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Shimokitazawa Sound Cruising 2025 – New Artist Top Picks
read more >>>: Shimokitazawa Sound Cruising 2025 – New Artist Top PicksSound Cruising is a unique festival that takes place in Tokyo’s best spot for emerging artists, curry, and antique shops – Shimokitazawa. The timetable is enough to induce lethal levels of FOMO. Take a look. These are some of Japan’s biggest emerging artists right now. Not large enough to be signed to a record label,…
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Before the Ballads: My Favorite RADWIMPS Rock Riffs
read more >>>: Before the Ballads: My Favorite RADWIMPS Rock RiffsRadwimps has written some of the most heart-wrenching J-pop ballads and anime soundtracks of all time, but did you know they actually started off as a gritty, punk-centric rock band? If you aren’t familiar with their harder side, definitely give these a listen. If you are, walk down nostalgia road with me (: Here are…
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Fujii Kaze: The Complete Guide to His Sound and Background
read more >>>: Fujii Kaze: The Complete Guide to His Sound and BackgroundHe makes big ideas feel intimate, and is loved by many – regardless of age or gender – in Japan. What’s so special about him? And why blues and jazz? Here everything you need to know to get started with Fujii Kaze.
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Ako – Japan’s Most Underrated Pop Artist in 2025
read more >>>: Ako – Japan’s Most Underrated Pop Artist in 2025Discover Ako (a子), Japan’s most underrated pop artist of 2025—dream pop meets Jpop with raw storytelling, bold visuals, and a sound all her own.
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SOUNDS TO KNOW – J Hyperpop Recs
read more >>>: SOUNDS TO KNOW – J Hyperpop RecsToday I wanted to share a little bit about Hyperpop in Japan. Hyperpop is still very new here, and artists are just now starting to emerge. Current artists draw inspiration from anime and game samples, PinkPantheress, and NewJeans. Japan’s hyperpop is much more centered on Internet culture, rather than party culture, like the hyperpop from…
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GROWING UP IS DUMB but Ging Nang Boyz Made It Worth It – USA Tour Recap
read more >>>: GROWING UP IS DUMB but Ging Nang Boyz Made It Worth It – USA Tour RecapOne of the most iconic Japanese punk bands of all time, Ging Nang Boyz (銀杏boyz), performed in the USA last month. GNBz has incredible USA-based friends who helped them reach overseas cult status and accompanied them on their west coast journey. If you are new to Ging Nang Boyz, check this out first. I was…
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Where to Find Music Merch in Japan – Store Guide and Tips
read more >>>: Where to Find Music Merch in Japan – Store Guide and TipsDiscover the best places to buy music merch in Japan—from Tower Records to live shows, festivals, and exclusive drops on Instagram and online stores.
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The Timeline of Viral Japanese Music: From Trends to Memes (Since the Beginning of the Internet)
read more >>>: The Timeline of Viral Japanese Music: From Trends to Memes (Since the Beginning of the Internet)From “Ievan Polkka” to “Mesmerizer,” Japanese music has quietly shaped internet culture for nearly two decades. This timeline explores viral songs that broke language barriers and influenced global trends, from Nico Nico Douga hits to TikTok favorites.
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The Japanese Punk Rock Band That Toured With Green Day, Weezer, and NOFX
read more >>>: The Japanese Punk Rock Band That Toured With Green Day, Weezer, and NOFXDiscover how Hi-Standard captured the California punk spirit, rocked Warped Tour, and became global icons alongside NOFX, Green Day, and Weezer.
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Disco in a Car, Funk in a Suit: The Many Lives of Luv’s Vocalist, Hiyn
read more >>>: Disco in a Car, Funk in a Suit: The Many Lives of Luv’s Vocalist, HiynMeet Hiyn, a college student from Osaka leading a Soul music revival in Japan through three genre-blending bands: Luv, Miyake Buki, and Geloomy. Fusing Funk, Disco, City Pop, and Hip-Hop, his clever lyrics and unique sound are gaining traction globally, even going semi-viral on TikTok.
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