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 18 of 2024. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
はしもとねね (Nene Hashimoto) – たまにはロックで終わりたい (Tamani wa Rokku de Owaritai)
Nene Hashimoto started playing the guitar at an early age, began writing lyrics at 15 and is heavily influenced by folk songs and Japanese pop songs from the 1960s. Besides being a singer-songwriter, Nene Hashimoto is also an actress. She starred in the 2020 short film アルム (Arme) and ある母 (That Mother). The music video is a collaboration between the singer-songwriter, who is a university student and Koharu Kubota and other students of the Tama Art University’s department of Scenography Design, Drama, and Dance. — Recommended by Francisca
空白の夜 (Kuhaku no Yo) – 鈍 (Nibi)
Formed in 2015, the alternative four-piece band Kuhaku no Yo had a steady line-up until they had to switch drummers in November 2022. Their music can be best described as a blend of 90’s emo, post-rock, and shoegaze elements with intense vocals and intricate instrumentation. This song can be found back on the split release with the Nagoya-based post-rock band noh (they also published a new music video this week by the same director), titled ulula/corvus, which will be released later this month. — Recommended by Francisca
烏兎 -uto- – 旅する人へ (Tabi Suru Hito E/Stranger)
Formed in 2023, Uto is a duo that consists of two childhood friends from Obihiro in Hokkaido Prefecture, their names are Hikari Kubota and Baysatoh. Now based in Tokyo, they create music that accompanies the scenery of everyday life as if it is bathed in light. With this song, translated by the act into English as Stranger, they hope to give a boost to someone who hears this song. At the time of writing, they have released three digital singles, so it remains to be seen what else these two musicians have in store in the near future. — Recommended by Francisca
ハイカーシック (Hikersikk) – ヒミツメイツ (Himitsu Meitsu)
The activities for the Tokyo-based rock band Hikersikk started in the spring of 2019. Currently focusing on performing on stage, they have been working on the releasing music through the creation of music videos, some of the tracks, including their newest shared song, have been dubbed as demos. In October 2022, they released a self-titled EP. The drummer of the band revealed on Twitter (or X) that their latest song was the most challenging to produce in their band’s history, encouraging fans to watch the music video not just once, but multiple times. — Recommended by Francisca
からあげ弁当 (Karaage Bento) – 22
This song 22 is the lead track from Karaage Bento’s new EP 最高更新 (Saikokoshin) released this week via UK Project. The music video for the song showcases the band’s first performances. Currently still a three-member band, the rock band will add a new guitarist in June to continue as a four-member band. It looks like this band is presenting itself as if they are a bento box shop, opened in late December 2021, with the band members described as employees. But one thing is for sure, I’m actually craving a karaage bento right now. — Recommended by Francisca
二人目のジャイアン (Futarime No Giant) – 僕らイナズマ (Bokura Inazuma)
The band Futarime No Giant released their second album on the first of May, with the title ピカピカ (Pika Pika). In recent years, they have broken new ground in anison combined with the party funk music they have been creating since 2011 with the concept of ‘shaking the hearts of listeners’. Led by vocalist MASA, the band has performed in Japan as well as internationally. The music video also features the dance group REAL AKIBA BOYS, with whom the band collaborates more often that the group can now be seen as allies. — Recommended by Francisca
アベカワズ (Abekawas) – 終夜ロックンロールショウ (All night rock ‘n’ roll show)
To mark the release of the rock band Abekawas’ second EP release, 降りしきる声明 (Proclamation Falling Down), the three-piece has decided to release a music video of one of the tracks from their first EP which was released last year, All night rock “n” roll show. What started as a cover band of The Pillows during the university days of the band members, inspired by the anime series FLCL, this became the prototype of the band as it is today. Once they finished university, the band changed the style of music and created original music. — 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.
