7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 04, 2025)

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 04 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!

matryoshka – Sacred Play Secret Place

This song can be found on matryoshka’s second album released in December 2012, five years after the release of their debut album. But it did not stop at a music video for a much-loved song, as the electronic post-rock group released a new single, Effulgence, for the first time in 12 years. This song can be heard in a Panasonic commercial. Formed in 2006 by Sen and Calu, they combine ethereal strings, melancholic vocals, delicate piano and layered noise to create an enchanting musical landscape between darkness and light. — Recommended by Francisca

Grudge Ring – GROUND ZERO

This week saw the release of the debut album by Osaka-based hardcore punk/metalcore band Grudge Ring, GROUND ZERO, also the title of the tenth and final track of this release. The album contains a series of songs created around the theme of decay, including the first single Poser Smile and the collaboration with rapper Caynn on EYES WIDE SHUT. Other tracks, such as Indifferent Tongues, show the influence of alternative music. All in all, an interesting summary of what Grudge Ring has been up to in recent years. — Recommended by Francisca

HEXVOID – My Nightmare

Formed in 2007, the members of HEXVOID are inspired by rock music from the 90s and 2000s, as well as metal and hardcore, shaping their distinctive groove metal sound. The Tokyo-based band seems to have a strong connection with North America, having toured there multiple times, most recently in 2023. With the publication of the new music video, which has some macabre elements and can be found on the band’s latest release hex-01, the band announced a Southeast Asia tour for the spring. — Recommended by Francisca

201号室 (201 Goushitsu/Room 201) – インカントマーダー (Incanto Murder)

Formed in early 2023, this four-member visual kei rock band, in the corner of menhera and art kei, has been working hard to produce music from their first gigs. This is primarily due to the fact that after the release of their first singles (described as 0th and 1st single), they had decided to release a new single every month for 12 consecutive months, which is testament to their dedication and productivity. Curious to see what they will bring this year, at least they have their second oneman live show scheduled at Ikebukuro BlackHole in February. — Recommended by Francisca

久遠 (Kuon) – 絶対零度 (Zettai Reido)

This track can be found on the second album by Kuon, a mysterious band that explores everyday struggles and emotions through their music. Mysterious because they don’t really show their faces and rather use illustrations. But we do know their names: vocalist Mui, drummer and composer Honogumo, keyboardist Ulu—both previously active in the band 眩暈SIREN (MEMAI SIREN)—and guitarist Wata from バンドハラスメント (band harassment). With a mix of poetic lyrics and compelling melodies, they try to capture the imagination of their listeners. — Recommended by Francisca

kosmonaut – Hazu

The new song Hazu is said to be the most powerful track yet from four-piece instrumental band kosmonaut. Inspired by the elegant Japanese landscape and post-rock sound, emotional melodies and powerful beats can be heard in this new track. The band is based in Nagoya with space travel as their main theme, which is why the band name kosmonaut is so appropriate. The discography of kosmonaut currently consists of a number of singles and an EP. — Recommended by Francisca

open the lid – GOODMORNING

Tokyo-based alternative rock band open the lid released their first EP this week, which features the song GOODMORNING. With obvious grunge influences, this song was originally released a demo single, but has now earned a shining spot on the EP. The three-piece rock band has not been around for very long, open the lid’s first gig took place last August, and the band is centred around bassist and vocalist Hikaru, who works with support musicians. — 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.