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 46 of the year 2022. Enjoy the new discoveries!
AKUTAGAWA FANCLUB – tokyo
The three members behind AKUTAGAWA FANCLUB produce music that is suitable for the enthusiast of noise rock at a crossroads of rock’n’roll with the chance of opening up a world of chaos with repetitive routines. The band released a number of singles and a split release with The Keeley. The follow-up was the release of their first-ever full-length album, titled UNKNOWN DEVIL’S CALLING, last September. Since the highlighted song has a chilly and chaotic vibe, it makes perfect sense that the band chose to make a video that depicts a chaotic Tokyo. — Recommended by Francisca
Limonium – 一番線下り (First Line Down)
The activities of Kobe-based Limonium began in late 2018, and since then the four-member band has released several singles and focused on spreading their music in the music venues in Kobe and Osaka. The pop-rock band creates music with the idea that it guides the listener’s daily activities, sometimes with powerful motivational lyrics about overcoming and moving on. This song, released as a single, is made for those who struggle to express their feelings. — Recommended by Francisca
アトゾメ (Atozome) – サースティー (Thirsty)
We initially covered this band on AVO Magazine around this time last year, but it looks like a lot more people have been paying attention to this rock band since then. And that is not surprising at all, because this four-piece band creates music that they label as cool and they know how to incorporate that very well in their music videos, among other things. Furthermore, it is impossible to ignore Maikohan’s captivating appearance and energy. — Recommended by Francisca
ゆうさり (Yuusari) 芽 (Sprout)
Yuusari is the solo project of singer-songwriter Riko Niikawa. Active in music since 2018, she decided in 2020 to give her solo project the current moniker In her bedroom, she writes songs, composes, plays, sings, and records her music. She has done several collaborations, including with composer ioni and songwriter Yonatsu, among others. 芽 (Sprout) is created for the solo exhibition of photographer Akihiro Yamaguchi, an intimate song where Niikawa sings in a soft breathy voice. A director’s cut of the video can be found here. — Recommended by Francisca
オトむしゃ (OTOMUSHA) – 悪魔のび太 (Akuma No Bita)
Formed in Osaka in the summer of 2018, this six-piece gets dubbed as a new-generation punk band since they enjoy bridging genre boundaries, as is abundantly obvious in the accompanying music video. The song conveys a powerful message: “Keep fighting, no matter what adversity you face.” They have so far published an EP and a single; on December 3rd, a new single will be added to their discography. It seems that they are a welcome presence on many stages in Japan. — Recommended by Francisca
LUCY IN THE ROOM – Oh my baby
Oh my baby is the first song of LUCY IN THE ROOM’s second EP, Musicology, slated for release at the end of November. The five-piece band describes themselves as a city rock band and are active since 2018. The home base of LUCY IN THE ROOM is Yokohama, but they are also mainly active in Shimokitazawa, the place to be for alternative bohemian youth culture. They want you to hear their music when you look out the window. — Recommended by Francisca
Cakes n’ Ale – Flare
The sour and sweet of life is sometimes sweet and soft like a croissant, and other times spicy and bittersweet like a drink. This is the description given by the emo rock band Cakes n’ Ale as their introduction to their music. The Osaka-based band started activities in 2020 and has released several singles, including the most recent Corruption in August this year. It is now waiting for a full-length album from this five-member band. — 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.
