New Japanese Music

[Uemarasan]

Recently I've been a little neglectful when it comes to Japanese music, so I'd just like to ask for some recommendations from all you lovely people out there Artists, albums, individual songs, feel to free to recommend as many as possible, from any genre and era. To have some idea of my musical tastes, here are a few artists I like:

Angela Aki, Kosuke Atari, Tsukiko Amano, Aucifer, Bird, Chara, Cocco, Depapepe, Chitose Hajime, Judy and Mary, M-flo, Michio Miyagi, Rimi Natsukawa, Eri Nobuchika, Chihiro Onitsuka, Ringo Shiina, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, UA, Kana Uemura, Yuki

I'm particularly interested in: 80s and 90s Japanese pop, 80s and 90s idols, enka, traditional music. As you can see, I'm not that inclined towards visual kei, boy groups, and girl groups, although there will always be exceptions (Aucifer, dream's My Will is one of my favorite songs, and I definitely need to listen to more Kiroro).

Some beloved artists I only tend to like a few songs (Kokia, the brilliant green, Bonnie Pink, Superfly), some I don't get at all (Yui, alan). And if it's not too much trouble, maybe you could recommend where to start if you do recommend a certain artist?

Thanks so much for any help that comes my way!

[YuriChan]

My recommendations.. B'z, Koshi Inaba (his solo music is slightly different from B'z), Seiko Matsuda, Akina Nakamori, Mai Kuraki, YU-A, Tomomi Kahala, globe, Namie Amuro, miwa. Those are the only ones I can think of! lol

[emi♡]

You need MAA.

Try out EA, just cause I love them. Try out Eiko Shimamiya (I love her O album).

None of these are 80s or 90s...although I believe Eiko has some 90s work.


If you like electronic stuff, check out Supercar...

and I think...I have a feeling for some reason that I should say ikimonogakari...

[RayJason]

I think Namie Amuro would be perfect for you. (Give her album PLAY a listen)

[Uemarasan]

YuriChan, thanks for the recommendations! I'm familiar with B'z from 2000 onwards, but I'd like to explore their 80s and 90s work. Any particular songs or albums you'd recommend? I'll also give Koshi's music a whirl. Also, I've always wanted to get into Seiko Matsuda, but I don't know where to start? She has such a huge discography! Any favorites?

I'm familiar with Akina Nakamori, Mai Kuraki, Tomomi Kahala, globe, and Namie Amuro, but miwa and YU-A sound promising!

emi, ah, some unfamiliar artists! Thanks for those Funny how MAA and EA have similar names. I'll look them up. With ikinmonogakari, though, what's a good place to start? I only know Arigatou

Oh, and I love supercar, too! And Miki Furukawa's solo work.

RayJason, thanks! I do like Play, although I'm particularly fond of Namie's earlier stuff. Say the Word remains my favorite

[emi♡]

Miki Furukawa is one my new loves. She's just awesome and I feel embarrassed about not knowing about her sooner lol

You might try out Miu Sakamoto then, but she's a little lighter than Miki.


I honestly have no idea with ikimonogakari. I don't really listen to them at all lol It was a judgement based on...your artists and what I've heard about them.


I wonder if you'd like m.o.v.e...Anyways, I talk about some of the new artists I listen to in the New artists you're listening to thread lol

I'd love to hear your take on any new people you're listening to ;P Don't have to like them~

[YuriChan]

Originally Posted by Uemarasan

YuriChan, thanks for the recommendations! I'm familiar with B'z from 2000 onwards, but I'd like to explore their 80s and 90s work. Any particular songs or albums you'd recommend? I'll also give Koshi's music a whirl. Also, I've always wanted to get into Seiko Matsuda, but I don't know where to start? She has such a huge discography! Any favorites?

I'm familiar with Akina Nakamori, Mai Kuraki, Tomomi Kahala, globe, and Namie Amuro, but miwa and YU-A sound promising!

You're welcome!! (^_^) Umm let's see...

B'z: I can recommend you some albums from the 90's. (In chronological order) IN THE LIFE (1991), RUN (1992), LOOSE (1995), SURVIVE (1997), Brotherhood (1999). There's also some non-album singles that are my personal favorites.. Like Hadashi no Megami, Samayoeru Aoi Dangan, and HOME!

Seiko Matsuda: I personally adore "Strawberry Time"! I also like Utopia and SEIKO TOWN. ^^

Koshi Inaba: My personal favorite album out of all of Koshi's work is Shian! But you can start with his debut "Magma" and work your way up to Hadou.

[Delicious n Bold]

You know who isn't bad? Yumi Matsutoya (aka Yumi Arai).
She has loads of albums that span over a few decades, including the 80s and 90s.

[YuriChan]

Oh, I forgot to mention BREAKERZ (particularly their FIGHTERZ and GO album) and SPYAIR! ^^;

[sesshy]

Hmm... What about MiChi? Her songs are a little different from the others. Mixed with electro, pop, rock and sometimes has the 80's/90's feel. She also makes positive music and does cover songs (mostly 90's songs). She fluent in Japanese and English.

She has 3 albums: MiChi MadNesS, Up to You and recent one, THERAPY. I don't know how you'll feel about her but it's worth a shot.

[YuriChan]

I don't know if you're familiar with these two ladies... I'd like to mention Nanase Aikawa (Koigokoro is a good song to start with) and hitomi. I'd also like to mention T.M.Revolution! He's got some 90's stuff (like WHITE BREATH).

[mellody]

If you ask about 80s and 90s idols, then you should listen to Matsuyoya Yumi, Iwasaki Hiromi, Yamaguchi Momoe and Nakajima Miyuki.
I think you can start from their best album, if not, try their early release, 1st or 2nd album most of time sounds awesome.

As for new artists, since I read Tsukiko Amano in your list, have you heard of Nana Kitade?
I really really like all of her music, since she has unique voice, maybe you will like it too.

The rest that I can think of are Kalafina and moumoon.
Kalafina is neoclassical pop group, they tend to do many harmonization, so amazing.
While moumoon has really versatile genre, though mostly pop but their music is just so diverse but very enjoyable.

[KarenPang]

not sure if you're a rock music fan but you definitely should try BOOWY , COMPLEX , GLAY , L'arc en ciel since they're considered as some of the forefathers of JRock , especially BOOWY

But of course the fan in me will ask you to try BREAKERZ's music 8D but I don't know if you will like them