Jpop: Mito Natsume (三戸なつめ)

Anyone familiar with Perfume, when listening to Mito Natsume one can hear some similarities, because they share the same producer, the famous Nakata Yasutaka. Natsume has her own almost anti-glamorous style which isn't totally about doing crazy stuff either, rather it is about being a rather "normal" but goofy girl, which is very refreshing.

• Mito Natsume - 8 Bit Boy (8ビットボーイ)
• Mito Natsume - I cut my bangs to short (前髪切りすぎた - 白菜篇-)
• Mito Natsume - I cut my bangs to short (前髪切りすぎた - 容疑者篇-)
• Mito Natsume - I cut my bangs to short (前髪切りすぎた - たわし篇-)
• Mito Natsume - I'll do my best 

Jpop: Capsule - Another World

As the songwriter of duo Capsule, Nakata Yasutaka, is also the main producer of Perfume, I have a weak spot for his own project. The new album "Wave Runner" they release the song "Another World" where we get drone fighting as the main theme. I can't see any big hit potential in it to be honest, but the video is interesting enough.

• Capsule - Another World

Jpop: Ringo Shiina (椎名 林檎)

Ringo Shiina (real name Shiina Yumiko, 椎名 裕美子), celebrates 15 years in the business with an excellent song and cool video, a collaboration with Nakuta Yasutaka (the mastermind behind much of modern electronic jpop like Perfume, Capsule and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu) which strikes sparks in my heart. Together with a song from Burt Bacharach ("It Was You"), they will be released on her Best-Of-album "Ukina"

• Ringo Shiina - 熱愛発覚中 ("Discovered during passionate love")
• Ringo Shiina - God, nor Buddha (神様、仏様)
• Ringo Shiina - Blink of Youth (青春の瞬き)
• Ringo Shiina - It Was You
• Ringo Shiina - Ketteiteki Sanpunkan
• Ringo Shiina - Instinct (本能)
• Ringo Shiina - Gips (ギブス)
• Ringo Shiina - Colors Sing (いろはにほへと)
• Ringo Shiina - Vogue

Jpop: Capsule (カプセル)

I have finally come round to the man behind the music of a number of Japanese acts like Perfume, Ami Suzuki and Kyaru Pamyu Pamyu, and his "own" band Capsule which he has together with singer Toshiko Koshijima. The one I am speaking of is Yasutaka Nakata and I am glad he and Capsule finally has released a video, World of Fantasy, that actually feels more "real". More of that, please. My personal favorite is "I'm feeling you".

• Capsule - World of Fantasy
• Capsule - I'm feeling you 
• Capsule - Jumper
• Capsule - Another World
• Capsule - Sugarless Girl
• Capsule - Hello
• Capsule - More! More! More!

Jpop: Perfume (パフューム)

Perfume is one of the Japanese groups that has reached a certain recognition outside Japan (for example, they featured in the latest Disney Cars (its Polyrhythm) movie). Started in 2001, the three female members has become known for their sound which is a electropop sound that heavily relies on vocoders and auto-tune, something that predictable has earned them negative critique from those that says it is not "real" music. Which it of course is. The main "culprit" behind this sound is Yasutaka Nakata, who also founded Capsule, but it is with Perfume he really went mainstream (for comparison, see Perfume before(2002) and after(2004) and then later (2005) ). My view is that they make quite stylish music that is quite likable. It *can* get a little bit to much of the same at times, but I always come back for them when I want something harmonic and relaxing.

• Perfume - Spring of life (スプリングオブライフ)
• Perfume - Spending all my time (english single)
• Perfume - Spice (スパイス)
• Perfume - Laser beam (レーザービーム/微かなカオ)
• Perfume - 1mm
• Perfume - Display
• Perfume - Sweet Refrain
• Perfume - Nee (ねぇ)
• Perfume - Voice (ヴォイス)
• Perfume - Fushizen na girl (不自然なガール)
• Perfume - Flash
• Perfume - Cling Cling
• Perfume - Natural ni Koi Shite (ナチュラルに恋して)
• Perfume - One Room Disco (ワンルーム・ディスコ)
• Perfume - Dream Fighter (ドリーム・ファイター)
• Perfume - Love World (ラヴ・ザ・ワールド)
• Perfume - Baby Cruising Love (ベイビー・クルージング・ラヴ/マカロニ)
• Perfume - Polyrhythm (ポリリズム,live)
• Perfume - Chocolate disco (チョコレイト・ディスコ)
• Perfume - Twinkle snow powdery snow
• Perfume - Electro World (エレクトロ・ワールド)
• Perfume - Computer City (コンピューターシティ)
• Perfume - Linear Motor Girl(リニアモーターガール)
• And some more live performances: here, here and here. And a sweet interview.