Jpop: Metafive - Musical Chairs

I really liked the debut of Metafive, "Luv U Tokio", being such a cool and laid back masterpiece of electronica set just perfectly in its mood. The new "Musical Chairs" repeats this achievement in much the same way, using what looks like hot versions of GoogleMaps to create an experience that fits very well in with the ambience of the music.

• Metafive - Musical Chairs

Jpop: Nature Danger Gang (ネイチャーデンジャーギャング)

Last year, I shared some of the jpop bands like Riemann mic and Sloth that conciously delves into a more "everyday ugly/vulguar" side of modern japanese pop culture. Nature Danger Gang with a home in fashion-eclectic Shinjuku, Tokyo, is another example of this with a techno sound that would even make some 90s music offenders blush. But I so love this kind of kitsch now and then!

• Nature Danger Gang - Cherry Blossom Uncle (桜おじさん)
• Nature Danger Gang - Dopa (どぱ)

Jpop: Faky - You

I liked the Faky's latest cover, and "You" is another song where they try to deliver modern mainstream pop, which it is in a Japanese idol context I suppose. Nice pictures from Tokyo too.

• Faky - You

Jpop: Metafive (メタファイヴ)

This new song from Metafive is an excellent example of how timeless Japanese aesthetics that blends metropolitan dreamy melodies seamlessly with sounds from older times, this time its 80s synths. This group consists of well known artist like Towa Tei, Yukihiro Takahashi (ex YMO), Leo Imai, Keigo Oyamada, Yoshinori Sunahara (ex Denki Groove) and Tomohiko Gondo. Fun fact: This song even contains a clip from a swedish tourist guide of Tokyo!

• Metafive - Luv U Tokio
• Metafive - Musical Chairs
• Metafive - Maisie's Avenue
• Metafive - Don't move

Jpop: Vanilla Beans (バニラビーンズ)

To be honest, in general, in general I don't like the kind of bland retroesque style that Risa and Rena in Vanilla Beans are a part of, but their latest video (after the switch from their indie label to Avex) is so good that I have to admit to watching it now and then.

• Vanilla Beans - Onna wa Sore wo Gaman Shinai (女はそれを我慢しない)
• Vanilla Beans - Love & Hate
• Vanilla Beans - Cup no Fuchico kōshiki Song (コップのフチ子公式ソング)
• Vanilla Beans - Ecstatic Girls (有頂天ガール)
• Vanilla Beans - Vi er røde, vi er hvide (バニラビーンズ, Yes, the Danish national anthem!)

Jpop: Daoko (だおこ)

Daoko is a young (18 years old) singer from Tokyo, and I like her clear singing in songs that is more airy and serious than most jpop idol style songs. It's not "alternative" but it still feels fresh. WIth songs like ShibuyaK she tries to describe the Tokyo she is familiar with.

• Daoko - ShibuyaK
• Daoko - Bang!
• Daoko & Yasuyuki Okamura - Step up Love (ステップアップLOVE)
• Daoko - Moshimo Bokura ga GAME no Shuyakude (もしも僕らがGAMEの主役で)
• Daoko - Daisuki (ダイスキ)
• Daoko - Cast a spell (かけてあげる)
• Daoko - Mercury (水星)
• Daoko - Lonely God (さみしいかみさま)

Jpop: Suiyoubi no Campanella - Napoleon

Their Kung Fu Lady from last year was one of my favorite japanese videos 2014, and it is their mesh of odd rapping/singing from Komuai together with the soft electronic up-tempo music from the duo behind the scenes, Kenmochi Hidefumi and Dir F, that makes them so interesting. In "Napoleon" Suiyoubi no Campanella dives into house-sounding loops, but for me it really sounds very much in line what has come before, and I like it. The video is nicely tuned to this, as it takes us on a slightly hypnotic tour of Tokyo by night. Reviews here, here and here.

• Suiyoubi no Campanella - Napoleon

Jpop: Cupitron (キュピトロン)

Japanese trio Cupitron has released their second video following up their debut last year. I loved them using the Robot Restuarant in Tokyo for their first "Unicorn Parade" (just like Amiaya did with their "Magic Color", so it's obvious how the place inspires in regards to its wild design palette). Cupitron's version of idol pop is a rather intensive EDM with colorful and futuristic costumes (these ones designed by Shinohara Tomoe!) in the videos. The new video is part of a CF for Panasonic batteries, as you can't miss if you watch it, but what made me like it was that I found this track had a little more non-standard idol personality.

• Cupitron - Battery (バッテリー)
• Cupitron - Unicorn Parade (ユニコーンパレード)