Monthly Listening: April 2023
This month's round-up of great new Japanese releases from Ling Tosite Sigure, ExWHYZ, Homecomings and more
Hi! This is April’s Monthly Listening list, a quick rundown of new Japanese albums I checked out this month that I enjoyed. You can browse past Monthly Listenings in the archives.
I could blame my new gig at my day job for making it tougher than expected to squeeze in my usual album-listening this month, but I’ve also found myself gravitate more to older J-pop singles to listen to during my spare time. I’d catch a ranking segment or two while the latest airing of Countdown TV Live Live would be on, or a throwback song would pop up in a music quiz show, and I’d catch myself queuing up singles that’s been brought to my attention from those outlets, like Mr.Children’s “Everything (It’s You),” Miki Imai’s “Pride,” and Elephant Kashimashi’s “Koyoi No Tsuki No Youni.” Sometimes you can’t help but turn to the classics after being reminded of how good they are.
Here are the new releases I managed to squeeze in during April. Here is also the top 40 playlist of singles on Spotify for the month. Happy listening!
The Big Escape by Blow Your Brains Out
hardcore punk | ► “No Control”
backmyrage by CARTHIEFSCHOOL
post-hardcore | ► “Jiken”
Fusafusa EP by CRCK/LCKS
electronic / pop | ► “Teikuu”
lovefullstudentnerdthings by Cruyff
post-hardcore | ► “lovefullstudentnerdthings”
xANADU by ExWHYZ
dance pop / idol | ► “Blaze”
Mixed Up EP by Fennel
indie rock | ► “life on the run”
New Neighbors by Homecomings
indie rock | ► “Us”
Tranxend by INUWASI
EDM / idol | ► “eclipse”
last aurorally by Ling tosite sigure
alt rock / math rock | ► “alexithymiaspare”
Suichuu Teien EP by SAI
hip hop beats / ambient | ► “Oneiromancy”
Love Less by VaVa
rap / hip hop | ► “REVENGERS!” ft. kZm
RABBIT STAR by Wednesday Campanella
electronic / pop | ► “Seven Lucky Gods”
Here I Stand by yuragi
indie rock | ► “Worthy of..”
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