ryo
@sneek.bsky.social
words on music • This Side of Japan newsletter 🇯🇵 https://thissidejapan.substack.com
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ryo
@sneek.bsky.social
· Oct 17
Hi, new followers! I write and edit This Side of Japan, a newsletter about Japanese music, new and old. A new issue goes out every other Wednesday. You can check out more of what's inside + other companion content here!
Subscribe if you like! ✨
thissidejapan.substack.com/about
Subscribe if you like! ✨
thissidejapan.substack.com/about
hello! are there any followers here who would be interested in contributing a year end list of japanese music for this year’s friends list of this side of japan? here’s the list from last year if you don’t know what i’m talking about thissidejapan.substack.com/p/friends-li...
This Side of Japan's Best of 2024: The Friends List
We wrap up our best of 2024 coverage with selections picked by friends of the newsletter
thissidejapan.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:27 AM
hello! are there any followers here who would be interested in contributing a year end list of japanese music for this year’s friends list of this side of japan? here’s the list from last year if you don’t know what i’m talking about thissidejapan.substack.com/p/friends-li...
the bigger question is, will asap ferg show up on music station?
October 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
the bigger question is, will asap ferg show up on music station?
i knew they perform in complete darkness but still i wonder how the autechre show’s gonna be this week
October 8, 2025 at 4:00 AM
i knew they perform in complete darkness but still i wonder how the autechre show’s gonna be this week
New Monthly Listening is out for September!
Our round-up of new albums we enjoyed this month, from omeme tenten, mei ehara, and more
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/monthly-li...
Our round-up of new albums we enjoyed this month, from omeme tenten, mei ehara, and more
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/monthly-li...
Monthly Listening: September 2025
Rounding up great new releases we checked out during August from omeme tenten, BAILEFUNK KAKEKO, mei ehara and more
thissidejapan.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 11:40 PM
New Monthly Listening is out for September!
Our round-up of new albums we enjoyed this month, from omeme tenten, mei ehara, and more
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/monthly-li...
Our round-up of new albums we enjoyed this month, from omeme tenten, mei ehara, and more
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/monthly-li...
For this new issue of This Side of Japan, we look back at the 2020s so far in TV drama music!
We highlight J-pop favorites from 2020-2024 featured on a show, from Kenshi Yonezu, Official HIGE Dandism, STUTS and many more thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-98-t...
We highlight J-pop favorites from 2020-2024 featured on a show, from Kenshi Yonezu, Official HIGE Dandism, STUTS and many more thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-98-t...
Issue #98: The 2020s in TV Drama Music
We look back at our favorite J-pop singles tied up with TV dramas from 2020-2024, featuring music by Official HIGE Dandism, Kenshi Yonezu and more
thissidejapan.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:54 PM
For this new issue of This Side of Japan, we look back at the 2020s so far in TV drama music!
We highlight J-pop favorites from 2020-2024 featured on a show, from Kenshi Yonezu, Official HIGE Dandism, STUTS and many more thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-98-t...
We highlight J-pop favorites from 2020-2024 featured on a show, from Kenshi Yonezu, Official HIGE Dandism, STUTS and many more thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-98-t...
New This Side of Japan! What's inside:
🎸 Bonus Beats: I've Sound - Selections
🎸 new SATOH EP
🎸 singles by InoutsuhaSA, Mohou No Rakuen, sheidA
🎸 SPEED's "Body & Soul"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-97-w...
🎸 Bonus Beats: I've Sound - Selections
🎸 new SATOH EP
🎸 singles by InoutsuhaSA, Mohou No Rakuen, sheidA
🎸 SPEED's "Body & Soul"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-97-w...
Issue #97: World End Love Song
Discussing the new SATOH EP, SPEED's debut single and the early catalog of I've Sound
thissidejapan.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:28 PM
New This Side of Japan! What's inside:
🎸 Bonus Beats: I've Sound - Selections
🎸 new SATOH EP
🎸 singles by InoutsuhaSA, Mohou No Rakuen, sheidA
🎸 SPEED's "Body & Soul"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-97-w...
🎸 Bonus Beats: I've Sound - Selections
🎸 new SATOH EP
🎸 singles by InoutsuhaSA, Mohou No Rakuen, sheidA
🎸 SPEED's "Body & Soul"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-97-w...
After a couple of months on vacation, we're back with a new This Side of Japan issue! What's inside:
👻 on Perfume's "Megu-loop" and Chihayafuru: Meguri
👻 new Emma Aibara album
👻 singles by Barren Path, cyber milk chan, e5
👻 GLAY's "HOWEVER"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-96-u...
👻 on Perfume's "Megu-loop" and Chihayafuru: Meguri
👻 new Emma Aibara album
👻 singles by Barren Path, cyber milk chan, e5
👻 GLAY's "HOWEVER"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-96-u...
Issue #96: u:phobia
This Side of Japan is back to discuss the new Emma Aibara album, GLAY's "HOWEVER" and Perfume's new single for the latest Chihayafuru spin-off
thissidejapan.substack.com
September 5, 2025 at 4:52 PM
After a couple of months on vacation, we're back with a new This Side of Japan issue! What's inside:
👻 on Perfume's "Megu-loop" and Chihayafuru: Meguri
👻 new Emma Aibara album
👻 singles by Barren Path, cyber milk chan, e5
👻 GLAY's "HOWEVER"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-96-u...
👻 on Perfume's "Megu-loop" and Chihayafuru: Meguri
👻 new Emma Aibara album
👻 singles by Barren Path, cyber milk chan, e5
👻 GLAY's "HOWEVER"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-96-u...
After some months away, there’s finally new Idol Watch for July & August!
A round up of the best idol singles from the past 2 months, ft. PiKi, XUDAN, FOKALITE and more, plus my report of Sakurazaka46 at Tokyo Dome
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/idol-watch...
A round up of the best idol singles from the past 2 months, ft. PiKi, XUDAN, FOKALITE and more, plus my report of Sakurazaka46 at Tokyo Dome
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/idol-watch...
Idol Watch #26: July/August 2025
Rounding up the best idol songs from the past two months, featuring PiKi, XUDAN, FOKALITE and more, plus a report of Sakurazaka46's Tokyo Dome show
thissidejapan.substack.com
August 30, 2025 at 6:59 PM
After some months away, there’s finally new Idol Watch for July & August!
A round up of the best idol singles from the past 2 months, ft. PiKi, XUDAN, FOKALITE and more, plus my report of Sakurazaka46 at Tokyo Dome
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/idol-watch...
A round up of the best idol singles from the past 2 months, ft. PiKi, XUDAN, FOKALITE and more, plus my report of Sakurazaka46 at Tokyo Dome
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/idol-watch...
Reposted by ryo
Hello. For the latest post on my newsletter, I go long on some Vocaloid history, using one particular song as a jumping point to discuss some lesser-known lore about the early fandom. Hatsune Miku lovers tap in.
www.shy.center/p/triple-baka
www.shy.center/p/triple-baka
The Return of the Triple Baka
An examination of vocal synth fandom through one song and three characters.
www.shy.center
August 18, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Hello. For the latest post on my newsletter, I go long on some Vocaloid history, using one particular song as a jumping point to discuss some lesser-known lore about the early fandom. Hatsune Miku lovers tap in.
www.shy.center/p/triple-baka
www.shy.center/p/triple-baka
picked new songs by Layla, Tonalia and Yureruwayurei this week
We're back with another new music update for our selections playlist!
Artists featured this week:
Layla
RAY
Tonalia
Yureruwayurei
Ziproom
ZOMBIE-CHANG
Artists featured this week:
Layla
RAY
Tonalia
Yureruwayurei
Ziproom
ZOMBIE-CHANG
scrmbl selection 18 August, 2025 - Layla, RAY, ZOMBIE-CHANG, and more | scrmbl
Despite the ease of access that streaming has brought to the distri...
www.scrmbl.com
August 19, 2025 at 1:15 AM
picked new songs by Layla, Tonalia and Yureruwayurei this week
man look at these phones youtu.be/_Lj7fGpUDik?...
August 14, 2025 at 6:42 AM
man look at these phones youtu.be/_Lj7fGpUDik?...
the one who keeps making personal anthems for my 2025 youtu.be/B-2MpKZN_2M?...
Effie - CAN I SIP 담배 (Official Video)
YouTube video by Effie
youtu.be
August 14, 2025 at 6:18 AM
the one who keeps making personal anthems for my 2025 youtu.be/B-2MpKZN_2M?...
so, i went to japan a few weeks ago to see sakurazaka46 at tokyo dome, and i've been jotting down bits and pieces from it as a kind of diary entry for memory's sake.. here's one on morita hikaru and "manhole no futa no ue" i just wrote sneek-m.tumblr.com/post/7917443...
And Then What
"Manhole No Futa No Ue" [Shonin Yokkyuu, 2023]
Darkness fell on the set at Tokyo Dome, the glitzy showbiz theater of “Addiction” transforming into an industrial fire escape. You can soon hear the...
sneek-m.tumblr.com
August 13, 2025 at 6:46 AM
so, i went to japan a few weeks ago to see sakurazaka46 at tokyo dome, and i've been jotting down bits and pieces from it as a kind of diary entry for memory's sake.. here's one on morita hikaru and "manhole no futa no ue" i just wrote sneek-m.tumblr.com/post/7917443...
hope noa put her usual punk rawk like this for the song she wrote for ILLIT youtu.be/qNU-SUKjMz0?...
1000日間
YouTube video by noa - Topic
youtu.be
August 13, 2025 at 4:42 AM
hope noa put her usual punk rawk like this for the song she wrote for ILLIT youtu.be/qNU-SUKjMz0?...
time to look after our new children
August 12, 2025 at 6:21 AM
time to look after our new children
wrote a primer on tokimeki sendenbu!
2025 marks 10 years since Tokimeki Sendenbu debuted as a temporary idol unit, now all these years later (and after a slight name change) the group are veritable veterans in the game.
In honor of the milestone @sneek.bsky.social gives a primer on their jam-packed discographry.
In honor of the milestone @sneek.bsky.social gives a primer on their jam-packed discographry.
VICTORY STORY: A primer on idol group Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu | scrmbl
Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu’s recent ascent through viral TikTok hits can...
www.scrmbl.com
August 3, 2025 at 5:17 AM
wrote a primer on tokimeki sendenbu!
can’t believe we got stans doing critic takedowns for the clipse album….
July 12, 2025 at 5:17 AM
can’t believe we got stans doing critic takedowns for the clipse album….
just saw a tiktok introducing this jpop architect no one talks about and it’s…. yasutaka nakata
July 12, 2025 at 3:49 AM
just saw a tiktok introducing this jpop architect no one talks about and it’s…. yasutaka nakata
wonder what tsj would give this (it's a strong [6] from me) www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3P8...
＝LOVE（イコールラブ）/ 18th Single『とくべチュ、して』【MV full】
YouTube video by ＝LOVE（イコールラブ）公式チャンネル
www.youtube.com
July 8, 2025 at 6:26 AM
wonder what tsj would give this (it's a strong [6] from me) www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3P8...
Reposted by ryo
Don't worry, I have my thinkpiece about why I believe K-pop Demon Hunters is the success it is notesonkpop.com/why-k-op-dem...
Why 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' works so well
If you've watched K-Pop Demon Hunters recently, there's a likely chance that you're either listening to it right now, or possibly humming its soundtrack. If you haven't watched it yet, take a break an...
notesonkpop.com
July 8, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Don't worry, I have my thinkpiece about why I believe K-pop Demon Hunters is the success it is notesonkpop.com/why-k-op-dem...
Monthly Listening list for June is out for my readers! Rounding up great new Japanese releases I checked out this past month from Ano, AQ, iVy and more
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/monthly-li...
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/monthly-li...
Monthly Listening: June 2025
Rounding up great new releases we checked out during June from Ano, AQ, iVy and more
thissidejapan.substack.com
July 7, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Monthly Listening list for June is out for my readers! Rounding up great new Japanese releases I checked out this past month from Ano, AQ, iVy and more
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/monthly-li...
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/monthly-li...
my fav 25 albums of 2025 so far (non-asian)
June 30, 2025 at 4:42 AM
my fav 25 albums of 2025 so far (non-asian)
New This Side of Japan! What's inside:
🛟 2025 in Japan's rap so far
🛟 new Yuka Nagase album
🛟 singles by Mogry Home, Wednesday Campanella, Yusuke Takenouchi
🛟 Aya Matsuura's "Yeah! Meccha Holiday"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-95-m...
🛟 2025 in Japan's rap so far
🛟 new Yuka Nagase album
🛟 singles by Mogry Home, Wednesday Campanella, Yusuke Takenouchi
🛟 Aya Matsuura's "Yeah! Meccha Holiday"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-95-m...
Issue #95: Mofu Mohu
Discussing the new Yuka Nagase album, Aya Matsuura's summer classic, and the year in Japan's rap so far
thissidejapan.substack.com
June 20, 2025 at 11:42 PM
New This Side of Japan! What's inside:
🛟 2025 in Japan's rap so far
🛟 new Yuka Nagase album
🛟 singles by Mogry Home, Wednesday Campanella, Yusuke Takenouchi
🛟 Aya Matsuura's "Yeah! Meccha Holiday"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-95-m...
🛟 2025 in Japan's rap so far
🛟 new Yuka Nagase album
🛟 singles by Mogry Home, Wednesday Campanella, Yusuke Takenouchi
🛟 Aya Matsuura's "Yeah! Meccha Holiday"
thissidejapan.substack.com/p/issue-95-m...
this week i picked new songs by The Whoops, rirugiliyangugili and Lilniina
Friday means it's time to update our scrmbl selection playlist with fresh picks!
This week's additions include excellent new tracks from:
Bonjour Suzuki & RinRin Doll
Guchon
Lilniina
Rirugiliyangugili
T.M.P
The Whoops
This week's additions include excellent new tracks from:
Bonjour Suzuki & RinRin Doll
Guchon
Lilniina
Rirugiliyangugili
T.M.P
The Whoops
scrmbl selection June 13, 2025 - Bonjour Suzuki and RinRin Doll, Guchon, Lilniina, and more | scrmbl
Despite the ease of access that streaming has brought to the distri...
www.scrmbl.com
June 14, 2025 at 1:16 AM
this week i picked new songs by The Whoops, rirugiliyangugili and Lilniina
this week i picked new songs by airi suzuki, xamiya and yuki chiba
It's that time of week again for us to update our playlist with some choice new music!
This week's additions include new songs from:
Airi Suzuki
FARMHOUSE
Penguinrush
XAMIYA
Yuki Chiba
Yuta Orisaka
This week's additions include new songs from:
Airi Suzuki
FARMHOUSE
Penguinrush
XAMIYA
Yuki Chiba
Yuta Orisaka
scrmbl selection June 6, 2025 - Airi Suzuki, FARMHOUSE, Yuki Chiba, and more | scrmbl
Despite the ease of access that streaming has brought to the distri...
www.scrmbl.com
June 7, 2025 at 11:32 PM
this week i picked new songs by airi suzuki, xamiya and yuki chiba