and ending theme songs to Inuyasha in a heartbeat. They were sole reason why I got into Jpop in the first place.
2. FREENOTE - Dance Love - LINK
I used to find new Japanese music through frequenting Mp3 rotation sites and this is one of the finds that still speak to me today. The chorus is one of the catchiest ones 14 year old me has ever heard.
3. Zwei - FAKE FACE - LINK
Another hidden gem found through the same Mp3 rotation site. Female singer has a very clear voice with powerful pop-rock vibe.
4. Every Little Thing - Time goes by - LINK
5. Every Little Thing - UNSPEAKABLE - LINK
My favourite ELT song. Timeless hit.
6. misono - VS - LINK
She is known for being the lead singer of Day After Tomorrow, a band that was popular and stylistically similar to ELT. She is also the younger sister of Koda Kumi, one of Japan's best selling female pop artists at the time. This track is just insanely catchy and still a bop after all of these years.
7. AAA - Party It Up - LINK
They have such a big discography so it's hard to choose what to recommend but this one stood the test of time for being too catchy and memorable.
8. AAA - Deai no Chikara II (出逢いのチカラII) - LINK
Sweet duet between Nissy and Misako. Timeless hit.
9. AZU - Tsuyoku Tsuyoku (つよくつよく) - LINK
10. AZU - For You - LINK
11. WISE - I loved you ft. HIROKO - LINK
12. WISE - Furimukanaide ft. HIROMI (ふりむかないで) - LINK
13. WISE - By Your Side ft. Kana Nishino - LINK
14. NERDHEAD - BRAVE HEART ft. Kana Nishino - LINK
15. Kana Nishino - Tookutemo ft. WISE (遠くても) - LINK (Live)
16. Kana Nishino - Best Friend - LINK (Live)
I could easily add 20 of her songs here. Check out her compilation albums and concert videos.
17. Kana Nishino - Distance - LINK (Album ver.) / LINK (MTV Unplugged Live)
18. Kana Nishino - Esperanza - LINK
Slight Spanish influence.
19. Kana Nishino - Believe - LINK
Upbeat and bright.
20. Kana Nishino - Dear... - LINK
Out of all her hits, this one is the most classic sounding.
21. Kanon feat. WISE - Let It Snow (Japanese pop ballad) - LINK
Kanon's voice is so angelic and perfectly matched with WISE's amazing rapping. It's a slower song but the piano is beautiful and together with the vocals really creates a nice vibe. Not your traditional pop song but I don't know how else to categorize it.
22. Salyu - be there - LINK (Live Performance)
Salyu's voice is not for everyone since she likes to hit big high notes. Her album "S(o)un(d)beams" feels more experimental than your typical J-pop. But I think she's a very unique artist in the Japanese scene and I think her voice is very beautiful. I chose this specific performance because I enjoy singing along to it and the backup singer did a great job in this live performance.
23. Spitz - Shingetsu (新月) - LINK
I used to consider Spitz to be my favourite band so it's only fair I include some songs of theirs on here. I first found out about them through the anime "Honey & Clover" which has a beautiful soundtrack. This track is very simple instrumentally, but it shows why sometimes simple is better. Kusano's soft voice is so beautiful and calming. Ugh. I wish I could see them live one day before they inevitably have to break up.
24. Spitz - Honoho (ほのほ) - LINK
By far the second most underrated Spitz song ever because it's SOOO good and it wasn't even a single.
25. Spitz - Bavarois (ババロア) - LINK
Another song that showcases why they were my fav band. The sense of urgency from the main riff repeating over and over again, the constant drum beat that takes a backseat in the mix, the gentle way the guitar is layered and the gorgeous vocal tone from Kusano that deeply conveys the feeling of longing for someone. Mikazuki Rock (三日月ロック) is my favourite album of theirs and this song is a big reason why.
26. Spitz - Kimi ga Omoide ni Naru Mae ni (君が思い出になる前に) - LINK
Timeless hit. I would recommend people to check out any of their songs on their greatest hits compilations.
27. Spitz - Yoru wo Kakeru (夜を駆ける) - LINK (Live Performance - most likely will be taken down due to copyright claim)
My favourite Spitz song and probably my second favourite song that was ever featured in an anime (the first favourite would be "Fukai Mori" by Do as Infinity). There is something very special about the instrumentals and Kusano's voice really brings out the emotions in me. I can't believe this song isn't a single!
28. Spitz - Mizuiro no Machi (水色の街) - LINK
The 4th single off of Mikazuki Rock. Classic for me that doesn't get old. I once put this on repeat for the entire day and loved every single second of it.
28. BoA - Winter Love (Japanese pop ballad) - LINK
I have a love hate relationship with BoA but at the end of the day, her success speaks for itself. Good tune to sing along to.
29. BoA - Possibility ft. Daichi Miuri - LINK
30. BoA - My Way, Your Way ft. WISE - LINK (Live)
31. SAYAKA - Jogen no Tsuki (上弦の月) - LINK
32. Tanaka Rie - Fields of Hope - LINK
One of my favourite Gundam songs and a memorable ballad. Has a lot of sentimental feeling to it.
32.EXILE ATSUSHI - Saigo No Ame (Cover) (最後の雨) - LINK
33. Ayumi Hamasaki - No way to say - LINK
Arguably the biggest queen of Jpop.
34. Ayumi Hamasaki - Depend on you - LINK
35. Junichi Inagaki ft. Yuki Koyanagi - Kanashimiga Tomaranai (Cover) (悲しみがとまらない) - LINK
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