My band used male and female twin vocals with every member singing, and that format had become increasingly common.
Here are five bands with male and female vocals that I listened to often.
Ling tosite sigure
Ling tosite sigure may be Japan’s best-known example of male and female twin vocals.
TK’s unusually high male voice makes the result completely different from a conventional male-female duet. Their vocal style is unmistakably their own.
The songs are equally distinctive: a huge sound from one guitar, intricate arrangements from every instrument, and suite-like structures.
Tokyo Karankoron
I became a fan through “Koi no Machine Gun.” That song has little male lead melody, but “Tokyo Dive,” linked above, is a clear twin-vocal arrangement.
Their pop-oriented, catchy sound can appeal to a broad audience.
Wienners
Wienners is fronted by Tamaya 2060%, who has also written for Dempagumi.inc. Female vocalist Asami Sae joined in 2015 after MAX left in 2014 and made the band feel even stronger.
The songs are crafted so skillfully that two freewheeling voices blend naturally. The band uses every advantage of the format.
“Soten Delight” is a personal favorite.
Scenarioart
I first heard Scenarioart through “Nana Hitsuji,” where the male voice supports a female-led song.
“Sayonara Moon Town” revealed a fuller interplay, with the two voices alternating the lead melody especially well.
Hello Sleepwalkers
I had thought of them as a male-fronted band until hearing the chorus of “Shinsekai” switch to a female lead.
Both voices have strong individual character. Rather than blending into one texture, each takes command in turn.
Conclusion
My own band also used male and female twin vocals. At the time this article was written, our female vocalist Papi was on maternity leave, so live shows temporarily featured only the male vocalist.
Our recordings remained available on Apple Music and other streaming services under the name Amaoto.
