“NOLIFE” is a French TV station that airs programmes on Japanese culture to the people of France. They recently released a music video ranking which listed Japanese music videos that are huge in France right now. Let’s take a look at the top 10!
“NOLIFE” is a French TV station that airs programmes on Japanese culture to the people of France. They recently released a music video ranking which listed Japanese music videos that are huge in France right now. Let’s take a look at the top 10!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of80lfOPuDA
1st Place – moumoon/15 Doors
moumoon are known for having gentle vocals in their songs. “15 Doors” lives up to moumoon’s soft and gentle music, the title track to their second full album of the same name. The whispering-like vocals fit together perfectly with the powerful lyrics and cheerful, hard hitting music. The music video sure enough leaves an impression, with elements like the rays of the gentle sunlight and the faint colours of the sky.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWLYf5DVW8U
2nd Place – Charisma.com/Tangle Girl
Although they have a pop music image, Charisma.com are popular for their addictive relaxing music. The video for “Tangle Girl” sees them take on the role of office ladies; in fact, real life office ladies had an influence on the song itself. Charisma.com speak the anger and frustrations that office ladies face in the lyrics, something which is certainly fresh. The music video sees two anime characters modeled after the members, who appear in order to exterminate the annoyances in the office one after the other for the office ladies!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kFo84rwS1o
3rd Place – ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION/Kimi no Machi Made
Even though you can call this song one of their older works, it’s still hugely popular amongst fans. The lyrics of the song tell of a young man who is inexperienced and unreliable, something which leaves you feeling very sad. The music video one the “SPACE SHOWER Music Video Awards” for “BEST CONCEPT”. It’s a very strange video that will leave a big impact, such as when a giant crayfish appears in the pool when they are doing synchronised swimming!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uds7g3M-4lQ
4th Place – BAND-MAID/Thrill
BAND-MAID might give the impression that they are a sweet bunch of maid girls, but they are in fact a hard and serious rock band, a misleading look they were going for. Two weeks after posting the music video to “thrill” on their official Facebook page, the video amounted to a staggering one million views! It would be safe to say that this is the track that has really spread the popularity of BAND-MAID. The lyrics are fast paced and defiant, the kind of image you can’t cook up in your mind that cute maids would have!
5th Place – KOKIA/Douke
“Douke” is featured on KOKIA’s 7th album, “KOKIA∞AKIKO ~balance~”. The lyrics feel like they are gently embracing your heart, and the music feels limitless. KOKIA’s gorgeous voice does not limit itself to a single genre, but resounds throughout the world. The feelings and emotions are layered onto all kinds of different sounds. It is a song to be sent directly to peoples’ chests.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNMNNQkbH5Y
6th Place – The Heana Cat/Choko Choko Chokotto Choko Cho-dai
From 80s hard rock to Showa era ballads, The Heana Cat are a duo who keep on giving us originality. The title of this track is certainly unique. It is a ballad that elicits a sense of nostalgia from somewhere with its atmospheric and sorrowful gothic rock sound. The music video is surreal and leaves you with a mysterious aftertaste that will have you watching the video again without you thinking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTD_k15LJDE
7th Place – ℃-ute/Naze Hito wa Arasoun Darou?
℃-ute will be holding a final solo performance in 2017 before breaking up. ” Naze Hito wa Arasoun Darou?” is a song aimed at the busy people of the modern world to cheer them on. The girls appear in the music video like divas, adorned in sparkling dresses, showing their charm as they upgrade to adults. The lyrics are melodious and give courage to those who listen. This song will etch into the hearts of many, not just idol fans.
8th Place – miwa/again×again
“again×again” is featured on miwa’s second album, “guitarium”. The electric rock of this song almost leaves you feeling refreshed. You wouldn’t expect the power of an electric guitar to be cute and delicate. The song is simple, but maintains to deliver a powerful message. miwa’s music will turn on a switch in you that has you saying, “Right, let’s give it our all today too!”. This song is sure to give not only Japan definite strength and willpower, but the world too.
9th Place – L’Arc-en-Ciel/Wings Flap
L’Arc-en-Ciel are the definitive Japanese rock band. With their high quality sound and variety of songs, even their overseas popularity shows no sign of stopping. “Wings Flap” is the band’s 40th single. The music will have you dancing and you won’t be able to get the vocals out of your head. We don’t even need to mention how high the quality of their video is. With an enormous desert and magnificent blue sky behind them, L’Arc-en-Ciel once again display an overwhelming music video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdgtxpNv6mw
10th Place – Angerme/TsugiTsugi ZokuZoku
This track is cutting edge and provocative, recorded on their 21st single “TsugiTsugi Zoku Zoku/Itoshima Distance/Koi Nara Tokku ni Hajimatteru”. This music video with its bold camera work and a huge music group of 9 members is something only Angerme could produce. And their magnificent and impressive dancing is something to note!
Well, that was the music video ranking, in which French J-music fans were able to vote for their favourites. From hard rock to more gentle pop music, the list was incredibly diverse. It feels like music is allowing for the world to become closer; we saw popular original and individual artists as well as artists that are nostalgic to Japanese people. Be sure to keep your eyes on overseas activity from your favourite Japanese artists! That’s it for now, we hope you enjoyed NOLIFE’s music video ranking!
Original Text: Rei Kurasawa