10 best Japanese singles from March 2022

From indie rock outfits finally catching their big break, to massive hip-hop stars making the biggest plays of their careers, March has been another massive month for Japanese music.

We’re only 3 months into the year and already these introductions are getting hard to write. You know the drill, new music has dropped and we’ve narrowed down our picks for the 10 best Japanese singles from the past month that we think you should be listening to.

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Luby Sparks – Honey

So far Luby Sparks have gone from strength to strength in 2022, dropping 3 singles- each sonically different from the last.

This time round Honey wears the band’s pop influences on its sleeves as it combines modern day pop rock instrumentals with a 90s/00s vocal delivery similar to the likes of Andrea Corr or Natalie Imbruglia.

It’s another example of Luby Sparks’ versatility as they continue to draw inspirations from a number of rock sub-genres whilst retaining their own musical identity.

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She Her Her Hers – Diagram X

The opening track of their new album Afterglow, Diagram X doesn’t stray far from the trio’s staple chill synth-pop cross shoegaze formula, but that’s by no means a bad thing.

The track features indie rock instrumentals with smooth soft vocals surrounded by phasing and chiming synths with an imposing ambient soundscape that blankets the tail end.

Diagram X is full of little details that give you something new to admire every listen.

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Awich – Queendom

Awich, Japan’s queen of hip-hop dropped her long awaited 4th studio album Queendom this month, and though it’s filled with rap and pop bangers, it’s the powerful title track that left the biggest impression.

A heavy and impassioned song produced by ex-THE LOWBROWS member Chaki Zulu, Awich talks about the difficulties she has faced from a young age, from wishing to leave Okinawa, the incarceration and later murder of her husband in the US, to being a single mother.

However, whilst the track serves as a reminder for the things she has gone through, it is far from hopeless. Despite everything, Awich showcases her strength, independence, and her drive to make her dreams a reality.

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Creepy Nuts – パッと咲いて散って灰に (It Blooms Suddenly And Scatters Into Ash)

Since forming in 2013 Creepy Nuts have managed to become one of the most stand-out talents in Japanese hip-hop.

Serving as the theme for the 94th Selected High School Baseball Tournament, It Blooms Suddenly And Scatters Into Ash is a track designed to inspire those challenging themselves and dealing with the battles of everyday life.

Multi rap-battle champion MC R-Shitei rocks his flawless flow backed by a catchy beat, guitar and orchestral strings provided by DMC World Championship winner DJ Matsunaga.

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THE BACK HORN – Utopia

Rock legends THE BACK HORN have been on a roll these last few months as they prepare to drop their 13th album Anthologia this April.

Releasing four new singles since December, their second latest release Utopia has managed to stand out from the rest by combining the band’s trademark alt-rock sound with groovy guitars and eerie ambient backing.

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chelmico – Meidaimae

The best friend hip-hop duo chelmico are back at it again with the playful love track Meidaimae.

A whimsical romantic rap over a chill instrumental with a fat rhythm provided by tofubeats, Meidaimae is the tranquil hip-hop track you shouldn’t be missing out on.

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Toko Miura – Watashi wa Anata

Off the back of her award winning performance as the heroine of Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s academy award-winning film Drive My Car, actor and singer Toko Miura released her latest single Watashi wa Anata (I am you).

Produced, written, and composed by ODD Foot Works’ Arimoto Kiichi, the new single is an emotional piano led track backed with ambient guitars, phasing synths, and sombre brass that elevate Miura’s gentle performance.

Scoring her first acting job in 2002 at just 6 years old, Toko Miura has gone on to star in a wide range of Japanese TV dramas and movies over the years.

Debuting as a singer in 2015, she made waves internationally in 2019 when she joined RADWIMPS as a guest vocalist on the soundtrack for Makoto Shinkai’s Weathering With You.

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Cody・Lee(李) – Setagaya-Daita

Before making their major debut on Sony’s Ki/oon Music label later this year, rock unit Cody・Lee(李) released their final indie single, Setagaya-Daita.

A charming indie rock easy-listener, Setgagaya-Daita is a gentle love song laced with blissful keyboard and soaring guitar solos.

The group will release their major debut album Heart rate, love letter, and kindness on May 25th.

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DYGL – Waves

DYGL returned with their first single of 2022 Waves, but though it’s new to us, it is in fact one of their oldest songs.

Starting life as an early demo track, the earliest version available online goes back to 2015, 2 years after the Tokyo indie rock unit formed.

Once a noisy distortion-filled DIY recording, Waves is now characterised by its relaxed guitars and easy listening melancholic vocals more akin to the band’s recent work.

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No Buses – Rubbish:)

Off the back of their chaotic 2021 single Home, alt-rock unit No Buses dropped Rubbish:), but despite the name, it’s actually pretty good.

A short and sweet distorted guitar rock number in the same vein as Bloc Party and The Strokes, Rubbish:) manages to hit a sense of nostalgia while remaining fresh.

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