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 39 of the year 2022. Enjoy the new discoveries! We took a short break due to a lengthy migration, but we are back with an updated URL! Don’t forget to update your bookmarks.
RIS – Lonely Disco
We have covered Tokyo-based singer and guitarist RIS before, it was also a while back that she came up with new music. Even though Lonely Disco has been out for a while, the music video is still icing on the cake. Like her previous releases, the music is immersed in what is recognisably the ’80s, the big inspiration for RIS – from glam rock to punk and from new wave to electronic music – which is also clearly incorporated in the animated video including familiar locations and musicians. — Recommended by Francisca
Hammer Head Shark – Blurred Summer
We may have just arrived in autumn, but that doesn’t matter much to Tokyo-based three-piece rock band Hammer Head Shark when we look at the title of their very latest digital single, Blurred Summer. The band has managed to capture the shimmering summer atmosphere in the music video while we can enjoy the shoegazey sound of the song. — Recommended by Francisca
水中スピカ (Suichu Spica) – Reverb
The last time we wrote about math-rock post-rock band Suichu Spica was at the start of 2021. In the meantime, the Kyoto-based band has managed to release an album titled mEq and the arrival of the second album, titled Osm (オスモル), has now been announced for next November. With a musical style in which the vocalist Chiaki sings pop melodies while tapping the guitar, the band challenges the blend of instrumental music with rock and pop music. — Recommended by Francisca
VELTPUNCH – 蛙の唄 (Kaeru no uta)
Alternative rock band VELTPUNCH, centred on vocalist and guitarist Naganuma and vocalist and bass player Nakajima, celebrated their 25th anniversary this year and will release a two-track CD later in October, their first new material in two years since their ninth album, Suicide King. The release also comes with a commemorative book. With their long career, the band is seen as an important figure in the Japanese alternative rock scene. — Recommended by Francisca
Romansquall – さよならのあとに (After Good-Bye)
From the ashes of pop band Apollonome, which disbanded after five years of activities, the four-member band Romansquall has risen. The band will officially be launched this November with a performance on the stage of ROCKTOWN in Osaka, but the very first music video has already been shared with a theme of cinematic immersion. We are curious to see this band’s next steps. — Recommended by Francisca
hakua. – MAKE i
While other people come up with jokes on 1 April, five band members swooped in on 1 April 2021 with the announcement of a new band, the guitar rock band hakua. centred around singer Hieda. The band projects itself on a variety of topics, sounding the intermittence of mankind’s thoughts on the world. The band’s first EP, titled 手の鳴る方へ (Te no naru kata e) will be released soon. — Recommended by Francisca
梟 (Fukuro) – バケモノの私には (Bakemono no Watashi ni wa)
This visual kei band was officially unveiled last September as the new project of ex-DADAROMA vocalist Yoshiatsu with well-known musicians from the scene, named Fukuro, without a guitarist but with a pianist, Daisuke, complemented by bassist Yutara (MonstlloW) and drummer Lotto (ex-Sioux). This literally colourful ensemble, which appears to have made a positive impression straight from the start, will soon release a third mini-album. — 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.
