In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in what’s new in J-pop.
With that in mind, here’s where you come in: I’m one person with one set of musical preferences, so please embed any other new J-pop tracks you’ve enjoyed in the comments so we can get a fuller spectrum each week.
2023-2025 Index
2026 Index: Dec 28 – Jan 3 // Jan 4 – Jan 10 // Jan 11 – Jan 17 // Jan 18 – Jan 24 // Jan 25 – Jan 31 // Feb 1 – Feb 7 // Feb 8 – Feb 14 // Feb 15 – Feb 21 // Feb 22 – Feb 28
Arashi – Five
So… this is kind of a big deal, right? A new Arashi song and video in 2026?
The song is a solid mid-tier entry in their discography. It should please fans.
Ayumu Imazu – Bassline (song of the week!)
The song delivers on the promise of its title, though I wish its centerpiece consisted of more than a… bassline. There are moments I enjoy enough to make this a pick of the week, though.
Bi-ray – Let You Go
A nice ballad that showcases their vocals.
Da-iCE – That You Know?
The grammar of that title confuses me. The song is boring.
＝LOVE – GekiyakuChudoku
Typical idol pop.
HANA – All In
People will love this. It’s not for me. I find the sing-talk delivery annoying.
Hokuto – hate you? love you?
Has a nice, swinging energy.
The Jet Boy Bangerz – Head Up
This kind of reminds me of… mid-2000s crunk? At least in the instrumental.
Koshi Inaba – Touch
This has a very classic B’z sound. Not sure there was a reason for it to be a solo track, but it’s still good.
May’n – genesis/destiny
A very predictable J-rock sound, but it still packs some punch.
Mr.Children – Ubugoe
Once this gets going, it’s actually pretty sprightly.
MYERA – Crushproof!
I wrote about this a month ago and now it has a music video.
NOWZ – AMMO (ft. YRD Leo)
Come on, guys. You had such a strong middle of 2025. This could be worse, but that pots and pans percussion is killing me.
n.SSign – Feelin’ Good
Sounds kind of like a Christmas song. (not complimentary)
OrβIT – Line Me Now
Does the “Line” in the title refer to the messaging app? Is this something people actually say?
Sakanaction – Iranai
I wrote about this a few weeks ago. Now it has a video.
Sakurazaka46 – Dried Fruit
Not a slam dunk, but this is the kind of propulsive song I like from them. The synth touches are nice, too.
Starglow – Green Light
Well, it was nice while it (briefly) lasted. This is the kind of dull material I’d expected from their agency, honestly. A downgrade. It sounds like everyone else.
22/7 – Mirai ga aru kara
Doesn’t really do anything to stand out.