With a large music industry such as Japan has, the 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 32 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries, some are fittingly summer themed!
RagTag – A memory of summer
Following the meaning of the band name Ragtag (composed of diverse often incongruous elements), the band focuses on releasing music without a label of a specific genre. Consisting of vocalist MEGUMI, saxophonist ASUMI, keyboardist and synth bassist SAEKO, and drummer NAOMI. In 2019, they joined a competition to perform at Japan Expo in Paris, reached the final and became the runner-up. Their first self-titled mini-album got released in the same year. — Recommended by Francisca
DATE ME GANE – 僕らだけの夏 (Bokura dake no natsu)
The first EP by DATE ME GANE, titled カサナリ (Kasanari) and filled with four tracks, will be released on 1st of September. The melodious punk band from Osaka makes catchy songs in which it seems impossible to remain silent. The band started with activities in 2015 and officially consists of 2 members (they are currently searching for a lead guitarist and bass player). — Recommended by Francisca
ピンクシガレット。 (Pink Cigarette。) – サマーメロウ (Summer Mellow)
The activities of Pink Cigarette。started more than 10 years ago. With Mary Takeshi as the bandleader and only original member of the band, the rock band follows a steady line in putting out straightforward garage rock and singalong rock music. The band has quite a few releases to its name, physically sold out, but luckily Pink Cigarette。decided to put the songs also on the streaming services. — Recommended by Francisca
yutori – 君と癖 (Kimi to Kuse)
From the band’s start in November 2020, the four-piece yutori gained quite a bit of attention with the music (videos) they have released. With currently only three songs released with clear influences by Japanese rock from the 2010s, it does say a lot about the band’s potential. In order to underline this, they have appeared recently in Weekly Shonen Jump to talk about the start of the band. — Recommended by Francisca
speel plaats – ここまで (Koko made)
The four-piece rock band speel plaats (Dutch for the word playground) started its activities in the summer of 2018. The music the Kyoto-based band put out has a theme around chasing dreams with melancholy. On the 16th of August, they will release their second EP, titled ha zu ru. The band will also do a promotional tour of Japan from this date. — Recommended by Francisca
GOSHIQI – さらさ灯台 (Sarasa todai)
GOSHIQI got formed in the first month of 2020, making it still a new band. The band is a five-piece rock band and the band members work on everything related to everything they put out, even the recording, mixing and mastering of the music and directing the music videos. It is waiting with anticipation for a first release (digitally or physically) by the band, as they have only released a few music videos so far. — Recommended by Francisca
I’s – きるみーべびぃ (Kill me baby)
I’s is the name of a brand-new hardcore/pop-punk four-piece fronted by vocalist Ano, a solo idol who was formerly active in the idol group You’ll Melt More!. The band’s first live show is planned to take place on the last day of August, on that same day they will release a limited CD with a couple of songs including their introduction song Kill me baby. — 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! Want to read more about how this project started or check out the YouTube playlists? Click here for all the information.
