Top Music of 2017 so far.

I use Spotify a lot, and though there are a lot of songs that I can't listen to on Spotify [the newer GazettE music] I still use it more than my iPod library. I even pay for the premium, and honestly I think it's worth having.

So I thought I'd go through my most listened to artists/tunes on spotify.

Hallelujah by Panic! at the Disco

Honestly after seeing them live in March, I've been a little obsessed with listening to all things Panic! Mainly their newest album Death of a Bachelor. Hallelujah is probably one of the more overplayed songs on my Spotify library, and I think it's one of the best off the album.

The Sound of Silence as covered by Disturbed

I actually saw a friend share this one facebook, and ever since I've been sort of addicted to it. Though I haven't listened to it in about a month, I still think it's one of the best covers of this song out there. I don't think anything will beat the original [Simon&Garfunkel] but this is a close second.

Kubo and the Two Strings soundtrack

Everything about this movie is beautiful, from the animation to the music. Though I know some people may not care for it, as it's not entirely true to the original legend. [?] But I liked it for what it was, and I don't think you have to like the movie to appreciate the soundtrack.

Chasing Ghosts by Against the Current

This really is more of a 2016 favorite, but I still listen to it quite a lot. ATC is a little underrated if you ask me, but they seem to be doing well for themselves. Though I find it odd that they're playing with the likes of coldrain.

VENA album by coldrain

I find it weird that I listen to it mainly on Spotify since I have the actual album, but some weeks this album is playing nonstop. I could listen to GONE and HEART OF THE YOUNG over and over until my ears bleed, and let's not forget WRONG. This album is gold, and I'm really excited for their new album to come out worldwide.

13stairs[-]1 by the GazettE

It's still an older song, but I can't stop listening to it. This past couple of weeks I've been blasting it over and over, maybe it's because I'm really bummed that they didn't play it in LA. I really REALLY need to hear this song live.

COCKROACH by the GazettE

Speaking of oldies. I just bought Gama a couple of months ago, it was an album I've been wanting but haven't gotten around to buying. I was lucky that CDJapan was still offering it, as most of the older albums aren't available a lot of the times. I never fully appreciated Cockroach until I heard them play it live in LA, and I'm glad they did. It was fun to experience this song in person, I even knew how to do the dance to it.

Colors by Halsey

I'm not as big as a fan of Halsey as I should be, but Colors [both versions] is one of my favorites from her. But mainly because it brings back memories of my time prepping for my Gaze-trip and my actual trip. I listened to it a lot in California for some reason, so I associate it with those times. [I also need to thank Mikki for showing me the Stripped version first.] 

 Heavy by Linkin Park

Granted I've been listening to a LOT of Linkin Park ever since the tragic passing of Chester Bennington, but I was already listening to Heavy a lot. Despite the criticism against it made by most fans, I really liked the song. I thought it was a nice change of pace for the band, and they really seemed to like the product they came out with. I think it conveyed a lot of what Chester was feeling at the time as well, it's sad that some people missed the message.

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Well, I think that's it or now, but I might add a few more if I think of something. 

What are your favorite music from 2017?

My favorite bassists.

I'm not putting this in a list, considering I don't have enough to fill even a top 5 despite the fact that I do appreciate bassists in all bands. But since I'm sticking mainly to the Japanese scene, I don't think it's really needed and perhaps I'll revise this blog later on. [I say that all the time, but I don't do it.....oops.]

Reita of the GazettE

Who doesn't like Reita? I feel like I've never met a person who disliked him, or maybe I just don't pay enough attention to those who don't like him. I notice different things when listening to the GazettE, and some songs I can really appreciate his talent. I'm so glad he decided to give up the guitar and go to bass, or the GazettE might not be here now. [As quoted by one of them, somewhere...I forget.]

Aside from his talent, he's really a nice guy. Just from his interactions with fans on twitter and to those stories I've heard of people who's met him, I can definitely tell. I hope to meet him one day and tell him how great he is.

Naoki of Kagrra, (Ex) Players (Ex)

I tell this to a lot of people, especially my friends, that Kagrra, was the first visual kei band I've ever liked. And Naoki played a role that for sure. He's extremely kind to his kohai's, and supportive that it's hard not to like him. [Kai seems to be infatuated with him even lol] 

His talent shines through Kagrra's music, much like his bandmates. And even though I haven't really listened to his newer stuff, I still find myself checking on his activities. More so than a lot of other Vkei musicians that aren't the GazettE. 

RxYxO of Coldrain

Photo taken at Salt Lake City Warped Tour, July 30th, 2016

I've personally met Ryo, and though my interaction with him was brief I was still amazed at how kind he was. I actually met him twice, though the first time I simply waved to him on stage and he waved back at me. [So that doesn't really count as meeting him, just waving at him.]

He's extremely talented, and fun to watch play live. I couldn't help but watch him a lot when I saw coldrain at Warped Tour. [The first time I saw them I didn't see much of him, because of my position by the stage.] As I said, he's really nice and one of the most genuine people you could ever meet.

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And that's it for my favorite bassists, as I said I don't have a lot that I can name off the top of my head.