Aya - May Day
My favorite song by the ultimate badass music heroine, Aya. This song makes me think of walking along the desert highway during the sunset. Or rather, INTO the sunset. It's a repetitive song, true, but it has that relentless, motivational spirit behind it. This song has pushed me through countless, sometimes otherwise dreadful, days.

Built To Spill - Car
This song will most likely temporarily make your life feel like an indie art-school film. Or so that's the vibe I get from it. I vividly remember listening to this one day on repeat after getting off at the wrong subway stop. I walked through a borderline ghetto neighborhood, following my shadow ahead of me on the sidewalk, and spontaneously called up a nearby friend for a place to crash the night. I was strung out like mad, but in a good way. The sky was vibrantly blue, and everything else was really warm and yellow. This song gives off a strange nostalgic feeling. Bittersweet. Like the combination of sadness and happiness.

CHABA - namida
CHABA is known for having one of their songs used for Naruto or Bleach or one of those other 500 episode anime. Well, forget that. I know them mostly as a group that mixes traditional Japanese music with the contemporary. This song is my inspirational guilty pleasure. The singer sounds like such an old man; but oh man, such a beautiful emotional delivery! The music is so soothing, with shamisen, piano, ambience, and loads of other instrumentation steadily guiding you along on your journey of tears (namida = tears), leading you to the inspirational chorus. These beautiful sounds always lift me when I'm down.

Chatmonchy - mayonaka yuuenchi
My favorite song from the underrated rock trio, Chatmonchy. Think fast-paced female vocalized indie poprock. I can't even pinpoint their genre really, but I'm surprised they aren't very popular, since their sound almost hits mainstream. This song puts you in a desperate rush, with Eriko's cute vocals nearing screams. Perfect for spring or summer weather, when you're riding the train and watching the scenery quickly flash by.

Hanako Oku - kawaranai mono
This is an insert song from the film, 時をかける少女 (toki wo kakeru shoujo, or The Girl Who Leaps Through Time). It's an innocent piano ballad, complete with sweet (albeit slightly nasal & high-pitched) female vocals and heartfelt lyrics. It feels like such a simple, naive but honest love song. Being the sap that I am, I nearly cried when first hearing this during the movie.

Hang on the Box - We don't need a sax
Quite simply, they don't need a sax. Brilliant Engrish lyrical work here, as you can tell (all in the spirit of punk). Hang on the Box is an underrated all-girl pop-punk band from China. Such a sweet, solid rock melody (especially loving that bass), with mutliple vocals and an overall completely fun catchiness. Virtually all of their songs have this same crack-addiction quality, but this one's always stood out as my favorite. I love the word sax.

lostage - kodomotachi
Remember that old nickelodeon show, The Adventures of Pete & Pete? Well, this song reminds me of the opening song of that show (except in Japanese, and along more of an indie-punk style -- ie Base Ball Bear, Starboard, etc -- but I digress). It has a lively, carefree, innocent feeling to it. Fitting title, too (meaning "children"). Listening to this song, although it sounds foolish to say this, I feel so free and limitless. This is the type of music that makes you feel like you'll never stop; you're not even conscious of the idea of an end.

The National - Fake Empire
A song that's pleasant in the morning, filled with layers of piano and a general buildup of instruments. There's even a part where the horns have a wild party of sound. Definitely a song fitting for sunrise, it presents a soothing, hopeful feeling.

Pixies - Break My Body
"I'm a building jumper. Roof to roof you see me flying in the air." Loud, distorted noise and guitars, combination of male and female screaming vocals, you know how it is. Anger, misery, badassery, it's fitting for many areas of your emotional spectrum. This song's barely over 2 minutes, but I love it so. I just can't resist its masochistic, addictive qualities. It's almost primal.

Ramones - Pet Sematary
Oh yes, let's go old school. And oh, there is certainly an 80s feel to this song. Not your typical Ramones stuff, you could say. A bit dark, extremely catchy, something I'd recommend wailing with your friends on intoxicated nights (or maybe not), this is a song I was addicted to for quite some time.

Shiina Ringo - Georgy Porgy
Sweet piano jazz, my love, here you are. Apparently this is a duet between Ringo and her brother, Junpei, and was originally released under the artist name, 邪 (yokoshima). Whatever, who cares, this song is so addictive, it hasn't left my playlist for months. Maybe even years, I don't know, I'm bad with time. Excellent for rainy days and nights. Junpei adds some sweet soul to those light jazz instruments, and Ringo's sultry voice is irresistible as always.

Shugo Tokumaru - Such A Color
It's difficult to describe Shugo Tokumaru's sound. The most common labels I've read have been along the lines of experimental pop folk. Such A Color is a relaxing melody comprised mostly of the ukelele and Shugo Tokumaru's calm, soothing, ethereal voice. It has a beautiful, carefree quality capable of taking you to a world of zen and relaxation.

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