Japanese Indie/Alternative Rock Bands You Should Be Listening to Right Now by Tina

Originally I was going to make this in vlog format, but currently I’m having computer trouble, and a new computer is not in my near future. Written word is my best way of communication anyway, so here we go!

My favorite hobby, one that I enjoy more than reading and writing, is listening to and discovering music.
I’m not a musically inclined person. I can’t play an instrument and I can’t sing (no matter how much  denial I have, it just ain’t there). Even though I can’t make music, it doesn’t mean I can’t express myself though it. The more I listen to songs that are in words I don’t understand, the more I realize that music is so much deeper than words. Music can speaks past the lyrics. A melody is a story, and if you know me, you know I love creating stories.
When I really got into anime I dapped a toe into J-music. I would mostly listened to anime openings, I never ventured far from that.  Eventually I did discover more than just anime themes and since then I’ve gone through a lot of genres and groups. I’ve tried on hair metal, J-pop, even J-hip-hop! But nothing really drew me in until I came upon J-rock. One of the main reasons I love it is the BASS. In J-rock the bass is loud and it’s unique in every song. I JUST LOVE IT SO FREAKING MUCH. I could go on, but I won’t. Here are some ‘Japanese Rock Groups You Need to Be Listening to Right Now”.

Not in any particular order, they all have their own style and they all sound amazing.

Alexandros
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTfKFMqkhGg
I love everything about this. The upbeat song, the lead singer’s pleasant voice, the colors, the stormy setting. Pure bliss.

The Novembers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vngPMNcse6k
Most of their songs have a sleepy vibe, which is nice to hear when you’re writing a certain scene or when you’re having one of those nights where you stare at the ceiling for hours. They have a few ‘harder’ songs. I like both sides of them. (Available on spotify)

Hello Sleepwalkers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khoze6j0LmY
Unlike the last two songs, Hello Sleepwalkers have a much different style. Their music is beautiful organised chaos. (Also they have a female bassist? And she sings? How awesome is that.)

Hyakkei
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EebND0uV1x0
Hyakkei is a strictly instrumental band. This entire album is good for spacing out and getting lost in your own thoughts. (Available on spotify)

Lyu:Lyu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSFYtyxojsI
If I was only aloud to pick one artist to show you, it’d be them. They’re my favorite J-rock band. And that is a lot coming from me because I can never pick favorites. As I wrote this I was having difficulty describing their style. I looked up their bio to get some ideas; it stated that they are “post-apocalyptic and aggressive” which is exactly what they are, *whispers* and I love them. (Available on spotify)

Brian the Sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyPQWhCPQro
I think after all these slightly depressing songs it’s good to end with something light (Well, it’s almost the end). This song always lifted up my spirits. After I watched the MV for the first time I have a new respect for it. The band just looks like a couple of friends having fun. Something that simple gets lost in the music world.

Kinoko Teikoku
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBRqRAh9vJM
The beginning of this song reminds me of Weezer, except this band is about a thousand times better (I still love you, Weezer). This is the title track of their new ablum “Fake World Wonderland”. I deemed it the second best album of the year (again, take this seriously because I don’t pick favorites!)  The songs melted together so beautifully, I felt weightless as if I was gently falling down a rabbit hole.

I feel like I’ve just discovered every.single.band.

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. I hope you like the music, but we can still be friends if you didn’t.

Tina out.