In my books, Kaela Kimura is the most interesting and progressive figure in the world of J pop.
She's been around for over a decade which in Japanese terms means forever, so naturally her following isn't quite what it used to be.
Her music is - though commercial by Japanese standards - always full of really interesting twists and turns.
Kaela came to prominence through her original rock sound. I remember hearing Tree Climbers on an ad in Japan and being hooked straightaway. Kaela, you'll be happy to know is not afraid to go out on a limb and try something fresh and fun. For a taste, try Samantha, her tribute to TV's Bewitched.
She is one of the few J pop acts equally adept at rocking out or electronica as she is with bubblegum pop.
Kaela has a new album in the works, called EGG that is due to hatch in the first week of September. In the meantime you could do worse than track down some of her more interesting songs from the past to get a glimpse of a J pop gal who doesn't play by the ordinary rule book.
Having already been down the greatest hits road there's much to choose from in her back catalogue. My favourite album of hers is sync. But she's done all kinds of genres and sounds with that unmistakeable voice.
Some tunes to check out/start your Kaela Kimura spiral with:
Wonky, screechy techno pop with a super fab video to match? Try So I.
Innovative ballad that she wrote for a friend's wedding and just dripping in cuteness? Try Butterfly.
Medley of pop classics with a J pop twist more your kind of thing? Go here for that.
Mattane!!
She's been around for over a decade which in Japanese terms means forever, so naturally her following isn't quite what it used to be.
Her music is - though commercial by Japanese standards - always full of really interesting twists and turns.
Kaela came to prominence through her original rock sound. I remember hearing Tree Climbers on an ad in Japan and being hooked straightaway. Kaela, you'll be happy to know is not afraid to go out on a limb and try something fresh and fun. For a taste, try Samantha, her tribute to TV's Bewitched.
She is one of the few J pop acts equally adept at rocking out or electronica as she is with bubblegum pop.
Kaela has a new album in the works, called EGG that is due to hatch in the first week of September. In the meantime you could do worse than track down some of her more interesting songs from the past to get a glimpse of a J pop gal who doesn't play by the ordinary rule book.
Having already been down the greatest hits road there's much to choose from in her back catalogue. My favourite album of hers is sync. But she's done all kinds of genres and sounds with that unmistakeable voice.
Some tunes to check out/start your Kaela Kimura spiral with:
Wonky, screechy techno pop with a super fab video to match? Try So I.
Innovative ballad that she wrote for a friend's wedding and just dripping in cuteness? Try Butterfly.
Medley of pop classics with a J pop twist more your kind of thing? Go here for that.
Mattane!!
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