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 38 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries!
エダワカレ (Edawakare) – 底 (Soko)
The in 2017 formed alternative rock band Edawakare will release their first album in the spring of 2022. After releasing an EP in 2019, the band temporarily consisted of two band members. At the beginning of 2020, a third band member joined them and the band started working on a new EP that was released in the summer of the same year. This release shows how the band has deepened over the past year. — Recommended by Francisca
inari – SHIGURUI
This rock band’s home base can be found in Fujinomiya, at the foot of Mount Fuji. Inari got formed in October 2020 by four longtime friends making the band still brand-new. The band has been mostly active with performances at local venues, reaching out to audiences with a straightforward guitar sound and unpretentious stage performances. — Recommended by Francisca
リメンバーミー (Remember Me) – 全知全能 (Almighty)
Guitar rock band Remember Me – formerly known as RE:CHORD – released their seventh single, titled Almighty, earlier this week and they described it as the darkest song in the history of the band. While pursuing a catchy melody as they always do, the three-piece also paid attention to ironic lyrics about modern Japanese society. — Recommended by Francisca
ランチブレイク (Lunch Break) – 天堂 (Tendou)
Formed in 2009, Lunch Break are a multi-faceted pop group from Sapporo consisting of five members. On the 29th of September, they will release their second album, almost two years after their first album, entitled この街って天国 (This city is heaven). Their description of their sound is right on the mark on how diverse it is: from free to aggressive, from fashionable to comical and melancholic. — Recommended by Francisca
桃色ドロシー (Momoiro Dorothy) – リンカネーション (Reincarnation)
The history of the all-girl rock band Momoiro Dorothy is filled with many interesting activities. First of all, the band has been active for 10 years, has delivered music for a film and television programme and even a game by Square Enix, NEO: The World Ends with You. And that is not everything. In October, they will release a new mini-album for the first time in two years with the same title as the linked music video. — Recommended by Francisca
優里香 (YURIKA) – シンドローム (Syndrome)
YURIKA is a singer-songwriter and master calligrapher from Tokyo. In addition, she has been the wearer of many hats, as a streamer, Harajuku reader model, presenter during events, she is also active in the media and active as an event organiser. YURIKA released her first album in 2020 filled with the feelings of being human compiled in songs. This music video has been made possible due to a crowdfunding campaign through BIGO LIVE. — Recommended by Francisca
Satylus – Burning Out
Tokyo-based metal band Satylus got formed after vocalist and composer Kyohey moved to the big city to start a new band. It took a while, but the band as it is now got first presented at the end of 2019. The four-piece recently released their second single, Burning Out. Inspired by the rock and metal bands from inside and outside Japan, this young band tries to reach many people with their melodic loud tracks. — 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.
Really like the 桃色ドロシー and 優里香 songs! Nice list this week
Thank you so much for checking it out. I am glad you enjoyed the songs and music videos!