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 5 of 2024. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
EASTOKLAB – Dawn for Lovers
This week saw the release of EASTOKLAB’s first album, titled 泡のような光たち (Light Like a Bubble). The rock band has been active since 2018 with Nagoya as its home base. They use various arrangement styles, including electro-funk, shoegaze, dream pop, minimal music, rock, and alternative music in their songs while also stating that they cannot be defined by one category or music genre. In the past, they have been described as the Japanese version of Coldplay. — Recommended by Francisca
Luin – アリガトウ (Arigatou)
We have written about the alternative rock band Luin (stylised as luin) before, namely in spring 2022. Since then, they have released their second album syy, along with a few singles. At this moment we can look forward to the release of an EP of the four-piece, scheduled to be released in a few days. The band comprises of vocalist and guitarist lucy+peter=esolagoto, formerly active in HIKUZ～卑屑～, guitarist Ketch and bass player YOSHiPON, both were active in KYOKUTOU GIRL FRIEND. YOSHiPON has also been involved with TEARS OF THE REBEL. Drummer Kiri, also active in …【サイレンス】(Silence), completes the lineup. The musical style of Luin can be best described as dark, intense and melodious. — Recommended by Francisca
sassya- – プール (POOL)
Delivering the daily frustrations of young people and working adults with Japanese rock, that is the description of the Tokyo-based alternative rock band Sassya- (stylised as sassya-) that started activities in 2012. At the end of February, the band will release a new EP, titled Songs for, the follow-up to their fourth album Not The End, although with this new release the band has transcended themes of frustration and loneliness and instead delves into human connection, memories, love, and thoughts about the future. — Recommended by Francisca
Suzuai – BOOBOO!
The music video for BOOBOO! has been the first music video in almost two years for the band Suzuai. The three members of Kashiwa-based Suzuai are influenced by 90s alternative rock, punk and grunge and as you can hear in the linked song, the intensity lies more in the corner of grunge for the band. At the end of 2023, five years after the band started activities, the three-piece released their very first album, titled Shake it, with BOOBOO! being the opening song. — Recommended by Francisca
Bounce out innocence – torch
For the first time in almost three years, the Nagoya-based melodic hardcore band Bounce out innocence will be releasing their first album on Valentine’s Day via Stay Dude Collective, titled Moonlight Makes Shadow. The upcoming album follows up their two self-released releases in 2020 and 2021. The band started activities in 2017 and incorporates influences from metalcore and nu-metal into their lyrical hardcore style, singing about the struggles and determination of humanity. — Recommended by Francisca
Faiyu – 楽園 (Rakuen)
After rebranding from ヒヲエル (Hiwoeru) to Faiyu in October 2022, following a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, the four-piece band has been diligently crafting new music. Their return in 2022 marked the release of their first single and the second single in the spring of last year, which is a song that has been inspired by a comedy film released in the 1960s and expresses the colourful perspective from different angles, questioning what constitutes paradise, righteousness, and sanity. Although this song is not a brand new one from the quartet, it was time for the band to make a music video, the first under their current band name. — Recommended by Francisca
綾野ましろ (Mashiro Ayano) – FLAVOR.(GUM)
Fans of anime might be familiar with the work of pop singer Mashiro Ayano, due to her singles that have been used as theme songs for anime series such as Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, D.Gray-man Hallow, and Gunslinger Stratos. After she left the label Sacra Music and its agency in 2021, she took a break to work on herself. At the beginning of this year, she returned with an announcement of resuming her activities. This week, she came out with a brand new music video and song to further boost her return, noting that bass player Asa from the band Wagakki Band did the composition of the song. — 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.
