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 selection of videos that were released in week 3 of 2023. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
bed – Michael Mann
Labelled as “music for sleeping well”, the Tokyo-based band bed — not to be confused with idol duo Bed In or the Kyoto-based indie rock band bed — didn’t depend on social media to introduce themselves, instead, they started out on stage with spellbinding live performances that got people talking. Then it was time to also draw curiosity outside of the live stage by publishing a couple of singles and music videos, Michael Mann is their latest single release. It is a matter of waiting to see what this four-piece post-punk band will do in 2023. — Recommended by Francisca
UlulU – イルミナント (Illuminant)
This song by rock trio UlulU is still a track from the previous year, to be found on their very first self-titled album released in spring 2022, of course it remains to be seen what they will do in 2023. Active since 2015, the three ladies make an emotive alternative rock that incorporates their elongated but sincere voices, vivid words, and beautiful melodies with timbres and combines it with a flexible and dynamic band ensemble. — Recommended by Francisca
Aotenjoe – 正義でご飯が食いたい (I want to eat rice with righteousness)
Before the formation of Aotenjoe in 2021, vocalist and drummer Minami Mori had been playing in the punk rock band i-MAX’, this eventually morphed into the current band Aotenjoe. They create songs filled with twisted lyrics and rhythmic melodies screaming about human weakness in modern society. The band asserts that they use sharp rebellion and sarcasm as weapons against “common sense” and that they are always on the lookout for anything new to push themselves with. After their first EP in 2021, it was time for their first single, 正義でご飯が食いたい (I want to eat rice with righteousness). — Recommended by Francisca
different:account – DISORDER
This rock group from Nagoya is made up of three individuals who have various musical tastes, ages, and interests. In regards to music, they do what they like in the ways they like, and with the combined expertise of the three, they developed a strong and heavy sound. Last year, they have released a hand full of singles and this year, they have started well with a new digital single, DISORDER. As can be read on their social media, the trio is raising money for the Nagoya-based organisation SORA, that rescue abandonded dogs and cats. — Recommended by Francisca
レイラ (Layla) – WONDERLAND
We have written about Yokohama-based rock band Layla before, in the spring of 2021. Around the same time, the second EP, titled World, was released nationally, which was good for Layla, considering that they seemed to have reached many ears with their songs that pierce through to the heart. The band has since become a duo, still featuring guitarist Taiki Miura and guitarist and vocalist Aria Igarashi. Still remain very active with various performances with support musicians. WONDERLAND is their most recent single, which has also been given a music video starring a hamster. — Recommended by Francisca
WHISPER OUT LOUD – Never Grow Up
Following the addition of vocalist Motokichi in the summer of 2022, WHISPER OUT LOUD has been hard at work on a new record, the alternative R&B/rock band’s first-ever album, CIRCLE OF LOVE. The Tokyo-based three-piece band incorporates various elements from R&B, rock, jazz, pop, and progressive rock to create their own unique sound. This new album shows how the band has continued to grow after relaunching with the new vocalist and has chosen latent feelings in the heart and the love associated with it as its theme. — Recommended by Francisca
Crisis Slave – Devour Hope
The activities of the metalcore band Crisis Slave started in 2015 with the first live show in the spring of the same year. They have established themselves in the underground Japanese metal scene over the years. They were one of the more than 100 musical acts from Japan that contributed an original song for the soundtrack of the PlayStation 4 game LET IT DIE. In the meantime, the metalcore/djent band has undergone several line-up changes, but currently is a four-piece with Noname (ex-REVIVAL OF THE ERA) on vocals. — 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.
