(Would you like an introduction to Vocaloid? Some recommendatons for songs? Or perhaps you just want to hear my thoughts on them? Then go no further. I'll try my best.)

Ahem.

So if you didn't know already, I really like it.

I'm sure you've seen some of the singers, such as Hatsune Miku:

Or Kagamine Rin and/or Len:

But if you haven't heard of them yet, that's fine.

Vocaloid is basically a singing voice synthesizer made by YAMAHA and Crypton (most instrument players would probably recognize it). It synthesizes the vocals of voice actors or singers, and to use it you insert a melody and lyrics. You do have to pay, though, so most people use UTAUloids (but those are a completely different topic). 

Each Vocaloid was made as a replacement for an actual singer, which is pretty cool. It was originally available for English and Japanese, but has since expanded into a few more languages, such as Chinese and Spanish. The Japanese Vocaloids are the most well-known, though, so we'll be talking about them. The first Japanese Vocaloids made were Kaito and Meiko. They're still used often today, which is pretty impressive. Their voices are great.

There are a lot of Vocaloids. A lot. The most well-known, I believe, are Miku, the Kagamine twins (they could be twins, or maybe not...it's complicated), Megurine Luka, Kaito, Meiko, Gakupo, and Gumi. 

Many artists have taken this program to create wonderful, original songs that you could listen to forever.

The best thing about Vocaloid? There's something for everyone. Craving a song with a catchy beat, happy atmosphere, and funny lyrics? I can name around ten off the top of my head. Would a smidge of sadness satisfy your needs? Oh boy, they've got it. Want a plain dark, gorey horror story that will make you paranoid for a while, or even fascinated by how the creators could possibly come up with something so morbid/creative? There are plenty of those. Or maybe you're an anime fan, and you want to hear music that would do good as an epic, musically pleasing opening. Tragic romances, perhaps? Right up their alley! Or perhaps you want a catchy, cheerful-sounding song, but with ominous lyrics...there are plenty of those as well.

In fact, some artists create continuations of their original songs, and make them into actual series. A good example would be the Story of Evil series, of how a prideful princess, a servant with a familiar face, a prince, and a maid make one of the most complex stories you'll ever listen to. The Evillious Chronicles are also a great example. A story of those who made deals with the seven deadly sins, and the consequences that follow.

Bonus: most of the PVs have great art. Like, really good art. I sometimes even relisten to a song just so I can see the art.

Some recommendations (keeping these to well-known Vocaloids, because finding some of these songs are kind of hard):

If you want a calm, soothing, and relatable song, then I recommend Last Night, Good Night, by Hatsune Miku. A song about that one person you're always thinking about, even in your dreams.

Do you want a hopeless romantic song? Maybe you'll like Ugly Guy Documentary by Kagamine Len. A bit blunt of a title, but it's about a boy who thinks he's too ugly to talk to his crush, and you'll see a documentary of how he tries to get himself to look good. Does he get the girl? Who knows.

Want a silly song between someone who wants to date the girl, and the girl rejects yet secretly likes him back? Gakupo and Luka's song Go Google It is pretty entertaining, with Luka responding to all of Gakupo's attempts to get to know her with, "Go Google it!"

Craving an anime-ish song? Although there are many of these, two come straight to mind as soon as it's mentioned. World Domination How-To and ~Mistletoe~Tree of Reincarnation, both by Rin and Len give off very adventurous vibes and that sense of thinking, "Why isn't this an anime/anime opening?" World Domination How-To is about school and how it affects you, while the second is an epic tale about two warring kingdoms, a phoenix, and a bluebird. I honestly believe that out of all of the Vocaloid songs, ~Mistletoe~ has one of the most potential of it becoming a full-fledged anime series. There's so much story buried beneath, and I would binge-watch the heck out of it.

Want a downright wave of feels, death, and wonderful music, all the while having a beautiful romance? Feathers Across the Seasons by Rin and Len is the song for you. An interpretation of the story The Crane Woman, it's sure to tug at your heartstrings. Really hard. 

*tries to hold back sobs thinking about it*

Want a song with dark lyrics yet sounds bright and happy if you don't look at them? Here. I Wish They'd Just Die, by Kaito. Do you ever get a bug to accidentally fly into your mouth? Do you have trouble getting that last drop of soda from the can? What minuscule annoyances! Somewhere, far away, you wish they'd just die. It's even better when you see the actual video; Kaito looks very happy, even as he sings those depressing lyrics. 

Don't even get me started on two of the catchiest depressing songs I've heard: I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry and You're a Useless Child. I'm not saying that to you.

Hey, do you for some reason want a song about cannibalism?? Evil Food Eater Conchita by Meiko is a good one. Part of the Evillious Chronicles, Banika Conchita represents gluttony, eating everything and everyone...including herself. The Last Supper by Kaito, Gakupo, and Len is a newer one that I personally really like. From what I could gather, Len can only survive by eating the lives of others, and Gakupo and Kaito try their best to keep that smile on his face, and even sacrifice themselves once they run out of food....Dark, I know. (THE ART FOR THE PV IS A+ THOUGH...can't stop watching it)

Do you want to test the limits of how fast a Vocaloid can actually sing? Say no more! The Disappearance of Hatsune Miku by Hatsune Miku is here to enlighten you. It can compete with Rap God for fastest song. Just...if you want to learn the lyrics, you need to read really fast.

Do you want to listen to a song that tackles real-world issues everyone overlooks? Let me introduce you to The Lost One's Weeping, by Rin. An even darker look at things than World Domination, it tells of a struggling student who becomes depressed from the overwhelming demands of the school system, and feels just so stressed and empty inside to the point of suicide.

...do you just want a fun, adventure, RPG-style video game song? Death Should Not Have Taken Thee! and Our Adventure Log Has Disappeared by Rin and Len is the perfect example. Taking place inside a typical RPG game, Rin plays the good-for-nothing king, while poor Len's the one stuck as the lowly guard constantly dying and being revived (cause, it's a video game).

You know what, maybe you're feeling really down and want to listen to plain scary and disturbing music. Not judging. There's Tragedy of Chateau Cepage, by Gakupo, if you want to give that a try. This could also fit into the category of a yandere song, as it's about someone who kidnaps and holds their crush prisoner. Gakupo's voice was tuned down really low, giving it such a sinister vibe. But if you must, you can check it out (would not recommend if you're a bit sensitive to stuff like blood...murder...torture...etc).

Do you want a dark, tragic romance you can cry over? May I introduce Cendrillon, by Kaito and Miku. Basically, it's a much, much darker, tragic version of Cinderella.

I find it so funny that the same singers can sing something so fun, and then next sing something so cryptic and dark (looking at you, Gakupo). 

Also, I realized I used the twins as examples around five times. I'm not picking favorites, I'm just recommending the songs that come straight to mind when the category is mentioned.

But anyway! My little info and recommendations for Vocaloids! 

If you're a fan of Vocaloid, let me know who your favorite singer and/or song is! I'd appreciate it.

And if you were wondering, I've really taken a liking to Gakupo. Also, this is probably going to sound boring to a lot of hardcore Vocaloid fans, but my favorite song is Electric Angel. It's just so fun and...innocent. Ahh, the days before Rin was a tyrant and Len was a playboy and neither of them died...I miss those days. It never fails to make me tap to the beat, and it helps me think, surprisingly.