Here are 5 promising Japanese emo bands you may not know

Since last year, I've been personally intrigued by the continuous release of high-quality works by domestic emo bands, which is a very exciting situation. (Such as Haiki / Awesome &roid, SHIZUKU / WHITE SURF!, and the split work by Kudaranai Ichinichi / ANORAK!). So this time, I would like to introduce five recommended domestic emo bands that HOLIDAY! RECORDS has encountered so far!

Acle

This band is called Acle, a young emo band from Yokosuka, and they've released on RAFT RECORDS! They start off with delicate and downer arpeggios that gradually build up in intensity until they burst with emotion at the climax. Their Japanese lyrics are incredibly sensitive. They carry the blood of 90's emo directness and influence from bands like Mineral and Penfold! The vocals have a raspy quality that reaches a climax during highlights, and the sing-along during the chorus is passionate!

ANORAK!

ANORAK! is a promising young band in the Japanese emo scene, with influences from emo revival and melodic punk evident in their music. Their sound features bright guitars and a subtle yet powerful sense of blue melody.

Formed in 2019, the band cites Weezer, Snowing, Algernon Cadwallader, and The Ergs! among their favorite bands. Their latest release, a split with Kudaranai Ichinichi (released by Ungulates), showcases a blend of short and poppy punk and emo revival sounds that are both impressive and intriguing.

Their Japanese-language songs also display a natural and sincere vocal style that fits well with their music. With such potential for growth both musically and in terms of popularity, ANORAK! is a band that should not be overlooked in the Japanese emo scene.

Foursidewalks

The band is based in Sendai and Yonezawa, and features keyboards in their lineup, creating a gentle and youthful atmosphere in their emo and indie rock sound. Fans of guitar pop and power pop should also check them out. They have a vibe reminiscent of The Get Up Kids' third album, Rocket Summer's first album, and Comeback My Daughters' first album. They also cited Matthew Sweet, one of the most representative artists of 90's US power pop, as an influence, which is really cool. The slightly unsteady vocals also boost the youthful feel of their music.

Gremlin

A band hailing from Tokushima!

They are signed to Trace of the youth, a label run by the Tokushima band bows. Over the years, Shikoku has produced numerous acclaimed melodic punk bands like Minority Blues Band, Thirsty Chords, HAMK, and Turncoat. And now, a young emo and melodic band has emerged.

Their members cite Algernon Cadwallader and Tiny Moving Parts as their favorites, and their sound is sure to please fans of the emo revival. Their style features a unique sound and worldview that bridges emo and guitar rock, with clear vocals that convey a sense of Japanese melancholy. Their transparent and technically impressive tapping guitar work, combined with hoarse vocals, creates a passionate atmosphere.

SHIZUKU

SHIZUKU is a band from Neyagawa city in Osaka. They reflect their roots in emo and melodic punk in their music while also incorporating clear, melancholic Japanese lyrics. Their sound and worldview have a unique and broad range, serving as a bridge between emo and guitar rock. They pursue their own dramatic and emotional guitar rock style, which is truly beautiful to witness.

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