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 50 of 2024. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
UNDYING WORDS – 蒼黒に咲く (Sokoku ni saku)
This is the brand-new band of bassist and singer-songwriter Aya, who earlier this year started her own label SARASVATI RECORDS, under which she releases her solo and band work. As a solo artist, she performs as a rock singer, and as a bassist, she has supported a wide range of artists. Now, she’s showcasing her bass skills in the new metalcore band along with vocalist Kasumi, support guitarist Eita and support drummer Kano. UNDYING WORDS’ first EP, Raven In The Abyss, will be released in March 2025, but the appetiser was given this week with the music video for the song Sokoku ni saku. — Recommended by Francisca
メとメ (Metome) – 好想你 (Hǎo Xiǎng Nǐ)
After starting activities in 2022 and appearing on SUMMER SONIC in the same year, Nagoya-based rock band Metome released their first single, aptly titled 1st Single. This release was quickly followed up with a mini-album that was distributed nationally. The three-piece band’s latest single can be heard on Kanagawa TV this month as the end theme for the variety show 関内デビル (Kannai Devil). The title is in Mandarin Chinese and has the meaning ‘I miss you (very much)’. — Recommended by Francisca
swimmy – その融点 (Its melting point)
Active since 2018 and consisting of four musicians with different professions, ages and diverse (musical) preferences, these musicians write songs at their own pace and are not stuck to any particular music taste. Swimmy’s new single follows up the digital single それから (Sorekare, After that), which had been released last spring, and is a fast-paced song with odd time signatures. It will be interesting to see what the four musicians have planned for swimmy in 2025. — Recommended by Francisca
烏兎 -uto- – 声 (Koe)
Formed in 2023 by two childhood friends, vocalist Baysatoh and pianist Hikari Kubota, both from the city of Obihiro on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Now based in Tokyo, the music unit 烏兎 -uto- released their fifth single earlier this week. With the music that the pair creates, they aspire to produce music that compliments the luminous scenery of everyday life. As described by the duo, the name Uto consists of the kanji for crow and rabbit, but together it has the meaning of the sun and moon, which I think fits their aspiration for the music they make. — Recommended by Francisca
0番線と夜明け前 (Zero Bansen to Yoake Mae) – hotobori
Winter is currently beckoning here, but the girls of Kyoto-based alternative idol group Zero Bansen to Yoake Mae bring out the summer in their very latest music video, which, by the way, is entirely self-produced. Filmed on a beach on Okinawa, it features a time lapse where the girls get to work with sand to built something. The song itself has not yet been officially released on a disc or digitally and has a distinct shoegazey vibe with post-rock elements. — Recommended by Francisca
ナナイロ (Nanairo) – 風の予感 (Kaze no Yokan)
Music group Nanairo has been in the music scene for less than two years, but has already impressed with some notable achievements in a short time. With members described as being as diverse as the seven colours of the rainbow, they released their first full-length album SCREEN in October 2023 after they were able to raise the money through a crowdfunding campaign. They repeated this success this year to fund their solo performance in June. In addition, this music video was the result of them winning Mudia’s Movie Grand Prix vol.13 earlier this year. — Recommended by Francisca
ペロペロしてやりたいわズ。(Peropero shite yaritai wazu.)- ロンリー・サタデー・ナイト (Lonely Saturday Night)
Active since 2012 and based in Hiroshima, pop-rock band Peropero shite yaritai wazu. was formed by two high school friends, vocalist en guitarist Mei Mukaida and guitarist Araragi. Over the years the band line-up has changed quite a bit and was even called PERO until the band took a break in 2020 following Araragi’s departure. Since the summer of 2022, the band has returned under its original name, with Mei still on vocals and guitar and Fighter on drums. This is the band’s first new song in five years. — 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.
