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ronald taylor

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jan 21, 2022

A J-pop origin story set in SixTones

The six-member Johnny’s act marks two years of many firsts such as appearing on the YouTube channel The First Take and working with established artists such as Yoshiki and Daiki Tsuneta.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Sep 10, 2021

King & Prince eye J-pop’s throne

The Johnny’s boy band explores English lyrics on its third album, “Re:Sense,’ and embraces showing the more personal sides of its members on social media.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jul 24, 2020

JP The Wavy: ‘The culture of hip-hop unites us’

The prevalence of hip-hop on social media has thrust rapper JP The Wavy at the forefront of Asia’s changing millennial culture.

CULTURE / Music

Feb 19, 2017

Asako Toki presents a more modern take on city pop on ‘Pink’

Asako Toki “Pink” (Rhythm Zone)

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Nov 27, 2016

Capeson mixes R&B with U.K. indie on ‘Hiraeth’

Capeson “Hiraeth” (Tokyo Recordings)

CULTURE / Music

Oct 23, 2016

Guests shine on Utada’s return album

Utada Hikaru “Fantome” (Universal Music Japan)

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Sep 18, 2016

‘High & Low Original Best Album’ lives up to its name with definite highs and lows

LDH, the company behind Exile, Sandaime J Soul Brothers and E-girls, seems to be on a mission to win the J-pop crown. Its latest salvo is themultimedia project High & Low, which consists of a drama, film, album and tour.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Sep 18, 2016

‘Uma’ brings Suiyobi no Campanella onto the mainstream stage

A quirky mix of electronica and hip-hop has taken Suiyoubi no Campanella from indie darling to major label signee (and “SMAP x SMAP” guest) in the course of three years. Major label debut “Uma” doesn’t quite match up to the group’s final indie effort, “Zipang,” but it still shows a lot of promise.

CULTURE / Music

Jun 19, 2016

Nogizaka46 “Sorezore no Isu” (N46Div.)

You could say Nogizaka46 was born to fight. Created by Yasushi Akimoto and billed as the “official rivals” to his breadwinning AKB48 outfit, the group overcame an adultery scandal in 2014 and made its debut on NHK’s yearend “Kohaku Uta Gassen” music extravaganza in 2015. Meanwhile, coincidentally or...

CULTURE / Music

May 22, 2016

Seiho’s rise out of the clubs results in ‘Collapse’

Seiho Hayakawa knows how to work a room. After his show at Black Bear Bar in Brooklyn — a performance that saw him thrashing his long hair back and forth to electronic beats — the Osaka-born musician takes a walk through the crowd. He chats with the locals and poses for selfies. The overall verdict...

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

May 15, 2016

Akiko Yano reflects on how music has changed after 40 years in the business

What would a U.S.A. Day look like in Japan? There would need to be American food, like hamburgers, and some kind of technological wonder, like monster trucks! Now imagine Kate Bush shows up.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

May 15, 2016

Perfume’s back with ‘Cosmic Explorer,’ but I still miss them

Perfume’s fifth studio album, “Cosmic Explorer,” starts off with a stunner. “Navigate,” with its intricate electronic atmosphere and inspirational melody, creates the sense that one of Japan’s most innovative groups is on course to discovering new sonic territory. Then, the EDM iceberg hits. The title...

CULTURE / Music

Apr 13, 2016

Sandaime J Soul Brothers hope to seal their ‘Legacy’ on latest album

Sandaime J Soul Brothers from Exile Tribe — “The JSB Legacy” (Rhythm Zone)

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Apr 3, 2016

Japan’s indie acts make an impact in New York without the help of ‘Cool Japan’

Music industry extravaganza South by Southwest (SXSW) is over and, as always, some of the Japanese acts were able to make it to New York while they were in the country.

CULTURE / Music

Mar 20, 2016

Bump of Chicken keeps things nice on ‘Butterflies’

Bump of Chicken “Butterflies” (Toy’s Factory)

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Feb 19, 2016

The only thing Gesu no Kiwami Otome. is guilty of is padding ‘Ryoseibai’

Gesu no Kiwami Otome. (the full stop is included in the name) entered the year fresh off a Japan Record Award nomination and a solid debut on NHK’s “Kohaku Uta Gassen,” the country’s defining music program. With the band’s second album, “Ryoseibai,” set for release in mid-January Gesu was in the middle...

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jan 17, 2016

Rockers back number slide toward becoming the go-to band for TV drama theme tunes

back number “Chandelier” (Universal Music Japan)

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Nov 27, 2015

J Soul Brothers winning the boy band war

Sandaime J Soul Brothers from Exile Tribe were on track to have the highest-selling album of 2015 with “Planet Seven,” when Arashi swooped in and released “Japonism” in October. Arashi may have won this battle of the boy bands, but looking at the entire year — Sandaime may have won the war.

CULTURE / Music

Nov 15, 2015

Arashi tugs at the patriotic heartstrings on ‘Japonism’

Arashi “Japonism” (J Storm)

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Oct 18, 2015

Wagakki Band album works best when the rock is held back

Wagakki Band? ”Yasou Emaki”? (Avex Trax)

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan’s landscape that they often go unnoticed.

Why Japan’s utility poles won’t be disappearing anytime soon

By Alex K.T. Martin

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