With a large music industry such as Japan has, second largest in the world, it is inevitable that music fans will be inundated with a profusion of good (and also less good) music from this country. It is impossible to keep track of this and write a review about it per video. But to avoid missing out on gems, it is time for a weekly list of new music videos from Japanese musical acts that are definitely worth watching. After receiving positive reactions we are continuing with week 29.
湯木慧 (Yuki Akira) – Careless Grace
As a solo artist, Yuki Akira has already grabbed the hearts of many in Japan with her minimal yet breathtaking songs, and this new one is no different! Bittersweet and simplistic. This song is a real treat. Yuki knows extremely well how to capture her audience with her voice alone. Throughout the track, she manages to build up the tension with some instruments, but the real feel of the song comes from the young singer-songwriter herself. She can change the tone of the track from soft and warm, to desperate and urging with just her vocals. For those interested in the full thing, it’s already available on Spotify. — Recommended by MetalHachiko
時速36km (Jisoku 36km) – ハロー (Hello)
時速36km (can be read as Jisoku 36km and it means 36kmph) released a digital single on the 7th of July and 1 week later they came with a music video with a sort of rotoscoping effect. Currently belonging to 2DKrecords, the band started out in 2016 in a college club, the four members wanted (according to their website biography) to perform songs about their depressed yet small and pleasant life. The band released a couple of EPs, singles and a mini-album, it is now waiting for their first album release. — Recommended by Fran
Hump Back – ティーンエイジサンセット (Teenage sunset)
A year after releasing their first album, Hump Back are back with their third single since signing to 林音楽教室 (Hayashi Music School). The band have come a long way since their Osaka light music club roots, becoming rising stars in the alternative scene. Their newest single is a solid energetic rock hit and hopefully a sign that major album number 2 is on the way. — Recommended by AlexD
Hi Cheers! – ABCがワカラナイ (ABC ga wakaranai)
Unfamiliar with the pop band Hi Cheers!? That is not strange, because this is a very new band where all four members are in charge of the vocals. With “Show me your smile” as the theme, it can be seen and heard that they undoubtedly succeeded the implementation of this concept in their latest music video for the song ABCがワカラナイ (ABC ga wakaranai). A cheerful song in a colourful video which is also their first music video. — Recommended by Fran
SHIN – RE:
SHIN, perhaps know to some because of his European tour a few years back, just came back with a new track. This song is in one word “Fun”. It’s both soft, sweet yet heavy. The vocals capture the soft sounds of the song well and give them a sweet feel to them. Then they change up with the instruments and create a whole new, heavy metal sound. The mashup works so well though and you just can’t help but want to hear it over and over again. — Recommended by MetalHachiko
超能力戦士ドリアン (Psychic Warrior Durian) – 尊み秀吉天下統一 (Touto mi Hideyoshi tenka touitsu)
Psychic Warrior Durian formed when they guys met in college a couple of years ago. A comedic band, mixing rock and dance music and by dance I mean they choreograph routines for their songs. This music video is a prime example of their fun rock sound and allows you to learn the dance routine for this particular track. — Recommended by AlexD
SARAHKIA – moiré
After releasing the first EP, titled trepverter, first a physical release in October last year and digitally in May of this year, the Fukuoka alternative rock band SARAHKIA released a glitchy-like music video in an old-fashioned style for one of the songs of the four-song EP, moiré, which is also their first official music video. The band has been mostly active in the live scene of the city Fukuoka and released a demo and a single before this EP. — Recommended by Fran
Next week we will be back for a new list of new music videos to check out.
