Spitz’s Hachimitsu: Sonic Design and Mid-Album Deep Cuts
Explore the studio craft and mid-album track sequencing of Spitz's 1995 million-selling album Hachimitsu, produced with Masanori Sasaji beyond Robinson.
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4 Classic Japanese Albums Released in October (1974-2004)
Explore four landmark Japanese pop and rock albums released in October, from Yumi Arai's MISSLIM and Mariya Takeuchi to Spitz and ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION.
globe Album Guide: Listening Order and 2026 Vinyl Reissues
Explore globe beyond hit singles with a 5-step album listening order from FACES PLACES to Lights, plus details on the 2026 Dolby Atmos and vinyl reissues.
2000s Japanese Hip-Hop Guide: 6 Essential Albums & History
Trace the evolution of 2000s Japanese hip-hop across six essential albums from BUDDHA BRAND and RIP SLYME to MSC, SEEDA, and PSG, with entry-point advice.
Kenshi Yonezu’s IRIS OUT on Spotify’s 2026 Mid-Year Charts
How Kenshi Yonezu's IRIS OUT ranked No. 1 in Japan and No. 2 overseas on Spotify's 2026 mid-year charts, contrasted with King Gnu's AIZO.
Sakanaction’s 834.194: Recounting the Six-Year Release Gap
Lining up Victor's official discography shows Sakanaction's six-year span before 834.194 included four dense singles and at most a 525-day gap.
Introduction to City Pop: Five Essential Albums from the Sound the World Rediscovered
How did 1970s and 1980s Japanese urban pop become a global phenomenon forty years later? We trace the history of city pop and introduce the first five essential albums to hear, from Tatsuro Yamashita and Taeko Ohnuki to…