Women of the Moment
Music of Japan #14
Celebrating the great modern female voices of the Japanese music scene✨
Hello everyone!
I hope you’re all having a great week so far.
In this edition, I want showcase some of the fantastic female rockstars that are making waves within Japan’s independent music scene. This selection draws from numerous corners of the country, from Nagasaki to Kyoto to Osaka to Yokohama, and presents a group of female solo artists and female-fronted bands that are growing in popularity and stand out from the crowd.
Whilst the following songs are predominantly of an alternative rock /indie rock nature, you will find elements of pop and folk creeping in from some tracks.
Enjoy the music and if you like what you hear today, be sure to tune in to the Music of Japan playlist on Spotify or Apple Music for all of my selections so far.
ありがとうございます！
“Spring” by Sundae May Club
🎶 indie, pop, rock 📍nagasaki 🗓️ released on 1st june 2021
Formed in May 2019 by three members of a university’s Jazz Society, Sunday Mae Club are quickly gaining recognition, both at home and overseas.
A self-proclaimed “ultra super pop band”, Sunday Mae Club consists of Koyuki Ura (vocals, guitar), Miyahara (guitar) and Hiroto (drums). The trio collectively produces a fresh, uplifting and dreamy pop sound, fuelled by a youthful tenacity.
This passionate, almost punky song is charged with the momentum of skilfully delivered guitar melodies, a heavy drumbeat and of course, Koyuki’s heartfelt lyrics describing the feeling of being angry and distraught in the springtime, against the season’s characteristics.
Certainly one of my favourites at the moment!
Discover more of Sundae Mae Club’s music on their YouTube channel here and keep up to date with them via their website here.
“Memory” by Ålborg
🎶 indie rock, folk📍yokohama 🗓️ released 8th september 2023
Named affectionately after Denmark’s picturesque city of the same name, Yokohama indie rock outfit Ålborg appeared on the scene in 2022 and immediately released their first single “Girl” that summer. One year later, the brooding and folky “Memory” is the fourth and latest release.
Ålborg is comprised of the distinctive vocals of Miya (vocals, acoustic guitar), droning electric tones of Minato Kunugi (guitar), understated pulsations of Tatsuya Kamata (bass), the ceremonious acoustic backbeat of Rokuro Iwakata and the broody trombone of Kurumi Yasuda.
“Memory” certainly bares a cosy, folkish character that showcases the group’s Scandinavian influence and connotations. Maya’s delicate vocals converse with Yasuda’s baritone brass tones to form an unconventional duet.
Listen to more from Ålborg on YouTube here and follow them on Instagram here.
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“Rollin Rollin” by ORESKABAND
🎶 pop, ska📍sakai 🗓️ released 21st june 2023
ORESKABAND are an internationally renowned all-female ska band. Formed by middle schoolers in 2003, ORESKABAND was signed by Sony Music Japan just three years later whilst its members were in high school. The group has enjoyed a fruitful career of both domestic and international success ever since.
After numerous line-up changes and the comings and goings of numerous supporting musicians, the band is currently made up of founding members iCas (vocals, guitar), Hayami (trombone, MC) and Tae (drums) along with ADD (tenor saxophone), who joined in 2016.
Their 2023 single “Rollin Rollin” is their first release since 2022’s “BOHEMIA”, the band’s fourth full-length album (their 10th with compilations and EPs included). The group’s ska undertones are complimented with an island rhythm and a series of catchy pop melodies on this track. ADD’s marvelous sax solo tops off the welcome return of these ska icons.
Check out ORESKABAND’s website here and discover their lively wider catalogue on YouTube here.
“City Girl” by botakura.
🎶 pop📍 tokyo 🗓️ released on 16th november 2022
Jazzy five-piece botakura have been basking in rays of radio plays all over Japan recently. Just under two years into their career, they are already selling out venues and frequenting many high-profile playlists across the most popular streaming platforms.
The group consists of Siyo (vocals), Tomokazu Tamizawa (guitar), Kenjin Mitani (bass), Kazune Nakanishi (drums) and Harumaki (Sax).
“City Girl” is the band’s fourth single (of eight in total to date) and remains their most streamed. Infused with funky bass, guitar and sax solos and held together by a groovy back-beat, Siyo’s bubbly vocals lead a song that celebrates the exciting atmosphere and endless possibilities that swim through a lively city at night.
Learn more about botakura via their website here and follow them across their socials here.
“Us” by Homecomings
🎶 alternative, indie 📍kyoto 🗓️ released on 19th april 2023
Formed in 2012 after meeting at Kyoto Seika University’s Folk Music Club, indie quartet Homecomings have become a well-known and established band on the Japanese indie scene over the past decade.
Long watched and praised by Japanese media, Homecomings have built a substantial international reputation as well, having supported the likes of Mac DeMarco and Cloud Nothings and touring the UK in 2019. They have a dream pop sound characterised by jangly guitars and gorgeous vocal melodies.
Homecomings is comprised of Ayaka Tateno (vocals, guitar), Yuki Fukutomi (guitar), Honami Fukuda (bass, backing vocals) and Narumi Ishida (drums, backing vocals).
“Us” is a charming and dreamy indie rock tune from the band’s sixth and latest album, “New Neighbours”. Ayaka’s gentle melodic vocals are supported by an angelic chorus of backing vocals from Honami and Narumi, whilst Yuki leads the instrumental with intricate guitar riffs. I was captivated by the atmospheric and dream-like nature of this track.
Visit Homecomings’ website and follow them via their socials here and discover their music, watch interviews and more via their YouTube channel here.
Thank you for reading! I hope you discovered some music you may have liked in this edition.
If you have any thoughts on how I can improve this newsletter and your experience with it, please get in touch at themusicofjapan@gmail.com.