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 39 of 2024. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
毛布にくるまって (Moufu ni Kurumatte) – 浮力 (Furyoku)
This week, the three-piece band Moufu ni Kurumatte (which translates to ‘Wrapped In A Blanket’) released their debut album after starting their activities in 2023. The indie rock band, who first gained attention through videos on video-sharing platforms, released their first digital single in March this year. There seems to be some mystery around the identities of the band members, as you can see in the music video their faces are obscured. There is nothing known about the backgrounds of the three musicians, but we do know their names: vocalist and guitarist Ichikawa, bass player Umabe and drummer Numasan. — Recommended by Francisca
fulusu – Black
While the fans of alternative rock band fulusu are eagerly waiting for new music in October, the band has published several music videos of older works this week on the band’s YouTube channel, previously shared on Black Savant Records’ channel, including several songs from the mini-album The Nativity released in 2020 and their most recent release, the EP Chapter: Nearend in 2021. This means that the upcoming release is the first release in almost 3 years. However, the four-piece band from Tokyo has not been completely silent in the meantime, with occasional performances keeping them in touch with their audience. — Recommended by Francisca
E.scene – vector
Formed in 2018, this three-piece alternative R&B band from Niigata—consisting of vocalist Makoto, bassist CHIPPI, and drummer Yoshinao—has been making waves with Makoto’s distinctive smoky vocals and a sound that fuses R&B, hip-hop, funk, jazz, and soul intertwined with a groovy rhythm section. The band’s latest digital single, which is their fourth single of 2024, is the theme song for the film Sound of Love, which is now screening in Japanese cinemas. In October they will release a new album, titled All Around You. — Recommended by Francisca
Cyber Cherry – The Happening
Last June, Tokyo-based singer-songwriter and bedroom music producer Cyber Cherry released an album titled Fake California Forcefield. Described as the first album, but not really album No. 1, it seems to serve as a prologue with songs created during a 6-month creative journey in 2023. With influences from Japanese and foreign pop culture, the young musician manages to offer a diversity of music that cannot be put into one musical genre. In the music video, Cyber Cherry uses her experience in classical ballet to showcase an improvised dance piece. — Recommended by Francisca
the bercedes menz – バラッド (Ballad)
Tokyo-based hardcore pop band the bercedes menz are currently working on their second album, the follow-up to ザ・ベルセデス・メンツの幸福な子供たち (The Bercedes Menz’s Happy Children), released last November. Their new single Ballad already offers a taste of what we can expect from the upcoming album: powerful guitar parts, and progressive transitions, combined with a danceable beat and melodic Japanese pop elements. It is not yet known when the new album will be released. — Recommended by Francisca
o.j.o – PEOPLE DEMON
PEOPLE DEMON is the second digital single from Tokyo-based singer-songwriter o.j.o, following up her first single released in March this year. The singer-songwriter is 13 years old, still just attending high school and became interested in making music when she was in the last grade of elementary school, but made her first appearance as the youngest musician at FLASH THE FIRST TAKE, performing her new single in 60 seconds. Given the high quality of the music and the video, which was in collaboration with up-and-coming creative group ZENMA, it seems only a matter of time before this young musician will make great leaps forward. — Recommended by Francisca
アオ (AO) – タイムカプセル (Time Capsule)
This week saw the release of AO’s very first digital single タイムカプセル (Time Capsule), accompanied by a music video that has already garnered a substantial number of views. The three musicians got together to form the rock band not long ago, namely in April of this year. It seems that fans can already look forward to the three musicians’ second digital single, and they also have a tour planned in Japan to celebrate these two releases. Vocalist Zarame is also active as a solo musician where she has built up quite a following. Earlier this year, one of her songs was featured as the theme song for the seventh season of the anime series My Hero Academia. — 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.
