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 30 of the year 2022. Enjoy the new discoveries!
森良太 (Ryota Mori) – ラムスプリンガ (Rumspringa)
Since the rock band Brian the Sun announced their indefinite hiatus, vocalist and guitarist Ryota Mori decided to work on his solo project. His discography will show you how active he has been in terms of putting out new music. In February of this year, he released his first full-length album, titled EGO, and this is followed up by the release of the EP ラムスプリンガ (Rumspringa). Ryota Mori strives to express himself musically in a variety of ways that stand out from his earlier work including live performances as a solo performer or with a band, and self-produced music videos and artwork production. — Recommended by Francisca
DaDa – デイバイデイ (Day by Day)
The activities of Kofu-based rock band DaDa started all the way in 2012 and after releasing some music through demos, split releases, a single, an EP and a mini-album, it was finally time for something new for the sympathetic four-piece formation after 10 years of activities; a full-length album. Day by Day can be soon found on the band’s first album, titled 日常のピーク (Nichijou no Peak), set for release at the start of August. — Recommended by Francisca
透明受胎 (Toumei Jutai) – ねじれ (Nejire)
All the way from the city Fujisawa (Kanagawa) hails indie rock band Toumei Jutai, a trio that decided to start a band only a few years back. Their first EP, named さよならを沈めて (Sayonara wo Sinkete), was released in 2020, following the release of their debut single in 2019. Nejire is their first digital single and their first release for this year. The songs are filled with dark lyrics, sung with emotion by Miura, who also is in charge of the (solid) guitar work. — Recommended by Francisca
cetow – water leaf
One Vision, Cetow’s second album, is soon to be released by Further Platonic. It will be an album where the band’s identity has been further developed. The Kyoto-based instrumental post-rock band was founded in the summer of 2013 by guitarist Sakamoto and drummer Watada; they were classmates in high school. Later, bass guitarist Morimoto and guitarist Ikeyama, also Sakamoto’s classmates but from university, were added. The band lineup is still as it is at this time. — Recommended by Francisca
ハシリコミーズ (Hasirikomis) – たまには下と比べましょう (Tamaniha Shita to Kurabemasho)
This song is the first release in more than a year for the rock band Hasirikomis, the trio has already released two albums in its short existence. In the meantime, the band has not been sitting still as they have been doing some performances here and there. It is maybe not that strange that they went unnoticed with the mixture of recklessness, emptiness, freshness, and exploding rebellious energy that they have and express. — Recommended by Francisca
天上天下 (Tenjou Tenge) – 君に価値なんてないよ。 (Kimi ni kachi nante nai yo.)
This Osaka-based band has a very specific objective—they want to create music that would fit as the opening or closing theme for an anime series, and preferably today rather than tomorrow. This is further emphasized on their very first EP, titled いつかのアニメのOPとEDと劇場版。 (Itsuka no anime no EP to ED to gekijoban.). The band started operations in 2021, and they aim to accomplish their goal in three years. Hopefully, this introduction here will give them a push in the right direction. — Recommended by Francisca
青色壱号 (Aoiro-Ichigo) – A・I・SHI・TE・RU・WA
Bassist and vocalist Ichinose (ex-ZETTAI CLUB) is the person behind Aoiro-Ichigo which started activities in 2020. Some Blue, Aoiro-Ichigo’s debut album in 2021, features several collaborations and consists of music that hovers between techno-pop and dark cyber rock. Recently, Ichinose joined Setsuzoku Records for her future releases, and she might soon be seen on the road outside Japan via Orion Live. A・I・SHI・TE・RU・WA is the title for her upcoming EP that is set to be released in August. — 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.
