Electro-pop Beyond PERFUME

Tokyo, Japan

Ever heard of PERFUME? No, I don’t mean the fragrance enhancing Eau de Toilette that you apply after showering, I mean the Japanese Electro-pop trio that has been taking the blogosphere by storm since their debut a few years back. PERFUME is catchy, fun, danceable, and cute, but most of all it is well produced-which comes as no surprise considering their producers’ roots in the Electro-pop scene in Japan. What, you say? Are their really that many more Japanese groups with that kind of sound? Yep, and you’ve come to the right place to find them! HearJapan.com is proud to announce we now carry 19 Electro-pop albums on 6 different labels—enough to give you a sample of the full spectrum of the sweet sounds of Japanese Electro-pop and help you became a bona-fide Japanese Electro-pop aficionado.

Fun Fact: In Japan, Electro-pop is sometimes referred to as Pico Pop.

Let’s start with one of the true founders of the Japanese Electro-pop movement, Usagi-Chang Records. This label led by Akira Suzuki has spawned some of the most influential Electro-pop artists in Electro-pop history. Acts such as as YMCK, Macdonald Duck Eclair, and Sonic Coaster Pop. Usagi-Chang Records offers such a vast collection of Electro-pop, that we recommend you start your Electro-pop exploration with an Usagi-Chang Records compilation album: Usagi Chang Super Star Vol0001. Not only does this feature music from all of Usagi-Chang Record’s artists but also other notable artists such as Motocompo, Plus-Tech Squeeze Box and The Aprils. This compilation is significant because not only is it the first release from Japan’s first ever, solely Electro-pop label, but it signaled the solidification of Electro-pop as a genre, and opened the doors for all that came after it.

On the label Soflty!, The Aprils are another group we offer here on HearJapan we recommend you check out! Both of their albums have been big sellers on HearJapan and for good reason, they are a really good group! Another great act on Soflty! that is worth giving a listen to is Hazel Nuts Chocolate, whose popularity is probably rooted in their so-cute-you-can’t-stop-listening-vocals. Check it out and you’ll see what I mean.

Dr. Usui is another artist you might dig. A side project of one of the members of Motocompo, Dr. Usui’s new album DATAJOCKEY has a much harder electronic sound than other artists in the genre. For those of you who are into acid grooves and thumping beats, we strongly recommend giving it a listen! Dr. Usui recently had a successful tour of Britain that had droves of fans dancing along to every thump and beep. From the same label, but practically from a different planet, comes the all female trio, Tokyo Pinsalocks. Tokyo Pinsalocks are a bit on the lighter side, with a moderate use of synthesizers and catchy melodies.

The latest addition to our Electro-pop collection is Eel – Keep Making Fun Of Me. Eel was featured on the very first Usagi-Chang Record’s compilation 6 years ago, and has been exciting us ever since. This intricate and mesmerizing album consists of 5 original songs and a cover of Kraftwerk’s “we are the robots”. At only 855 yen it is a good deal! Check it out, you won’t be dissapointed!

For a list of all the great Japanese Electro-Pop albums on HearJapan, please check out HearJapan’s electropop genre page!