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 34 of the year 2022. Enjoy the new discoveries!
カネヨリマサル (Kane Yori Masaru) – I was
Formed in March 2014 in Osaka, this all-girl rock trio were the first band to be signed to Victor Entertainment’s Getting Better Records and Trust Records joint indie label, Don’t Trust Over 30. With their thumping melodies, brutally honest lyrics, and honey-sweet voices, Kane Yori Masaru’s music appears to connect with the (young) listeners. The band is like a diary, playing what they think, following the movements of their hearts. — Recommended by Francisca
アマアシ (AMAASHI) – guilty
The Tokyo-based melodious three-piece rock band AMAASHI, who have been active for almost 10 years straight, recently put out their first song in almost six months, guilty. The lyrics in this song philosophically depict the conflict between ‘happiness’ and ‘sin’, and the track intersects ‘stillness” and ‘movement’ with the band’s signature dramatic song progression with a sharp guitar sound and a heavy rhythm section. — Recommended by Francisca
1797071 – ka 4 ko sen
1797071, also known as MAKO, is the guitarist and composer of alternative rock band Ms. Machine and part of up-and-coming rock band SOM4LI, a member of Discipline Djs, and also works as an illustrator. She will release her debut album in a few days, which will include songs with an experimental and post witch house feel that will fascinate listeners as if witches have sprinkled their magic throughout. Expect layers of overdubbed ephemeral voices, post-trance synthesizer riffs, and industrial beats. — Recommended by Francisca
escapes – コンタクティ (Contactee)
With a new EP in the pocket, Valley Girl, the three-piece pop-rock band escapes have put a new music video online of one of the tracks. This song can also be found on the EP escapes-2, released in the spring of 2021, now over a year later the band has added a drummer and became a three-piece again, maybe it was just time to change things up a bit. It seems that their newest EP is only a physical release at the moment, but their first two EPs and a single are digitally available to enjoy. — Recommended by Francisca
Alphoenix – Hell’s Lord
On September 21st, five-piece Alphoenix will finally release their second album, titled Evil Ways, after working on it since the beginning of this year. All band members have been active in metal bands like Myproof, Sailing Before The Wind, and Serenity In Murder, giving them the experience necessary to create their own definition of melodic death metal with heavy riffs, dramatic parts, aggressive screams, and spectacular guitar solos. — Recommended by Francisca
ザ・シスターズハイ (The Sisters High) – pink pink vibration
With a rock sound as bombastic and distorted, this Niigata-based neo-punk rock band is not averse to incorporating passionate and poetic lyrics into their songs. In a few days, the in 2020 formed band The Sisters High will release a new EP called disLOVEる (disLOVEru), featuring the lead song pink pink vibration and a few more tracks that are reportedly well-liked at live performances. — Recommended by Francisca
-NYMPHONIAISM- – Rum Raisin Ice Cream
It has been a while since the indie rock band -NYMPHONIAISM- showed any signs of activity, after the first single was released in August last year, it seems that there hasn’t been much activity related to the band project. But maybe this is how the three-piece alternative band works. Either way, it heightens the mystique surrounding the group. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another year for more music from these three musicians. — 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.
