Thanks for the comments! I didn't expect that many people to comment, I really appreciate it Now...
TOP 5 ASIAN SONGS
5. Ai Otsuka - reach for the moon
I've never been into Otsuka except some singles here and there, but this year she reached to me and that blow is unforgettable. Everything (the production, the vocals, the atmosphere) is here and the concoction is too sweet and mellow not to swallow. I don't care if she's tricking me into believing that she is above her peers in this track, for now it's the truth.
4. EXID - Ah Yeah
Resurfacing around the time Jaw was kicked out of SNSD, EXID has been a great consolation to me ever since. I prefer Ah Yeah to the brilliant by nature Up&Down because it feels more mature and I can imagine singing something of my own repertoir to it (which gives any song great boost in my book). I love queen LE here so much, and it's not even her best. I hope they move on from rehashing UnD since their previous singles aren't shabby either.
3. Suiyoubi no Campanella - Medusa
I knew the song would snatch a spot here at the first listen and it's still up here. I don't how to explain and where to begin, it's just one of those imprintings when a song has some hidden essence you can instinctively grasp. Fortunately, the quality doesn't fail me.
2. 9MUSES - Sleepless Night
Here it is - my Korean AOTY. How come these supposedly starving girls have been releasing GOSPELS all year long? Is this their swan song? Or is this their cry for help and the title isn't a simple metaphor? Either way, SLAY.
And the title of the Asian AOTY belongs to...
Well, for those who know me well by now it won't come out as a surprise, but anyway. In this song the goddess calls for the protection of the environment and I can't fathom how you could say NO after this TESTAMENT.
The verse of the year:
Quote:
雨が降れば命は芽生え
花や草木は森になる
Why do we forget?
この星はこの宇宙で
1番美しいのに
私たちは欲に溺れて
麻薬のように
Mess @ this EMI stanning. I was NOT expecting this.
Ah Yeah > Up&Down, indeed, so slay!
Kyle also told me he loved reach for the moon, but it's still not a fave of mine.
I'd put like the first 5 tracks all above it, lol. It's still cute, though.
I fell a bit out of the Kpop loop for the latter part of this year, but damn, that song is pretty good indeed.
9Legends hardly ever disappoint.
And yes, Medusa is magical! Definitely one of my faves on the album, and I love the video.
I have a feeling that I'm getting banned because of ATRL Naughty or Nice so here are some honorable mentions off the top of my head and 5 songs from previous years that I've discovered in 2015 and I can't just carry on without promoting giving them a shout out.
HONORABLE MENTIONS (ASIAN SONGS)
4minute - Cut It Out
9MUSES - Drama
a MEI - Put The Works
Ai Otsuka - I'm lonely
Ailee - Insane
AISHA - 花火
Akiko Shikata - オトシモノ
ANDA - Touch
AOA - Heart Attack
BESTie - Excuse Me
BoA - Green Light
BoA - Lookbook
Charisma.com - マメマメBOYがさつGIRL
CHIHIRO - やっぱり好き
DAOKO - 一番星
f(x) - Diamond
f(x) - Papi
HELLOVENUS - Wiggle Wiggle
Hyuna - Ice Ice
Hyuna - Roll Deep
Kalafina - うすむらさき
lecca - live again
Namie Amuro - Golden Touch
Namue Amuro - Time Has Come
Oh My Girl - Closer
Perfume - Pick Me Up
Red Velvet - Ice Cream Cake
SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Gemie – X.U.
Shiina Ringo - 長く短い祭
SNSD - Lion Heart (out of pity, you can't throw away 5 years of stanning at once)
Suiyoubi no Campanella - Ra
T-ARA - So Crazy
TeddyLoid - All I Ever Need
tofubeats - POSITIVE feat. Dream Ami
Yezi - Crazy Dog
Throwback songs (WARNING: not pop and depressing, but the artists are godly / the West will never)
Lily - 水の音
Morita Doji - きれいに咲いた (27:08 - 30:40)
Sound Horizon - 宵闇の唄
Jack or Jive - Your Long Shadow
Jolin Tsai - Gentlewomen (ok, she doesn't really belong here, but this was my ANTHEM in the first half of 2015 and PLAY was technically released in 2014, so... We also need some kiis after the DEPRESSION served by the rest of the tracks)
Since I'm not banned, the first 5 albums will be posted tomorrow. No trash edition this time, but expect a certain album to be dragged in several write-ups.
Thanks for the comments! I didn't expect that many people to comment, I really appreciate it Now...
TOP 5 ASIAN SONGS
5. Ai Otsuka - reach for the moon
I've never been into Otsuka except some singles here and there, but this year she reached to me and that blow is unforgettable. Everything (the production, the vocals, the atmosphere) is here and the concoction is too sweet and mellow not to swallow. I don't care if she's tricking me into believing that she is above her peers in this track, for now it's the truth.
4. EXID - Ah Yeah
Resurfacing around the time Jaw was kicked out of SNSD, EXID has been a great consolation to me ever since. I prefer Ah Yeah to the brilliant by nature Up&Down because it feels more mature and I can imagine singing something of my own repertoir to it (which gives any song great boost in my book). I love queen LE here so much, and it's not even her best. I hope they move on from rehashing UnD since their previous singles aren't shabby either.
3. Suiyoubi no Campanella - Medusa
I knew the song would snatch a spot here at the first listen and it's still up here. I don't how to explain and where to begin, it's just one of those imprintings when a song has some hidden essence you can instinctively grasp. Fortunately, the quality doesn't fail me.
2. 9MUSES - Sleepless Night
Here it is - my Korean AOTY. How come these supposedly starving girls have been releasing GOSPELS all year long? Is this their swan song? Or is this their cry for help and the title isn't a simple metaphor? Either way, SLAY.
And the title of the Asian AOTY belongs to...
Well, for those who know me well by now it won't come out as a surprise, but anyway. In this song the goddess calls for the protection of the environment and I can't fathom how you could say NO after this TESTAMENT.
The verse of the year:
Bjork would be so proud.
reach for the moon
omg ive never heard of this emi maria before let me get into ha
Thanks for the comments! I didn't expect that many people to comment, I really appreciate it Now...
TOP 5 ASIAN SONGS
5. Ai Otsuka - reach for the moon
I've never been into Otsuka except some singles here and there, but this year she reached to me and that blow is unforgettable. Everything (the production, the vocals, the atmosphere) is here and the concoction is too sweet and mellow not to swallow. I don't care if she's tricking me into believing that she is above her peers in this track, for now it's the truth.
4. EXID - Ah Yeah
Resurfacing around the time Jaw was kicked out of SNSD, EXID has been a great consolation to me ever since. I prefer Ah Yeah to the brilliant by nature Up&Down because it feels more mature and I can imagine singing something of my own repertoir to it (which gives any song great boost in my book). I love queen LE here so much, and it's not even her best. I hope they move on from rehashing UnD since their previous singles aren't shabby either.
3. Suiyoubi no Campanella - Medusa
I knew the song would snatch a spot here at the first listen and it's still up here. I don't how to explain and where to begin, it's just one of those imprintings when a song has some hidden essence you can instinctively grasp. Fortunately, the quality doesn't fail me.
2. 9MUSES - Sleepless Night
Here it is - my Korean AOTY. How come these supposedly starving girls have been releasing GOSPELS all year long? Is this their swan song? Or is this their cry for help and the title isn't a simple metaphor? Either way, SLAY.
And the title of the Asian AOTY belongs to...
Well, for those who know me well by now it won't come out as a surprise, but anyway. In this song the goddess calls for the protection of the environment and I can't fathom how you could say NO after this TESTAMENT.
The verse of the year:
Bjork would be so proud.
Now waiT at this perfect top 5. Although I would have it reversed.
Welcome to the second round of the countdown, the top 15 Asian albums. This time there will be no tryhard headers, but two new categories will be added instead: genres/tags and rating. Each album will be assigned a rating (the idea is stolen from another countdown, but it was hilarious). Don't take the latter seriously, I like all the albums here.
TOP 15 (ASIAN ALBUMS)
15. Namie Amuro - _generic
Genres/tags: j-pop, edm, outdated music, vocaloid, A+ title
Commentary: A major disappoinment, but still an enjoyable album with some bops. Unfortunately, the only achievement Namie has nowadays is releasing better (and more successful?) albums than Ayu (occasionally) and Kuu (just DELETE MENOPAUSE OF MY LIFE), which is by itself isn't hard. I hope the kween drops this stupid trend and returns to her roots.
Highlights: Golden Touch, Birthday, Time Has Come
Rating: / 10 (for the effort)
14. Kalafina - far on the water
Genres/tags: j-pop, gospel, recycled music, shotacon (heavenly blue was used in Aldnoah:Zero), far from the quality
Commentary: Another disappointment (mind that these are RELATIVELY disappointing albums that on the whole are listenable and have songs are in the top 30 and HM). I dislike how upbeat it is in comparison with the rest of their discography and if they really had to change, I would expect it to be of a greater quality. Anyway, those who are unfamiliar with them should give Seventh Heaven a spin.
Highlights: One Light, うすむらさき, believe
Rating: / 10 (for the effort and at least one gospel)
Commentary: Kween DAOKO's major debut effort is making the list and rightfully so. It is milder than the banger MEMEME was, but at the same it is relaxing and has some interesting arrangements here and there. Her voice is certainly not for everyone, but after watching hundrends of anime with extremely high-pitched female voices, I feel almost home.
Highlights: JK, ゆめうつつ, 高い壁には幾千のドア
Rating: / 10 (for being a young queen, not everyone has that)
Commentary: DAOKO is followed by her flawless MEMEME! collaborator, king of j-electro who simply SNATCHED me. Everyone knows his divine anime OSTs like Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, but his proper discography is no smaller slay. It's a solid effort despite its position, I just wish the quality was consistent since some killer tracks board on mediocrity.
Highlights: VIBRASKOOL, All You Ever Need, We Are All Aliens
Rating: / 10 (for being a king under the age of 30, not everyone has that)
Commentary: The queen of k-pop (until Jessica debuts her solo) has delivered a great album this year. The singles were absolute slay and the album has quite a lot of quality. I don't know if I prefer it to Only One with its iconic punches, KML seems to be more well-rounded and the collabs don't suck for once. Also, Kween's Green Light >>> SNSD, Beyonce, etc. Now on to a good Japanese album filled with Lookbook-sized smashes, ok?
Highlights: Kiss My Lips, Green Light, Shattered
Rating: / 10 (for being the queen of k-pop and slaying for decades)