TAXI.com

I sent the Head Screener email about how I think the descriptions are cringe, what do you think?:

"Hi,
Lots of PIANO-Driven, JAPANESE-Flavored EDM INSTRUMENTALS # S241108PD
"Please submit well-crafted Japanese-flavored EDM Instrumentals (and/or Cues) with a piano-driven sound and lots of over-the-top energy! Your submissions should have fun melodies, fast-paced rhythms, and jazz-influenced compositions (think non-diatonic changes, modal melodies, etc)."

Yes, I wonder if whom ever comes up with descriptions knows what they are talking about. How are the references considered "Japanese-flavored" what does that actually mean? I would have expected a Japanese flute or some other traditional Japanese instrument. If I heard these pieces not knowing they are from Japanese artists I wouldn't know they were Japanese artists.

Also, the references are anything but "non-diatonic changes and modal melodies". I wish you guys would stop with the cringe boiler plate descriptions. Let the reference tracks speak for them selves.

Unless someone is a total newbie at songwriting and producing, saying stuff like "Powerful choruses, catchy hooks, emotionally captivating motifs, solid arrangements, and well-performed vocals", etc. comes across as talking down to your subscribers, I know that is not your intention but it rubs me and probably other serious producers/songwriters the wrong way.

If we get a Return, that's what the critiques are for to address the details.

Thanks for listening.
John"

What do I think?

Your email to headscreener has a decidedly nasty tone to it. Do you think that's helpful? Part of succeeding in this business (like any other) has to do with interpersonal and communication skills. You could have raised those points without the tone.

The reality is music supervisors and some A&R folks aren't the best at describing exactly what they are looking for. Taxi gets the requests from their clients and works with them to refine the listing. Have you ever dealt with briefs outside of Taxi? I've worked with briefs from libraries, sync agents, and music supervisors. They don't always make total sense. I agree that the reference tracks are what matters. That's what they are there for. Overall, Taxi listings are among the best briefs I generally see. They put a lot of effort into communicating what the client wants.

Powerful choruses, catchy hooks, emotionally captivating motifs, solid arrangements, and well-performed vocals", etc. comes across as talking down to your subscribers

I have to disagree here. Taxi has a wide range of members, many beginners, and many experienced. I teach a songwriting Driver's Ed class at the rally and when I first developed it, I was concerned that the material would be too basic. It was quite the opposite. There were many songwriting newbies who really needed to learn about verses, choruses, bridges, and sectional contrast. Also, those words in the listing make it clearer for a screener to explain why a submission isn't up to par for the listing.

BTW, I did check out this listing earlier today before I read your post and has the same reaction-- I don't hear anything Japanese. When stuff like that happens, I shrug it off and go by the references. Nothing that gets me riled up.

Casey

Japanese EDM definitely has its own vibe, just like European and US EDM do. It generally sticks to the same harmonic structure you'd find in Western EDM—diatonic and straightforward—focusing more on energy, rhythm, and texture rather than complex harmonies. Non-diatonic changes or modal melodies aren’t the norm.

That said, some Japanese artists incorporate jazz influences, so you might catch a non-diatonic change or modal feel, especially in fusion styles like jazztronica. But overall, those terms feel a bit overblown for this genre.

Instead of getting worked up, just look to the reference tracks for guidance. Knowing it’s "Japanese-flavored" EDM isn't just fluff—it helps you research the genre and understand the artists' influences. There may be subtle cultural twists in the production that set it apart, even if they’re not immediately obvious.

Without that context, you might just see it as generic EDM. So while you might not hear a koto solo, recognizing the Japanese roots still matters for grasping the overall sound.

Mark