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!