J-Pop

[Maleström]

And also please suggest which artists I should try next if I'm into this sort of thing?

Well, as nobody gave me any recommendations from the quirkier side, I started wading through all the Jpop threads here, and by Youtube trial & error I ended up finding my very first seriously great PJ discovery: SHIINA RINGO.

My god, that gal must be something of a genius! I've been listening to her songs all day, and I won't stop until I get all her albums!

[Macsun]

I discovered Shiina Ringo through popjustice also, she is awesome.

[Osiris]

I'm glad Shiina Ringo is getting more attention! I think she just started her new tour with Tokyô Jihen.

Her live performances are really something:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMzy29sWnQk

Best stage exit in the history of music!

[Mr Telephone Man]

I have a question....are J-Pop/K-pop artist really treated like slaves. I was reading an article that says they go through so much, and are treated badly. Is this true?

[Macsun]

I have a question....are J-Pop/K-pop artist really treated like slaves. I was reading an article that says they go through so much, and are treated badly. Is this true?

Well it's a term used a lot in the Korean music industry, slave contracts. Groups tend to suffer from this more. Someone else is probably more versed in this than me but it usually entails a long multiyear contract with the artist getting next to nothing from cd, merchandise and touring.
They make their money through advertising/commercials.

TVXQ is a prime example of this and they are in a legal dispute with their company.
It seems like they are in hiatus as a group until the issue gets resolved.

[3Xs]

I have a question....are J-Pop/K-pop artist really treated like slaves. I was reading an article that says they go through so much, and are treated badly. Is this true?

Some of the groups go through rigorous training but it certainly isn't slavery. I'm sure someone on here who knows more about the topic could elaborate.

[Mr Telephone Man]

Well I know it's not slavery, I just meant it in the sense that they get over-worked haha.

But that sucks that they have to go through so much, without alot of compensation.

[3Xs]

Well I know it's not slavery, I just meant it in the sense that they get over-worked haha.

But that sucks that they have to go through so much, without alot of compensation.

Really it depends. What you are talking about happens more so to the groups than the solo artists. And not all groups have shitty contracts either, but as Macsun said, some groups (like TVXQ) do get gypped out of their money.

[koolhk]

So Ayumi Hamasaki's "Rock N Roll Circus" has been Released and if I may say so it is defiently better then "Next Level"
In it's First Day it Sold 85,142 Copies.
To make References "Guilty" sold in it's First Day 66,796 and "Next Level" Sold 99,200 Copies on it's First Day.
This Album defiently deserves to sell more then "Next Level" did.

Also has anyone heard of "Aural Vampire"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxYh-...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M561Vt7qnIc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHop9bshzGg
^They are some Great Songs, I only discovered them Today and am already Loving everything I have heard from them.
They are Releasing their first Full Album under Avex titled "Zoltank" on May 10th.

Also to Jpop Fans in Australia, they have finally added Namie Amuro by adding Two Past<Future Videos and two Tour Videos.
Ayumi Hamasaki also has a Big Selection of Video's and Tour Video's added in her Profile.
I really hope they add more soon to Namie Amuro,Ayumi Hamasaki and other Jpop Singers^^

[popknark]

Thought I'd revive this thread with some of my favourite j-pop videos this week:

Perfume - "Fushizen na Girl" - If Perfume isn't pop perfection, I don't know what is.
No Sleeves - Lie - Almost sounds a bit Eastern European, but better.
SAWA - Ai Ni Ikuyo - Competely brilliantly craptastic.
Ai Otsuka - Lucky☆Star - I've been singing the chorus in my pretend Japanese all day!
AI - Fake - The Japanese R&B song I enjoy the most at the moment.
Kato Miliyah - Bye Bye - Cool chick.
SKe48 - Aozora Kataomoi - The record company is fast to take down the video. Amazing song!
Speed - Growing Sunflower - Nice, summery track to cool off after all the j-synths.

And, a bit old but still going strong on my iTunes:

C-ute - Shock!
Girl Next Door - Jump
Erina - Haru No Arashi
Elisa - Real Force

Yes, I enjoy my pop music a tad cheesy and yes, I do miss 1999 a bit too much.

[zaza100]

KumiKumiKumi!
Have a feeling from comments on YT/around that she is perceived as a slutty hack? Oh well,I like her and her craggy voice people seem to dislike ha.

'Juicy','But' and 'Heat' are still my jams,and love the work/effort put into her videos/styling,the constant change.
Sometimes think asian popstars put some of our slack ones to shame.

[Osiris]

AI - Fake - The Japanese R&B song I enjoy the most at the moment.

I thought everyone hated that song. Well, that's the feeling I got from the youtube picks thread I made about the song and the Namie Amuro thread...

I've been playing Double non stop these days! From their classic hits when her sister was still alive (RIP Sachiko) to Takako's recent outputs:

Shake (1999):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-GZS1i0MfA

Let It Go (2009):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZdw57GCy1c

[mi|kshake]

Haven't bothered to listen to Fake as I haven't heard anything that makes me think I have to listen to it lol.

My copy of Ayumi's new album + DVD + t-shirt was shipped - yay! God knows when I'll actually get it though (And I don't think AT09 was a particularly amazing tour from what I've been reading)

Anyone like Mika Nakashima? Used to love her though now I more of a casual fan. I love her CD covers but I wish her music was a bit more....interesting? Was disappointed in Voice, though I hear some of her recent b-sides were good....like Spiral I think? I was actually listening to Helpless Rain the other day and thinking "this is a good tune".

mi|kshake~

[3Xs]

I've been playing Double non stop these days! From their classic hits when her sister was still alive (RIP Sachiko) to Takako's recent outputs:

Shake (1999):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-GZS1i0MfA

Let It Go (2009):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZdw57GCy1c

I've been meaning to check out DOUBLE some more. I love Let It Go and also Black Diamond with Namie is incredible.

Never heard Shake but I love it too!

[Osiris]

I've been playing Double non stop these days! From their classic hits when her sister was still alive (RIP Sachiko) to Takako's recent outputs:

Shake (1999):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-GZS1i0MfA

Let It Go (2009):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZdw57GCy1c

I've been meaning to check out DOUBLE some more. I love Let It Go and also Black Diamond with Namie is incredible.

Never heard Shake but I love it too!

Takako coproduced Namie's LOVE GAME too!

Shake was their break through single, just before Sachiko passed away. The line "Owaranai, tomaranai kono SUPA SISTAS" in BLACK DIAMOND is a direct reference to Shake, which features the almost exact same line. It was kind of like a full circle with Namie replacing her lost sister for a perfect collaboration.

Double's debut album was strongly influenced by TLC's Crazy Sexy Cool. You can tell from Shake and the other singles taken from that album:

The rnb classic "Bed":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5XgVEWrssg

And the melancholic "For Me":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcdP0Z6NZn0

Both amazing.

[3Xs]

Yeah I noticed their sound is very American R&B influenced, which I like! Bed and For Me are great too!

I think I might get Double's greatest hits as a start point and then go from there.

[Osiris]

Yeah I noticed their sound is very American R&B influenced, which I like! Bed and For Me are great too!

I think I might get Double's greatest hits as a start point and then go from there.

They recorded most of their debut album between 1995 and 1997 and while it would have sounded dated in America the year it came out (1999) it was revolutionary in Japan, where RnB only took off after or around the release of that album. They paved the way for the japanese rnb scene.

Double's greatest hits "10 Years Best We R&B" is a 2 CD album and features some early demos! A must check!

[3Xs]

Okay awesome, I'm going to ger the 2 CD album! Thanks Osiris!

[Disco Ponies]

So Ayumi Hamasaki's "Rock N Roll Circus" has been Released and if I may say so it is defiently better then "Next Level"
In it's First Day it Sold 85,142 Copies.
To make References "Guilty" sold in it's First Day 66,796 and "Next Level" Sold 99,200 Copies on it's First Day.
This Album defiently deserves to sell more then "Next Level" did.

My sister is a big fan of Ayumi and when she played me a song from Rock N Roll Circus called Sexy Little Things, I have completely fell in love with it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r12HDw_SXC0

[Maleström]

...And while we're on the subject of "non-singers" for a second here -- OK OK, I know nobody had an opinion on Kana last week, but howzabout something poppier called Yuko Ogura, hmm?

I guess she's more of a swimsuit model than a pop star, but c'mon; when the guy behind Pizzicato Five does the songwriting, Yuko's limited voice range only makes everything all the more endearing:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9v1QytReh0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkB7OMKbRes


..No wait, strike that -- even when it's NOT the crafty Pizzicato guy, Yuko' s just adorably silly:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vUIlmINdKE

[syzygyz]

So Ayumi Hamasaki's "Rock N Roll Circus" has been Released and if I may say so it is defiently better then "Next Level"
In it's First Day it Sold 85,142 Copies.
To make References "Guilty" sold in it's First Day 66,796 and "Next Level" Sold 99,200 Copies on it's First Day.
This Album defiently deserves to sell more then "Next Level" did.

My sister is a big fan of Ayumi and when she played me a song from Rock N Roll Circus called Sexy Little Things, I have completely fell in love with it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r12HDw_SXC0

I'm not a huge fan of J-Pop to be honest, but after discovering "Sexy Little Things" a couple of days ago it has quickly turned into one of my favorite songs of the year.

[jknza22]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUQs_1BGskU

Clearly the best song and video in recent J-pop memory.

[sushimuffin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUQs_1BGskU

Clearly the best song and video in recent J-pop memory.

Cute video, too!

This may be a little beyond the scope of the Amuro Namie-types that are frequently discussed here, but it's dancey and Japanese so close enough. Does any know of any J-Pop that sounds like this? :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDNwXZDcDDo

You may recognize it as the theme to Paprika. The movie was good, not great, but god did I love the theme song.

[popknark]

It's clear that the summer has arrived in Japan! The summer hits are pouring out at the moment.

AAA - ”Dream After Dream” – Could be my favourite j-pop single of the year. Pop perfection! I don't really approve of the fashion in this video, though.

Minmi - ”Hibiscus” – Very catchy pop with a nice techno-pop production.

Momorio Clover - ”Ikuze! Kaito Shojo” – Teenage girl-rock. Silly talk-verses and an amazing chorus. I've been listening to this a lot lately.

AKB48 - ”Ponytail To Shushu” – Extremely summery '99-esque pop track, completed with a dance routine on the beach.

Kirari - ”Toky Girls Style” – A new girl-band on the block! As if we needed yet another one. Cute song though, I like it a lot.

MiChi - ”All About The Girls Ijjanka Party People” – What a bizarre song! It samples Scatman Joe, out of all people. Not sure I like it yet but it's a fun song.

Girl Next Door - ”Freedom” – Hard club-song. The singer is a good popstar and the video is amazing. The song could be a bit more melodic, but the chorus is great.

Beni - ”Yura Yura” – A soft, sugary sweet and radio friendly summer song. Very beautiful singer.

[calorblind]

Lol.. never knew Jpop was still alive. seems like Jpop has lost lots of followers to Kpop.. i;m one of them.. Jpop hardly makes me excited Anymore. and kpop artists are thriving in Japan.. only a matter of time Jpop will become a kpop market