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 42 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries!
（夜と）SAMPO ((Yoru to) SAMPO) – DREAM POP
(Yoru to) SAMPO got formed in 2019 by former band members of popular bands from the Kansai area. The five-piece is grounded in a wide range of musical genres, from UK rock to international fusion, contemporary funk and jazz, R&B and more. In July 2020, they released their first EP that got followed up by a mini-album in January 2021 and a couple of digital singles. — Recommended by Francisca
君の蘇生を邪魔する (KIMI NO SOSEI WO ZYAMASURU) – 売春 (Prostitution)
“I want to be your trauma”. Formed in 2017, the musical genre that this band has come up with for the music they produce is called drug music (or weed rock), and it jacks the listener’s brain with radical lyrics and hooking songs. They are known for their over-the-top live performances and they state that this band should be seen live at least one time in your life. — Recommended by Francisca
asobi – 瑠璃水晶の街 (The Town of Lapis Lazuli)
The four-piece asobi started activities in the spring of 2020. In November, the Tokyo-based pop band will release their first EP, titled zinc white. The third track on this EP received the music video that is linked below. They present themselves as a pop band with a simple sound, clear and direct singing voice and distorted lyrics. — Recommended by Francisca
Graupel – Apathy
Graupel can be best described as a progressive metalcore band and the members have been clearly putting a lot of work into the music project that they cannot be overlooked. Their band sound is inspired by musical genres as classical metalcore, melodic hardcore and post-rock. In 2020, they released a full-length album, Bereavement, an EP and a couple of singles. It is waiting for more from this band. — Recommended by Francisca
Taiko Super Kicks – 火遊び (Hiasobi)
Rooted in 90’s alternative rock, this Tokyo-based band does not like to settle in one musical genre as they are ambitious to evolve and develop their musicianship. They also say this about themselves: “The unique and organic ensemble embodies the half-forgotten depth of being a band by itself.” The quartet recently released an album consisting of two discs that have each their own title, 波・石 (Nami and Ishi) through the indie label TETRA RECORDS. — Recommended by Francisca
As Alliance – BELONG
Okinawa-based melodic metal band As Alliance got formed in the first month of 2013. With the concept of “From Okinawa to the world”, they haven’t been only performing in Japan, but also in several other Asian countries and shared the stage with many European and American artists. Currently in the middle of releasing new music for three consecutive months, BELONG was the second song and at the end of October, you can expect the third release, PRETENDING. — Recommended by Francisca
世界電球 (Sekai no Denkyu) – 君に雨は似合う (Rain suits you)
All the way from the city of Sasebo in Nagasaki prefecture, the three-piece emotional rock band Sekai no Denkyu got formed by three university students with the mission to light up the world. During the pandemic, they have been trying their best to stay active, on stage and in producing new music. At the moment, they have released a single, an EP and can be found back on an omnibus. — 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.
