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.
2023-2024 Index
2025 Index: Dec 29 – Jan 11 // Jan 12 – Jan 18 // Jan 19 – Jan 25 // Jan 26 – Feb 1 // Feb 2 – Feb 8 // Feb 9 – Feb 15 // Feb 16 – Feb 22 // Feb 23 – Mar 1 // Mar 2 – Mar 8 // Mar 9 – Mar 15 // Mar 16 – Mar 22 // Mar 23 – Mar 29 // Mar 30 – Apr 5 // Apr 6 – Apr 12 // Apr 13 – Apr 19 // Apr 20 – Apr 26 // Apr 27 – May 3 // May 4 – May 10 // May 11 – May 16 // May 17 – May 24 // May 25 – May 31 // Jun 1 – Jun 7 // Jun 8 – Jun 14 // Jun 15 – Jun 21 // Jun 22 – Jun 28 // Jun 29 – Jul 5 // Jul 6 – Jul 12 // Jul 13 – Jul 19 // Jul 20 – Jul 26 // Jul 27 – Aug 2 // Aug 3 – Aug 9 // Aug 10 – Aug 16 // Aug 17 – Aug 23 // Aug 24 – Aug 30 // Aug 31 – Sep 6 // Sep 7 – Sep 13 // Sep 14 – Sep 20 // Sep 21 – Sep 27 // Sep 28 – Oct 4 // Oct 5 – Oct 11 // Oct 12 – Oct 18 // Oct 19 – Oct 25 // Oct 26 – Nov 1 // Nov 2 – Nov 8
THIS WEEK: November 9 – 15
Ballistik Boyz – Winter Glow
We’ve entered “winter song” territory and this one’s as fine as any but does nothing to distinguish itself from the pack.
Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora (BOKUAO) – Arewa Fairy
This is perfectly pleasant but no different than countless other songs in the genre.
East Of Eden – Our Fate
I really wish we could just have Predia back as this heavy rock sound isn’t really for me, but it’s still nice to hear the vocals go off.
f5ve – I Choose You
This sounds like every K-pop girl group to me, but in Japanese. This sound palette is getting very old.
INI – Present
Another winter/holiday release. For INI, that’s a welcome development because it finally lets them showcase their strong vocals on a song like this. It’s a pity the actual music is so dull.
IS:SUE – Super Luna (song of the week!)
I haven’t cared for this group’s work yet but this is a total transformation in the best way. I love the chugging, shimmering synth energy.
JO1 – Just Say Yes
A muted mid-tempo. Not my thing, but they sound good.
Kid Phenomenon – Black Flame
I wrote about this a few weeks ago and now it has a music video.
Kis-My-Ft2 – &Joy (song of the week!)
This kind of happy clappy (frantic?) sound will never be my favorite version of their music, but I’m quite happy with the chorus here. It’s well-developed and rousing.
Mai Ozeki × Chisaki Morito – Tachimukae Go Way
A pretty classic J-pop sound. Not very memorable, though.
Morning Musume ’25 – Lamentazione
Takes a bit to get going, but this is fun overall.
NMB48 – Seishun no Deadline
A pretty dull version of this kind of girl group song.
≠ME – Haita-teki Fighter
I wish this had stronger vocals because I like the energy.
Snow Man – Itazurana Tenshi
Once upon a (recent) time, I was completely obsessed with Snow Man’s music. This one’s not bad but it’s not enough to totally pique my interest again.