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 29 of 2024. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
Summer Whales – Crack!
Formed in Kyoto in the summer of 2022, Summer Whales quickly garnered attention with their edgy rock songs with catchy pop elements, by releasing digital singles for four consecutive months after their formation. By August 2023, they had already performed at SUMMER SONIC 2023, just one year after forming. Early this year, guitarist Ryoga Kubo joined vocalist and guitarist Aoi to solidify the band’s current lineup. This week, they released their first EP with five new tracks. — Recommended by Francisca
CLW – 狂う (Kuruu)
With a little detective work, I found out that this alternative rock band from Tokyo previously operated under the name Signaless, but last April decided to continue as CLW. All their previously released work also falls under the new band name, including their first EP released in late 2023, with several band members having taken on writing and composing the songs. Since the name change, they have released two singles, with Kuruu being their second single of 2024. — Recommended by Francisca
Tweyelight – Answer
While the music video for Answer is the first introduction to the band Tweyelight, vocalist Juno is no stranger at all, with involvements in bands such as alternative emotional rock band Beyond Sorry and emo rock band Blind Owl. We can look forward to the band’s first EP, Last Utopia, which will be released in September. In the meantime, we are expecting to hear a lot more from this next-generation loud rock band. — Recommended by Francisca
kurayamisaka – jitensha
Do you like cycling or is the journey a bit too far to do by bike? The band name kurayamisaka is an interesting one, apparently there are several theories about the origin of the name, but I haven’t figured out exactly what it is yet. Anyway, this five-piece indie rock band has been active for a few years, has influences in the corner of shoegaze and 90s alternative rock. In early 2025, the band will have their first solo live show at Shibuya CLUB QUATTRO. — Recommended by Francisca
mel – Yours
This week saw the release of the third EP from Sapporo-based guitar-pop/indie rock band mel, Blurred Windows, their first release in two years. To celebrate both this release and the re-release of their first EP, dayflower, which features the song Yours, the band unveiled a music video on their YouTube channel which was filmed during the dayflower era but never before published. Since last June, the four-piece band has been active for five years and is mainly active in Sapporo, but thanks to the internet, their music reaches far beyond their local scene. — Recommended by Francisca
鈴木実貴子ズ (Suzuki Mikiko Zu) -ファッキンミュージック (Fuckin’ Music)
This alternative rock band from Nagoya consists of vocalist and guitarist Mikoko Suzuki – who is also active solo – and drummer Zu, which immediately answers the question of where the band name comes from. Mikiko sings about the darkness, doubts and despair she feels in everyday life, but also about the faint light and the hope she draws from it, all in all, it is emotion that the duo releases. The song Fuckin’ Music was released last summer via a mini-album of the same title, perhaps they wanted to highlight the song more specifically by releasing a music video. — Recommended by Francisca
Update: The music video was re-published on 24 December 2024. The song will be included in the band’s upcoming first album あばら (Abara).
Griev fib – ヤバムーチョ (Yabamucho)
The last time we spotlighted the five-member unconventional alternative pop band Griev fib was in early 2022, now the band has been active for five years with a discography consisting of two EPs and several singles and is still active with two female vocalists. With the design skills of MapleC and video editing by Mokemo, the music video for Yabamucho embraces an RPG-style theme of growth, showcasing the band members throughout. — 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.
