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 44 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries!
HALLCA – Labyrinth
HALLCA was previously the leader of girls’ group Especia until its disbandment in 2017. After that, she decided to become a singer-songwriter under her current name in 2018. HALLCA incorporates elements of different kinds of music genres, such as disco-pop, new disco, deep house and more. In 2019, her first album VILLA came out and her second album, PARADISE GATE will be released later this month. — Recommended by Francisca
水咲加奈 (Kana Mizusaki) – 生残者 (Seizansha)
Kana Mizusaki’s first exposure to music was at a young age, when she was six, she started to write music and she recorded this on cassette tapes and at 9 she started with piano lessons. As she grew older, she had more opportunities to work with music and instruments, but the piano stayed. Currently, she has more than 70 songs to her name. This song can be found back on a compilation release of Enjoy Music! New Wave Generations Vol.2 Chapter #1 where new artists get introduced. — Recommended by Francisca
quiqui – progressive
First of all, this music video is from start to finish very intense and this serves as a warning. Formed in 2013, this emotive hardcore band will finally release their first album, Calendar, later in November. From the base of post-rock and math rock, the band’s sounds seem to have evolved from hardcore to skramz jazz. A new realm for the band where the experimental spirit is unleashed as they are not afraid of change. — Recommended by Francisca
アトゾメ (Atozome) – カルダディール・ダリー (Karudadiiru darii)
Formed in 2018 and based in the city of Kofu, the members of Atozome describe the band as a serious rock band. The theme of Atozome is to stick to the music that they believe is cool. The four-piece released their first album in April of 2020, titled 幻灯 (Gentou) and in a few days, they will release their second digital single, which received a music video that can be seen below. — Recommended by Francisca
fulusu – 色の無い芸術 (Iro no nai geijutsu)
Looking at the releases this alternative math rock band has put out previously, their most recent release seems to be a sequel and perhaps an end to a series. The band says about Chapter: Nearend: “(This four-song record) can also be seen as a goal for the band. Each song represents an individual answer that the band members found for themselves.” — Recommended by Francisca
BLUESPRING – ノイズ (Noise)
It is time for some noise! The three-piece BLUESPRING got formed by vocalist Nayu and guitarist Shun when they were in high school. In total, they have released a couple of singles and joined a compilation release. The band has a clear punk sound, but this Tokyo-based three-piece stands out because of the soulful voice of the vocalist. — Recommended by Francisca
Catfood Salmons – グラスホッパー (Grass Hopper)
In the summer of 2020, Catfood Salmons released their first mini-album, titled Watercolors. From that CD, comes the song Grass Hopper. The four-piece got formed in 2018 and plays in Tokyo, mostly in Shimokitazawa. With alternative, dream pop and shoegaze at its core, the band embraces and deliver an insatiable quest for music. Note: The bass player Hikari is also active in Lucie,Too! — 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.
