The Best Japanese and Chinese Albums of 2020

The best in C-Pop, C-Rock, J-Pop, and J-Rock this year

For more on these albums and the others that defined my year, stream the “Best of 2020” episodes of the podcast, and stay tuned for more of those episodes in the coming days! 

#20: UNINE, U-Night Flight
With palpable enthusiasm and a youthful spirit, UNINE is destined to earn many new fans with this high-energy pop album. “Future World” is a particularly fun track, not unlike SuperM’s “Jopping.”

#19: JO1, The Star 
For fans of UP10TION and Wanna One, JO1 conveys a likeable personality that adds a touch of magic to their music videos and their first full-length album. Aptly titled, The Star demonstrates JO1’s potential to resonate with a wide range of KPop fans for their similar charm and similarly catchy songs.

#18: Victoria Song, Victoria
Victoria, formerly of f(x) fame, shines as she fully steps into her own as a solo act. The final tracks are the best ones, a fitting metaphor for Victoria’s gradual growth as an artist. Victoria shows the star in a new light and has a fun and fresh pop sound that feels like one fans didn’t realize they needed from her until they had it.

#17: SCANDAL, Kiss from the Darkness
The instrumentals for each of these songs are worthy of head-banging in their own right; the vocals layered on top are simply the icing on the cake. At a breakneck pace, SCANDAL takes listeners on a smooth journey through a cohesive collection of rock songs. 

#16: GLIM SPANKY, Walking on Fire
Starting with an intro that feels like sitting in a spaceship, followed by a classic GLIM SPANKY song, Walking on Fire proves that this band is not afraid to color outside the lines while still keeping the overall picture recognizable. In other words, through Walking on Fire, the band shows an evolution in their sound, but one that does not completely abandon the sound of their previous releases. The duo’s rock songs are as well-done and enjoyable as ever.

#15: Kumi Koda, monsteR [MY NAME IS…] and angeL [MY NAME IS…] 
Split in two, this musical project juxtaposes Kumi Koda’s softer side with her fiery one. Paired with intriguing videos, these releases show a complete picture of the popstar, making fans feel like they know who Kumi Koda is better than ever before. For fans of CL, Kumi Koda is a must-listen, and this pair of albums is the perfect introduction into Kumi Koda’s fandom. 

#14: Hua Chenyu, 新世界 [New World]
Hua Chenyu takes his time singing through each song, but this feels like a buildup rather than a slog. The instrumentals are seemingly simple yet transfixing. The songs follow a pop song formula to an extent, but they simultaneously take on an alternative sound. In other words, the songs remain memorable and catchy while also straying from being predictable. The musical risks taken in this work pay off, to say the least. 

#13: Kenshi Yonezu, STRAY SHEEP
This is the type of album that is perfect for days when deciding what music to listen to feels impossible. STRAY SHEEP ranges from tropical vibes to an enthusiastic, house party-ready mood. To put it plainly, each song on STRAY SHEEP is fun, regardless of how listeners are feeling when they listen to them.

#12: Stray Kids, ALL IN
With a tracklist including songs formerly released in Korean and three brand new songs in Japanese, Stray Kids seamlessly cross into JPop by keeping their trademark anthemic, sound-effect-filled songs the norm. When it comes to listeners’ attention spans, ALL IN lives up to its title.

#11: OnePixcel, Libre
A sugar rush in auditory form, fans of KPop groups like IZ*ONE and MOMOLAND are really in for a treat with LIBRE. There is no dull moment on this trio’s latest album.

#10: TAEYEON, #GirlsSpkOut
With songwriting credits to eill and a collaboration with Chanmina, TAEYEON’s latest Japanese release had to face high expectations, and it does not disappoint. This mini-album includes both confident, mood-boosting songs (“Worry Free Love” wouldn’t be out of place in the same queue as Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga’s “Rain on Me”) and slower, more vulnerable ones. On this album, TAEYEON proves once again that her vocal range allows her to impress on every type of song.

#9: Fujii Kaze, HELP EVER HURT NEVER
Fujii Kaze has been on fire all year. In addition to his endlessly catchy singles (“Hedemo Ne-Yo” and “Seishun Sick”), this new album proves that 2020 is a defining moment in his career for all the right reasons. HELP EVER HURT NEVER is a mashup of every type of piano sound, from synthesizers to the sounds of classical music. His experimental use of both this and other instruments makes this album an ambitious, unrepeatable project on which all music creators ought to take notes.

#8: eill, Love/Like/Hate
eill infuses each track with retro flair for the perfect party playlist, whether for a night out or a dance party alone at home. This album draws inspiration from a variety of sources (“Night D” is reminiscent of “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd), but it also includes songs that are entirely unique (“Fake Love/” is a particular standout). eill’s music is both modern and retro, inspired by other artists while still shining in her own right.

#7: GARNiDELiA, Kishikaisei
A combination of celestial vibes, electronic instruments, and surprising guitar shreds that rip through the daintiness of it all, Kishikaisei is a profound addition to GARNiDELiA’s discography. Moments of sensitivity are swiftly met with anthemic instruments, and bold vocals are met with softer sounds in a constant pull-and-push that ensures liveliness in every song. 

#6: My First Story, V
V is a mix of raw vocals and artfully tuned electronic details. “plastic” is a particularly well-made song, with a level of autotune that joins the level of guitar repetition in being surprisingly the opposite of boring. My First Story constantly pulls off this balancing act, using seemingly contradictory and/or dull details in pairings that surprisingly work.

#5: WayV, Awaken the World
This album is a busy collection of songs that distinguishes itself from the music of other NCT subunits while maintaining NCT’s core traits: experimentation and catchiness. Awaken the World blends all forms of pop, from industrial pop to electropop to down-the-middle pop, making each song stand out in its own way.  

#4: MIYAVI, Holy Nights
Industrial rock, synth-pop, and a choir of voices converge into the sonic equivalent of driving a race car without brakes. There is never a dull moment, as each track zips through the use of drums, guitars, keyboards, and vocals in a seemingly randomized order. A mix of sounds that would be expected to clash actually make for a high-speed, cohesive, and all-around impressive body of work.

#3: Little Glee Monster, Bright New World
From the Earth, Wind & Fire-assisted “I Feel the Light” to the foot-stomping “Echo” to the perfect harmonies in “SPIN,” it is too difficult to pinpoint one standout song on Bright New World, and it is equally (if not more) difficult to box this album into one specific category. Through Bright New World, Little Glee Monster shows their range of charms and talent that comes in spades.

 #2: milet, eyes
A fantastic precursor to the Who I Am EP, eyes is positively gripping. milet’s raw, emotional vocals stun and make for sonic masterpieces that range from anthemic pick-me-ups to moody tear-jerkers (“Drown” is particularly riveting). There is a song for every emotion on eyes, and each one paints a stark picture through milet’s vocals alone. milet sings in a way that leaves listeners on the edge of their seats, desperate to hear more of the stories she tells.

#1: Reol, Kinjitou
In classic Reol fashion, Kinjitou is a sonic rollercoaster from start to finish. The electropop instruments and hodgepodge of sound effects manage to blend together in a way that stays cohesive, a remarkable feat that makes for an exhilarating thrill ride. Especially with noise-cancelling headphones, Reol’s music is pure energy, a fusion of surprises and catchiness that makes every listen feel like the first one all over again.