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As someone who worked in retail merchandising for years, I cannot stress enough how amazing Tower Records displays are. Peak capitalism is not the egregious exploitation of labor, but rather seeing a monument to your favorite artist that you can buy individual plastic wrapped pieces of.

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Latest round-up looks at a fantastic compilation from AVYSS finding younger musicians covering the sounds of their youth, plus new music from f5ve, Miii and more...along with a song that managed to make me actually appreciate Mrs. GREEN APPLE in some sick way mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 1 day ago • 1 comment

Latest round-up looks at a fantastic compilation from AVYSS finding younger musicians covering the sounds of their youth, plus new music from f5ve, Miii and more...along with a song that managed to make me actually appreciate Mrs. GREEN APPLE in some sick way mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 1 day ago • 1 comment

Can a meal make you besties? Netflix's "K-foodie meets J-foodie" thinks so as a Korean crooner and Japanese food icon bond over bites.

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

Had the chance to chat with Ichiko Aoba for @japantimes.co.jp about “Luminescent Creatures,” animated movies and her dreams along with much more www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025...

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

Singer-songwriter Ichiko Aoba turns her subconscious into songs about the natural world on “Luminescent Creatures.”

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

It's bandcamp Friday! That means it's time for another batch of new music recommendations for the occasion with new releases from: Ichiko Aoba ACIDCLANK reona Koyasuko Rhucle Lo-shi Yuri Urano Downy DJ SHIKISAI Ecstasy Boys

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

Can a meal make you besties? "K-foodie meets J-foodie" thinks so. Watch a Korean crooner and Japanese food icon bond over bites.

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

For 5 years La Grande Maison Tokyo delighted TV viewers in Japan with its delicious execution, and with its streaming availability and recent conclusion via feature length film its a perfect time to give it a watch.

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

Netflix's new show "K-foodie meets J-foodie" brings together a pair of entertainers known for eating to experience culinary delights in Korea and Japan...all while underlining the ways pop culture between the two intersect. My piece for @japantimes.co.jp www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025...

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

both a surprising joint interview to see...and also not at all, good job to whoever got this one www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/en...

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

I visited Tower Records Shinjuku for the first time in a while today...and was struck how, reflecting Tokyo itself, seems geared more towards tourists. Wrote about that feeling in this week's paid post (which you can still enjoy as part of a free trial!) mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

was worried after the last f5ve single...but they rebounded very nicely! If you can make the word "Cuckoo" shine during a chorus, you have a winner www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRdI...

submitted 7 days ago • 1 comment

Fujii Kaze offers a glance at his melancholy side...Fukuoka duo NERNE draw from 2010s influences for a kinetic debut single...and KizunaAI returns, all in this week's round-up post mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Fujii Kaze offers a glance at his melancholy side...Fukuoka duo NERNE draw from 2010s influences for a kinetic debut single...and KizunaAI returns, all in this week's round-up post mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

I saw "Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing" to see how Hatsune Miku's first starring performance represented Vocaloid. I came away with thoughts...and a Miku-themed churro ALSO you can get a free 30-day trial of Make Believe Bonus until March 9! mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

Young Posse having to do boring sentimental songs now??? K-pop needs an intervention badly......

submitted 9 days ago • 3 comments

A long-running dispute between JASRAC and music schools has been settled. Schools will pay 750 yen per year for an adult pupil, and 100 yen for a child pupil. This dates back to 2017, when JASRAC first made royalty claims against music schools. www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20...

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

It's Friday, which means it's time for another new music roundup! Highlights this week from Bunn Noguchi, CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE, taro, Thelma Aoyama, tofubeats, and Yukopi

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

After 45 years, Shinjuku Alta — a favored meeting spot for many in one of Tokyo’s busiest entertainment districts — closes its doors for good.

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

I saw "Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing" to see how Hatsune Miku's first starring performance represented Vocaloid. I came away with thoughts...and a Miku-themed churro ALSO you can get a free 30-day trial of Make Believe Bonus until March 9! mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

In non-soccer news, this morning I made my feature debut for @asia.nikkei.com with a deep dive into the absolutely insane universe of the #DLeague, Japan's pro dance competition and the only one of its kind in the world. (there is a paywall but you can read for free if you register I think?)

submitted 17 days ago • 2 comments

Taking advantage of the holiday in Japan to get the new round-up out early...highlighting the vulnerability of Peterparker69, the energy of Cuffboi, the versatility of Sasuke Haraguchi and more mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

A recent string of VTuber albums and songs show the musical direction this corner of Japanese entertainment can go. This week, looked at some of the recent highlights / meh-lights, and more mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

Takeshi Terauchi transformed the image of the electric guitar in Japan during the early 1960s, shifting its perception from a “bad boy” accessory to the central instrument of the decade’s youth culture.

submitted 19 days ago • 2 comments

Can romance bloom without an iPhone? Netflix Japan's new reality series "Offline Love" leans into nostalgia for a simpler time.

submitted 17 days ago • 3 comments

The summer music festival also promises Vampire Weekend, Vulfpeck and Fred Again.. among the 60 acts named for its 2025 edition.

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

A recent string of VTuber albums and songs show the musical direction this corner of Japanese entertainment can go. This week, looked at some of the recent highlights / meh-lights, and more mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

quick one for @japantimes.co.jp on this year's Fuji Rock lineup www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025...

submitted 18 days ago • 1 comment

Netflix's latest Japanese reality show imagines romance without digital devices...with some welcome twists thrown in too. A hearty recommendation for "Offline Love" at @japantimes.co.jp www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025...

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

Spectacle is probably the only word that can describe what we saw at ZIPANGU The Party!! It was an experience that makes us glad that Tokyo's club scene is still thriving. @mbmelodies.bsky.social gives his report on the absolutely wild event.

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

tokyobliss is "Album of the Day" on @bandcamp.com Daily reviewed by Patrick St Michel @mbmelodies.bsky.social "A treasure trove of rare funk, boogie, and city pop cuts ." daily.bandcamp.com/album-of-the...

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

this makes me long for Especia

submitted 22 days ago • 2 comments

Nariaki Obukuro couldn't ignore the world around him. So on latest album "Zatto," he faces what's going on and embraces empathy...and shares his soul. Caught up with him to talk living in London, going independent and much more @japantimes.co.jp www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025...

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

"Watashi Wo Ski Ni Tsuretette!" is a defining movie of Japan's Bubble era, largely because of how it presents the then-on-trend sport of skiing...but also because of Yumi Matsutoya's songs serving as soundtrack. I dug into and ranked them mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 26 days ago • 1 comment

Nariaki Obukuro’s “Zatto” is a soulful departure from his J-pop roots — an album shaped by current events, London’s multiculturalism and a newfound independence.

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

When Nariaki Obukuro puts out something new you shut up and listen. I say this as someone who did not like him when he first came out lol.

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

Fruits Zipper opening for Zedd...idol is back

submitted 26 days ago • 1 comment

Nariaki Obukuro couldn't ignore the world around him. So on latest album "Zatto," he faces what's going on and embraces empathy...and shares his soul. Caught up with him to talk living in London, going independent and much more @japantimes.co.jp www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025...

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

"Watashi Wo Ski Ni Tsuretette!" is a defining movie of Japan's Bubble era, largely because of how it presents the then-on-trend sport of skiing...but also because of Yumi Matsutoya's songs serving as soundtrack. I dug into and ranked them mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 26 days ago • 1 comment

Favorite new show right now.

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

Catching up on lots of great albums in this week's round-up post...AprilBlue! Creepy Nuts! uhhhhh Enon Kawatani! mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

Wrote about the first great Japanese TV show of the year — "The Hot Spot," which takes an out-of-this-world premise and grounds it in the everyday — for @japantimes.co.jp www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025...

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

Catching up on lots of great albums in this week's round-up post...AprilBlue! Creepy Nuts! uhhhhh Enon Kawatani! mbmelodies.substack.com/p/make-belie...

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments