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 // May 10 – May 16 // May 17 – May 23 // May 24 – May 30 // May 31 – Jun 6 // Jun 7 – Jun 13 // Jun 14 – Jun 20 // Jun 21 – Jun 27 // Jun 28 – Jul 4 // Jul 5 – Jul 11 // Jul 12 – Jul 18 // Jul 19 – Jul 25 // Jul 26 – Aug 1 // Aug 2 – Aug 8
THIS WEEK: August 9 – August 15
ATARASHII GAKKO! – TTTTOKYO (song of the week!)
Another retro stomper from them. I should really check out the album because I’ve liked both the new songs so far.
BE:FIRST x SB19 – TOYFRIEND
This is only half a J-pop song, and even then it’s performed in English, but it’s pretty groovy and fun.
Do As Infinity – Natsu wo kakero
Sounds like it would play well at a festival.
ENVii GABRIELLA – Empowerment
Oh, I didn’t realize they had a new single out! This is fun. It’s the kind of thing I’d love to hear from XLOV.
Hearts2Hearts – Iconic Heart
I wrote about this here. I thought it was okay.
iiONDO – Hatsukoi ONDO
A solid debut. Well within expected tropes, though.
kiOra – Coco
Pretty short and repetitive, but shows promise. The mid-song switch-up is actually stronger.
Miyeon (i-dle) – Run Away
Pleasant but boring. The best part is the bubbling synth after the chorus.
MYTH & ROID – Why? RED induction (song of the week!)
I have no idea what a “red induction” is, but I greatly appreciate the driving energy of this song.
NANAOAKARI – Boys & Girls
Energetic indie rock.
Ryugujo – AIAIAINANTE
The song is not bad, but it kind of jettisons everything I love about the group.
SKE48 – Tameiki Mirai
I like the electric guitar.
Snow Man – Good Time
This comes along with the announcement of their new album. I hope the other songs are better. This one feels very uninspired.
The Super Fruit – Oshihen Kinshi Jourei
I wrote about this a couple weeks ago and now it has a music video.
7ORDER – Special Guest (ft. Sway)
Laidback summer vibes.