About twelve years or so ago, I decided to take up Japanese as a third language, mainly so I could understand the lyrics to Japanese pop tunes. It was the start of a long and wonderful relationship with J-pop, and I would be the first person to admit that it had a lot to do with who I am and what I do today.
However, just a couple of days ago I came to a sudden awareness that the honeymoon — with the ten odd years it lasted, was finally over. Triggered in part by a news article I read on the decline of J-pop as a whole, I realized that I have been listening to less and less J-pop these days. And when I did, it was inevitable that they were either tracks done by bands that were disbanded or on hiatus, or Macross image and theme songs. I had no choice — everything else sounded like crap >.>
I miss those days when J-pop was actually creative, technical, and inspiring — but tracks like those are few and far between in these days of moe girl groups and jailbait boy bands. Pop tour de force Utada Hikaru releases an album just once every two or three years, Kuraki Mai has fallen off the face of the earth, while seminal J-rock bands Luna Sea and L’ Arc~en~Ciel have either disbanded or are on hiatus.
And yes, people might hate me for this, but despite their success I don’t find boy bands and girl groups of the Kitagawa Johnny and Tsunku pedigree to be any good. They are neither exceptional singers nor talented dance acts — they are simply mass-produced pre-packaged goods that are only palatable if consumed by their use-by date (if they do well with drama or movie roles then good for them — but that still doesn’t erase the fact that they can’t sing).
As much as I loathe to admit it, I can see why Korean boy bands and girl groups are so popular these days (even in Japan!): unlike many of their Japanese counterparts, they can actually dance and carry a tune. I mean, I forced myself to sit through a TohoShinki music video just to see what all the fuss was about, and I have to say that they are indeed better than any of JE’s latest boy-band iterations.
I’m not saying that I’m quitting J-pop forever. On the contrary, I still harbor a hope that sooner or later another great pop act bursts into the scene and into the hearts of millions. When that happens, I’ll be in the thick of it like the rest of the pop-crazy fans. But until it does, I’ll probably listening to Japanese pop songs from the 90’s, late 00’s American dance-punk, and a couple of German tracks from those crazy talented kids from Tokio Hotel 
JPOP Manila 
Neither does the new rock groups interest you as well? The opening songs of FMA seem catchy (though I can’t remember the bands name hahaha maybe you have a point)
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I can somehow understand what you mean. Try Soffet, or Sukima Switch. They are showing talent.
Well, I think the Jrnb and the Jtechno side sans the Perfume and volcaloid branches are also doing well and worth the look.
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Oh because of your post… i went back sound tripping to great songs used in YuuYu Hakusho… then I find out something…
RIP Hiro Takahashi-san … you’re wonderful songs will be greatly remembered…
Now I will go to the nearest Kum Yung machine to sing Unbalanced na Kiss.. and Taiyou ga mada kagayaku toki to offer my condolences.
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/sigh I’m listening less too. I’ve already graduated from the girl and boy band types of Japan and I actually prefer the Korean boy and girl bands because well for me they have better talent and better fashion sense. Sorry about that.
I am thanking that my love for Japanese rock is still there.
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K-pop may seem better than J-pop nowadays, but I find K-pop music of years ago better than those I hear now. I guess it’s the same feeling as you have with J-pop.
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truth! i studied and learned japanese because back then its pop culture was at its prime but now, j-pop doesn’t make sense anymore. i found myself listening more to korean group Girls Generation than Japan’s Morning Musume. the Japanese should realize this.
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i know that its natural for the scene to have its highs and lows, but it doesn’t stop me from feeling disappointed anyway. the 90s was so much more fun and interesting when it comes to japanese pop music, and i’m really sorry that there are very few new pop acts who attract me as much as their predecessors did
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I have to agree with this. Seems the creative juices stopped flowing for some Japanese composers and music people. I’d like to think though that the whole scene is just on hiatus…
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regarding JE, I definitely agree! I wish Utada Hikaru would release more new music.
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I’m pretty sure that Utada Hikaru will release a new album soon. Soon might feel forever though. She’s probably “hibernating” right now because she just finished off her tour around the US & UK OR she’s back in a studio working on a new Japanese album. All the wait is worth it. Even for non-fans. Quite surprising.
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kana nishino is great! you should try to listen to her songs 🙂
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i hope this is just a phase and they will be back in no time…even if i am still learning japanese and can’t understand most of the lyrics to the songs i enjoy, i still find them so uplifting and light 🙂
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