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 45 of the year 2022. Enjoy the new discoveries!
oOo – また (Mata)
The four-piece Osaka-based band oOo (pronounced as you would expect, Oh) recently released Mata as their debut digital single. An accompanying music video was also released simultaneously. Not much is known about the band, only that they have recently started – at the end of April the band got officially announced – and according to their own profile, they focus on the theme of nostalgia. The band has only just started, but expectations are already high. — Recommended by Francisca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XqHY7ETgSs
ポニーテールスクライム (PONYTAIL SCLIMB) – SCHOOL SWEATER
After an indefinite hiatus since 2016, the four-piece PONYTAIL SCLIMB announced its return with the original members at the end of October. Since this week fans can enjoy brand-new music from the Tokyo-based band, in the form of a mini-album with six new songs, titled PNSC FOREVER. In addition, a concert will be held by the alternative rock band in December to mark their comeback. — Recommended by Francisca
シンガーズハイ (Singer’s High) – すべて (Subete)
The last time we highlighted Singer’s High was when they were scheduled to perform at the music showcase of the Tokyo International Music Market (TIMM) in 2021. Since then, the four-piece rock band has continued to perform and work on new music. The second mini-album with Melody has just been released and is the first release in about a year since the release of their first mini-album, Love and Hate. Singer’s High’s music is recognisable by its emotional rock tunes with a one-of-a-kind high-tone voice that pierces right through you (in a very good way). — Recommended by Francisca
Es9.Sympathetic Lion – Don’t be afraid
A long band name, not likely to get lost in search engine systems: Es9.Sympathetic Lion, nicknamed Es9 (Esku), a four-piece emotional rock band from Tokyo. After being revealed to the (local) public in September, a month later the band took to the stage for the first time; a brand-new band still. It didn’t stop there, as now the four-piece has released a music video introducing themselves to the rest of the world. Keep an eye on them! — Recommended by Francisca
首振りDolls (Kubihuri Dolls) – 童 (Wappa)
In June, the trio Kubihuri Dolls released an album to commemorate their 10th anniversary, album number five with the title DOLL!DOLL!DOLL! The band’s sound can be best described as a fusion of early punk and hard rock, while the songs are twisted and emotionally charged accompanied by horror-tinged make-up and flashy, theatrical performances. Interesting to note is that the drummer, Nao, is also the vocalist of the band. — Recommended by Francisca
for sibyl – MCshake
For sibyl’s activities seem to have been somewhat erratic, but the three-member band seems to have come into view since the start of 2020. The fact that the rock’n’rollers have been making occasional appearances-though this year is really an active year for them anyway-is not letting anyone stop them, as this band is seen as promising with their melodic songs. And these songs can be found on their very first EP, beetle vs tough gang, with five songs and a running time of a whopping 9 minutes. — Recommended by Francisca
Pii – Baby Pink
Since 2021, the identity of singer-songwriter Pii was unknown until the release of this music video. Now we know that it is PORIN, the vocalist of Awesome City Club, who started the solo project to give a modern update of timeless songs, which she calls Shin Kayoukyoku; think old Japanese folk and popular music with a modern twist. The first digital EP will be released at the end of this month and Pii’s first gig will take place next month. — 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.
