by Devon Sponheimer
Want to get into J-Pop but don’t know where to start? Let the Japlanning team help you out with the J-Pop Mix Tape; a beginners guide to the infectious world of Japanese pop music.
Japan is the second biggest music market in the world, behind the US. Arguably their biggest, and most popular genre is J-Pop. A term coined in the 90’s by Tower Records (Remember them? They still exist in Japan!) It covered all music that belonged to the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
However over the years it has been used to cover music with that pop tune we all know. Walking around Japan, you will start to hear it everywhere too. Major intersections, like the world famous Shibuya crosswalk, amongst countless more, you will find giant screens going through the top 10 singles in Japan, and they will slowly seep into your brain and you will get a taste for it, fast.
Let’s get started with our Intro to J-Pop with some of the biggest artists in the genre so you can start building your collection and create your Intro to J-Pop mixtape!
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
I’d be remiss if she wasn’t the first one I mentioned after seeing her in Chicago for her Nanda World Tour. Want to check out KPP in all her glory? Read articles our existing article on KPP here and here.
Suggested Track: Everything. But check out 'Furisodation', a coming of age story.
イッキ飲みは絶対にやめましょう！ お酒は20歳を過ぎてから！（未成年者の飲酒は法律で禁じられて います。） iTunes(R)Store： https://itunes.apple.com/jp/artist/kyaripamyupamyu/id448331160 「キミに100パーセント / ふりそでーしょん」 2013年1月30日発売 テレビ朝日系アニメ「クレヨンしんちゃん」の主題歌となる「キミに100パーセント」を収録した、4枚目となる初両A面シングル!! http://www.youtube.com/warnermusicjapan/
Bonus Track: Crazy Party Night - Kyary’s latest single is dripping in Halloween goodness and sure to be a hit for many Halloweens to come in Japan. You couldn't walk around a corner in Tokyo this Halloween without hearing or seeing it.
きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ 11th Single 「Crazy Party Night ～ぱんぷきんの逆襲～」 produced by Yasutaka Nakata(CAPSULE) Director: Yusuke Tanaka (Caviar) Stylist: Kumiko Iijima (IUGO) Hair & Make up: Shinji Konishi (band)/ Minako Suzuki Special modeling & Special make up: JIRO Camera: Takeshi Hanzawa (glassloft) Set Design: Kenichi Miyazawa / Jun Sugiyama (magma) Choreographer: I COULD NEVER BE A DANCER Producer: Yuki Awatsu, Tomofumi Abe (TYO Productions1) 【配信情報】 9月2日（水）「Crazy Party Night ～ぱんぷきんの逆襲～」配信スタート 着うた(R)、着うたフル(R)、スマートフォン/PCシングル、レコチョク、iTunes他、主要¬サイトにて展開 ＜レコチョク＞http://recochoku.com/w0/kpp/ ＜iTunes Store＞https://itunes.apple.com/jp/artist/kyaripamyupamyu/id448331160?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 【シングル発売情報】 2015年9月2日（水）発売 きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ 中田ヤスタカ(CAPSULE)プロデュース 11枚目シングル『Crazy Party Night ～ぱんぷきんの逆襲～』 ・初回限定盤CD+DVD WPZL-31085/6 ¥2,000(本体)＋税 ・通常盤 CD WPCL-12231 ￥1,400(本体)＋税 ※初回盤･通常盤の楽曲内容は同一です。 ※初回限定盤のみDVD付。 ■収録内容 Disc-1（CD）※初回限定盤／通常盤 共通 M1.
Arashi
Arashi, having been around since 1999, are often described as “the nation’s boy band”. The band consists of Masaki Aiba, Jun Matsumoto, Kazunari Ninomiya, Satoshi Ohno and Sho Sakurai. The band’s lead singer (Ohno) recently partnered up with JAL to promote the 2020 Olympics by designing the outside of a limited edition plane for the “Fly 2020” campaign. Arashi can sing, they can act, and they can design planes. Triple threat?
Suggested Track: Love So Sweet (Incidentally the theme for my favorite J-Drama Hana Yori Dango 2 aka Boys over Flowers. I may or may not be still pining for Hanazawa Rui.)
嵐ARASHI / Love so sweet 【FNSうたの夏まつり】（ 2015/7/29） HKT48 / 12秒 - FNSうたの夏まつり 2015-07-29 AKB48 SKE48 NMB48 乃木坂46 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX9tZxSbMzA NMB48 / ドリアン少年 - FNSうたの夏まつり 2015-07-29 AKB48 SKE48 HKT48 乃木坂46 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGBeAKmNr8o E-girls Anniversary!!FNSうたの夏まつり2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDPStCPunDA
Perfume
A girl pop group out of Hiroshima, these three met in actor’s school. If you love autotune, and technopop/electropop, these are your ladies. Consisting of Kashiyka, A~chan and Nocchi, they’ve since gone international and made their first trip to the U.S. in 2014.
Suggested Track: Magic of Love
Perfume「Magic of Love」 2013.05.22 on sale カンロ「ピュレグミ」CMソング 日本テレビ系「スッキリ！！」5月テーマソング ■iTunes: http://www.itunes.com/perfume ■レコチョク: http://recochoku.com/perfume/ ■mora: http://mora.jp/artist/161648/0
Bonus Track - Star Train. Perfume’s latest track is a departure from their usual hyper electric tunes, and shows some great range and shows their reflection over their latest world tour.
Perfume 「STAR TRAIN」 2015.10.28 on sale 10.31(土)全国劇場にて公開の映画『WE ARE Perfume -WORLD TOUR 3rd DOCUMENT』主題歌 【Perfume Official Site】 http://www.perfume-web.jp/ 【『WE ARE Perfume -WORLD TOUR 3rd DOCUMENT』Official Site】 http://www.we-are-perfume.com/
Utada
A Japanese American, this singer/songwriter was my first introduction to J-Pop with her song featured on Kingdom Hearts. In 2009, she was considered “the most influential artist of the decade” by the Japanese Times.
Suggested Track: First Love. A ballad, and arguably what Utada does best.
1999年4月28日発売 サードシングル(TBS 系ドラマ「魔女の条件」主題歌）。大ヒットアルバム「First Love」からのシングルカット。ハイスピードカメラを用いたシーンが印象的なビデオ。 ----- Utada Hikaru - First Love Hikki's 3rd single, released on Apr. 28, 1999. (also the theme song for the drama "Majo no Joken" (TBS Network)). The impressive imagery of this video was shot with a high speed camera.
Sekai no Owari
Featuring KPP’s rumored boyfriend Fukase, this band is famous for their unique performances. Other members include: Nakajin, Saori and DJ LOVE (Try not to get creeped out by the clown mask). Fan of Anime? Then you’ll know them from Anti-Hero and SOS from Attack on Titan.
Suggested Track: RPG. There should be more accordion in modern day songs.
SEKAI NO OWARIニューシングル「RPG」 2013年5月1日（水）リリース デビュー以来、破竹の勢いで進化を続けるSEKAI NO OWARIの2013年第1弾シングルは、「映画クレヨンしんちゃん バカうまっ！B級グルメサバイバル！！」主題歌として物語を盛り上げるナンバー。 「RPG」は、幼馴染みで結成した彼ららしく「仲間」「冒険」「絆」をテーマにしており、"新世代アドベンチャーファンタジーミュージック"とも言える、挑戦的かつ斬新でありながら、スタンダードなポップネスをも感じさせる1曲に仕上がった。 Direction by 田向潤 初回限定盤A［CD+限定ライブCD］TFCC-89426 / ¥1890-（tax in） 初回限定盤B［CD+DVD］TFCC-89427 / ¥1890-（tax in） 通常盤［CD+封入カード（初回生産分）］TFCC-89428 / ¥1260-（tax in） ※通常盤にはスクラッチカード封入、当たりが出たら「謎のDVD」プレゼント！ Amazon：http://amzn.to/11Dz8U0 ＜CD収録曲＞ 01. RPG 作詞：Saori, Fukase / 作曲：Fukase / 編曲：SEKAI NO OWARI, CHRYSANTHEMUM BRIDGE 02. アースチャイルド 作詞：Saori / 作曲：Nakajin / 編曲：SEKAI NO OWARI, CHRYSANTHEMUM BRIDGE 03.
AKB48 “The idols you can meet!”
I know we’d be disappointing many if we didn’t mention this group. A girl group with their own theatre, check our AKB48 guide here. AKB48’s dance moves are simple enough for anyone to pick up, so give it a try!
Suggested Track: Fortune Cookie Love (恋するフォーチュンクッキー) – With a sea of hits, this smash hit for the group in 2013 has been their biggest. With a big production video clip and an infectious dance moves more than half of Japan learnt.
作詞：秋元 康 / 作曲 : 伊藤心太郎 / 編曲 : 武藤星児 「"恋チュン"踊れば、嫌なことも忘れられる」 本作は80年代ディスコ調のダンスナンバー！ 懐かしいサウンドと心地良いリズムに思わず踊り出してしまうような楽曲です♪ 振り付け師はパパイヤ鈴木さん！ 子供から大人まで、誰でも歌いながら楽しく踊れる覚えやすい振 り付けになっています。 MVではAKB48史上最多となる約4000人のエキストラと一緒に踊る 大パレードにも注目です！ 2013.8.21 ON SALE!! 【MV】Koisuru Fortune Cookie (The Fall-in-Love Fortune Cookie) / AKB48[Official] Lyrics: Yasushi Akimoto / Composer: Shintaro Ito / Arranger: Seiji Muto "Dance to 'Koi-chun' and your worries will be forgotten" This is an 80's discotheque dance number!
[Alexandros]
Rebranded in 2014, this four person rock band just signed to Universal Music Japan. They’ve been on a heavy tour schedule this year, so I’m excited to see what the future brings. Want to learn more? You can check them out on J-Rock sessions with [Alexandros] on SBS PopAsia.
Suggested Track: Wataridori. We don’t know where to start on this one; Devon has this one on repeat, forever.
Alexandros] 10th Single「ワタリドリ/Dracula La」 2015年3月18日(水) release ■初回限定盤A 「ワタリドリ/Dracula La」 UPCH-9995 発売日:2015年3月18日(水) 価格:1,700円+税 -収録曲- M-1 ワタリドリ (映画 明烏 あけがらす 主題歌) M-2 Dracula La (MBS・TBS系ドラマ『女くどき飯』主題歌) M-3 Adam's Apple Pie M-4 You're So Sweet & I Love You (This Summer Festival 2014 12.20) DVD ①「ワタリドリ」MV ②「ワタリドリ」MVメイキング ■初回限定盤B 「Dracula La/ワタリドリ」 UPCH-9996 発売日:2015年3月18日(水) 価格:1,700円+税 -収録曲-
BabyMetal
Really a band that could only have originated in Japan (and now exists on my workout mix). A Metal Idol Band, BabyMetal is comprised of 3 singers Suzuka Nakamoto “Su-metal”, Yui Mizuno “Yuimetal” and Moa Kikuchi “Moametal” along with the Kami Band. Even Su-Metal herself says that when they first heard the idea, they were quite taken aback. Do mash-ups like these make metal more accessible to the masses? You be the judge.
Suggested Track: Their breakout hit: Ijime, Dame, Zettai I’ll let the video do the talking.
Message of this song, we hope the world without "イジメ"(bullying). BABYMETAL 1st full album "BABYMETAL" available now!! Available on iTunes Store worldwide & CD web store. Don't miss it!!
Bonus Track: Gimme Chocolate. They may be J-Rock, but this sound is all about getting chocolate, because, of course, it is. It’s a must listen.
BABYMETAL 1st full album "BABYMETAL" available!! Available on iTunes Store worldwide & CD web store. Don't miss it!! [iTunes Store] https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/babymetal/id477101776 [CD web store ASMART] ●BABYMETAL - Limited edition(CD+DVD) http://www.asmart.jp/Form/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?shop=0&cat=100131&swrd&pid=10006479&vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9oRytBGwYM ●BABYMETAL - Regular edition(CD only) http://www.asmart.jp/Form/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?shop=0&cat=100131&swrd&pid=10006480&vid [CD web store CDJAPAN] http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/search3.html?q=babymetal&media&r=any&step=20&order=score ★ Official Site : http://www.babymetal.jp/ ★ Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/BABYMETAL.jp ★ Twitter : https://twitter.com/BABYMETAL_JAPAN BABYMETAL 1st full album "BABYMETAL" available now!!
Yoshida Brothers
Old school meets modern day with the Yoshida Brothers. Their music is a fusion of the Tsugaru-jamisen style of Northern Japan and added western flavor. Both brothers play the shamisen, a three-stringed Japanese instrument.
Suggested Track: Kodo (Inside the Sun Remix) featured on Nintendo Wii Commercials in the U.S.
The song Kodo (Inside the Sun Remix) of the album Yoshida Brothers II
Bonus Track: Yoshida Brothers X Monkey Majik “Change”.
吉田兄弟 Yoshida Brothers x Monkey Majik - Change Yoshida Brothers website http://www.domomusicgroup.com/yoshidabrothers/index.php iTunes Store http://ax.search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/search?entity=album&media=all&page=1&restrict=true&startIndex=0&term=yoshida+brothers?at=11lMDe
Shonen Knife
With a few different members, they have been around since 1981 so you can’t deny their staying power. They opened for Nirvana. Enough said.
Suggested Track: Let’s Knife
1. Riding on the Rocket (0:00) 2. Bear Up Bison (3:46) 3. Twist Barbie (6:03) 4. Tortoise Brand Pot Scrubbing Cleaner's Theme (Sea Turtle) (10:01) 5. Antonia Baka Guy (11:45) 6. Ah, Singapore (13:47) 7. Flying Jelly Attack (15:50) 8. Black Bass (18:30) 9. Cycling Is Fun (23:09) 10.