[Japanese Rock] Recommended Japanese Rock Bands
In Japan, large-scale rock festivals keep increasing, and the popularity of rock bands is really on the rise! On subscription services like Spotify and Apple Music, band tracks frequently appear in playlists and rankings, so I’m sure many of you listen to them regularly.
As opportunities to encounter rock bands grow like this, I bet more and more people are getting interested in the domestic rock scene.
That said, there are so many rock bands out there that you might be thinking, “I don’t even know where to start listening…” That’s why in this article, I’ll introduce rock bands you should definitely check out, in recommended order! Start by listening to the bands introduced at the beginning of this article!
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- A song by a rock band bursting with exhilarating energy and a sense of speed that you want to listen to in the summer.
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[Japanese Rock] Recommended Japanese Rock Bands (181–190)
Fashion OperationNekura Tōkī
Nekritalkie is a rock band known for playful songs that feel like they came straight out of a retro game soundtrack.
The vocalist Mossa’s singing voice is very cute, but if you listen closely, the lyrics are somewhat bleak.
That contrast—along with each member’s individuality and their high level of musicianship—is unquestionably one of the band’s strengths.
[Japanese Rock] Recommended Japanese Rock Bands (191–200)
predawnHarukamirai
A four-piece male band formed in 2012 that debuted in January 2019 with the album “Eternal Flower.” Their song “Country Road,” included on the 2017 mini-album “Sense of Wonder,” has surpassed 1 million views on YouTube.
All instrumental members also sing chorus parts, and the blend of those vocals guarantees an electrifying live performance.
One listen will make you want to head straight to their show.
SecretPorukadotto Sutingurei
Polkadot Stingray is a rapidly rising band with a female vocalist.
The music video for Telecaster Stripe, which they posted on YouTube during their indie days, went viral and paved a smooth path to their major-label debut.
Many of their songs feature guitar-forward arrangements, making them a great recommendation for fans of tight, funky guitar cutting.
kawa-E (cute)Yabai T-shatsu Yasan
Often affectionately called “YabaT,” the band Yabai T-Shirts Yasan is a Kansai-born rock group that has become hugely popular among young people.
Their sound is cool, but many of their songs have completely jokey lyrics, making them a sure-fire pick-me-up when you’re feeling tired.
By the way, the vocalist Takuyu Koyama is also active as a video director, known under the name “Sushi-kun” for works like Okazaki Taiiku’s “MUSIC VIDEO.”
thought crimeYorushika
Formed in 2017 by n-buna, who was active as a Vocaloid producer, and singer suis, this rock band surged in popularity around 2019.
n-buna handles songwriting and guitar, while suis is on vocals, and not much else about them has been publicly disclosed.
The charm of their music lies above all in how each work is created around a firmly defined concept, allowing listeners to experience a narrative across an entire album.
On top of that, each individual track is catchy yet cool, showcasing different facets—beautiful vocals and piano, breezy guitars, and more—depending on the song.
More artists are moving from the Vocaloid scene into mainstream pop, but this duo is one of the acts most worth watching among them.
a miraculous comebackWagakki Band
At first I thought it was just a temporary band name, but I never imagined they’d actually debut with it… That said, the impact is outstanding.
Once you’ve seen the name, it’s definitely easier to remember than a lot of bands with clumsy English names.
The vocalist, Suzuka, has made her solo debut.
WHERE?yoru no honki dansu
An irresistibly upbeat dance-rock number that really goes all-in.
It’s included on their first album, “DANCE TIME,” released in 2014.
As you can tell from the album title and the band name, they’re truly a rock band made for singing and dancing.
