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 32 of 2024. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
rem time rem time – ひだまり (Sunny Hills)
Key, the second full-length album by the three-piece alternative rock band rem time rem time, was released last month. It can be said that this release was a “key” to the band’s future as this was their first album in six years. Considering the uncertainties and challenges the band members have faced in those years, including the fact that the band went from a five-piece band to a three-piece band, they seem to have made sure to incorporate this into their songs. Led by powerful vocalist and guitarist Rika, the band came together almost 10 years ago to make music with a sound that they say evolved from genres of music such as hardcore, punk, 90s emo and shoegaze into a distinctive and resonant experience. — Recommended by Francisca
bakeru.. – eureka
We may be catching the band bakeru.. (with the two dots included) at an inconvenient time, as it has just been announced that one of the band members is going to leave and the band will go on a hiatus as a result. However, all the musicians connected to this rock band, active since the start of 2023, will be busy with individual projects in the meantime. Despite this, the ghostly alternative rock band from Kyoto has presented something new: a music video for their very first release, which came out last November. This intriguing video leaves us yearning for an early return of the band. — Recommended by Francisca
バンド四段 (BAND YODAN) – 絶縁ハイライト (Cut ties-highlights)
Formed in 2020, initially as a two-piece, but soon they realised that they needed a bass player and after some name changes the band officially started their activities in 2023 as BAND YODAN. Delivering a genre-defying blend of music, they describe it as uncontrolled music as they like to create interesting songs without being conscious of trends. In June, they released their first digital single, 初段 (1st Dan) with three new tracks. My first impression of the single is: a little chaos here and there mixed with goofiness, but mostly delicious catchy rock music overflowing with energy. — Recommended by Francisca
スクールガールズエンド (School Girls End) – アノクシア (Anoxia)
With their main theme centred around personal struggles and the challenges of daily life, Osaka-based three-piece band School Girls End convey their messages through their hard-hitting rock and pessimistic pop music. Formed in 2021 by vocalist and guitarist Yuuna Asayake, who was a singer-songwriter at the time, the band has released several EPs. At the start of August, a single could be added to their discography: a re-recorded version of a track from their first EP, 存在証明 (Sonzai Shoumei), which was originally released in December 2021. This week, the new single received a music video. — Recommended by Francisca
Sadamori Kouki – ぼくのあいどる (Boku No Idol)
This young solo artist, previously active in the band メンフクロウ (Menfukurou), is currently making home recordings and is known for music that combines impulsiveness and explosive energy with all the instruments he plays. In spring next year, Sadamori is heading to Tokyo for an exciting new chapter by starting a band, so it will be very interesting how the musician and his future band will evolve in terms of sound while collaborating in one of the world’s most vibrant music scenes. So if you like this song, the advice is: keep an eye on this musician! — Recommended by Francisca
Gen Tanabe – 呼声 (Yobigoe)
A remarkable project between artists 未草 (Hitsujigusa) and rizm, and musicians resulting in a book with photos, essays, images (via QR code) and an accompanying soundtrack composed by Gen Tanabe, which also serves as his third solo album. The track that received this music video (by Maenaka Hisakazu (rizm)) can be seen as the theme song and is also the only song with words, sung by Maika (baobab, Catherina EMIW, Meadow) and backing vocals by Yuni Mori. The book Another Time contains chapters that travel to four locations in Japan and two outside and depict the landscape and activities of the people living there, their thoughts, and historical backgrounds. — Recommended by Francisca
cali≠gari – 東京アーバン夜光虫 (Tokyo Urban Yakouchuu)
Last June saw the release of the experimental visual kei band cali≠gari’s album 17, which was filled with nostalgia. However, fans can already look forward to a new release that will usher in the band’s 31st year. Aptly titled 17.5, the new album will consist of a CD and DVD and includes two new songs and a cover song. Alongside this announcement, two new music videos were revealed, showcasing the versatility of the three-piece band: from a noisy punk-style song that will let you go all out rocking for a short time and a jazz-inspired pop song that was filmed in between touring in the middle of the night on a hot bus without air conditioning, according to vocalist Shuuji Ishii. — 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.
