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 47 of the year 2022. Enjoy the new discoveries!
四丁目のアンナ (4choume no Anna) – shining girl,shining boy
Active since the spring of 2016 and next spring, the Tokyo-based three-piece 4choume no Anna will finally release their very first album, titled 超生存主義 (Super Survivalism). Since the very beginning, they have been gaining attention for their genre-defying music, while combining disco songs with 90s alternative elements, groovy instrumentation and quirky vocals. Now that the line-up has changed a bit, it is interesting to see what next steps they will take. — Recommended by Francisca
ピロカルピン (Pirokalpin) – アーティスト (Artist)
The rock band Pirokalpin got formed in 2003 after vocalist and guitarist Matsuki Chieko met guitarist Shinjiro Okada. The band sound of the four-piece, which is based on British rock, and clear vocals, which exude a sense of innocence, contribute to the creation of the dreamy, fantasy world they have envisioned. Their journey so far went from an indies debut in 2009 to a major label debut in 2012 and back to independent status in 2015, after the band created their own label. — Recommended by Francisca
asayake no ato – 道標 (Michishirube)
The Tokyo-based alternative rock band asayake no ato just released their first album, 明けない夜の道標 (Akenai Yoru no Michishirube), which is according to the band contains “the hope that these songs will be a beacon of light in the darkness, even amidst the suffering of the dawn” with introspective and strong lyrics and a sounds falling into the emo, alternative and guitar rock music genres. This release seems to be marking the start of a new era for the four-piece after adding the guitarist Tomoya Sakuma. — Recommended by Francisca
かりんちょ落書き (Karincho Rakugaki) – dari
Karincho Rakugaki is a singer-songwriter that is known for creating music that is not bound to anything although it hangs around energetic and catchy pop and rock music but still can be seen as freestyle music like graffiti or doodling (meaning of Rakugaki). Add to that the distinctive singing voice and delicate melodies to make it complete. Since 2021, he has been performing live with a band in addition to his story-telling activities. — Recommended by Francisca
ayutthaya – fog
Two years after mentioning the music video for BACK in our weekly music video roundup in 2020, we can now enjoy Lighthouse, the debut album by the Tokyo-based alternative two-piece rock band ayutthaya. Comprised of Mio Ohta, who is influenced by 90’s/00’s rock and emo, and Makoto Migita, who loves hard rock, metal and soul, they produce a band sound that is in a way fresh but also nostalgic. Supporting musicians on this album include guitarist Kotaro Baba (NENGU), drummer Ryosuke Yoshiki (THE NOVEMBERS), and drummer Shingo Fujitani (1inamillion, SLEEPLESS). — Recommended by Francisca
ギリシャラブ (Greecelove) – キス・ミー (Kiss Me)
After losing a band member, the three-piece rock group Greecelove, which was formed in Kyoto in 2014 but is currently located in Tokyo, had to focus on rebuilding the group before releasing their fourth album, 魔・魔・魔・魔・魔 (Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma), earlier this week. Their music gets described as seductive, nostalgic and dangerous as a bad dream in an ideal world and their latest album seems to be filled with a blend of avant-garde and poppy vibes. — Recommended by Francisca
グッドナイト流星群 (Good Night Ryuuseigun) – 306
306 is the first single by the Okayama-based three-piece rock band Good Night Ryuuseigun which will be soon digitally released, although this band has been active for a couple of years, at least since the summer of 2016. Looking further into the band, it appears that they put out a mini-album in 2019 and a few music videos. In between that release and the upcoming release, they have been seen on music stages a lot making them quite known in the scene. They play music based on the concept of “the desire to be part of someone important”. — 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.
