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 46 of the year 2020. Enjoy the new discoveries!
Tokyo Renbo – The Toy
東京恋慕 (Tokyo Renbo) are a 4-piece rock band that was formed in January 2018 with their tagline “From Dating Apps! Garbage Human Band!”. After the disbandment of the band Dutchwife, some members decided to start a new band that became Tokyo Renbo. Known for some of their silly and long titles, they also like to put that same silliness in their music videos. Their second EP was released in October and was the first release that was distributed nationally in Japan. — Recommended by Francisca
POP ART TOWN－Fancy Time
Based in Osaka, POP ART TOWN got formed in December 2016 by four people. With roots in rock, pop and R&B, they want to produce music that they want to describe as genre-less, individualistic and catchy. After releasing their first album in November 2019, SWEET! SWEET? SWEET!, they will release their second album, titled Sensation, in November as well (in a few days). — Recommended by Francisca
Mississippi Khaki Hair – Moonshadow
While some bands come with band names that get lost in search engines, the five-piece Mississippi Khaki Hair will have no problem with that. They even seem to attract the attention from western music and indie lovers with their sound that it’s reminding of post-punk, new wave and shoegaze. Active since 2016, the rock band just released their first full-length album, From Nightfall till Dawn, that is produced by QUATTRO’s Takeshi Iwamoto. — Recommended by Francisca
Hammer Head Shark – 声 (Koe)
BYE MY NAKED is the title of the first mini-album by rock band Hammer Head Shark that was recently released. The sound of the four-piece can be best described as flowy shoegaze that speaks to the heart with the lyrics. The band has been active since the beginning of 2018 and is on the same label as the band that we recently covered, namely 時速36km (Jisoku 36km). — Recommended by Francisca
Asunojokei – Carry on
Based in Tokyo, post-black metal band Asunojokei (meaning Scenery of Tomorrow) started out in 2014. The band tries to present a unique style of black metal, with lyrics based on popular literature and light novels and inspired by the melodic sense from Japanese pop music and mixing elements of hardcore, math rock and shoegaze. In December, they will release their second EP, titled Wishes. — Recommended by Francisca
スキゾフレニカ (Schizophrenica) – 花と拳銃 (Hana to Kenjuu)
スキゾフレニカ (Schizophrenica) are quite a new band with an artistic focus, consisting of five members. Started by Tomo Sakamoto (ex-Benizemi) and Sachiko (ex-SUNAWACHI SAGA。), they were recently able to add a few more band members and it was time to share a new song and first music video with the audience. In the new year, one year after the existence of the band was announced, Schizophrenica will release their mini-album. — Recommended by Francisca
リフの惑星 (riffnowakusei) – bad dream
Started in 2016, the four-piece リフの惑星 (riffnowakusei, Riff of the planet) is strongly influenced by rock music from the United Kingdom. They released their first album earlier this week, titled odds and ends. On Get Your Genki’s compact disk release, the indie band could already introduce their danceable riffs to a western audience. — 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 for when you yearn for more musical gems!
