Jpop: Haraeki Stage Ace (原駅ステージA)

The Japanese idol world can be complicated. Take Haraeki Stage Ace - they are one of four sub groups of "Harajuku Ekimae Parties" which in turn is supposed to be the girls to take over after their "seniors" in jpop group Fairies. Anyway, they sing about "hard rock", but the song is rather a (quite nice) uptempo pop song with them doing a cheerleader theme.

• Haraeki Stage Ace - Rockstar (short ver)
• Haraeki Stage Ace - Rockstar (full ver, longer time to load)

Jpop: Fairies - Mr Platonic

Of the videos released last year by Fairies, "Mr Platonic" was the most interesting with its disco sounds and clear direction songwise. Again Ito Momoka lifts them that extra bit with her charisma.

• Fairies - Mr Platonic
• Fairies - Kiss me babe

Jpop: Ito Momoka (伊藤萌々香)

Being the charismatic lead star of japanese idol group Fairies, it was natural that Momoka would release some solo singles sooner or later. This was released this summer, and actually manages to integrate the typical uptempo idol chatter into a more interesting energic song. And, no, it is not a remake of Lady Gaga's old hit...

• Ito Momoka - Poker Face

Jpop: Fairies (フェアリーズ)

The jpop idol group Fairies debuted in 2011 but it isnt until last year's "Beat Generation" and now "Super Hero" that I find them becoming a little less generic or at least getting some more definition and power in their songs.

• Fairies - Super Hero
• Fairies - Mr Platonic
• Fairies - Beat Generation
• Fairies - Sparkle
• Fairies - White Angel