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.
As we are nearing the end of 2025, we are now looking back on a selection of videos released in week 50. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
ナキソラ (Nakisora) – 此処から、(Kokokara)
This four-piece rock band from Tokyo has not been active for very long, only since 2024, but since joining IKR Soundsystem earlier this year, they have released two singles. Before that, they produced several songs, which can be listened to via Eggs. Nakisora’s repertoire consists of rock music with a strong focus on melody and lyrics, centred on emotional experiences and inner conflicts. It will be interesting to see what direction they will take as a band and in terms of sound in the coming year. — Recommended by Francisca
halogen – MOON
Originally from Miyagi Prefecture, the four musicians of the rock band halogen are now based in the metropolis of Tokyo. The band was formed in 2021, but the current line-up has been active since 2023, which was also the year when the young musicians began releasing music. Halogen’s music is described as genre-transcending rock music that captures the feeling of the moment, from subtle observations to more imaginative themes. To date, the band has released two EPs and five singles. — Recommended by Francisca
シヴァネコ (Siva cats) – 本当はあなたを名前で呼びたい (I’d like to call your name)
Siva cats are a four-piece pop band based in Shizuoka and Tokyo. Siva cats’ music is characterised by bringing together multiple stylistic influences from the four musicians within a pop format, such as city pop, jazz, rock and R&B, as well as Japanese pop music known as kayokyoku. The band was founded by Macha, who was previously active as a singer-songwriter, together with musicians from the area. With their first single オレンジ足跡 (Orange Ashiato) in 2022, the band immediately managed to attract international attention. — Recommended by Francisca
こはる (Koharu) – 渡り鳥 (Wataridori)
While spending her high school years in Okinawa, the singer-songwriter Koharu was inspired to make music with her guitar. She eventually moved to Tokyo to build her career as a singer-songwriter with a distinctive voice that combines warmth and depth. The music video was filmed in the area where Koharu grew up. The title of the song, which means “migratory birds”, fits well with the musician, who moved to different places at a young age and eventually returned to her roots for this music video, in Shimane Prefecture. — Recommended by Francisca
Aporath – Empty Vessels
With lyrics that thematically focus on personal and social tensions, the band Aporath creates alternative metal music with influences from screamo, post-hardcore, metalcore and deathcore, complemented by EDM and spoken word. With a mission to create a new generation of loud music and continue to champion originality, the band from Matsuyama (Ehime Prefecture) has released several singles since forming in 2022, and it will be interesting to see what the next step will be for this five-piece band. — Recommended by Francisca
No Surprise – アクアライン (Aqualine)
This song can be found on No Surprise’s debut album, which was released in the summer of this year and consists of songs written within about a year after the band was formed. While the members were each active as musicians individually, the band was formed in 2024 on the initiative of band leader and guitarist Jun Watanabe. Musically, the four-piece band moves across multiple styles, with influences from alternative rock, which can also be described as genre-transcending. — Recommended by Francisca
らんまん (Ranman) – ムーンライト・アヴェニュー (Moonlight Avenue)
Earlier this year, during the spring, the three-piece pop group Ranman began their activities. However, the group had already been active for some time under the name バターマーマレード (Butter Marmalade), which we wrote about in 2021, and decided to continue under a new name this year. With the knowledge and experience they have gained in all those years, they continue to focus on expressing everyday moments in pleasant pop tunes. This week, they released their sixth single, accompanied by a music video. — 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.
