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 7 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries!
シンガーズハイ (Singer’s High) – アカクソメル (Akakusomeru)
This young rock band released their third digital single after being formed in March 2020 by the former vocalist of School Meets Geek. Singer’s High make emotional rock tunes with a one-of-a-kind high-tone voice that pierces through and through with lyrics that address the feelings of separation. — Recommended by Francisca
SWING – Start together
Sometimes it is good to have a song with a fast beat that gives you the motivation to go on with what you are working on. Aichi based three-piece band SWING will release their second mini-album. One of the tracks on that CD received a music video containing a motivational vibe and that is all thanks to the happy melodic hardcore that this band produces. — Recommended by Francisca
362 – DIRTY
In November debuted at club 251, the four-piece rock band 362 seem to be formed for a special occasion for this venue. Some of the members are active in other bands, such as Velka. If you look at their Twitter account, you see that they state the band active for a limited time, but until that time is over, let’s enjoy the music and especially their first single. P.S. The zero is strong in this video, or is it? — Recommended by Francisca
THE INCOS – 生きろ！(Ikiro!)
Based in Fukuoka, THE INCOS are a four-piece experimental rock band with two (male and female) vocalists, Tani and Hiiro. After releasing a mini-album in 2014, it took them a while to release a few singles (in 2017 and 2018) until they released their first full-length album in 2019. The band wants you to use their words for your power. For those paying attention to social media, THE INCOS will be the opening act for one of sokoninaru’s shows next week. — Recommended by Francisca
Bialystocks – Nevermore
Formed in 2019, the four members of the alternative band Bialystocks are led by up-and-coming film director Sora Hokimoto, who is the vocalist of the band. Since their formation, they have been performing across Japan and collaboration in various art fields such as film, dancing and comedy acts. They recently released their first album, titled Bialystocks in katakana. — Recommended by Francisca
Ribet towns – Night and Day
Influenced by Toy Pop, Celtic traditional music and Shibuya-Kei, this pop band from Kyoto is already intriguing and the number of members (12!) hasn’t even come up yet. Ribet towns make use of many instruments you might not even have heard of, from mandolin, melodica, pianica, metallophone and glockenspiel, to make their unique sound complete. They recently produced the ending theme for a Kansai local variety programme. — Recommended by Francisca
Alphoenix – Redefine
Balancing between heavy metal and melodic death metal, Alphoenix, comprised of former members of Myproof, Sailing Before The Wind and Serenity In Murder, returned after a couple of years of inactivity with a new single which might be a description of what they have done in the meantime to the band: redefining. — 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!
