As you would expect of a city of its size, Tokyo has many sides to it. The sprawling high-octane centres of Shinjuku, Shibuya and Roppongi where Tokyoites shop, party and play may give the impression that Tokyo is an unrelenting tour-de-force of a city that never quietens down. In fact, these areas are complimented by peaceful residential areas where cars and people are relatively few giving the illusion of living in a small town.Much of the music coming out of Tokyo seems to reflect this distinctively Japanese contrast. Get to know the musical characters that glitter Tokyo’s glistening lights below.

SHINJUKU

Capsule — Feeling Alright

Much of Capsule’s music seem to embody the sensory overload that is Shinjuku. But, in my opinion, the euphoric rush of ‘Feeling Alright’ best captures the thrill of exploring this dense and varied neighbourhood. The maximalist track would be a perfect accompaniment as you join shoppers in the hustle and bustle looking for the latest bargains in the megamalls that line the streets or as you saunter down the neon lit streets of Kabukicho, fascinated and bewildered by the various bars, restaurants and other more sordid establishments with their garish and sometimes explicit banners. ‘Feeling Alright’ is not a track to listen to if you’re looking to understand the more peaceful side of Tokyo but with its super charged synths and raging guitar riffs it captures the energy of modern Tokyo perfectly.

Tokyo Incidents — 3 Min

Shinjuku is also home to some of Tokyo’s more stranger characters that appear out of thin air when the sun sets on the metropolis. It’s in this area where gay Tokyo comes to life in all its queer glory in gaybourhood Ni-Chome and it’s also the place where you can visit some of Tokyo’s most eccentric bars in the Golden Gai district, a cluster of tiny bars that time seems to have forgotten. As the self-proclaimed Queen of Kabukicho, Sheena Ringo’s risky (by Japan’s standards) and genre-bending music and videos perfectly compliment this sometimes rowdy and raucous neighbourhood. Her videos have featured lesbian undertones in a time where gay rights was barely even a blip on Japan’s radar. Her solo music and her work with her band Tokyo Incidents is as varied as this dense neighbourhood, veering from classical music influence to electrojazz to rock music.

SHIBUYA / HARAJUKU

Chelmico — Labyrinth ’97

Going to the famed Shibuya scramble crossing for the first time is a complete assault on the senses and no other track captures this feeling better than Chelmico’s ‘Labyrinth ’97’. The track is an audio trip through one of Tokyo’s most disorientating, overwhelming and exciting neighbourhoods.

Akiko Kiyama — The Sunset

LLLL — Dance & Kill (feat. yeule)

Shibuya is also the centre of Tokyo youth culture and thus is also home to some of Tokyo’s most cutting edge nightlife. Clubs such as Womb, Circus and Trump Room are packed every weekend with trendy Tokyoites ready to dance the night away to the latest in Japanese electronic music. Circus in particular plays host to a wide variety of music from established Japanese techno producers such as Akiko Kiyama to the made-for-tumblr LLLL.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu — PonPonPon

Just a 20 minutes walk away is the neighbourhood of Harajuku, an area that melds runway ready fashion and extreme street style together. Refered to as the Harajuku Pop Princess, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s magnum opus ‘PonPonPon’ epitomises the out-of-this-world style of Takeshita Dori, the street most famous for wacky and wonderful outfits.

Mademoiselle Yulia — Gimme Gimme

If Kyary Pamyu Pamyu represents one side of Harajuku, Mademoiselle Yulia arguably represents the other more high-fashion and glitzy side of Harajuku. ‘Gimme Gimme’, the lead single off her first album, is a zippy 90s pop tinged track with the video giving you a perfect introduction into her world. Yulia is nothing of what you expect from a Japanese artist making pop music and her videos are an aesthetic delight. Check out her video for ‘Harajuku Wander’ too.

KOENJI + SHIMOKITAZAWA

The Otogibanashi’s — Department

However, the sounds of chilled out sounds of J hip-hop group The Otogibanashi’s feel right at home in the areas of Shimokitazawa and Koenji. Groove along to the hip hop group’s track ‘Department’ as you check out the vintage shops, cool cafes and live venues that line the streets of these bohemian neighbourhoods. Whilst Shimokitazawa has recently become gentrified, there is a rebellious streak in both of these neighbourhoods that’s present in The Otogbanashi’s albums.

AKIHABARA

Especia — №1 Sweeper

It’s impossible to talk about Japanese music and not mention idol groups and its target audience is the otaku (Japanese nerds) that flock to this neighbourhood to find the latest gadget, anime or manga in this electric town. Mainstream groups like megagroup AKB48 don skimpy outfits in their videos in a bid for their attention in a genre where visuals override the importance of singing ability. However Idol music is also home to some very interesting concepts that could probably only exist in Japanese music. For example, Especia has based their image on the internet genre of vapourwave and their concept is the city of Tokyo itself with their music growing and changing much like the city.