With a large music industry such as Japan, the second largest in the world, music fans will inevitably 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 45 of 2024. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
ODDFILMS – FAT BOY
Not a brand new track from the three-piece alternative rock band ODDFILMS, but a remastered version that shows the growth of the young band and especially the vocalist. The song was originally released in November 2022 and with the new version, the first music video has also been re-released with the new audio. After a turbulent period without performances, during which it seems the band members have had some difficult moments, the rock band seems to be busy again with gigs and a new release, something fans can look forward to. — Recommended by Francisca
kein – Spiral
Later this month, rock band kein will release their major debut EP through King Records, titled PARADOXON DOLORIS. The band formed in 1997 with Nagoya as their home base and seemed to steadily gained recognition. In 2000, the band members split up to officially reunite exactly 22 years later. Spiral is the EP’s lead track with the dark, intense atmosphere of the song embodied in the music video, questioning how people struggle and cope through their repetitive daily lives. — Recommended by Francisca
桜田楓 (Kaede Sakurada) – しがない福岡女の歌 (A Song Of A Banal Fukuoka Woman)
Kaede Sakurada is the vocalist of the five-piece rock band dilettante, but has also gone solo. This is her debut single that reflects her signature style. The song is based on a series the musician did on TikTok, which became quite popular. You will see a reference of this in the music video. Sakurada produced the song’s lyrics and composition and arrangement was done by dilettante’s guitarist YOSHITO. If you like this song, you might also want to check out dilettante’s first single, which was released this summer, titled Wag My Tail. — Recommended by Francisca
サディスティック仮面ちゃん (Sadistic Mask-chan) – アオハレナイ (Aoharenai)
The music produced by vocal unit Sadistic Mask-chan is specifically aimed at all people who are introverted, sombre or dark in character. Consisting of vocalists Reotaso and Migaki who offer a diversity of vocals, this duo aims to address and support, through their music, people who identify with this more introverted or melancholic side. To date, the band has mainly released singles and an EP, so it remains to be seen whether the band will come up with a full-length album in the near future. — Recommended by Francisca
CozyLand – Warltz
This week saw the release of the second digital single by CozyLand, a two-piece rock band that performs on stage as a quartet with two supporting musicians. With the Tokyo metropolis as their home base, the rock band has been active since 2023 with performances mainly in Shimokitazawa. The title of the second digital single, Warltz, is a combination of the words and concepts of war and waltz. The band combines psychedelic electronic sounds and powerful rock elements with sharp, melodic vocals. — Recommended by Francisca
Akt the Goat – From Now On
From Now On is the second single from Kitakyushu-based four-member rock band Akt the Goat. The two-track single was released last July and the follow-up the EP Symbol, released a year earlier. The band is described as confusion rock band, which is an interesting label, but what I can make of it is that the band does not shy away from challenging clear boundaries in rock music and mixes elements of different music genres in their music with the mission to convey their music as directly and personally as possible. — Recommended by Francisca
生生世世 (Syozyoseze) – 傀儡廻 (Kugutsu Mawari)
Shortly before the start of 2024, visual kei band Syozyoseze released their debut single. Since then, the band has released several more singles, as well as several music videos. The band members have since moved away from black suits with ties, but still dress darkly, now complemented by red ropes as an added element. All members have experience in previous bands, which begs the question to what extent these experiences are reflected in their current musical productions and what direction they want to take with this band. — 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.
