The next generation of female artists/groups

Miichan · #1 1st June 2015, 09:58 PM

[Old Thread]

A thread about currently interesting, fun, talented or new artist that you think deserve more attention.
This is not a 'who is the next queen of j-pop' thread so don't even think about starting a fight about that.
If you post an artist that already has their own thread please add a link to their thread.

primavera♥ · #2 1st June 2015, 10:36 PM

One of my friends surprised me and showed me a FEMM song. Fuck boys get money. I did like it.

I also liked Mariya's 7 Wonders single. She seems to have potential.

I have no clue about any of their relevance in Japan. It's hard to see all of them become as big as ayu and hikki were.

Surreal17 · #3 2nd June 2015, 03:11 PM

Nishiuchi Mariya is interesting, I checked Forever... and I like it.
Itano Tomomi seems to be going into the EDM/clubby/pop route which is like fresh air. Yeah, her voice is weak but she has a bit of potential.

My favourite "new" artist is Aimer who debuted in 2011. She's amazing, more people should know her. I created a thread for her a few months ago.

Kacku · #4 2nd June 2015, 09:01 PM

I really want to like Mariya Nishiuchi, she's obviously talented and all, but none of her songs so far have done anything for me. Maybe sometime in the future.

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One of my favourite new female artists to follow is yanaginagi. She's not actually THAT new: she's been singing since 2005, part of vocal unit binaria and producing her own music since 2006, vocalist of music group supercell between 2009-2011, and finally, a solo anison artist under Geneon since 2012. She tends to have typical anison-style a-sides, but really interesting, dreamy and experimental b-sides and album tracks. Since signing to a major label, she has released two full albums and 10 singles (with the 11th coming out next week!). They're all worth hearing; most of her singles contain two b-sides, which tend to be some of her best songs, so definitely check those out too!

To use Miichan's format...

[Solo] Name: yanaginagi / やなぎなぎ | Ambient indie singer turned experimental anison artist. | Debut: Independent: 2006; Major: 2012

Spoiler:

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[Solo] Name: GILLE | Cover queen. | Debut: 2012 | Thread here!

Another big favourite of mine. GILLE got her start in 2012 by uploading English covers of Japanese hits on Youtube, with her face obscured in the videos. Her cover of AKB48's song Flying Get got the official endorsement of the group's creator, and the song, along with other covers of hers, became a smash hit, leading to huge sales for her first cover album I AM GILLE. She started releasing original music right afterwards, but the sales were way lower, and thus her label seems to have stuck her to covers duty. She has released a staggering number of albums since her debut in 2012: four cover albums and two original albums. Her sales are, honestly, abysmal (she's not gonna be the next sales queen for sure), but her voice is a delight, and she has some amazing pop songs in both her covers and original song repertoire.

Spoiler:

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Also, two female guitar-playing pop-rock artists I'd like to briefly bring up: everyone should listen to miwa (especially the Delight album!), and perhaps Leo Ieiri as well; her latest album 20 (recommended track: little blue. So good!!) was really solid, she's definitely on my radar now.

luna7996 · #5 3rd June 2015, 06:24 AM

Thank you for starting this thread. I have been thinking for the last couple of weeks about how I desperately need diversity in my j-pop music playlist. Its all Ayu, Namie and Koda Kumi. Artist who, as you said, ''have debuted a long time ago''. I really wanted to get some new talent into my playlist but didn't know where to start.This thread shall be my guiding light. Big Thanks!

**Yoake** · #6 3rd June 2015, 11:03 AM

Thanks for opening this thread. It's funny because some days ago I was thinking that opening a thread for new artists would be great. From time to time, I wonder if there are new interesting artists but I only found them by accident. Also, it's a good way to judge if they are attractive before to open a thread in the artist and band section perhaps.
It's true that female artists seem to be more popular but I think it's a bit sad to leave out male artists too. How could they reach the light in that case? XD

I allow myself to contribute to this thread :

Firstly the band color-code who released their first single in 2014.

Spoiler:

And the band LAGOON who also debuted in 2014

Spoiler:

Surreal17 · #7 3rd June 2015, 12:22 PM

I like color code!! I always listen to one of their single tracks. Can't remember the title right now.

Kacku · #8 3rd June 2015, 01:39 PM

^Could it be Tamashii no Refrain, the third track from their first single? Cause that's the one I love.

I had no idea color-code had a second single out?! Gotta get it and listen.

I checked out LAGOON. I like the singer's voice. Kimi no Matsu Sekai is a pretty cool track, I think I'll keep them on my radar.

This thread also rekindled my interest in Aimer. I'm now downloading some more of her stuff to listen, she's gotta have more than one song that I go crazy over...

Also also, yanaginagi's new single leaked already, a week early! The b-side is really awesome, go check it out!!

**Yoake** · #9 3rd June 2015, 08:53 PM

^The cover of Tamashii no Refrain is good. I was a bit scared when I read the title in the tracklist because I love the song. I'm glad that they didn't slaughter it.

As new artist there is the fantastic drummer Shishido Kavka (debut in 2013). We already have a thread for her here

Spoiler:

I would like to share the music of Hanae too. Mostly, she's known for the openings and endings of Kamisama Hajimemashita.

Spoiler:

Surreal17 · #10 3rd June 2015, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacku

^Could it be Tamashii no Refrain, the third track from their first single? Cause that's the one I love.

I had no idea color-code had a second single out?! Gotta get it and listen.

I checked out LAGOON. I like the singer's voice. Kimi no Matsu Sekai is a pretty cool track, I think I'll keep them on my radar.

This thread also rekindled my interest in Aimer. I'm now downloading some more of her stuff to listen, she's gotta have more than one song that I go crazy over...

Also also, yanaginagi's new single leaked already, a week early! The b-side is really awesome, go check it out!!

Yep, that's the song ))))) its so addictive. I'll check their second single.

Kacku · #11 4th June 2015, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoake

^The cover of Tamashii no Refrain is good. I was a bit scared when I read the title in the tracklist because I love the song. I'm glad that they didn't slaughter it.

I had no idea the song was a cover until reading this... and it was in an Evangelion movie?! That I watched???? Kicking myself for my lousy memory now. But yeah, they definitely didn't slaughter it! I love the production (and the melody), I hope to hear more songs like this from them.

Anyway, I like this introducing-new-artists thing. I'm gonna do some more.

[Solo] Leo Ieiri / 家入レオ | Singer-songwriter | Debut: 2012

From the people who brought you YUI and Ayaka... a new, young singer-songwriter! Leo Ieiri started writing music at age 15, debuted when she was 17, and won Billboard Japan's Best New Artist award shortly after turning 18. Have I mentioned how good her third album is? I need everyone to know.

Spoiler:

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[Group] Suiyoubi no Campanella / 水曜日のカンパネラ | Indie weirdness | Debut: 2012

Suiyoubi no Campanella consists of lyricist-vocalist Koumai, producer Kenmochi Hidefumi, and Dir F. who does... something. They produce eccentric music that borrows from many different sources; I find this quote from Koumai a pretty nice summary of their way of making music, kind of their thesis statement: "-- Kenmochi likes when there is tension. He wants me to rap, because [my voice] doesn’t fit rap. That gives the music a sense of something being just off." Source

Spoiler:

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[Solo] Rei Yasuda / 安田レイ | Pop princess + model | Solo Debut: 2013 | Thread here!

Rachel Rhodes has been involved in Japanese music since age 13, contributing vocals to electronic project Genki Rockets. She started her solo career under stage name Rei Yasuda in 2013 and so far she has five singles (with sixth on the way) and a studio album under her belt. Her music should please fans of pretty, melodic pop.

Spoiler:

axmish87 · #12 4th June 2015, 01:38 PM

From all of the mentioned female artist's only Ieiri Leo grabbed my attention with singles Sabrina , Bless You and her debut album LEO was PERFECTION
The follow ups weren't as good although second album had good stuff such as Time will Tell a Boy and a few more tracks i can't remember at the moment.
It seems that in my case LEO clicked better with me because the songs were angrier if i can describe them like that. Oh and her recent single Silly is also good song

Miichan · #13 4th June 2015, 04:50 PM

Thanks for keeping this thread going! I'll patch up the first post this weekend, I've just been incredibly busy

Happy to see some of the artists I wanted to recommend already being posted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surreal17

My favourite "new" artist is Aimer who debuted in 2011. She's amazing, more people should know her. I created a thread for her a few months ago.

Her album Sleepless Nights is one of my favorite Japanese albums in the '10s, it's perfect night music.

Kacku · #14 4th June 2015, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axmish87

From all of the mentioned female artist's only Ieiri Leo grabbed my attention with singles Sabrina , Bless You and her debut album LEO was PERFECTION
The follow ups weren't as good although second album had good stuff such as Time will Tell a Boy and a few more tracks i can't remember at the moment.
It seems that in my case LEO clicked better with me because the songs were angrier if i can describe them like that. Oh and her recent single Silly is also good song

For me, it's the exact opposite.

I found her first album very weak (only Bless You, Sabrina and Shine stood out) and can't even remember a thing about the second one, but 20 really clicked. But unlike you, I tend to like softer, smoother songs. 20 has plenty of those, and they are my favourites (little blue, TWO HEARTS, miss you). At least we can agree on Bless You and Silly.

Toniayu123 · #15 6th June 2015, 09:39 PM

Beside some of the ones mentioned, I only know Hitomi Kaji. She hasn't debuted yet but she'll probably do soon. She was the winner of Tokyo Girls Audition in 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCyVKuIZKBM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT6OSeSOQsg

It seems to me she's really influenced by Ayu...

Surreal17 · #16 6th June 2015, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toniayu123

Beside some of the ones mentioned, I only know Hitomi Kaji. She hasn't debuted yet but she'll probably do soon. She was the winner of Tokyo Girls Audition in 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCyVKuIZKBM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT6OSeSOQsg

It seems to me she's really influenced by Ayu...

She has a beautiful smile. Regarding music, both songs are kinda mediocre. The first one is not that bad though but still generic. The first pv reminds me of Moon and Hanabi episode 2 and the second one reminds me of Merry go round and appears. Still, she seems promising. I mean, she didn.t even had a proper debut yet.

pimenta · #17 7th June 2015, 03:27 AM

I've been recently addicted to Fairies, they debuted in 2011. I got to know them with the song BLING BLING MY LOVE which is a total jam

Here are some of her songs:

Spoiler:

mizuki-7 · #18 7th June 2015, 04:45 PM

As a really big fan of Anison music I must say that Aoi Eir is really promising ! I know her since some time but never cared listen to her music but ever since her apparition in Music Station last month I'm in love of her voice and songs !
Her A-side are most of the time really animeish like all the anime singer but her B-side and album tracks show more her own style which is a mixture of aggressive or upbeat rock songs and dramatic ballad I really like it !
I don't think she can have a big succes in the mainstream area but without doubt she ready to be the next big anisong diva

The fun thing is that I love her because of her similitude with Ayu !! The way she sings is similar to the way Ayu sung in the past (1999/2001) ! It's like a mixt of the young Ayu and the voice of and HALANA (from HAL's band) in addition she has some songs really Ayuish of 2001/2002 ... just listen to this song doesn't it sound like an Ayu song arranged by HAL lol ? and she has couple of songs arranged that way I loooove it lol

Personal favorites :

Spoiler:

***oaristos*** · #19 7th June 2015, 04:49 PM

FEMM is such an amazing duo, I love them.

**Yoake** · #20 7th June 2015, 08:54 PM

I feel like there are a lot of new singers with amazing and beautiful voice. But their songs are so generic and already heard that I feel jaded and desperate.
For example I listened to Leo Ieiri's first album after its release. She has a nice voice and her technique is awesome however none of the songs stays in my mind. It's the same thing for Aoi Eir. Though, I fell in love with Lapis Lazuli recently ( my love for Arslan Senki had to help a little ^_^).

I suppose I need to stop to expect that each new singer that I'm trying will revolutionize the Jmusic.