2009 has been a good year for Japanese music fans. There have been many great releases and they’ve become easier and easier to find outside of Japan. Several artists released the best work of their careers in 2009, and many more excellent artists debuted. Here are my five favourite releases of the year:
UA – ATTA
UA has always straddled experimental and pop music, and on ATTA she does so with incredible expertise. Subtle, sensual and moving, ATTA is restrained and confident. UA is an artist capable of expanding, not the listener’s mind, but their heart. This album is a moving experience. The best of UA’s career and my favourite album of the year.
Best song: “The Moon Is Fading” – The vocal harmonies on this song are one of the most beautiful sounds of the year, period.
UA: MySpace | NipponRock review | Buy ATTA at iTunes, CDJapan or YesAsia
Andymori – Andymori
As soon as I heard this album I was hooked. Short and sweet, every song on Andymori’s debut is excellent. Variously energetic and melancholy, every song on this album is underscored by youthful exuberance. Like the best pop albums, Andymori’s debut never quite satiates your desire to hear more, and is hard to resist putting on repeat.
Best song: “Life Is Party” – This song captures the satisfaction of staying out all night with friends, sobering up just in time to sleep at dawn, then calling the same friends for brunch at noon. Melancholy yet content, this song stands out on an album of standout songs.
Andymori: MySpace | NipponRock.net review | Buy Andymori at HearJapan, YesAsia or CDJapan
Kulu Kulu Garden – Detorake Yuuenchi
Kulu Kulu Garden’s debut is rough, messy and raw. This isn’t a flawless release, but the highs are so high that they more than make up for any shortcomings. Underneath screeching guitars, propulsive drums and ridiculous amounts of feedback are strong melodies that ensure Kulu Kulu Garden are more than just another noisy punk band.
Best song: “Age Zen Suezen” – The frantic energy of this song never lets up, building towards one of the most intense musical moments of the year when Kotone really lets loose on the vocals.
Kulu Kulu Garden: MySpace | NipponRock.net review | Buy Detorake Yuuenchi at iTunes or CDBaby
Asakusa Jinta – Setsuna
This isn’t an album that I listen to every day – they’re the kind of band that you must be in the right mood to appreciate – but when I’m pining for Asakusa Jinta , no one else can satisfy. The band’s combination of rockabilly, klezmer and marching band music is completely unique and represents many of the best parts of Japanese music.
Best song: “Setsuna” – This song is pure celebration. The horns, guitars, bass and rockabilly vocals create a perfect sense of dynamics. Asakusa Jinta are great at combining the strengths of each member into a one-of-a-kind sound.
Asakusa Jinta: MySpace | NipponRock.net review | Buy Setsuna at CDJapan or YesAsia
Ogre You Asshole – Fog Lamp
Ogre You Asshole demonstrate that it’s okay to wear your influences on your sleeve. Fog Lamp draws upon Modest Mouse and Built To Spill and never strays from their influence. Don’t consider that a knock against the band though. Ogre You Asshole stand not in the shadows of those bands, but alongside them as equals.
Best song: “Hako” – This song represents Ogre You Asshole’s chemistry at work. They can write incredibly simple songs and arrange them with incredible expertise. The rhythmic interplay between guitar, bass, drums and vocals makes this one of the highlights of Fog Lamp.
Ogre You Asshole: MySpace | NipponRock.net review | Buy Fog Lamp at YesAsia or CDJapan
Fantastic list and andymori is definitely near the top of my own BEST OF =) Amazing album and I’m so happy we agree on “Life is Party”. That and “Aoi Sora” are my favs but “Life is Party” is #1 for the reason you described. Props man!
Also, WELCOME TO JAPAN! HAVE A BLAST (of course you will) =)
Almost forgot…new andymori album out next month! Must get ^^\m/
Thanks for the great list. I haven’t heard of Andymori and Kulu Kulu Garden, but will have to check them out. I’ve also never gotten into Ua, but maybe I’ll need to take the plunge. Agree on Asakusa Jinta, though, in my case, I always seem to be in a mood to listen to them!