#instrumental

Here’s a jaunty little tune I wrote because it was fun to play on guitar

Lost Highwaysoundtrack

Ray - Pink (23.05.2020) [★★★★]

Ray, Japanese band composed by four young girls, with pretty faces and nice clothes, typical concept of most pop acts of the scene, the only thing is that they are not a pop act, but their genre is definitely maturer. Their first album is a clear example of this; strong guitar lines and good electronic shades accompany the tracks, driven by a light and shaded voice, building up themes with an uncommon structure, closer to Western shoegaze bands. Ray is one of the bands you wouldn’t expect to get into, but when it happens, it’s easy to enjoy their sound.

TRACKLIST

1. Fading Lights
2. Butterfly Effect
3. Sekai no owari wa kimi to futari de (The end of the world is with you)
4. Blue Monday
5. Nemophilia
6. Meteor
7. Toutoshi anata no subete o (Precious all of you)
8. Hoshi ni negai wo (Wish upon a star)
9. No Title
10. Generation
11. Silhouette
12. All I need is love
13. Slide
14. Satellite

Mama. - Ningen shikkaku [No more human] (27.05.2020) [★★★★]*REVIEW*

Mama. is one of the most rising visual kei acts of the recent years, born from the ashes of the short-lived project Morphine. Following up a series of decent singles, the band released a mini-album showing off all the features of their sound, alternated between heavy and soft, with energetic lines and good vocals, where the songs don’t appear dull as they would seem. Mama. have a long path next to them and the time will say if they will be able to rise up within the scene.

TRACKLIST

1. Ningen shikkaku
2. Kansen (Infection)
3. Yubi asobi (Finger play)
4. Murder Red Chainsaw
5. Shinjuu uta (Heart song)
6. Urami harasade o kubebika (Envy or sickness)

Toko Miura - Asterisk (25.05.2020) [★★★★]

Toko Miura is not a name people would normally know, but if you are a fan of Radwimps, you should know that she became quite popular for having joined as guest vocal in the song Shukusai. Delicate vocals immersed in soft and touching melodies are the main ingredient of her first mini-album, a simple but passionate product of pop music, worth to be listened.

TRACKLIST

1. Uzu (Swirl)
2. Ai ni dekiru koto wa mada aru kai? (There’s something I can love?)
3. Mitsubachi (Bee)
4. Ochitsuke (Calm down)
5. Nami ga tatta (Only the waves)
6. Blue Hawaii
7. FISHANDCHIPS

Foad - Returner (09.05.2020) [★★★★]

The Japanese metal scene is growing more and more every day and Foad is another important name to add to the list of the most promising bands. Their first work in two years brings up an adrenalinic sound, completed by compelling rhythms, along with piercing vocals and unpredictable shades distributed in each song, showing that Foad has an own technique and energy, distinct from the other bands of the genre.

TRACKLIST

1. Grey Goo
2. Lucid Dream
3. Tsukuyomi
4. Dive to the Ground
5. Belong to the Sky
6. Wheel of Life
7. Nirvana

Leo Ieiri - Answer (13.05.2020) [★★★★]

Considered as one of the best voices of Japanese pop, Leo Ieiri always distinguished herself for her soft but really efficient tone, making her fit for any kind of sound. In her latest EP she brings her voice into a series of catchy and fresh tracks, featuring both slow and fast notes, according to the situation, and never fails in building up a solid final result in each one of them. Light and swift as few, Leo Ieiri is surely one of the faces of Japanese pop’s future.

ARTIST REVIEW

TRACKLIST

1. Answer
2. Kosumosu (Autumn cherry flowers)
3. Swallowtail Butterfly -Ai no uta- (Swallowtail butterfly -Love song-)
4. Kanashimi no hate (The end of sadness)
5. Pop Star
6. Naku kamo shirenai (May cry)

-HONORABLE MENTIONS-

Daisuke Kurosawa - Black Album 3 (06.05.2020)

The first mention of the month goes to the musician Daisuke Kurosawa, known as a composer for the GuitarFreaks & DrumMania series and also for owning a cover band. Since 2013, he started a series of albums, which this is one is the third, bringing his talent in rock and metal music within his works. The final result is a solid instrumental album, made of an interesting mix between electronic and nice rock notes.

TRACKLIST

1. Giga Drive -long ver.-
2. Kill Trap
3. Dairoku tenmao (Demon king of the sixth heaven)
4. Tenka touitsuroku (Memoir of the unification)
5. Banana Fusion
6. Field Seven
7. Metamorphose
8. Subliminal Delusion
9. Dos Ninos
10. Time Limit 10 PM

Muscle Soul - Freedom at Your Field EP (13.05.2020)

Muscle Soul is a not so known post-rock band based on Nagoya, whose musical style is closer to shoegaze, but including also alternative shades. In their newest EP, composed only by four tracks, their sound is shown through articulated rhythms, featuring vibrant guitar lines and electronic notes, and fascinating vocals, providing an unique aura in each song, in a really good musical product.

TRACKLIST

1. Wonder
2. Clearance
3. Behind the Light
4. Freedom at Your Field

Saki - The One (27.05.2020)

If you know the Japanese female metal band Cyntia, you should know that the former singer Saki has started a solo project following the band’s hiatus. Her first album summarizes at best her style, which doesn’t have lost the energy which accompained her in the past, combining energy and charisma in a single blow, all in a metal key. Saki joins some other colleagues of hers in building a promising project such as her previous band and we couldn’t be more happy of that.

TRACKLIST

1. The One
2. Desolate Heart
3. Raise your Flag
4. Fight
5. Nameless Night
6. Shooting Star
7. Genkai lovers (Limit lovers) [Show-Yacover]
   
8. Glitter
9. Days
10. Monologue.
11. One

TO BE CONTINUED…

Dear followers, here I am back with a selection of albums that characterized 2020 month per month. The recently passed year has been a troubling one, between pandemic, which brought delays and reductions of musical works, and a quite messy situation for myself, trying everytime and in every way to deliver a new review to read in this site. But no worries, on 2021 I count things will be a bit better, for me and also for the whole world. This selection will be the final one with the traditional structure, since, starting on 2021, it will be composed by 5 (+3) albums, as always, plus 2 singles, chosen among a bunch of other singles, since I think it will help in including more artists/bands each month. So let’s not waste time and … let’s rediscover together the best of Japanese music of 2020!

Dimlim - Misc. (28.01.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with: CHEDOARA (2018),Kidoaraiku (2019)

Dimlim is definitely one of the most unusual and impredictable bands within the visual kei scene. Starting with a dark and astonishing metal sound, they evolved into something different, following the departure of two historical members, the guitarist Ryuya and the bassist Taishi. In this second album the sound is definitely shocking for who was used to Dimlim’s darker notes, but it’s anyway pleasant, with interesting math and alternative rock influences, fitting with the concept of visual kei scene as one made of unexpected things. This album has brought Dimlim’s path to a really curious and intriguing direction, which we hope to hear more of.

REVIEWS:Various (03.06.2017),The Silent Song (27.12.2017),Aizou ni tsuki… (analysis)

TRACKLIST

1. We’ve changed.NOW IT’S YOUR TURN NEXT
2. Mist
3. Mayonaka ni watashi o tsuredashite (Take me out in the midnight)
4. Funny World
5. What’s up?
6. + & -
7. For the Future
8. Tick Tak
9. Kizukanai monotachi e (To fool)
10. Before it’s too late
11. Out of the Darkness
12. Lament

The Thirteen - Enigma (29.01.2020) [★★★★★] *REVIEW*

Already appeared with:Lamentand Urge (2018),Alone (2019)

Since their debut on 2016, The Thirteen brought a lot of high expectations, due to the formidable duo made by Mao and Mizuki, both members of the historical visual band Sadie. Their second full album brings on the plate all their best features, summarized in a series of already released songs, from the four EPs came out in the previous years, plus something new. So, between energetic and heavy tracks, cleaner and melancholic notes, and a notable support by the bassist Kazu (Gibkiy gibkiy gibkiy) and the drummer Ryo (Awoi), this obscure duo confirms their constant and formidable work, which shouldn’t be missed.

BAND REVIEW

REVIEWS:Pandemic (25.05.2016),Gamushara (29.03.2017),White Dust (analysis)

TRACKLIST

1. Rinne (Reincarnation)
   
2. Karma
3. Aria
4. Aiyoku no rondo (Desire rondo=
   
5. Ugly duckling
6. Lament
7. Siren
8. Shallow
9. Memento mori
10. Saezuruame higeki no sanka wo tirasu (Singing rain scatters the tragedy hymn)
    
11. Doukou (Pupil)
    
12. Bites the Black
13. Hakuchuumu (Daydream)
    

Reol - Kinjitou [Golden tower] (22.01.2020) [★★★★]

Already appeared with: Sigma (2016),Endless EP (2017),Kyokou shuuandJijitsujou (2018)

In the latest years, Reol has definitely made people talk about herself within the Japanese pop scene. Since her group disbanded, she brought up a distinct sound in her solo project, mainly focused on electro-pop, but also oriented to experimental styles. The second album of her “solo phase” sees a definitive return to the roots, with energetic and banging electro-pop tracks, where it is impossible not to dance. With the arrangement made by Giga, Reol’s long-time collaborator from her Vocaloid phase, the album is a unique piece within the ever wider expanse of Japanese pop.

REVIEWS:Jijitsujou (17.10.2018)

TRACKLIST

1. Kinjitou
   
2. Hype Mode
3. Yu-rei-zumi-/Phanto(me)
   
4. -Move no tame no shisoukyoku nr. 4- (-Tune for move nr. 4-)
5. Hameln
6. Un deux trois
7. Insider
8. Dali
9. -Rene no shouhin nr.9- (-Rene’s piece nr.9-)
10. Grimoire
11. 1LDK

Naoluna - 27 -Two seven- (08.01.2020) [★★★★]

As often happens in the musical world, there are hidden gems, worth of being tried and followed, but at the same time never recognized as they deserve. Naoluna is definitely one of them. Being singer of an indie band known as Mitoaoto_, she kicked off her solo career with a series of songs published on her Youtube channel, followed by the release of her first full album. Her sound can be defined as pop, but it’s more than that; her chilling and touching voice is combined with dreamy and slow melodies, alternated with more paced ones, remaining enclosed in an atmosphere quite distinctive even for a pop singer. With her unique talents, Naoluna is definitely an artist to follow, hoping that in future she will become more and more popular.

TRACKLIST

1. Grow
2. Neverland
3. The night when the moon disappeared
4. Lost girl
5. reIwA
6. Here
7. Faker
8. Sunset
9. Tap-tap

Back-on - Rebirth (22.01.2020) [★★★★]

Formed on 2002, Back-On is one of the most renowned Japanese bands, whose fresh and engaging style allowed them to gain much popolarity, especially for the use of their songs in some anime and drama. Their eighth mini-album brings out all the key features of their sound, in a pure mix of rock, electronic and rap, well provided by energetic vocals and a distinctive instrumental work. Back-on is definitely the band you need for a explosive charge of music.

TRACKLIST

1. Good morning
2. Switch
3. Rebirth
4. Three two one
5. Tokyo Be-bop
6. Shall we dance
7. Chain 2020

HONORABLE MENTIONS

The Brow Beat - Adam (01.01.2020)

The first mention of this month goes to a project whose name might not be familiar for you, but his members are quite famous. The Brow Beat, alternative rock duo formed on 2018, is composed by Ryuji, known as an actor who starred on musicals, and Hakuei, the famous singer of Penicillin, here as producer and back-vocalist. Their sound is a good mixture of energetic melodies and more heartfelt themes, along with some obscure and enigmatic shade. The Brow Beat is a promising project and their sound is easy and riveting at the same time, making them worth of being followed.

TRACKLIST

1. Eve
2. Adam
3. Southern Cross
4. Yatagarasu no kagefumi (Yata-glass’s shadow tag)
   
5. Kaen (Flame)
6. Black Sheep
7. Oblivion
8. L.R
9. Tourou nagashi
   

MAKE MY DAY - Mind Haven (29.01.2020)

Another mention is for the notable metalcore band Make My Day. Known on 2011 as Ashley Scared The Sky, this band has become quite recognized in the scene, especially with their features in three of the “Punk Goes…” compilations. In their second album, released three years after the first one, there’s a definitely heavy and adrenalinic sound, with dynamic rhythms, raging vocals and interesting duets with other singers of the metal scene. Make My Day is another good and refreshing addition to the growing Japanese metalcore scene.

TRACKLIST

1. Mind Haven
2. Fragment
3. Death Wish
4. Money (ft. Flare Boy from Malissa)
5. I Hate Everything
6. Reborn
7. For Freedom
8. Like a Dead
9. Searching for the Fate
10. Wake Up (ft. Io&Kagura from Broken by the Scream)

Kari Band - Nimaime [Second piece] (29.01.2020)

The final mention of the month is for a quite unusual musical project. Originally formed as a three-session musicans, Kari Band developed a personal and unique concept, but their intitial steps have been interrupted after the death of Mikio Fujioka, their guitarist. After three years of hiatus the band came back with the second mini-album, bringing out instrumental works made of several musical influences, such as jazz, folk and metal, all distributed in six compelling tracks, to listen to all in one breath. Kari Band is a sure confirmation of how instrumental bands shouldn’t be underrated, especially in Japan.

TRACKLIST

1. Samurai Groove
2. Bewitching
3. Dancing Baloney
4. U-Yeah!!!
5. Cloud Funding
6. I See You

TO BE CONTINUED…