So… on the day of their anniversary, News finally dropped all thirty-two of their singles on streaming services. This is something to celebrate! The albums are coming up next, and some of my favorite tracks are on those albums, but for now I thought I’d give an overview of their huge singles’ discography for those interested exploring.
I’ve been a fan for a decade now and envy everyone who’s able to experience their incredible catalog for the first time. Here’s every single with my personal highlights. Now you have no excuse but to dig in!
(*Romanization is taken from the official titles on Apple Music, even though some of them seem a bit weird to me)
News Nippon (2003)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Their debut single (NEWSニッポン) is, of course, worth mentioning. It’s quite cheesy but totally iconic and the slow-to-fast tempo changes work pretty well to set up that mammoth chorus. Private Hearts is also well worth a listen.
Kibou (Yell) (2004)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: The title track (希望〜Yell〜) is a 2000’s classic and probably deserves a 9+ rating just for that. Good News! is also a fun pump-you-up anthem, though very cheesy. Let’s Go The Planets has a cool psychedelic touch.
Akaku Moyuru Taiyo (2004)
9+ rated songs: I just adore Akaku Moyuru Taiyo (紅く燃ゆる太陽). Fantastic high energy pop music that sounds very dated in the best way.
Other highlights: Not much else stands out to me here, though Beach Angel is a fun pastiche.
Cherish (2005)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Cherish (チェリッシュ) is a pleasant mid-tempo – very of its era. However, Shock Me’s rubbery groove and rock bombast is the real highlight here. It’s a perfect mid-2000’s Johnny’s sound.
TEPPEN (2005)
9+ rated songs: TEPPEN is an early discography highlight, very iconic and incredibly galvanizing.
Other highlights: Everything else here feels like fluff in comparison.
Sayaendo / Hadashi no Cinderella Boy (2006)
9+ rated songs: Hadashi no Cinderella Boy (裸足のシンデレラボーイ) is easily one of my favorite News songs. I adore the chorus so much. It’s melodically perfect and has such inspiring energy. Honestly, one of the best J-pop songs of the 2000’s and a definite “10.”
Other highlights: Sayaendo (サヤエンドウ) is no slouch, either. I love its Eastern European (?) sound.
Hoshi o Mezashite (2007)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: The title track (星をめざして) is a very pretty mid-tempo that really soars during the chorus. Boom! Boom! Power is a banger of a dance/rock hybrid. Akai Hana (紅い花) really leans into their rock side with powerful vocals.
Weeeek (2007)
9+ rated songs: Weeeek is one of J-pop’s most iconic tracks. The chorus is inescapable. It’s a song they almost always perform, with good reason.
Other highlights: As is the case with some of their best singles, the b-sides aren’t much to write home about.
Taiyo no Namida (2008)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Taiyo no Namida (太陽のナミダ) is a beautiful mid-tempo, but it’s the banging electro-dance of Bambina (バンビーナ) that truly stands out.
Summer Time (2008)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Summer Time has a wonderfully wispy chorus that automatically puts me in a summer mood. Baby! Be My Baby! is a surprisingly straightforward rocker.
Happy Birthday (2008)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Happy Birthday is so subtly addictive. That shuffling beat is so catchy and the interplay of the vocals works well to accent the equally memorable melodies. Game Of Love is a fun new jack swing number – not a genre the group explored often.
Koi No Abo (2009)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: The title track (恋のABO) is an energetic disco pastiche that’s a ton of fun.
Sakura Girl (2010)
9+ rated songs: Sakura Girl (さくらガール) has one of the group’s most enduring melodies. It’s such a timeless song, even if the production is very 2010.
Other highlights: Nothing else hits me much on this one.
Fighting Man (2010)
9+ rated songs: They were really starting to hit their stride with Fighting Man. The rhythmic chorus is very effective.
Other highlights: Wake Up is a nice mid-tempo with a soaring hook.
Chancapana (2012)
9+ rated songs: Chancapana (チャンカパーナ) was the group’s big comeback as a four-piece and one of their strongest singles. It’s a real showstopper. Full Swing (フルスイング) is actually even better. It’s like the definition of “catharsis” in a pop song. A total “10”.
Other highlights: Tegoshi’s solo Addict is an energizing electronic dance song. His vocals are always amazing.
World Quest / Pocopon-pecorya (2012)
9+ rated songs: World Quest might be my favorite News song, which is weird because it’s one of their more straightfoward tracks. It’s perfect EDM-era pop music with a galvanizing chorus. It’s a definite “10” for me.
Other highlights: Pocopon-pecorya (ポコポンペコーリャ) is a total festival. So much fun! The disco throwback Quntastic! also deserves a mention.
One (For The Win) (2014)
9+ rated songs: Unsurprisingly, the R-Midwest Remix or World Quest also ranks up here. The original is cannon, but this an even beefier version.
Other highlights: One (For The Win) and Seven Colors are both fun sports anthems with great melodies.
Kaguya (2015)
9+ rated songs: Kaguya was my gateway drug to News and still one of my absolute favorites. I adore those chainsaw synths and 80’s-meets-traditional flair. A “10”! Also a “10” is Top Of The World, which is one of the groups biggest bangers. The chorus accelerates with such force.
Other highlights: Nothing else to mention. What… two “10”s isn’t enough??
Chum Chum (2015)
9+ rated songs: I shouldn’t love how much Chum Chum (チュムチュム) attempts a Bollywood sound, but it’s simply a perfect pop song. However, Megalomania (メガロマニア) is the undisputed “10” on this single. It’s one of my most played songs ever. I’m obsessed with its theatrical electro edge.
Other highlights: Hi wa Mata Noboru (日はまた昇る) is a gorgeous, strings-assisted anthem. Sweet Martini is wonderfully funky. Overall, this is one of News’ strongest set of songs.
Yonjushi (2015)
9+ rated songs: Yonjushi (四銃士 ) was the first News single I reviewed on the blog. I loved it then and I love it now. More songs should incorporate symphonies into their production.
Other highlights: Anthem continues their strong streak of sports… anthems. Meanwhile Eien (永遠) is a gorgeous ballad. The vocal arrangement is stunning.
Hikari no Shizuku / Touch (2016)
9+ rated songs: Touch is an addicting pop track with one hell of a hook. Meanwhile, Hoshi no Tabibito-tachi (星の旅人たち) is the kind of soaring anthem they excel at. I love the strings.
Other highlights: Hikari no Shizuku (ヒカリノシズク) is slightly more generic but still a great example of their sound.
Koi wo Shiranai Kimi-e (2016)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: The single is a rare miss for me, but the upbeat Summer Lover (サマラバ) is fun.
Emma (2017)
9+ rated songs: Emma is a really great pop track with the kind of splashy chorus News do best. It’s a little reminiscent of Chancapana, actually.
Other highlights: Snow Dance has unexpected Celtic influence that works really well.
LPS (2018)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: I don’t really love anything on here, and the Newsical is especially bad.
Blue (2018)
9+ rated songs: We’re back! Blue is one of their best anthems, targeted directly toward stadiums.
Other highlights: Yoro-yo Odore (夜よ踊れ) is slinky fun.
Ikiro (2018)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Ikiro (「生きろ」) is a great emotional anthem. Nothing else strikes me, though.
Top Gun / Love Story (2019)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Top Gun (トップガン) is a sturdy News single. Dragonism is more experimental and electronic.
Beautiful / Chincha Umakka / Canary (2020)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: All three singles from this first release as a trio are worth checking out. Actually, the whole EP is very consistent. Changes, Oborozuki (朧月)and Endless Summer are all solid.
Burn (2021)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Burn is one of their heaviest songs and establishes their new rock-focused sound. Narukami (鳴神舞) follows suit.
Mirai-e / ReBorn (2021)
9+ rated songs: Mirai-e (未来へ) has the huge musical theater sound I love from this group. It’s like Les Miserables in J-pop form.
Other highlights: ReBorn continues the heavy rock from Burn while Junk goes even more aggressive.
Loser / Sanjushi (2022)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Both Loser and Sanjushi (三銃士) are incredibly solid singles. I reviewed them both on the blog. (0, 0, 0) is a boisterous bit of upbeat pop.
Gifted (2023)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Gifted has a satisfyingly theatrical sound. Koufukuron (幸福論) is the kind of straightforward rocker they do well.