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 all this and write a review about it per video. But to avoid missing out on (obscure) gems, the decision has been made to create 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 30 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
スーパージェットキノコ (Super Jet Kinoko) – シーサイド米ストーリー (Seaside Bay Story)
On the day their European tour kicked off, new wave trance band Super Jet Kinoko released a brand-new music video. The band started their tour in Italy and Switzerland and will continue performing on European stages until the 10th of August. Described as a unique music collective featuring seasoned artists from Osaka’s underground scene, what began as a spontaneous collaboration has evolved into a live experience that effortlessly blurs the lines between rock, trance, psychedelia, and party culture. The advice given is to feel the music rather than describe it. — Recommended by Francisca
自爆 (Zibaku) – 君の性欲を認めない (Kimi no seiyoku wo mitomenai)
Zibaku can best be described as a raw and fearless rock band with explosive energy and provocative lyrics. Their music is a powerful mix of punk and alternative rock, with fierce beats and sharp vocals that don’t mince words. The music video was filmed in one take, with the band members walking around Kabukicho in the evening. They have been active since the start of 2024 and operate completely independently. Last April, the four-piece decided to start their own label, called PSYCHOMACHINEGUN. This weekend, they performed live on the ROOKIE A GO-GO stage at Fuji Rock Festival. — Recommended by Francisca
Ran – 少女たち (Shoujo-tachi)
At the end of this month, in just a few days, Ran will release a new album to celebrate her fifth anniversary as a singer-songwriter. The album, titled awkwardness, features songs with lyrics that describe everyday alienation and discomfort, wrapped in a pleasant sound with alternative and shoegaze influences. The album features a number of collaborations, including Shiori Niiyama, mihoro* and Marie Ueda, as well as several new songs. Since high school, Ran has been writing and playing her own music, influenced by her love of singing and music from a young age. — Recommended by Francisca
recess – Visible Breath
The indie pop-punk band recess, hailing from Osaka, already have several releases to their name, including various singles and an EP. The four-piece band has been active since 2021 and has a modern pop-punk sound that also features heavier and melancholic influences from the corner of emo, post-hardcore and grunge music. These influences are supported by the clear vocals of vocalist Yuto and the grand, compelling band sound. Following the release of the single Moonflower in March of this year, it will be followed by the single Visible Breath in early August. — Recommended by Francisca
YSS – Noctilux
This week saw the release of the fifth album by alternative music unit YSS, entitled Noctilux. The album is described as a sonic journey along the boundary between fiction and reality, through light and darkness. The group was formed in late 2020 in the Japanese VR scene, consisting of composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist yopi and vocalist and songwriter Sorte. In recent years, YSS gained considerable recognition, both in the virtual and real worlds, with collaborations and winning awards. Their music moves freely between genres such as hyperpop, house, trap and colour bass. — Recommended by Francisca
ドカドカ (DOKA DOKA) – ボーイズ・オン・ザ・ラン (BOYZ.ON.THE.RUN)
This is the latest single from Tokyo-based rock ‘n’ roll band DOKA DOKA, a project led by vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and composer Sango Miyaji. This project has now released several singles and an EP, with a new song planned for September. Miyaji is currently also working on another project with three other singers, 人差し指がなくなるまでは (Hitosashiyubi ga nakunaru made wa), with performances scheduled for August 29 and 30 at a large self-organised festival featuring many other bands from the local underground scene. Hopefully, the manga will end up in the right place. — Recommended by Francisca
BIRCH – Deep Blue
Deep Blue is the very digital first single from the rock band BIRCH from Tokachi in Hokkaido, released in May alongside their second digital single 積雪 (Sekisetsu). At the same time, they started their live activities. Since their formation in December 2024, the trio has been working completely independently, from recording music to performing. The band also had a large say in the making of this first music video. The band is still brand-new, which makes it all the more exciting to see what else they have in store musically in the near future. — 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.
