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 41 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries! This article was a little bit delayed due to a convention.
恋は魔物 (Koihamamono) – ダメな人 (A Bad Person)
Koihamamono is the name of the band project of vocalist and guitarist Izumi Sato. The project was formed in 2015 and is mostly active in and around Tokyo. The songs that Sato produces are themed around unrequited feelings and love that has fallen to the lowest. The project was the winner of Monareko Joshi 2015 and RO69 JACK 2016 for COUNTDOWN JAPAN. Later this month, Koihamamono will release its second EP. — Recommended by Francisca
niini – endroll
endroll is the first single release of niini, a brand new and somewhat mysterious project from Kyoto. The leader of the band is named Ende. With a background in dream pop and other alternative music genres, Ende creates a melancholic world with her clear, silky voice and lyrics. An interesting start that only invites for more. — Recommended by Francisca
Lilubay – FAITH
Previously active under the name add, the three-man band Lilubay started in the winter of 2019. Their first EP got released in September 2020 and one of the songs got a lot of airplay on Japanese radio stations. In 2021, one of the tracks produced by the band was chosen as the theme song for a movie and late-night drama. The current band name was changed pretty recently, on the day the new song FAITH was released. — Recommended by Francisca
BACK LIFT – All Mouth
Taking on the charm of the 90s with a great sense of melody, melancholy and emotion, this Nagoya-based melodic punk band says to have created a new genre named as the band name, BACK LIFT. The band has been working hard on putting out new songs in three consecutive months, All Mouth is the second song. Earlier this year, the band established their own independent label, HUNGRY YOUTH RECORDS. — Recommended by Francisca
THREEOUT – DYSTOPIA
Mixture rock band THREEOUT started activities in 2013 with the focus on the powerful voice of Naoto and a razor-sharp guitar sound. Due to the pandemic, they stopped live activities in 2020, but with their return on stage in 2021, they were able to sell the show out. They have released two albums and are in normal times very active as a live band, with performing more than 100 times a year and organising events as well. — Recommended by Francisca
SACOYANS – 家 (HOUSE)
Alternative rock band SACOYANS recently released their second album, titled Gasoline Rainbow. The band got formed in 2019 at the neighbourhood curry shop and the biggest feature of SACOYANS is the loud sound, but also the elements of alternative music from the United States and a melodious UK sound. According to the four-piece, the music will take you to some immense imaginary world out there. — Recommended by Francisca
Aysula – twelve
The Nagoya-based band Aysula got formed in 2012 and they have been seen as the new standard in the alternative new wave shoegaze scene, in which a roaring sound intertwined with a mysterious soundscape formed from a collection of over 70 effect pedals. In November, they will release their second album, titled THEORIA, the first album in seven years. — 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.
