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 18 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
COX2 – アメトアメ (Ame to Ame)
COX2 is a duo formed by vocalist-guitarist Sakika and drummer Mirei, both formerly of the all-girl band GIRLFRIEND. After GIRLFRIEND disbanded in April of 2021, each member pursued their own path, but Sakika and Mirei soon reunited to create music together, pushing their creative boundaries. In December 2022, they released their first single under the name COCO. Eventually, in April 2024, they decided to continue under a new name: COX2, to be more recognisable. The current band name is a reference to their earlier project name: it’s like a little equation: CO times 2 (or CO x 2), but it is still pronounced COCO (‘koko’). — Recommended by Francisca
TØGARÜ – 俺たち (Oretachi)
After Togaru (とがる), Imou Nakanishi’s solo project, ceased activities in late 2024 and all music was removed from streaming services (although physical releases remained available), the project is now making a powerful restart. On Friday 2 May, Togaru returned in an entirely new form: as TØGARÜ, a five-piece alternative rock band positioning within the genre of mixcore, fusing elements of punk, alternative music, hardcore, shoegaze and emo, but also integrating trap, hyperpop and drum’n’bass on top. The band will be seen on stage in this formation for the first time in July, but their first digital single can already be heard. — Recommended by Francisca
In Morfine Sugar – Star Child
Star Child is featured on In Morphine Sugar’s most recent EP, late submissions, released in November last year. The four-piece shoegaze band – led by vocalist and guitarist deme chan – has been on the scene for several years, and their mission is to ease listeners’ pain. A fitting aspiration for a band whose name contains the word morphine. Formed in 2022, the band moved from their home base, Nagoya, to Tokyo, where they continued to develop their sound. This appears to be their first-ever music video, in addition to the many live videos released previously. — Recommended by Francisca
バイバイ・ニーチェ (ByeByeNietzsche) – 映画の世界 (the world of cinema)
A new name in the Japanese indie scene: Formed in the winter of 2024, this four-piece pop-rock band made their debut with the release of アルストロメリア (Alstroemeria), followed by a handful of digital tracks in a short time, one of which is the world of cinema. Their band’s sound is described as energetic and emotionally charged, mixed with pop, rock, metal, and emo music. The band name possibly evokes associations with the eponymous song by the legendary 1984 punk band The Stalin – or would the inspiration come from somewhere else? — Recommended by Francisca
徒然書簡 (Tsuredure Shokan) – アバランチ (Avalanche)
Tsuredure Shokan’s activities began in spring 2021, exactly four years ago. The band consists of seven people, with five musicians and two people dedicated to composing the songs. Recently, the band added a new bass player to the line-up. The band makes sophisticated and slightly experimental pop music with playful lyrics and striking melodies. After releasing several singles, two albums, and an EP, the band released their first single 2025 in late April, almost six months after the release of the album 文藝シネマ (Bungei Cinema). — Recommended by Francisca
SAIHATE – SEA GIRL
This four-piece rock band from Tokyo and Kanagawa, made up of university students, was formed in 2022. The band is known for their cool and youthful, high-pitched voice, honest and realistic lyrics about everyday emotions and a powerful, melodic sound merging rock, pop and emotion. After releasing several digital singles in 2024, the four-piece released their first EP in September of that year. This release was followed up this week by a brand-new single, continuing their rise in the Japanese indie scene. — Recommended by Francisca
Adam’s miss – ノスタルジア (Nostalgia)
Four-piece rock band Adam’s miss was formed in 2018, when the four members were still in high school. In the spring of 2020, they moved together from Joetsu in Niigata to the Tokyo area to pursue their musical dreams. After several singles, the band released their first mini-album in the summer of 2024, titled 最後の愛餐 (Saigo no Aisan). Now the band is preparing to release their first release in nine months, their very first EP titled ラグリマの旋律 (Lagrima no Senritsu), a preview has been given through this music video of one of the tracks on this release. — 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.
