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CULTURE

Music

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Musician Yuka Noda’s 1989 album “Karibu no Yume: Light Fusion Fantasy” has developed a cult following among jazz fusion fans, and the album is set to be reissued as a CD and record next week.

CULTURE / Music

Jul 19, 2024

Yuka Noda's sonic escape to a balmy yesteryear

By Patrick St. Michel

The reissue of Noda's 1989 album “Karibu no Yume: Light Fusion Fantasy" underlines a growing interest in bubble-era nostalgia and Japan's jazz and fusion works.

Over the first six months of 2024, a handful of songs using Vocaloid singer Hatsune Miku’s voice have enjoyed widespread attention, underlining a global interest in the character and the technology she represents.

CULTURE / Music / Sound Off

Jul 15, 2024

Who needs AI when you have Hatsune Miku?

By Patrick St. Michel

Vocaloid creators’ recent cacophonous approach to using Miku’s voice sounds like nothing in mainstream pop right now — and people love that.

The members of Glay — (from left) Jiro, Teru, Takuro and Hisashi — are celebrating 30 years of rocking out as a band.

CULTURE / Music

Jul 12, 2024

Glay celebrates three decades of rock greatness

By Philip Brasor

The band's 12-month-long Glay Expo takes the idea of a concert tour to the next level for the anniversary of its major label debut.

R-Shitei (left) and DJ Matsunaga have scored the biggest hit of the year so far in Japan with “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born.” The track is inspired by the Jersey club style of music, right down to the squeaky chair sample.

CULTURE / Music

Jul 3, 2024

Is Creepy Nuts' catchy, rapid-fire 'Bling-Bang-Bang-Born' the song of the year?

By Patrick St. Michel

The fast-paced ode to a style called Jersey club is everywhere in Tokyo, and it may just be the rap duo's key to international success.

Yuta Orisaka strips things back on his latest album, “Jumon,” though it still features a few explosive moments.

CULTURE / Music

Jun 28, 2024

Yuta Orisaka's folk style is far more than a throwback

By James Hadfield

The singer-songwriter wanted to make songs his grandmother could enjoy, but that doesn't mean he'll skimp on the electronic touches.

The members of bed are (from left to right) vocalist Une, guitarist Joneu, bassist Shinji and drummer Shun.

CULTURE / Music

Jun 23, 2024

Don't sleep on bed's genre-melding mayhem

By Kim Kahan

The band co-runs a rave called Uzu, and an event series at clubasia called “bedroom” that features an impressive roster of names from the Japanese music scene.

Atarashii Gakko! released its third album, “AG! Calling,” on June 7. The group is currently touring Asia with songs from the new release featured in its set

CULTURE / Music

Jun 21, 2024

Atarashii Gakko! schools crowds overseas on just how bananas J-pop can get

By Patrick St. Michel

With appearances at major festivals, on U.S. television and new album "AG! Calling," this sailor-suited rapping four-piece is on quite a roll.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.

As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

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