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 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 15 of 2025. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new discoveries!
鴉 (Karasu) – 転落劇 (Tenraku geki)
The three-piece rock band Karasu—not to be confused with the visual kei band of the same name—has been active since 2001 led by vocalist and guitarist Junichi Konno, and made their major debut in 2008 with a song featured for the drama series 怨み屋本舗REBOOT (Uramiya Honpo Reboot). Now the band seems to be producing music on its own again, moving between raw rock, jazz-like influences and emotional ballads, with poetic Japanese lyrics and melodies that combine traditional Japanese ambience with powerful vocals. This video was recorded during the band’s one-man live show earlier this year, promoting the newest single by the band. — Recommended by Francisca
水咲加奈 (Kana Mizusaki) – シャッター (Shutter)
We talked about singer-songwriter Kana Mizusaki back in 2023, but with her first album in nine years being released in the coming week, titled immersive, it is time to put her in the spotlight again. The new record is said to offer an intimate listening experience in which she invites the listener to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a while. A preview has been given through one of the tracks with a music video, where the theme of ‘watching and being watched’ seems to take centre stage. While the singer sings straight into the camera, only her mouth is in view, close-ups of eyes and fragments of city life are mounted above it, as if looking at the world through a lens. — Recommended by Francisca
MAX’N – 言えよ (Ie yo)
This song is featured on ALTERNATIVE NEW POP SHOW, the first EP by Tokyo-based alternative rock band MAX’N. Originally formed as an all-girls band in high school, this band even had the chance to perform outside Japan, including in the United States and Taiwan. The pandemic caused a shift in MAX’N and the band transformed into a self-produced solo project by vocalist and guitarist Yukino in 2022, with ‘Maximum Pop’ as the foundation of the project’s music. With the help of musician friends, she managed to expand her musical activities in the next years. In 2024, Yukino welcomed new band members, Takeshi and Ruki, and MAX’N returned to the band’s roots: a powerful mix of grunge, alternative rock and catchy pop motifs or as they call it themselves, Alternative New Pop. — Recommended by Francisca
YA’ABURNEE – SUKIZOID
Since the formation of YA’ABURNEE in late 2023, the idol group has carved out a unique concept: ‘Not Gothic, but Grotesque & Cute’, in which they present a mix of dark aesthetics and cute elements. They claim to be influenced by the manga Made in Abyss, film director and sculptor Jan Švankmajer, and the band DIR EN GREY. Their live performances are described as a ‘trip’, which also fits well with their latest music video featuring their bold and expressive style. The name YA’ABURNEE is derived from an Arabic expression that literally means ‘you bury me’, used to express the desire to die before a loved one. On 10 April, the quartet released their fifth EP, titled SUKIZOID / 痣恋 (Azakoi). — Recommended by Francisca
bed – Kare Wa 3.0
In the summer of 2022, Tokyo-based alternative rock band bed released their second single, Kare Wa, built around a repetitive guitar riff and a single phrase as the basis for a hypnotic, danceable track. Now almost three years later, the band has released an updated version of this popular song, accompanied by a new music video that visually goes one step further than the original video. Under the motto ‘music for sleeping well’, they deliver pulse-pounding music that makes it difficult to sit still. This tension between message and sound makes them all the more intriguing. In an episode of the YouTube channel ANGURA, which focuses on Japanese underground music, the band was even described as a revolution within Tokyo’s subculture. — Recommended by Francisca
Made in Maiden – thread of intention
Brand-new idol group Made in Maiden have released their first-ever music video this week, immersing viewers in a baroque world full of mirrors, chandeliers and red velvet seatware, while being hit with powerful metal music and poetic, dark lyrics. The five-member group will take to the live stage for the first time later this month, but has already released two digital singles. Made in Maiden is part of the label Be Rise Lab, a subsidiary label of B-Forest Inc, which is also responsible for B.P.RECORDS. Other groups under the label include Metarium and 花魁道中 (Oiran Dochu). Interestingly, guitarist Leda (known for his work in bands like GALNERYUS, DELUHI, UNDIVIDE, and Far East Dizain) worked on the first singles. — Recommended by Francisca
NUL. – CRUMBLE
Last October, the Tokyo-based three-piece industrial rock band NUL. released their third full-length album, AVA, after releasing TRIBRID ARCHIVE in 2021 and EVILA in 2022. The album title is derived from the word ‘avalanche’, which gives an insight into what to expect from the album: a combination of metal and rock with distinctive industrial elements, but places a greater emphasis on aggression and destruction. NUL. was formed in 2019 by HIZUMI (ex-D’espairsRay), along with Toshiyuki Kishi and MASATO (defspiral), after a break from HIZUMI’s musical career. The trio creates music free of constraints, focusing on their own unique 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.
