Caught yourself listening to Vocaloid songs on a loop? No-one can deny how addictive the songs are. With such a broad range of genres to choose from, you may find yourself trying to listen to as many as possible to find the ones you like.
Vocaloid producers compile many albums for all listeners to enjoy, and in this article, we’ve compiled a list of the best ones, so you’re guaranteed to love these fresh new beats right off the bat.
10. Coin Locker Baby
The art for MARETU's Song, 'Coin Locker Baby'
Coin Locker Baby is an album by the producer MARETU. All of the songs are sung by Hatsune Miku, with the exception of Eraser Girl, which was sung by GUMI as well as Miku. The album consists of 15 songs, and is 1 hour, 10 minutes and 45 seconds long in total.
As part of the album, there’s an instrument-only 15th song that lasts 14 minutes, but doesn’t involve Vocaloid singers at all. Each song in the album represents a series of different emotional turmoils that teens go through, including teen pregnancy and suicide.
Although the themes of most of these songs aren’t family-friendly, a large section of the youth can sadly relate to the songs. Therefore, this album would be good to listen to if you wish to feel heard, as there are many who can relate to the songs and people you can reach out to for help.
9. King
The art for Kanaria's song, 'KING'
King is the first album produced by the young musical legend Kanaria. It has 7 songs, and lasts for 17 minutes and 32 seconds. Similar to the album above, all of the songs are sung by Hatsune Miku, excluding KING, which was sung only by GUMI. Interestingly, GUMI English was used, when the lyrics were mostly Japanese.
The 6th song, NaNaNa, is only 37 seconds long, and wasn’t released as an individual music video on YouTube. All of the songs seem to be about relationships, with varying toxicity and bitterness laced within them. The catchy rock tunes and repetitive lyrics make this a well-constructed album that is devastatingly addictive.
This album is good to listen to on any occasion, and any lyrics of concern are censored, making it great to recommend to any friends who are in need of a power boost.
8. Kardia
The art for YurryCanon's Song, 'Kardia'
Kardia is the first album YurryCanon had produced, who may also be known as Tsukuyomi. It has 15 songs, and lasts for 51 minutes and 38 seconds in total. They’re all sung by either Hatsune Miku, GUMI, or both. They all have rock themes paired with carnival music.
All of the songs are to do with love and longing. There appears to be a common story among at least 4 of the songs, where a person loses their friend, and wishes to die to be with them.
It’s also implied that other heartbroken people in the songs turn to the devil and make a sacrifice so that they can have their wishes granted, but ultimately it doesn’t work. There are also war themes, and the album’s name takes after a song by Yurrycanon with the same name.
If you’re interested in deciphering the mysteries of each song, this album is the perfect choice. Not many have truly discovered their meanings and how they interlink, so set aside some time to find all of the hidden meanings.
7. Cynicism
Neru Hiding Behind his Album
Cynicism is an album by the producer Neru. It contains 14 songs, while lasting 45 minutes and 54 seconds. It’s sung predominantly by either Kagamine Len or Kagamine Rin, and often both. Only one song, Still, I Must Sing, is sung by Hatsune Miku.
The first track is only a 41 second instrumental. The rest consists of some of Neru’s most popular songs, including SNOBBISM and Law-Evading Rock. Most of the songs are nihilistic and are about the deeper issues with the world and people’s lives.
This album really opens your eyes to problems we all might face. The first step to solving an issue is coming to terms with them, so this album is ideal if you’re trying to discover a more down-to-earth take on life.
6. MANNEQUIN
The art for DECO*27's Album
MANNEQUIN is an album by the producer DECO*27. There are 11 songs, which add up to a total of 31 minutes and 18 seconds. This album is exclusively sung by Hatsune Miku.
This album is particularly interesting, as MANNEQUIN is actually an Idol girl group consisting of the 9 different Hatsune Miku personas that DECO*27 made. They’re all ball-jointed doll-like sentient beings, hence the group’s name ‘Mannequin’. Each song that is sung by the girls reflect each of their personality and flair.
This album is great for those who are into girl groups and Vocaloid, especially if you’re a megafan of Hatsune Miku. There are various merchandise figurines of the idols up for grabs, so if you love their songs you’ll love owning the figures of them too.
5. GHOST
Art for DECO*27's Song, 'Ghost Rule'
GHOST is the 9th album of the aforementioned DECO*27. This album of his has 13 songs, and is 49 minutes and 14 seconds long. Much like the MANNEQUIN album by DECO*27, it’s sung entirely by Hatsune Miku, but this album doesn’t consist of an idol group of any kind.
The majority of the album consists of songs about relationship turmoil. It highlights the deceit one faces and commits, and also sheds light upon the remorse one might feel after deceiving their partner. The songs each have their own unique tune and theme, making each one of them surprisingly compelling in their own right.
If you find yourself in an unsteady relationship, this album will surely hold your anthem at the time, with eye-catching art and ear-catching vocals. DECO*27 is a great producer, and it’s worth listening to more than one of his albums.
4. Hisshi
Part of the Music Video for Syudou's Song, 'Jackpot Sad Girl'
Hisshi is an original album by the producer, Syudou. It’s his second album, and the only Vocaloid used is Hatsune Miku. However, he does mix in his own vocals, and a few of the songs are sung entirely by himself, as part of the storyline.
There are 13 tracks in the album, with 10 of them being sung by Hatsune Miku. The album lasts for 39 minutes and 54 seconds. Syudou’s voice harmonises brilliantly with Hatsune Miku, and the music videos for each of the songs are masterpieces.
If you like the type of Vocaloid songs that are mixed with human vocals, this album is great for you. Syudou manages to capture an uncanny atmosphere with his harmonies and background music, making the entire album distinctive amongst others with solely Vocaloid characters as vocals.
3. Scrap Farm
Art for Hiiragi Kirai's Song, 'Eva'
Scrap Farm is Hiiragi Kirai’s second album. It consists of 19 songs and lasts for exactly 57 minutes. All of the vocals are sung by V Flower. The videos for these songs are still under production, so as of yet, only 10 have been animated.
There are various alternate universes seen within these songs that are connected via their art styles, for example the colour series, some of which also featured in Hiiragi Kirai’s previous album. It’s interesting to explore the depth and meaning behind the series as well as the other videos in the album, as many of Hiiragi Kirai’s videos often have multiple meanings.
This album is great if you love listening to less common Vocaloid characters. V Flower is an eerily childlike, boyish voice that can convey unsettling tones and gives depth to a song. This is why V Flower is Hiiragi Kirai’s top choice when producing vocals for their mysterious tracks.
2. Noman
Part of NILFRUITS's Music Video, 'Kilmer'
Noman is NILFRUITS’s first album, as of yet he has four. It has 13 songs, and is 48 minutes and 38 seconds long. The album is sung by V Flower predominantly, with IA singing 2 songs and Hatsune Miku singing one.
Similar to Hiiragi Kirai, NILFRUITS incorporates alternate universes and worlds within his songs, which may cross over from time to time. Kilmer and shama are the first two songs of the Shama series, which crosses over into Wozwald too. The other tracks in the album also have similar themes of fantasy and despair.
This album is great if you wish to indulge in the many worlds NILFRUITS has to offer. They are constantly expanding, so it’d be a good idea to keep up with his music to further see what stories and songs these universes hold.
1. Unhappy Refrain
Art for Wowaka's Supposed Farewell Song, 'Unhappy Refrain'
Unhappy Refrain is Wowaka’s first complete album. It’s divided into two, named Disk 1 and Disk 2. Disk 1 consists of 14 songs, and lasts for 49 minutes and 8 seconds. It’s sung predominantly by Hatsune Miku, with Megurine Luka partially singing two tracks.
Disk 2 mainly consists of covers sung by other well-known producers. The songs in Unhappy refrain are all iconic and well-known in the Vocaloid community. This is despite their downcast undertones, featuring people with depression and real-life problems.
The Music videos to these songs are also works to behold, fitting in perfectly with the banging tunes, and effectively depict issues such as bullying, suicide and teen pregnancy. These songs are so well-known due to their relatability to the masses, so this album is great for anyone going through a hard time.
Overall, Vocaloid albums possess a distinctive quality that makes the songs able to express a wide range of emotion without the singers being inherently human themselves. That’s what makes them so special.
