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 for each 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 35 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
アオギリ (Aogiri) – ストックホルム (Stockholm)
This song by Aogiri has been out as a single since 2023 and can be described as a signature song of the four-piece rock band from Tokyo. That is probably why it was time for a music video. It tells the story of two people in the confined space of a car exploring the wider world, but as the video progresses, the dark undertones of the relationship between these two become clearer and clearer. The four-piece (currently with a support bass player) was formed in November 2022 and has since released an EP and several singles. Curious to find out what else they have planned for this year. — Recommended by Francisca
Lillies and Remains – Only For Us
New wave/post-punk band Lillies and Remains is by no means an unknown band in the Japanese music scene (and beyond), thanks to their music, but also thanks to their collaborations. What immediately comes to mind is the event BODY, which has been organised since 2013 by Lillies and Remains, PLASTICZOOMS and later THE NOVEMBERS also became involved. Following their album Superior (2023), released nine years after the band’s previous album ROMANTICISM, the band presented fresh music this week with their first single in several years. — Recommended by Francisca
つしまみれ (TsuShiMaMiRe) – Ice Cream Punk
While touring North America, the three-piece art punk rock band TsuShiMaMiRe also released two digital singles simultaneously, Ice Cream Punk, after which the tour is named, and うなぎブギー (Unagi Boogie). While the first-mentioned is described as an alternative rock song, while the latter, according to the band, is neither punk nor boogie, but typical art rock à la TsuShiMaMiRe. The band will soon be in Europe for another tour in six countries, including the Netherlands. Last year, the band celebrated their 25th anniversary and welcomed Asami as their new drummer. — Recommended by Francisca
スーパー登山部 (Super Climbing Club) – 燕 (Tsubame)
This five-piece band literally combines mountain climbing with music; they recently concluded the release tour for their second EP Traverse with five live shows at Hakuba Sanso in Nagano Prefecture, Japan’s largest mountain hut at an altitude of 2,832 metres. The band was formed in 2023 and is centred around composer and keyboardist Tomoyuki Oda. In the summer of that year, they undertook their first ascent of Mount Kiso-Komagatake, and on 11 August, Mountain Day (Yama no Hi), they released their first single. To date, they have released quite a few singles, and it is waiting to see when they will release an album. — Recommended by Francisca
ナナジュウハチ (Nanajuuhachi) – kiwi nail
After the multi-faceted singer-songwriter and trackmaker Nanajuuhachi got her start in 2021, she released her first tracks through a label. While her music is described as genre-defying, it is rooted in jazz and features flowing rhythms and sultry vocals. In 2023, she decided to continue as an indie artist and started her own project and label, 9th HEAVEN. This week, her first single of 2025, kiwi nail, was released, accompanied by a music video, in which she embraces summer and rocks her blue hair. — Recommended by Francisca
海の散歩 (Umi no Sanpo) – 僕らという体験 (Bokura to iu taiken)
This week, dream pop/indie pop duo Umi no Sanpo (literally, ‘walk by the sea’) released their first full-length album, titled リペア (Repair), with the concept of ‘evoking memories that had been tucked away’. The album features dreamy landscapes, varied guitar parts and clear vocals, while incorporating elements of piano, acoustic guitar, noise and game music in various ways. The duo was formed in 2022 by vocalist Mion and guitarist Goko, and they produce all of their music independently through home recordings. — Recommended by Francisca
霊王爾兌 (Ray?Oh…Needa!!) – キャシー・ライト (Cathy Wright)
On 10 September, Tokyo-based five-piece alternative rock band Ray?Oh…Needa!! will release a new EP entitled Chunk, their first release in two years. The album was recorded in one take without a click track and can be described as raw and unpolished, with diverse melodies containing elements of rock, punk, dub, industrial and even dub music. Two years ago, the band was in southern Europe for a short tour, but they have also performed in China and South Korea, in addition to various performances in Japan. This past week, they were back in South Korea for four shows. — 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.
