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 5 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries!
Tow-Low no:no – 負け犬メランコリー (Make Inu Melancholy)
Consisting of vocalist marigo and guitarist CHERRY, the band Tow-Low no:no released their second music video for a fast and jazzy song. CHERRY is also active in another band, the rock-‘n-roll band Takeban from ex-CHARISMA vocalist Takayuki Takeiri. For the music video, the band Tow-Low no:no got support from a couple of members of Takeban and GERU ALL STARS. — Recommended by Francisca
Dortmund Moon Sliders – Night Walk
Dortmund Moon Sliders describe themselves as a creative team. With a DIY mentality, the four members make everything by themselves from songwriting, recording, mixing, mastering to video production and art direction. The music genre of this group crosses over various genres from city pop to rock and country and the members are not limited to any particular instrument. — Recommended by Francisca
27HATANANA – Satisfaction
27HATANANA are a four-piece band that started out in 2013. The music they make is best described as power-pop and their performances are known for the energy and emoition they unleash on stage. Most of the band members have experience is previous bands, such as YOCCHI as a drummer in BARBIE ATTACK DOLL(S) and guitarist Macorin in Southern Hurricane. The band has a couple of releases on their name, from mini-album, EP and a full album. — Recommended by Francisca
夜の最前線 (Yoru no Saizensen) – ブランニューデイ (Brand New Day)
Described as a pop band, Yoru no Saizensen are more than that since they mix pop, rock and dance into their music. The four-piece got formed in the summer of 2014 in Osaka. Vocalist and guitarist Ryo Ohkawa is the centre of the band as the writer and composer of all the songs. — Recommended by Francisca
galcid – ism
Behind solo unit galcid is Lena, who started the project in 2013 with synth maestro Hisashi Saito as the producer. galcid’s music is known for its completely improvised style with analogue synthesizers and Euroracks. galcid has toured all over the world and performed with many well-known artists. Lena keeps in touch with her fans all over the world through Patreon where she shares the process and end results of her music and music videos. — Recommended by Francisca
SAUL – GRAP
SAUL are an alternative rock band from Hanamatsu, formed in 2018 and consisting of three members. After a couple of changes in the band line-up, the band was able to do performances in 2019. At the moment, they are busy with making new music and videos, before they are able to hit the stage again in front of an audience. Their first EP, titled the same as the music video, got release this month. — Recommended by Francisca
エコツミ (Ekotumi) – 八人の娘 (Eight daughters)
Ekotumi is a singer, author and poet who based her work on Japanese traditions and legends in a combination of traditional Japanese music, which she has transformed into a Japanese-style contemporary opera with dance. This song is based on Yamata-no-Orochi. She has performed in several countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Belgium and France. — 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!
