Raining down a new bunch of J-Rock videos. Just FYI, this is the time of year my part-time job becomes a full-time crap fest so don’t be too worried if I disappear for a while!

Shugo Tokumaru- “Decorate”

Finally! P-Vine has been region blocking this video for months, but now we have a viewable upload thanks to Polyvinyl announcing they’ll be releasing Shugo Tokumaru’s new album In Focus? in the states in January. “Decorate” continues what Tokumaru does best, bedroom pop with a mix of childlike wonder.

Magdala- “Memories”

If you’ve been missing mutyumu, hatis noit has a new project with Aureole frontman Daichi Mori. She drops the operatic voice for Magdala, substituting her universally beautiful voice. Sure I miss the random screaming in the background but this is pretty too.

LOST- “Christmas Eve (English Version)”

It’s Christmas time, again, and LOST recorded a non screamy cover of Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Christmas Eve.” You can find it on Santa Causes: It’s A Pop Rock Christmas, which I can only hope is a continuation of this awesome CD,  with a bunch of other mostly Japanese artists.

NINGEN OK- “Taion No Yukue”

Dance around with a box on your head. NINGEN OK is a fantastic new instrumental group that has that violent aggression most instrumental groups lack.

NOKIES!- “Everybody Needs To Be In Love”

Do they? Stop rubbing it my face NOKIES! Enjoy a train side view of the countryside and reminisce of loves lost.

SEVENTEEN AGAiN- “Fuck Forever”

Oh, another ballad type song with a corny walking on a beach video? No! SEVENTEEN AGAiN really kicks it up a minute or so into this video and doesn’t stop.

tricot- “Omotenashi”

Tricot is celebrating the month of Movember with some funny looking fake mustaches and top hats. When it comes to the music though, tricot is serious about rocking.

sonodaband- “Hinotama”

Pretty boy instrumental group sondodaband really matured on “Hinotama.” The cello and violin still remain the center but there’s a sense of urgency and dread that I haven’t heard from this band before. And who doesn’t love setting things on fire?

sounddrug- “NOPARTS”

FACT gave up their noh masks a while ago but sounddrug must have found them in some thrift shop. It’s cool though. The sexual imagery in this video is weirdest, most hilarious thing I’ve seen in some time.

Plastic Tree- “Piano Black”

Everyone’s adding dance elements to their music these days. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when long running VK bands do the same. On the plus side, they’ve never sounded better.

Itsue- “Umi He Kaeru”

The sun sets on itsue’s first single, but just like Magdala, this singer’s voice will sparkle throughout the night.

The Paellas- “Following”

“Following” starts off a little creepy but quickly turns into a sweet slice of lo-fi indie rock. The Paellas released this song on a free EP for ano(t)raks earlier this summer but it’s also on their recently released debut album.

Quattro- “Borderline”

Quattro only records one song in Japanese per album, but it always manages to outshine the others. Their other stuff is great too, but it’s like they’re a different band when the sing in their native tongue.

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Band Links

Itsue: web, CD Japan

LOST: web, CD Japan

Magdala: web, CD Japan

Ningen OK: web, CD Japan

NOKIES!: web, CD Japan

The Paellas: facebook, bandcamp, CD Japan

Plastic Tree: web, CD Japan

Quattro: web, CD Japan

SEVENTEEN AGAiN: web, CD Japan

sonodaband: web, CD Japan

sounddrug: web, bandcamp

Shugo Tokumaru: web, Polyvinyl

tricot: web, CD Japan

See new videos daily at J-Rock Explosion’s Tumblr!