Yuki Kajiura/Kalafina

She’s a Japanese goddess when it comes to composing soundtrack for movies and anime. I absolutely adore her compositions. She’s not only creative and original (and carefree in what she’s doing!), but she totally understands how soundtracks are supposed to be like. Some songs need to have soft, melancholic melody, some need more kick and power, some need to sound mysterious or sublime… she’s a sensible artist.

 Yuki Kajiura

Interesting Fact: She majored in English literature, after graduating she worked as a programmer in Tokio. However, in 1992 she chose a musical path. In some way, her father inspired her to do this, as he was a huge fan of European classical music and opera himself. 

Yuki created many musical projects but she’s mostly linked with Kalafina, a Japanese vocal group, formed in 2007. At present it contains of three singers. 

(From the left: Hikaru Masai, Keiko Kubota and Wakana Otaki)

Those women are just incredible vocalists, they definitely deserve to be talked about. Their synchro is so on point, it always gives me goosebumps. Beside that, I really like their fashion style on stage. In Japan it is called: classic lolita, it is a very feminine style, where women wear long dresses, elegant hats and ribbons. Very chic!  

Hozier

It was love at first sight (or rather listening). There’s just something about him, about the way he sings, the music he plays and the lyrics… all of it just fits right in the place. This is music, guys.

Andrew Hozier-Byrne

Interesting Fact: He’s Irish. And to top off that – he was born on Saint Patrick’s Day!

His first single Take me to church, released in 2013, was a huge success. The music video of said song was seen by about 320 mln people. (!) Considering the fact that it’s triggering and controversial, because it talks about homosexuality and how it is still perceived by other people – I’d say it’s an enormous number of views. The song itself is very catchy, and has very moving and at the same time crude lyrics – some may say “too harsh”, but I disagree. Because that’s the reality, sadly. On the other hand, the popularity of this song may give some positive outcome, force people to reflect on some things from different perspective. For that – a big kudos to Hozier!

As I already said, I’m totally enchanted by the way he performs, but I’m also impressed by his talent for writing lyrics. Even if he brings up a hackneyed subject, like falling in love – he does it his own way, and after all it doesn’t sound so trivial as one may think.