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 38 of 2024. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
伝々夢史 (DENDENMUSHI) – 十六夜 (Izayoi)
After releasing their first music video in the summer of 2023, four-piece heavy metal band DENDENMUSHI quickly gained attention for their blend of heavy metal and traditional Japanese elements, incorporating folk tales from Japan and featuring both male and female vocalists. However, first vocalist Pinoko decided to pause her singing activities last July and meanwhile, the band released a new music video this week with new vocalist Rina to usher in this new era. Remarkably, the band has only released two singles so far, so it remains to be seen what else DENDENMUSHI has in the pipeline in the near future. — Recommended by Francisca
ゆうさり (Yuusari) – 輪 (Zoetrope)
We previously wrote about singer-songwriter Riko Niikawa’s solo project Yuusari in 2022. In the meantime, she has released several singles and a mini-album. This mini-album, titled ほとり (Hotori), has been available to listen to via streaming services since January this year, but has also been available on CD since this month. Her clear, soft voice and acoustic guitar create a special sound that captures the beauty of everyday moments and allows you to release your emotions. Her music is an invitation to dwell on the little things that surround us and to embrace our inner thoughts and feelings. — Recommended by Francisca
シバノソウ (So Shibano) – NEVER KNOWS BEST
Earlier this year, the singer-songwriter So Shibano released her second full-length album, いつでも (Itsudemo), featuring the song NEVER KNOWS BEST. Currently studying in Taiwan, it will be interesting to see how her new experiences influence her music. Before heading to Taiwan, she released a single, and the musician’s next step was to release a Chinese version of her second album. From a young age, the singer-songwriter has been actively engaged in music self-producing over 15 CD-Rs alongside her two albums. She also explores other interests, in 2023 she directed a short film based on her song 世界が終わったら (When the World Ends). — Recommended by Francisca
丸竹夷 (Marutake Ebisu) – はむはむGX (HamuHamu GX)
This brand-new three-piece rock band from Kyoto, consisting of classmates Himeka (vocals/guitar), Rion (bass) and Kurumi (drums) managed to attract attention on social media with a cover of Complex’s Be My Baby, but have now taken a new step to take it even further. They have just released their debut single, accompanied by a music video, HamuHamu GX (GX stands for Galaxy) is an upbeat guitar rock track that blends humour and positivity with the relatable struggles of being 17, capturing the spirit of their generation. Considering this is just the beginning of their journey, the future holds nothing but promise for Marutake Ebisu. — Recommended by Francisca
秘めごと (Himegoto) – 劣等感 (Rettokan)
This music collective, led by vocalist Shion and composer Matatabi, creates carefully calculated alternative music and distinctive melodies since their formation in 2021. True to their name, Himegoto maintained a sense of mystery from the start of the project, withholding names and faces from the public. Even nowadays secrecy is kept at the heart of Himegoto’s identity, preserving the project’s elusive and mysterious essence. This week they released a new digital single, the follow-up to their Studio Session Live EP released in August. It looks like apart from this EP, they have only released singles, which can be found on streaming services. — Recommended by Francisca
EMANON – Out of Control
With members from various backgrounds coming together by a twist of fate, EMANON was formed at the start of 2023 with their first one-man live show taking place in March of that same year. The four musicians are determined to not become just another typical all-girls band and are pouring their heart and soul into expressing the music they think is cool. Despite going through a lineup change at the start of the new year, EMANON remained focused and determined, pushing forward their debut album in February, followed up by a single in June. Out of Control, EMANON’s latest track, was first introduced through a music video. The band’s future releases will be interesting to follow. — Recommended by Francisca
goat – Joy In Fear
This is not exactly a music video, as it is presented as a concept film with four tracks from Osaka-based avant-garde group goat’s 2023 album Joy in Fear—their first release in eight years. In that same year, it was also the group’s 10th anniversary. Originally consisting of four people: guitar, saxophone, bass and drums, the group is now a five-piece. Koshiro Hino leads the group on guitar, further consisting of bassist Atsumi Tagami, Akihiko Ando on saxophone, drums by Takafumi Okada, and percussion and flutes by Rai Tateishi. The Wire has written more about the background of the concept film, which is an interesting read. — 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.
