A hidden gem known only to those in the know. A great J-pop/Japanese song.

Suzhou SerenadeSANDII

"Suzhou Nocturne" Sandii

Sandi sings Suzhou Serenade, a Showa-era song composed by Ryoichi Hattori.

What’s remarkable is Dick Lee’s arrangement—it’s very innovative.

Pay close attention to the choral work, especially where the shakuhachi overlaps in the middle and the chorus at the end.

I get the feeling both Sandi and Dick Lee really love this song.

Out of officeSUPER BUTTER DOG

SUPER BUTTER DOG – Out and About

Super Butter Dog went on hiatus 10 years ago.

As time went on, they leaned more and more toward a funky style, but I preferred the more orthodox numbers like this one.

One of Butter Dog’s charms is Takashi Nagazumi’s vocals.

His voice is very soft and gentle.

StargazerWHITEBOX

Stargazer

A delicately crafted song that captures the feeling of searching for one’s place in the quiet of gazing up at the night sky.

Released by WHITEBOX in May 2023, the track weaves in constellation names to express loneliness, anxiety, and the pursuit of dreams.

While rooted in J-pop, its distinctive musicality showcases the members’ individual flair.

Warm melodies that seem to stay close to the listener’s heart and lyrics that sing of everyday emotions are its hallmarks.

When you’re up late, alone with your worries, this song might just make your heart feel a little lighter.

Say that the world exists only hereMononkuru

mononkul / Saying “It only exists here” [MV]

This is a track produced by Naruyoshi Kikuchi.

MONONCULE is a male-female duo formed in 2011.

In this PV, the two are depicted joyfully performing and singing a love song.

The quality is very high, so we have great expectations for them going forward.

MöbiusHiyajo Atsuko

Mobius (Album Version) / Atsuko Hiyajo

This is a track by Atsuko Hiyajo, who is also active as the vocalist for the unit Ryusendo.

It was used as the ending theme for the TV program “Sekai Fushigi Hakken!” (Discovery of the World’s Mysteries).

The fusion-style sound creates an intellectual atmosphere.

Friday To SundayKadamatsu Toshiki

Toshiki Kadomatsu ‎– Friday to Sunday

This is Toshiki Kadomatsu’s debut single.

At the time, he was widely featured in magazines as a rising star of city pop.

It’s a truly urban, high-quality pop song.

He’s still active today and has become a long-lasting artist.

Goodbye, goodbyeTakenaka Eri

Eri Takenaka “Sayonara Sayonara arranged by Masataka Matsutoya”

A hidden gem of a ballad by Eri Takenaka, an artist who has garnered support from women with songs that exquisitely capture subtle emotions and a clear, crystalline voice that seems to resonate without end.

It’s a heartbreak song filled with the sorrow of loving a partner whose affection for you is fading.