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photo credit: kid ampersandPiana recently released a new album after 1 & 1/2 years called "Eternal Castle." Although I would've liked to hear more on the album (there are only really 8 songs), I love it nonetheless. As many of you probably already knew, Piana is an internationally known Japanese electronic/acoustic pop artist. I went to see her concert last summer in Hong Kong, and it was one of the best things I've experienced - it was just Piana, Datsuko Hatano on the violin, and Piana's laptop. And her music was so...calming and beautiful that...you sit in a dreamy trance. What I enjoy most about Piana music is that she uses light electronics mixed with violin, piano, cello, and a bit of organ and, then, adds on her calm, almost kiddish voice to create a sort of simple, perfect harmony. Her songs are good for lying on the grass (or beach haha) in the summer and daydreaming about our pasts & future. She's beyond awesome.
http://www11.plala.or.jp/piana/
Sample Song: Beyond the Season
Happy news: Cheer released another 2 singles in very cool & fun packages titled "Happy Summer" (Female version & Male version). Each package contains 1 Cheer single, Cola King's limited edition notebook, a really cute male/female doll, and some happy summer post-it note thingies.
Sad news: 1. I can't buy it 2. it's sold out 3. I can't get it not only because it's sold out but it's another limited edition, sold only in Taiwan, none-mass distributed Cheer jewel...Argh.Well, life goes on I hope *_^ and if there are singles, maybe another album is in the making. Who knows ^_^ For those lucky ones who live in Taiwan or plan go to Taiwan early December: go see Cheer at the Simple Life concert! Maybe she'll even perform her new singles...
Anyway, Loveholic will also soon release their remake album "Re-Wind." Just in case if you don't know Loveholic - they're an awesome Korean modern rock/pop band that has grown pretty popular during the recent year (Korean drama soundtracks!) Their upbeat songs are catchy, their slower songs are beautiful, and Jisun - the lead singer has a powerful yet pretty voice. I have so many, so many favorite songs of theirs. Having already heard half of the remake album, I'm expecting that the other half will also be great ^_^
Take a trip to youtube for lots of Loveholic fun ^_^
Sample Song: 늘 (Always)
Lastly, the Indigo just released a new album! What a pleasant surprise ^_^ Not only that, I guess Ichikawa Yuichi is trying out a new, long hair image :o) I haven't listened to the Indigo for awhile now, but it seems that some songs on their new album "FUTURE FOLK" are poppier than usual. But than again, their music is always a mix between pop/electronic/folk/etc. Welcome back - fun & upbeat music that makes me want to dance :o)
Sample Song: マスターミュージック (Master Music)
Err, I can’t believe it. Around a week or two ago, I visited Cao Fang’s blog (haven’t gone there for months). And guess what? New song!!!! It seems like the new song has been posted on her blog for awhile now…*_* I’m glad I finally spotted the update ^_^
Since I'm on the subject of (or lack of) updates, Spangle call Lilli line is releasing their best album “since,” Super VC just started recording their new album (I am super, super excited), also, see them live here (they have a new bassist too). Cheer just had an “unplugged” concert in Hong Kong (ah I wish I was there instead of August… *_*), Faith Yang (Yang Nai Wen) is releasing her new album in December, and…and….. Sweater’s new album is finally going to be out next year!!! (thanks Anna for letting me know :o)
Well, here are the new tracks from Cao Fang and also My Little Airport!
Sample Track: Cao Fang - 礼拜六礼拜七 (Saturday Sunday)
Beautiful.
Picture by bluedangdangSample Track: My Little Airport - 我愛官恩娜，都不及愛你的哨牙 (I love Ella Koon, but not as much as I love your buck-tooth)
(Track linked directly from Site)
Haha another wonderfully original & cute track from MLA! ^_^
I'm sorry for the late update again - it seems like my teachers won't give us a break even after the AP exams *_* Must...graduate...soon... :o) The semi-good news is, I went to an award ceremony tonight & got my valedictorian award! ^_^ Why is it "semi" good? I'll have to give a speech during graduation *_* Arghhhhh yuck *_*Back on topic :P I first discovered Girls Tape Store through lemongalaxy's wonderful livejournal (which was introduced to me by, surprise, surprise - Anna! ^_^) Girls Tape Store is a Japanese duo? who makes synthpop & electropop music. They're a bit like supercar, but mellower. I'm so sad that their website doesn't work *_* But even though I know absolutely nothing about them, I love their music. The mellowness, the dreaminess, and the touch of dance beats... Music that I could listen to on any & all occasions. 
Sample Song: Lights
My Japanese albums shipment finally arrived yesterday yay! ^_^ I guess you could call ACO, Nakatani Miki, and bird's music "dance" or "pop" (well, from the albums I bought anyway). But these albums contain all quality music with awesome diversity and freshness. ACO - Kittenish Love
Sample Song: Kittenish LoveACO is one of Japan's most talented musicians. Her music range from catchy R&B/soul music (earlier/this album) to electronica-pop to crazily experimental Bjork-like songs. I never know what to expect from her new albums. *_^ "Kittenish Love," ACO's debut album released in 1996, is one of my favorite ACO albums. It takes R&B/pop/jazz music to another level - every song on this album is unique & pretty in its own way ^_^http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Info/ACO/Nakatani Miki - Cure
Sample Song: corpo e almaMost of you probably know Miki as an actress (or not --> me :P). Truthfully, I've not heard any song by her before I bought this album. So why did I get this album? All of the songs on this album is written & produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto! After I listened to the whole album, guess who Miki sounds a little like? Miu Sakamoto! (Ryuichi's daughter, whom he too writes music for, and whom I worship) Anyway, "Cure" is Miki's second album released in 1997. It's basically nice & relaxing pop music. Me like ^_^http://www.roomsnakatani.com/bird - bird
Sample Song: 空の瞳I first got interested in bird's music when I heard her on one of Mondo Grosso (Osawa Shinichi)'s albums. bird makes catchy dance/club music with a touch of jazz. She's great. "bird," bird's debut album released in 1999, is produced & written by Osawa Shinichi. Awesome album. I love her voice.http://www.bird-watch.net/pc/index.html
Picture from Ken's Japan Live blogWe finally moved! It seems like these few days all I did was moving - moving from house to house, helping my mom move her stuff to a new office, do major cleaning/washing all the smoky glasswares... *_^But I'm back ^_^ With internet access yay!
Onto Swinging Popsicle - Swinging Popsicle is one of my favorite, favorite, favorite (hehe did I make my point?) Japanese indie band. I first heard their Transit album (thanks noodz-shi!) almost a year ago, and fell in love with their mellow rock music. I don't know why, but I could listen to any of the songs on "Transit" repeatedly and never get tired of them. Every song is different and creative in its own way, yet they're all relaxing & make me smile :o) I also love listen to Mineko's voice. Wow.
So I wanted to hear more of their works, and after searching online, I finally found a place to buy their second album "Fennec!" No, it wasn't YesAsia. Nor CD Japan. It was Amazon (US) haha! At a wonderful price of about thirteen dollars, I was ecstatic. "Fennec!" was also an awesome album, it was different from "Transit" though in that half of the songs were more indie-pop and half were more indie-mellow rock. After listening to their first album "Swinging Popsicle," I finally understood why. It seems like over the years, Swinging Popsicle slowly transformed into making mellower indie songs, which I love. I also enjoy their upbeat pop songs - ah, I love them!
http://www.swinging-popsicle.com/
Sample Song: あるべきかたち (Proper Shape)
Sample Song: シネマニ (Cinemani)
Every now and then, I need a dose of happy pop/electronic music (aka the wonderfulness of shibuya-kei artists). This week especially - since I am taking finals and am stressing out, dreading how bad I failed the tests that I took and am going to fail the tests I will take tomorrow *_* As a grade A procrastinator (yay go me go!), I am slacking again and listening to COPTER4016882 right now ^_^COPTER4016882 is amongst my many shibuya-kei favorites. Their sound (happy upbeat electronic goodness) resembles capsule (same label too haha) - another personal favorite. If you like shibuya-kei music in general or just enjoy different, happy & funky music, you will enjoy Ukai, Mikiko, and Miwa's music!http://www.contemode.com/copter/
Sample Song: ガール ザ ジャップ (The Japanese Girl)
This was an interesting compilation album. I thought it was going to be mainly HK indie at first, but after I listened to the whole album and did a brief search on the net, only "My Little Airport" and "The Marshmallow Kisses" are from Hong Kong. The other three featured artists in this album were either from Southern CA (Majestic), UK (Language of Flowers), and Japan/France/Russia (The Konki Duet). My Little Airport and The Marshmallow Kisses of course, makes light funky indie pop music. Majestic is a US band that makes happy, light music resembling The Beatles. Language of Flowers (UK) also makes light acoustic music similar to Camera Obscura. And lastly, The Konki Duet - three girls from Japan, St. Petersburg, and Paris, makes weird but cool acoustic/electronic music ^_^http://www.hitoradio.com/shopping/7_1_1_1.php?prod_sn=PM05040001The Konki Duet
Sample Track (from their official site): Do FamilyLanguage of Flowers
Sample Track (from their label site): LeavingMajestic
Sample Track (from their label site): Sunday Driver
I really enjoyed Ayano's song "風になる" that played in the credits of the movie "The Cat Returns." However, I couldn't find more of her music until a week ago - when her newest album "CALENDAR CALENDAR" was released. I believe Ayano (Japanese singer/songwriter) makes fun, acoustic pop music (although I'm never good at describing/categorizing songs *_^). Her speciality is of course, the super cute ukulele! Definitely check her music out if you haven't already ^_^http://blog.livedoor.jp/tsuji_ayano/http://www.theworld.org/globalhits/2005/11/16.shtml
Sample Track: Spring Breeze
Sample Track: ファンタジスタ★ガール (Fantasista Girl)I love the Japanese duo "the Indigo" ^_^ With their nice alternative/groove/funky sounds & Miki's awesome voice, I get a happy feeling whenever I listen to their music. "Fantasista Girl" is their newest single (from their new album Flair). It's on repeat-play for me quite often ^_^http://www.the-indigo.com/bio_e.html
