PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK 2024 #46

2 years ago

Still away, here’s a playlist of the week to complement the last one. We’re diving back into anime, but this time with some great endings!

As I mentioned last week, anime themes are a great way to discover artists who aren’t well-known in the West. And that goes for ending themes too! Some are just as iconic as the openings, so I couldn’t resist making another anime-themed playlist for you this week.

CLASSICS AND FAVOURITES

Let’s start with a true classic – both in style and substance. Last Piece by Kirari is the first ending theme from GTO and perfectly captures the essence of what an ending theme was in the 2000s – a lighter tone with a folk and R’n’B base. But not all of them follow this formula, as we quickly see with the much more recent Mephisto by QUEEN BEE for Oshi No Ko. Dark and electro-punk, Avu-chan’s voice is unforgettable and should send chills down your spine.

Another kind of chill follows with orion by Kenshi Yonezu for the anime March Comes in Like a Lion. It’s lighter, more pop, and a true classic for the artist. It’s also an exception here, as I knew the song before the anime. In the same fresh and catchy pop genre, we find colour by yama for Spy x Family. Once again, it’s a perfect hit from the young anime!

- - - - Want some classic playlists? Check these out!

Next, we go back to the volleyball court of Haikyuu!! for the gentle and motivating Mashi Mashi by NICO Touches the Walls. After the sports, it’s time to party with the recent Party!! by Ryokuoushoku Shakai for Delicious in Dungeon – very contrasting and with perfectly balanced humour. The title and the series are among our favourites of the year. Speaking of humour and food, it was only natural to include Mashle here, with the incredibly catchy Chou Cream Funk by Philosophy no Dance. The party is far from over, as the playlist of the week is hit with a major banger next. It likely contributed to the success of Jujutsu Kaisen: LOST IN PARADISE. Not due to the band’s fame, but because of its unique vibe. ALI teamed up with AKLO for the perfect rap-funk mix, creating a stark contrast with traditional shōnen soundtracks!

AWAY AND BACK AGAIN

Welcome My Friend by OKAMOTO’S follows naturally, also with a rap base. Its darker atmosphere fits perfectly with its series, Millionaire Detective: Balance Unlimited. We then shift back to something more classic with Stereopony’s Hitohira No Hanabira for BLEACH. The guitars take centre stage, and we won’t put them away until the very end of this week’s playlist. Their clear riffs sound bright before the deeper ones of the duo MAN WITH A MISSION and milet echo with Koi Kogare for Demon Slayer. It’s a winning combo, that also delivered an incredible opening for the series. The two naturally complement each other.

Finally, I couldn’t miss Vaundy. There’s so much (too much?) to choose from his work, so I’m going with my personal favourite: CHAINSAW BLOOD. For season one of Chainsaw Man, each episode had its own unique ending. This track is the first of the twelve – and a fantastic banger to end the playlist of the week and this filler arc on anime themes.