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 41 of the year 2022. Enjoy the new discoveries!
the Still – Highway
In August this year, four-member pop-rock band the Still began with the project to deliver seven consecutive monthly single releases, ahead of their first full-length album, Undercurrent, due out in March 2023. The indie band started operations in 2015 and makes music that brings out the sense of universality and nostalgia familiar from pop music of the 80s and 90s in combination with 2010s indie pop music that is popular in Japan and outside of it. — Recommended by Francisca
隣町本舗 (Tonarimachi-Honpo) – 首都回遊線 (Shuto Kaiyuusen)
Tonarimachi-Honpo is a (virtual) singer-songwriter who launched in 2019 and has managed to create several hits, including 52Hz Whale and Ghost of youth in 2020. Besides creating his own music, he also collaborates with various artists. For himself, he is active with the concept of ‘lonely but refreshing’ songs and with his most recent work, he even went all out with a short film as a music video. — Recommended by Francisca
Amiliyah – scar
From the mythical land of the same name and led by exiled princess of the Land of Light, Kimi, with the support of as they call themselves monsters, the band gets described as horror-themed industrial metal or even gothic metal band where the stage can be seen as a moving picture book with fable-like tales. Three years since the release of their 5th album Beyond the sea in 2019 and a best-of selection album in 2021 after the addition of two violinists, they have arrived at the point of releasing their first digital single. — Recommended by Francisca
Paionia – わすれもの (Wasuremono)
While the band’s name is said to derive from the name of a song by rock band Yura Yura Teikoku, the members of Paionia say that their music is best described as autogenous, without roots but with an alternative feel. Currently based in Tokyo, the band was formed in 2008, led by Fukushima-based vocalist and guitarist Yusei Takahashi and bassist Takehiro Kanno. Earlier this year, they released their second album, Pre Normal, and the current linked song is the ending song for a Disney+ original drama series, Subete Sasuret Shimau Kara. — Recommended by Francisca
KIRITO – Discord
Fans of vocalist KIRITO – known for his work in the bands PIERROT and Angelo – can look forward to a new album from the rock musician’s solo project. Earlier this year, having decided to focus entirely on his solo project after his band Angelo paused indefinitely, he had released three singles consecutively. All these songs can be found on KIRITO’s third album due out in November, NEOSPIRAL, including the song in the linked music video. — Recommended by Francisca
Scenario Arch – 方舟 (hakobune)
In recent years, it has been difficult for many, including this four-piece band, to be and stay active because of the pandemic. Thankfully, after a period of inactivity, that changed for this band last spring and summer with a number of gigs. Now the moment had arrived to release some music.. For the very first EP release by Utsonomiya-based band Scenario Arch, a music video was created which was independently produced. A good introduction for a worldwide audience. — Recommended by Francisca
Bob Paulsen – Doggs
The song Doggs is not at all a new song by Tokyo-based band Bob Paulsen. It was released digitally in 2020, but will soon be available on a physical disc with an extra song. It was for that reason time for the rock trio to create a music video that fits the song. It led to a perhaps uncomfortable dinner party where the gents were in a way reluctantly eating dog food until they could eat no more – it may be made for dogs, yet it is for the most part edible for humans but whether it tastes good is another story. — 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.
