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 49 of 2024. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
HINONABE – 喰う、喰われる (EAT, BE EATEN)
2024 is the year that four-piece rock band HINONABE made great strides in terms of releases, but also performances. For instance, they performed at SOUND SHOCK and TOKYO CALLING, as well as at ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2024 as the opening act. Looking at the releases, we see 2 EP releases and two singles, all in a time span of this year, with the most recent single released at the end of November. It will be interesting to see what they will do in 2025. — Recommended by Francisca
シベリアンハスキー (Siberian Husky) – 星空を抱きしめて(Hosizora wo dakisimete)
The band Siberian Husky is composed of three women: Mizuki Murata, Kame, and Yu-ka, and they perform live as a four-piece ensemble. With Mizuki’s captivating voice and a mix of classical and modern influences, the band already manages to make a good impression. In May 2023, they started performing in Tokyo and released their first self-produced single later that year. This year they were performing at JAPAN JAM 2024 and also at SUMMER SONIC 2024. In the meantime, they have released several more singles and it will be interesting to see what they have planned for 2025. — Recommended by Francisca
Pale – Euphoria
In January, Our Hearts In Your Heaven will be released, the debut album by post-black metal/blackgaze band Pale. After several years of silence, the band returned in 2023 with a new line-up, including ex-SUGGESTIONS vocalist NiiK on the microphone (also active in DOWNED and Tochu-Kaso). Over the years, the band has released several singles, an EP and a split release. With the new album, the band aims to showcase their experiments with noise, post-hardcore, and even NWOBHM, among others, in addition to exploring the possibilities of post-black metal. — Recommended by Francisca
ライターイチキューゼロイー (Lighter190E) – アルカナ (Arcana)
This alternative rock band has been active since 2008 and after several releases and changes in the band line-up, the current line-up has been active since 2018 with Rina Itou at the front. The band’s sound is described as alternative rock with catchy pop melodies combined with captivating vocals. Arcana is the first single in a year for the four-member band and this release will be celebrated through a show on 13 December, which can be viewed via Twitcast (after buying a ticket). — Recommended by Francisca
大丈夫 (Daijobu) – はじまりつづけてる (Hajimari Tsudzuketeru)
This five-member rock band has been active since September this year with Miyazaki as their home base, they are also called the Avengers of Miyazaki. In the month of the band’s formation, they released a music video as an introduction. The band consists of artists from diverse creative backgrounds and bands (such as VERANPARADE and Yume Yume Wasurezu), but they all have their share of singing. Their music combines a fresh, nostalgic sound with playful, free-spirited lyrics encouraging listeners to find the courage and feel ‘okay’ in other words, ‘daijobu’. — Recommended by Francisca
THE GAME SHOP – RAY OF HOPE
Electro rock band THE GAME SHOP has released a new single that clearly contains a motivational message, RAY OF HOPE. This release follows several singles and an EP out in collaboration with KenKen, the bassist of rock band RIZE. In early 2020, the band was in Europe for the first time for three gigs in France, in 2023 they joined Italian label Mhodì Music Company to open the doors to Europe even more. We look forward to their plans in 2025. — Recommended by Francisca
カリカヌル女子子 (Karikanuru Joshiko) – 喜劇 (Kigeki)
Based in the city of Sendai, the four-member rock band Karikanuru Joshiko began in 2020 as a solo project of bassist, vocalist and lead composer Toothpick Hell, who is, in addition to the band’s activities, also a Vocaloid producer and has worked on several songs and projects. Since 2022 Karikanuru Joshiko transformed into a four-member band, this is the first music video since that change, and in October the band released the EP Kigeki, their second release of the year. — 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.
