The J-Music Advance Party (December 2024)
What better gift to share during this season of giving than the gift of great music!
Season’s greetings, everyone! Welcome to this month’s J-Music Advance Party! I’m so glad you could carve out some time in your busy holiday schedules to join us—especially now that Christmas is right around the corner. If you’re still scrambling for gift ideas for the Japanese music lovers in your life, don’t worry—I’m sure this month’s lineup of wonderful releases will spark some inspiration! 😉
Before we begin however, if this is your first time coming here and you’re a little unsure as to what this is exactly, please give the following a quick read—
What is The J-Music Advance Party?
The J-Music Advance Party is a monthly publication where I quite simply talk about bands and artists that I personally plan on listening to this month (and subsequently recommend that you too as well) in advance of their upcoming albums and releases in the style of a an album “pre”-launch party of sorts.
These could be bands who have an album coming out that I’m excited for, or they could also be an artist whose discography I feel warrants further exploring starting with their new EP. Whatever the case may be, these are releases that I’m both looking forward to and that I hope to put on your guys’ radar if they weren’t there already.
Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter if you haven’t yet by hitting the button underneath and secure your invite!
Speaking of gifts, watching this room fill up with every issue of The J-Music Advance Party has been one of the best presents I could ask for. I’m incredibly thankful to each and every one of you here for making it all possible 😁
▸ Chilli Beans.
We’re starting out the month strong with the one and only Chilli Beans.!
It seems like no one else wants to say it, so I’ll go ahead and put it out there: I thought Welcome to My Castle, Chilli Beans.’s sophomore album, was just okay. That’s not to say it’s bad—at least, I’m not quite there yet—because there are still standout tracks like Raise and doll. However, as a whole, the album didn’t leave me feeling wowed or impressed the way their self-titled debut did. I think much of that comes down to the band stepping away from what initially made them stand out (at least in my opinion). Gone is the vibrant, fun, new-age garage pop-rock sound that helped define their identity. Instead, Welcome to My Castle leans into a more melodic direction, with a heavy emphasis on synthesizers and synthwave experimentation. While the effort to explore new territory is commendable, the absence of their signature explosive choruses left the album feeling less impactful as a direct consequence.
Fast-forward to the release of their single Mum back in June of this year, and I started to think the Beans might be returning to their tried and tested old formula. But then they followed it up with fu uh in September, and then yesterday just a little over a month right after. Listening to those tracks, I’m no longer sure that going back to the well was ever the plan—or if it ever was to begin with.
Their new mini-album, blue night, which features all the aforementioned tracks, was released earlier this past week. I don’t want to give too much away—I’d much rather you experience it for yourselves—but I will say this: contrary to my initial expectations about the band’s trajectory, they’re once again exploring something fresh and new with this release. That said, unlike Welcome to My Castle, I found myself fully embracing the direction they took this time. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed what I heard, and it served as a strong reminder of just how good Chilli Beans. really are.
blue night has since been released on December 4, 2024. Give it a spin and let me know what you think!
▸ miida
Our next featured artist is a must see/hear for all you NEGOTO fans out there—please give a warm welcome to Masuda Mizuki a.k.a. miida!
It’s hard to believe that nearly six years have passed since the disbandment of NEGOTO, the beloved four-piece synth-pop rock band from Chiba whose music touched the hearts of so many—including mine. While my connection to the band might not be the most personal compared to others, I consider the time I spent as a fan during their active years an integral part of my journey into Japanese music. NEGOTO was one of the very first Japanese bands I discovered when I began exploring the scene, and thus I consider them having played a key role in sparking my interest-turned-passion for it. Suffice it to say, NEGOTO is a band I hold close to my heart, and I credit much of my love for Japanese music to them and their remarkable body of work. Their music has had a lasting impact, and I believe they were incredibly influential to the artists that followed—particularly in the realms of electro and synth-pop rock, where they were true pioneers.
This is also why I’m so glad to see that vocalist Aoyama Sachiko and guitarist Masuda Mizuki have each continued to pursue careers in music, even if they’ve gone their separate ways.
What I find particularly fascinating about their respective solo work is how both Aoyama and miida (Masuda’s chosen name for her solo project) seem to have carried elements of the sound they created together in NEGOTO into their individual music. That is to say, Aoyama seems to have carried forward the band’s penchant for electro and synth elements, weaving them seamlessly into her own style, while Masuda (now performing as miida) embodies the dreamy and atmospheric vibe that was also a hallmark of NEGOTO’s music. Where the latter would achieve this with the use of synthesizers in tandem with the band’s enchanting bass and guitar work, miida achieves this through a more minimal, grounded approach that leans heavily on DAW (digital audio workstation)-oriented production and her floating, laid-back songwriting. Not to say that “only” fans of NEGOTO can find enjoyment with her music of course, as I would absolutely recommend miida to anyone looking for something on the mellower side.
miida had just released their second mini-album まだ言えないや (mada ienai ya) on December 4, 2024. Check it out here!
▸ 十明 (toaka)
Next up; please put your hands together for the uber-promising Toaka!
Back in February, I made a bold prediction on my blog: by the end of 2024, singer-songwriter Toaka would be a name everyone would recognize. Not that she was really ever a complete unknown now, of course, as I think it’s safe to assume that many were introduced to her through her performance of the theme song for the critically acclaimed Japanese anime film Suzume no Tojimari (fittingly titled Suzume). That said, some may have been following Toaka even before that. She had already made her own waves on TikTok, where she uploaded demos of her original songs, captivating listeners and amassing a significant following. Her growing online presence as an undiscovered talent was what first caught the attention of the production team working on Suzume no Tojimari. It was through this connection that she landed the opportunity to audition for the film’s theme song. Noda Yojiro, of RADWIMPS fame and the song’s primary writer and composer, was part of the selection team. As the story goes, it only took Toaka singing the song’s opening lines for Noda to know she was the perfect choice to perform Suzume.
Toaka made her official artist debut under EMI Records shortly after the release of Suzume, and, as they say, the rest is history.
She has since gone on to release her demos as full-fledged singles, with some making it on to her first EP Boku Dake no Ai which came out earlier at the start of this year. Toaka’s now looking to close out 2024 with a bang the same way she kicked it off with the release of her first full album Henshin no Recipe. Now, honestly speaking, I do have some reservations about this album which I got after seeing the tracklist for it. In particular, it does concern me that four out of the five songs on her EP will be making it on the thirteen-track album, with three of them (namely Haikaburi, Discord-disco, and Boku Dake no Ai) already having been released as singles prior. I always tend to be a bit iffy when a production opts to do that as it might make an album already feel overplayed upon release, especially considering how for this album specifically it will be joined by five other already-released singles. In that regard, the hope is that the remaining original tracks carry the weight. I personally am largely optimistic that they will, and that this album will be all the better for it.
変身のレシピ (henshin no recipe) is set to come out on December 11, 2024.
▸ cephalo
Please welcome to the stage our next featured act, cephalo!
It’s no secret—at least among Japanese music fans—that the West has an enduring love for Japanese shoegaze. While the genre originated in the UK and has been explored worldwide, it found a particularly receptive home in Japan during the late ’90s. There, shoegaze struck a chord with the country’s aspiring bands and artists, who quickly developed a deep affinity for its dreamy, textured soundscapes. Before long, Japan began producing its own shoegaze acts, infused with uniquely Japanese musical sensibilities—most notably a strong emphasis on melodies and lyricism. This blend resulted in a distinct sound that set Japanese shoegaze apart from its Western counterpart. In a rather serendipitous twist, Japanese shoegaze eventually made its way back to Western listeners, who embraced it wholeheartedly and became some of its most loyal supporters. That love affair continues to this day, as Japan remains a vibrant hub for emerging shoegaze bands and artists, with fans out in the West in turn being very much there for it.
If the number of comments written in English on their videos are anything to go by, it appears as though a decent amount of fans have found their next indie shoegaze darling in cephalo here.
Not much is known about this Tokyo-based four-piece, which makes sense given that they only started their activities a year ago. It seems the unpredictable winds of the so-called algorithm have pushed their sails further than even they might have imagined—or perhaps even intended—helping them capture the attention of a global audience despite being so new to the scene. Interestingly, it seems their online popularity hasn’t gone unnoticed locally either. The band recently earned a featured spot on MTV Japan’s blackboard channel, which highlights up-and-coming bands and artists as part of its FUTURE ICONS program. Suffice it to say, more than just a few eyes are on cephalo right now. I’d like to think that the timing of their first album release couldn’t be more perfect in that regard. Based on a trailer for it that the band put out, it’s looking like it will be comprised of all yet-to-be released tracks, which I’m all personally looking forward to hearing as I’m sure a lot of others are too.
Fluorite code will be coming out on December 18, 2024.
▸ 花譜 (“KAF”)
Closing out this year of Advance Party, fittingly enough, is one of the year’s standout artists—none other than KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO’s very own KAF!
Back in May, as part of my Monthly Recommendation Roundup feature on the blog (check it out here!), I talked about Gestalt and how vsinger KAF has been having—and continues to have—an incredible couple of years. From the release of her triple A-side single GSA, which included Gestalt, to her collaborations with various artists and producers through her “Suite” project, KAF consistently delivers, having recently joined forces with the immensely popular Japanese VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei for yet another standout track. Meanwhile, her new side project, KAIKA, has gotten off to a strong start, and I wouldn’t be surprised if its first major release arrives sooner rather than later. On top of all this, her work with her KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO stablemates as part of V.W.P has been equally impressive, including the release of their second full album, completing a string of concert tours culminating in the announcement of an anime centered around the group, set to air sometime next year.
Despite everything KAF has managed to achieve thus far, it seems she’s not quite done with 2024 just yet, as she will be closing out the year with the release of her fourth studio album, Guuwa.
One notable aspect of this upcoming release is that it will be KAF’s first album without composer Kanzaki Iori as the primary force behind the music and songwriting, following Kanzaki’s departure from KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO. This shift initially raised questions about how KAF’s music would evolve, especially given how much Kanzaki had shaped her sound and artistic identity up until now. However, some of those questions might have already been answered with GSA, where KAF began exploring a new musical direction through collaborations with various producers and composers. It seems Guuwa will continue this approach, as the tracklist reveals an exciting lineup of guest collaborators. Among them, Empty old City’s Neuron stands out as a recurring name, which makes me wonder if they’ll take on a larger role in shaping KAF’s music moving forward. That said, I’m equally eager to hear what the other contributors bring to the table. My instincts tell me the Guiano track is going to be an absolute standout bop and I can’t wait to hear it.
寓話 (guuwa) is set to release on Christmas day(!), December 25, 2024.
That’s gonna do it for the J-Music Advance Party for December!
Here’s a quick recap of all the releases featured for this month:
Which release are you most excited for this month? Likewise, which bands and artists are you looking to listen these next couple of weeks? Let me know all of that down in the comments!
Before I let you go, I just want to thank each and every one of you for attending The J-Music Advance Party this year. I truly hope that subscribing has been well worth your while, and I can't wait to see you all again next year! ☺️
As a quick aside, I also host something called the Recommendation Roundup Awards on my blog, which serves as my year-end roundup where I highlight my favorites from the past year. If you haven't had enough of me yapping about Japanese music before we close out 2024 (lol), I’d love for you to join me!
Happy Holidays, and Happy Listening!
The next Advance Party is gonna be on January 12, 2025 Are you looking forward to any releases next month? Check back here to see if they get featured!
It’s not a surprise but I’m glad to see Chilli Beans. on here, from the short time since its release I’ve been having such a great time listening to it. There are so many truly great songs it’s hard to pick any one favorite for now, especially since there’s so much variety in the track list. If there’s one thing that’s certain, Chilli Beans. still got it!
Oooh I remember how your monthly roundup introduced me to Masuda Mizuki’s solo career as miida earlier this year, that was a real surprise to learn how she was still active. Ended up loving pretty much everything I’ve heard from her thus far and I’m sure this new release is going to impress me in much the same way, I gotta go check it out.
Love to see Toaka back, for the stuff she’s released thus far she’s yet to truly miss so I got high hopes for this upcoming album. Definitely a shame about 5 of the songs being straight rereleases, would have at least liked to see them experiment with new versions of those instead. likewise though, still looking forward to those 8 brand new originals!
Oh how I love Cephalo, Japan is such a powerhouse when it comes to shoegaze but in the little time since they’ve arrived on the scene it feels like they’ve already become one of my favorites in the genre, kinda filling in the huge gap that For Tracy Hyde left to a certain degree. So excited to see what the band does on the upcoming album, especially looking forward to the kind of vocal performance we’ll get from fuki.
I don’t know how it’s possible but I totally forgot KAF was putting out an album this month lol. The post-Kanzaki era of tracks has been pretty fascinating to witness unfold, and I gotta say from what I’ve heard I like the direction it’s heading in, especially with tracks like swimmer. Looking at the track list and the producers working on it I got high hopes!
As for the album I’m looking forward to:
TEMPLIME - EMPT MILE
Releasing in just a few hours TEMPLIME are about to put out a new album and I couldn’t be more excited! 2024 has been an amazing year for some of my favorite producers I follow and this is looking like it’s gonna be the icing on the cake.