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 released in week 51 of 2023. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
Subway Daydream – Neptune
The year 2023 has been interesting for Osaka-based alternative rock band Subway Daydream, starting with the release of their first-ever album RIDE in January, followed by the single New Day Rising in May. But the year is also going well for them, as they have launched the first release of their four consecutive single releases, Neptune, with the band showing an innovative side of themselves. Curious to see what the new year will bring for this four-piece band. — Recommended by Francisca
The telephones – Keep on Dancing!!!
Last summer, the in 2005 formed electronic rock band announced a new wave of the band after the departure of bassist Ryohei Nagashima, the band has decided to continue as a trio, and last weekend the first concert in a long time took place, under the banner DISCO! DANCE!!! REVOLUTION!!!, at the venue where they made their debut: Shinjuku Marz. Consequently, it was also time for new music where they put their concept first: making the audience dance more than ever. — Recommended by Francisca
Sansaisa – 時間 (Jiken)
Two brothers, both active in the music scene and each with their own career paths, decided to join forces to convey the goodness of Japanese pop and rock, their vision of the original landscape of music. They really work with a DIY mentality, taking care of lyrics, composition, arrangement, mixing and mastering from home, as well as creating music videos, among other things. Since earlier this year, they have been releasing a new song every month with a theme that seems to be preoccupying them at the time. — Recommended by Francisca
She Her Her Hers – Bystanders
After we highlighted this alternative indie band in 2022, She Her Her Hers released another new album last November, titled Diffusion of Responsibility following up their previous album, released in March 2022, Afterglow. This trio works hard to create a distinctive musical blend, weaving together elements of chillwave, shoegaze, synthpop, ambient, and bedroom pop into a unique sonic tapestry. This month, they kicked off their largest tour through Asia, finishing with a closing performance at the Daikanyama Unit in Tokyo at the end of January. — Recommended by Francisca
灰かぶり (The Cinder) – Hameln
Starting out as a duo in 2020, The Cinder managed to really get going in earnest as a four-piece formation in September 2021. In January 2022, the band released their first EP, titled NEIGHBOR, which was followed up by their second EP, titled MUSEUM, in March 2023, three years after their formation, both releases were described as concept EPs, perhaps that has to do with the fact that in terms of musical genres, the band seems to dance around pop and rock, but also the words genre-less and genre denying are used in the descriptions about the band. — Recommended by Francisca
ワンダー久道 (Wonder Hisamichi) – 私を地獄に連れてって (Drag Me To Hell)
Wonder Hisamichi is the name of a musician who describes himself as a former demon from hell, and the music he creates gets placed under the interesting combination of progressive rock and city pop, combined with dark lyrics. Shortly before the start of Christmas Day, the musician shared the message of the release of new music through a music video, as well as the announcement that a new album was coming out. The musician has not been performing for the past year but focused instead on making music, resulting in the first album, titled Rust In Peace In Revenge. — Recommended by Francisca
FATE GEAR – Winds of Fall feat.NANA & KOKOMI
Okay, FATE GEAR isn’t an unfamiliar name, especially if you have kept an eye on this webzine, but it’s nonetheless worth highlighting the band’s latest music video. For the latest single release, Captain Mina invited vocalists KOKOMI (MISLIAR, ex-Asriel) and NANA (GUNGIRE) to re-record the songs Winds of Fall and Nocturnal Moon, both songs from the first album, released in 2015. The music video still features Kurosaki on keyboard, who last performed as part of FATE GEAR’s crew at a sold-out show at the Rockmaykan last weekend. In the new year, we can expect to see the band return to Europe. — 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.
