Discover the top 10 recommended Asian musicians of all time! From K-Pop superstars to traditional composers, this list has something for every music fan. Here are ten recommended Asian musicians the United States of America should listen to.
We have all witnessed the awesomeness of Asians. They are the kind of people that can do better, whatever it is that someone can do well. We see it all the time on YouTube, but it’s time for us to realize that their greatness isn’t limited to YouTube. Some musicians have a mainstream career in their own country but deserve a spot in the international scene, more than 3/4 of existing international musicians.
These are musicians that the international market should pay attention to because they don’t just bring melodies and lyrics; they bring in a revolutionary style and unprecedented musical refinement that you will not find in Hollywood
1. Yuna
Genre: Acoustic Pop
Basic Info: Active from 2008 until the present day, Yuna has had three albums released in Malaysia, consisting of the self-titled EP from 2008, Decorate from 2010, and Terukir Di Bintang from 2012. An EP version of Decorate was released in the US last March 2011, while a self-titled follow-up, Yuna, was released in April 2012.
Review: Yuna is the first entry on our Top 10 Recommended Asian Musicians list.
Since Yuna’s music is essentially her voice and a guitar, with other instruments mere periphery, it’s hard to peg her sound down with words due to sheer simplicity. But there are traces of Coldplay, John Mayer, and maybe a softer Adele if you’re looking for a western comparison. Ultimately, it’s just a Malaysian girl with one of the most beautiful voices you’ll hear singing, sometimes sad, sometimes happy, and almost always profound lyrics with accompaniment that does nothing but serve as the framework to the singer’s voice and the lyric’s content.
2. Kadangyan
Genre: Ethnic Rock
Basic Info: Kadangyan has been around since 2002, with two full-length albums titled Kadangyan (2002) and Mandirigma (2010). Most of their audiences got their albums from online repositories such as Bandcamp.
Review: Kadangyan provides a fresh breath of air amidst a sea of commercial rock bands who rely more on focus groups than creativity. Instead of walls of distorted guitars and barre chord riffs, Kadangyan fuses ethnic beats and rock music via a mixture of indigenous and modern instruments.
3. Dir en Grey
Genre: J-Metal
Basic Info: Dir en Grey has been around since 1997 and has released eight studio albums consisting of Gauze, Macabre, Kisou, Vulgar, Withering to Death, The Marrow of a Bone, Uroboros, and Dum Spiro Spero.
Review: Dir en Grey originally started as a visual kei band but has gradually evolved visually, opting for less dramatic attire over the years. Musically, they’ve always skirted the line separating traditional J-Rock with Nu Metal, eventually settling on a sound more akin to experimental metal. Their trademark sound is less melodic than J-rock, with primal screams giving way to vocal hooks and with vocalist Kyo alternating between whispers and mumbles in some parts. Their songs also shift between pounding, downturned riff-fests and slow ballads (sometimes in the same song), making for a truly unique experience.
4. Peterpan
Genre: Pop Rock/Alternative Rock
Basic Info: The Indonesian quintet was initially formed in 1997 and currently has six albums to their name, consisting of Taman Langit, Bintang di Surga, Alexandria OST, Hari yang Cerah, Sebuah Nama Sebuah Cerita, and Seperti Seharusnya.
Review: The members of Peterpan originally played on the streets of Bandung and in various cafes, covering western pop and rock songs from the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Creed, and Coldplay, and it shows in their music. The majority of their songs are in Bahasa. However, the influence of the west is still present in the radio-friendly, catchy melodies and the use of contemporary rock instruments. Despite the quality of their music, it is sad to say that they only reached international prominence due to the frontman’s sex scandal.
5. Goodnight Electric
Genre: Synthpop, Dance
Basic Info: Formed in 2003 and remaining active to this day, the trio of musicians Bondi Goodboy, Henry “Batman” Foundation, and Oomleo has released a total of four studio albums, consisting of Love and Turbo Action (Yellow Album), Love and Turbo Action (Silver Album), Love and Turbo Action (Green Album), and Electroduce Yourself.
Review: The Indonesian trio of Goodnight Electric provides a complete entertainment package that consists of good, catchy music and appealing presentation, with the group making a habit of performing while wearing identical ensembles of tracksuits, shades, and visors. Their songs tend to be meant for clubbing and dancing, so it’s not a big deal that their English lyrics are usually nonsense.
Who is the most popular Asian artist?
It’s hard to pinpoint one particular artist as the most popular Asian artist, as popularity varies from country to country. However, some of the most well-known and successful Asian artists include BTS (K-pop), Ayumi Hamasaki (J-pop), Psy (K-pop), and Jackie Chan (actor/singer).
Who is the No 1 singer in Asia?
It’s difficult to say who the No 1 singer in Asia is since there are many talented singers in the region. However, some of the most popular and successful singers include K-pop stars like BTS, TWICE, BLACKPINK, and EXO; Indian playback singers like Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal; and Chinese pop stars such as Jay Chou, G.E.M., and Li Yuchun.