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 lesser-known Japanese musical acts that are definitely worth watching. We are now looking back on a couple of videos that were released in week 38. Enjoy the new discoveries!
Nerd Magnet – 僕は知らない (Boku Wa Shiranai)
Nerd Magnet have been around since 2006, working their way up in the Osaka live scene. Their effort paid off in 2016 with their first nationwide release on indie and current label THISTIME. This music video is from a single that had a limited release back in March, and hopefully, the sign of a newer album or EP release sometime soon. — Recommended by AlexD
Vanityyy – リトルかわいい (Little cute)
With the prospect of a new album, the three members of punk rock band Vanityyyy are happy to share a music video to set the mood for the new release. Every year on August 2nd it’s Vani no Hi or Vani Day, where band members and fans share all kinds of photos on social media with the band colour green. The band makes uncomplicated and catchy music that is reminiscent of the ’90s with a raw edge. — Recommended by Francisca
kiirobeats – Crossing
The brand-new unit kiirobeats consists of two people who are both singers, musicians, and composers. Together they create unconventional music by interweaving different approaches and unique styles based on their influences of soul, rock, R&B, hip-hop and Japanese pop. They met each other during a high school club activity and after some studio sessions, they decided to work together. — Recommended by Francisca
古墳シスターズ (Kohun Sisters) – 古墳シスターズの夏休み２ (Kohun Sisters’ Summer Vacation 2)
When the punk rock band Kohun Sisters got formed in 2013, most of the members were beginners, this was the start of trying things out from making strange voices to even playing on a vacuum cleaner instead of a guitar on stage. In November 2019, the band got introduced as newcomer artist in the music corner of Fuji TV’s Love Music and that gave the band a big boost. They released their first album in April. The origin of the band name is not known, according to the band they had other ideas of band names, from Genki to Mother, but it ended up with the current band name. — Recommended by Francisca
putit petit – 曖昧ミー (Aimaimii)
putit petit, commonly known as Pupe, are a 5-piece rock band, consisting of male and female twin vocals and twin keyboards. The band has a focus to make catchy songs by combining rock, ballads, funk and hip-hop. The band has been active since 2018 and just announced their first album, titled pupe rhythm, planned for October of this year. — Recommended by Francisca
NIKO NIKO TAN TAN – FICTION feat. Botani
NIKO NIKO TAN TAN consists of two performing artists, Ochan and Anabebe, and two artwork artists, Samson Lee and Drug Store Cowboy. The group started in 2019 and will release later this month their third single. The combination of voice, hypnotic and immersive melodies, lyricism and graphics has resulted in building the strange world that is NIKO NIKO TAN TAN: alternative songs that are easy on the ears. The vocalist Botani has worked before with the group several times. — Recommended by Francisca
blanc. – 白日の雨 (Hakujitsu no ame)
The 4-piece blanc. are a guitar rock band from Nagoya. Not much can be found about the band, other than that they are active for a few years and are mostly found on the stage. The music video linked below is the official first video the band has released on their YouTube channel, it is also a track that can be found back on their second single of the same title. The band describes their music as ‘shout for reality and ideals’. — Recommended by Francisca
Next week we will be back for a new list of new music videos to check out. But you can also look back to the earlier editions of this weekly article series.
