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Idol Watch #21: March/April 2024
Rounding up the best idol songs from the past two months, featuring YUION, ASP, courtesea and more, plus a look back into the great catalog of MIGMA SHELTER
A Dance Floor for Outsiders: History of Migma Shelter in 6 Songs
A look back into the psych-trance group and their incredible music before their indefinite hiatus
New Song/New Resonance: Anime as Gateways into New Music and Perspectives
Welcome to a special issue of This Side of Japan dedicated to music in anime
Voice Box: Ado, Live in Los Angeles
A live report of the singer's show on March 29 at the Peacock Theater
That Side of K-pop #2: Born to Be
The newsletter pivots to K-pop to discuss the new Itzy album, the songs of NewJeans and the Hallyu Wave exhibit at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, plus great…
Issue #79: On the Edge
Exploring the new kegøn album, MAX's breakthrough single, and the songs of the 2010 film Solanin
As Seen on TV: 4 Songs from Winter 2024 Dramas
Blogging about the music in this season's Japanese dramas, from Aina the End to Rina Sawayama
Issue #78: Finger Runs
Highlighting the new Finger Runs album, JUDY AND MARY's "Sobakasu, and the songs heard in this season's J-dramas
Monthly Listening: January & February 2024
The round-up of great new Japanese releases from the past 2 months, ft. kinoue64, ZAZEN BOYS, Liyuu and more
Yamamoto Sho's Essential Songs Before and After Fruits Zipper
Tracing the producer's body of work from Phenotas to Fruit Zipper's big hit
Idol Watch #20: January/February 2023
Rounding up the best idol songs from the past two months, featuring pinponpanpon, COMIQ ON, RYUTist and more, plus a deep dive into the composer behind FRUIT ZIPPER's…
Issue #77: Naive
Discussing the new rowbai and ZARD's "Makenaide," plus recommendations from friends of the newsletter
Friends Recommends #1: Bad Days and 20 Million Yen
A new column for This Side of Japan invites friends to recommend new Japanese releases to our readers
Issue #76: Let's Live Happily
Exploring the new kinoue64 album, Nanase Aikawa's debut single and some of the great anison singles from January
Issue #75: A Familiar Empire
The first issue of the new year covers the new yonige album, Yoko Oginome's "Dancing Hero" and one of my favorite TikToks of 2023
This Side of Japan's Best of 2023: The Friends List
We wrap up our best of 2023 coverage with selections picked by friends of the newsletter
![Featured image for [Text list] This Side of Japan's Top 100 Songs of 2023](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20231220/1703103370.75174.111971.jpg)
[Text list] This Side of Japan's Top 100 Songs of 2023
Just the list of the newsletter's best Japanese songs of the year from Ano, PeanutsKun, Conton Candy and many more
This Side of Japan's Top 100 Songs of 2023
Highlighting the year's best Japanese songs from Ano, PeanutsKun, Conton Candy and many more
Idol Watch's Top 50 Idol Songs of 2023: Boys Edition
And here are our favorite boy groups songs of the year from SixTones, DXTEEN, THE SUPER FRUIT and many more
Idol Watch's Top 100 Idol Songs of 2023
Looking back at the year's favorites in idol from AMEFURASSHI, Sakurazaka46, HATE and TEARS and more
![Featured image for [Text list] Idol Watch's Top 100 Idol Songs of 2023](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20231213/1702498570.74745.111461.jpg)
[Text list] Idol Watch's Top 100 Idol Songs of 2023
The simple text list of the newsletter's favorite idol songs of the year from AMEFURASSHI, Sakurazaka46, HATE and TEARS and more
Best Japanese Music of 2023 on Bandcamp
Ahead of the last Bandcamp Friday of 2023, here's the newsletter's favorite releases available on Bandcamp
The Year in Japan's Rap in 10 Songs
plus a list of the 50 best Japanese rap songs of the year
Monthly Listening: October 2023
This month's round-up of great new Japanese releases from as a sketch pad, Lamp and more
Issue #73: Remember
The year's last issue brings the newsletter's 50 best anime songs of 2023 and a hit from Sukeban Deka, along with the usual 3 singles
This Side of Japan's 50 Best Anime Songs of 2023
We count down our favorite anime songs by Kana Hanazawa, Inori Minase, Liella and more
Issue #72: Launchvox
Discussing the new Yuka Nagase album, ZONE's "secret base," and favorite songs from this year's summer J-dramas
As Seen on TV: 4 Songs from Summer Dramas
Discussing the season's personal favorites and their music from Chanmina, Ado and more
Monthly Listening: September 2023
This month's round-up of great new Japanese releases from Ohzora Kimishima, rirugiliyangugili, Yuka Nagase and more
(Flipped) Issue #71: Expo Expo
This Side of Japan returns with a deep dive to m-flo's groundbreaking album as well as guest song selections and blurbs
Idol Watch #19: July/August 2023
Rounding up the best idol songs from the past two months, featuring BiTE A SHOCK, airattic, Takane No Nadeshiko and more, plus some thoughts on navigating bias as…
Monthly Listening: August 2023
This month's round-up of great new Japanese releases from Barrier Reef, Peanuts Kun, Negicco and more
A This Side of Japan playlist: Imported Oricon Weekly Hits 1968-1974
Compiling all of the non-Japanese singles that made it on the Oricon Weekly top 20 during 1968-1974
Monthly Listening: July 2023
This month's round-up of great new Japanese releases from Yurufuwa Gang, Oaktails, toiret status and more
Issue #70: Journey
Exploring the new Yurufuwa Gang album, X JAPAN's first number-one and favorite J-drama tie-ins of the year
As Seen on TV: 4 Favorite J-Drama Songs of 2023
Discussing the few great J-drama music tie-ins from this year and their respective shows
Issue #69: Library of Memories
Getting into a round-up of great new seiyuu albums, Down Town Boogie Woogie Band's enduring #1 and my ongoing research into anison
Idol Watch's 50 Favorite Idol Songs of 2023 (So Far)
We list the column's favorite singles from the year so far
Idol Watch #18: May/June 2023
It's the boy group edition of the idol music column!
Monthly Listening: June 2023
This month's round-up of great new Japanese releases from kinopo, Koh-Gaku, 20th Century and more
This Side of Japan's 50 Favorite Japanese Songs of 2023 (So Far)
Half way done with the year, we compile the standouts from the year so far
Extended Optics: A Look into the Koh-Gaku EPs
A detailed dive into the five EPs by the production unit assembled by Tsudio Studio, HIRO.JP and SNJO
Issue #68: Optics
Exploring the Koh-Gaku EPs, Naoko Kawai's number-one double A-side and Ano's viral hit "Chu, Tayousei"
Issue #68 postponed
A quick update on the upcoming newsletter
Monthly Listening: May 2023
This month's round-up of great new Japanese releases from iri, cero, Motto Music and more
Issue #67: Fine Line
Exploring the new Pasocom Music Club album, Momoe Yamaguchi's "Playback Part 2" and drill bubbling up in Japan's hip-hop scene