It’s hard not to get excited when looking out at the stellar talent caking the landscape of Japan’s music scenes. Merely one month into 2024, January has delivered global-reaching viral hits, surprising international collaborations, and ongoing efforts towards world domination (not to mention Bruno Mars performing AK48’s ‘Heavy Rotation’, who saw that coming?).
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tracks vying for your attention in the past month, fear not. We’ve sifted through the musical offerings and curated a selection of the 9 best songs from Japan in January 2024.
Kroi – Sesame
Kroi’s funk-filled ‘Sesame’, featured as the opening theme for MAPPA’s anime original ‘Bucchigiri?!’, is a Jamiroquai-esque earworm with a Middle Eastern twang. In contrast to their bombastic 2023 hit ‘Hyper’, the Tokyo quintet reverts to a more mellow vibe on this track while still retaining their key eccentricities, before winding down with a smooth rap flow over a jazzy hip-hop beat.
Alongside the surprise announcement of their 3rd album ‘Unspoiled’ at their sold-out Budokan show and their upcoming US live debut at SXSW in March, Kroi are on track to having the biggest year of their careers so far.
RELATED: KROI REVEAL 3RD ALBUM ‘UNSPOILED’ WITH 10-MINUTE MOCKUMENTARY AT SOLD-OUT BUDOKAN SHOW
yama – Nise Kao (偽顔)
‘Nise Kao’ by masked singer-songwriter yama is a dark pop gem from their new album ‘awake & build’. The song, an exploration of escapism and self-discovery with a 90s garage and R&B vibes, is the perfect vessel for yama’s soulful vocals, which narrate the struggles of wearing a metaphorical mask to cope with reality.
The music video, essentially an anime version of Prodigy’s ‘Smack Your Bitch Up’, directed by QMENG, visually depicts a man’s journey through self-indulgence. The artistry, alluringly erotic aesthetic, and climactic self-kiss add depth to the narrative. Fans passionately embrace the song, praising its thematic depth, vocal prowess, and provocative visuals.
yama
awake&build
Release Date: 24/01/2024
Label: Sony Music Entertainment Japan
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
Creepy Nuts – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born
Hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts kicks off 2024 with a bang through their latest single, ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’. Infusing American dance vibes from the Jersey Club scene, the song’s infectious tempo, characterized by robust kick drums and genre-staple bed squeak samples, catapulted it to the zenith of Japanese streaming charts. It’s not just a local success; ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’ has secured the second spot on Spotify’s Global Viral 50 ranking, showcasing its global impact.
Serving as the opening theme for the Shonen Jump anime ‘Mashle: Magic and Muscles’, the track’s popularity emphasises the crucial shift between “anime music” and mainstream J-pop, establishing itself as the herald of 2024’s first J-pop sensation. Is the inclusion of bed squeaks too daring for a PG-13 show? Your call.
Creepy Nuts
Bing-Bang-Bang-Born
Release Date: 07/01/2024
Label: Sony Music Entertainment Japan
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
Vannda – 6 Years in the Game feat. Awich
Awich, Japan’s hip-hop queen, and Cambodia’s rap legend VannDa celebrated VannDa’s birthday with the biggest cross-country collaboration of the year so far in ‘6 Years in the Game’. The pair, fearless in crossing language barriers, recorded this gem during Awich’s visit to Cambodia. VannDa, now 27 years old, kicks off the track with his razor-sharp flows and evocative wordcraft, with Awich exploding onto the track midway, dropping her go-hard-or-go-home style and leaving an indelible mark on the historic track.
This unexpected collab, born from their joint performance in 2023, showcases their prowess, making ‘6 Years in the Game’ a cross-cultural hip-hop anthem and a 2024 must-listen.
VannDa
6 Years In The Game (feat. Awich)
Release Date: 22/01/2024
Label: Baramey Production
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
ASP – MAKE A MOVE
WACK idol unit ASP unleashed their rebellious side in ‘MAKE A MOVE’, the B-side of their chart-topping 3rd major single ‘Heaven’s Seven’.
Collaborating with Sam Matlock of WARGASM, the track is a sonic onslaught that borrows heavily from the UK nu-metal duo’s award-winning sound, fusing heavy riffs, breakneck beats, and hype electronics with ASP’s hyper-pop, rap, and hip-hop blend.
RELATED: ASP TOPS ORICON DAILY SINGLES CHART WITH ‘HEAVEN’S SEVEN’
go!go!vanillas – SHAKE
go!go!vanillas’ ‘SHAKE’ is a rock ‘n’ roll anthem recorded at London’s Metropolis Studios. Released on January 10th, the digital single radiates new-generation energy, showcasing the band’s catchy hooks and spirited instrumentation. Influenced by British rock legends, ‘SHAKE’ celebrates go!go!vanillas’ 10th anniversary with an unbridled, danceable vibe. The track is a standout in their repertoire, offering a unique and addictive addition to the world of rock.
The music video, filmed in London, adds international flair, capturing frontman Tatsuya Maki’s dance moves and paying homage to British rock icons. ‘SHAKE’ is a testament to the band’s evolution, fusing rock and dance with unmatched energy that demands global attention.
go!go!vanillas
SHAKE
Release Date: 10/01/2024
Label: IRORI Records (Pony Canyon)
Listen on: Spotify
ATARASHII GAKKO! – Toryanse
J-pop trailblazers ATARASHII GAKKO! unveiled their latest infectious dance bop, ‘Toryanse’, on the most prestigious stage in Tokyo earlier this month at their first-ever headline Budokan show. Released via 88rising, its playful lyrics, loosely inspired by a Japanese nursery rhyme, set to an electronic beat influenced by Brazilian phonk, reflect the group’s joy and pride in being Japanese.
The increased solo singing parts for MIZYU, RIN, and KANON underscore the distinct talents of each member, with RIN especially standing out on this track with her razor-sharp rap flow. ‘Toryanse’ is another massive track for the avant-garde pop phenomenon. Along with the news of their upcoming Coachella appearances, these girls are looking to be an unstoppable force in 2024.
ATARASHII GAKKO!
Toryanse
Release Date: 26/01/2024
Label: 88rising
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
HANABIE. – OTAKU Lovely Densetsu
Harajuku-core unit HANABIE. made a bold statement with their latest anthem, ‘OTAKU Lovely Densetsu’.
A homage to otaku culture, the new track encourages listeners to embrace cyberspace, virtual reality, and indulge in pop culture. Delivering HANABIE.’s signature sweet yet heavy sound, which has been gaining ground internationally over the past year, ‘OTAKU Lovely Densetsu’ is filled with tight riffs, brutal growls and cutesy call-outs.
Coinciding with the video premiere, HANABIE. announced additional dates for their nationwide two-man tour, including a special live with Maximum The Hormone on March 20th at SHINJUKU ANTIKNOCK. From successful international tours to supporting acclaimed acts like Limp Bizkit and While She Sleeps, HANABIE.’s genre-blending prowess is making them a potent force in the worldwide metal landscape.
RELATED: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2024 LINEUP: CRYSTAL LAKE, HANABIE., AND BABYMETAL ANNOUNCED
HANABIE.
OTAKU Lovely Densetsu
Release Date: 19/01/2024
Label: Sony Music Japan
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
Matenrou Opera – Hikarino Ame (光の雨)
Matenrou Opera’s ‘Hikarino Ame’ stands as the pinnacle VK release of January 2024, blending power-metal and symphonic-metal with Sono’s powerful vocals, emotional melody, and intense composition. It encapsulates the band’s iconic sound that has made them a key player in the genre’s underground scene.
Although technically a release from the previous month, we’re bending the rules as the song’s Dark Souls-esque music video dropped on January 1st.
Fans have been labelling the song a masterpiece and applauding Matenrou Opera’s continuous musical prowess. This release serves as a top-tier New Year’s gift for their global fanbase.
Matenrou Opera
EVIL
Release Date: 13/12/2023
Label: amairo records
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music
Pre-order: CDJapan
The first month of 2024 has been a big one, already serving tracks that could be contenders for the best songs from Japan of the year as a whole. Leave a comment below if you agreed with our selection of the best songs from Japan in January. Disagree with our picks? Don’t hold back – share your thoughts on what you believe were January’s best songs from Japan. Join us again next month as we delve into the best songs from Japan for February.
