Patrick St. Michel

Japan, Tokyo

Writer at Freelance

Writer in Tokyo. Music / Internet / Food / Pop Culture / PR @VegasPRGroup @marumgmt / [email protected]

Articles

Make Believe Bonus: "Kimi To Idol PreCure" And "Tabekko Dobutsu THE MOVIE"

5 days ago | mbmelodies.substack.com | Patrick St. Michel

Note: Spoilers For Kimi To Idol PreCure And A Movie About Animal Crackers FollowsIdol music of the traditional upbeat, bubbly variety feels like it’s having a return to the spotlight in 2025. I’ve looked at the actual songs helping to make this happen recently, but just as importantly is how this corner of entertainment has appeared in other media too. And nothing underlines that better then works designed for elementary school students.
Make Believe Mailer #141: AI Scream!

6 days ago | mbmelodies.substack.com | Patrick St. Michel

One of the biggest Japanese songs of the year is clearly AI generated. It’s also about cumming. “Iku iku iku!” goes the opening to “YAJU&U,” with the Japanese for busting delivered over a downright goofy synthesized string arrangement. The voice offering this all up sounds heavily processed, especially when half-a-dozen more join in come the chorus.
With a new Shibuya studio, Apple Music bets big on Japan

1 week ago | japantimes.co.jp | Patrick St. Michel

Radio personality Zane Lowe bops his head to a wonky Japanese funk-pop song inside the newly opened Apple Music studio in Tokyo. “It’s like ... ‘Pet Sounds’ on steroids,” says Mino, a musician, YouTuber and host of Apple Music Japan’s “Tokyo Highway Radio,” describing “Walking Whiz” by Souki Urakami — one of his picks for a show called “Record Exchange: Japan.”Lowe, the longtime DJ and Apple Music host, grooves along to the track with fellow platform personalities Ebro Darden and Kentaro Ochiai.
Make Believe Melodies For May 6, 2025

1 week ago | mbmelodies.substack.com | Patrick St. Michel

nyamura — Another SeraphAnother Seraph captures an era of Japanese music centered on SoundCloud from all angles.
Make Believe Melodies For April 28, 2025

2 weeks ago | mbmelodies.substack.com | Patrick St. Michel

CUTIE STREET — “Chikyuu Make-Up Keikaku”The J-pop vibe shift truly registered with me in recent weeks, when I heard CUTIE STREET in a kindergarten. As absurd as it sounds, a glorified holding pen for toddlers offers fantastic insight into what’s poppin’ in the country. A five-year-old kid responds to big hits, while the teachers tend to be more general in their taste. The likes of YOASOBI and Creepy Nuts and especially Mrs. GREEN APPLE have reigned supreme.
Expo '25 gives the world a masterclass in mascots

2 weeks ago | japantimes.co.jp | Patrick St. Michel

Myaku-Myaku, the multieyed, red-and-blue blob serving as the official mascot for Expo 2025 in Osaka, has become more than just a face of the event — it’s become the blueprint. Walk the grounds for more than five minutes and you’ll see it: Countries from around the globe have brought their own mascots to the party, and many of them owe a debt to Japan’s particular flavor of character culture. Take Australia.
Sasuke Haraguchi’s provocative soundtracks for digital natives

2 weeks ago | japantimes.co.jp | Patrick St. Michel

Sasuke Haraguchi is in high demand, and he’s not sure how he’s able to manage it. “I always just get things done before they’re due,” the 21-year-old electronic artist tells The Japan Times from a cafe underneath his apartment near Yoyogi Station, a spot he comes to when he needs a change of scenery. On this rainy afternoon in early April, he has 10 imminent deadlines. “I don’t know when I started getting busy ... but I do remember the times I wasn’t busy,” he says with a laugh.
Make Believe Melodies For April 21, 2025

3 weeks ago | mbmelodies.substack.com | Patrick St. Michel

Piaman — FriendsPiaman had me at the goofy Hanna-Barbera-ass sample popping up relatively early in “Hinode.” The first EP from Piaman — one half of dance unit RYOKO2000 and previously releasing music as Pianootoko — revels in fun little moments while it blasts ahead behind floor-ready jams. A sense of humor is to be expected from a creator behind a whole bonkers collection centered around synthesized sax, yet on Friends the silliness gets paired with sturdy sounds.
Japan wanted a cultural do-over. Ado gave it one.

3 weeks ago | japantimes.co.jp | Patrick St. Michel

For a minute there, it looked like J-pop singer Ado wasn’t going to take the stage at Expo ’25. On April 13, the opening day of the 2025 Osaka Expo, Mother Nature had other plans. Sheets of rain and howling winds pummeled Yumeshima, the artificial island hosting the international event, turning it into something resembling a wet wind tunnel. Hundreds of visitors — who had come from across Japan and beyond — scrambled for shelter. The food halls were packed. The arcades were packed.
Make Believe Bonus: Assorted Osaka Expo 2025 Music Thoughts

4 weeks ago | mbmelodies.substack.com | Patrick St. Michel

It has never been more over for K-pop as an international force, at least going off of what I saw at Osaka Expo 2025 this past weekend.

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Patrick St. Michel @mbmelodies

13 May 25

The latest from @tonoasami helps to expand and underline the Siren For Charlotte ethos...plus new music from @Tomggg @ayty7 @STUTS_atik and more in this week's round-up post https://t.co/hHkeXfaVSM https://t.co/W9SBMDcnUT

Patrick St. Michel @mbmelodies

13 May 25

RT @milk_talk: MILK TALK LIVE INFO 1ST EVER US APPEARANCE JUNE 13TH, 2025 🍾 https://t.co/dAS3LyesxX

Patrick St. Michel @mbmelodies

12 May 25

ZOZO Marine Stadium -- home to Summer Sonic and all kinds of big concerts (not to mention baseball and other sports) -- will be demolished and relocated to a parking lot near the Makuhari Messe convention center