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 19 of 2023. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
INSURRECTION – Snow Noise
Tokyo’s melodic hardcore band INSURRECTION emerged in December 2018 but with the current lineup, the band has been in full swing since 2022, which also served as the catalyst for the release of their debut single, Fragile My Heart. Snow Noise, which was released earlier this week, is their second release. The band’s sound is characterised by a lyrics-driven, fast-moving sound, incorporating a wide range of genres such as moshcore, jazz, funk and pop-punk. — Recommended by Francisca
P-iPLE – Frankensteiner
The song Frankensteiner can be found on P-iPLE’s upcoming 7-inch EP Missing Idols, their very first analogue work, soon to be released via Call And Response Records. With every new release, the noise-punk band keeps on building further on their roots, which are in the punk rock and riot grrrl corner. The band has been active since 2015 and has undergone several member changes as well as several releases, but is still going strong, now as a four-piece band. — Recommended by Francisca
ステエションズ (Stations) – LOVE
Up until you start paying close attention to the lyrics, which seem to highlight a love-hate relationship, the vocalist’s soothing singing gives the song a loving sense. This past week saw the release of the second album by four-member new-school pop band Stations, titled ST-2. The band members all have roots in various musical genres of rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B, and jazz and this is incorporated into the band’s songs, with lyrics influenced by pure literature mixed with pop melodies making for unconventional songs. — Recommended by Francisca
postman – 減圧症 (Genatsushou)
Whenever I see the band name Postman, for a moment I have to think of the Dutch reggae/hip-hop act Postmen. A small difference in the name, but if we look a bit further there is even a bigger difference in terms of musical genres. This is because this Japanese band produces music that they don’t actually want to put in one box, as they describe it as genre-defying, as it ranges from rough rock’n’roll to ballads in combination with the one-of-a-kind vocalist Satsuki Teramoto. Since the past week, we can enjoy a new album by this four-piece band, 多拾人格 (Taju Jinkaku). — Recommended by Francisca
かたこと (KataKoto) – もういいや (Mou ii ya)
Katakoto’s third mini-album is just out, interestingly titled Neutract, a four-song record. The rock band was formed around bassist Jun in the spring of 2016. Currently a three-piece, the Shonan-based (Kanagawa) band is part of indie label STROKE RECORDS, with goomley, Alcosite, bivouac, and Rhythmic Toy World being their label mates. The song もういいや (Mou ii ya) is a voice for the moments in life when you feel that enough is enough. — Recommended by Francisca
Paranoid Psychedelica – 風穴と銃口 (Kazaana to Zyuukou)
Paranoid Psychedelica, shortened to ParaPsy for fans, are a Tokyo-based three-piece progressive (math) rock band with two vocalists on guitar. The band is known for their aggressive performances, strange time signatures, destructive guitar riffs and a variety of songs. Next week, the band will release their fourth mini-album, titled dawn of society(dis)order. After almost a year, the band decided it was time to make a new music video to support the release of this record. — Recommended by Francisca
PaleNeØ – PANORAMA
This brand-new band knew to garner quite a few fans in Japan and beyond with the publications of several covers of the bands BAND-MAID and Aldious. We have now arrived at the official debut of the four-member hard rock/metal band PaleNeØ, namely a music video for the song PANORAMA. The band has scheduled a free one-man live event in June. It looks like the band is off to a good start, definitely a band to keep an eye on. — 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.
