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 // Mar 1 – Mar 7
aoen – Instant Crush
I wrote about this here. I thought it was pretty good.
Chanmina – Let You Go (ft. INI’s Hiroto)
This drags, unfortunately.
CMDM – Leash
The latest in a very long line to meld idol pop with rock. It’s solid, if not particularly memorable.
GNJB – Nihilism Prism
As always, the music is interesting and overstuffed.
Hi-Fi Un!corn – Hungry Heart
This plays with different textures than their usual stuff. The chorus is solid but the energy shifts too much for my taste.
Hyde – Fading Out
Very pensive, atmospheric and slow.
IMP. – Stranger
I remember when I used to be so excited about this group. There’s nothing bad about this song, but it doesn’t excite me in any way.
JO1 – Breezy Love
It is indeed breezy! At least the chorus ignites some sparks.
MAPA – Stay Away Labyrinth
Lots of affected, high-pitched talking. The vocal harmony in the chorus is kind of interesting, though.
Miyase Ryubi – Flower Chord
Sweet, but pretty throwaway.
#mooove – Anti Vacuumer
Absolute madness. I’m sure there’s a lid for this pot somewhere. Unfortunately, it’s not me.
NiziU – Dear…
They’ve really leaned into releasing ballads, haven’t they? This kind of song has very limited appeal to me.
Novelbright – Caravan
Ah, the Celtic influences that tend to pop up in J-rock songs like this. This is nice, if a bit derivative.
OCTPATH – Steppin’!!!
I like the energy of this. I wish the chorus was stronger.
The Right Light – Lights On! (song of the week!)
I have no idea who these guys are but this is the catchiest J-pop song I’ve heard all week for sure. I really like the melodies.
Tatsuya Kitani – Kasuka na Hana (ft. BABYMETAL)
It’s actually nice to hear BABYMETAL on a softer track.
Tyrkouaz – CHAKRA
This has a heaviness that’s pretty appealing.
Wild Blue – You
A plonky mid-tempo. These are a dime a dozen. Nice vocals as usual, though.
&TEAM – Sakura-iro Yell
I assume this is just a pre-release before we hear the actual single next month since these type of stripped-back ballads aren’t often what &TEAM promotes. It’s pretty, but I’m just not much of a ballad person.