Laying down the foundations for the band’s famously diverse sound, Helsinki Lambda Club pick out some of the finest tunes from their formative influences. 

Every two months, the Glow’s resident indie expert Mutsumi Okazaki chooses some of her favourite new tracks. Here are her five top Japanese indie tunes from September and October 2021.

Dogs are an important influence and theme in the music of Taiko Super Kicks. Here are some of the band’s favourite canine-themed (and non-canine-themed) tunes.

Before the release of the group’s debut album next month, Barbican Estate’s Kazuki Toneri details a few of the band’s most important and essential influences.

Celebrating all things synthesiser, Usagi Sleep puts together a playlist of her favourite synthpop tunes – from Passion Pit to Maika Loubté.

Dansa med dig’s playlist delves into the songs that are most fundamental to them as a band, from the track that inspired them to make music to particular chord work and songwriting ideas. 

D.A.N. celebrate the release of their latest album No Moon by diving deep on the trio’s love of techno, garage, UK hip hop and more.

Featuring classic grooves, raucous smashes and recent innovators, Chameleon Lime Whoopiepie’s Chi- ventures into the depths of her own musical history. 

Buffalo Daughter’s eclectic mix takes the Glow through the music on suGar, Yumiko and moOog’s minds during the making of their most recent record, We Are The Times.

From towering figures of 20th century Japanese and European orchestral music to melodious ‘00s indie pop, mekakushe’s influences suit her multidimensional sound. 

In picking songs based solely on their appeal to him, Souki Urakami demonstrates his far-ranging tastes across the musical spectrum. 

Every two months, the Glow’s resident indie expert Mutsumi Okazaki chooses some of her favourite new tracks. Here are her five top Japanese indie tunes from July and August 2021.

Modern orchestral artist Kumi Takahara explains how loops can lope, entrance and engross, and their role at the heart of pop, orchestral music and film soundtracks.

From the raunch of Italo-disco and various forms of smoke effects to the ‘perfect video’, CRYSTAL’s playlist reveals their favourite visual scenes, shots, effects and tricks. 

Haco’s selections champion and celebrate her collaborators, choosing works from those that have remixed her solo material.

JYOCHO probes the kaleidoscopic array of stories, influences and interests that have combined to make the band icons of modern math rock.

SAI, the vocalist of Tokyo-based post-punk band Ms. Machine, chooses five rappers that have influenced her and her ‘poetry-rap’ solo project.

Daisansei’s playlist charts the group’s musical growth, from ‘00s indie beginnings to expanding their sound with the influence of ambient music, dense production and classic guitar rock.

Ryuichi Samejima takes a wide-angle view of the current Japanese house scene, showing the resolve of DJs and musicians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every two months, the Glow’s resident indie expert Mutsumi Okazaki chooses some of her favourite new tracks. Here are her five top Japanese indie tunes from May and June 2021.

Progressive pop group tomodati’s Mutsuo Nakamura sets out some Japanese songs and artists that have influenced him most – and shaped the group’s diverse, experimental sound.

From Harold Budd and Brian Eno through to Thelonious Monk, expansive folk artist Satomimagae charts some of the tracks that have influenced her artistic growth and recent fourth studio album, Hanazono.

Daichi Hirose delves into some of the most successful pop tunes of all time, detailing their impact on his musicianship, from iconic guitar play to certain instruments’ throwback appeal.

From South Korea to the UK, Swimming Sheep’s playlist covers the breadth of global pop – and includes an accompanying streaming playlist created by the artist himself.

Shingo Nakamura’s file looks back at the vital musical influences that shaped his current sound, from high school music lessons to the moment he fell in love with electronic music.

The No Buses frontman’s playlist focuses in on Japanese music, putting the spotlight on some classic tunes from Tricot, Mr Children and RIP SLYME.

Miho Hatori lays out a short narrative playlist, expressing certain scenes and moods through her song choices.

Every two months, the Glow’s resident indie expert Mutsumi Okazaki chooses some of her favourite new tracks. Here are her five top Japanese indie tunes from March and April 2021.

ASS MAGIC’s playlist offers a trip through their seminal Seventies (or close) tunes, illuminating the breadth of the duo’s sound and influences.

Grounded in the influence of Windham Hill Records’ Sampler compilations, dok-s project’s Syusaku Deguchi highlights his favourite pieces of background music.

Post-punk band Tawings reflect on the process and success of their self-titled debut, delving into what they’ve done since – and what they’re up to next.

Tokyo duo Pandagolff delve into the lasting impacts of Hikaru Genji, Yura Yura Teikoku, Led Zeppelin and the Far East Network on their chaotic brand of post-punk.

Ambient and new age marvel Twon Lake talks through some his favourite Japanese film soundtracks.

Kukurihime no Mikoto’s playlist delves into the angelic, heavenly and divine, and, in the process, reveals the inspirations behind the duo’s worldbuilding pop.

Hip-hop and art pop artist NTsKi selects tracks from her childhood that inspired her shapeshifting music and audacious visuals.

From hip hop and idol pop to economic theory – tofubeats’ On File takes a swift look through some of the niche details of Yusuke Kawai’s background, interests and favourites.

Every two months, the Glow’s resident indie expert Mutsumi Okazaki chooses some of her favourite new tracks. Here are her five top Japanese indie tunes from January and February 2021.

uami’s playlist for the Glow collects a few of her current obsessions, spanning art pop and experimental electronica to ‘80s anime soundtracks

tofubeats’ Yusuke Kawai curates a playlist of some of the tracks that inspired him to make music. Ranging from hip hop to techno, J-pop to Shibuya-kei, his choices typify the beatmaker’s broad and influential style.

From classic film scores to ‘80s post-punk, Roth Bart Baron’s Masaya Mifune takes the Glow through a playlist of some of his greatest influences.

Folk and indie star Satoko Shibata explains some of the key tracks that have influenced her music so far, as well as some of the inspirations behind her 2020 EP release Slow-In.

Channelling decades of different styles of British and American rock, Stereogirl are one of Tokyo’s loudest rising bands. Stereogirl guitarist Chamicot gives a swift lowdown of some of the music that made her.

From city pop classics to trendsetting techno-kayo, house icon Shinichiro Yokota selects some essential Japanese tracks from the early Eighties that inspired his sound and style.

Moment Joon’s playlist reflects upon his fears, inspirations, resilience and vulnerability – a series of stories and analyses from one of the most essential voices in contemporary Japanese hip hop.

Taking you through the Glow’s list of the catchiest, most innovative and exciting Japanese singles that summarised 2020, as chosen by our writers.

From stadium rock titans to pop crooners, intricate experimentalists to musical and political revolutionaries – we count down the Glow’s best 20 albums to come out of Japan in 2020.

Riding the success of 2019’s New Young City, internationally-acclaimed shoegaze and dream pop revivalists For Tracy Hyde talk the Glow through some honest opinions, unmissable tunes and formative musical experiences.

Underground music collective SPEED’s event was a celebration of youth freedom, culture and identity.

After building upon the recognition of Air Ni Ni with the cover album Bones of Dreams Attacked, the composer and multi-instrumentalist curates a playlist that summarises his 2020 listening.