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A Fresh New Look For J-POPDate: 12/31/07Writer: Lieutenant Panda 2007 has proved to be a very successful year for many veterans of the Japanese pop music scene. Many of our favorite artists have presented great stamina this past year by releasing fresh (and very successful) material, proving to many that their distinction, in the vast world of Japanese pop, has been well-deserved and justifiable. Many artists have proven to overcome the test of time, antiquing and preserving a common ground, of sound and concept, for Japanese pop music. Although the charts were dominated by the veterans, the younger generation of J-pop didn’t fail to present themselves.
Oricon named Koda Kumi, "The Top Seller of 2007," having grossed a massive Japanese Yen equivalent of US $69,600,000. She also managed to release four singles, one of those being, "Last Angel", which was a collaboration with the Korean boy band Tohoshinki, and also the theme song for "Resident Evil: Extinction".
Lt. Panda’s Recommendation-Playlist of 2007:
1. Why - Ayaka2. Wonder Line - YUKI 3. GIFT - E.T-KING 4. FREE - ERIKA 5. Tabidachi no Uta - Mr.Children 6. Happiness - Arashi 7. Weeeek - NEWS 8. Touch The Sky - EXILE 9. Mata Kimi ni Aeru - Ketsumeishi 10. Jewelry Day - Ayaka 11. LIFE - Mika Nakashima 12. Chippoke na Yuki - FUNKY MONKEY BABYS 13. Love & Truth - YUI 14. Love Letter - BoA 15. Senko Shojo - Tokyo Jihen 16. Lifetime Respect - RSP 17. Again - Angela Aki 18. Forever Love - TohoShinki 19. The Flavor of Life - Utada Hikaru 20. Talkin’ 2 Myself - Ayumi Hamasaki 21. Last Angel feat. TohoShinki - Koda Kumi JMIgnited.com is not affiliated with the artists presented on this website or their representatives. All images are the property of their respective copyright owners. Images are displayed for educational and decorative purposes only under the "fair use" clause. |
The year of 2007 was a very successful one for Utada Hikaru. Accomplishing a great comeback in 2006 with her album, "ULTRA BLUE",(and going on tour after a six year hiatus) she managed to maintain a steady trail through the following year with the release of her well-received single, "The Flavor of Life". Released in February, "The Flavor of Life", (to which was also the opening theme for the Japanese drama, "Hana Yori Dango") was her largest overall success in her career; receiving the most air play, physical sales and most downloads. It became "the highest-selling Japanese downloadable single of all time." Despite the fact that she divorced her husband (Kazuaki Kiriya) of almost 5 years the following month after the single’s release, she managed to stay focused and move forward. She also collaborated with American R&B artist, Ne-Yo, on the song titled, "Do You" for his 2007 latest release album, "Because of You". It was a comfortable year for the many fans of Ayumi Hamasaki. She released a lot of material: two compilation albums and six singles. Her most well-received single, "Talkin’ 2 Myself", being her ൙th consecutive #1 single."
Another female who also did exceptionally well this past year is YUI. Having starred in her first movie, "Taiyou no Uta" the previous year, allowed her to create a larger fan-base to positively receive her works in the one following. She released four singles; two had reached the top of the Oricon charts and one of those being one of the year’s most notable singles, "LOVE & TRUTH". Although BoA was active, this year, she did not manage to produce a single to top the charts. Hopefully, we will be seeing more of her in 2008.
2007 marked sales over 50 million, in albums and singles, for Mr.Children. They are also the current all-male band to have the most number one singles on the Oricon charts. Their album, "Home", sold over half a million copies in its first week, eventually earning the title of, "the best selling album of 2007." As for KAT-TUN, all of their five singles have exceeded sales of 300,000 in the first week, surpassing the bar that the Kinki Kids had set nearly 9 years prior. Glay, Spitz, Kinki Kids, TOKIO, Tackey&Tsubasa, V6, Kobukuro and Gackt were active this past year, all of them providing a single(or more) that topped the charts. Thanks to Japan’s excessive advertisement media, some of the year’s more consistent artists were Arashi, NEWS and EXILE, all producing singles to top the charts and flood television screens. Unsurprisingly, Johnny and Associates offered Japan some new, and very young, material. Hey! Say! JUMP debuted with their single, "Ultra Music Power", which was selected as the theme song for the 2007 World Cup Volleyball Tournament (Japan being its host).
Altogether, the year of 2007 was a great success for many artists. As the years pass, we are frequently introduced to many artists, sounds and genres. This being said, it is getting more difficult to distinguish artists with unique musical style that provides them with the stamina to hold their ground in this industry of constant change. Saying this, I would like to make some introductions in regards to artists that I personally enjoyed this past year. Ayaka was one of my particular favorites. Despite her recent debut, she showed impressive stamina on the charts that only her talent could have generated. I can only see her career advancing.
Although they are fairly new to the Japanese pop scene, Tohoshinki is slowly, but surely, making their mark in the Japanese pop industry. The five member band, who has already taken Korea by storm, will soon be recognizable as the "boy band from Korea," steadily achieving the male equivalent to BoA’s international profile. These boys are constantly active. I’m sure that all of their hard work will pay off in the following year.
In terms of new sound, I’d recommend to keep an eye on THE FUNKY MONKEY BABYS, Ketsumeishi, E.T-KING, GReeeeN and Aqua Timez. The music they produced, this past year, was quite refreshing and Japan responded greatly. I’m sure that the international fan-base, of Japanese pop, will have a similar response. I’ve added a playlist of my musical preferences of the past year (keeping in mind that it is personal). In conclusion, 2008 looks very promising!! Kudos to all of our active Japanese pop artists!! It was a great year!!