New music from Aimer? A little dash of K-Pop thrown in? Songs from movies about fighting armies of robots? Sounds like we’re back to business in this episode of Nihongaku Radio.

It felt good to stretch a bit and do an episode focused on a list of the Japanese musicians Rolling Stone missed in their Top 500 Albums of All Time list. Sometimes you’ve got to change things up to make it all the sweeter when you return to the familiar.

In this episode I’ve got mix of new tracks and old favorites lined up. Polysics is in the featured artist set at the end of the episode. And before that, we’ll hear new music from indie rockers Chie and Yonige, as well as atmospheric tracks from Haruka Fukuhara and 4s4ki.

Speaking of new music, I make mention of two Japanese music newsletters in this episode that you might want to check out. I’ve mentioned Patrick St. Michel’s Make Believe Melodies Mailer in the past. This time around, I’m recommending This Side of Japan from Ryo Miyauchi. Like MBM, this mailer fills your inbox with tons of info on up and coming Japanese bands. I’m a big fan of both!

Have you got a request? Hit up Nihongaku on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, and let me know what you want to hear! Also, please consider leaving a comment on Apple Podcasts. It would really help getting Nihongaku Radio to more listeners. Thanks!

Nihongaku Radio Episode 68

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“Monkey O Mankey” – Sakuran Zensen (Buy It!)
“Silver Grey” – Chie (Buy It!)
“Toumei Clear” – Haruka Fukuhara (Buy It!)

Break: “Mansion” – DJ Abo + DJ 1-2 (Buy It!)

“Boca” – Dream Catcher (Buy It!)
“Dance With You” – Lyrical School (Buy It!)
“Innocence” – 4s4ki (Buy It!) There’s also a remix of the EP “Innocence” appears on called Nemnem.

Break: “Case Closed” – DJ Abo + DJ 1-2 (Buy It!)

“Spark-Again” – Aimer (Buy It!)
“11月24日” – Yonige (Buy It!)
“Like No One’s Looking” – Mondo Grosso (Buy It!)

Break: “Motel” – Masafumi Takada / Jun Fukuda (Buy It!)

“Part of Me” – Polysics (Buy It!)
“Twist and Turn!” – Polysics (Buy It!)
“Electric Surfin’ Go Go” – Polysics (Buy It!)

Break: “Spiritual State” – Nujabes (Buy It!)

“Requiem” – The Back Horn (Buy It!)