In the present day is J-pop day on The Bias Record and I’m counting down my eighty favourite songs of the yr!
Now that you simply’ve had an opportunity to take a look at songs 80 to 11, it’s time for the perfect of the perfect — my absolute favourite J-pop tracks of 2022. This yr, it’s an ideal mix of acquainted faces and a few new names.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
SONGS 50-31
SONGS 30-11
SONGS 10-1
2022 YEAR-END MASTERPOST
10. Snow Man – Orange Kiss
I occur to have a candy tooth for pop music, and Orange Kiss was essentially the most sugary providing from Snow Man in 2022. It’s a fizzy J-pop idol observe via and thru. It might not be terribly distinctive or boundary-pushing, however generally you simply need the classics delivered with loads of pleasure and panache. I performed this one to dying over the summer time. (full assessment)
9. One Love One Coronary heart – Now Or By no means
That is the form of track that sneaks up on you. At first, it may not appear to be a lot. However, when you hit its explosive finale you understand the journey it’s taken you on. There’s a stunning sense of stress between the massive, choral hook and the quieter, extra hypnotic moments through the verses. Then, now we have that good post-chorus instrumental riff that intensifies to shut the observe in rousing style.
8. Superfly – Dynamite
Typically it’s simple to neglect simply how very important a killer vocal efficiency may be. Shiho Ochi completely shreds on Dynamite, assembly the depth of the blistering instrumental together with her explosive supply. Simply hearken to that second midway via when the brass intensifies and she or he transports us to a different dimension together with her easy vocal ascent. It’s laborious to not get goosebumps.
7. One Love One Coronary heart – Glory Daze
This was solely launched a number of weeks in the past, however it was love at first hear. One Love One Coronary heart have already carved out an thrilling area of interest for themselves, fusing idol theatrics with ballsy rock power. This track performs like some demented glee membership and I’m completely right here for that. The refrain hits like a sledgehammer and the music video is all kinds of Whole Eclipse Of The Coronary heart weirdness.
6. Miyavi – Strike It Out
Miyavi virtually has a reserved seat in my high ten. His music is simply so passionate and thrilling. Strike It Out is effusive and intense, its emotion seared into each word. It’s an on the spot energy-lifter that can make you are feeling such as you’re prepared to overcome the world. It’s the anthem of anthems, actually. (full assessment)
5. JO1 – Transfer The Soul
JO1 delivered the Born To Be Wild sequel we deserved with Transfer The Soul. This bombastic funk pop sound is so completely matched to their expertise and I selfishly need them to report nothing however this fashion for the remainder of their profession. That refrain seems like such an enormous second, underlined by the stickiest of grooves. (full assessment)
4. Naniwa Danshi – The Reply
Naniwa Danshi are identified for his or her shiny, sparkly pop music. However, I used to be thrilled after they tried on this darker sound. “Darkish” in Johnny’s phrases typically means symphonic instrumentation and bounding, propulsive hooks. It’s a mode I completely love, and it’s fantastic to listen to a youthful group preserve it alive. The Reply‘s immense refrain is pure catnip for my pop music sensibilities. (full assessment)
3. Fantastics – Summer season Bike
Summer season Bike has had a ridiculously lengthy life on my playlist. It could be as a result of I merely adore this group, however the track itself manages to be tremendous addicting with out ever resorting to apparent hooks. Its undulating synth manufacturing makes for a mighty through-line, over which the fellows ship a sequence of easy melodies which have such a pure ebb and stream. It’s hypnotic. (full assessment)
2. Ado – New Genesis
I imply, that is simply immense, isn’t it? A deserved smash in Japan, New Genesis ties Ado’s highly effective vocal to an ultra-dramatic manufacturing powered by resounding percussion and shimmers of synth accents. There’s such fantastic motion inside this observe because it grows towards its gargantuan refrain. I bear in mind being stunned the primary time I heard it. That sense of pleasure nonetheless lingers months later. (full assessment)
1. Horny Zone – Ceaselessly Gold
Horny Zone return to the highest of my countdown after 2020’s Run. Truthfully, they made a clear sweep this yr. They launched my favourite J-pop single, my favourite J-pop album (The Spotlight) and my favourite J-pop b-side (Desideria). Ceaselessly Gold‘s splashy 80’s synth stabs and ebullient melodies had been virtually designed for me, crafted by considered one of my favourite producers Christofer Erixon (he additionally labored on Kis-My-Ft2’s Gravity!).
I like to recommend taking part in this loud within the automobile on a summer time’s day. After all, you’ll want the total model (dang YouTube edits!), particularly for its improbable second verse. Ceaselessly Gold is pure, giddy happiness fused to a pop track, and that’s a sensation I’ve at all times treasured. In 2022, I performed no J-pop observe greater than this one. (full assessment)
