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 38 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
散▽巡 (Sanzameku) – 乖離 (Kairi)
This four-piece dark shoegaze band, Sanzameku, was formed in the spring of 2023. Since then, the Osaka-based band has released several singles and an EP with songs themed after sorrow, transience, and madness. The four-piece produces a sound with elements of grunge, post-rock, ambient, and even psychedelic music, characterised by a combination of vulnerability and power, emotionally charged lyrics and a boundary-pushing approach to shoegaze. After becoming officially a four-piece in July with the addition of a drummer, the band shared their new song Kairi via a music video. — Recommended by Francisca
I’m – Lullaby
At the end of August, singer-songwriter I’m released her first single in about three and a half years, entitled Lullaby. This single received a music video this week, in which light and dark dance together, while electro and pop elements blend with soft and clear vocals. The Hokkaido-born musician now lives in Fukuoka, where she works on music that evokes a sense of nostalgia in the listener. To date, she has released seven singles, and we will have to wait and see when she will release a full-length album or perhaps a mini-album. — Recommended by Francisca
SleepInside – 僕の飼っている鳥はよく飛ぶ (The Bird in my house flies a lot)
This is the first single since the launch of the independent label NERVOUS CUBE, under which the guitar rock band SleepInside, solo musician hachigatsu_news, and the duo Beautiful Fulca Doca fall. All musical projects have one constant factor: vocalist, guitarist, composer, and lyricist hachigatsu_news. Everything is created with a do-it-yourself mentality, so starting an own label was a logical next step. Back to the music video, this version is seven minutes longer than the album’s version, テレパシーを飛ばしている (Telepathy To You), which was released in March this year. — Recommended by Francisca
the Still – 2010
After releasing a number of singles and three EPs, in October it will be time for the four-piece band the Still to release their first full-length album, entitled undercurrent. This album has been four years in the making and will be released in honour of their 10th anniversary. It will consist of two discs with a total of 28 tracks. Since the Still’s formation in 2015, the Tokyo-based band has developed a sound that is deeply rooted in international indie pop influences with introspective themes. Speaking of themes, the title also immediately indicates the theme, with the songs exploring this theme from multiple perspectives. — Recommended by Francisca
Aftertalk – 開演来たりて、影法師 (Kaien Kitarite, Kagebōshi)
At the end of this month, Tokyo-based rock band Aftertalk will release a new digital single, but we can already enjoy the music video. The band consists of two members, vocalist and guitarist Shun Nagai and guitarist Yukinori Harada, who are joined on stage by support musicians. The band is described as one that conveys explosive emotions, complemented by striking vocals, infectious guitar parts and melodies. In addition, their lyrics are described as conveying emotions or feelings that do not necessarily come from their own experience, but are conveyed convincingly. — Recommended by Francisca
the FꓤAIL – escape
At the end of 2024, the four-piece rock/metal band the FꓤAIL officially started out, and this summer their first mini-album, DUAL NATUꓤE, was released. The band’s first music video shows the band members dressed in dark outfits that suggest a heavy, intense sound (think growling vocals, shredding guitars and an almost oppressive intensity). Yet this band presents a song with clear vocals and powerful guitars that sound melodic and approachable. Soon, the FꓤAIL will celebrate their first anniversary as a band with a free one-man show at Shinjuku Antiknock. — Recommended by Francisca
Esprit D’Air – クロノス (Chronos)
Esprit D’Air have grown significantly over the years, from Kai’s solo project to a full-fledged band, successfully touring Europe (booked and promoted by Kai) and releasing several albums. After all these years, this metal band has remained independently active. With a slight delay, the band’s fourth studio album, Aeons, will be released in November. Chronos is one of the tracks on this upcoming album and, according to the band, is written from the perspective of time itself and presenting a reflection of the human tendency to fall back into the same destructive patterns. It offers a good preview of what to expect from the upcoming album. — 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.
