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 15 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries!
BURNABLE/UNBURNABLE – このままどこか (NO ROOM)
A music project that is born from how they call rubbish, as this group makes music that affirms the feelings that you want to throw away, that is the description of BURNABLE/UNBURNABLE. This song, NO ROOM, is the debut song for this brand-new dark pop music project consisting of vocalist re:caco, music producer Yu Suto (also active in the band XIIX with Kosuke Saito of UNISON SQUARE GARDEN) and producer Kaorukaore. — Recommended by Francisca
umitachi – 君とぼく (Kimi to boku)
Umitachi, which means the sea in plural, has only just started with its first performance in December 2020. The Gifu-based group started out with three band members, but recently became a duo consisting of Anju Makino (vocalist and guitarist) and Haruna Sakai (bass). They have made a music video for one of the tracks on their second demo. Umitachi’s music has a warm atmosphere while Anju’s clear vocals try to grab your heart. — Recommended by Francisca
奇奇愛愛 (Kikiaiai) – 奇奇愛愛 (Kikiaiai)
Alternative pop band Kikiaiai made their global introduction with this music video, that has the same as the band, which will be released as a single at the end of April. The three-piece, consisting of piano, bass and drums, has been performing for a bit already and some of the band members are also active in other groups. Although the label of alternative pop is not the right one, given that they like to genre-bend. — Recommended by Francisca
MAKE MY DAY – Bad Dog
Coming June, post-hardcore/metalcore band MAKE MY DAY will release a new EP, with the title BABYLON. To promote it, the four-piece released a second music video of a song that can be found back on this EP but it will also be released as a digital single. The Toky-based band got formed in 2011 under a different name, but changed it into MAKE MY DAY in 2013. — Recommended by Francisca
S.L.N.M – 疑音 (Gion)
Alternative hip-hop collective S.L.N.M (read it as Saru no me) recently released their first EP, titled 猿ノ目 (Saru no me) of which can be said that it is self-titled. The group consists of 3 MCs, Yukitero, Kei and Nyaomi, and beatmaker Shin Wada (UZMK/iLU). They dubbed themselves as an alternative hip-hop group, as they combine several elements from their backgrounds in the music scene from pop, industrial to noise in their music. — Recommended by Francisca
少女S (Shoujo S) – BAD BOY
Shoujo S is the band project of vocalist Satoki with support members that are known in the Japanese rock scene. After years of being in bands, Satoki decided to become a solo artist in 2019. The songs Satoki produces are based on Visual Kei style rock with a lot of shouts and growls. The music is dubbed by Satoki as paranoia sound and in 2020, the first album of the band project called released, titled PARANOIA. BAD BOY can be found on their first single, butterfly effect. — Recommended by Francisca
Optloquat – 紡ぐ日々 (Tsumugu Hibi)
Optloquat started activities in April 2018, exactly three years ago. The four-piece draws influence from shoegaze, post-rock, dream pop, daily life and even the Japanese radio. This generates a nostalgic and warm sound. It seems that we can expect something from this band this coming summer. To date they have released two EPs and a single, so will it be an album? — 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!
