i liked looking at other peoples favorites so i wanted to share my top 9 albums too!! i actually wanted to include high $pec by DOLL$BOXX too but it only had 5 songs so it probably counts as an ep rather than an album… i hope there is someone who has the same taste as me

1. Oomori Seiko - Tokyo Black Hole (My go-to when I need to get out of a shitty mood quick. Nuff said.)

2. Horuomi Hosono and the Yellow Magic Band - Paraiso (My favorite album of his, totally underrated. This album was my Hosono gateway drug.)

3. Ging Nang Boyz - NE MINNA DAISUKI DAYO (A record that's as gorgeous as it is ugly. Features some fantastic guest vocals.)

4. Bialystocks - Quicksand (Easily one of the most emotional listening experiences I've ever had.)

5. World's End Girlfriend - Hurtbreak Wonderland (The album that got me into the whole Japanese electronic, post-rock, experimental scene. There's so much of it now, but nothing has even come close to this.)

6. Various Artists / Namco - Katamari Damacy OST (There's a lot of game music that I love, but this is my religious experience.)

7. Ando Yuko - Kongtong Recordings (Huge fan. Her songs are always fill me with love and hope. It was difficult to choose just one of her record. Ultimately, this is the one I come back to the most. Babyface, the album single, has become of of my favorite tracks of all time.)

8. Chouchou - ALEXANDRITE (Serene, heavenly vocals that carry you. Listen to this with a decent pair of cans and thank me later.)

9. Yoshiko Sai - Mangekyou (This album is pretty legendary in the Japanese music scene. I bought this on vinyl recently, and it's been spinning ever since. <3)

Happy to see albums by the pillows pop up on other lists💛🥰

My 9 albums are perhaps the most different from anyone else here, because I'm Gen-X and grew up in the 80s, so my favorites that influenced me the most (as a musician and as a music lover) in my formative years were 80s and 90s Japanese music.

Haneda Kentaro - Macross the Complete - My favorite anime soundtrack of all time. Just a gorgeous jazz fusion meets epic orchestral score, which includes cues from the TV series and the movie.

Kawai Sonoko - Rouge et Bleu - This is the album where she fully transitioned from an idol into a serious musical artist. The most elegant pop I have ever heard in my life. The opening track alone gives me the chills with its darkly dramatic opening.

Makaino Koji - Bubble Gum Crisis 3: Blow Up - All of the original Bubble Gum Crisis OVA series soundtracks were amazing, so it was nearly impossible to pick just one, but this one just very slightly edges out the others. Some of the best cyberpunk synth+rock ever.

Psy-S - Mint Electric - So many good albums from them, so it was hard to choose, but I had to pick at least one. The best Japanese experimental art pop of the 80s.

Boowy - Gigs - Probably the greatest rock band to ever come out of Japan, and influenced so many of the rock bands that came after. This being a live album is all the more impressive, as they were so tight and raw as a live band.

Anzen Chitai - Tsukini Nureta Futari - Another band that has so many good albums, but this one has a few of my all-time favorites from them. Maybe the greatest Japanese mainstream band ever.

Morikawa Miho - Freestyle - One of the best Japanese female vocalists of the 80s and 90s, and is now a musical performance professor at Osaka University of the Arts.

Sakamoto Ryuichi - Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia - Probably the greatest composer to ever come out of Japan, and one of the most beloved "musicians' musician" globally.

B'z - Loose - Another Japanese rock juggernaut that's still going strong after all these decades. This is perhaps their greatest album ever--just incredible hard rock blended with other genres.

Two or three would have not moved from the list, but the rest have lots of other albums at the same label. Also, didn't want to have more than one from the same artist.

Let me introduce you to my absolute favorite band, "Hammer Head Shark."

​While they're probably categorized under alternative and shoegaze, the vocals by Hiyu Nagai are deeply emotional and really grab hold of your heart. That intensity is even more palpable and powerful at their live shows.

​They're kicking off a nationwide tour starting next month, so if you're anywhere nearby, I strongly encourage you to experience their live performance for yourself!

​Tickets:

https://eplus.jp/sf/detail/4457840001

​YouTube:

https://youtu.be/2F3ientDE0A

Mine are Aimer, Mamoru Miyano and Reona

I started listening to Aimer because I heard through my blood from Kabaneri of Iron fortress

For mamoru miyano i heard one last dance which was also the ending song of the first season of In Spectre and he was also a voice actor for the show

For reona I heard her performing the opening song for the remake of tsukihime a piece of blue glass moon

Heavy/Power Metal, 2026

At this moment these are my favorites Envy's discography is hard to pick my favorite because i like them all.

It was fun trying to narrow down to only nine albums.

definitely these are the most striking albums from the Shimokita-kei genre (well at least according to me)

what's your definitive album for Shimokita-kei (or at least j-indie rock)?

Hi! Hope this is okay. I posted this a few months back, but just thought I’d ask again since the date is closer, in case anyone’s plans have changed

I have an extra ticket to the show for Yuuri x UVERworld that I’m looking for a buyer:

Date: Oct 28, 2026
Location: Osaka Jo-Hall
Artists: Yuuri & UVERworld
Total: ¥10,380 (or $93.03 CAD)
Ticket: 1x regular seated
Ticketing round: FC 1st round

Open to negotiation as well, if you’re interested — rather the ticket not go to waste, and it should be a decent seat as well.

All you’ll need is to download the eplus app on your phone — available overseas as well. We can meet up and I’ll sort out the rest for you.

Please send me a message (and comment) if interested!

I made a video visiting Music Mates in Asakusa and thought it might interest people here who enjoy exploring Tokyo’s record shops. Has anyone else visited? I’d be interested to hear what you found.

Buyer beware of this eBay seller. When pre-ordering vinyl from Japan, this seller will not ship your order and will intentionally delay your order beyond cancel dates. Offers no recourse or consideration.

Penalty Life by The Pillows would be #10!

A couple basic pics up there but I still love them.