Not mainstream idol groups—think Japanese post-rock, math rock, experimental electronic, indie folk, shoegaze, and alt-rock. This list dives into 10 bands from Japan, each representing a different genre, showcasing the country’s rich and diverse music underground. These are the artists pushing boundaries, experimenting with sound, and proving that Japanese music goes far beyond the mainstream.
Asian Kung-Fu Generation — Re:Re:
Alternative Rock
The track opens with an energetic guitar line that exudes infectious energy. The shredding guitar melts perfectly with the upbeat and bruising drums to create a scalding tune that brands the melancholy message of the heartbreak of losing somebody into the hearts of the listeners.
The lyrics perfectly capture this sentiment as they say, “Waited for you, I waited, tomorrow passes without interruption, stop and look back, we mourned this endless day, memories are forever, knowing that nothing will remain.” The pain of reminiscing memories of time spent with someone that one used to love will forever be like picking at a scab, never letting it heal, never letting yourself patch that empty part of your heart up.
THREE1989 — mint vacation
Indie Pop
The track opens with a groovy retro guitar line accompanied by 80s-inspired synths echoing in the background throughout the track, giving it the funky edge that makes the song a perfectly smooth and summery anthem. The music gives the track an air of warmth that feels like wrapping yourself in a beach towel after a nice cool swim.
The lyrics pair perfectly with the sunkissed beats and melodies, with lines such as, “Play back Summer, play back Summer, get up mint vacation”—giving the track an unapologetic and happy-go-lucky sound that’s perfect to blast in the car with the windows down.
Plastic Girl In Closet – Pool
Shoegaze/Dream Pop
‘Pool’ is a hypnotic shoegaze track that blends brutal electric guitar with the airy, dreamy vocals—creating a contrasting harmony that makes the song feel light and comforting. The track has a really beautiful, almost haiku-like imagery as it captures the feeling of nostalgia and melancholy behind the summer ending.
It blends everyday childhood memories with fleeting, dreamlike symbols, with lines such as, “The night game canceled once again, summer drawing to a close, a test of courage without umbrellas, ghosts on dark stone steps and a flash of lightning.” At its heart, the track reflects on the passage of time, the beauty of impermanence, and the bittersweet feeling of growing up and leaving moments behind.
For Tracy Hyde — Underwater girl
Dream Pop
‘Underwater girl’ is a track that perfectly blends a haunting melody with soft and delicate vocals to create an otherworldly listening experience that uses distant-sounding synths to make the track feel and sound almost weightless. The dissociative nature of the track mirrors the feeling of detachment from a previous version of yourself that comes with trying to forget someone and the memories attached to them, having to shed the past self to evolve and move forward to be someone new.
The lyrics capture this sentiment as they say, “To the sea that fills your eyes, to my future without you, the light that extends my hand gently slips through my fingers, forever, the answer I thought I found is now a question mark that won’t go away.”
Yossy Little Noise Weaver – ‘Talking About Love’
Ska Pop
‘Talking About Love’ is a chilled and stripped-back Ska track that incorporates a plethora of musical instruments together to create a unique lofi pop and Ska medley. The track incorporates soft trumpets with bouncy drum beats blended together with the harmonium notes and steel drums, tying together the lofi pop and ska elements seamlessly—giving the track a familiar sound that feels like home.
The lyrics say, “Everyday we are talkin’ about love”—adding another layer of warmth and depth to the overall vibe created by the musical style.
KIRARA — FP
Electronic/Experimental
‘FP’ is an electronic instrumental that feels like the perfect song to dance the night away to at a rave or club. The layered techno synth sounds pair with the bruising drums to create an addictive, almost haunting melody.
The heavily electronic vibe is accompanied by a post-punk vibe in the middle of the track, blending the genres seamlessly before returning to the original funky, spastic synths. The track even includes spurts of soft indie rock elements, making it a genre-blending masterpiece that is rich and bold even without lyrics.
Boris — Pink
Noise Rock
‘Pink’ lives up to its genre of noise rock as the loud, grungy, and unapologetic guitar lines messily blend together with the haphazardly organised drum beats to unleash a glorious cacophony of feedback and distortion that seems random but blends together to create a perfect noise rock symphony, equal parts chaos and beauty.
The lyrics paint a picture of the realization that much of our communication, in seeking and giving recognition, is built on deception rather than truth, as the lines say, “eye contacts’ that merely ‘go back to the lies.” The track flawlessly translates this message, showing how people can look straight into one’s eyes and lie effectively and confidently.
Lamp — ゆめうつつ
Folk/Acoustic
The airy, layered vocals wrap the listener in a warm, fuzzy blanket as they kick their feet up on the coffee table with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. The track presents a simple description of a simple day in the life. The delicate acoustic guitar line gives the song a soft vibe, pairing with the lyrics that say, “My room is stagnant today, stagnate, even in the rain outside, don’t notice.”
Ayumu Imazu — Obsessed
Jazz Pop
‘Obsessed’ is a jazz pop track that is sassy and fun, with lyrics that talk about falling in love too easily and getting caught up in crazy situations and hurricanes of romantic emotions. The lyrics pair nicely with the peppy and upbeat vibe of the song, giving it a humorous lightness, as the lines say, “I go two nights out with a girl and I think I’m in love (in love, in love), why do I fall so easily, or is it that she’s so perfect for me, I can’t keep on meeting the love of my life like this.”
Kinoko Teikoku — &
Pop Rock
‘&’ captures the duality of emotion that comes with losing someone who used to be one of the most important people in your life. The track talks about both loving and hating the person simultaneously, being confused about the overwhelming nature of feelings that clash, causing inner conflict.
For example, the lyrics say, “I hate you and I love you, but I don’t know your heart, I hate you and I love you, oh tell me now, who are you thinking of? The feelings I dropped the other day, I cried when I heard them on your voicemail.” The song laments about these contrasting emotions while still harbouring a small amount of love within, targeted toward the person in question.
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