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Packed with slap groove vibes! A collection of songs with cool bass

Hey everyone, do you like low end? In this article, we’ll introduce songs with awesome bass parts—mainly Japanese rock, with some J‑POP too.

From tracks with flashy riffs and slap, to funky, rolling bass lines, grooves that hit even with fewer notes, and tunes with stellar tone design—we’re picking from all angles.

You can just surrender to the sound and vibe out, or use it to find your favorite bassist and think, “I want to play like that!”

[Packed with slap-groove vibes!] A collection of songs with cool bass (91–100)

PARTY HOUSERIZE

RIZE LIVE DVD “PARTY HOUSE” KenKen Ver.
PARTY HOUSERIZE

When it comes to bass heroes in the Japanese rock scene, you just can’t leave him out! KenKen, the bassist of RIZE—the band leading the domestic mixture rock scene.

One of the charms of his bass playing is, of course, his razor-sharp slap.

Plenty of bassists have been captivated by his uniquely distinctive style—you can tell it’s him the moment you hear it.

This track, of course, lets you enjoy his slap phrases! And don’t miss the undulating, groove-filled basslines that are also a hallmark of his appeal.

ThunderRIZE

RIZE “Kaminari” Music Video
ThunderRIZE

Tokie is one of Japan’s leading female bassists.

The band she used to be in, RIZE, has countless great songs.

But when it comes to a track that really showcases her string work, many people would probably point to Kaminari.

Kaminari is characterized by its high tempo and heavy low end.

The slap bass, especially the ghost notes, feels fantastic—be sure to pay attention to that.

After lineup changes, the song is now performed by KenKen, another bassist who represents Japan, delivering it with overwhelming performance power.

I recommend checking out live footage to watch his fingerwork as well.

[Packed with Slap Groove Vibes!] A Collection of Cool Bass Songs (101–110)

Drippin’ DesertKroi

Kroi – Drippin’ Desert [Official Video] #Kroi_telegraph
Drippin' DesertKroi

Kroi is a five-piece mixture band formed in Tokyo in 2018.

Their song “Drippin’ Desert” feels great thanks to ghost notes that make full use of 16th-note bass lines.

In particular, there’s a section where octave slap phrases incorporate thumb ghost notes and double plucks to great effect, resulting in a highly technical yet groove-rich bassline.

There’s also a part at the end with rapid-fire 16th-note runs, making it a bassline that keeps you on your toes until the very last moment—truly impressive!

Shut up.Ado

This is the first major digital-only single by Ado, who has now become a central figure in the J-POP scene.

The refrain in the chorus is easy to remember for both children and adults, and the song even became a social phenomenon.

While the impactful vocal parts tend to draw attention, the uneasy, unstable atmosphere that pervades the entire track is actually created by the bass line.

Although it mainly relies on basic root-note playing, the memorable chord progression drives the song forward, making it a track that simply couldn’t exist without the bass.

Night hawkRED ORCA

RED ORCA – Night hawk [Official Music Video]
Night hawkRED ORCA

RED ORACA features bassist Kyotaro Katsuragi, whose street live performances with the unit Kyotaro & Rikuo drew attention.

It’s Akira Kaneko’s project—he’s known as the drummer of RIZE.

It brings together musicians active in this scene, and the appeal lies in fiery tracks where each part seems to collide soul to soul.

Amid that, the youngest member, Katsuragi, fires off one aggressive performance after another.

The production puts a strong spotlight on drums and bass, so be sure to give it a careful listen.

HOT DOGTHE BAWDIES

BAWDIES is a band whose rock ’n’ roll tunes sound cool no matter when you listen.

Behind the gravelly vocals and flashy guitar playing lies a tasteful bass performance steeped in rock ’n’ roll tradition.

The bass lines, full of respect and love that even fans of classic rock will appreciate, feel so good.

Translucent Girl RelationsZAZEN BOYS

ZAZEN BOYS / Translucent Girl Relationship @ SYNCHRONICITY ’21 Autumn Live
Translucent Girl RelationsZAZEN BOYS

Led by Hidetoku Mukai, the rock band ZAZEN BOYS has captivated many fans with songs born from clashes of individuality.

This track stands out for its catchy guitar phrases and vocals that spotlight a strikingly strong personality.

The pick-played, hard-edged bass sound delivers a commanding presence and a unique resonance that almost suggests slap technique.

The interplay with the guitar solo in the interlude is also ear-catching, making it a track that packs the bass’s appeal into a minimal number of notes.