Lovely Western music

Recommendation of Western Rock: Recommended Foreign Rock Bands, Popular Bands

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

You still hear people say things like, “I listen to Japanese rock bands, but I’m not so good with Western music,” even today, when it’s easier than ever to listen online to music from any era and anywhere in the world from the comfort of your home.

There are many reasons for this, but it seems some people feel a hurdle simply because the lyrics aren’t in Japanese.

So this time, we’ll introduce recommended Western rock bands for those who are thinking of getting into Western rock.

From legendary big names to bands lighting up the 2020s, we’ve picked a diverse lineup to enjoy!

[Recommendation of Western Rock] Recommended Western bands, popular bands (121–130)

SuperpositionYoung The Giant

Young the Giant – Superposition (Official Video)

SuperpositionYoung The Giant

A band from California that calls themselves Young the Giant.

They’re a multinational group—Indian, British, Persian, and French-Canadian—so they might seem all over the map, but their indie rock sound is known for being razor-sharp and cool.

They’re still in their early twenties, but it looks like we can expect great things from them going forward!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Middle SeaYuck

Yuck – Middle Sea

Middle SeaYuck

Would Yuck be considered power pop as a genre? I think their songs are crafted with an exquisite sense of balance.

The slightly over-distorted guitar feels great the whole time, and on top of that, catchy, pop melodies come flying in.

The male-female mixed vocals have a rather unusual resonance that feels really good.

It’s edgy yet sparkling—wonderful.

By the way, I’ve heard the bassist is Japanese, and including that, the band’s overall look is also excellent.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

brokenlovelytheband

lovelytheband – broken (official video)

brokenlovelytheband

lovelytheband is an American indie pop band formed in 2016.

They began writing songs soon after coming together, and their first release, a track called “broken,” gradually sparked their rise in popularity.

While they actively incorporate digital sounds, their music has a unique worldliness that somehow evokes a sense of nostalgia—one of the key elements of their appeal.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Chlorinetwenty one pilots

twenty one pilots – Chlorine (Official Video)

Chlorinetwenty one pilots

twenty one pilots is a duo that skyrocketed to fame in the early 2010s and has continued to achieve global success ever since.

They’ve even won a Grammy, so their popularity and talent are beyond question.

Many people in Japan may recognize their music because one of their songs was featured in the hugely popular film Suicide Squad.

Their sound is emblematic of modern bands, and they frequently use programmed drums.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Hotel CaliforniaThe Eagles

Eagles – Hotel California (Live 1977) (Official Video) [HD]

Hotel CaliforniaThe Eagles

A rock band that debuted in 1971 and has been active while based on the U.S.

West Coast.

Their total record sales exceed 200 million, and their signature song “Hotel California”—renowned for its layered soundwork featuring as many as 13 guitars—is likely familiar even to those who don’t often listen to Western music.

Their hallmark is a musical style that fuses the breezy sounds of country rock and bluegrass with the dynamism of rock, while also incorporating a wide range of elements such as AOR, funk, and dance music—making them a band that reveals greater depth the more you listen.

With many songs boasting catchy, beautiful melodies, they’re also easy to enjoy for newcomers to Western rock.

Raise the rankinglower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem