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. We are now looking back on the videos released in week 31.
Letters To Annika – Summercrush
Familiar with bands For Tracy Hyde or AprilBlue? Well, songwriter, guitarist of these bands and melody maker for idol groups as RAY and previous Dots (………) among others, Azusa Suga has started a solo project, called Letters To Annika in late 2019. The first single got released earlier this week, accompanied with a music video. A greeting to the summer and a nice introduction to a new project. — Recommended by Fran
Academic BANANA – サイレントラブ (Silent Love)
Academic BANANA got formed in Tokyo in 2017, the band members are inspired by different music genres (folk, blues, rock, jazz, funk, classic, fusion) to make their songs. They are nicknamed Akabana and are a DIY band, so they are doing the recording, video production, website editing and even merchandise themselves. — Recommended by Fran
こゆび (Koyubi) – ラブホテル (Love Hotel)
The four-piece こゆび (Koyubi) will release their first mini-album in September through Buddy Records. The band started in 2010, disbanded in April of 2016, but restarted 19 months later at the end of 2017. The music can be best listened to in the corner of the room with the lights off, according to the band. But their newest music video for ラブホテル (Love Hotel) might give a different image for their emotional music. — Recommended by Fran
Graupel – Fade Away
After teasing the music video for a bit, the Tokyo metalcore band Graupel finally released a new music video, titled Fade Away, to promote their upcoming EP with the same title. Active since 2015, they have been pushing their music by using their social media smartly. The fact that this band is producing music with English lyrics, might mean that we will probably see them soon on the international stages when the time is right. — Recommended by Fran
BREIMEN – noise
After changing the writing of their band name from 無礼メン to BREIMEN earlier this year, the five-piece has released their first album in February on the independent record label P-Vine. The mix funk band has been active for 5 years and is mainly active in the live venues in Tokyo. After a few line-up changes, one of the original members, Shota Takagi decided to do the vocals in the band in addition to playing the bass. — Recommended by Fran
the chef cooks me – The Music
This pop band has been active since 2003 and is centred around simoryo, who has been active in the bands Chatmonchy and ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION as a support member. The other musicians working together on the music for the chef cooks me are always changing with a long laundry list of ex-bandmembers as a result. For this song, simoryo work together with musicians from Yasei Collective and Mop of Head. — Recommended by Fran
林青空 (Aozora Hayashi) – ハイヒールシンデレラ (High Heels Cinderella)
Performing in the Osaka live scene since 2014, Hayashi has worked her way up to be signed to Universal Music Japan. Describing herself as a life-size girl, her music reflects her views and struggles with life. This video marks the release of her first major single and the song will be used for the ending theme of the TV drama おしゃ家ソムリエおしゃ子! (Oshaya Sommelier Oshako!). — Recommended by AlexD
Next week we will be back for a new list of new music videos to check out.
