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Denpa Song

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This page is about the music genre. For the literary genre of the same name known for its exploration of delusion, social isolation, and psychological horror, see Denpa.

Denpa (電波ソング; lit. "radio wave song") is a Japanese music genre known for its bizarre yet catchy and cute sound. Emerging in the 1990s in Akihabara and solidifying in the early 2000s, it's often described as an underground subgenre of J-Pop and Electronic Dance Music, particularly J-core.[1] Alternative names include A-Pop and Akiba-Pop, referencing its connection to Akihabara, the hub of otaku culture.

Denpa songs are characterized by their fast tempo, quirky lyrics, repetitive chants, and onomatopoeia. They often feature high-pitched vocals, nonsensical lyrics, and a chaotic, "off-kilter" production style. The lyrics frequently touch on otaku themes and explore topics like delusion, telepathy, and insanity, echoing the values of the literary genre of the same name.

The genre's most prominent subgenre is Moe-Denpa (もえー電波), or "Moe Song" (萌えソング), which incorporates cutesy, "moe" aesthetics and exaggeratedly cute high-pitched vocals. This style was solidified in the early 2000s by artists like Under17 and MOSAIC.WAV, who referred to their music as Akiba-Pop. Denpa music is deeply intertwined the doujin and otaku subcultures. Releases are often distributed at conventions like Comiket and M3, and many songs parody or rearrange music from anime or video games like Touhou Project. The genre has also gained wider recognition overseas through its inclusion in popular Japanese rhythm games like Beatmania, the BEMANI series, and Sound Voltex.

History[]

The slang term "denpa" (電波), meaning "radio wave," initially emerged in the early 1990s in Japan. It was used to describe individuals who were perceived as eccentric or out of touch with reality, often associated with the otaku subculture. This term gained a darker connotation after the 1981 Fukagawa Street Murders, where the perpetrator attributed his actions to years of "electronic harassment" from radio waves.[2]

In the context of music, "denpa" initially described songs with bizarre themes and nonsensical lyrics, often considered creepy or unsettling. However, as the genre evolved, it embraced a more upbeat and catchy sound, while retaining its quirky and unconventional elements. Early examples of denpa music include songs by the heavy metal band Kinniku Shōjo Tai (also known as KING-SHOW), which referenced the Fukagawa Street Murders and the broader denpa-kei movement. Their song "Doko e Demo Ikeru Kitte" even influenced the character design of Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion. The band's vocalist, Kenji Ohtsuki, later contributed to the soundtracks of anime series like Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei, and Welcome to the N.H.K.[3]

Denpa music's popularity grew within the Japanese doujin scene, with artists and circles releasing albums and songs at events like Comiket. The genre also gained wider recognition through its inclusion in popular rhythm games like Beatmania, BEMANI, and Sound Voltex. The Touhou Project fandom further contributed to its popularization, with doujin circles like IOSYS and C.H.S creating denpa arrangements and inspired tracks.

While denpa music initially faced some stigma due to its association with the denpa-kei subculture and unconventional themes, it has gradually gained acceptance and carved out its own space within the broader Japanese music scene. Moreover, various denpa songs have recently reached the mainstream in the overseas internet, transcending linguistical and cultural barriers. Examples include "Shukusei!! Loli Kami Requiem" by Shigure Ui, composed by D.watt and written by Maron, both members of IOSYS,[4] or "INTERNET YAMERO" and "INTERNET OVERDOSE" by Aiobahn ft. Kotoko, featured in the video game Needy Streamer Overload.

Visuals[]

The genre's most common aesthetic is a distinct visual style associated with the moe-denpa (もえー電波) subgenre and related dōjin circles. Album and song cover art frequently features moe anime characters, pastel color palettes, and surreal imagery. This style can be observed in the works of artists such as Nanahira, Toromi, and MOSAIC.WAV. This aesthetic is vastly different from the visuals found in denpa visual novels and eroge, though both share a common origin surrounding anxieties about technology and social alienation.

Visual elements prominent in moe-denpa include moe anime art styles, exaggerated displays of cuteness, and depictions of cluttered scenes with animals, food, and accessories. Sparkles, hearts, candy, and themes of fantasy, hallucinations, derealization, and perceived insanity are also common. A pastel color palette is consistently used.

Denpa music videos, which may also feature this aesthetic or an entirely different one, typically exhibit a fast-paced, chaotic visual style. They often incorporate references to otaku culture, contributing to a sense of visual overload. Rapid cuts, flashing imagery, and the juxtaposition of disparate visual elements are used to reflect the music's erratic nature. Visuals may include direct references to anime, manga, and video games, as well as abstract or surreal imagery that enhances the music's themes of delusion and altered states.

Music[]

Characteristics[]

Denpa music is characterized by lyrics and tunes perceived as unconventional. Listeners often describe a feeling of being "hypnotized" or "controlled" by the music's strangeness, a sensation termed "poisonous electromagnetic waves." Lyrical themes frequently revolve around nonsensical concepts, otaku-related subjects, delusions, telepathy, and perceived insanity. These themes are often expressed through chaotic and repetitive lyrics, featuring onomatopeia, sometimes bordering on creepiness. Repetitive chants, off-key singing, and catchy melodies are common musical elements that contribute to the music's high-energy and chaotic nature. High-pitched vocals, wotagei cheers, and other extreme vocalizations also amplify this sense of musical chaos.

Denpa's musical style often incorporates elements of bitpop, synthpop, electropop, electronic dance music, particularly J-core, and occasionally rock. While denpa is sometimes associated with cute and happy themes due to its use of moe aesthetics, it can also deal with darker themes. Denpa began within video game music and the desktop music scene, influenced by J-pop and early synthpop. The genre gained prominence in the early 2000s with acts like Under17 and MOSAIC.WAV.

The term "denpa," meaning "electromagnetic waves," reflects the music's ability to feel like it "controls" or "poisons" the listener's mind. The term's origin is linked to a derogatory use for delusional individuals, including otaku, following the 1981 Fukagawa Street Murders. While the initial connotation of creepiness has lessened, some denpa songs still utilize these themes. The genre is deeply rooted in doujin and otaku culture, with releases often distributed at conventions like Comiket and M3. Many songs parody or rearrange anime and video game music, particularly from the Touhou Project series. Denpa songs are also featured in Japanese rhythm games and have influenced some anime and J-pop acts.

Misconceptions[]

There are a few common misconceptions surrounding denpa songs:

  • Denpa is not J-Pop:
    • While denpa music can share some superficial similarities with J-Pop and some artists draw inspiration from idol culture, it is fundamentally different. It thrives as an underground phenomenon, deliberately targeting an audience distinct from mainstream J-Pop listeners.
    • The core messages and underlying themes of denpa differ significantly from those prevalent in typical J-Pop, or mainstream music as a whole. Denpa often explores themes of detachment from reality, idiosyncratic perspectives, and a fascination with the bizarre. For example, the song "Shukusei!! Loli Kami Requiem" by Ui Shigure attacks and taunts depictions of pedophiles while simultaneously acting as a goddess offering them salvation. This controversial lyrical content and presentation highlights the difference between denpa and J-Pop's typical themes and messages.
  • Not all denpa music is cute and upbeat: The most popular form of denpa is "moe-denpa," characterized by its high-pitched vocals, fast tempo, and "moe" aesthetics. However, there are also darker and more experimental styles that explore themes of delusion, paranoia, and social alienation. Moreover, some songs may sound closer to rave music genres such as Gabber than typical J-Pop, incorporating rapid tempos, distorted kicks, and intense vocals. Examples of songs that do not align with moe-denpa include:
    • "YAKENI in the Rain" by t+pazolite feat. Watashi Kobayashi: This song explores darker themes of escapism, self-destruction, and a pessimistic worldview, with a more chaotic and unsettling musical style than moe-denpa.
    • "Boku No Yume" by ARuFa feat. Camellia and t+pazolite: This song addresses themes of escapism and the blurring of reality and fantasy, featuring a chaotic and intense musical style that contrasts with the generally upbeat nature of moe-denpa.
    • Most Touhou Project arrangements: While some Touhou arrangements embrace a cutesy moe aesthetic, many others explore darker or more experimental themes and sounds, showcasing the diversity within denpa music. For example:
      • Nonsensical themes: "Marisa Stole the Precious Thing" by IOSYS features nonsensical lyrics and a catchy tune, characteristic of denpa's playful side. Similarly, Scandinavian Bubblegum Dance (encompassing groups like Aqua and Smile.DK), popular in Japan concurrently, also utilizes onomatopoeia and nonsensical, catchy lyrics.
      • Darker themes: "Should I Quit Being a Maid? Should I Quit Being a Human?" by IOSYS uses repetition and escalating intensity to depict the growing frustration and mental strain of a maid's monotonous routine. The lyrics transition from complaints about chores to existential questions about identity, culminating in a breakdown where the speaker questions their own humanity and wishes for the world to disappear.
  • Denpa is not just a music genre: "Denpa song" is a valid musical categorization, but the term "denpa" itself has a broader meaning, encompassing a subculture, a character archetype, and a literary genre. It's also used to describe individuals who are perceived as eccentric or out of touch with reality.[5]

Musical Artists & Circles[]

  • 33.turbo
  • Aiobahn
  • Aozora Sorano
  • ARM (IOSYS)
  • ave;new project
  • Chiimu dmp☆
  • C.H.S
  • Choko
  • COOL&CREATE
  • Dempagumi.Inc
  • emamouse
  • fripSide NAO project!
  • Haruko Momoi
  • Ikigusare
  • IOSYS
  • KING-SHOW
  • koko
  • KOTOKO
  • melo9
  • MiliRobo.beta
  • Mirin☆
  • Momobako
  • Momoiro Clover Z
  • MOSAIC.WAV
  • Nanahira
  • Nanamori-Chu☆Goraku-Bu
  • Nekomirin
  • Nomico
  • Pinky Pop Hepburn
  • Planet+
  • Poyahchio
  • Rizna
  • Ruriru denpa
  • Saori@destiny
  • Satapan P
  • SHAKING PINK
  • Sliver Forest
  • Sumire Uesaka
  • Toromi
  • twinkle
  • ULTRA-PRISM
  • UNDER17
  • ODENPA☆STUDIO
  • Yukacco
  • ZERO-SHAFT
  • ⋃
  • ばーどちゅーん
  • ほりっくさーびす

Songs[]

Resources[]

Gallery[]

Videos[]

References[]

  1. ↑ "Denpa" on rateyourmusic.com
  2. ↑ "Denpa-kei subculture" on denpa.omaera.org
  3. ↑ "Kenji Ohtsuki" on en.wikipedia.org
  4. ↑ "Shukusei!! Loli Kami Requiem" on en.wikipedia.org
  5. ↑ "What is Denpa?" on denpa.omaera.org

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