Infrequent J-Song Roundup #23 – All About Idols
First roundup of the new year!
What's good and welcome back to another installment of the Infrequent J-Song Roundup segment! This is a thing I do on this blog where I, essentially, pick out some great songs that I've been listening to lately and just talk about/praise them in a post. A very simple concept, which makes you think that I probably should do this more often... heh.
But that said, as I try to dodge the truth, these song roundup posts usually consist of me picking out a random selection of songs. But occasionally, I'll base my choices around a specific theme like in the past, such as showcasing a specific artist or a type of artist. And this time around, we'll be talking about Japanese idols. Now I have talked about seiyuu idols/artists in the past, and while I still do love those types of performers, my exposure towards more general, non-anime related idols has really skyrocketed. I've loved discovering new music from various groups, and for the most part, a lot of it has genuinely been great. So, that's what I wanted to focus on in this roundup.
I would also like to add that I tried my best to gather a wiiiiide variety of songs and idol groups, in terms of genre, vocal stylings and overall image/vibe. So even if you're not really into the usual cutesy stuff shown in this entertainment medium, hopefully you'll be able to find something enjoyable in this pile.
Let's jump right in!
♫ 「Blue Moon」 NiziU
While the popularity of Korean pop music has been around for decades, both in South Korea and the rest of the world, it seems like it really got to its peak only a few years ago. Back in 2017, you probably should've bought stock in K-pop because it truly has become a worldwide/mainstream phenomenon with groups like BTS, TWICE, Stray Kids and the most recent hit in NewJeans.
And with that type of popularity outside South Korea, famous record label JYP Entertainment decided to further tap into the Japan market in 2019, with its creation of the all-Japanese pop group NiziU. They became an instant hit, with fire releases like "Make you happy" and "Step and a step", and even made their first NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen appearance only 29 days after their official debut. Now I know the music relationship between South Korea and Japan is nothing new; many K-pop groups have performed their songs in Japanese, and some members of certain units are Japanese-born (like TWICE having three members who are from Japan, not Korea). But back on the topic of NiziU, it's honestly pretty cool to see a Korean-produced Japanese pop group be so loved and appreciated by its native people, especially THAT quickly.
"Blue Moon" is one of NiziU's most recent releases, and it's pretty damn good. Unlike their more peppy and hyper tracks like the aforementioned "Make you happy" and "Step and a step", the group takes on a slower and more emotional approach, especially with the inclusion of an warm acoustic guitar and a mellow backing beat. One thing I'm really impressed by is how authentic everyone's voice is, and how they sound exactly like their Korean counterparts. Pretty impressive showing of what JYP can do, no matter the kind of talents they're working with. (also their THE FIRST TAKE feature was fantastic)
♫ 「Kono Sora ga Trigger」 =LOVE
Naatan... 😭
While the recent departure of one of =LOVE's most beloved members, Saitou Nagisa, was an incredibly bittersweet moment for a lot of fans (including myself), it's honestly exciting to see the future of this group and where they go from here... and it did not take long for us to see said future, as the Sashihara Rino-produced idol group released their 13th single just a few days ago, titled "Kono Sora ga Trigger".
Now I will admit that I haven't listened to a ton of =LOVE's discography, but I believe they have a pretty decent balance of fun, cutesy stuff (i.e. the Saitou Nagisa-Otani Emiri duet, "Watashi, Mahoutsukai") and songs that are more on the dramatic side like with "Anoko Complex". In the case of "Kono Sora ga Trigger", it's definitely more on the sentimental side, as its lyrics and music video depict unrequited love and one-sided relationships. The combination of the fast paced beat and the melancholic piano/violin definitely makes for, not only a good traditional-sounding idol song, but one that might pull at your heartstrings. I also heard that this is a continuation of a story that has been going on within some of the group's other songs, like "Anoko Complex" and "Natsumatsuri Koi Shitau", so... that's actually pretty neat!
And with Naatan now moved on from the group, I figured I'd choose another =LOVE member to be an 'oshi' of... which wasn't that hard (lol). Sasaki Maika and Mirinya are up there.
♫ 「Antifan」 Takane no Nadeshiko
Always love getting fantastic song recommendations from Spotify, and this song from TAKANE NO NADESHIKO was definitely one of them.
Initially, sound wise, I just thought "Antifan" was a great display of the 'edgier' impression that many idol groups express in an occasional song or two (or even similar to the likes of Keyakizaka46). The epic opening with the acoustic guitar, piano and violin, and just the rest of the song having that more dramatic feeling was very enjoyable when I first listened to this. And being someone who is more accustomed to the happy-go-lucky side of idols, this really was another great change of pace.
But once I actually read the lyrics, I realized that they truly are taking on that edgy and rebellious type of image, as they sing about not wanting to conform to the usual aspects of the idol industry. At least, according to this translation, TAKANE NO NADESHIKO firmly shows that they're 'not singing because an adult asked', they don't want to be used like some 'doll', and even though they've been perceived as 'bad' from some online comments/criticisms, they won't back down and quit. Which... made me like this song and group even more, not gonna lie. There is certainly some truth in what they're singing about, given the issues within the idol industry, so I think them singing about that stuff is a good change of pace from the usual displays of idolhood. I also find it cool and very fitting that they did a cover of HoneyWorks' (the group's main music producer) latest viral hit "Kawaikute Gomen", as that song is basically a big middle finger to whoever is annoyed by people who want to be/feel cute. Hell yeah.
The best thing about TAKANE NO NADESHIKO is that they are still new (debuted in July 2022), so we'll see how things change and evolve with that group. I've definitely become a fan and I'm hoping they'll release a full album or something in the near future. Also, regarding oshi-isms, I've really started liking/following Matsumoto Momona and Kizuki Nao. Both are adorable.
♫ 「Digital Relation」 SAKA-SAMA
As much as I praise Spotify, I've actually kinda switched back to Apple Music these past couple weeks (if you wanna know the reason why, just read my last J-Music Exchange/Rate review lol). And conveniently enough, they gave me a whole row of Japanese idol album suggestions, in which the lo-fi dream pop group named SAKA-SAMA appeared on.
Checked out one of their albums, and a lot of the songs were pretty good. My personal favorite, which also seems to be one of the group's most popular tracks, like, period, is "Digital Relation". A very straight-forward, low-key and relaxing tune with the sweet guitar licks and vibey percussion; this isn't a common genre expression for an idol group but I really enjoy their overall concept. One of my favorite things about this song is how its subtle and chill nature lets the vocals shine. Not only the main vocals, but the backing ones and even when they harmonize... they all sound extremely good.
♫ 「TOKYO」 O’CHAWANZ
The Tokyo-based group named O'CHAWANZ describes itself as a 'cultural idol hip-hop unit'.
Now, wait wait wait, before you think this is some gimmick type idol group that the Japanese just randomly came up with, let me talk about them and this song first.
As I've listened to the rest of their Mellow Madness album and a few of their other popular tracks... yes, it's understandable that one can perceive this to be some weird take on an idol group. Their vocal interpretation of 'hip-hop/rap' is very... cheesy, in my opinion, and definitely does not sound as sophisticated as other Japanese hip-hop artists like Creepy Nuts, Takayan or Kroi. HOWEVER, I think their songs are still fun to listen to and some of them are real bops, including this one with "TOKYO".
Please excuse my very basic knowledge of Japanese hip-hop, but "TOKYO" really does express a 'chill-hop', Nujabes type beat. The drum loop mixed in with jazzy elements like that classical piano and trumpet is such a fire combination in general, and I think it's done exceptionally well here. Plus, the rapping in this song is not too bad and the transition from rap to normal singing when going into the chorus was pretty smooth. Plus, I enjoyed hearing the electronic filter that was put onto some parts of the vocals, as it's very reminiscent of how tofubeats raps/sings.
♫ 「Delicious Precious」 i’mew
I first found out about i'mew when I stumbled upon a cover they did of "Gekka Hakanabi", a song originally performed by the IDOLY PRIDE unit, Tsuki no Tempest. And holy moly, they impressed the heck out of me with that cover. Each of them did an amazing job replicating the vocals from the original Tsukisuto song, and it instantly made me a fan of theirs.
And after checking out some of i'mew's original stuff, a lot of it has been pretty solid. "Delicious Precious" is a track that has stood out to me the most and probably is my favorite so far; it's like combining a fun idol-themed song with a sick electro-dance beat. And if I didn't praise i'mew's vocals enough already, this song is just another good example of how well they sing. I love how their pitches/vocal registers differ from person to person, and they sound great when they sing together.
i'mew seriously does have potential, both in regards to the idols themselves and the fact that they got some great music producers behind them (Wicky.Recordings, who also produced some of the IDOLY PRIDE/Tsuki no Tempest songs), so I really really really hope they don't go under. I like what I've heard from them so far, so hopefully they can take the next step soon.
♫ 「Girl’s Talk」 TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE
It is absolutely no secret that Japan knows how to do soul, funk and disco. Ranging from the popular city-pop hits from the 70s/80s, to now with bands like BRADIO, Awesome City Club and even Ginger Root (who is a Western artist but does a sick job of conveying the Japanese style of those genres)... it's amazing how well-versed this country, just like America, is at expressing the funky/soul side of pop.
And I believe the same applies when it comes to certain idol groups who've expressed that kind of musical style, and one in particular that I've come across recently is TOKYO GIRLS' STYLE. This group was formed back in 2009 but it seems like their sound has evolved since then (as explained in an interview they did with JaME World), with them taking on a much more disco/funk sound in their most recent album Nocturnal. While they did start off as innocent high school girls pursuing their dreams as pop idols, they now have a better understanding of their vocals and perform much more mature-sounding tracks like "Girl's Talk".
While I am cheating a bit with this choice, since TOKYO GIRLS' STYLE doesn't necessarily consider themselves as 'idols' anymore, I think this group and song are still worthy of putting onto this list. Hearing the disco/funk and pop combo being done by an idol-esque group is so cool (another group that does this EXTREMELY well is Philosophy no Dance). This track really is a vibe, thanks to the funky guitar/bass parts, old school-sounding keyboard and even the rich vocals from all four of them... it's fire. Absolute fire.
♫ 「Natsuzora HANABI」 PASSPO☆
And because one of my last posts was about former idols, as well as me being a Negishi Ai oshi... I just had to see what PASSPO☆ was all about. And I was pleasantly surprised with the kind of music they performed.
Other than the cute 'airline/flight attendant' visual theme they got going on, one significant aspect of this group is the heavy rock theme in their music, which... I did not expect before listening to their songs (lol). But like I said, it was surprisingly good and they pull it off very well, such as in their (arguably) most popular song, "Natsuzora HANABI". In the case with this track, they combine the loud/rough electric guitar playing with a more traditional Japanese aesthetic, while also somehow making it sound enough like any ol' idol song.
Another thing I like about this song is that their vocals, for the most part, are a superb fit with the specific type of music they perform alongside. Some of the members' lower tones and vocal registers sound great with the deeper guitar playing, including the person who I'm most familiar with in this group, Negishi Ai. And honestly, Aipon sounds the exact same as how she does now. I know their stint as a unit wasn't that long ago (earliest would be five years, given they disbanded in '18) but it seems like Aipon just picked right back up from her PASSPO☆ days when she joined Merm4id and the D4DJ franchise.
Aaand that's all I got for you today!
Also, in case you wanna hear all of these songs on Spotify, I created a playlist with all of them so please do enjoy:
Hope you enjoyed reading this and listening to some amazing songs; this honestly might be one of my favorite roundups I've ever compiled so I hope you feel somewhat the same lol
And please let me know of any more great Japanese idol songs, groups, etc! I'm in a bit of a non-anime/seiyuu idol phase right now so I'm all ears.
Thanks for reading!! :D
-al