With a large music industry such as Japan has, 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 lesser-known Japanese musical acts that are definitely worth watching. We are now looking back on a couple of videos that were released in week 19 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries!
MANACLE – Look at me！
A few days back, the four-member idol group MANACLE released their first album, after debuting last summer. Consisting of idols who have previously been active in NECRONOMIDOL and AIBECK, they started with releasing digital singles. The concept of the group is to free yourself from daily life that is tied to shackles. In addition to their first album, they also released their first music video, which seems to have caught some attention already. — Recommended by Francisca
DeNeel – 残像 (Zanzou)
DeNeel released last year their first national release, a debut album, titled MASK. While the band gets described as neo-mixture rock, their catchphrase is Osaka Revival Pop. Which is interesting, since the four-piece moved last year from Osaka to Tokyo. Their sound is a mix of nostalgic sound topped with a modern sound inspired by various genres. — Recommended by Francisca
City Cyndrome – いれもの (Iremono)
The music of City Cyndrome can be seen as a pop interpretation of the chaos of the mind and everyday life and as to how they describe “This is just our fun way of dealing with the chaos in our minds.” Iremono (meaning vessel) is the first single by the brand-new music collective from Tokyo. The pop sound they produce is based on R&B and urban music combined with mysterious visuals. — Recommended by Francisca
SAYONARA HATE TOWN – Blindness
SAYONARA HATE TOWN got formed in January 2019 and started activities a few months later on. The mixed four-piece alternative rock band has a backbone of internet music including Vocaloid music and alternative rock with a strong introverted mindset, they have been playing a variety of music including post-rock, math rock, and emo. — Recommended by Francisca
Little Tooth – Tightrope
The vocalist and guitarist of Helsinki Lambda Club, Kaoru Hashimoto, started the solo project Little Tooth in early 2020. Initially, this project was going to be called bed-room punk with a garage punk sound, but the second EP which was released in April of this year, broadened the music style of this music project as demonstrated in this colourful music video. — Recommended by Francisca
Unblock – また生まれ変わっても (Mata umare kawatte mo)
The Osaka-based rock band Unblock, consisting of two members, started activities in 2010 and got signed to indie label THE NINTH APOLLO four years later. In February of this year, Unblock released their second album, titled 窓を開けたら (Mado wo aketara). This music video for one of the songs on that album – while we don’t know what is said between the couple – is still very touching and inspiring. — Recommended by Francisca
Salmon pinknows – Single day
Salmon pinknows is the name of the solo project by MIZ-C, who is in addition to a guitar and bass player also active as a designer and illustrator. In March of this year, MIZ-C released an album, titled in my room, under the name of their solo project. After that, they released an EP in April, titled Here and there. Enough music to enjoy, while the project is still rather new. The music video could be created due to a crowdfunding project that the alternative rock band launched in April. — 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!
