Preface#
Welcome to Black201's 2023 CN Doujin Music Review. Rather than a review, it's more about sharing what I've bought and listened to this year. I initially recorded a video, but I rambled on for over half an hour without discussing many albums, so the information density was too low. Writing it down in this format suits me better. This year, I didn't buy many Japanese doujin music albums; most of my spending on albums went to Chinese doujin music.
There are also many high-quality albums that haven't received good promotion, so I want to help promote them.
Reminder Before Watching:
- There are probably two reasons why I haven't mentioned something: either I haven't gotten my hands on it yet or I haven't listened to it (for example, I'm planning to buy many Touhou albums during the next THO or event), or I'm not very interested, or I might have missed it. Most of the time, it's the first reason.
- This article is entirely based on my personal preferences and does not represent anything else.
- I will also roast some albums because I want to.
So let's start talking about the CN doujin music albums I liked this year (2023).
Main Text#
Silent Xords#
- Aim For Apex #3: Transcending Fantasies
First, I want to recommend my own album, which I believe is the highest quality doujin Hardstyle album currently available, without exception: AFA3.
There's no need to elaborate on the hit song Avalon, and a series of albums like Anubasu and Wuhua Tea are also very enjoyable.
No need to say much about myself; you can listen here: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1VK411k7jY
Rii Uekawa#
- Kaima Records
As a long-time fan of Rii, I think the music quality of Rii and 5T in the doujin music scene is simply unparalleled.
And! Track 5 of this album is actually "Sunflower of the Night" by Suri Hibi.
And! The character on the cover of this album is definitely my favorite this year.
Listen: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Au411N78u
Kiriyakujyou Studio#
- VocaStrike-Voice Attack-
A very enjoyable album from the genre of vocaloid music.
This album, along with this year's Bedroom Four-Panel, changed my long-standing view on Chinese vocaloid music.
I used to think that good Chinese vocaloid songs were only found in Supa Songs.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1EP41127cR
658 Rhapsody#
- Touhou Jia Yi Mu ~Break
Folk-style Touhou Project doujin music. The first album from a few years ago already had some folk elements, and this one can be said to be fully folk.
I have always felt that Touhou music and folk music are very compatible, and finally, a good realization has been achieved.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1X14y1R79U
Mofu Gakuen#
- Touhou Utopia Vol.3
In the first half of this year, they actually released a Touhou Utopia Vol.2, but I didn't really like that one.
However, this one has several tracks that I quite enjoy,
for example, Tr.4's Hardpop and Sanaas' track, both of which are of very high quality.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1NN4y1t7bJ
Harmonia Godness#
- Ode alla vita【Ode to Life】
You can tell what kind of album it is just by looking at the cover.
The listening experience is really refreshing; I don't even need to recommend any specific tracks; any of the five tracks you randomly pick will be great.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1z24y1z7D6
HUI-Works
- Raindrops & Aftermath
An album that encompasses atmosphere and Trip Hop, designed with a sample pack.
I really want to buy a physical copy; I've heard it will be released soon.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Fb4y137C3
- Breezy Blossoms
The reason for buying:
However! The design of this album is really lacking in effort.
The disc design is just the cover, which isn't much.
But the credits are too simplistic! Where's the tracklist?
I hope the next one can be done better.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Cc411w7eJ
- Violet (Violet)
The tracks are good, especially the one "Decisive Death."
But this design is really
a bit like grandma's underwear.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1zA411B7Dn/
Getsuka Society#
- FIRST REMINISCENCE (Getsuka Society's 1st Anniversary Album)
- Floral EP
- Inoch EP Revisited
-
Yu -Retrospective Chongqing.-
-
A Cup of Fragrance
I bought all the albums from Getsuka Society.
This year they released five CDs at once, and most of the tracks were written by the main organizer, Khrisma.
A true hardworking artist, and the five albums have different styles.
My favorite is their latest album, A Cup of Fragrance, which is very suitable for video background music; in fact, I've already used it several times.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1mj411H79j
Structure Sound#
-
Blue Parallel
I don't like Ba music, so I won't comment on this album.
But
why does a doujin album only have one doujin track?
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1sm4y1p7tg
- Mist of Scarlet
A very good Touhou album; when I first saw the cover, I thought it was a metal album, but it's actually a wide-ranging album of metal and electronic music.
If you like either of these two genres, I think you'll enjoy this album.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1MV4y1Z7tg
-
Minimalist Structure
Just For 416.
The only two albums I bought this year.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV18M4y1S7rM
-
Bedside Stories
A fresh electronic album; I would say it's my favorite pure electronic CN doujin album this year.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV16z4y187o5
Kreuzwave#
- COMPLEXA(C)TION
When is the new album coming out!
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV17M411M7ea
DON'T LΣT STU#
- Tezeria Fantasy ~Tysella il Phantasia~
A world music album organized by Izumi Yuki. Although it's called a world music album, many tracks incorporate electronic elements.
I've used the music from this album in previous videos; if you're interested in world music, you might want to give it a listen.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1994y1k7mA
Odoriin's Upanishad of Death#
-
Rapid Transit·Rebirth
This can be said to be my favorite vocal doujin album of 2023. I previously invited Odoriin to our tea party to discuss this album, and the recording will be released in a while, so stay tuned.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV14j411H7C9
Moe Box#
-
Moe Release｜MOEAMPLIFIER SEENO!
A new group focused on cute two-dimensional music; I still need to ask the organizer.
When is the new album coming out!
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1nm4y1U7iS
EIMSOUND#
-
Echo In Mirror
My favorite CN doujin album this year; every song is great, and it covers a variety of music genres.
There are a few tracks that can be considered my favorite doujin singles of the year, but I want to keep some suspense about what they are.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1ha4y1P7YG
bunny_rhyTHm#
-
Beats&rhyTHm Vol.1
As a fan of Yingsan, I was very happy that the bunny group released a Eurobeats album.
However, I haven't gotten this album yet.
On the second day of the CP launch, when I went to buy it, it was already sold out, and the bunny group's staff told me to buy it on Taobao.
So I went to buy it on Taobao, but I don't know if I forgot to pick it up or if it got lost along the way, and I ultimately didn't get the album!
Oh dear,
I must make sure to get another copy next time.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Vo4y1t7j1
- No Self in Dream, Joy, Anger, Sorrow, and Happiness
I won't say much about the tracks; Night Sparrow Dining Hall is the only Touhou doujin game I've spent a lot of time playing in recent years.
It's quite good; you might want to give it a try.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1o84y1Z7pu
Thoughost#
-
After the Forerunner e.p.
Respect EP; I've mentioned it before.
You might want to search for the experiences of other participating artists' tracks.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1oh411j7AC
-
16:48
16:48 made me realize what a doujin album filled with heart and love looks like for the first time.
Listening to this album, you can really feel the inner thoughts of the artist and how they face music.
It's a very magical experience.
Listen, artist: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1oh411j7AC
Clip_sounds#
-
Weather Misreport
An album themed around the weather; my favorite track is still the black cat's Hi-tech Psy.
Also, the plastic woman on the cover is not my type, hmm.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1kh411E7jQ
Chroma_Sounds#
-
Touhou Colours: Sapphire
-
Touhou Colours: Amethyst
Guys, can we just stop making color bass now?
This is what I wanted to say when the first album from Chroma was released.
I didn't really like the first one; it was a bit boring.
But after the second one came out, there were a few tracks that changed my mind.
"I guess Touhou + Colorbass can still create something different," I thought.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV16c41127ua
Bedroom Four-Panel#
-
Bedroom Four-Panel
Before Bedroom Four-Panel, my impression of Yan He dates back ten years.
The impression was that she was the Chinese version of Kagamine Rin, and there weren't many good songs from Yan He back then.
Ten years later, this doujin album has quite a few impressive tracks.
But I still think these tracks would be better sung by someone else; I'm still not a fan of Yan He's voice.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1xX4y1H7vo
Yamaurotobi Real Estate#
-
FF'80s POP EP1
I especially like the first track, but buying an album for just one song feels like a loss, so I'll wait to buy a physical copy.
Lainia's singing is amazing.
However, the second track's gas music is a bit too much.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1DF411o7FR
Crimson Dreamland#
-
Ensanguined Labyrinth
This is also an album with a significant gap between the highs and lows, but it's cheap, so it's worth buying for those few good tracks.
It's a nice electric album from the Touhou series.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Wz4y137qR
TsuBaKi-Project#
-
MoonRail
TsuBaKi's MoonRail is my favorite Touhou rock/metal album this year
(It's not because there was no album released by the duo this year, no).
I already liked last year's KUROHAE a lot.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1ju4y1q7YJ
Big Yuzu#
-
TOHO Latin Dance
Pure
Just one word
Pure
Although the combination of Touhou + Latin has appeared many times,
I've never seen an album this pure before.
Okay, there might be a few good pure instrumental albums, but for albums with vocals, I've never seen one this pure.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1nh4y1S7dX
Wheatfox#
-
Life Blossom
This album by Wheatfox is probably the one I've used the most for background music in my videos.
Wheatfox is also the most INDIE doujin composer I've seen among all domestic doujin composers.
Rather than saying it's high quality, it's more of
a highly versatile album.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Sk4y1A716
Ling Society Phantom Sound#
- Wave Gap Floating
- Echo from the Other Shore
I really want to buy this album, but I haven't.
SO expensive.
Four songs plus a download card CD cost 50. The average price per song is 12.5.
Moreover, the physical copy plus the download card is sold at a price higher than Dizzylab.
These two albums make me think about writing a column in the future to discuss the pricing of doujin CDs, so stay tuned.
Listen: https://space.bilibili.com/3493289202289341
Eni#
-
Athánatos Miotas
For the second time in 2023, I got goosebumps from CN doujin music.
The first time was when Laxeno57 used a very unpleasant Hardstyle Kick Fill in his Trance in the Respect EP.
But this album gave me goosebumps because the production is so good; when I first clicked to listen to the first track, I heard a sound I had never encountered in domestic doujin music before.
I really like it and plan to get a copy at DizzyMarket next time.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1N94y1h7t9
Sugar Association#
-
Girl's Prayer, Night ½: Outside is like this, do you still believe in magic?
I don't believe it.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Mp4y1c736
Array of Kindness#
-
Encounter and Reunion
【Composer】Oshima Hiroyuki
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1d94y1t7PS
AD: Peak#
-
A Flower Shower Clinging to Illusion
Many tracks have great ideas; I bought it to support it and really like the second track.
However, the production could definitely be improved a bit, and I should remind you that the cover resolution uploaded by Dizzylab is a bit low.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Yc411z7fZ
luke#
-
Tr@ncing Dollz
-
day scene
Finally, I want to recommend two Idolmaster doujin albums.
Tr@ncing Dollz! A few days before this album was released, I was chatting with someone, saying that Idolmaster doujin albums have become extinct.
But no, there are still people making them.
If you are a Proliferator, I think you should give these two albums a listen.
If you are not, then I think you should listen to Idolmaster music and become a Proliferator.
Listen: www.bilibili.com/video/BV12p4y1w7mh
This year, I don't have anything special to say at the end. Everyone has made great progress over the year, and I hope to hear better music in domestic doujin in 2024.
That's all.