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 40 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
雨烏 (Amagaras) – 浮遊物 (Fuyuubutsu)
This is the first music video by music unit Amagaras, consisting of composer Daitch and vocalist Yuna. Both are well-known in the Japanese music world, having already had various musical activities to their name. Yuna is active as a solo artist, and Daitch is also active as a DJ and multi-instrumentalist. Furthermore, this is not the first time they have worked together; in 2022 and 2023, they collaborated on various tracks. The fact that they eventually started a project together seems like a logical next step, and the end of the song seems to hint at a powerful follow-up. — Recommended by Francisca
Kudos Vein – dopamine
The four-piece band Kudos Vein released a new single this week, accompanied by a music video, entitled dopamine. It is the follow-up to the single empty, which was released in August, and is the seventh release this year for the Tokyo-based band. The band started in 2024 and the musicians combine influences from jazz, R&B, rock and hip hop into something that can be described as genre-transcending. The new song depicts an escape from the grey reality that ultimately ends in an evening of bliss. — Recommended by Francisca
ButterSand – コーンポタージュ (Corn potage)
Later this month, ButterSand will release the album Break from reality, following the release of the album パラレルワールドディストーション (Parallel World Distortion) earlier this year. That release featured a mix of new songs, remixes and remasters, on which the Vocaloid producer wants to focus less on the ‘typical Vocaloid sound’ and more on making music that ButterSand likes, which goes in all directions: from shoegaze to metal, from alternative music to simply Japanese pop. Shoegaze seems to suit ButterSand. In addition to his solo work, ButterSand also provides compositions and arrangements to other artists and projects. — Recommended by Francisca
蛍光クジラ (Keiko Kujira) – カレイドスコープ (Kaleidoscope)
The young four-piece rock band Keiko Kujira, consisting of vocalist Rami, guitarist Tohma (also a composer and café bar owner), guitarist and DJ OGGY (also active in the band ちょこはち (Chocol8)) and bassist Youske (also active in the metal band Octaviagrace), started activities not long ago. Having started earlier this year, they released their first digital single in June and it seems a new release is on the way. In January, they will organise their first event, sharing the stage with four bands from the visual kei side: NoGoD, TAKE NO BREAK (solo project of NIGHTMARE vocalist Yomi), VALHALLA (a three-piece band) and MAMA. — Recommended by Francisca
MAMA. – CRY MORRY
Since we were already talking about the visual kei rock band MAMA., coincidentally, the four-piece band released a new music video this week to promote their second full-length album of the same title, CRY MORRY. After the band, then still active as mama., left their label in 2022, the now independent band returned in 2023 as MAMA. with a new line-up. With the concept of ‘Visual Hybrid Music’, the band explores pain, sadness, love, resilience and pushing for awareness. MAMA.s mission is to create their own sound that breaks away from the classic visual rock style. — Recommended by Francisca
KAZANE – アンダーランプ (UnderLamp)
This five-piece rock band, KAZANE, focuses on creating compelling musical landscapes with spoken word, screamo, post-hardcore and metalcore. Originally started in Shizuoka, the quintet is mostly active in the metropolis of Tokyo to further grow as a band. In recent years, KAZANE has released an EP and a number of singles, and the song UnderLamp will probably soon be added to that list of releases. The band also announced today the new edition of their festival KAZANE Fest for 1 November, where they will share the stage with a number of other Japanese bands. — Recommended by Francisca
umimiru – colorful
This week saw the release of umimiru’s digital mini-album colorful. The three-piece rock band from Okayama began their activities in the spring of 2021, initially as a solo project by singer and guitarist Ren Yamamoto, who also plays guitar for S.peranza. Eventually, bassist Chisa and drummer Keita Asakura joined, and umimiru became a full-fledged band. The trio is influenced by post-rock, emo, and alternative rock, while their lyrics draw inspiration from everyday life and personal feelings. To date, they have released two EPs, a mini-album, and several singles. — 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.
