Finally, this last roundup of collaborations takes a quick look at other bands with entertaining songs. While BABYMETAL and BAND-MAID got the spotlight in the previous entries, there is still more happening with Japanese and Western collaborations. A few notable entries have artists from the worlds of rock, pop, and rap coming together. Even though most of these collabs bring people together, read to the end, where some hard feelings flare up, and it all falls apart.
Crossfaith and WARGASM
In May 2024, the UK’s WARGASM and Japan’s Crossfaith linked up for God Speed. It is definitely worth watching for those craving a dopamine rush! The song is a high-energy, futuristic, and post-apocalyptic single that blends metal, industrial, and electro-punk elements. The track combines Crossfaith’s signature techno-metalcore sound with WARGASM’s nu-metal-inspired energy, creating a frenetic banger.
Lyrically, it explores living true to one’s desires in a controlled, monitored society, while delivering a rebellious and intense vibe. Heightening the intensity, the music video explodes with cyberpunk-inspired visuals and glitchy digital effects as the bands unleash chaos across late-night raves, semiconductor factories, and gritty city streets. Certainly, it’s used to great effect to hammer home the themes of euphoria against the backdrop of societal collapse.
DEMONDICE and NANO
A little further back in 2023, Japanese-American singer NANO called on creative producer DEMONDICE for We Are The Vanguard. Interestingly, a fitting collab given NANO’s history of recording original theme songs for various anime series in Japan, while also utilizing DEMONDICE’s expertise in music and animation projects. The result, Vanguard, is an intense, rebellious anthem blending J-rock and rap.
It highlights NANO’s powerful vocals and DEMONDICE’s dynamic rap to the chords of high-energy electronic and rock instrumentation. Written in English, it conveys themes of defiance, breaking free from societal constraints, and igniting a revolution. The chorus emphasizes fighting for freedom and holding onto one’s inner resolve, urging listeners to embrace their inner strength and challenge the status quo. It has been some time since this was released, will there be any more collaborations from these two again?
Frost Children and HARU NEMURI
Ultimately, Japanese “poetry rapper” HARU NEMURI joined forces with American duo Frost Children, outdoing everyone for 2024’s Soul Kiss, an EP of five collaborations! The year prior, NEMURI came to international prominence when her song, Let It Go As If You Wander, became immensely popular from the video game soundtrack Cyberpunk 2077. Also, as was the case for BAND-MAID and The Warning, Frost Children formed a friendship with NEMURI while performing at music festivals.
Notably, Burn stands out with a jolting mix of new rave, J-rock, and electronic pop. In particular, this second track on the EP explores themes of self-expression, emotional release, and breaking free from negative constraints. That is to say, it captures a struggle for authenticity and vulnerability in a chaotic, modern world. It is especially evocative when the lyrics combine with the dynamic instrumentation of guitars and EDM, which pairs well with a visually intense music video shot in Japan. In the music video, the artists perform against strong Autumn winds, conveying a raw, rebellious spirit as the sun goes down behind them.
Feeling Burned After the Kiss
Unfortunately, friends no more, as this may be the last time HARU NEMURI and Frost Children work together. Back in April, NEMURI fired out posts on Instagram and X expressing frustration over mistakes ignored by Frost Children’s staff. Then, Frost Children reply, stating issues with NEMURI and agents over song royalties. Regrettably, this is a risk of international collaboration; there are challenges between labels, producers, and even language, so much so that even goodwill could get lost in translation.
Despite this setback, these two years have seen amazing artists work beyond barriers to deliver some truly powerful music. If anything else, now is a good time to give these wonderful works of audio a listen. Sometimes, it’s too easy to overlook good songs in our playlists when there are so many. Yet, with these extraordinary collaborations breaking borders and forging new bonds, now is a good time to listen.
Did I miss any? Let me know.
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