Take one of Korea’s top ballad groups, one of their biggest hits, and let an up-and-coming indie band put their own spin on it and what do get? Two cool songs that are very different yet the same.
Huge stars and ballad trio SG Wannabe’s (SG워너비) hit 2005 single and similarly-titled album Saldaga (살다가) reigned atop [...]

Take one of Japan’s most iconic singer-songwriters combined with one of this season’s leading dramas and what do you get? A magical, chart-topping theme song.
Oda Kazumasa (小田和正) has been on the Japanese popular music scene for the past 4 decades. He made his debut in 1970 with Off Course, one of Japan’s most influential rock [...]

Johnny’s has been supplying Japan with gooey bubblegum pop music for years now. One of the acts under Johnny’s Entertainment, Tackey & Tsubasa have tried to make things a little less sticky with their latest single, “Samurai”.
Say the name “Johnny’s” and watch my face pucker as I step back with repulse. While I have no [...]

Rumble Fish’s brand of classy and cool modern rock has the ability to strike a variety of emotional chords with its listeners.
The female-fronted popular Korean rock act has produced some really touching work. This is especially true for Rumble Fish (럼블피쉬) as of late with the their third studio album, Open the Safe.

Much of Open [...]

An accomplished male vocalist collaborating with other musicians to cover some of pop’s most famous songs? It’s by no means an original concept but when that vocalist is Ryohei, his unique style and spin on each track is just enough to push it over the top…it’s pretty good.
Japanese singer Yamamoto Ryohei has come a long [...]

Guitarist #1? Check. Guitarist #2/harmonica player? Check. Girlishly cute lead vocalist? Double Check. This band, that broke onto the scene in early 2006 is enjoying much success. Their fresh brand of ‘cute rock’ seems very well-recieved [...]

Catchy popular romantic rock songs. My natural reaction is to turn my head but my ears can’t help but hear the melody. Eventually I start humming along with song and I’m hooked. This happens far too often these days — but to be honest [...]