Although I’ve admittedly not listened to as much Japanese music this time around as I have in previous years (or at least, fewer full albums), I still enjoy hearing what’s out there and writing up these annual posts as a result. There’s just something fun about it for me, and taking a break from anime every once in a while to write about other aspects of Japanese pop culture is also something I can get behind. Continue reading “Best J-Pop/J-Rock Albums of 2019”
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Best J-Pop/J-Rock Albums of 2018
It’s been a fairly underwhelming year for Japanese music for me, at least as far as full studio albums are concerned. While plenty of my favourite artists released compilation or best of albums during 2018, far fewer released studio albums; as a result, I listened to only 11 of them total, while just 3 of these made the cut. As always, the following list is arranged in order of release date and comprises only full and original studio albums by a single artist or band – no cover, compilation, EP, or live albums have been included. Continue reading “Best J-Pop/J-Rock Albums of 2018”
Best J-Pop/J-Rock Albums of 2015
Clearly there’s some kind of heathen magic at work here, because every year I listen to more albums than I did the previous one and every year I end up picking exactly six of them for this list regardless. Oh well, at least I have a male band on it this time. Continue reading “Best J-Pop/J-Rock Albums of 2015”
Best J-Pop/J-Rock Albums of 2014
So many new albums, so little time. Each year I seem to listen to more than I did the previous one, and whether this year has been a poorer one for Japanese music or whether I’m simply continuing to become pickier, there’s a lot more in my discard pile this time around. Still, that doesn’t mean 2014 has been bereft of good music; as with the last two years, six albums managed to stand out from the rest – albeit every single one of them from a female artist or band. Continue reading “Best J-Pop/J-Rock Albums of 2014”
Best J-Pop/J-Rock Albums of 2012
It’s only five months overdue, but better late than never right? Musically-speaking, I still have about as much respect for the likes of AKB48 and Arashi as I did when I first started really getting into Japanese music a few years back but despite the usual predictable chart-toppers, 2012 saw some excellent J-pop and J-rock albums released, so I’ll be going over a few of what I consider to be the best of them. For the sake of originality and fairness, I’ll be counting full studio albums only and excluding any best of and compilation albums. Continue reading “Best J-Pop/J-Rock Albums of 2012”
OTAKU LOUNGE 