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 37 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
4CHORD – ピースピクチャー (Peace Picture)
Describing themselves as an idol band, complete with their own assigned colours, the three members of 4CHORD ask on their profile page: Can idols form a band with just four chords? In 2024, the girls got together to form the band, at that time as a four-piece band. After releasing several singles in 2024, the trio began this year with the mission of releasing singles for 12 consecutive months. With the release of Peace Picture at the end of August, they are now halfway there. — Recommended by Francisca
北風と太陽 (Kitakaze To Taiyou) – 北極星 (Hokkyokusei)
This week, Kitakaze To Taiyou released a music video for a single that came out in 2024 and has become an important song for the four-piece band from Sapporo. The band was formed in 2020 around guitarist and vocalist Hiroto, but has been seriously active since 2023, after several line-up changes. With a mission to incorporate happy memories, sadness and small moments of happiness into their music, the band presents music that comes straight from the heart. — Recommended by Francisca
TIDAL CLUB – ランドリー四月を泳ぐ (Laundry Shigatsu wo Oyogu)
This rock band has been around for five years now and is finally releasing their first full-length album this year, entitled pluralpainpacks. This is the next big step for TIDAL CLUB after releasing two EPs and a mini-album. With songs that arise from the everyday, often formless pain that everyone experiences at times, the quartet presents simple but honest songs in which melody and lyrics take centre stage, packaged in alternative rock with elements of emo, indie rock and digital music culture. — Recommended by Francisca
ユノハナ (Yunohana) – 回想列車 (Kaisou Ressha)
The four-piece pop band Yunohana, whose music is based on shoegaze and dream pop influences, released a new single this week in which these influences can be heard, while also referencing summer. Here in the Netherlands, it truly feels like it is autumn, so listening to this song feels almost melancholic. Fun fact: The band originally started as a Kinoko Teikoku cover project, but since 2018 has been making its own music, centred around vocalist and guitarist Mizuno and guitarist Atsushi. — Recommended by Francisca
CHAQLA. – ANTHEM
On 1 October, the four-piece visual kei band CHAQLA. will release their third EP, entitled 覚命盤 (Kakumeiban), more than six months after the release of their first full-length album. In addition to their artistic vision, unique costumes and energetic live shows, the band also impresses with their music, which aims to take listeners to new, unknown worlds, as can be seen in the music video below. They want to not only entertain, but also bring new perspectives with their music. — Recommended by Francisca
アイスクリームネバーグラウンド (ISCREAM NEVER GROUND) – STAY GROUND
If you happened to be at Resurrection Festival in Spain last June, you had the opportunity to see this extravagant entertainment band from Osaka live on stage. For their newest music video, they have incorporated some aspects of their trip to Europe. The five-piece band was formed in 2017 and is known for their genre-transcending mix of loud rock, metal, hardcore and digital elements, as well as three vocalists on stage who take turns singing over fast, danceable rhythms. — Recommended by Francisca
THE LET’S GO’s – リフレイン (Refrain)
Shortly before the punk rock band THE LET’S GO’s will be heading to Europe for a tour, the three-piece has released a new music video for one of the songs featured on their new 7″ single. This is their first release under the new line-up, following the addition of drummer Amechi Sparkle. The two new songs have time as their theme and demonstrate how the trio maintains its recognisable band sound with punk and rock ‘n’ roll as its foundation, while continuing to evolve with their shared vocal and songwriting talents. — 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.
