Tag: reviews
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Trooper Salute’s ‘I Had a Friend’: Impressions and reflections
“Measured explosions” is the term best used for Trooper Salute’s debut album: I Had a Friend (Tomodachigaimashita). Every moment of explosiveness in this album is calculated into a spectacular fireworks show— exciting the senses of the listener on the other side of the river without overwhelming them. I Had a Friend encompasses the tragic beauty…
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Mami Yamase: A Retrospective Look Into the Idol that Went From Cute to Punk
“Holding hands with trembling little fingers, searching for hidden signs, holding onto unforgettable memories” — lyrics from “Go! (ゴォ！)” by Yamase Mami. The magnificent ’80s! A decade where Japanese music reached a new peak compared to previous decades, with the influence from iconic and important figures as Yellow Magic Orchestra, Masataka Matsutoya and many more,…
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Hide’s Visual Kei Vanity Project: The Strangeness of Seth et Holth (1993)
“Everything is wrong in this place. I wonder what will become of us?” Seth et Holth is a 45-minute film conceptualised by Hide, the guitarist of the band X Japan. Released in the early ‘90s around the band’s commercial peak, It’s one of the most bizarre films involving a musician that I’ve ever come across.…
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THE SUSUMU HIRASAWA FILES VOL.3- BEFORE THE FREEZE
The year is 1984, and the world is moving incredibly fast. Everyone is carrying a Walkman, listening to new music and AOR, and adjusting their eyes to the bright neon lights that weren’t on these streets before, or at least not in this density. Young people frequent clubs, go on late-night drives in stylish cars,…
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bed: Japan’s Most Revolutionary Band is About to Turn Tokyo Music Upside-Down
Shibuya, 2:30am. You are at a party in Dogenzaka’s clubasia with 600 other people. The night so far has provided an eclectic mix of EDM DJs, rappers, and a psychedelic rock band. You follow the crowd to the main hall. The techno DJ is turned down. You hear a few electric sparks, then the sound…
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The Class of 97: 3 Japanese Bands That Changed Japanese Rock
Satoru “Teshi” Teshima joins Japanese Alternative Magazine for it’s first guest feature. The Berlin based music nerd and connoisseur hosts Teshi’s Fine Hour and an Instagram page packed to the brim with musical oddities. Teshi offers a listening experience that can range from obscure anime soundtracks from the ’70s, electronica anomalies, Reiwa era gems to…
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Love, Zombies and Rock ‘n Roll: Revisiting Guitar Wolf’s Wild Zero (1999)
“Love has no borders, nationalities or genders! DO ITTTTT!” Every great band needs a movie to immortalise their exploits on the silver screen. The Beatles have A Hard Day’s Night, the Spice Girls have Spice World, and garage punk power trio Guitar Wolf have 1999’s sci-fi shlock horror masterpiece Wild Zero. Guitar Wolf certainly need…
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BRANCHING DIVE: Ai Kamano
JP ALT presents its first branching dive— An analytical glimpse and introduction to Ai Kamano of Haisuinonasa. Detailing her influences, her extended world of projects, and all areas of art that can be tied into and interwoven with her vision. When we listen to ‘Logos’ by Haisuinonasa, through the barrage of cryptic guitar repetitions, mathematically…
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JP ALT’s Best of January ’26
January Highlight: ass_atte- The Greatest Hits That Should Never End Following his 2024 release To be in Hell is to drift: to be in Heaven is to steer, home recording artist ass_atte released his latest EP in January. Featuring guest narration from bercedes menz member Wada Kazunari. This five track mini-album hosts a notable progression…
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JP ALT’s Best of ’25
JP ALT’s Seb, Emily and Cam pick their favorite releases of 2025. This list is not ranked, and exists to showcase the best projects released in the past year, spanning from mellow indie rock to wildly experimental noise. Seb’s picks The Dresscodes- † For me, the current musical landscape lacks bands like the great 90s…