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 4 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries!
Response – Oscar
This rock band has been active since 2001 without changing the band line-up. In addition to being a solid band, this band makes solid rock music. The four members of Response have each their own unique personalities that are also clearly shown in their newest music video. From emotional songs, to solid rock tunes, to twin vocals with beautiful intertwining voices, that is Response. — Recommended by Francisca
ピーナッズ (Peanutz) – 君は綺麗だ (Kimi wa kireida)
Peanutz are a young four-piece band from Hachioji in Tokyo, making pop-punk with a bit of wholesomeness. The band got formed in 2018 and have released a couple of demos. They are currently working on a new CD, whether it is a new demo, single, EP, mini-album or album remains to be seen. — Recommended by Francisca
水中スピカ (Suichu Spica) – Triage
Suichu Spica are a four-piece from Kyoto. The music they make fits under the umbrella of post-rock and math-rock. Although the music is very technical instrumentally, it is for the most part quite easy to listen to. Especially with the addition of the quirky lyrics. The band is active for a couple of years with not many releases on their name, but are already on the radar for some. — Recommended by Francisca
AINSEL – ONE LIMIT
Hiroshima-born rock band AINSEL got formed in December 2016. The band consists of three members and a support drummer, with the vocalist RiKu. at the front. She sings full with power alternating from fragile to expressively. In 2018, they released their first album, titled WILL, coming March they will release their second album with the title LIBERATION. — Recommended by Francisca
WORLD END 1 MINUTE – FICTION
The rock unit WORLD END 1 MINUTE consists of 19-year-old vocalist Shuri and ex-SiCX guitarist Katsuhiko. The concept of the unit is ‘One minute before the end of the world…’. They have just started out but stated that they are focusing on creating a mixture of old 90’s rock melodies and sounds with the latest trends to produce ‘old but new songs’. — Recommended by Francisca
SAPPY – Supreme
With the third album in the bag, Kobe-based four-piece band SAPPY have been continuing to combine Western and Japanese music. The result they are going for is what SAPPY stands for: music that makes you shed a tear or fills you with euphoria. The band was formed in 2012 by vocalist Suppie and guitarist Ryohei Tarumoto which is also the composer for the band. — Recommended by Francisca
kiwi – You
kiwi are a Tokyo-based four-piece indie rock band formed in 2017 by college friends. The roots of the band are in 90’s shoegaze bands such as English rock band RIDE. In June 2018, they released their first demo, in August 2020, they released their first mini-album and this January a single. It is now waiting for a full-fledged album from this band. — 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!
