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 24 of the year 2022. Enjoy the new discoveries!
Michiganized – Reflections
Michiganized is the solo indie music project of Yumi Aoi, the music she produces under this name is inspired by new wave, shoegaze, electronica and 90s pop music. Yumi started her solo project in 2014, though under a different name, after a break it was renamed to its current name in 2019. The song Reflections comes from her latest single double-A release, Reflections/Ballad. The two-track single from Michiganized highlights the shadows in the light and the modest hope in the darkness. — Recommended by Francisca
hizume – インビジブル・ストーカー (Invisible stalker)
The rock band Hizume may have started two years ago, but it seems that the four-piece has been active much longer if you look at how many music videos they have been producing in a short time (11 of them). And all these videos seem to be doing well among the crowd in terms of popularity. After releasing a number of singles and a mini-album, with the concept of expressing emotions that pop up in everyone’s daily life, full of deep emotions and light in the dark days, it is hopefully time for a new album soon. — Recommended by Francisca
Ashmaze. – 拒絶と受容 (Kyozetsu to juyou)
After releasing several singles, it was time for Ashmaze. to release a mini-album again. It will be the third mini-album for the five-piece visual rock band and it will be released at the end of this month, with the title ジレンマ (Dilemma). The band members of Ashmaze. came together in 2019, all with solid foundations in the rock scene, as they have been active in bands like IGGY, BLESSCODE, Far East Dizain and LACK-CO. Now, for almost three years, they have been showing their worth by releasing music with a diversity of power and technique on their own label. — Recommended by Francisca
our hours – GREATEST KEEPER
Described as a newgazer pop band, the five-member shoegaze band our hours started out a few months ago, to be exact they were formed in the winter of 2021. They released their second music video for the song and instantly their second digital single GREATEST KEEPER, 7 months after their introductory music video. It’s a dreamy song—fitting for the summertime, right? If this is your thing, keep an eye on them! — Recommended by Francisca
LODYPOPS – MURDER
“Rock ‘n’ Pop is Killing You”. Rock band LODYPOPS were formed in 2014 with Osaka as their home base, the band consists of three band members with two having the microphone at their disposal. They have released several singles and a mini-album and are also featured on one of Get Your Genki’s compilations. MURDER can be found on their latest Double-A single, ORANGE BLUE/MURDER, wwhich appears to be their very first digital release. Tip: Scroll through their Instagram account to get to know this band better. — Recommended by Francisca
玻璃校了 (Hali Koryo) – プロフソユーズナヤ (Profsoyuznaya)
This three-member band makes music that encompasses post-rock, math-rock and alternative rock music. The music video for Profsoyuznaya, Hali Koryo’s second single, is simple maybe in concept but is tremendously strong with what the band wants to convey to the viewing public. The Tokyo-based band started activities at the start of 2022 and managed to release two singles with titles that have to do with the background of drummer Shiznav, who is in charge of the songs and lyrics. — Recommended by Francisca
C-GATE – Bident (feat. Yukina)
The post-hardcore band C-GATE is not a new player in the music scene as they formed in 2012 and have multiple releases to their name. After their restart in 2019, with the addition of new vocalist NaShun, the band now as a three-man formation (with support member) ensured that no one can ignore them with their new music that is tuned heavier and energetic performances. The newest single Bident features HANABIE.’s Yukina who also appears in C-GATE’s latest and amusing music video. — 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.
