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: Top 10 of the 3rd quarter of 2015

Not so many songs this quarter that I wrote about, but those that there were is very much worth the time.

10. Ladybaby - Nippon Manju. This was bound to happen sooner or later, a cross-dressing western man with ambitions to do growl jpop. Absolutely tasteful and low key. ;-)

9. Dempagumi.inc - various songs. So much to choose from, so much to enjoy of this colorful, nerdy over-energetic but warm jpop.

8. Dotama - Music Valkyrie 2. The rapper that makes me feel he really loves his language, every word of it.

7. Especia - Aviator. More tasteful 80s retro (yes you can use those words in the same sentence).

6. Towa Tei - Luv Pandemic. The rhythms, the sounds. Towa Tei in his element.

5. Meiri Alaha - Crave. A new star that seems very promising.

4. Ringo Shiina - God, nor Buddha. Hans down the most beautiful Japanese video this year with a track that is slightly to avantgarde for me.

3. Gesu no Kiwami Otome - Romance is too much for me. The song text is just perfectly matched to the melody, laid back bittersweet.

2. Sakanaction - Slow Motion. From their re-release album comes a lot of nice videos, this being my favorite,

1. Sakanaction - New Treasure Island. But it was this new song that actually ranks the highest this autumn. The clearity of sound, the rhythms. the song.

Jpop: Towa Tei - Luv Pandemic

I like Towa Tei's own brand of electronic music, this is the new single "Luv Pandemic" from the new album "Cute" that's released on July 29th. As usual he has lots of guest stars and cooperations when creating musi, read more at Arama Japan.

• Towa Tei - Luv Pandemic

Jpop: Towa Tei (鄭東和)

Do you remember "Love is in the Heart" with Deee-Lite? One of its members was Towa Tei (or as the Japanese would say it, Tei Towa), and he has continued as a DJ and music producer/writer.

• Towa Tei with Yukihiro Takahashi, Tina Tamashiro - Radio
• Towa Tei - Luv Pandemic
• Towa Tei ft. Kiko Mizuhara, Yukihiro Takahashi - The Burning Plain
• Towa Tei with Ringo Sheena - Apple
• Towa Tei ft Kylie Minogue - GBI (German Bold Italic)
• Towa Tei - Sweet Robot Against The Machine