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 8 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries!
カメレオン・ライム・ウーピーパイ (CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE) – Play With Me
With her bright orange hair, Chi with her solo project CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE already makes an intriguing impression. But that’s not the only thing that makes a visual impression. According to the music unit, consisting of Chi who is always accompanied by Whoopies No.1 and No.2, the music of CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE embodies a new genre under the banner of negative pop, which is both nostalgic and new, not bound by existing rules. The first EP by CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE has just been released. — Recommended by Francisca
mono Hz – moving!
mono Hz are a pop group from Nagoya. Formed in 2018, the group has undergone a number of member changes and the current line-up of five has been together since April 2020. With essences of jazz, AOR, funk and alternative music in combination with the universal sense of pop by the vocalist Kurita, the music this group presents can give you a nostalgic and new feeling of Japanese pop. The five-piece has released a mini-album and a digital single. — Recommended by Francisca
虎の子ラミー (Toranoko Rammy) - 異星人恋愛白書 (Alien Love White Paper)
Toranoko Rammy are a four-member girl band that got formed in the summer of 2013 in Tokyo. The band calls itself a 3D safari rock band and has performed outside Japan a few times, from performing at Japan Expo Paris to a tour through Canada. It seems that the band still hasn’t released a full-fledged album, but there is a lot to discover from Toranoko Rammy especially at their energetic live shows. — Recommended by Francisca
CASANOVA FISH – 恋に落ちたら (Hard To Say I Love You)
CASANOVA FISH got formed in Matsumoto City in the summer of 2016. The rock band is centred around vocalist and guitar player Takahiro Nishimaki, who is also the songwriter of the music of CASANOVA FISH. The sound is cleary based on punk and alternative music with as they describe it a scent of JPOP. The latest release is the third mini-album, titled 綺麗な瞳をしていたい (The Innocent Eyes). — Recommended by Francisca
メメ (Meme) – 夢を追う亀、現実を見る兎 (Tortoise chasing a dream, hare looking at reality)
The Yokohama-based alternative rock band Meme released their second music video to promote their long-awaited first EP, although the track is not found on this CD. Its release was delayed due to the pandemic, but it is finally available. The trio formed in January 2018, but began performing a year later. The band is still brand-new, but is already recognisable by the technical aspects and surprising hooks they incorporate into the music. — Recommended by Francisca
昨夜のレイトショー (The last night’s late show) – シュウレン (Shuren)
In May 2020, shortly after being formed, The last night’s late show released the first single for the solo project with a length of 9 minutes. Until now this song never had a music video, although it can be best described as a short film. The vocals and instrumental work are all done by Geonald who inspires himself by many music genres to create a hazy shoegaze atmosphere. Last November, the first EP of the music project was released with the title Room612. — Recommended by Francisca
ハンヒカゲ (Hanhikage)- 一夜 (Overnight)
Hanhikage (meaning half-shadow) are a three-piece rock band based in Kobe. The band exists exactly one year with the mission to turn irrationality into sound. The songwriting and composition are done by vocalist Sumire. At the moment of writing, the band released two singles. Another music video has been released on the same day which is another song on the second single. Do check them both out! — 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!
