With a large music industry such as Japan has, the second largest in the world, it is inevitable that music fans will be inundated with a profusion of good (and also less good) music from this country. It is impossible to keep track of this and write a review about it per video. But to avoid missing out on gems, it is time for 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 35 of 2024. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
kinoe – 深い青、光の海 (Deep blue, sea of light)
The Tokyo-based duo kinoe, consisting of vocalist Mio (海の散歩, Umi no Sanpo) and bass player Shoya Yarimizu (ex-Suya Suya Junction), just released their second single, nearly 9 months after their debut single. The duo describes the new song as blending the emo-influenced guitar riffs with the ethereal, atmospheric textures characteristic of dream pop. Though haven’t been active for that long, the duo is already drawing notice for their appealing mixture of music genres such as indie rock, emo and Japanese pop. — Recommended by Francisca
梵 (Soyogi) – 最後の朝に (Saigo no Asa ni)
Soyogo’s first mini-album, titled 白夜 (Byakuya), is out, marking their first release since their EP, LANDSCAPE, nearly a year and a half ago. The band was formed in October 2022, but the current band line-up has been active since this summer. The new release presents how the four-piece rock band from Hikone combine a heavy, polished rock sound with catchy pop that the four musicians say has been honed thanks to live performances. Some of the songs were previously released as demos, but have been re-recorded for this new release to reflect the band’s growth and evolution. — Recommended by Francisca
April After All – march
We are slowly heading towards autumn, but this band might prefer to linger in the spring season. In September, the three-piece alternative rock band will release their first mini-album, 春待ち (Haru-machi), this also makes this their very first release, consisting of six tracks with themes of loss when the seasons change and the hope that lies ahead. The band was formed in 2023 and is based in the region of Hokuriku. April After All’s sound contains shoegaze and indie rock elements, mixed with a melancholic yet refreshing atmosphere. — Recommended by Francisca
秘密のコペカチータ (Secret Copecachita) – ハウスマヌカンの一生 (The Life of a House Mannequin)
After the Sendai-based alternative rock band THE ARNOLDS had broken up in the summer of 2023, vocalist and guitarist Aoi Abe decided to form a new group with the bass player of Kimyo Reitaro Travel Swing Orchestra, Pepe Yasuda, with the name Secret Copecachita. The debut album by Secret Copecachita, たのしいトークショー (Tanoshii Talk Show), will be released in October and below is a sneak peek of what you can expect from that upcoming album, which blends nostalgic melodies with playful vocals. — Recommended by Francisca
Astral Rain – エソラゴト (Esoragoto)
Astral Rain, a Tokyo-based band formed in 2013, explores the world of math rock by incorporating complex time signatures and intricate chord progressions into their refined pop songs. Despite the technical depth of their math rock influences, their songs often end in uplifting and surprisingly accessible pop moments. This is the first song in four years for the band. According to their social media, the creative process took longer than expected, and although the song was nearly finished early this year, the band has taken extra time to perfect it. — Recommended by Francisca
LUMiRiSE – 君がいて (Kimi ga ite)
The former members of the disbanded rock band Re_roll got together in late 2022 and decided to start a new band, which became LUMiRiSE, a rock band from Osaka. Determined to embark on a new chapter, they recruited vocalist L and began their musical journey at the start of 2023. However, after a year of live activities and digital releases, L left the band, leading to Kotomi stepping in as the new frontwoman of LUMiRiSE in June 2024. This music video is the band’s first music video that features Kotomi as their vocalist. — Recommended by Francisca
ASANA – 17-12
ASANA is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Nagasaki who started to play guitar at a young age inspired by her father. Throughout her high school years, ASANA gained recognition through various contests and live performances in cities like Tokyo and Osaka. At 19, she fully committed to her music career, actively performing, producing CDs, and releasing songs online. This year, she took the next step by embarking on a tour and releasing new songs over four consecutive months, showcasing her growth as a musician with her smoky pop, mellow yet powerful sound. — 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.
