HEART STATION

Hikki Promoting HEART STATION

Japanese Music

My favorite music genre is R&B, even when it comes to Japanese music! I love the versatility of Japanese artists, though. They’re not afraid to experiment with their voices and sing to different genres, but when an R&B-inspired song shows up, I melt. Of course, I love ballads, some rock, electronic music, and the distinct style that each of the Japanese artists adds to their work.

Of course I don’t stick to only one genre, the versatility of Japanese music always bring freshness, even when it’s not in my area of interest, and while I love songs like Fight The Blues, by Utada Hikaru, I also go crazy over 本能 (Honnou/Instinct) by Shiina Ringo. They’re really different artists, but each of them have their style.

Utada Hikaru: Hikki is my all-time favorite singer, Japanese and American. There isn’t one song by her that I don’t love and I’m sure I’ve listened to all of them enough times to memorize parts of the song, even though it’s in Japanese. Her voice is really strong and different, and so is her music. This is what made her one of the most accomplished artists not only in Japan, but also in the world. Her style ranges from electronic pop to ballads, from rock to R&B, and I love it, it’s always refreshing. Her latest album, HEART STATION, is incredible and, according to Rolling Stone magazine, her most heartwarming record. For being all that she is (Beyond words), she’s in my heart!

Koda Kumi: Kuu-chan is very different from other JPop singers. She is known for her really urban music, and her voice is also really distinct and amazing. She has always been quite controversial in Japan with her lyrics and performances, but she’s trying more styles now and has many ballads out along with her original style. She always has lots of upbeat songs and her dances are very elaborate and fun. I’d label her as the Japanese Britney Spears. Her songs are also really refreshing!

Ayumi Hamasaki: Basically, the Madonna of Japan. I think that these days, Ayu has been sticking a lot to rock songs, and that’s not quite my style, but songs like talkin’ 2 myself and Mirrorcle World are just amazing. I’m still adapting to her style, and while there are a few songs that I don’t enjoy that much, there are some that I can’t stop listening to! Lately, she lost her hearing for her left ear, but she says that she’s going to continue singing!

Shiina Ringo: She’s really incredible. Her voice is really high-pitched and her music ranges from jazz to rock. She also sings some enka (Enka is traditional Japanese music). Her 本能 single has to be one of the best I ever heard in my life. While 本能 itself is a great song, with rock and jazz mixed together, the other two songs in the single (あおぞら [Blue Sky] and 輪廻ハイライト [Rebirth Highlight]) are all about the jazz and have beautiful arrangements with the saxophone, piano, and are really relaxing and addicting. I love her style.

Ami Suzuki: Ami Suzuki is a singer that is really different from any other I’ve listened to. She has her own distinct style, and doesn’t sing much R&B, actually, she sticks to ballads and more electronic pop music. Normally, it’s not what I’d listen to, but her voice and everything about her is amazing. I love her albums CONNETTA and DOLCE, they’re the best for the distinct music they contain, with many different genres per track. I also love where she’s heading with the single can’t stop the DISCO.

American/European Music

Xtina Promoting Keeps Gettin' Better

R&B was brought in the United States, so I couldn’t not love the originators of this type of music. Yesterday I was listening to Wonderful by Aretha Franklin, and it’s so good, I love it. It’s a pretty recent song (From 2003), and I wish that this type of music would be created more often.

Christina Aguilera: I love versatility, and Christina Aguilera always brings it. She always seems to change her image for every album she has released, and along with this change, she brings a new genre, a new style. This is what happened to Stripped, Back To Basics, and it’s what’s happening to Keeps Gettin’ Better. She focuses mainly on R&B, but lately she’s been experimenting more with electro-pop, her music is similar to Ami Suzuki’s, even. It’s only natural when her inspiration this time is Tokyo. I’ve been loving Christina’s music ever since 1999, but have considered myself a fan since 2005.

Amy Winehouse: It’s impossible not to love Amy’s music. She brings a different kind of R&B, sometimes mixed up with reggae, others with a darker vibe, but always incredible. Her voice is never mistaken and now she’s one of the world’s most accomplished artists! She has only two albums out and they’re both super good. Songs like Valerie, You Sent Me Flying and others are the best ones in my opinion, but there are so many great songs that it’s hard to pick.

Tila Tequila: Tila Tequila isn’t the ordinary singer. She might be many things, but she does put her musical career in first place. I love her music. She might not be an Utada Hikaru, or a Christina Aguilera, but she has her style, her outspoken lyrics and her manner of being, and I love that. It’s always fun to listen to. Some people might not understand, but I still love it. I’m certainly buying her debut album that comes out this December. So far she has 3 singles out and they are really good!

Britney Spears: Anyone who can fall so low and get back to her old status in her career with only one single (Womanizer) deserves all the credit. Again, her voice isn’t like Christina’s or Hikki’s, but it’s really good for her type of music and she has the attitude. I admire her for all she’s gone through and how hard she’s trying to get back on track. Her older songs are the best and I’m going to continue being a huge fan (I have been one since her first single)!

Mary J. Blige: I haven’t been exposed to her music as long I have been to Christina’s or Britney’s, but I know that it’s really good. I still can’t stop listening to Just Fine, and she has many great fans (Including my idol, Hikki). She has a really original style and I love it. It’s very different, kind of urban but also kind of soulful… It’s really distinct and I like it a lot. I’ll be listening to more of her latest album, Growing Pains.

Of course, these are only some of the artists that I enjoy, but these are the ones I have mentioned here on HEART STATION before. If you have any thoughts, be sure to comment!