We’re only at the end of February and it’s already getting harder to pick out just 10 tracks to feature in these articles. Fresh faces and long standing titans of the industry have been releasing new and inventive additions to their discographies.
Some have taken their existing sound to new heights, others have blended numerous genres to create truly one of a kind tracks.
We’ve been taken aback by the sheer amount of top class new music Japan delivered this last month, so here’s our pick for the 10 best Japanese songs of February 2022.
4s4ki – Punish
Alongside the release of their latest EP Here or Hell, 4s4ki dropped Punish, a collaborative track with up-and-coming track maker gu^2. The track showcases the true chaos of 4s4ki as it warps from chill low tension trap sounds to an experimental drum and bass super pop fusion.
Paired with a low-tech 90s style music video this track is one of the year’s highlight hyper pop releases.
4s4ki
Here or Hell
Release Date: 16/02/2022
Label: Victor Entertainment
Get at: Spotify
WENDESDAY CAMPANELLA – Edison
At the tail end of February dance pop unit WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA dropped their 2-track single Maneki Neko / Edison.
There’s no denying that Maneki Neko is a sweet dance pop bop, but Edison steals the show with an infectious thumping bass beat and nostalgic synth melodies provided by the group’s producer Hidefumi.
Paired with Utaha’s innocent carefree vocals on the chorus and seamless rap flow on the verses, Edison is one of the top dance tracks of the month.
WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA
Maneki Neko / Edion
Mori Zentaro and Daichi Yamamoto – Muddy Water
Soulflex beat maker/producer Mori Zentaro released his first 1st single this month featuring Kyoto born rapper Daichi Yamamoto.
Hard and groovy beat production and smooth rap flow runs through the whole of Muddy Water, making for a true bouncer of a track.
Mori Zentaro
Muddy Water feat. Daichi Yamamoto
Release Date: 09/02/2022
Label: Suppage Records
Get at: Spotify
Lucky Kilimanjaro – Endless Dance
Lucky Kilimanjaro hit us with their first single of 2022 and it’s exactly what you expect from the Tokyo 6-piece at this point- club-ready house perfection.
Their 3rd full-length album TOUGH PLAY is due to drop in March and will also include their massive 2021 dance tunes Dance Signal and Paradise.
Lucky Kilimanjaro
Endless Dance
Release Date: 23/02/2022
Label: DREAMUSIC
Get at: Spotify
MONDO GROSSO – STRANGER
Released ahead of his much anticipated new album BIG WORLD, MONDO GROSSO, aka Shinichi Osawa, threw us a curve ball with his February single STRANGER.
Known mostly for his almost legendary electro house, pop and dance tracks, STRANGER is a shoegaze inspired rock tune with ambient synths and shimmering guitars throughout, along with mellow vocals provided by Nogizaka46’s Asuka Saito.
MONDO GROSSO
BIG WORLD
SiM – The Rumbling
You knew this one was coming. Easily the most talked about release to come out of Japan in the last month, The Rumbling has been trampling all over the rock charts around the world.
A genre melding track that incorporates thunderous metal, dramatic orchestral strings, soaring rock choruses, and a hint of SiM patented reggae for good measure.
Used as the opening for the final season of Attack on Titan, we’re still getting chills every time this track hits our TV speakers.
SiM
The Rumbling
Release Date: 07/02/2022
Label: PONY CANYON INC.
Get at: Spotify | CDJapan (limited vinyl release)
[Alexandros] – Rock The World
[Alexandros] are known for their inspirational rock tunes and tremendous technical work, and the same can be said for their first 2022 release Rock The World.
Used as the theme for the animated fantasy adventure movie Goodbye, DonGlees! which hit Japanese cinemas on February 18th, Rock The World is the latest motivational rock track that blew us away with its blisteringly fast guitar melodies that have already become a crowd favourite at the band’s recent live events.
[Alexandros]
Rock The World / Hibi, Ori
Release Date: 16/02/2022
Label: UNIVERSAL MUSIC
Get at: Spotify | CDJapan
THE SPELLBOUND – MUSIC
THE SPELLBOUND graced us with their long-awaited self-titled debut album this month. An LP filled with electronic infused rock that harks back to the work of 2006-2016 era BOOM BOOM SATELLITES.
MUSIC, the latest single release off the album, is an uplifting electro-rock tune packed with groovy guitars, funky bass-lines, sweeping synths, and fist pumping drum beats.
THE SPELLBOUND
SELF-TITLED
Release Date: 23/02/2022
Label: Nakano Music
Get at: Spotify | CDJapan
Paledusk – SLAY!! feat. Hideyoshi
Featuring rapper Hideyoshi, SLAY!! is Paledusk’s most ambitious metalcore thrasher they’ve released to this day.
An amalgamation of peppy technical melodies, chugging metalcore riffs, jazzy saxophones, and smooth rap, SLAY!! is a chaotic combination that has made for one of the most creative genre blending bangers we’ve heard in a long time.
Paledusk
SLAY!! feat. Hideyoshi
Release Date: 16/02/2022
Label: Greyscale Records
Get at: Spotify
tricot – End roll
Used as the opening track for the new J-drama liar, tricot have used their technical musicianship on End roll to encapsulate the show’s theme of forbidden one sided love and the complex feelings that come along with it.
It’s a punchy fast-paced rock jam with fluctuating drum speeds and erratic distorted guitars with some added spice that not only fits the theme but also makes the track a standout moment in their discography.
INTERVIEW: tricot return with their spiciest single to date ‘End roll’
Tricot
End roll (エンドロールに間に合うように)
Release Date: 16/02/2022
Label: 8902 Records
Get at: Spotify