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.
With a little delay, we are now looking back on a selection of videos released in week 46 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
AUBREI – さくら学級 (Sakura Gakkyuu)
This week the four-piece rock band AUBREI released their first music video. The Tokyo-based band has not been around for very long, having started in the spring of 2024. Although they have mainly focused on live performances, their first digital single was released at the end of last year. With the publication of the music video below, it is expected that they will release something new again. No official announcements have been made yet, but they are already playing several unreleased songs during their shows, so we will have to wait and see what they are up to. — Recommended by Francisca
おそロシア革命 (Osoroshia Kakumei) – 悲しみを減らして (Kanashimi wo herashite)
Active since 2021, vocalist and guitarist デスメイド大西 (Death Maid Onishi) has released several albums with the punk rock music project Osoroshia Kakumei, including a full-length album earlier this year, as well as four EPs and a split release with the band skool shutter, in which Death Maid Onishi is also active. With the latest EP release, the musician has written songs exclusively for herself and not for anyone else, filled with sadness but also anger, and it is her way of saying goodbye to everything that limited her. — Recommended by Francisca
NAVARASA – Revolution
Earlier this year, the rock band NAVARASA officially launched activities, at that time as a two-piece band with a demo under their belt. In the months that followed, the musicians worked hard to develop their own sound, while the band grew into a four-piece, with the addition of a support musician. After several performances and refining their British rock-influenced songs, they decided it was time to release their debut single with powerful rock ‘n’ roll. That single was released at the end of October, and this week their very first music video was released. — Recommended by Francisca
みけたはな (Hana Miketa) – 飛べないカラス (Wingless Crow)
At the end of October, Hana Miketa released her second single, consisting of a brand-new track and a remastered version of a song recorded in 2019. Both songs incorporate the young musician’s diverse influences to create her own unique world, ranging from classical music, game music, shoegaze, grunge, ambient and even acid folk. The music video was created by Hana Miketa herself. It combines realistic background footage with drawn characters and is based on notes she wrote in her diary during her secondary school years. — Recommended by Francisca
サラバヨアケ (Sarabayoake) – さらば夜明け (Sarabayoake)
They recently performed at the major circuit festival Minami Wheel 2025, and this week the three-piece rock band Sarabayoake kicked off their tour in four cities to celebrate their debut album. On 11 November, the Osaka-based rock band Sarabayoake released their first album, entitled ロックと君と僕 (Rock to Kimi to Boku). In the run-up to this, the girl band released three singles since their start in around 2023. With powerful vocals and a great rock sound, the band wants to make music that gives the listener a real boost. — Recommended by Francisca
UNWAVERING – The Rebels
The metal band UNWAVERING started activities in 2018 with Nagoya as their home base. With music based on metalcore and melodic hardcore, the band produces songs with heavy guitar parts, emotional melodies and poetic lyrics that can be both intense and vulnerable. The band already has several releases to their name, including a number of singles and the EP DAWN (2021). This is their first music video as a five-piece band, after drummer Kakeru decided to join the metal band officially. — Recommended by Francisca
村上楓 (Kaede Murakami) – 水仙 (Suisen)
Until earlier this year, Kaede Murakami was still part of the pop band ヒトリヨブランコ (Hitoriyo Swing), but since the band broke up, the vocalist and guitarist has started a solo career. With his first song, ローライト (Low Light), he made it to the third selection round in the competition for a performance at ROJACK2025. But soon after, a new highlight in the musician’s short career followed: his first song was used as the ending theme song for Kouhei Hashimoto’s short film いつも通り (Itsumo Dori). It all sounds very promising for this musician. — 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.
