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 48 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
フーテン族 (Futenzoku) – 粉薬 (Kogusuri)
Formed in 2021, Futenzoku are known for their live-oriented approach and improvisation, changing the structure and arrangements for each performance. The five-piece band is often compared to Japanese rock bands from the late 1960s and early 1970s and bases their sound on rock ‘n’ roll, folk, blues and prog rock. In early November, Futenzoku released two live albums simultaneously, entitled ワルツ (Waltz) and セミ (Semi), something they had never done before. — Recommended by Francisca
Laget’s Jam Stack – boundary
After releasing several singles, an EP and a mini-album, Tokyo-based alternative rock band Laget’s Jam Stack released their very first album, titled 有限の中の永遠 (Eternity Within the Finite), last September. Influenced by a variety of musical genres, this album presents a poetic theme that explores what gives meaning to music, art, religion and even their band, and their attempt to approach these questions seriously. If you like rock music with introspective themes, this is the band for you. — Recommended by Francisca
サトウハヤト (Hayato Satoh) – 透明な夜 (Tomei na Yoru)
First active as the backing guitarist for the loud rock band L.A.C., Hayato Satoh is now pursuing a career as a singer-songwriter, as the band had to disband, partly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However before he could start his solo project in 2024, he had to overcome a voice-related condition, which he successfully did. Now he writes and produces his own music, expressing the pain, sadness and kindness that people carry within them, while playing various instruments. — Recommended by Francisca
空想レプリカ (Kuso Replica) – 天使
The alternative pop band Kuso Replica from the city of Mishima officially launched activities in the spring of 2024 after the band members, who come from diverse musical backgrounds, got together the year before. In the summer of 2024, they released their first single via farther platonic, followed by their debut album, ユニークと破壊 (Unique to Hakai), last September via the brand-new label ROJI. The songs on this album combine delicate and melancholic melodies and experimental elements into a coherent whole. — Recommended by Francisca
Meg Bonus – 足跡 (Footsteps)
It originally started as a duo in 2024, but earlier this year, Meg Bonus became the solo project of vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist and songwriter Kei Nomoto. Earlier this month, the young musician released his second digital EP, entitled LOSS, the follow-up to Meg Bonus’ first album New,man, which was released in the spring of this year. The musician is not averse to experimenting with various music genres and knows how to produce playful, avant-garde songs with electronic music, rock, R&B, hip=hop and even jazz. — Recommended by Francisca
kasa no naka – 徒花 (Adabana)
This is a brand-new alternative rock band! Last summer, the four musicians officially launched as kasa no naka and released the song Adabana as a demo first. With a few adjustments, it has been formally released as their first digital single, accompanied by a music video. A second single, Phobia, has also been released. From what I have heard, you can expect heavy guitars, technical passages and crystal-clear vocals from this band. I’m curious to see what else they have in store, because it sounds promising so far. — Recommended by Francisca
BUG/VISION – スイミングスクール (Swimming School)
Founded in 2022, the band’s name came about when singer/guitarist Rinta Kawasaki saw footage of the coronavirus pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine on television and felt that the world had been ‘bugged’. At the same time as the band was formed, BUG/VISION released their debut album THE SOLID, followed by an EP and three singles. Musically, the four-piece band presents a foundation of rock music with catchy melodies, complemented by elements of garage rock, alternative rock, punk, nu-metal and mixture rock. — 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.
