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.