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 32 of the year 2022. Enjoy the new discoveries!
恋は魔物 (Koi ha Mamono) – 八月の君は悪魔 (Hachigatsu no Kimi wa Akuma)
“For those of us who are always missing something, who are never satisfied”. Formed in April 2015, Koi ha Mamono is a band project by vocalist and guitarist Izumi Sato, who is based in Tokyo. Originally started as a fully-fledged band in 2015, the project was relaunched as a solo project in 2020. Sato’s original perspective on unrequited love, unanswered affections, and unwavering light is expressed in her songs. Her discography includes two EPs and several singles, including the most recent which also received a music video. — Recommended by Francisca
ivory iris – あれから (Arekara)
Ivory iris are a three-piece rock band from Osaka, which was established in 2020. In order to emotionally realise the world of the lyrics in their own colours, the band utilises a variety of expressive techniques, such as songs that deftly use irregular time signatures, medium-tempo songs that are easily sung, and rock songs that are full of a sense of speed. Arekara can be found on a double-A digital single released a year ago, it will be interesting to see what else the band has in mind this year. — Recommended by Francisca
Uran – Omoide Chrome
The four-piece Niigata-based band Uran launched their activities in 2020 and immediately released their debut EP, named Maiden. They focus on developing a distinctive sound for their music, drawing inspiration from post-rock, shoegaze, electronica, and hip-hop. After signing with the label Sound Weg, at the end of 2021, they released their debut record, paradigm shift, in May of this year. Omoide Chrome is one of the tracks on this album. — Recommended by Francisca
Tokyo Theory – find you
Tokyo Theory are a four-piece band that started activities at the start of 2020. With the band’s theme of ‘living in Tokyo’, the goal of the band is to produce a brand-new hybrid sound by fusing hip-hop and international alternative rock with rap resulting in powerful tracks to cinematic soundscapes. Tokyo Theory’s newest release is the album Prom, which showcases the band’s versatility of instrumentally strong tracks and raps. — Recommended by Francisca
虎の子ラミー (Toranoko Rammy) – 阿呆w (Aho w)
With a mini-album on the way, the first in three years, the self-proclaimed ‘3D safari rock band’ Toranoko Rammy has something new to present. The release is described as a kind of road movie of the band, in which the growth of the band is incorporated. Next year, the four band members can look back on 10 years of Toranoko Rammy and it will be interesting to see what the band – known for its energetic live shows and powerful sound – has in store. But first they will have a release tour for the release in the coming months. — Recommended by Francisca
GE+IM – 病院の怪談 (Byouin no Kaidan)
The ‘mad doctor’ Naoki, a musician who has played in bands including Luzmelt, JILKA, and THE CANVASE, to mention a few, is the brains behind the visual kei group GE+IM. Since 2015, he has been working solo on this project with a hospital theme. Together with a group of other doctors or nurses, who serve as the band’s backup musicians, he creates music in the realms of rock and metal with electronic elements that can be seen as a ‘prescription medication’. In October, GE+IM will release a new batch of music in the form of a mini-album. — Recommended by Francisca
Chimothy→ – ロンリネスボーイ (Loneliness boy)
This month sees the release of the second EP from three-piece rock band Chimothy→, titled 最前線ブルーム (Saizensen Bloom). Five years back, in the summer of 2017, the band was formed in the city Kochi. Although the band was previously active under two other band names, since the beginning of 2018, the band members figured out what the band should be called, namely Chimothy→. The group can be categorised as a classic girls’ rock band, similar to others like SHISHAMO and Chatmonchy, but with its own distinctive spin. — 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.
