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 // Mar 8 – Mar 14 // Mar 15 – Mar 21 // Mar 22 – Mar 28 // Mar 29 – Apr 4 // Apr 5 – Apr 11 // Apr 12 – Apr 18 // Apr 19 – Apr 25 // Apr 26 – May 2 // May 3 – May 9
THIS WEEK: May 10 – May 16
Ado – Haru Ni Mau
A much lighter sound for her.
Ae! group – DEKOBOKO LIFE
I think it’s probably time to just concede that this group isn’t for me.
BREIMEN – Men Do It Up!
That song title! Haha
Chotokkyu (Bullet Train) – GACHI MUCHU!
My least favorite direction their music goes, tbh. I feel like it’s a joke I’m not in on.
Genic – The Times
Hmm… my favorite J-pop groups seem to be struggling right now. This never really gets off the ground for me.
Hinatazaka46 – Empty (song of the week!)
This is nice. The arrangement and melodies feel quite theatrical.
Kana Nishino – Love Beat (ft. NiziU)
Upbeat and fun. The vocals are a mixed bag.
Naniwa Danshi – Be My Baby
Meh. Diminishing returns, yet again.
PEOPLE 1 – Masterpiece
A decent, driving rock track.
Perfume – Cold Sleep (song of the week!)
There’s such a 90s groove to this that feels new for them.
REIKO – Check
We’ve heard this kind of percussion sooo many times over the past few years. It takes a really strong song to overcome it. Sadly, that’s not the case here.
Ryosuke Yamada – Venom
Yawn. Same old, same old song trying to be “dark” and “tough” without much melody backing up the vibe.
Yuta (NCT) – Play Back
He gets another proper rock banger with this Kamen Rider theme.