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 Japanese music acts that are definitely worth watching and need some extra focus, with an emphasis on the lesser-known names.
We are now looking back on a selection of videos released in week 14 of 2024. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
Carpenter’sBlue – 初恋 (Hatsukoi)
This song can be found on Carpenter’sBlue’s split single release with Tokyo-based psychedelic band Larks Lou, phenomenon, released in November last year. The shoegazer band has been highlighted in a previous article, back in 2022. Since then, the three-piece rock band has released their first album at the start of 2023, titled Garyotensei. The band members seem to just take their time producing music, but when they deliver, you can expect the following: Music that touches on different musical genres, introspective lyrics that weave through the landscapes of life, strong vocals and melodies that are powerfully uplifting. — Recommended by Francisca
Futures – プレイバックしたって(Playback)
Hip City Music is the description associated with Futures (styled as futures). The duo’s fifth EP was released in early April, a release you should definitely rewind to listen to it again. A good example is already set with the music video promoting this release. The duo is into making tracks, and producing songs and the group’s roots are in music genres like reggae, dub, and hip hop with additions of dub effects and floating vocal melodies for a groovy band sound. — Recommended by Francisca
台所きっちん (Daidokoro Kitchen) – グッバイ･バッドエンド (Goodbye, Bad End)
With this song, the Osaka-based three-piece girl band started the new year, with a (love) song dedicated to that one hated person. They are now several singles on and will soon celebrate their first anniversary as a band, as they have officially started activities on 17 April. A band that is still at the beginning of their career, but has already shown they have a lot to offer. As the three ladies continue to develop as a band and refine their musical style, it will be really fascinating to follow what direction they will take and what they will release in the (near) future. — Recommended by Francisca
Burst Blue – melt
This four-piece Sapporo-based shoegaze band was formed in the spring of 2016 but it took more than a year before the band was fully launched and active. The band consists of twin vocals, by Hiroka Okamoto and Kento Fujimori. With each song, the band’s composition changes given the musicians can play multiple instruments, consistently managing to express vulnerability and beauty with the soft melodies and a roaring sound. Since the release of their debut EP REM in the fall of 2019, followed by their second EP orbit in February 2022, they have been actively performing live in the Kanto region and hosting events in their hometown of Sapporo. In May, after nearly two years of waiting, they will release their third EP, flower. — Recommended by Francisca
のろゐみこ (Noroimico) – 春爛漫 (Haruranman)
Noroimico’s latest single was released this week, eight months after the release of their third mini-album. Formed at the onset of 2022, the duo comprises Namamushi on drums and Saori Takanashi on bass, incorporating traditional Japanese aspects to set the tone. They also take on vocals and collaborate with a guest guitarist for live performances. With backgrounds in other visual kei bands – Namamushi was part of Minus Jin-Say Orchestra and Saori was active in KALAVINKA – both musicians bring diverse experiences to the table. This rock band is on my list to see live. — Recommended by Francisca
CLAN QUEEN – Loud Land
In September 2021 I was writing about the newest music video by the trio WARS iN CLOSET, what happened in the meantime is interesting as the vocalist left the band and the other band members decided to restart under a new name (with a new vocalist), creative neo-rock band named CLAN QUEEN. They still have the same DIY mindset as they had in WARS iN CLOSET, where every musician not only handles songwriting, composition, and arrangement but also takes on responsibilities such as directing, editing, graphics, and more. With their original contributions, they have already managed to reach a lot of people. And now the trio has arrived at the release of their very first album, VeiL. — Recommended by Francisca
短編画廊 (Tanpen Garo) – イロナキカゼ (Ironakikaze)
Formed in September 2021 with Kyoto as their home base, Tanpen Garo’s description for this musical project is a picture-like rock band, which should give a good idea of what to expect from this quintet. Ironakikaze was actually the first song written by the band and is about how people, like curtains and flowers tossed back and forth by the colourless wind, are also affected by something (invisible) in their lives. The song was released as a second single in December of last year, and since then the band has released another single. — 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.
