J-Pop Recommendations, Please?
 

Okay, I've been really behind in the J-pop world this year (actually, I've been behind for the past 4 years). I remember back in 2000 to 2002 when I would download nearly every single that showed up on the Oricon top 10 every week :P Yeah, I was pretty crazy.

So, I hope it wouldn't be too much to ask for your help, guys :) What J-pop singles released this year would you recommend? And maybe you can describe the song a little, too :D The Kouhaku is too far off to pick up on what Japanese music was like in 2007!

For the record, my favorite non-Ayu singles of the year so far, so you'll know what my taste is like:

Namie Amuro - Baby Don't Cry
Mika Nakashima - Life
Chihiro Onitsuka - everyhome
Yu Yamada - Eyes on Me
Rimi Natsukawa - Furusato
Gackt - No Ni Saku Hana No You Ni

I've already heard the singles of the following artists: Hikaru Utada, Koda Kumi, Ai Otsuka, BoA, Angela Aki, ayaka, Mika Nakashima, Namie Amuro, Hitomi Shimatani, Yui, Erika (Sawajiri), Leah Dizon, Orange Range, aiko, Kaela Kimura, Anna Tsuchiya, High and Mighty Color, misono, sifow, so no need to mention them.

I'm not a big fan of J-rock but I do like Gackt, Laruku, Lucifer, Janne Da Arc, Porno Graffiti. I like melodious rock.

Um, I'm also not that fond of Johnny's and Hello Project artists.

Also, if you want to recommend something non-J-pop like Depapepe or Kiyoshi Hikawa, be my guest :D

^hmmm...have u listened to Ami Suzuki's new single, Free Free/Super Music Maker? Oh, how I luv thoses songs! I definitely recommand it.

Also, what about Uverworld's, endscape. It's not bad but u might get over it soon. I like it though.

you can always read my recommendation thread ^.~

I would recommend you listen to AAA and UVERworld :yes They rock!!

I'd recommend Akeboshi whose music is kinda folky/celtic-y sounding. Youtube his song Wind <333

mi|kshake~

FLOW
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
ORANGE RANGE
Younha
L'Arc~en~Ciel
Nami Tamaki
Hitomi Takahashi
Nana Kitade

UVERworld, nami tamaki, shibasaki kou. :D

hmm...
stephanie - because of you
stephanie - kimi ga iru kagiri
i'm in love with this new artist...

KOBUKURO is amazing.

luv venus i agree with you..
free free is most song i like from ami..
why don't you try SPEED's song??
i love all of they song...

i hope you too

Hey guys!

Thanks so much for the replies so far :) A lot of artists to check out!

Luv Venus, I do like some of Ami Suzuki's avex work (Eventful and Like a Love), so I'll definitely give her new single a listen!
Fanmail, where oh where is your recommendations thread? :D I can't wait to see it!
Raiu Ayu, I'm not a big fan of AAA, but I haven't listened to their newer stuff yet, so I'll definitely give them a chance!
Kodayumi, that makes two votes for Uverworld. I've always read about them but I've never really heard their music, so I'll get right to it!
milkshake, Akeboshi sounds really intriguing. Folk-influenced music is always fun. I shall make my way to Youtube now!
Beauty4123, I've keep on hearing good things about Flow and Younha, but I haven't had the opportunity to listen to their stuff. It's about time I do so!
AyuGame, that's the first time I heard of Stephanie. How new is she? I shall do some research!
greggerz189, yes, they are amazing :) But I've mostly heard only their old stuff. I need to look at their new stuff!
riozz, is Speed still making music? I thought they split up for good after a short-lived reunion :P But I do especially like hiro's solo music!

I think I used one too many exclamation points there :dead2 Thank you again, guys!

Agh, plz listen to D-technolife first! That song is a killer! (IMO) And then Colors of the Heart. Those two songs are what made me LUV them!!!

Such passion :D Okay, I'll get to it right away!

you have to listen to AI ... she has a great voice and is a performer you don't see that much these days here's a link CLICK ME!!!

OH, I LUV that song she did with Mummy-D, Zeebra, and Namie! She can like really rap! It's nice to know that she is like the Japanese version of Mary J. Blige (I'm refering to her title of being called "The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul"...MJB is title the same thing (I Think that's right) lol)

@Uemarasan: Well, it's the truth...If I really an artist, I try to recommand to a lot of people! Besides, I don't want to be the only person to listen to that artist. lol

^you mean Uh Uh.... ... yeah that song is awesome

O_O;...It's called Uh Uh....*looks in ipod* Nope, that's not it! The one I have is called Do What U Gotta Do! lol But I have heard of Uh Uh but I haven't gotten around to listen to it.

ahhh ... sorry .. my bad ... you have to listen to Uh Uh.... that song is awesome

Thanks for the continued output, guys :)

fanmail, thankee for the linky!
Partino, I'm a big fan of Ai's Story, but haven't had the chance to check out her other material. I really should check it out!
Luv Venus, of course, and that's a very good thing :D Spread the love!

injoyee! please, comment there once you've read! not to bump the thread :innocent

riiight! ;)

I do know if u heard of him Uemarasan (What a funny username lol) but I recommand (Bi) Rain too. He's not all J-pop, more J-R&B, but if you like to dance and stuff, u should try him out especially his song, I'm coming! LUV IT! Woot!:yes

@Uemarasan AI not Ai Otsuka ... that are two different singers ... the one has a deep voice only heared before from the girl from garnet crow and the other ... well ... don't get me started why I'm not into her anymore

hmm,.. i just have as time goes by...
they don't making music now..
i dpn't about their activity now..
i hope next time they will reunion again

stephanie is really new comer artist
she just release her 2nd single on august...it called "because of you"
she has a 5octave voice, and really powerful voice...
so far she can sing ballad song very well, rock-pop song, and happy poppy song...
try to hear her song..i really like her

Thanks, guys!

fanmail, haha, I shall go bump away!

Luv Venus, well, Uemarasan is simply a Japanese last name (Uemara) plus an honorific (-san). It's pretty common. And Rain is definitely one hot and sexy mofo :D I prefer his Korean stuff, though.

Partino, yup, I know that AI :) Great voice and all. The other Ai (Otsuka) has, well, been disappointing with her recent output.

Ayugame, thanks for the recommendation! Another artist new to me :) I'll check her out ASAP!

LOL...oh, okay! But I also recommand Toshi Kubato (or something that). I just discovered him yesterday while looking at videos on MTV Japan's website. The song is called MAGIC (Toshi Kubato meets Kreva). He's R&B but the song is really catchy and Toshi can sing his ass off. lol

My list:

01. Ayumi Hamasaki as always
02. ayaka
03. Jolin Tsai (is C-Pop but I think you'll like her)
04. Do As Infinity (is J-Pop Rock)
05. Tomiko Van (vocalist of Do As Infinity)
06. Hitomi Shimatani
07. Shiina Ringo
08. Mika Nakashima
09. Leah Dizon
10. Ken Hirai
11. L'arc~en~Ciel (is JRock but well)
12. Yuna Ito
13. Satomi Takasugi
14. AAA
15. Crystal Kay
16. melody.
17. AI
18. Ami Suzuki
19. BoA
20. misono
21. Nami Tamaki
22. Namie Amuro
23. Utada Hikaru
24. Ai Otsuka
25. Anna Tsuchiya
26. Jay Chou (he's C-Music too but you'll like him)
27. Stephanie
28. Tackey & Tsubasa
29. Suga Shikao
30. Ikimonogakari
31. YUI
32. Angela Aki
33. Tomoko / Tommy heavenly, etc.
34. the brilliant green
35. sifow
36. ORANGE RANGE
37. Mizrock
38. OLIVIA
39. mihimaru GT
40. m-flo
41. JYONGRI
42. HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR
43. ERIKA (high recommended)
44. DREAMS COME TRUE
45. B'z
46. BONNIE PINK
47. aiko
48. Maki Goto
49. ASIAN KUNG FU GENERATION
50. Kobukuro

OMG, I listen 50 different artists! XD

^ I can't tell u that I don't even to half of artist that u do! lol I say about 20 to 25 are the #'s of how many J-artists I listen to!

if you want a great ballads:

angela aki - sakurairo, kodoku no kakera, but hey she has a lot of ballads!
stephanie - kimi ga iru kagiri, because of you
nobuchika eri - sketch for summer
chihiro onitsuka - infection, ryuuseigun, gekkou


if you want a refreshing pop:

leah dizon's debut album "Destiny Line"

okay, now I will recommend alan "ashitae no senka". she (yes, she) has the most beautiful, powerful voice. OMG <3

^Wow! ur really luvin' alan, huh fanmail! lol

I hav another recommedation!

Shibata Jun - I just started listening to her a few days ago and she has such a luvly voice. Try her song Colorful (This song rocks...seriously!)
Shibata Jun Website Your hear 30 seconds of Colorful! Enjoy!

yes. I'm obsessed with her. just this song! and I'm hooked. omg it's sifow all over again XD

^Me too. lol I hope she has a good debut and hope she gets tons of recognition for her voice and music...if AVEX would let that happen! (I mean!)

yeah they will. I think they see the talent in her and they'll probably promote her decently to ensure a chart hit!

zomg Shibata Jun is amazing <3
I love Colorful so much XD


It's not her debut single btw. It's her 16th single and her debut single was Boku no Mikata.

*screams* And here I thought I was the only one! Maybe we can be Shibata Jun buddies! lol

btw, Are talkin' about Shibata Jun or alan when u said that wasn't her debut single but her 16th single?

I'm talking about Shibata Jun. xD Don't tell me you were talking about alan.

Two-Mix - White Reflection, Trust me
:)

Thanks for more recommendations, guys!

A few quick comments:

I've been a fan of Chihiro Onitsuka since her debut :) Everyhome is one of the best singles released this year, I think.

I've also always liked Jun Shibata since her debut, but her music is so hard to find...

Angela Aki has for me been last year's best discovery. In my opinion, she released last year's best album (Home). I'm not too happy about her last two singles, though. Maybe the new album will prove me wrong!

Will check out: Eri Nobuchika and Two-Mix.

Still ambivalent about Leah Dizon :P

sifow, Angela Aki, DREAMS COME TRUE ((: