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 10 of 2023. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
Theo JP – Wash It Down
Despite this music video being the very first on Theo JP’s YouTube channel, this Tokyo-based metalcore band has previously released a video for the track, CTRL which involved collaboration with vocalist Joey Martins on the channel of Spaceuntravel. That was in September 2021. Since then, the band has gone through some line-up changes and it seems that the band, now a multinational trio, is ready to show what they have to offer. Wash It Down had already been released as a digital release in December, but that was not enough for Theo JP. — Recommended by Francisca
ROA – Checkmate
It’s been a while since we heard new music from shamisen rock band ROA (full name: Relic of Ancestors). The seven-member band presented their return with a brand-new music video for their latest single to showcase once again their powerful fusion of the Tsugaru Shamisen with rock music. Formed in the spring of 2014, the band has released several records and toured the world in 2018, also appearing at European events such as Japan Expo Paris and HYPER JAPAN. — Recommended by Francisca
FANSY – シャンティ シャンティ (Shanti Shanti)
Before Tokyo-based rock band FANSY took off, musicians Takuro Kikuchi and Yu Takase were active in the band MARCHENBERRY. This band quit at the start of 2017; a year later, FANSY emerged. The three-piece band has since had several releases to their name, including their first album in 2022. The new single, Shanti Shanti, is meant to be a prayer poem, with the band singing about a brainwashed society overflowing with information but with prejudice. It gives you something to think about. — Recommended by Francisca
Sandi gray eyes – 3
Around 2018, alternative pop-rock band Sandy gray eyes saw the light of day in the metropolis of Tokyo, consisting of four band members. The band’s sound is inspired by shoegaze, dream pop and post-rock. coexisting with lyrics and melodies that evoke a sense of warmth. Last year, they released two consecutive releases, veil in April and quartz in May, both three-song releases. Following that, the band experienced a brief period of silence, but at the beginning of this year, the band announced that they had several releases planned but also live performances. — Recommended by Francisca
moA – Radiating pain
Before moA became the band we have recently come to know, it was since the start in 2021 a solo endeavour of Shuntaro Tsukui (ex-SHIKISAI PUZZLE), who is a guitarist and composer. As of this month, the solo project has officially become a full-fledged band with the expansion to five members, with vocalist Akeru at the front. The band’s sound is based on an interesting mix of musical genres such as post-rock, electronica, shoegaze and techno with a focus on creating innovative pop music. On 25 May, they will perform for the first time with the current band line-up at the Takadanobaba CLUB PHASE, this is a free live show. — Recommended by Francisca
明くる夜の羊 (Akuruyo no Hitsuji) – 周回軌道上 (Shuukai Kidou jou)
After releasing their first album in September of last year, there seems to be no time to sit still for this rock band as they keep on working on music to illuminate the days of the listener while also being a lot on the stage for shows. The band Akuruyo no Hitsuji’s newest single, which conveys the concept that ‘on the orbit’, you travel round and round with the possibility of running across that (special) person again in the end, is a song that is significant to the band. It’s not surprising that Yui Kawano’s strong voice and the piercing band sound are starting to draw more and more attention because the music simply sounds good to the ears. — Recommended by Francisca
BRIDEAR – Eyes of Doubt
Following the release of the live album, Aegis Of London…LIVE!, five-piece metal band BRIDEAR treated fans with a brand new music video for the song Eyes of Doubt. This song is a bonus track from the Japanese version of the new live album, which is a whole new track from BRIDEAR. Needless to say, it does make one wonder what the five-piece band’s next steps will be, considering the band doesn’t want to stay still by any means. We’ll keep an eye on it, what about you? — 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.
