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 39 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
LIGHTERS – Lost in Her Flowers
This week, indie pop-rock band LIGHTERS released a new single via Damnably Records, written by the band’s founder, guitarist, vocalist, and keyboardist Rumi Nagasawa. After entering a new phase with her band in 2022, she didn’t sit still and released several singles. Last December, she welcomed bassist Naoya Shimizu and drummer Juon Tahara to complete the band, and this is the first release with them as official band members. According to Damnably, the band is currently working on the follow-up to the debut album Swim In The Milk (2021). — Recommended by Francisca
透明受胎 (Toumei Jutai) – 宿命に唾をかけたい (Shukumei ni tsuba o kaketai)
Earlier this month, alternative rock band Toumei Jutai announced that they had completed their first album, following the release of an EP and several (digital) singles over the past five years. The new album had been in the works for some time and consists entirely of new songs that capture the emotional highs and lows of vocalist and songwriter Miura. It will be available on major streaming services from 1 October, but you can also support the band by purchasing the physical version of the album. — Recommended by Francisca
dirtyplay – クソガキミサイル (Kusogaki Missile)
Last June, alternative rock band dirtyplay released their second album, entitled Heads I Win, Tails You Lose. The four-piece band has been around for more than five years and released their first album, PLAY DIRTY, in the summer of 2022. The Tokyo-based band produces a sound that cannot be categorised into one single music genre, as they are regularly described as rock, pop, post-rock, and in the alternative direction. What they present is a blend of clear and emotional vocals and captivating melodies that evoke a sense of melancholy and warmth. — Recommended by Francisca
是是 (ZeZe) – 曖昧ランデブー (Aimai Rendez-vous)
This is actually still a brand-new band, as ZeZe only started activities in January of this year. The pop-rock band has already built up a strong reputation thanks to their live performances and their songs with catchy melodies that make it impossible to sit still. The five-piece from Kobe presented their fourth single this week with a self-produced music video that has already attracted quite a few viewers, just like their previous music videos. This sounds like a band to keep an eye on, and I’m curious to see what their next steps will be! — Recommended by Francisca
ランチブレイク (Lunchbreak) – うごきだせ (Good Times)
Four years ago, we wrote about this pop band Lunchbreak (although we thought it should be translated as Lunch Break, our mistake) when the band was about to release their second album. This week, their third album was released, entitled ナイスに恋して (The band translated this into: In Love with NICE Things). The five-piece band from Sapporo combines multiple influences into what they describe as an “evolved pop sound”, bringing together emotions, warmth, and a theatrical sense of melody. Still as diverse as the band was four years ago. — Recommended by Francisca
小西創 (So Konishi) – ぷかぷか (pukapuka)
This is the latest digital single from young singer-songwriter So Konishi, and it’s about the absurdity of saying goodbye after a breakup. With repetitive guitar riffs and a fragile shoegaze wall of sound, the young musician presents a soft and melancholic song that shows a completely different side to his previous releases. This is quite remarkable because over the past few months, he has produced a song for almost every mood. As he experiments with various music genres and styles, I wonder whether he will eventually continue with this or end up choosing a specific area of music that he feels most comfortable with. — Recommended by Francisca
雨上がりのあおいちゃん (Ameagari no Aoi-chan) – アンカー (Anchor)
Ameagari no Aoi-chan, also known as Aoi After The Rain, released their third EP this week, aptly themed around the autumn season, Leave(s). This new release revolves around the typical melancholy that evokes memories: loneliness, nostalgia and a gently harrowing atmosphere. The five-piece band was formed in 2023 and brings together pop, rock, shoegaze, emo and alternative rock in their music. They released their other two EPs in quick succession, with Proto Rain, their first EP, released in June 2024, and their second EP, From a rusted morning!, released in January this year. — 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.
