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 50 of the year 2020. Enjoy the new discoveries!
Shotgun Marriage – らせん (Rasen)
The second EP of Shotgun Marriage is a fact, the alternative rock band hasn’t been active for very long but already knows how to produce a solid and groovy sound. Osaka is the home of Shotgun Marriage. The band already has a steady base in various live venues and shows that the four band members have a lot to offer. Looking forward to more of this rock band. — Recommended by Francisca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9fyuYuXYZo
NeneNone – bamboo-2
Formerly known as Yarune Sonouchi, the pop singer NeneNone recently released her first single which is also connected to her first music video linked below. Known for her vigorous live activities in Tokyo she released her first album in 2019 through SPACE SHOWER MUSIC. In May of this year, she decided to change her name to start new but is still focusing on creating music with an addictive melody. — Recommended by Francisca
No.528 – ドライブスルー (Drive-through)
“This world was born from vibration. The frequency to save the world is 528Hz.” Pop unit No.528 consist of vocalist MID and drummer HIGH and started activities of serving good vibrations in the summer of 2015. After almost 2 years of no releases, they released their limited EP in November, with the same title as the music video. — Recommended by Francisca
ヒミツノミヤコ (himitunomiyako) – メンヘラポップコー (Menhera Popcorn)
This group states that they are coming from another planet close to Earth and are currently based in Osaka. They are described as a theatrical group and Menhera pop band and recently released their second album. The band’s performance is unique in a way, since they mix songs and skits and this is also shown in the music videos they make. In the latest video, they have thought of dressing it up in a Visual Kei style. — Recommended by Francisca
prewords – hollow
Formed in 2018, prewords are a four-piece based in Tokyo. The rock band likes to blend music genres and as a result, they have been able to transform themselves from more of a shoegaze band into a sort of dream-pop group. They have released four singles in total, but since they have been attracted the attention from many inside and outside Japan, it is exciting to see how this group will grow. — Recommended by Francisca
THE SYAMISENIST – HERTZ
Put two shamisen players and a drummer together and you have the group THE SYAMISENIST. This alternative rock group likes to move from psychedelic rock to jazz and heavy metal to Japanese tunes and everything in between. THE SYAMISENIST are an instrumental-focused three-piece formed in 2012 by shamisen player Jack, who was at that time also active in the art-rock band KAO=S, and Yuji. At the beginning of this year, the band toured Europe and they recently released their third album. — Recommended by Francisca
sancrib – ブルーバレンタイン (Blue Valentine)
The history of Fukuoka-based pop band sancrib will go back to the year 2013, when the predecessor band started. Four years later, members left the band and the remaining band members decided to continue making music. It wasn’t until 2019 when new band members were added to the band line-up and it was decided to continue under a new band name and a new start. After focusing on live performances, the band has been busy releasing music. Their fourth single was recently released and a mini-album will be released soon. — 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!
