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
THIS WEEK: January 18 – 24
Ae! group – Again
Wow, I feel like I’ve heard this song a million times before. It’s not bad, just very familiar.
Ako – Turn It Up
The soft, whispery delivery is really working for me here. This is a nice indie rock song.
Ayumu Imazu – Magical
Light and breezy.
Bestted – Turning Up
This continues the throwback sound of their last single but I don’t think it’s quite as strong. It’s still fun, though.
DISH// – One More Time, One More Chance
This has a very dramatic sound for a slower-paced piece.
Dreams Come True – Beacon
This is one of those legendary J-pop groups I’ve just never been able to get into. I guess they’re just a bit too chill for me. This is… fine.
Fruits Zipper – Eyes On You
Look, I know they’re incredibly popular. I just don’t really get it. I can’t get past the vocals, but I’m happy the music is so cheerful.
GNJB – Now
Sprightly with some nice electronic touches.
Gummy – Kori no Ketsumatsu
This really reminds me of 90s J-rock.
HANA – Cold Night (song of the week!)
Okay, this is the first song I actually like from them. Even the chanting is well done.
HONEST BOYZ®︎ – Midnight (ft. claquepot) (song of the week!)
Oh, this is a groove.
Kento Nakajima – Kesshou (song of the week!)
This has some real heft to it. I love it! It’s easily the best solo work he’s released in awhile. I hope it gets promoted with a video.
Mr.Children – Again
This is another absolutely legendary J-pop group that I have no real connection to. This song is pleasant, though.
SawanoHiroyuki[nZk] – Provant (ft. Jean-Ken Johnny & Takuma)
I wrote about this last week and now it has a music video.
SCANDAL – Girl Is Ghost
I like the central guitar riff and the verses are very catchy.
SPYAIR – Kill The Noise
A typical high-octane rock theme for an anime. It’s well-performed. Not really into the screaming.
STARGLOW – Star Wish (song of the week!)
I wrote about this here. I really liked it! It’s a shame the b-sides are all awful, though…
WEST. – Aishuu
I love when they go in a rockier direction but this song doesn’t do much for me. We just hear so many tracks like this these days. They’ve kind of lost their novelty.
XG – Hypnotize + Take My Breath (song of the week!)
I wrote about Hypnotize here. I liked it! I also really like album track Take My Breath, which has a great pop/dance sound.