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
*Unfortunately, these pages tend to have errors on many devices if more than twenty YouTube videos are uploaded and this was a VERY heavy week for new J-pop, so I’ve replaced some of the tracks I’m already reviewed with Spotify links and included the option to click intp the YouTube video.
ano – Picaresque hero
A very aggressive sound and not in a way I enjoy.
Chanmina – Test Me
This style is interesting for her. I don’t really care for the song, though.
Da-iCE – Terminal (song of the week!)
Definitely an improvement from their recent work. I like the chunky electro beat.
Doona – Don’t Judge Me
A scrappy little track that blends rap and rock in a fun way. I love the energy.
East Of Eden – The Weight Of Choice
Something much more subdued from them.
Fujii Kaze – It Ain’t Over
Way too drowsy for me.
Hi-Fi Un!corn – Super Duper (song of the week!)
One of their best song yet, I think. That synth riff is addictive.
Hinatazaka46 – Kimi to ikiru
Yeah… this is the kind of song I usually skip from these groups.
ILLIT – Sunday Morning
I wrote about this here. I thought it was okay.
(link to video)
KAJA – Future Calling
From what I can gather, this group is a re-branding of the horribly-named KJRGL. Whatever the case, the song’s bubbly and fun.
Kento Nakajima – XTC
I feel like this needs much stronger melodies, but the sound is more along the lines of what I hoped he’d pursue as a soloist. It’s almost there.
King Gnu – AIZO
I wrote about this last week and now it has a music video.
Klang Ruler – RUN!
This is a bit dancier than their normal stuff. I like it (but was the random trap breakdown really necessary?).
Misamo – Confetti
I wrote about this here. I didn’t really care for it.
(link to video)
Mrs. GREEN APPLE – lulu.
The grip this band has on Japan…
Seriously, I’ve gone from enjoying them to finding their music insufferable. Maybe some time away would help.
Naniwa Danshi – Hard Work
Ugh. I appreciate the (very) slight change in sound but this listen was… hard work.
NAZE – Baby Boo
I’m curious if the drama these groups spawn from will be subbed by anyone or any platform because I’m very curious to watch it. I assume this is another “band” within the series. The song’s fun.
NCT Wish – Hello Mellow
I wrote about this here. I thought it was okay.
(link to video)
Official HIGE DANdism – Make Me Wonder (song of the week!)
I wrote about this a couple weeks ago and now it has a music video. It’s still good.
Queen Bee – Personal
Sigh. I’m just not really connecting with their recent stuff the way I would like to.
RealRomantic – Gira Gira
This is quite good, actually! I think K-pop fans would love this.
Toma Ikuta – Super Romance
This has a fun, punchy energy that’s very enjoyable.
Tsuru and Kame – Love 2000
I’m getting shades of Seishun Amigo here but the song’s not nearly as strong. It’s still fun, though.
Wild Blue – Glitch
Nice vocals as usual but this sound isn’t my thing. I’ve never enjoyed the lurching glitchiness that goes along with this style of production.
Yoasobi – Baby
Upbeat and nice to listen to, but ultimately it just sounds like another Yoasobi song to me.