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 17 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
猫は液体 (Neko wa Ekitai) – 春霞 (Harugasumi)
A brand new guitar rock band from Kyoto, formed in 2024, Neko wa Ekitai (or perhaps written together in romaji; Nekowaekitai), released their first music video this week to promote their debut single. The four-piece band produces rock songs with delicate lyrics full of vivid images and dreamy melodies. On their latest release, consisting of two tracks, they explore themes of lost love and emotional scars. The band name presumably refers to the well-known meme ‘Cats Are Liquid’. — Recommended by Francisca
Khaki – 裸、道すがら (Hadaka, Michisugara)
Khaki’s second album, titled Hakko, will be released in May, and this music video of the album’s first song gives a taste of what to expect from it. It is the five-member art rock band’s first release since December 2023 and is at the same time their first album in about four years. The music video was completely directed, produced, filmed and edited by their drummer Takumi Hashimoto, which is common for this five-piece band to handle all the creative work themselves. — Recommended by Francisca
Uncurtain – Android
We are not that far into 2025 yet, but this year is a busy one for rock band Uncurtain. After releasing several singles, the band published a music video for the song Android for the first time in over a year and a half. It does not yet appear to have been officially released as a single or part of an EP or album, but it was heard live during a recent performance by the Osaka-based band. Despite the band being ready to make further strides, they have already undergone several line-up changes in a short time. Hopefully, the band will come through these new changes well. — Recommended by Francisca
絆創攻 (Bansoko) – 破壊衝動 (Destructive Impulse)
This four-piece hardcore punk band is currently working hard to make their mark on Tokyo’s underground punk scene. Their first EP was released this week, via KOGA Records, along with a music video demonstrating the band’s character and energy. The four twenty-somethings have a genuine punk rock attitude influenced by Japanese hardcore and punk bands (such as The Stalin, GISM, Gauze), and without any gimmicks, they share messages of anger and social criticism in raw words. — Recommended by Francisca
LAURELS – 正義 (Seigi)
This track can be found on LAURELS’ second mini-album, sweet street stunt, which came out early this month, which is also their first release in four-and-a-half years. After several line-up changes, breaks, reunions ánd a name change (from ローレルズ to LAURELS, it reads the same), the band members thought it was time to come up with something new for their fans. The new release includes songs that have been around for a while, as well as tracks that have never been performed before. With this mini-album, the three girls showcase a brand-new band that is more influenced by alternative music and grunge than ever before. — Recommended by Francisca
爛漫天国 (Ranman Tengoku) – 風化した街 (Fuka Shita Machi)
The band Ranman Tengoku (or maybe just Ranmantengoku) is still relatively new, having been formed in April 2024 with Fukuoka as their base. Consisting of four members, they combine rock and poetic lyrics with elements of pop and folk music. Their debut single was released in December, and their second single is scheduled for release at the end of April, for which the music video has now been published this week. Their first music video was released less than six months ago and was well-received. It remains to be seen what the next steps of this four-piece band will be, but they already sound quite promising. — Recommended by Francisca
Arabesque Choche – Lilas (feat. Juliet Heberle)
Arabesque Choche is a pianist, composer and filmmaker, as well as active in projects such as Chouchou and Orcaorca. He has just released his new album as a solo artist, haru, a year and a half after the release of his third album eclogue. The songs on the new album are soft and nostalgic, with a touch of warmth, like spring. For this song, he collaborated with vocalist Juliet Heberle, his musical partner in Chouchou, gently saying goodbye to the passing spring, which is very appropriate for this time. I think this is an excellent conclusion to this article. — 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.
