5 Japanese Electronic Music Artists For Your Playlist
From techno to house, dubstep to hip-hop, here are five Japanese electronic artists to follow.
Despite Japan's reputation as a high-tech wonderland, the number of musicians making electronic music is extremely small. Of course, there are pop bands inspired by technology like Capsule and Perfume, and many bands incorporate EDM (electronic dance music) elements into their compositions. However, compared to Europe, Britain or even America, where genres such as techno, house and trap are well represented, Japan is relatively quiet.
However, this can be considered a blessing in disguise. While foreign artists can't help but feel influenced by their peers in electronic music, Japanese artists tend to do their own thing, creating unique music that transcends genre. This makes it more private.
Here are five Japanese artists to add to your music streaming playlist. Whatever genre you choose, you are sure to find something worth caring about.
1. Ken Essie
Techno originated in America and spread to Europe. Persistently on the sidelines, Ken Ise is a Sapporo-born producer and DJ active since the early 1990s. While Isii has always been influenced by foreign techno — the techno melodies of Detroit and the blaring vocal design of European hits — the results have always been his. Whether it's from the '90s or this year, Isiah's pieces always sound like him: sharp TR-909 drums, twisty melodies, and futuristic sound design.
Its extensive catalog can be intimidating if you are a beginner. So the best place to start is Jelly Tones , his record since 1995. Released under the supervision of Belgian R&S, it includes the classic "Rise." Watch the video, directed by animation director Koji Morimoto, where the dystopian surrealism of Akira is fused with the beats of Isya.
2. necessarily
rock house. Timbaland. Jay dela. These are all giants of hip-hop production whose beats are changing the way we think about music. However, besides these artists, another Japanese hip-hop producer deserves a mention: Jun Seba, better known as Nougaps.
Mixing jazz samples with subtle rhythms, he creates songs that instantly raise the mood and atmosphere. For this reason, he's been called the godfather of lo-fi, the kind of internet that serves as the soundtrack to many a late-night study session. See examples of "Luv (sic)" or "Shiki no Uta" from the Samurai Champloo soundtrack .
Sadly, Najab passed away in a car accident in 2010, ending his burgeoning career. But his musical influence continues.
3. Goth Trad
Go to a nightclub in Tokyo and you'll likely hear something quite commercial, like an open house or an EDM groove. The man who has taken it upon himself to make sure this isn't the only option is Goth-Trad. He's been busy with Back To Chill nights since the 2000s, paving the way for the bass-heavy genre.
He is also an artist. Although he's best known for his dubstep persona, don't expect Goth-Trad to be anything like Japan's Skrillex. Its output was darker and more varied than Sony's. The breaks, distortions, industrial beats, booming bass sound, and penchant for experimentation brought him closer to post-rave artists like Blawan or The Bug, who share a love of reggae.
His breakthrough album Mad Raver's Dance Floor is the best place to start, but don't sleep on later albums like New Age and Psionics , which are equal parts noise and beat.
4. Terada website
Where Goth-Trad makes long, dark soul music, Soichi Terada is the complete opposite. The cutest guy in dance music and always with a big smile, he creates a cozy home you can't help but feel.
Originally inspired by the music he heard in New York clubs in the 1980s, Terada has since plowed the very fertile field of classic deep house. Driving bass lines and soft beats provide the foundation for flowing synth chords and just enough melody to keep the dance floors moving. For old school house fans, the music will sound very familiar, even if you've never heard it before.
Non-house music fans might want to check out his chip-style works, such as the soundtrack to the classic video game Ape Escape , or the Omodaka Project, which fuses 8-bit sound with Japanese folk music.
5. Creon
What's wrong with Sapporo? The northern city is home to not only Ken Isiah (see above), but also Qrion (pronounced "Korean" but Russian for "Maple Leaf"), a young dance music producer making serious waves around the world. . Forbes Japan even included him in their 30 under 30 list for 2020.
While most Japanese teenagers spend their free time in shops or clubs, Qrion spends his time in front of the computer composing songs. Its reveal was the catchy "iPhone Bubbling" tone, which accurately mirrors the iconic iPhone notification tone. Now working in the tech house/melodic art genre (think slower techno tempo with a heavy emphasis on melody) his releases have gone from strength to strength, and he's recently collaborated heavily with dance music veteran Sasha.
Qrion has since left Sapporo for more cosmopolitan San Francisco, but the style he developed at home in his bedroom continues to influence his productions. One to watch, in fact.
Who are your favorite Japanese musicians and DJs? Tell us in the comments.
