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 15 of 2023. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
MIRAIJI – Speed
Speed is the second single from Tokyo-based alternative band MIRAJI and follows up their first single Levitate which was released almost 1 year ago. Formed in 2022, the band consists of members with an average age of 18. These young musicians explore a unique band sound and describe their music as alternative rock, Japanese pop, psychedelic, and funk rock. The band writes lyrics, composes and arranges music and even creates tracks themselves, and produces artwork and music videos with directors of the same age group. It looks like the band wants to reach an international audience from the get-go. — Recommended by Francisca
ハレひらく (HAREHIRAKU) – ベッドルームダンスエレクトロ (Bedroom Dance Electro)
The very first single by the five-piece band HAREHIRAKU, Bedroom Dance Electro, has gotten re-recorded and is evolved into a more danceable pop tune while still retaining the dreamy dance-pop atmosphere. The song was originally released in the summer of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, and had the title Bedroom Dance Electro (From Home). Formed in the summer of 2019, the Tokyo-based band decided to go on a hiatus due to the pandemic and had their first live show in April of 2022. — Recommended by Francisca
FINLANDS – ナイター (Nighter)
10 years ago, guitarist and vocalist Fuyuko Shioiri and bassist Kayo Koshimizu decided to start the band FINLANDS. Together, they managed to produce several mini-albums, an EP and two albums, and appeared at many major festivals in Japan. After Koshimizu left the band in 2019, Shioiri continued working with support musicians. This seems to be going well for her, while she is also active as a solo artist and a songwriter for various artists such as adieu, Salyu and others. Impressive! Next month a new album, SHUTTLE, will be released with new recordings of older songs, but the title song is a new song. — Recommended by Francisca
Luby Sparks – A Thousand Miles
Just returned from the first-ever tour through the United States, the alternative rock band Luby Sparks shared a music video for the song A Thousand Miles with footage taken during this particular tour. The band started out in 2016 producing music with a big influence from the British rock scene with lyrics in English. Their music and concept soon took them outside Japan, such as Indietracks Festival in the UK. A tour of China fell through due to the pandemic, but the five-piece continued full of motivation and made a full-length album last year. — Recommended by Francisca
ゆうらん船 (Yuransen) – Parachute
Centred around singer-songwriter Itaru Uchimaru, the band sound of Yuransen is characterised by a mellow, space-distorting sound based on nostalgic songs. In May, the five-piece band will release their second album, with the title MY REVOLUTION, which seems to take a bit of a different route with experimental folk. Shortly before the second album is released, the band’s first-ever EP originally released as a limited edition in 2019 will be available throughout Japan. This EP will also be available on vinyl on Record Store Day (in Japan), in conjunction with the second EP. Plenty to look forward to! — Recommended by Francisca
11:07pm – 無題 (Mudai)
Less than a month ago, the band 11:07pm dropped an introduction on social media, but soon the Tokyo-based indie rock band revealed more information. The three-piece band just finished their first live show and now we can enjoy their very first single, a double A-side with the title 2016/Mudai. The band is still relatively young, therefore it’s great that they immediately released a music video as well. It sounds promising, so keep an eye on this band! — Recommended by Francisca
HARU NEMURI & Jaguar Jonze – ANGRY ANGRY
Haru Nemuri’s very latest song is a collaboration with Taiwanese-Australian singer-songwriter Jaguar Jonze and was introduced at SXSW Music Festival earlier this year. The two are outspoken advocates for equality and protection of women and other vulnerable people in their music, including in this song, ANGRY ANGRY, so this collaboration is therefore perfect. Together they recorded another song, titled don’t call me queen and these two songs combined are out as a single. Poetry rapper Haru Nemuri will soon be in the UK and Ireland for a tour to promote her latest album 春火燎原 (Shunka Ryougen). — 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.
