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 49 of the year 2020. Enjoy the new discoveries!
QUEENS – Bravely Song
Ahead of the release of unknQwn, their first mini-album on December 8th, QUEENS release the music video for the albums first track Bravely Song. There are moments when idol groups change style or take their game to another level. This is one of those moments, the production and feel of the music video along with the new outfits projects a more mature feeling that will no doubt increase their appeal. — Recommended by PHX
chocol8 syndrome – オールでPPP (Ooru de PPP)
The rock band chocol8 syndrome (also known as Chocohachi) have been active since 2015. The band describe their music genre as Oshakawa Rock, which is a combination of the words oshare and kawaii (stylish and cute). With the addition of cool, these are three important elements for chocol8 syndrome. The rock band has released three albums and they can be found back on major streaming services. — Recommended by Francisca
CULA – Knight Pride
Started in September 2019, Visual Kei band CULA consists of vocalist SUI (who is also active solo as David), guitarist Yuhma, bassist 70 and drummer Tomoya. They are not unknown in the scene, since they have performed in other popular Visual Kei bands such as Fixer and Lin (凛). Except for the vocalist, the band members are currently also active in XANVALA. The band name might have given you, the reader, an idea about their concept that consists of darkness, blood and death. CULA’s first album is planned for January 2021. — Recommended by Francisca
VOLOMUSIKS – ラビリンス (Labyrinth)
VOLOMUSIKS are a three-piece that blend jazz, rock and pop. With the motto, Music that shakes your mind and body with lyrics and sound, the band has been producing music since 2012. In 2018, they performed overseas for the first with a show in Hong Kong in front of 2000 people. In 2017, one of their songs were used in the film STAR SAND and in 2018, they created a theme song for the adorable chubby puppy Chuken Mochi Shiba. — Recommended by Francisca
ジオラマラジオ (dioramaradio) – SUPER SAD SONG
Alternative pop unit dioramaradio (ジオラマラジオ) consists of vocalist len and vocalist and keyboardist Mina Sakakibara, the band is completed with support members Steven Bichalberg (bass) and Phil Kenta (guitar). The duo started performing pop music with a nostalgic melody in 2017 with the current support members and started releasing music on a cassette in 2018. In the meantime, they have released two EPs this year. — Recommended by Francisca
ナイトサファリ (Night Safari) – 水平線の先へ (Beyond the horizon)
Night Safari are an energetic and technical rock band with powerful singing. The four members of Night Safari come from different backgrounds and have their own unique musicality with influences from guitar rock, emo and post-hardcore. Formed in 2015, the band has been releasing a couple of demos and singles, before they released their first mini-album in 2019, titled 若気の至り (Wakagenoitari). — Recommended by Francisca
Slimcat – Future
Rock and roll band Slimcat got formed in 2014 in Nishinomiya when the band members were still students, soon after they were able to put out demos and performing on big events. In 2018, the band dared to tour Japan for 120 shows in one year and released their first full-length album in 2019, titled Bleachers. It was one year ago that Slimcat put out a music video, so it is nice to see something new from them. — 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!
