Songs I've discovered in 2022 and L♡VE !
This list took a lot of courage to make and is quite personal, so please don't bully me this time... |
| 1 |  | Keiko Kimura
Style
Keiko Kimura – City of Water – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znAszVzmgdo
Probably the most melancholic song that I can think of. This (and whole album) has analogue qualities not unlike an European art-house film from the 70s. I cried to this song numerous times as it resonates with me... its lyrics are stunning and heartbreaking... ( https://lyricstranslate.com/en/%E6%B0%B4%E3%81%AE%E9%83%BD-mizu-no-miyako-city-water.html ) |
| 2 |  | Junko Yagami
Communication
Junko – Communication – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKTwdik3xqY
The absolute loveliest lyrics I've ever heard from a non-native English speaker. Instrumental goes hard and Junko even harder, her vocal performance is a blast and her Japanese accent makes her forced American accent extra cute! I also adore how the chorus starts sooo late into the song. Cuteness overload!! |
| 3 |  | Dream Dolphin
月の癒し、海の魔法
Dream Dolphin – Kaze No Huku Tani No Mukou De – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImGBH3EgQAE
One of the best songs ever made. It sounds like skating on ice but alone in the Universe? It's similar to another favorite song of mine (Yuki Saito - Yogen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDbGlEpxbb8). If you want to understand my inner beauty then play these two songs at night, this is how I feel inside, always. |
| 4 |  | Hiromi Iwasaki
Aozora
Hiromi Iwasaki – Sympathy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThgMItTLEqQ
Pristinely produced J-Pop from the 90s with jazzy elements and syrupy harmonica. What to say about the song other than it vibes like a beautiful summer day? Hiromi's vocal performance is off the charts in this song. Lyrics are absolutely lovely. Amaaazing track. |
| 5 |  | Mr. YT
Brand New Day
Mr. YT – Pacific Jazz – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPER81ZHfz4
Exemplary showcase of Deep House. As close to perfection an electronic piece can be. Everything about this song is airy and dreamy, perfect to get lost in it but also to fully engage with it. This track is always with me when I ride my bike on week ends. So fun!! |
| 6 |  | For Tracy Hyde
he(r)art
For Tracy Hyde – Echo Park – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvtFyGX_C0U
The best dream pop song ever made in Japan. This song gives an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia, it has lovely melodies and killer lyrics as well. I knew about this one since 2019, but only recently it hit me just how special it is. I've cried to this numerous times... Too beautiful to be true. |
| 7 |  | Psy-S
Window
Psy-S – Shiawase ga Mayou Mori – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3stzvdKTSI
The vocalist carries this song, she flows perfectly over the funky but somewhat somber instrumentation. This song emits great human energy. The lyrics are stellar -quite melancholic and dark though- and add a lot of emotional weight to the song. |
| 8 |  | Hiroshi Watanabe
Sync Positive
Hiroshi Watanabe – Photon – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UskVviXrM3U
This song is just so freaking cool. It is sprinkled with little emotional details that betray its somber nature and it becomes more human and organic the more you listen to it. I love to listen to this while drinking wine and dancing! ( I found him because coincidentally shares his name with one of my favorite painters - https://hiroshiwatanabe.jp/en/works/ ) |
| 9 |  | Macaroom
Swimming Classroom
Macaroom – Akuma – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMO_Qi43C6s
Beautiful song from Macaroom. It is tuned to perfection from start to finish, and the slightly artificial but alluring vocal melodies hit like a truck emotionally - you can tell that a lot of creativity was put into this. This song is like getting lost in the loveliest blurred hopes from the future. Listening to this song is a supreme experience. |
| 10 | | Hiromi Iwasaki
Aozora
Hiromi Iwasaki – Kiss Again – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O3fbh4iWD8
Another pristine song from Hiromi Iwasaki's Wish LP. The spectacular but well-controlled drumming and instrumentation makes this lovely song very engaging on a good set of speakers. Wonderful song! |
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