From pop to metal, April has been another massive month for Japanese music. With new releases from fresh up-and-comers as well as industry goliaths, the flow of unmissable tracks has been endless this last month.
For the last 3 months we’ve picked out our 10 favourite tracks, but for April just 10 wasn’t going to cut it. So here’s our pick for the 15 best Japanese songs from April 2022.
YeYe – Suttonkyou feat. BIM
Singer-songwriter YeYe returned with Suttonkyou, her first single since her album Otona dropped last July.
Featuring BIM from the hip-hop collective Creative Drug Store, this new single is a euphoric sweet soul number that celebrates the arrival of spring. YeYe’s vocal delivery paired with the song’s use of peppy brass, soaring strings, and a groovy beat also shares similarities with 90’s Shibuya-kei.
Despite its 5 minute runtime the track doesn’t overstay its welcome and serves as a chill Spring/Summer dance anthem.
YeYe
Suttonkyou feat. BIM
Release Date: 13/04/2022
Label: RALLYE LABEL
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
Hitsujibungaku – OOPARTS
Ahead of the release of their 2nd major label album our hope, Hitsujibungaku released their latest single OOPARTS.
A gentle yet powerful track full of texture, OPPARTS opens with a droning intro that leads into peppy synths and an electronic beat before transitioning into a soaring rock jam. The track marks the first time the band has included synths in their otherwise traditional rock formula.
OOPARTS is the perfect hype track for the new album and with the inclusion of their punchy bittersweet single Hikaru Toki, our hope is shaping up to be one of the best rock albums of the year.
Hitsujibungaku
our hope
Release Date: 20/04/2022
Label: F.C.L.S.
Buy at: CDJapan
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
gato – ZOMBIEEZ ft. JUBEE
Electro six-piece gato’s 2021 album U+H was an impressive electronic soundscape filled with gentle hip-hop and glitchy goth tunes. ZOMBIEEZ, on the other hand, is on a whole other level.
Made in collaboration with rapper JUBEE of Creative Drug Store, ZOMBIEEZ is a pure hard dance track that feels like it was picked right out of the 90’s UK rave scene.
Released off the back of their intense trance hardcore hybrid ACID, these latest singles have marked a change in direction for the unit, and potentially the most exciting version of the group yet.
We know this track came out at the tail end of March, but we didn’t find it until early April, so we’re counting it.
gato
ZOMBIEEZ ft. JUBEE
Release Date: 30/03/2022
Label: Independent
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
Lucky Kilimanjaro – Shuukyuu Youka
From house music main-stayers Lucky Kilimanjaro’s highly anticipated 3rd major album TOUGH PLAY, Shuukyuu Youka is a playful feel good house-rap banger with a simple message- relax.
If you’re looking for new summer dance vibes, you can’t go wrong with this new track.
Lucky Kilimanjaro
TOUGH PLAY
Release Date: 30/03/2022
Label: dreamusic
Buy at: CDJapan
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
Satoko Shibata – JACKET
Satoko Shibata is the master of her own domain. Everything from composing, writing, and arrangement, she has retained full creative control over her sound.
Her latest single JACKET is another testament to that as she strays away from sweet guitar pop to create an effortlessly cool distorted indie rock number. Also I’m a sucker for a vibraslap.
Shibata’s 6th album Bochi Bochi Galaxy is set to drop on May 20th, marking the 10 year anniversary of her debut album Satoko Shibata Jima.
Satoko Shibata
JACKET
Release Date: 01/04/2022
Label: IDEAL MUSIC
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
Macaroni Empitsu – Hoshi ga Oyogu
Macaroni Empitsu are one of Japan’s highest rated rock bands with numerous albums ranking in the top 10 of the country’s weekly albums charts.
Used as the opening theme of the anime Summer Time Rendering, their new single Hoshi ga Oyogu (The Stars are Swimming) is a lyrically poignant track dressed as a vibrant rock tune that sounds inspired by 90s britpop.
Macaroni Empitsu
Hoshi ga Oyogu
Release Date: 15/04/2022
Label: TOY’S FACTORY
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
JUMADIBA – Kick Up feat. ralph
JUMADIBA‘s new track featuring ralph and produced by the legendary duo Double Clapperz is one of the strongest offerings from the rap up-and-comer so far.
Attracting the attention of Japan’s hip-hop scene with his independently released 2021 album Kusabi, Kick Up takes his sound to the next level with some of his more skilful wordplay to date over a hard drill instrumental.
JUMADIBA
Kick Up feat. ralph
Release Date: 13/04/2022
Label: Independent
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
ATARASHII GAKKO! – WOO! GO!
88rising’s chaotic pop outfit ATARASHII GAKKO! are back with another one of a kind single that blends thumping house, hip-hop hooks, sweet pop vocals, and in your face rap.
WOO! GO! also serves as the theme for Nike’s new project Nike Juku (Nike cram school) which is enlisting dancers, athletes, idol groups, and influencers as mentors with aims to provide students with several stress-relieving learning solutions to restore their physical and mental vitality and refocus their attention. Which, after a pandemic, is something we could all do with.
ATARASHII GAKKO!
WOO! GO!
Release Date: 15/04/2022
Label: 88rising Records
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
ego apartment – the wire
Indie unit ego apartment’s 9th single the wire is an indie rock and hip-hop dance track that crosses musical borders.
The new single showcases groovy elements with peppy guitar phrases and funky basslines, before transitioning into mellow hip-hop with phasing synths and bassy beats.
With their combo of English lyrics, catchy melodies, and complex instrumentals they’ve become one of 2022’s most anticipated groups.
ego apartment
the wire
Release Date: 27/04/2022
Label: NihyakuWIND
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
ulma sound junction – Modern Bleed
Self described “progressive cinematic core” group ulma sound junction made their label major debut in April with the release of their new EP Reignition.
Modern Bleed, the first new song in about a year since their indie EP primary, is an aggressive track that combines intense and technical riffs, harsh growling and melodic vocals, with an unpredictable song progression.
It’s got elements of metalcore, nu-metal, and djent, so if you’re looking for a new Japanese band to fill that hole, check this single out.
ulma sound junction
Reignition
Release Date: 13/04/2022
Label: King Records
Buy at: CDJapan
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
salasa – An Island On My Nail
Originally serving as her debut single in 2021, An Island On My Nail is now the title track for singer-songwriter Salasa’s long awaited 6-track EP.
Featuring a chill 90s-esque hip hop instrumental and Salasa’s smoky and somewhat melancholic bluesy vocal style, the track is a mellow summer time jam.
The track scored her a top 10 position in the national radio charts upon her debut.
salasa
An Island On My Nail
Release Date: 13/04/2022
Label: ASTERI ENTERTAINMENT
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA – Orihime
So far the new era of WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA has provided us with some of the catchiest electronic dance pop tracks of the last few months, and their new single Orihime is no exception.
The group also announced their new EP Neon will drop on May 25th. Featuring 8-tracks the EP will play host to their 5 latest singles as well as 3 currently unreleased tracks.
WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA
Neon
Release Date: 25/05/2022
Label: WARNER MUSIC JAPAN
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
Paledusk – BBB feat. Such
Known for their genre bending sound, BBB sees the Paledusk coupling their staple math-metal style with EDM.
Filled with chaotic rhythms and heavy breakdowns, the track also merges electronic dance beats and clean pop vocals provided by underground artist Such who started out as a Vocaloid cover singer on the popular video sharing site niconico.
Paledusk
BBB feat. Such
Release Date: 19/04/2022
Label: Greyscale Records
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
SEKAI NO OWARI – Habit
Used as the theme for the newly released live-action movie adaptation of CLAMP’s manga series xxxHOLiC, Habit is SEKAI NO OWARI’s latest infectious mathy pop-rock track.
The video also shows-off the hardest choreography of the band’s career with the group stating that the shoot was “SEKAI NO OWARI’s most difficult dance video in history”.
SEKAI NO OWARI
Habit
Release Date: 28/04/2022
Label: UNIVERSAL MUSIC
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
Age Factory – First day song
Used as the theme to Kenji Shibayama’s latest film Ima wa Chotto, Tsuitenai dake, Age Factory’s new single First day song sees the Nara-born rock trio dive into their more sombre side.
A heartfelt performance with encouraging lyrics about starting taking steps to perusing your passions.
Age Factory
First day song
Release Date: 06/04/2022
Label: SPACE SHOWER
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
