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 3 of the year 2022. Enjoy the new discoveries!
DADA GAUGUIN – シンセリアリティ (Sincereality)
DADA GAUGUIN is the solo project of nin, who also heads the video team ‘n STUDIO, which has been active in creating artworks in video form with music and animation in collaboration with other talents. Although the Osaka-based indie musician did not immediately start publishing animated music videos for his music, it seems that over the years he has found the best way to reach an audience. The latest music video is an anime music video with a touching story – animated by Arufa@ – for the song Sincereality which is a word coined from the words sincerity and reality. — Recommended by Francisca
Falling Asleep – HEAVEN’S DOOR
Falling Asleep are a four-piece alternative metal band combining melodic hardcore, metalcore and post-hardcore. The band was formed in the city of Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture in 2015 after the activities of a previous band were ceased. Currently they are based in Tokyo. This metal band has a couple of EPs, (digital) singles and an album on their name, including a split single Feed Maggots Until We Die with the Osaka-based metalcore band SUGGESTIONS. HEAVEN’S DOOR is their latest digital single. — Recommended by Francisca
I PROMISED ONCE – Into The Unknown
After a quiet period, Tokyo-based metalcore band I Promised Once has returned with a revamped lineup and music in the form of a single produced, recorded and mixed by guitarist Nils. The band started in 2015 as an electro-metalcore band and has had the opportunity to tour Europe several times. Currently it consists of four band members from Japan, Germany and Switzerland. For that reason, the band describes itself as borderless metalcore. — Recommended by Francisca
黒木ちひろ (Chihiro Kuroki) – 蒲公英 (Tampopo)
Chihiro Kuroki is a singer-songwriter based in the city of Chigasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture. Her songs range from sensitive ones that frankly depict pain and weakness to grand ones that evoke philosophy and human love. In addition to the acoustic guitar, she plays a variety of instruments including loop guitar, sampler, piano and harmonica. With the words and melodies she creates for her songs, she makes music of what it is said that only those who have been saved by music can make, music for the purpose of survival. — Recommended by Francisca
続きはらいせ (Tsuzuki ha Raise) – Ultra Aventure
It was spring 2019 when the fuzz-driven three-piece Tsuzuki ha Raise was formed. In October of the same year, they released their first demo in limited quantities, and have been performing live at various venues in Tokyo, attracting a solid audience. In February, the rock band will release their long-awaited first EP which is titled Tsudzuki ha Raise I. Before the band will embark on a national tour to promote this release, they put out their first music video which is linked below. — Recommended by Francisca
daisansei – ルートユー (root you)
The four-piece indie pop-rock band daisansei got formed in the summer of 2019 and is centred around guitarist-vocalist Ataku. Soon after forming, they released a digital album, followed up with a digital single and mini-album. They kept on producing new music while performing on various (big) stages, which caused them to get noticed. The band has the motto ‘pop music to accompany those who don’t have a place they belong’ and has this goal of helping anyone who has lost their place in life to find their way back. — Recommended by Francisca
Noranekoguts – でもね、言葉じゃあらわせない (Demo ne, kotoba ja arawa senai)
Formed when the band members were students at Seika University in Kyoto, currently a two-piece consisting of vocalist and guitarist Guts and drummer Potato. They make music that embraces the feel of rock’n’roll and goofiness, the latter can be seen joyously in the music video. This song, abbreviated to Demo Koto, was part three of a series of single releases that were published by the duo in 2021, and was released just last month, in December. The two members of Noranekoguts also mentioned that they love to travel. — 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.
