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 08 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
quechwa – Sick Fuck
Sick Fuck is featured on the band’s first EP, which was released last September. The mission of this three-piece band is to humorously and with raw energy express life’s hardships in their songs with contradiction and passion as themes. This very song captures the unspoken feelings of frustration, sadness and the will not to give up with the hope that things will get better. The music video, the band’s very first, is entirely self-produced. The three girls have gone for a playful and creative atmosphere with various colourful curtains and rugs. It looks cheerful and inspiring, but also enhances the energy of the song. — Recommended by Francisca
Asobigokoro – kodomogokoro
This rock band, with the band name inspired by the motto ‘live life like a game’ and ‘stay a child in heart and mind’, was formed in November 2023 and released their first single in February 2024. This was soon followed up with several more singles and finally an album in October, Playing with LIFE. The band name reflects what the band tries to convey in their music: a life attitude of fun, adventure and freedom, and curiosity in life, regardless of age. — Recommended by Francisca
.jvkn – 集合論 (Shugoron)
Read as dot-jukan, behind .jvkn is singer-songwriter Jukan Tateisi, an artist who defies being categorised into a single music genre, blending music, art, and film. The versatile artist has done a lot in recent years, as a visual and sound artist, as well as a composer, film director and now a singer. It is only recently that he decided to return to his passion for music and started the solo project .jvkn, with his debut single released in July 2024. His approach to sound, combining acoustic and digital elements, with Japanese and English lyrics, is interesting and makes me curious to see what else he will do with this project. — Recommended by Francisca
シュシュがーる (ShushuGirl) – 野方駅、絞首寸前 (Nogataeki, koushu sunzen)
This is ShushuGirl’s first-ever music video. The Tokyo-based rock band has only been active since April 2024 and came out with an EP titled きみとぼくときみ (U&I and you) in October. According to the band’s own description, this is a band that sings about blind devotion to the listener and this song is a good example of it, as it seems to express the dark sides of obsessive love and the pain of unrequited love. Although the three-piece is still at the beginning of their career, they have already managed to make a strong impression. — Recommended by Francisca
MANATY – Prologue
Prologue is the title of MANATY’s first mini-album, the self-produced rock singer does a lot herself, from writing the song lyrics and producing the songs. For several years, MANATY has been working her way to greater fame in her hometown, Tokyo, but here and there her music has already been picked up by foreign media. For her latest music video, even the YouTube algorithm seems to be cooperating, as it worked for me. It’ll be exciting to see how far MANATY can go from here. — Recommended by Francisca
鵲-kasasagi- – drama
I’m a big fan of artists and bands that do a lot with a DIY mentality, Tokyo-based nu metal band kasasagi is a good example. Centred around vocalist gen, who is also a lyricist, composer, director, video editor and operates solo under the name ambivalence, the band’s sound is described as emotional and diverse in musicality. Talking about diversity: In recent years, the metal band has delivered several theme songs for plays, an airsoft facility, and a YouTube channel. 2025 kicked off with a digital single, drama, a song about the fragile nature of everyday life. — Recommended by Francisca
踊る！ディスコ室町 (Odoru! Disco Muromachi) – 健康なライフ
This week saw the release of the fifth album by 10-member funk band Odoru! Disco Muromachi, titled Murology. The band’s origins can be traced to a James Brown cover band, started in 2012, but it eventually transformed into a band producing original music with a DIY mentality and a mission to perform powerful funk sound and swinging, vibrant energy. It is only since late 2024 that the Kyoto-based band consists of 10 members. — 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.
