moue
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I've been listening to J-pop for most of my life. While most of my interest has been Hello!Project, I actually spent quite a few years scavenging through idol music and finding gems that I have some amount of adoration for. I would describe my relationship with music as something that goes in waves. As I lose interest in one genre, I move to the next. For example, as a kid I liked J-pop, moved to K-pop, then started listening to French music (including Galaxy's favorite singer - Jena Lee.) My interest in J-pop hit a new high around 2014-2016 so a lot of these songs are from those years. Recently I haven't been listening as attentively, as all of my favorite groups have disbanded. Which has led to my return to avidly listening to K-pop groups. A lot of my favorite groups are missing, as I don't have my old playlists anymore.
Here are 15 of my favorite songs released from the past five years.
1. Galette - Air Summer
I spent years calling this my absolute favorite song ever released in J-pop ever because I love this song that much. The entire single is so perfectly composed and complete, that I consider it the holy grail of J-idol releases. Galette always delivered on content, with even their final single being a complete bop. The b-side to this single is Shijo no Ai, a song of utter perfection, with one of the best instrumentals I've ever heard from any J-pop group. Galette brought funk and technique like no other group and I feel like Air Summer was the perfect breath of fresh air.
2. Idol Renaissance - 5CMENTAL
In my opinion, Idol Renaissance had unrivaled talent when it came to J-idols. The group debuted just a while before Kobushi Factory and they grew together. While there are covers of theirs that I actually prefer, I absolutely loved the layout in which this song was presented. I think it showcases their concept very well. 5CMENTAL was produced by the lead singer of my favorite band (Base Ball Bear) so I had pretty high expectations and I was not disappointed at all.
3. Berryz Kobo - Towa no Uta
I have been listening to J-pop for most of my life, and for most of that time I was listening to Berryz. From Special Generation to Fighting Pose to Koi no Jubaku, Jiriri Kiteru, Maji Bomber, Heroine ni Narouka, etc. Berryz has been a staple in my life. I link them to many memories, and to my coming of age. Towa no Uta was a part of their disbandment single. The lyrics are positive and speak of moving on. I cried a lot to this song, so it has to be here.
4. Morning Musume '16 - Utakata Saturday Night
If you know Morning Musume, then you know back during the Golden Era, their concept revolved around loud, rambunctious girls who had spirit and funk. Around the end of the Platinum Era they started to lose this spark and never really got it back until Utakata Saturday Night, a song that threw them right back to the group they used to be. I feel like this song perfectly pays homage to the Golden Era, and was an amazing parting gift for my favorite member - Suzuki Kanon.
5. Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku - Nikibi
One if my favorite songs is a song called Sweet and Toughness by Minami Aoyama Shoujo Uta Gekidan (check out their stage plays!) so I have a sweet spot for any song that addresses the youth of a girl. Nikibi is a song I can describe as just my style. An acoustic sound, light instrumental, and a catchy rhythm that is easy to sing along to. I find myself whistling this song pretty often.
6. Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaki - Massugu
Masugu is a clean and sharp song. While it isn't as vibrant as some others, I always love songs that are fresh and cleanse my ears. The music video has such nice lighting, and the girls pull off the concept so perfectly. The robotic dances, paired with the tranquil ambiance is very interesting to me.
7. Kaika - Uta no Saku Shima
After Idol Renaissance disbanded, all of the girls went separate ways. However, Koyoi was the only one to go back to a group, as the others debuted solo or in bands. When listening to their debut, I felt as if I was continuing a path I had already started down. Hiraki Kaika has a very similar sound to Idol Renaissance, however, they seem more... tranquil. I would even go as far as to call them more polished. I am also very interested in how their discography will develop.
8. Maria - Hurricane [Cover]
This one is hard to include, as this song was originally by one of the most racist concepts in Japanese music. However, I do like the song, a lot. I really enjoyed it when I downloaded it, and I even listened to the following single because I was so into this song. I feel like it does quite a bit of justice to the original, and I love Maria's concept.
9. AKB48 - Kibouteki Refrain
Unfortunately, Flying Get was released 7 years ago, therefore I will be going with my second option. Kibouteki Refrain is easily my favorite music video from AKB48 - yes, that includes Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai. I love the concept, and I love seeing the OG members have such a smooth cameo. Seeing them assist the new (heh, new) girls honestly brought tears to my eyes, because it was just that touching.
10. Team Syachihoko - J.A.I.N.A.I.C.A
While my style is technically simple, but resonant - I love this song. I love, love this song. It is such high energy, and I love the melody. Singing along to the chorus is so fun. The music video suits it perfectly, and every single girl looks like she enjoys the song just as much as I do. While I do consider myself a casual fan, I can honestly say this song is the perfect pick me up.
11. Kobushi Factory - Dosukoi! Kenyo ni Daitan
www.youtube.com
Kobushi Factory's original concept was the little sister of Berryz, and therefore they were crazy. Dosukoi's music video was so hilarious, and intense. The song was amazingly fun, and I loved singing along to it. If I had not sung it to death, it would probably be higher. The chants and battles lead to playful and immersive live performances. I also feel like this is a song, where if you can't speak Japanese, you can easily sing along.
12. Maison Book Girl - Kujira Kojo
www.youtube.com
I am not an avid listener of Maison Book Girl, but every few singles I fall for a song. I actually find Kujira Kojo quite interesting in composition. While it has such a chilling music video, there is something very bright about the song. I really appreciate the contrast.
13. Angerme - 46okunen LOVE
www.youtube.com
This song is mostly here because I loved the music video. I loved the retro concept, and how tacky and cool it looked. The song is great too, don't get me wrong, but the music video is everything under the sun for me.
14. AKB48 [Team 8] - Ama Nojaku Batta
www.youtube.com
This was one of AKB's more shocking b-sides for me, as I did not expect Team 8 to have such a good song on Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby. As it has been previously noted, the song is a style similar to Perfume. The melody is addictive, and the lyrics repetitive to the point that it feels like a chant to call on an underworld god. It is a shame that it kinda fell under the radar as it was a pretty darn quality song for such a new group.
15. Tacoyaki Rainbow - DOT JP JAPAN
www.youtube.com
Let me start with - I stand by this song. While the singing isn't the best, I still think the concept was pretty fun and cool. It was definitely different, and if you aren't screaming "UMEBOSHI" you're lying to yourself. I think this song deserves a lot more credit for what it is.
So, that is my list. Hope you enjoyed!
Here are 15 of my favorite songs released from the past five years.
1. Galette - Air Summer
I spent years calling this my absolute favorite song ever released in J-pop ever because I love this song that much. The entire single is so perfectly composed and complete, that I consider it the holy grail of J-idol releases. Galette always delivered on content, with even their final single being a complete bop. The b-side to this single is Shijo no Ai, a song of utter perfection, with one of the best instrumentals I've ever heard from any J-pop group. Galette brought funk and technique like no other group and I feel like Air Summer was the perfect breath of fresh air.
2. Idol Renaissance - 5CMENTAL
In my opinion, Idol Renaissance had unrivaled talent when it came to J-idols. The group debuted just a while before Kobushi Factory and they grew together. While there are covers of theirs that I actually prefer, I absolutely loved the layout in which this song was presented. I think it showcases their concept very well. 5CMENTAL was produced by the lead singer of my favorite band (Base Ball Bear) so I had pretty high expectations and I was not disappointed at all.
3. Berryz Kobo - Towa no Uta
I have been listening to J-pop for most of my life, and for most of that time I was listening to Berryz. From Special Generation to Fighting Pose to Koi no Jubaku, Jiriri Kiteru, Maji Bomber, Heroine ni Narouka, etc. Berryz has been a staple in my life. I link them to many memories, and to my coming of age. Towa no Uta was a part of their disbandment single. The lyrics are positive and speak of moving on. I cried a lot to this song, so it has to be here.
4. Morning Musume '16 - Utakata Saturday Night
If you know Morning Musume, then you know back during the Golden Era, their concept revolved around loud, rambunctious girls who had spirit and funk. Around the end of the Platinum Era they started to lose this spark and never really got it back until Utakata Saturday Night, a song that threw them right back to the group they used to be. I feel like this song perfectly pays homage to the Golden Era, and was an amazing parting gift for my favorite member - Suzuki Kanon.
5. Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku - Nikibi
One if my favorite songs is a song called Sweet and Toughness by Minami Aoyama Shoujo Uta Gekidan (check out their stage plays!) so I have a sweet spot for any song that addresses the youth of a girl. Nikibi is a song I can describe as just my style. An acoustic sound, light instrumental, and a catchy rhythm that is easy to sing along to. I find myself whistling this song pretty often.
6. Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaki - Massugu
Masugu is a clean and sharp song. While it isn't as vibrant as some others, I always love songs that are fresh and cleanse my ears. The music video has such nice lighting, and the girls pull off the concept so perfectly. The robotic dances, paired with the tranquil ambiance is very interesting to me.
7. Kaika - Uta no Saku Shima
After Idol Renaissance disbanded, all of the girls went separate ways. However, Koyoi was the only one to go back to a group, as the others debuted solo or in bands. When listening to their debut, I felt as if I was continuing a path I had already started down. Hiraki Kaika has a very similar sound to Idol Renaissance, however, they seem more... tranquil. I would even go as far as to call them more polished. I am also very interested in how their discography will develop.
8. Maria - Hurricane [Cover]
This one is hard to include, as this song was originally by one of the most racist concepts in Japanese music. However, I do like the song, a lot. I really enjoyed it when I downloaded it, and I even listened to the following single because I was so into this song. I feel like it does quite a bit of justice to the original, and I love Maria's concept.
9. AKB48 - Kibouteki Refrain
Unfortunately, Flying Get was released 7 years ago, therefore I will be going with my second option. Kibouteki Refrain is easily my favorite music video from AKB48 - yes, that includes Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai. I love the concept, and I love seeing the OG members have such a smooth cameo. Seeing them assist the new (heh, new) girls honestly brought tears to my eyes, because it was just that touching.
10. Team Syachihoko - J.A.I.N.A.I.C.A
While my style is technically simple, but resonant - I love this song. I love, love this song. It is such high energy, and I love the melody. Singing along to the chorus is so fun. The music video suits it perfectly, and every single girl looks like she enjoys the song just as much as I do. While I do consider myself a casual fan, I can honestly say this song is the perfect pick me up.
11. Kobushi Factory - Dosukoi! Kenyo ni Daitan
こぶしファクトリー『ドスコイ！ケンキョにダイタン』(Magnolia Factory [Dosukoi! Humble but Bold]) (Promotion Edit)
2015年9月2日発売のメジャーデビュートリプルA面シングル「ドスコイ！ケンキョにダイタン／ラーメン大好き小泉さんの唄／念には念（念入りVer.）」から「ドスコイ！ケンキョにダイタン」のPromotion Editです。 Amazon⇒http://amzn.to/1W5wdTI Please note: thi...
www.youtube.com
12. Maison Book Girl - Kujira Kojo
Maison book girl / 鯨工場 / MV
Maison book girl（メゾンブックガール）2019.4.3 new single release「SOUP」http://www.maisonbookgirl.com/SOUP_tour7F/#maisonbookgirl #鯨工場 #SOUP「鯨工場」作詞作曲編曲 サクライケンタMV Directo...
www.youtube.com
13. Angerme - 46okunen LOVE
アンジュルム『46億年LOVE』(ANGERME [4.6 Billion Years Love])(Promotion Edit)
2018年10月31日発売の25thシングル「タデ食う虫もLike it!/46億年LOVE」から「46億年LOVE」のPromotion Editです。作詞：児玉雨子 作曲：林田健司 編曲：鈴木俊介MV Director：北島武樹●【初回生産限定盤A】（CD+DVD）HKCN-50569 ￥1,600＋税●【初...
www.youtube.com
14. AKB48 [Team 8] - Ama Nojaku Batta
【MV】あまのじゃくバッタ Short ver.[Team8] / AKB48[公式]
作詞 : 秋元 康 / 作曲・編曲 : ながいたつAKB48 42nd Maxi Single「唇にBe My Baby」TypeC収録曲。『あまのじゃくバッタ』 Team 8坂口渚沙、横山結衣、谷川 聖、佐藤七海、早坂つむぎ、佐藤 朱、舞木香純、岡部 麟、本田仁美、清水麻璃亜、髙橋彩音、吉川七瀬、小栗有以、小田...
www.youtube.com
15. Tacoyaki Rainbow - DOT JP JAPAN
たこやきレインボー / どっとjpジャパーン！
たこやきレインボーが、広告なしで全曲聴き放題【AWA/無料】曲をダウンロードして、圏外でも聴ける。無料で体験する▶https://mf.awa.fm/2yadbIUももいろクローバー Z、私立恵比寿中学、チームしゃちほこと数々のアイドルグループを世に送り出した スターダストプロモーションが大阪から放つなにわの最終...
www.youtube.com
So, that is my list. Hope you enjoyed!
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llama queen of taste
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there is only trust i have for ur taste. this is a lot, so im gonna listen to them
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Shachi's songs the last year have been great too, and some of Ebichu's songs this year have a similar style as the ones you posted
moue
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Nikibi will always be my favorite, honestly. Same with JANAICA. I did like Cherie and Jumpman tho.
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I think their more recent songs are better, but it's a bit of a different image so might not be up everyone's alley.
moue
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That is awesome!
Sing Along was my fave MV from them, and Trendy Girl is nice - but I still consider Nikibi my favorite. As I said in the explanation, I really enjoy songs about youth, and the tone of the song is to my taste.